38 Best American Restaurants in Gainesville

“We enjoyed our first trip to Standard Service. The food was delicious and the service was great! Just wish trivia was upstairs rather than in the tap room.“

“One of the Best Huddle Houses Around“

“We were visiting from SC and found this place. We were greeted by the owner and had a nice chat with him at our table. Our server (Natalie) was great and we had a nice chat with her as well. The food was great.“

“Great Food, Great Service, Great Value!

I recently enjoyed a fantastic lunch with my son at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. The friendly host quickly seated us, and our server promptly arrived with warm, buttery croissants and took our drink order.

We started with delicious cheese curds, and our main courses were equally impressive. My son's chicken and shrimp dish was a hit, while I indulged in the renowned country-fried steak with a generous side salad and creamy mashed potatoes.

The portions were incredibly generous
– the side salad could have easily been a meal on its own!

The combination of excellent food, attentive service, and affordable prices made for a truly enjoyable dining experience. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a satisfying meal.“

“The best food and drinks on the square 🥰“

“Went here for breakfast a few weeks ago. The atmosphere was pretty chill for a late morning. Ordered plate of biscuits and gravy with red hot sausage and an orange juice. The gravy was smooth and warm with the red hot giving a good amount of spice. Very curious to see what else was offered, I returned a few days later to get a burger to go as is advertised on their sign up front. The burger was surprisingly juicy and delicious. What even more surprising was learning that Mama Ruth’s has been around since 1975! With a diverse menu and friendly customer service, I can see why it has continued to thrive.“

“One of the best burgers around. Loved every bite. The extra price for fries should be more than a small handful. But the burger was amazing. Will be back for sure soon.“

“Wing and Burger Factory is a hidden gem that deserves all the praise it can get. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly cooked wings and burgers that sets the tone for an unforgettable meal. The menu is packed with options that cater to every craving, whether you’re in the mood for perfectly seasoned wings or a juicy, flavorful burger.

The wings at Wing and Burger Factory are a standout. They offer an incredible variety of sauces and rubs, from classic Buffalo to unique flavors you won’t find anywhere else. The wings are always cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and generously coated in sauce. No matter what flavor you choose, you’re in for a treat.

Their burgers are just as impressive. Each one is crafted with high-quality ingredients, and you can taste the difference. The patties are juicy and flavorful, cooked just the way you like them, and the toppings are always fresh and abundant. Whether you’re going for a classic cheeseburger or something more adventurous, you won’t be disappointed.

What really makes Wing and Burger Factory stand out is the attention to detail and the quality of the food. Every item on the menu feels thoughtfully crafted and bursting with flavor. The service is friendly and efficient, making the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish.

If you’re a fan of wings, burgers, or just great food in general, Wing and Burger Factory is a must-visit. It’s the kind of place that you’ll keep coming back to, eager to try everything on the menu. Highly recommended!“

“I’ve had breakfast multiple times and multiple different items and everything has been great. Tried lunch today for the first time and the cheeseburger was the best I’ve had definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.“

“Very crispy wings 😋. I don't typically eat this, but this is my guilty pleasure. I love the extra spicy wings and lemon pepper wings. The fries are also extra crispy. Idk where this location will moved to when the mall shutsdown. The wings are affordable and delicious. I hope they relocate somewhere near.“

“I absolutely love coming to this location!! From day ONE Tosha took our order, and she has remembered our whole entire order by memory every single time !! She does not slip a beat , she is why we come here because she is so friendly and her service is absolutely a 10 + !! I can not speak more highly of anyone than her , she is the kinda person who actually cares about her job and her customers!! What an amazing person you have working for you , I definitely would be so thankful if I could have her at my company !! She is absolutely one in a million !!“

“We love Pelican Pete’s great for date night or just a casual relaxing lunch. It’s on the water so it’s perfect. The people there are so great and the food is wonderful.!!!! And yes, the drinks are yummy too 💜😍🔥“

“One of our favorite spots. We try to dine in at least once a week. The staff is friendly and the food is fresh and tasty. Denise and Brittany are the dream team! Oh, and the desserts!!!😄“

“First time trying it, it was good, we will be back.“

“I order online from Wings & Philly at least once a week. Their Philly cheesesteaks are legit — tons of meat, perfectly melted cheese, and that soft hoagie roll. The online ordering is super easy and my food is always hot and ready when I arrive. Located right off Athens Hwy, it’s super convenient if you're in Gainesville. I’ve also had their hibachi chicken and it’s 🔥. Highly recommend this place for anyone searching for quick, delicious food in the area.“

“We sat outside and the service was great! We tried the date appetizer and the rations- both were amazing! We got the parm chicken and the Cajun pasta. The Cajun pasta was PHENOMENAL!! We also tried the hot honey Brussels and fried pickles. The Brussels were good.“

“Until now I have not found another similar one in Gainesville, the preparation of the dough for the gorditas seems special to me, the dough and the filling are well sewn as well as its Menudo, except the chicken flautas are not like the ones at Plaza Fiesta but we give them 5 ⭐️“

