50 Best Dog Friendly Restaurants Gainesville

“I first had Germain’s during an event that they catered. I do not claim to know if they still offer catering but you’re going to want to visit their 8th Ave location in Gainesville FL either way. Get a sandwich and fries. They also served water in glass bottles that you are free to take to your chosen table. They’re in a plaza with several other businesses. A record shop, Sunshine Records, a second hand shop called Flashbacks and just across a split parking lot is local gem that offers brunch and I believe more, Afternoon. Cypress & Grove is across the way and Serpentine is a kickass plant shop. As downtown Gainesville has expanded, some sweet spots are outside of University and Main. Take a chance and wander, there’s a huge arcade across from Germain’s called Bragging Rights, make an afternoon and enjoy yourself. Parking is ample. See ya out there.“

“This is the best pizza in Gainesville! Last time I got their hot honey pizza with pepperoni and green peppers, it was awesome! We also spoke to the manager for a while as he was doing some maintenance work next to our table, he was super kind to us. If you only have one night in Gainesville, you can't go wrong here!“

“Honestly great experience. They squeezed us in even though it was busy and we didn’t have a reservation. They warned us service would be slow but it wasn’t. Everything was great. The food was phenomenal and I love the whole vibe in there. The owner even came over to check in and was the sweetest. Would recommend and will be back.“

“We had burgers and fries close to closing. Best hamburger we have eaten in several years the fries were also quite good. Service was friendly and explained my few questions. The large fry had a lot more yummy fries than expected. Will definitely be back.“

“A great experience all around. Plenty of different beers to choose from. I had a flight of sours and ciders, all tasted great. Nice atmosphere. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Lots of parking space, but it does fill up at peak times. They have cool merch; tshirts, hats, stickers, magnets, etc. They have a legit selection board games you can play there. There’s a food truck outside, on the brewery’s premises, but a separate business with its own schedule.“

“I absolutely love this food truck and have been so many times in my years at UF! They're food is always delicious, and can be enjoyed even by the most adamant meat-eaters! Their brunch options are my favorite, but all of their food is delicious. It's a bit pricey, but understandable considering the vegan ingredients they are using. Parking is never an issue, the atmosphere outside the truck is really nice and cute, and the service is usually pretty quick! I definitely recommend trying it out, vegan or not!“

“Tried this spot for the first time. My wife and daughter shared a gluten free pizza and they had to say it was fantastic. Best gluten free crust ever. I thought I'd be able to fishe my small x 10 but couldn't. It has a smokey flavor and was also very good...we will be back .Dietary restrictions: A great gluten free pizza“

“If I could give this place 6 stars I would. What an amazing time my wifey and I had there for lunch. Cindy and her 2 home girls were hilarious, it was more of an experience than just a lunch. We found this place around 420pm and we were extra Hungry, the sammiches were great, potatoes were great, the drinks and dessert was great. It felt like we were invited over a friend's house and they spoiled us with some awesome eats. Looking forward to going back ?“

“We went for the first time to experience a sound bath which was amazing! We go there early to check the place out. It was so great! Caleb was so friendly, the kombucha was first rate and I’m picky and the golden milk was the best my friend ever had and has been drinking it for years. Well worth a try. Can’t wait to go back for tea ceremony and more.“

“My first time trying Venezuelan cuisine! Wow! I want more! I had a chicken empanada and fried plantains. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and the sauce! OMG! and the plantains were out of this world! If you're in Gainesville, I highly recommend giving this a try! You won't be disappointed!“

“The food here is sooo amazing. My friend and I had it for the first time today, and we will definitely be going back. Our sandwich was amazing and the fries were perfect. They also gave us samples of the bonuts, and they’re incredible. The service great, pretty quick to get our food ready and super friendly. I love this place so much, I can’t believe I didn’t know about it sooner.Vegetarian options: Tofu sandwiches.“

“I am a NY pizza lover, but THIS Chicago style pizza is probably the best in have ever had. Hands down the best pizza in town.There's more....I ordered a salad as well. Most of the time we all regret ordering a carry out salad because they are already such a disaster and waste of money.Not their salads! Nice assortment of fresh vegetables and romaine lettuce neatly arranged. Someone cared about that salad when they made it. That makes all the difference.Having ordereed several times I can also say the quality is absolutely top notch EVERY time. The standards, taste and look do not change from order to order.My favorite take out by far.“

