Heidi’s guidebook
Food scene
The food scene in Gainesville centers around local ingredients sourced from area farms. Known for the use of local and organic ingredients, along with healthy trends, the food ranges from Americana comfort food to exquisite fine dining.
This is one of my favorite places to hang out in Gainesville. They offer a great selection of craft beers, wines, and delicious farm-to-table cuisine and tasty small plates. They also have a happy hour starting at 5 pm. Best of all, it's only a few blocks from the house!
61 locals recommend
Public & General Restaurant
1000 NE 16th AveThis is one of my favorite places to hang out in Gainesville. They offer a great selection of craft beers, wines, and delicious farm-to-table cuisine and tasty small plates. They also have a happy hour starting at 5 pm. Best of all, it's only a few blocks from the house!
While everyone raves about the pizza, you gotta try the calzones. They are to die for! Not only that, this east side favorite has a great scene with an eclectic array of art made out of junk. This is a Gainesville must-see!
135 locals recommend
Satchel's Pizza
1800 NE 23rd AveWhile everyone raves about the pizza, you gotta try the calzones. They are to die for! Not only that, this east side favorite has a great scene with an eclectic array of art made out of junk. This is a Gainesville must-see!
This downtown bar and grill has live music and a fantastic weekday burger special! This is a great place to enjoy a pint and wind down at happy hour. Try their beer of the month special.
19 locals recommend
Loosey's Downtown Gainesville
120 SW 1st AveThis downtown bar and grill has live music and a fantastic weekday burger special! This is a great place to enjoy a pint and wind down at happy hour. Try their beer of the month special.
The Top is an all-time favorite and it has something for everyone! Whether you are vegan, carnivore, or localvore, this downtown restaurant has it all!
175 locals recommend
The Top
30 North Main StreetThe Top is an all-time favorite and it has something for everyone! Whether you are vegan, carnivore, or localvore, this downtown restaurant has it all!
This locally owned Italian restaurant has been a favorite for many years. They also have a fantastic Sunday brunch buffet that is a tantalizing array of international dishes.
16 locals recommend
Leonardo's 706
706 W University AveThis locally owned Italian restaurant has been a favorite for many years. They also have a fantastic Sunday brunch buffet that is a tantalizing array of international dishes.
This is absolutely the best Japanese cuisine in Gainesville. Dragonfly Sushi is located downtown and it's known for its creative and delicious take on sushi.
111 locals recommend
Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Company
201 SE 2nd AveThis is absolutely the best Japanese cuisine in Gainesville. Dragonfly Sushi is located downtown and it's known for its creative and delicious take on sushi.
Paramount Grill in downtown Gainesville has a divine Sunday brunch.
13 locals recommend
Paramount Grill
12 SW 1 AveParamount Grill in downtown Gainesville has a divine Sunday brunch.
This little place tucked away behind downtown is a gem for hungry vegans seeking delicious and creative food made with the finest ingredients and at a reasonable price! Even non-vegans will find something to love here.
22 locals recommend
Daily Green
436 SE 2 StThis little place tucked away behind downtown is a gem for hungry vegans seeking delicious and creative food made with the finest ingredients and at a reasonable price! Even non-vegans will find something to love here.
This is a great place for breakfast. They have great breakfast and lunch specials and also have vegan and non-vegan options. The atmosphere is cute and kitschy. Best of all, it’s only a few blocks from the house!
23 locals recommend
East End Eatery
1202 NE 8th AveThis is a great place for breakfast. They have great breakfast and lunch specials and also have vegan and non-vegan options. The atmosphere is cute and kitschy. Best of all, it’s only a few blocks from the house!
This gem has delicious breakfast, brunch, and lunch fare made with exquisite locally sourced ingredients. It will not disappoint!
46 locals recommend
Afternoon
231 NW 10th AveThis gem has delicious breakfast, brunch, and lunch fare made with exquisite locally sourced ingredients. It will not disappoint!
This cute and quirky vegetarian restaurant cafe is a Gainesville classic and is a perfect spot for hungry vegetarians.
28 locals recommend
Civilization
1511 NW 2nd StThis cute and quirky vegetarian restaurant cafe is a Gainesville classic and is a perfect spot for hungry vegetarians.
Sightseeing
If you are a nature lover, the Gainesville area has plenty to see and do. The natural springs are unlike any other, and definitely are worth the trip. Gainesville is known as a green city with lots of tree coverage, so just take a stroll at one of the many nearby parks and neighborhoods to appreciate the urban greenery.
This beautiful and picturesque park is a great place to take a stroll and get some great photos by the fountain.
The Thomas Center Gardens
Northeast 3rd StreetThis beautiful and picturesque park is a great place to take a stroll and get some great photos by the fountain.
This amazing river and spring is a must-see for all Gainesville visitors. Its crystal clear blue river and springs are perfect for tubing on a hot day.
179 locals recommend
Ichetucknee Springs State Park - Southern Entrance
U.S. 27This amazing river and spring is a must-see for all Gainesville visitors. Its crystal clear blue river and springs are perfect for tubing on a hot day.
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a favorite place to wander through a beautifully landscaped nature park that has many bird and butterfly species.
77 locals recommend
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
4700 Southwest 58th DriveKanapaha Botanical Gardens is a favorite place to wander through a beautifully landscaped nature park that has many bird and butterfly species.