“The food was good! There's a lot of choices.“

“Boneless ham spiral sliced“

“The real jewels in this crown are the kind-hearted and attentive people you find here. Tim Bunch, Bobby Joe Peck, Clemente’, and Sandy Stone have collaborated literally decades of food service experience to create a delightful hacienda for hungry Epicurians. However, it is hard to beat their hot breakfast pancakes, powder sugar dusted French toast, cheddar scrambled eggs, home fries with onions, country-fried steak with scrumptious brown gravy, french fries, fried grouper filets, delicious tiny green lima beans, fresh-brewed sweet iced tea, generous fresh-cut lemon wedges, tasty spaghetti with meat sauce, complimentary jalapeño and lime juice marinated cucumbers, juicy fried chicken legs, crisp corn muffins, home baked brownies, and the hard to find 18-item deluxe salad bar. Those crunchy croutons really rock! The refreshing bite-sized cut-up fruit dishes are an additional favorite, as well as a healthy dessert choice. The only entree I don’t personally care for is the fried salmon patties. ( In my culinary opinion. they need more chopped onions and lemon juice in the mix to cut the fishy flavor.) However, many diners relish them topped with white gravy. I just cannot say enough good comments about this fine eatery and the quality individuals who frequent here. Come sample their cafeteria-style offerings. Many local people frequent this hot spot daily with good reason. Their food is great. You will not be disappointed.“

“we had a great meal here when we were unexpectedly in downtown Gainesville. great burgers, great fries and even took care of my two security guards.“

“good food and service. pleasant professional employees“

“GREAT BISCUIT! I LOVE their chicken egg and cheese biscuits! I don't eat there much do to the fact that I'm not out In the area much, but on the few occasions that I've had their breakfast it has been DELICIOUS EVERY TIME! I highly recommend giving it a chance if you happen to be in the area.“

“I'm new to this course. So far seems like good folks.“

“We are fairly regular customers here. The food was excellent as always, same for the atmosphere. However, we were disappointed that we had to wait about 15 minutes before our server ever came over to get our drink order. Could have been new and training, willing to give the benefit of the doubt. Still a wonderful place to eat and we will be back soon!!!“

“Good food at a reasonable price. The owners were very nice as well as their staff. Great service, good food, friendly staff, reasonable priced what more could you ask for?“

“We have been looking for some little hole in the wall resturants since we moved here. Finally found this and turns out it wasn't fat from home. GREAT BBQ! We ordered a pork plate, I got the stew and slaw, husband got stew an greens. Didn't even wait til we got home to try it, the smells were so good we immediately grabbed a small bite before we left. Friendly staff and customers. Small dining room area but that was okay with us, and the prices were very reasonable!“

“They've been there 47 years, and a staple of this community. Generational family business with the best slaw dogs you've ever put in your mouth.“

“Don't let the gas station throw you off, this place is amazing.
The best torta I've had, very affordable, with very refreshing horchata.
The staff is nice and respectful.
If you're driving by and craving good Mexican, this is the place to go!“

“The FOOD !! and the Coffee Too 😀👍🏻“

“From Blairsville, had been by Yonah Burger many times but had not eaten there in several years. Stopped by today on a whim to grab lunch. Burger was good, kind of expensive, but so is about every place else. What really struck me, though, is the friendly greeting, they take your NAME for your order, not a number!..asked everybody ordering how their day was going and how they were, and when everybody leaves, told everybody thank you and have a great rest of your day..that is SOOO rare these days...usually a short, insincere greeting and rarely a thank you nowadays at most places..this place is a breath of fresh air! Will be back..BTW, I remember Yonah Burger as a kid back in the '70's..and I know it has survived at least one fire, and has been grazed by a tornado during those many years..I hope it continues for many more!“

“😀Excellent food, courteous efficient staff, nice atmosphere. I am addicted to going to First Watch.“

“We were craving Waffle House and you guessed it, we met our cravings. If you’re looking for a nostalgic and some southern with a twist diner vibes, if you know what I mean lol. We ordered the all star breakfast, which comes with your choice of grits or hash browns, choice of meat, and waffle. And we order the two eggs and meat breakfast which comes with hash browns, and your choice of meat. It also comes cheese, but we subbed onions and mushrooms. Service was pretty good, our server was fast, and joked here and there. Kept the atmosphere light despite the chaos of customers coming in and out, the cooks and servers, busboys cleaning… overall, a good experience. If you’ve never been to a Waffle House, don’t expect it to be super clean, because they are open 24 hours. But if you’re down for breakfast all day, or a whit bite at any time of the day, this is the spot for you. Great for small or large groups. Till then, let’s eat!“

“My favorite WH in the local area. I drive further and pass up a few others to eat here. The food is always above par, staff is friendly and attentive, always clean, and there isn’t much riff-raff around here. The only complaint is it is a bit challenging making a left hand turn out of the parking lot at certain times of the day.“

“This Waffle House location was moderately busy when I arrived for breakfast this past Sunday morning. Service was great and the food was delicious. Honestly, I forget what the combo I ordered was called, but it had eggs, hash browns, sausage and toast. A perfect amount and variety for a breakfast to power the start of a day in the mountains. Hard to beat the combination of friendly service, fast cooking, and quality of the meal. And the prices are reasonable, too.“

“I picked up an order today and just had to review them & say THANK YOU for all the staff I saw said hello and when leaving they all said have a good evening, it was definitely a nice change to have such friendly faces smiling and kindness showed, it’s rare today! Chilis rocks!!! 💯❤️“

“Great morning breakfast . Always friendly staff“

“Awesome staff! Incredible owners! Love the bartender, Jenn. Thanks for your hospitality.“