Visitor’s Guide

Independent cafe downtown: espresso, pour-over and pastries. $$

Coffee, tea, desserts and sandwiches beside the Hippodrome, with board games and an outdoor terrace. $

Brunch spot known for its Dutch baby and shakshuka. Check the days before you go. $$

Small coffee bar on South Main, handy on the way to Depot Park. $

Local roaster's cafe at Innovation Square, between downtown and campus. $

Family-run bakeshop at the 4th Avenue Food Park. Mornings only, so go early. $

Downtown New American restaurant since 2000. Dinner nightly and Sunday brunch. $$

Sushi and Japanese small plates. Takes reservations, which helps on big weekends. $$

New Orleans-style seafood, downtown since 1994. $$

Southern comfort food with self-serve beer taps and a Friday brunch. $$

Tacos, margaritas and fresh lemonade. Lunch on weekends. $$

Asian fusion: pad thai, curries and bento boxes. $$

Ramen and milk tea in the Hyatt Place building. $$

Cuban sandwiches, arepas and bowls, open late most nights. $

Local favorite pizza place with famously eclectic decor. Tuesday through Saturday. $$

Gator-themed sports restaurant about 20 minutes on foot from the stadium. $$

Upscale American and seafood since 1994. Book ahead for a graduation dinner. $$$

Cocktail bar with food on the corner of University and Main.

Craft cocktail lounge downtown. Closed Mondays.

Beer and wine pub with live music most nights.

Brewery in a former ice factory, open daily from 2 pm.

Brewery with a big beer garden and food trucks, beside the Hawthorne Trail.

Gainesville's original craft brewery (2008), with a large outdoor area and food trucks.

Wednesdays 4 to 7 pm, rain or shine. Bring cash.

Professional theater in the old federal building.

Free museum of local history, Wednesday through Saturday.

1910s Mediterranean Revival hotel turned city galleries, with gardens to wander.

City park with a big playground, a splash pad, trails and ponds.

Hands-on science and invention museum at Depot Park, Thursday through Sunday.

Fossils, Florida wildlife and the Butterfly Rainforest. Scheduled to reopen November 23, 2026, after renovation.

Free UF art museum next door to the natural history museum. Open late on Thursdays.

Free. Thousands of bats fly out about 15 to 20 minutes after sunset on warm, calm evenings.

Boardwalk through a restored wetland: birds and alligators. $5 per car.

Wide-open prairie with wild bison, horses and alligators.

A 120-foot sinkhole with a boardwalk of 132 steps down into it.

The nearest full supermarket, with a pharmacy.

Independent family grocer since 1951: local produce and a meat counter.

Store open until midnight; pharmacy until 9 pm on weekdays.

Listed as open 24 hours. Call ahead at 352-336-3383.