“My family and I had an early dinner tonight and everything was excellent: from the scallion pancakes and tuna tataki as appetizers to the main dishes, boolgogi, bibimbap, pork belly and jeyeuk bokkeum and the banchan. Our server, Richard, was very attentive and knowledgeable, something you don’t see very often these days. All in all, it was a very good experience , as it has been numerous times before. I’m glad you survived Covid !“

“Great selection of beers, great atmosphere. Background music was faint but good song choices. We were a party of 4 that each had a completely different type of beer and we all enjoyed them. First visitors as three of us were from out of town.“

“I went there quite some time ago, but wanted to give credit where credit is due. I can't wait to check out their new vibe on 'Cuban Corner' in Gainesville.I went there specifically for the Cuban sandwich, as I do Cubano reviews on YouTube (goofy, I know, but I love these things!). This, IMO, is the top ranked Cubano in the Gainesville area, or maybe even this north/central Florida region. Sandwich was fantastic. Pork was delicious, bread was nice and thin with a solid press (key!). They got this Cubano thing down. Highly recommend.Not sure the link will work from Yelp, but here is a video of my review, if interested (spoiler alert- I scored it an 8.4, which is currently tied for my #1 Cubano on my made up Cubano review scale): youtu.be/Bvn4Bs979c8“

“Went for my birthday dinner last night. I wanted a place where you dressed for dinner in a place with atmosphere. Embers did not disappoint on any level. The attention to detail and the dining experience is second to none. Our server, Donnie, was just the best. Knowledgeable and friendly, attentive without being obtrusive. I plan on asking for him again. All the servers are the best of the best in my observation. The menu is varied and the choices are what youd wxpect in a high end restaurant. The food is sublime! We had the crab bisque to start, and the fresh ingredients are obvious. I had the divers scallops in a lemon beurre blanc and they were delicious and cooked to peefection. My husband had a 10 oz Filet mignon and he said it was also perfect. We both had the lobster mashed potatoes (yum), I had roasted asparagus which was tender and flavorful and he had sautéed wild mushrooms and those were just wonderful. The portions are big, so be prepared to bring some home. They are boxed and bagged well. Our only disappointment was having no room for dessert, although Donnie brought out a homemade mango sorbet with a raspberry sauce which was delicious and a perfect finish. I plan on leaving room next time, I have to try the flaming creme brulee! All in all, the best dining experience I've had in a long long while and I can't wait ti go back!“

“Super cute trendy place. Would have been all five stars by the service at the counter was a little off with the cashier's attitude. The barista was fantastic so she gets the five stars. Definitely will be back when visiting Gainesville again!!“

“I had the chicken and waffles for my birthday and it was awesome. I also like the chicken Benedict. There hasn’t been too many things that I have disliked there. Sometimes it’s a hit or miss depending on what time you get there who is cooking however, their food is usually really good and their staff is normally very attentive and kind. I enjoy sitting outside because I am disabled and have a service animal who happens to be 100 pound pitbull. They are very accommodating.“

“We love Charlie's snow shack! Much better than pelicans or Kona ice the shaved ice here is so smooth it's like Italian ice. Lots of flavors and add ins to choose from, something for everyone for sure. The staff is very friendly and knows just what to recommend!“

“My first time trying Venezuelan cuisine! Wow! I want more! I had a chicken empanada and fried plantains. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and the sauce! OMG! and the plantains were out of this world! If you're in Gainesville, I highly recommend giving this a try! You won't be disappointed!“

“I came to the grand opening event at their new location, and everything I had was delicious! There wasn't truly service since it was a buffet style, but the owners seemed super friendly. The ambiance is nice and cute in the building, and has lots of outdoor seating as well at the food park. I definitely will be back to try some actual menu items!“

“East End Eatery is my favorite breakfast place in Gainesville! The best breakfast burrito in town! Always fresh veggies, gouda cheese grits that always satisfy, even a Florida native like me. Treat yourself to the best waffle in town. Crisp outside with light fluffy center. Not heavy at all. Real shrimp and grits worth the wait for cooked to order meal. The service is always friendly with a smile. The owner works all areas. She loves to meet customers. Hope you enjoy the experience as much as I do.“

