Are you ready to experience the best lunch in Gainesville?
Gainesville pulls out all the stops when it comes to food, and if you’re looking for restaurants where lunch will become extraordinary, you’re looking in the right place.
This college town is full of great places to hang out and eat that will delight any foodie and satisfy every craving.
Today we are going over the best lunch spots in Gainesville. So let’s spice up your staycation/vacation by going over these top ten places to get lunch in Gainesville.
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The Best Lunch in Gainesville, Florida At a Glance:
- Chicken Salad Chick: The croissants are like butter and melt in your mouth (Try the Lauryn’s Lemon Basil Chicken Salad)
- Crispy Baguette: Has a Vietnamese infusion of delicious dishes for you to try (Try the Saigon Special Grilled Pork Banh Mi)
- Birdie Box: This is the place to go if you want some of the most incredible chicken sandwiches in town (Try the Chicken & Bonut-Waffle Sando)
- Square House Pizza: You’ll get the BEST pizza in Gainesville, Florida (Try the Mariah Curry Pizza)
Keep reading to find out the best places for lunch in Gainesville and why I love them!
1. Chicken Salad Chick
The brainchild of home chef Stacy Brown, Chicken Salad Chick has one aim: serve you the best chicken salad in town.
With an updated menu with each dish as diverse and delicious as ever, you won’t be surprised why Chicken Salad Chick makes it into Gainesville’s top ten places to get lunch.
What Makes it Worthy of A Visit
Driven by the effort to reunite people under one roof and the recipe perfected through the years, Chicken Salad Chick is so good, that even Ego from Ratatouille will applaud.
So fresh and flaky the croissants are like butter and melt in your mouth! The chicken salad with pimento cheese makes the lunch there worth a try.
If you love chicken salad then Chicken Salad Chik is the place to go. There are so many choices and varieties that you will find yourself coming back for more.
Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:
- Trio Meal with Classic Carol
- Chicken Salad with the Pimento Cheese
- Lauryn’s Lemon Basil Chicken Salad
Location: 4062 Plaza Boulevard, Suite 20 Gainesville, FL 32608
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2. Crispy Baguette
Wish you could turn back time to the good old days?
Visit Crispy Baguette, a Vietnamese infusion, where catching up with friends becomes another cherishing memory, and the light meal blows you away with its flavors.
What Makes it Worthy of A Visit
Crispy Baguette introduces you to a world of flavors and takes your taste buds on a tantalizing ride.
With Avocado Milkshakes, Pineapple Fried Rice Bowls, Cheesy Korean Crispy Fried Chicken, and Creamy Mayo Bang Bang Shrimps the menu is so delish and well-seasoned, you won’t want to leave.
Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:
- Saigon Special Grilled Pork Banh Mi
- Vietnamese Shaken Beef Bowl with Garlic Egg Noodles
- The Vietnamese Yellow Coconut Chicken Curry Bowl with Basil Fried Rice
Location: 1702 W University Ave E, Gainesville, FL 32603
3. Bolay
Fuel yourself with Bolay’s sensational menu, filled with bold flavors and impressive deals, where your average lunch takes a much-needed turn into a world of tasty dishes.
This is one of my ABSOLUTE favorite places to have lunch in Gainesville!
The food is always fresh and the staff is super friendly!
What Makes it Worthy of A Visit
Bolay has impressively comfortable portions at an extremely affordable price; you can’t afford to miss out on this.
Here you get to build your own bountiful “bol” with super-fresh ingredients and wholesome goodness.
Just pick your protein, choose a topping then sauce it up!
From miso-glazed tofu, roasted Atlantic salmon, steak sirloin, and spicy Thai shrimp you can create a new bowl every time you visit.
Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:
- Teriyaki Chicken with Forbidden Black Rice and Asian Sweet Potato Noodles
- Spicy Thai Shrimp with Pesto Noodles
- Miso Glazed Tofu with Chopped Kale Salad
Location: 2905 SW 42nd St Suite 80, Gainesville, FL 32608
Recommended: 10 Best Restaurants in Gainesville You Can’t MISS!
4. Birdie Box
Are you tired of trying the same old sandwich but don’t want to burger off the buns?
Go for Birdie Box, a popular place to get lunch in Gainesville where meat-ing for a light snack is far from a mis-steak (puns intended).
If you want some of the most incredible chicken sandwiches in town, then you MUST VISIT Birdie Box!
What Makes it Worthy of A Visit
Birdie Box is by far a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
Not only do they serve up mouthwatering and affordable unique burger combinations but you can dine in their double-decker bus.
It is super cute and cozy plus they have lots of outdoor seating. Trust me on this; try Birdie Box!
Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:
- Chicken & Bonut-Waffle Sando with bacon and choice of lemon/vanilla icing or syrup
- Augusta Sando with pimento cheese and coleslaw
- Sunrise Sando with bacon, fried egg, and spicy mayo
Location: 2216 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32608
Recommended: What’s the Best Burger in Gainesville? These Top Ten Places Will Help You Decide
5. Satch Squared
Satch Squared is your first-class pizzeria, with a fine taste for perfection, of course. Delve into a pizza lover’s heaven through Satch Squared’s hot, cheesy, and deep-dish menu.
Don’t underestimate; it’s undoubtedly among the top 10 places to get lunch in Gainesville.