Ginnie Springs is a private park with general admission to the public. This park has multiple springs along a stretch of the beautiful Santa Fe River. Perfect for tubing, cave diving, kayaking, and swimming.
219 locals recommend
Ginnie Springs
7300 Ginnie Springs RoadGinnie Springs is a private park with general admission to the public. This park has multiple springs along a stretch of the beautiful Santa Fe River. Perfect for tubing, cave diving, kayaking, and swimming.
Paynes Prairie is a great place to go hiking and see the best of north Florida's natural wonders. Explore the forest and prairie on multiple hiking trails. You might even see wildlife including armadillos, wild horses, bison, and cranes.
102 locals recommend
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
100 Savannah BlvdPaynes Prairie is a great place to go hiking and see the best of north Florida's natural wonders. Explore the forest and prairie on multiple hiking trails. You might even see wildlife including armadillos, wild horses, bison, and cranes.
Lake Alice is the best place to see lots of hungry alligators basking in the sun, but don't get too close! You can also visit the nearby Bat House and see the thousands of bats flying out at sunset to catch their dinner!
18 locals recommend
Lake Alice
Lake Alice is the best place to see lots of hungry alligators basking in the sun, but don't get too close! You can also visit the nearby Bat House and see the thousands of bats flying out at sunset to catch their dinner!
This beautiful river has abundant natural springs feeding it from its banks, along with plentiful wildlife sightings such as otters, herons, and turtles.
10 locals recommend
Santa Fe River
This beautiful river has abundant natural springs feeding it from its banks, along with plentiful wildlife sightings such as otters, herons, and turtles.
Coffee
Gainesville has a plethora of coffee shops and cafes that are perfect for studying, people watching, working on your laptop or just taking a break. Here are a few favorites.
Curia on the Drag has a fun marketplace with antiques and unique gifts, along with a cafe serving delicious coffee. It's a great place to study.
49 locals recommend
Curia On The Drag
2029 NW 6th StCuria on the Drag has a fun marketplace with antiques and unique gifts, along with a cafe serving delicious coffee. It's a great place to study.
Maude's is a great place to enjoy a coffee downtown and do some people watching.
18 locals recommend
Maude's Cafe
101 SE 2nd PlMaude's is a great place to enjoy a coffee downtown and do some people watching.
This is probably the best coffee shop in the downtown area. Great atmosphere to sit and do some studying or work.
28 locals recommend
Volta Coffee, Tea & Chocolate
48 SW 2nd StThis is probably the best coffee shop in the downtown area. Great atmosphere to sit and do some studying or work.
Another home grown favorite, this coffee shop has plenty of character and serves up a damn fine cup o' joe!
18 locals recommend
Coffee Culture
2020 NW 13th StAnother home grown favorite, this coffee shop has plenty of character and serves up a damn fine cup o' joe!
Entertainment
While movie theaters abound in Gainesville, there is something special about the historic Hippodrome Theatre. It is worth checking out whether you are a theater buff or enjoy art house movies.
The Hippodrome theater downtown has excellent plays and art house movies.
97 locals recommend
The Hippodrome State Theatre
25 SE 2nd PlThe Hippodrome theater downtown has excellent plays and art house movies.
Florida Theater
233 W University AveThe Florida Theater is a great venue to see a concert.
Nightlife
The nightlife scene in Gainesville is centered around the downtown area. There are always new places, but these are a few local favorites that have stood the test of time.
Hardback Cafe
920 NW 2nd StThe Hardback Cafe is a great place to see live music from the local scene.
Durty Nelly's is a classic Irish pub and a mainstay of downtown Gainesville nightlife.
Durty Nelly's Irish Pub
208 W University AveDurty Nelly's is a classic Irish pub and a mainstay of downtown Gainesville nightlife.
University Club
18 E University AveThe University Club is the best place for a night out dancing.
The Atlantic has lots of theme nights like Old Wave. Check their calendar to see what events are going on.
11 locals recommend
The Atlantic Nightspot
15 N Main StThe Atlantic has lots of theme nights like Old Wave. Check their calendar to see what events are going on.
This is one of several new breweries in central Gainesville that are highly recommended for craft beer aficionados.
10 locals recommend
Big Top Brewing Company Gainesville
201 SE 2nd AveThis is one of several new breweries in central Gainesville that are highly recommended for craft beer aficionados.
Another great addition to the craft beer scene, Cypress & Grove will satisfy the the most discerning of hopheads!
55 locals recommend
Cypress & Grove Brewing Company
1001 NW 4th StAnother great addition to the craft beer scene, Cypress & Grove will satisfy the the most discerning of hopheads!
Grocery Shopping
Wards Supermarket is a longtime Gainesville favorite for great deals on local produce and health conscious shoppers.
48 locals recommend
Ward's Supermarket
515 NW 23rd AveWards Supermarket is a longtime Gainesville favorite for great deals on local produce and health conscious shoppers.
This is your go-to grocery store for everything you need, and it’s only a mile from the house. Where shopping is a pleasure.
31 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Gainesville Shopping Center
1302 N Main StThis is your go-to grocery store for everything you need, and it’s only a mile from the house. Where shopping is a pleasure.