“Came here for late lunch w the family. Cute lil outside food truck place with picnic tables and chairs everywhere. Looks like it is a fun hangout. I had the chicken gyro from Scoula and it was very good. Tzatziki sauce was yum. Baklava was weird and so wet. I wasn't a fan. I also had the pale ale beer and it was great. My bf has the food from Nopal. carnitas tacos. The bite I took was good and he seemed to like it. Yuca fries were delish. Mexican street corn was gross. Sour and did not taste like any elote I've ever had. Pass on it. My daughter ate at plantology and did not like the food. Everything had a smoky flavor. The Mac n cheese wasn't too bad. She had bbq Mac n cheese and didn't like it. They were nice enough to change it for Cesar chicken wrap. She didn't like it either. Can't please em all. I'm not a fan of fake meat so I don't blame her but the people were super nice.“

“Very cute little shop! It’s tucked in the very back of this hallway and is almost hidden. I got the blue sky milk tea with bubbles. It was good and I liked the floral taste but I think oolong would have been better. They also have mochi, rice rolls ,slushies and smoothies. While here the staff were friendly and I got my drink pretty quickly, I would definitely try again!“

“When you walk in, it is a bit off-putting if you're going for dinner. At first glance, when you walk in, it looks like dark dive bar. Don't get me wrong, I love a dive bar! Just not as a dinner spot. I was wrong!!! The food was completely amazing!!! The truffle fries are a MUST!! So good!! The wings, I got Thai Cilli, were the best! Biggest wings I've had in awhile! If I lived in the area, I'd be a regular! #takemymoney“

“What a delicious local spot to dine at!We made a very short notice reservation for four, and within two hours were accommodated thanks to a kind woman on the phone.We arrived at 4:45 and were greeted by Justice, who took great care of us throughout the experience.He recommended excellent wine pairings as well as thorough details of ingredients - to which my 3 course meal was truly perfect.It got quite busy after 5:30 and they were definitely short staffed but Justice kept being wonderful.Can't wait to be back and enjoy a rare local restaurant in Gainesville.“

“Great local spot with hardworking and friendly staff. Plenty of parking with a large parking lot, during lunch hour you may need to circle the block for street parking. There is a small counter with stool seating indoor but with this gorgeous Florida weather, there is great outdoor seating! Pet friendly (outdoor area). Excellent quality sandwiches, salads, charcuterie boards - (meat, vegetarian friendly options available). There wasn't a long wait, but a regular shared a tip to avoid the lunch rush, call ur order in ahead.“

“Beautiful ambience and delicious coffee.Plenty of spaces (inside and outside) spread across two floors for enjoying coffee while working, chatting or just admiring the architecture if building or glaring the streets/trees outside. Definitely one of the best coffeee places around.“

“This has to be the coziest and friendliest brewery I've been to. Most breweries these days have a bit of a cold industrial aspect to them. Not so with Blackadder. I enjoyed the Belgian quadruple and the house hefeweizen and they did not disappoint. I hope to return again soon.“

“I had the pleasure of being served by Ely Brazil at Gators Den Sports Grill, and I must say, she's a true gem! Her laid-back demeanor and friendly personality added a special touch to my dining experience.Her chill vibe and positive energy made the meal even more enjoyable.If you find yourself at Gators Den Sports Grill, be sure to say hello to Ely. She's a standout member of the team who exemplifies great customer service and hospitality.“

“We stopped in to have lunch on our way back home from Anna Maria Island. The young staff were really nice. My husband had the Philly and said it was the best he's had in a long time. I had the Chicken Salad on a croissant. It was delicious and a huge serving. I couldn't eat it all. The only down side was that the Chicken Salad didn't have the grapes in it that the menu said it had. We also had chocolate custard and it was also delicious! We will be back!“

“My wife and I are staying in Gainesville for a family wedding and we decided to try the 16th Ave Diner because we saw many great reviews online and boy were they right. The food was AMAZING!! The OJ was tasty and the coffee was fresh. The place was packed but we were able to get seating at the bar. Everyone who served us was awesome!! The food was absolutely incredible!! The eggs, pancakes, and hash browns were absolutely delicious!!! Service was quick!! TY, 16th Ave Diner!!!“

“I absolutely love box car. It is the perfect chill place to go on a pretty weekend day. You can walk around the park, grab a drink, grab a pizza from Humble Woodfire, and enjoy! My favorite thing on their menu is the white sangria. It is SO amazing. Not too sweet. It has a citrusy vibe that makes it really light and refreshing. The red sangria is amazing as well. They have a great selection of IPAs and other beers too. I seriously miss living by this place so much.“