EVERYTHING here tastes SPECTACULAR! You cannot go wrong with whatever pizza option you choose and don’t forget to try the waffles!
What Makes it Worthy of A Visit
Unlike other pizzerias, which are open post midday only, Satch Squared offers a unique but tasty breakfast pizza and waffles served all day!
The hot waffles served along with Satch Squared’ syrup and butter are dangerously delicious.
Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:
- Motor City Pizza with hot honey
- Mariah Curry Pizza with coconut curry sauce
- Garden Variety Pizza with artichokes hearts and spinach
Location: 405 SW 4th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
Recommended: What’s the Best Breakfast in Gainesville? (These 10 Will Help You Decide)
6. Humble Wood Fire
Not in the mood for a heavy lunch? Humble Wood Fire has your back.
This bagel shop serves fire sandwiches and melt in your mouth breakfast deals. It may look unassuming, but the food’s elite!
YOU CANNOT MISS THIS PLACE!
You will not get an ordinary bagel or pizza from this spot! It’s truly one of the best places to have lunch in Gainesville.
What Makes it Worthy of A Visit
Humble Wood Fire curates pizza, breakfast sandwiches, and bagels with an undeniably appealing recipe: they are your perfect match 😉
The Open-faced Nova, which is topped with fresh herbs, pickles, and soft cream cheese, is one bagel that will change your life.
Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:
- Spuds a la Grande with melted Swiss and Cheddar
- Grit Bite Ranchero
- Biscuits & Gravy
Location: 307 SW 4th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
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7. Sublime Tacos
Tacos, burritos, nachos, elotes… All these elite dishes are given an oomph by hardworking and talented chefs at Sublime Tacos, where even a simple taco becomes spec-taco-lar.
All the ingredients are fresh here and your taco will be made to order!
What Makes it Worthy of A Visit
Sublime Tacos has huge servings but what makes it even more special is the contemporary take on traditional dishes; you truly won’t eat anywhere else once you go there.
Just wait til you try and sink your teeth into one of their enormous burritos!
It’s pure morning bliss from Monday to Friday, they also serve breakfast from 7 am until 11 am and their Steak and Egg Taco is a must.
Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:
- Shrimp Tacos
- Chorizo Breakfast Burrito
- Angus Steak Breakfast Burrito
Location: 1818 NE Waldo Rd, Gainesville, FL 32609
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8. Public and General
Public & General is a gastropub slowly taking Gainesville by storm.
Its chic but aesthetic ambiance combined with a series of exciting flavors and drinks call for an instant likening, but if you need more reasons, just try the food.
What Makes it Worthy of A Visit
Public & General is a dainty place where you can get everything from a simple burger to an exquisite charcuterie—lettuce, just say Hallelujah!
Start with charcuterie and wine, indulge in dill fries paired with a smoked burger, and finish off with steak frites, a foodie’s delight. It sounds like a perfect meal out in Gainesville
Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:
- Salmon Cakes with horseradish aioli
- Fried Green Tomatoes with whipped goat cheese
- Drunken Cedar Key Clams
Location: 1000 NE 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601, United States
9. Bento
Bento takes a contemporary take on traditional Asian cuisine and is so popular that it has three branches in Gainesville alone!
If that doesn’t convince you, you might as well give up food.
What Makes it Worthy of A Visit
Bento creates Asian fusions worth devouring, and if you’re looking for somewhere where there’s consistency in quality and flavor, there’s no better place.
Local eaters swear by the Poke bowl, fried rice bowl, and garlic broccoli bowl. The prices are so affordable that you can try one of each!
Plus with their kid’s meal, everyone in the family can come out.
They have Kids Bowls and Kids Boxes to choose from making it a great place for family dining in Gainesville.
Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:
- Hibachi Noodle Bowl
- Hot Lava Signature Sushi Roll
- Wok Fried General Tso Bento Box
- Pao Pao Chicken
Location: 150 NW 13th St Suite 60, Gainesville, FL 32601
10. Yummy House
Yummy House is the perfect place to finally subdue those Chinese cravings that pop up at odd times and don’t seem to be satisfied.
But be warned; Yummy House is so good; you’ll probably keep thinking a “bao” it.
What Makes it Worthy of A Visit
Yummy House elevates your average Chinese restaurant and gives it an extra kick through love and expertise.
Just one spoonful and you will be convinced of its excellence and drive your taste buds insane.
Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:
- Spicy Hunan Beef
- Crab Meat Fish Maw Soup
- Spicy Seafood Tofu Pot & Black Bean Sauce
- Chicken and Black Bean Sauce
Location: 3102 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL 32608
My Final Thoughts on the Best Lunch in Gainesville
You don’t have to keep looking for good restaurants in Gainesville, as there’s no place that won’t treat you right.
But if you’re looking to take your palate on an adventurous journey, these top ten places to get lunch in Gainesville won’t disappoint you.
What’s the best lunch in Gainesville to you? Let us know in the comments section below?
Until next time, Happy Florida Travels Hipster!
About the Author
My name is NikkyJ. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves exploring all the hidden gems of Florida!
I was born and raised in Leesburg, Florida which attributes to my passion about for this amazing state.
I want to show you how you can create your own memories while discovering the Sunshine State!
Connect with me on Instagram!
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(Original Article Date: September 27, 2021/Updated by Editor on January 9, 2024)