1. Leave The Blues Behind At Latienda’s Latina Restaurant
La Tienda Latina
2204 SW 13th St
(352) 367 - 0022
Yelp: 4 ½ Stars- 198 Reviews
Try everything else on the menu here before ordering a burrito, because once you have a Latienda’s burrito, you may never try anything else. The chips and salsa are to die for, the scallop burritos are sheer amazement, challenged only by the flavorful steak chimichangas. And remember, this restaurant serves fresh, authentic Mexican food, so be careful of the hot habaneros.
2. Forget New York Style, You’ll Get Hooked On Satchel’s Style
Satchel’s Pizza
1800 NE 23rd Ave.
352 - 335-7272
Yelp: 4 Stars 231 Reviews
This Gainesville icon has something for every patron. Gluten free, vegetarian and meat eaters will find something yummy on the menu. On top of all the great food choices, it’s a great place for kids.
Satchel’s appearance makes you feel like you’ve stepped back into the ‘60s, but the vibe only adds to the fun. Pizzas are great (the deep dish will leave you full for days), and the calzones are equally fantastic. It’s all in the crust.
3. A Little Slice Of Cuba On A Miami Sandwich At Mi Apa Latin Cafe
Mi Apa Latin Cafe
114 SW 34th St.
352- 376- 7020
Yelp: 4 stars 116 Reviews
The Cuban sandwich is served with plantain chips and tastes as authentic as if you were eating out in downtown Havana. But the empanadas, guava and cheese pastries, and fried pork are all fantastic, so don’t skip them.
Mi Apa serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has carry out too. The food is so good, if you closed your eyes, you’d swear you were in Miami. And for dessert, order the churros. Just trust me.
4. Dress Up For Dragonfly Sushi Sake Co.
Dragonfly Sushi Sake Co.
201 SE 2nd Ave
352 – 371 – 3359
Yelp: 4 Stars 171 Reviews
This awesomely named spot has equally cool dishes like the Godzilla Roll, Mango Tango and Cobra Cai, which are all delicious. It’s a fancier spot, so don’t be afraid to get a little gussied up. The outside bar is just as inviting and hip as inside, so there’s really no bad seat in the house
The Slammin’ Salmon is proof enough that Dragonfly Sushi Sake Co is more than just a college go-to spot. One visit will show you why there is often a long line at the entrance. Call ahead for reservations just in case.
5. Southern Charm Kitchen Will Sweet-Talk You Into Trying Everything On The Menu
Southern Charm
1714 SE Hawthorne Rd
352- 505 – 5553
Yelp: 4 Stars 88 Reviews
Okay, unless you’ve visited Southern Charm Kitchen, the idea of sweet potato hushpuppies might be a little foreign. What about pickled watermelon fried tofu? No?Just try them, because Gainesville locals are nuts about them. You might even say they’ve been “charmed” by the food. Ha.
Perhaps the most unmissable dish is the moist fried chicken served with warm soft waffles. You couldn’t really go wrong with chicken and waffles to begin with, but boy does this place do them right.
6. Hogan’s Great Sandwiches Are Real Heroes
Hogan’s Great Sandwiches
2327 NW 13th St.
352 – 376 – 6224
Yelp: 4 ½ Stars 66 Reviews
Hogan’s Great Sandwiches are obviously great because they taste so good, but they also stand out because they’re ridiculously huge. That photo above is one sandwich. It needed two baskets.
Hogan’s makes more than just regular foot-longs. They’re stuffed to the gills with prime ingredients. Finishing one of them is an accomplishment that not many can claim. See if you can claim victory.
7. Tempo Bistro To Go Is Fresh, Fast, And Fabulous
Tempo Bistro To Go
1516 NW 13th St.
352 – 336 – 5834
Yelp: 4 ½ Stars 70 Reviews
Tempo Bistro uses fresh local ingredients—so fresh in fact, that there is a little garden in the back of the restaurant where herbs and other ingredients are gathered. The sandwiches are all handmade perfection, and Tempo serves plenty of vegetarian options too. Try the Blueprint Sandwich for a glimpse into the culinary awesomeness served up here.