“I've been to Cymplify Coffee hundreds of times, and it's hands-down my favorite coffee shop in town. One of the coolest things about this place is the little board they have that shows all the special concoctions their baristas come up with. I've tried a bunch, and they're all pretty amazing, but I always find myself coming back to the maple nut latte and the blackberry lavender—both are just unbeatable.They also offer some tasty baked goods, though you've got to get there early because they do run out. The ham and cheese croissants are my go-to, and they're always a hit. My kids are big fans of the wildberry smoothie, and I have to agree, it’s fantastic.The line moves quickly, too, so you’re not waiting forever to get your fix. Plus, the seating options are great; whether you choose to sit inside or out, the ambiance is just perfect for enjoying a good cup of coffee or a smoothie. It's definitely a place you can relax and enjoy the vibes.Parking: Parking at Cymplify Coffee is a bit quirky, as it's spread all around the building, but it's surprisingly straightforward and there's always a free spot. I've never had trouble finding a place to park. Sometimes, if you park on the "grass" area by the fence, it can get a bit flooded after heavy rain, but this is rarely an issue. There's usually plenty of space in the main parking lot, especially since people tend to avoid sitting outside in wet weather. Even when there are deep puddles in parts of the parking lot, it’s still easy enough to find a good parking spot.“

“If you haven’t been downtown lately, you should really consider going to this fantastic pizza restaurant. But it’s much more than that. They have an extensive menu of Italian cuisine. I had the pizza and a Caesar salad. Try the draft beer. The Citra Hazy IPA is really great paired with the margarita pizza. The outdoors seating makes it a great venue for enjoying the music from Heartwood Sound Stage. Be sure and enjoy a dessert like the Wooopi Carrot Cake pie. Oh my goodness. It is Soooo good. Enjoy ?“

“The kratom and kava are both really good, here. I ususally get the Mudslide and my partner gets the horchata. They both taste great, although the horchata has a LOT of ice in it, so it's only good for a few sips or so. Still, the place is pretty cool. It's small inside, but there's lots of comfy seating. I typically go at night, later in the evening so it's not too packed. Shoutout to Ava! They're pretty cool and they were always nice to us. Ava went above and beyond to make our first time there, awesome. We were informed of the menu and all of our questions were answered in an honest way, not just a 'upsell and serve' way. The only reason I give it four stars is because sometimes my partner and I go in and there is a server there that doesn't really have a great attitude. She didn't pay much attention to us any of the times we've been there. She also seemed to be annoyed by us when we ordered and other than taking our order, she didn't turn to us. We waited awhile to pay, multiple times, while she was chatting and such. We're outgoing people, we like to meet others. The times when she's there are just not as pleasant. Overall though, we will be back. Drinks are good and the vibe is chill.“

“Si no quieres extrañar esos platos típicos puertorriqueños, como el mofongo, arroz con gandules, carne frita, empanadillas caseras, entre otros, Gainesville es la respuesta. No solo el chef es carismático, sino que su comida es súper deliciosa. ¡Food Truck #1!“

“I pass by 13th street quite often and finally was able to go in. I usually am in a hurry but I decided to stop by on a Friday night . I had a sweet tooth and wanted ice cream. I settled on some boba tea instead and had oolong but unfortunately they were out of boba balls so I had it without. They added a replacement for the boba balls which was a little off and like a jelly texture . Almost like aloe Vera texture . I still loved their boba tea flavor which I got brown sugar. We also tried 2 mochi. The mochi had a great flavor but the texture was too hard for me. We had the strawberry and coconut mochi but they had other amazing flavors like habanero coffee, expresó , lychee , passion fruit etc. I appreciate that they had so many unique flavors you don't see often. I am not sure if the macaroons are fresh or who makes them but they also had a variety of interesting flavors . Would definitely come back to try other items and flavors that they offer.“

“Traveling through, found this very nice location for dinner. Great meal. Cajun seared Tuna. Cooked perfectly. My waitress Kaylee(sic) was wonderful. The beer, nice and cold. They could use a little larger selection of beers. Parking is an issue on the square.“

“I really wanted to like it and will give it one more try since my mom and sister went there and I tried their leftovers and that was amazing. I went and got a fresh one and it had no flavor. I hope it was just a fluke and like i said, I’ll give it another try because every restaurant has off days.“

