Gainesville has a great food scene, and is very vegetarian/vegan friendly. Below is a quick and incomplete list of places to eat. Be sure to check out local food blogger Ken Eats Gainesville for more in-depth information!
Groceries
Ward’s Supermarket
515 NW 23rd Ave
(352) 372-1741
Locally owned, operated, and sourced.
Lucky’s Market
1459 NW 23 Ave
(352) 240-6440
National chain. Large store. Health food.
Publix
Various locations
A Florida favorite. A “normal” no-frills market.
Trader Joe’s
3724 SW Archer Rd
(352) 378-9321
Only one in town.
Lunch Close to Turlington
All of these locations are within two blocks of Turlington on University Ave.
Pita Pit – Build-your-own pita pocket, vegetarian options available
Relish – Build-your-own burger, vegetarian options available (the curry ketchup is amazing)
Grill Fresh – Build-your-own dish, vegetarian options available, all gluten free
Vietnamese Grill – Vietnamese restaurant by the Catholic Church on University
Sushi-2-Go – Sushi and other Japanese cuisine, you can order using a touch screen or app.
Chipotle – Speaks for itself
Flaco’s Cuban Bakery – Cuban sandwiches and deserts
Pascal’s (coffee & pastries) – Many argue it’s the best coffee anywhere near campus
Gator Pizza – Pizza served through a window
Jimmy John’s – Chain sub sandwich place
Dunkin Donuts (2 of them) – Coffee, donuts, breakfast food
Tijuana Flats – Florida Mexican chain, famous for its hot sauce selection
Restaurants
Bageland
2441 NW 43rd St # 6C
352-372-2435
Best bagels in town, source for most of the shops near campus.
Bento Cafe
3832 W Newberry Rd # 1J
352-377-8686
(or)
3841 SW Archer Road # D
Bento boxes, really tasty, and right next to the movie theatre
Chopstix Cafe
3500 SW 13th St
352-367-0003
Pan-Asian, great Kimchee, full bar, great view of a lake. All price ranges.
Daybreak Pleasant Street
308 NW 5th Ave
(352) 792-6773
Amazing breakfast place, but really small so be wary of going as a large group.
El Indio
407 NW 13th St
352-377-5828
Delicious cheap Mexican food, 4 blocks north of campus on 13th Street.
Flying Biscuit Cafe
4150 NW 16th Blvd
352-373-9500
A chain, but we have received many good comments about the food.
Fresco Neighborhood Italian
3117 SW 34th Street
(352)377-3484
Harvest Thyme Cafe
2 W Main Street (on the corner)
(352) 384-9497
Ivey’s Grill
3303 W University Ave
352-371-4839
Excellent breakfasts, great coffee, VERY crowded on the weekends.
The Jones Eastside Eatery
401 NE 23rd Avenue
352-373-6777
Lots of veggie/vegan breakfast options.
Karma Cream
607 W University Ave
352-505-6566
Vegan cafe and ice cream parlor.
La Tienda Latina
2204 SW 13th St
352-367-0022
Super cheap, this IS the best Mexican food in town. Cowboy boots also sold.
Leonardo’s Pizza by the Slice
1245 W University Ave
352-375-2007
One of the best of the slices joints surrounding campus.
Mi Apa Latin Cafe
112 SW 34th St
352-376-7020
Good, cheap, and fast, some claim this is the best Cuban food in town.
Original Pizza Palace
604 NW 13 ST
352-377-5571
A classic returns, and now they serve cheap breakfasts. Very close to campus.
Pho Hanoi
3550 SW 34th St
352-373-2098
Hard to find, but Rice raves that this is the best Vietnamese in town.
Saigon Cafe
808 W University Ave
352-338-0023
Five blocks east, this is affordable and tasty Vietnamese. Great spring rolls.
Satchel’s Pizza
1800 NE 23rd Ave
352-335-7272
Best pizza in town, plus great toys.
Stubbie Shirt Pub
9 W University Avenue
A beer hall with over 225 brands, they now serve pub food as well.
Sushi Matsuri
3418 SW Archer Rd
352-335-1875
Located next to the other theatre, a favorite sushi place in Gainesville.
Terrel’s BBQ
1130 NE 16th Ave
352-367-1400
BBQ from a trailer, open Thursday to Saturday. Best ribs inside the city limits.
The Top
30 N Main St
352-337-1188
Good food and a full bar. Grill stays open until midnight.
