Guide to Gainesville food and fun
Food Scene
Fresh Florida seafood, full bar and local specialities like gator tail.
7 locals recommend
Wahoo Seafood Grill
3833 NW 97th BlvdFresh Florida seafood, full bar and local specialities like gator tail.
Locally famous pizza and pasta. Offers sit-down and take out at Tioga Town Center, on West Newberry road.
50 locals recommend
Blue Highway a Pizzeria
204 Northeast Highway 441Locally famous pizza and pasta. Offers sit-down and take out at Tioga Town Center, on West Newberry road.
La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant
9513 NW 39th AveFriendly family-owned local Mexican restaurant, $3 house margaritas
Great Thai food next to Santa Fe campus. Pad Thai, masamam curry, Tom Kha soup, and crispy duck salad are the best in Gainesville.
Bangkok Square @North Gainesville
8181 NW 39th AveGreat Thai food next to Santa Fe campus. Pad Thai, masamam curry, Tom Kha soup, and crispy duck salad are the best in Gainesville.
Sonny's BBQ
2700 NE Waldo RdSometimes you need ribs :)
Sports bar in the Best Western hotel with large selection of American and Southern favorites.
Gators Den Sports Grill
4200 NW 97th BlvdSports bar in the Best Western hotel with large selection of American and Southern favorites.
New, delicious, good value. An experience on University Avenue near UF @ 13th
Tup Tim Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar
1232 W University AveNew, delicious, good value. An experience on University Avenue near UF @ 13th
Mint Indian Cuisine
7625 W Newberry RdVegan and vegetarian Indian food.
BENTO Gainesville Newberry
3832 W Newberry RdPopular spot for rolls, bowls and boba tea
Cubans, arepas, cafe y batidos y pastelitos y ropa viejo y arroz con pollo, todo. Alachua @441, near campus on 34th Street, and a new one opening in Jonesville.
20 locals recommend
Mi Apá Latin Café of Alachua
15634 US-441Cubans, arepas, cafe y batidos y pastelitos y ropa viejo y arroz con pollo, todo. Alachua @441, near campus on 34th Street, and a new one opening in Jonesville.
Dunkin'
3411 SW Archer RdIt's new! and it's close!
Pomodoro Cafe
9200 NW 39th AvePizzas calzones and Italian classics. BOGO takeout specials.
Worth a trip to the scenic Old Florida town of Micanopy, just south of Payne’s Prairie
12 locals recommend
Mosswood Farm Store and Bakehouse
703 NE Cholokka BlvdWorth a trip to the scenic Old Florida town of Micanopy, just south of Payne’s Prairie
Cilantro Tacos
12921 SW 1st RdSatchel's Pizza
1800 NE 23rd AveSatch Squared
405 Southwest 4th AvenueParks & Nature
Better than even chance of spotting Gainesville's favorite wildlife
80 locals recommend
Sweetwater Wetlands Park
325 SE Williston RdBetter than even chance of spotting Gainesville's favorite wildlife
Ichetucknee Springs State Park - Southern Entrance
U.S. 27Almost guaranteed to see alligators sunning themselves. If you're lucky, you can also see Payne's Prairie's wild horses and bison.
La Chua Trail
La Chua TrailAlmost guaranteed to see alligators sunning themselves. If you're lucky, you can also see Payne's Prairie's wild horses and bison.
Note: the jumping dock became unstable after hurricanes Irma and Michael, so was removed
124 locals recommend
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
7450 NE 60th StNote: the jumping dock became unstable after hurricanes Irma and Michael, so was removed
Manatee Springs State Park
11650 NW 115th StDrinks & Nightlife
Cocktails, pool tables, DJ dance party and excellent Mexi-food - Boca Fiesta/Backyard/Palomino has it all, in the heart of downtown Gainesville.
7 locals recommend
the Backyard at Boca Fiesta & Palomino
Southeast 1st StreetCocktails, pool tables, DJ dance party and excellent Mexi-food - Boca Fiesta/Backyard/Palomino has it all, in the heart of downtown Gainesville.
Arcade Bar
6 E University AveUniversity and Main nightclub
World of Beer
140 SW 128th StIn Town of Tioga, pedestrian mall with shopping and cafes.
Sightseeing
20 minutes after sunset, 20million* bats exit the 3 bat houses on Museum Road to eat bugs over Lake Alice. Sounds odd, but it is a classic Gainesville experience.
(*not sure how many bats. A lot of bats.)
59 locals recommend
UF Bat Houses
Museum Road20 minutes after sunset, 20million* bats exit the 3 bat houses on Museum Road to eat bugs over Lake Alice. Sounds odd, but it is a classic Gainesville experience.
(*not sure how many bats. A lot of bats.)
Bison 🦬 wild horses 🐎 alligators 🐊 and birds 🐦
102 locals recommend
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
100 Savannah BlvdBison 🦬 wild horses 🐎 alligators 🐊 and birds 🐦
Arts & Culture
Ongoing (free) - Florida Fossils, NW Florida Waterways & Wildlife, S Florida People & Environments, Our Energy Future.
Butterfly Rainforest ($12-14) and special limited time visiting exhibits ($)
134 locals recommend
Florida Museum of Natural History
3215 Hull RdOngoing (free) - Florida Fossils, NW Florida Waterways & Wildlife, S Florida People & Environments, Our Energy Future.
Butterfly Rainforest ($12-14) and special limited time visiting exhibits ($)
Harn Museum of Art
3259 Hull RdSpend an hour in the Asian art wing
Authentic Old Florida history, if that is what you are into. Limited hours, so call first.
16 locals recommend
Matheson History Museum
513 E University AveAuthentic Old Florida history, if that is what you are into. Limited hours, so call first.
Essentials
Publix Super Market at Springhill Commons
9200 NW 39th AveChicken tender subs. Full stop.