“Went here for son's birthday celebration. The pizza is freshly made. Stromboli was HUGE!!!! 2 people can easily share. Pain Killer 2 drink was too heavy on ice so hard to detect any liquor. Stephanie was our server and very attentive but didn't bother us too much which allowed us to eat, talk and laugh - perfect !!“

“O!M!G!!!!! I am SO glad we found this place! We were in town for the drag race, but there was a rain delay....Jimmy was our server. He was EXCELLENT!! He gave recommendations and even brought a sample of the Brunswick stew for me. (WHICH WAS FANTASTIC!!) The sweet tea is REAL sweet tea, not the watered-down version you mostly get down here. I haven't found Brunswick stew down here, and when I saw it on the menu, I had to have it! It was SO GOOD!!! The cornbread....is TOO good. My husband got the 3 item combo. The brisket was amazing! The pulled pork....SO GOOD!! And the chicken...good grief. We left the restaurant SO full that we almost had to take a NAP before we went back! ?? I'm telling you, THIS place is an ABSOLUTE MUST TRY if you're in the area!!!“

“We were on a road trip and stopped to get some coffee, but we’re pleasantly surprised to find those airstream coffee shop was not only excellent, but it had plenty of shade and picnic tables as well as multiple restaurants to choose from! We had the pizza which was very filling. 10/10 great chill spot!Parking: Plenty of parking spaces in the parking lot.Kid-friendliness: Lots of picnic tables and mulch, and there’s even a jungle gym.“

“My first time trying out this sushi place I must say my experience was great. From the food to the service and the ambiance, I ordered the volcanic pork fried rice the best I've had in a long time the Alexander and Mark ll sushi very fresh. Please support this restaurant we needed a good sushi place in Cutler Bay.“

“This place is more than a restaurant, it has treated me like family the past 3 years. Welcoming me with open arms, greeting me by name and getting to know me and my friends. They always have the best food, served hot and fresh to your liking. Their Saag paneer, Daal lentil, and naan is unbeatable. This family-run restaurant goes above and beyond for their customers and cares about the Gainesville community. I cannot thank them enough. Since graduating, I haven’t found another Indian restaurant that even comes close to Tikka. You will not be disappointed!“

“So, this place was off the beaten path, we wanted to try something different instead of going to a regular food chain. It was very nice. The staff were friendly and kind, the atmosphere was great&the food was really good. We loved how they serve their water in a glass bottle and give everyone cups so you can pour it yourself. Definitely must try.Vegetarian options: They have a large selection of vegan options“

“Afternoon’s has a very relaxed, simplistic environment that matches their menu serving American foods. You most likely will be waiting in line outside during busy hours to go to the counter to order your food. For a family ordering, I’m used to finding a table to settle the family and ordering, but you MUST order before seating yourselves. The prices are on the more expensive side for diner food. You order an entree and all sides are an added cost. I’m not sure if their pitch is for farm to table because their prices are up there especially for not being waited on. The best dish we ordered was the Dutch baby at $14, recalling from memory. We also had the traditional breakfast and BLT sandwich. Our side add ons were bacon, French omelette, pancakes “Johnny cakes” and a brioche filled apple pastry. I would recommend this place to the hipster, intimate, simple morning meet up, or for to go coffee! It’s not ideal for me.“

“Cool little bagel shop. Good variety of vegan and vegetarian options. Vegan bagel and spread was good.Vegetarian options: All vegan and vegetarian options were clearly labeled.Dietary restrictions: I have them 3 stars because the gluten free and vegan items contained soy. My wife has a soy allergy and was not able to eat anything.“

“My husband and I met the owner Maya seredipitously at lunch on her birthday. We are major foodies and appreciate quality. After meeting Maya we knew we wanted to go to her restaurant for dinner. We were not dissapointed! We loved everything from the wines, small and large plates, and the lavender cake dessert and cold brew coffee, which was extraordinary. The indoor and outside ambience was magical. Great warm and friendly staff added to our fully complete experience.“

“We had an incredible experience at this restaurant! We were greeted immediately by Robert who was extremely nice and sat us down right away. We ordered the Wontons which were fresh and one of the best we’ve had, especially in Gainesville. I went with the Bulgogi Ramen, and it blew my expectations! The meat was so savory, and the server explained how they marinate their meat overnight to have that flavor. Overall 5/5 experience between the relaxing ambience, servers, and incredible food. One of our new favorite spots in town!“