8. Finding Something You’ll Like At Reggae Shack Café Is No Problem, Mon
Reggae Shack Cafe
1121 W. University Ave.
352 – 377 - 2712
Yelp: 4 Stars 164 Reviews
The island fare at this Reggae Shack is so authentically Jamaican and delicious it would make Bob Marley proud. Peas and rice, jerk chicken, curry goat and chicken wings—all are delicious and give off the wonderful smell of spice throughout the restaurant.
This spot is a bit pricier, but the regulars gladly pay for the authenticity. Reggae Shack is the next best thing to a real Jamaica vacation.
9. Garlic & Ginger Make A Lovely Duo
Garlic & Ginger
5847 SW 75th St.
352 – 371 - 5911
Yelp: 4 Stars 98 Reviews
Garlic and Ginger serves genuine Korean dishes that arrive at your table with all the trappings—plenty of side dishes, or banchan. A quick read of the menu and restaurant patrons will realize the credibility of the Korean inspired dishes. Dolsot bimbimbaps, pork bulgogi, galbi and other great options are all done to perfection here, and served up in a location with great ambiance.
10. East End Eatery Is All–American
East End Eatery
1202 NE 8th Ave.
352 – 378 – 9870
Yelp: 4 Stars 54 Reviews
The food here is as cheery as the interior of the homey restaurant, which is open for breakfast and more importantly, brunch. Dig into Gouda grits, eggs Benedict, and French press coffee—which might not sound exactly all-American, but visit the restaurant and you’ll find that the East End Eatery has a down-home, genuine feel to it. The bacon and pancakes are about as classic a breakfast as you can get, and here they’re done to perfection.
11. There’s No Tortilla Like A Chuy’s Tortilla
Chuy’s
3410 SW Archer Rd.
352 – 373 - 2489
Yelp: 4 Stars 82 Reviews
The Tacos al Pastor are a great choice, but then again, just about everything is—especially paired with the chips and homemade salsa. There are several varieties of sauces from which to choose and the guacamole, like everything served at Chuy’s is super fresh.
The Tex-Mex restaurant makes fresh tortillas, which are absolutely exquisite—and they make for the perfect chips chips, unsurprisingly a house favorite. Try anything at Chuy’s. You will always come away satisfied.
12. Make Room For All The Italian At Manuel’s Vintage Room
Manuel’s Vintage Room
6 S Main St.
(352) 375 – 7372
Yelp: 4 ½ Stars 47 Reviews
It is a mystery how such a small kitchen can produce such big results. The Italian food that comes out of that galley is spectacular. The flavor of every dish is just right, and you can tell these cooks are particular about using fresh ingredients. If you leave this earth without experiencing a pear pocket from Manuel’s, you missed out.
The warm bread served with olive oil and spices, the great appetizers, risotto and other Italian dishes make Manuel’s one of the best Italian restaurants in Gainesville (or anywhere else). The restaurant also has monthly wine tastings, as if all that wasn’t enough.
13. Embers Wood Grill Will Light Your Fire
Embers Wood Grill
3545 SW 34th St.
352-380-0901
Yelp: 4 ½ Stars -110 Reviews
This steak and seafood restaurant is perfect for a special night out, but that doesn’t mean you have to be celebrating something—Embers is great anytime you just want some great food.
The service is excellent, the cowboy steak and lobster dinner is large enough to share with your sweetie, and the truffle mac might just change your life.
14. The Top Is… Well, The Tops
The Top
30 N Main St.
352- 337- 1188
Yelp: 4 Stars 291 Reviews
If a restaurant has true regulars, it has to be good. The menu at The Top is innovative and delightful, and there are plenty of vegetarian options available so no one feels left out. The corn nuggets are the signature dish, for good reason. And that ranch sauce? Made right on the premises.
Opt for the coffee-chili rubbed burger with onion strings and Gouda cheese for a meal you might just be dreaming about later.
Feature Image Source: Southern Charm Kitchen Facebook
What’s your go-to for great grub in Gainesville? Tell us in the comments below!
