Whether looking for a casual bite to eat, a study spot or a restaurant to grab drinks with friends, Gainesville offers freshmen an endless variety of options. With an expansive array of eateries, the food scene continues to boom with culinary fusion and ingenuity. Here’s a guide to six fan favorites and underrated restaurants for freshmen and Gainesville newcomers.
Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches
With the motto, “superior service, personalized attention,” Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches transports visitors to a nostalgic atmosphere. The casual restaurant opened at 220 NW 8th Ave. in December 2022 and features sandwiches, salads, sides and more.
Nineteen-year-old Ria Pai, writer for food site Spoon University and UF psychology sophomore, ranks Germain’s as the number one restaurant in Gainesville.
“I think the reason I like it so much is because I really feel like their dedication to quality is amazing,” Pai said. “Every single sandwich I’ve tried there is great.”
Germain’s features crispy chicken sandwiches, like the “Blue Bird,” with buffalo blue sauce and the “Honey Bird” with a secret sauce, hot honey and pickles.
Whether it's for brunch, dinner or drinks, the spot offers much more than a bite to eat. Pai said she appreciates the restaurant’s customer service and aesthetic.
“It’s important to remember that Gainesville is so much more than just UF,” she said. “There’s so many local businesses to support, which I think is really important so we can keep that local atmosphere and flair of the city.”
The Paper Bag Deli
For those looking for a unique deli that isn’t the Reitz Union, Subway or Publix, The Paper Bag Deli — located at 5750 SW 75th Court — is the perfect spot.
Richard Sterck, the 42-year-old owner, opened the deli’s first location three years ago, and two years later he expanded the brand into a second location downtown. Sterck said he put special care into the store’s design by decorating it with board games, retro sneakers and lunch boxes.
“My passion was always about the delis,” he said. “I love the food, love the openness. You come in, you feel welcome, you feel [at] home.”
The deli’s menu is also inspired by Sterk’s personal life and family, with foods like the “Tre Way Jay,” named after his two sons.
“It’s just something that you come in definitely for the food, but you leave remembering the ambiance,” he said.
With more than 25 items on the menu, the restaurant reflects Sterk’s extensive years of catering experience and dedication to customer service.
“Our saying is ‘changing lives one sandwich at a time,’” he said.
Superette Wine + Provisions
For those looking for a restaurant with comfortable outdoor seating, Superette Wine + Provisions offers tables surrounded by trees and twinkling lights.
Maya Velesko, Superette owner and mother of four, said the restaurant works to transport customers into a secret garden.
“We really love having people come in and leave feeling like they were taken care of and enjoyed themselves,” the 48-year-old said.
Since opening her restaurant’s doors in February 2021, Velesko has focused on combining her Middle Eastern culinary roots with the restaurant’s design and menu. What started as a wine bar with charcuterie and snacks has transformed into a full-service restaurant with Levantine and Mediterranean cuisine.
Velesko has been in the Gainesville food scene for the last 20 years, and she encourages students to support local businesses before stepping into a chain restaurant.
“There’s so many thoughtful and intentional spaces that offer such a wide variety of food and experiences,” she said. “I’m just so happy to be part of the vibrant scene that sits in Gainesville.”
Afternoon
The Afternoon is a Grove Street brunch staple that is always bustling with customers. Nestled in the heart of a small business hub, the Afternoon offers a menu unlike any other. Popular menu items include lemon ricotta toast, shakshuka and a Dutch pancake with oranges and thyme.
The Afternoon’s sister business, Afternoon Roasting, roasts the same specialty coffees. Lines often collect outside Afternoon and reservations are not accepted, so it is recommended to arrive early.
Wyatt's Coffee
Paper Bag Deli owner Richard Sterck noted Wyatt’s Coffee as a great environment for incoming freshmen to check out. For those hoping to get away from the campus chaos, Wyatt’s downtown location may be the perfect place to study and chat with friends.
Wyatt’s signature coffees include; the Wyatt latte with bourbon, maple, brown sugar, cinnamon and anise; the Smoked Mexican Mocha latte with chocolate, cinnamon, cayenne and habanero garnished with hickory smoked salt; and the Rose Cardamom latte made with cardamom and rose water and garnished with rose petals. Espresso, cold brew and tea are also available to order.
City Food Hall
Located near campus at 150 NW 13th St., City Food Hall is a growing Florida food hall company. General Manager Jeff Ninan described the location as a mall-like food court without national brands and big box names.
Following its grand opening Aug. 29, the hall will showcase 10 specialty cuisine spots ranging from Middle Eastern and Asian fusion to smoothie bowls and smash burgers. The diverse selections provide options to indecisive or picky eaters.
Ninan said the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected many restaurants, and he hopes the hall will bring a sense of community back.
“We want to highlight local chefs or chefs that are up and coming or just starting out kind of thing and bring them a level of exposure and notoriety to the market,” Ninan said.
One local name that will be joining the hall is Luke’s Bagels, which Ninan anticipates will be a fan favorite.
City Food Hall also hopes to serve as an entertainment hub by offering regular events and live entertainment.
The grand opening will take place Aug. 29 at 11 a.m. directly beneath The Standard Gainesville apartments.
Contact Noor Sukkar at nsukkar@alligator.org. Follow her on X @noorsukkarr.
Noor Sukkar is a third-year journalism major with a minor in Arabic. She is the Avenue's Fall 2024 General Assignment reporter. When she's not writing, she's most likely talking to her cat or overwatering her plants.
