Our Florida team hits about 40 Gainesville spots each month—new openings for our Hit List, plus old favorites we revisit. This month brought standout dishes we can’t wait to share: a perfect Cuban sandwich, farm-to-table tacos that surprised us, and fried chicken worth driving for. Below, the 11 restaurants that made our 2026 cut.
Tela – Latin Grill
$ | (352) 554-4320 | WEBSITE
The steak is the most famous dish at this compact, cash-only campus-adjacent spot. But their build-your-own bowl might sneakily be our favorite option here. The deceptively simple-looking bowl packs so much varied flavor into every bite: crisp on the fresh vegetable toppings, fluffy on the seasoned rice base, and the right kind of hearty in between. The tender grilled chicken filling is nice, too.
You still need to get the steak, though, and this is the perfect sauce-drizzling vessel to accompany it.
Mac’s Drive Thru
$ | (352) 378-9842 | WEBSITE
You’ll be hearing a lot (including from us) about the cheeseburger and the sweet tea at this popular local eatery. And yet the fries are the dish we’ve daydreamed about the most since we first tried them. Crispy and hot, these fries couldn’t be more simple: perfectly seasoned, golden brown, delicious. Who knew drive-thru food would be the next frontier for quick-service restaurants that are really hidden gems in disguise?
El Morro Bakery
$ | (386) 266-9291 | WEBSITE
If you’re anywhere near Gainesville on a hungry afternoon, make sure these steaming Beef Empanadas find you. The pastry at this cozy Colombian-Venezuelan bakery is light and airy, and we love the little pops of chorizo and cheese that burst with savory flavor every time you bite into one.
RED RICE KITCHEN
$ | (352) 505-3396 | WEBSITE
We love the shaken beef at RED RICE KITCHEN—it’s exceptional, and fresh, practically dancing its way through a savory marinade. At this cozy spot, the lemongrass grilled chicken gets the standout treatment. Served with steamed white rice, these perfect little tender bites taste kind of like a grilled masterpiece that went to culinary school, complete with fresh lettuce, cilantro, sesame seeds, and that tangy house chili fish sauce.
The chicken noodle pho follows suit—a flavorful broth with just the right warmth, making each spoonful a comforting delight. And don’t skip the Thai tea; it’s sweet and rich, a perfect counterpoint to the savory dishes. The friendly staff keeps things moving quickly, even when parking’s a hassle, and the Asian-themed décor with fairy-lit outdoor seating adds a romantic touch. For around $15 a dish, it’s a hidden gem worth every penny.
Terrells Bar-B-Que
$$ | (352) 843-2015 | WEBSITE
At this neighborhood barbecue spot in Gainesville, tender, smoky ribs come with a perfectly balanced sweet-and-tangy sauce. They’re the ideal hearty dish to pair with your creamy, rich mac and cheese. But spend an extra $3, and get them alongside a generous portion of savory, slow-cooked collard greens too.
Fresh Kitchen
$ | (352) 415-2569 | WEBSITE
On a recent stop at Fresh Kitchen, we did the only sensible thing there was to do: We loaded up on bowls. The Gainesville favorite layers chicken over sweet potatoes, and tops it with so many fresh ingredients that by the time you are halfway through your bowl has nearly overflowed. You can get extra sauce on it, and you should. You should also get a side of their signature bowl, and you should also ask Nicole for recommendations.
Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders
$ | (352) 877-4505 | WEBSITE
You’ll be hearing a lot (including from us) about the lunch special and the garlic toast at this straightforward spot from the fast-casual chicken people. And yet the sweet heat sauce is the condiment we’ve daydreamed about the most since we first tried it. Dipped alongside the tenders, this sauce couldn’t be more balanced: sweet, spicy, perfect. Who knew chicken tenders would be the next frontier for grown-up lunches that are really kids’ menus in disguise?
Chick-fil-A The Standard
$ | (352) 376-4000 | WEBSITE
On a recent trip to Gainesville, we did the only sensible thing there was to do: We stopped at Chick-fil-A The Standard for lunch. The reliable chain location serves chicken sandwiches on buttered buns, and tops them with so many pickles that by the time you are halfway through your sandwich has nearly disappeared. You can get waffle fries with it, and you should. You should also get a lemonade, and you should also dip those fries in Chick-fil-A sauce.
BITE of POWER
$ | (352) 376-2781 | WEBSITE
On a recent late-night craving near UF, we did the only sensible thing there was to do: We headed straight to BITE of POWER for gyros. The campus-adjacent spot layers shredded gyro meat fresh off the grill, and tops it with such generous portions that by the time you are halfway through your pita has nearly surrendered. You can get a mango shake with it, and you should.
You should also try their lunch specials, and you should also appreciate that for the same price as fast food you are getting something much better.
Wingstop
$ | (352) 745-7077 | WEBSITE
The line at Wingstop is one of the least organized in Gainesville. Understandable, given the limited parking and loyal following. Join the crowd waiting at this casual wing spot, and order the wings and corn praised for being amazing, though some find the garlic and parmesan chicken strips just average. Service can be slow, but staff like Barbara are patient and try their best to communicate, even with last-minute changes.
Crafty Bastards Restaurant
$ | (352) 872-5970 | WEBSITE
A typical sports bar has wings, cheese curds, and pork rinds. The version at Crafty Bastards Restaurant, the hidden gem in Gainesville, has all of those things. And maybe that’s for the best. A few of the dishes here, like the $18 fish & chips, taste like comfort. These snacks, with their crispy batter and substantial portions, do not.
