Let me just start by saying that I have not lived in Gainesville very long. I also have only lived there 10 out of the 12 months in a year. However, for the past 4 years I have been eating my way through Gainesville trying to find the best eats within a reasonable distance from the University of Florida campus. I wanted to spare you — Prospective student, Freshman, Parent of a student, or visitor — the trouble of fumbling around restaurant chains and Butler plaza for more of an experience!
4th Ave Food Park
Is it walkable?: Yes! You could walk to 4th Ave Food Park if you wanted to from the UF campus. However, You could also rent one of those fun, new Bird scooters and get there super fast! Just remember to abide by the rules of the road.
Why I like it: 4th Ave Food Park has an option for everyone. It is a great place to go if you and your friends cannot decide what you want. Essentially, several food vendors are all housed on one property. It’s a foodie community! There is something for everyone. Pick your poison! Try the pizza, coffee, waffles, tacos, bagels, baked goods, artisan sausage, or ice cream. It is super casual and a great place to listen to live music and sit outside.
Pro Tip: Interested in coffee and bagels in the morning? I recommend placing your bagel order and then go to the Opus Airstream for coffee! (or vice versa). It depends on which line is longer. Wait in the shorter line first.
Social Platforms: Instagram: @4thavefoodpark Twitter: @4thavefoodpark Facebook: 4th Ave Food Park
Italian Gator: Pizza by the Slice
Is it walkable?: 100% — This pizza place is located directly across from the University of Florida campus. It’s on University Avenue in UF Plaza. Make sure you are crossing at a crosswalk. Go gators, go crosswalks!
Why I like it: It’s convenient! And you do not have to order an entire pizza if you only want a slice or two. They also have great combo deals! There is usually a line wrapped around Midtown if you visit the Italian Gator window on Friday or Saturday night. I am also a sucker for some thin crust pizza. Less crust, more toppings.
Pro Tip: Doing some late-night studying in Library West? Head over to Italian Gator before 2 am to satisfy the rumbling in your tummy. It makes for a great study break. Don’t skip the garlic knots!
Social Platforms:
Instagram: @ufitaliangator
Facebook: Italian Gator Pizza by the Slice
Website: www.pizzabytheslicegainesville.com
Cry Baby’s Bar
Is it walkable?: It is located on Main Street in the downtown area. I recommend calling an Uber if you don’t have a car. Again, you could always rent one of those Bird scooters!
Why I like it: If you are 21 years old and up this is a great place to have craft cocktails with friends on a chill Friday night. Crybaby’s is a restaurant I like to bring my parents to when they come to visit! It’s casual but has more of an upscale atmosphere. It kind of reminds me of Palm Springs. The food is good. I think the burgers are amazing. If you don’t want beef, and you love spice, try the hot chicken sandwich. The heat is perfectly balanced.
Pro Tip: I recommend going there on game day. I went to Crybaby’s for lunch on a couple of game days. Granted the games were starting in the evening, but there was never a wait and we were served right away.
Social Platforms: Instagram: @crybabysbar Facebook: Cry Baby’s Gainesville
El Indio
Is it walkable?: Um, I would advise against it. This establishment is a little bit different. You either drive, park, walk up to the window, and order. Or you go through the drive-thru.
Why I like it: El Indio is just plain good, cheap Mexican food. I cannot speak to the authenticity of the menu items, but I can speak to how good their tacos are! It’s your local Mexican restaurant, but instead of sitting down and having someone wait on you, you go up to a window, order, and either sit down outdoors and enjoy or go home. It’s fast and filling. It is also reasonably priced in comparison to the proportions.
Pro Tip: Get the queso!! I cannot stress this enough. People have come to town and gone straight to El Indio just to buy their queso.
Social Platforms:
Instagram: @eatelindio
Facebook: El Indio Mexican Food
Website: www.eatelindio.com
Karma Creme
Is it walkable?: I mean…it could be. Karma Cream is located on University Avenue. It’s closer to Downtown than it is to campus. I have walked! But that’s my main form of exercise. I try to walk to most places.
Why I like it: A majority of their items are vegan! Karma Cream is the place I bring friends that have sensitivities to dairy, egg, or other ingredients. They even have gluten-free options. They serve ice cream, a constantly changing case of pastries, coffee, and cafe-style sandwiches. I love their fun flavors and delicious desserts. They also have a wide array of dairy milk substitutes for your coffee beverage. I’m not vegan and I don’t have any food sensitivities, but Karma Cream is still one of my favorite places to go.
Pro Tip: I recommend checking their Instagram before going to see if any of the pastries look yummy! I love their lavender shortbread cookies. I check all the time to see if it’s on the menu for the day.
Social Platforms:
Instagram: @karma_cream
Website: https://karma-cream.square.site/
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