What’s the BEST Lunch in Gainesville? These Top 10 Places Will Help You Decide!

Are you ready to experience the best lunch in Gainesville?

Gainesville pulls out all the stops when it comes to food, and if you’re looking for restaurants where lunch will become extraordinary, you’re looking in the right place.

This college town is full of great places to hang out and eat that will delight any foodie and satisfy every craving.

Today we are going over the best lunch spots in Gainesville. So let’s spice up your staycation/vacation by going over these top ten places to get lunch in Gainesville.

University of Florida Entrance Sign. Keep reading to get the best lunch in Gainesville, Florida.

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The Best Lunch in Gainesville, Florida At a Glance:

  • Chicken Salad Chick: The croissants are like butter and melt in your mouth (Try the Lauryn’s Lemon Basil Chicken Salad)
  • Crispy Baguette: Has a Vietnamese infusion of delicious dishes for you to try (Try the Saigon Special Grilled Pork Banh Mi)
  • Birdie Box: This is the place to go if you want some of the most incredible chicken sandwiches in town (Try the Chicken & Bonut-Waffle Sando)
  • Square House Pizza: You’ll get the BEST pizza in Gainesville, Florida (Try the Mariah Curry Pizza)

Keep reading to find out the best places for lunch in Gainesville and why I love them!

1. Chicken Salad Chick

The brainchild of home chef Stacy Brown, Chicken Salad Chick has one aim: serve you the best chicken salad in town.

Keke's and Chicken Salad Chick in Gainesville Florida. Keep reading to learn more about the best lunch in Gainesville.

With an updated menu with each dish as diverse and delicious as ever, you won’t be surprised why Chicken Salad Chick makes it into Gainesville’s top ten places to get lunch.

What Makes it Worthy of A Visit

Driven by the effort to reunite people under one roof and the recipe perfected through the years, Chicken Salad Chick is so good, that even Ego from Ratatouille will applaud. 

Chicken Salad Chick Restaurant with Dixie Chick poster and chicken salad croissant sandwich. Keep reading to find out the best lunch in Gainesville.

So fresh and flaky the croissants are like butter and melt in your mouth! The chicken salad with pimento cheese makes the lunch there worth a try.

If you love chicken salad then Chicken Salad Chik is the place to go. There are so many choices and varieties that you will find yourself coming back for more.

Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:

  • Trio Meal with Classic Carol 
  • Chicken Salad with the Pimento Cheese 
  • Lauryn’s Lemon Basil Chicken Salad

Location: 4062 Plaza Boulevard, Suite 20 Gainesville, FL 32608

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2. Crispy Baguette

Wish you could turn back time to the good old days?

Visit Crispy Baguette, a Vietnamese infusion, where catching up with friends becomes another cherishing memory, and the light meal blows you away with its flavors.

What Makes it Worthy of A Visit

Crispy Baguette introduces you to a world of flavors and takes your taste buds on a tantalizing ride.

Fried chicken wings on left and fried rice on the right. Keep reading to learn more about the best lunch in Gainesville.

With Avocado Milkshakes, Pineapple Fried Rice Bowls, Cheesy Korean Crispy Fried Chicken, and Creamy Mayo Bang Bang Shrimps the menu is so delish and well-seasoned, you won’t want to leave.

Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:

  • Saigon Special Grilled Pork Banh Mi 
  • Vietnamese Shaken Beef Bowl with Garlic Egg Noodles
  • The Vietnamese Yellow Coconut Chicken Curry Bowl with Basil Fried Rice

Location: 1702 W University Ave E, Gainesville, FL 32603

3. Bolay

Fuel yourself with Bolay’s sensational menu, filled with bold flavors and impressive deals, where your average lunch takes a much-needed turn into a world of tasty dishes.

Bolay Gainesville Florida interior with large overhead fan. Keep reading to find out the best lunch in Gainesville.

This is one of my ABSOLUTE favorite places to have lunch in Gainesville!

Bolay Gainesville Florida with worker gathering zucchini noodles. Keep reading to learn more about the best lunch in Gainesville.

The food is always fresh and the staff is super friendly!

What Makes it Worthy of A Visit

Bolay has impressively comfortable portions at an extremely affordable price; you can’t afford to miss out on this.

Bolay Gainesville Florida outdoor exterior. Keep reading to find out the best places for lunch in Gainesville.

Here you get to build your own bountiful “bol” with super-fresh ingredients and wholesome goodness.

Just pick your protein, choose a topping then sauce it up!

Bolay mushrooms chicken tomato and rice. Keep reading to find out the best lunch in Gainesville.

From miso-glazed tofu, roasted Atlantic salmon, steak sirloin, and spicy Thai shrimp you can create a new bowl every time you visit.

Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:

  • Teriyaki Chicken with Forbidden Black Rice and Asian Sweet Potato Noodles
  • Spicy Thai Shrimp with Pesto Noodles
  • Miso Glazed Tofu with Chopped Kale Salad

Location: 2905 SW 42nd St Suite 80, Gainesville, FL 32608

Recommended: 10 Best Restaurants in Gainesville You Can’t MISS!

4. Birdie Box

Are you tired of trying the same old sandwich but don’t want to burger off the buns?

Go for Birdie Box, a popular place to get lunch in Gainesville where meat-ing for a light snack is far from a mis-steak (puns intended).

If you want some of the most incredible chicken sandwiches in town, then you MUST VISIT Birdie Box!

What Makes it Worthy of A Visit

Birdie Box is by far a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

Sando Chicken Sandwich. Keep reading to find out the best places for lunch in Gainesville.

Not only do they serve up mouthwatering and affordable unique burger combinations but you can dine in their double-decker bus.

It is super cute and cozy plus they have lots of outdoor seating. Trust me on this; try Birdie Box!

Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:

  • Chicken & Bonut-Waffle Sando with bacon and choice of lemon/vanilla icing or syrup
  • Augusta Sando with pimento cheese and coleslaw
  • Sunrise Sando with bacon, fried egg, and spicy mayo

Location: 2216 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32608

Recommended: What’s the Best Burger in Gainesville? These Top Ten Places Will Help You Decide

5. Satch Squared 

Satch Squared is your first-class pizzeria, with a fine taste for perfection, of course. Delve into a pizza lover’s heaven through Satch Squared’s hot, cheesy, and deep-dish menu.

Satchel Squared Gainesville Florida Exterior

Don’t underestimate; it’s undoubtedly among the top 10 places to get lunch in Gainesville. 

EVERYTHING here tastes SPECTACULAR! You cannot go wrong with whatever pizza option you choose and don’t forget to try the waffles!

What Makes it Worthy of A Visit 

Unlike other pizzerias, which are open post midday only, Satch Squared offers a unique but tasty breakfast pizza and waffles served all day!

Satchel Squared Gainesville Florida Pizza Waffle. The best lunch in Gainesville.

The hot waffles served along with Satch Squared’ syrup and butter are dangerously delicious.

Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:

  • Motor City Pizza with hot honey
  • Mariah Curry Pizza with coconut curry sauce
  • Garden Variety Pizza with artichokes hearts and spinach

Location: 405 SW 4th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601

Recommended: What’s the Best Breakfast in Gainesville? (These 10 Will Help You Decide)

6. Humble Wood Fire

Not in the mood for a heavy lunch? Humble Wood Fire has your back.

This bagel shop serves fire sandwiches and melt in your mouth breakfast deals. It may look unassuming, but the food’s elite!

Humble Wood Fire Bagels Gainesville Florida .The best lunch in Gainesville.

YOU CANNOT MISS THIS PLACE!

You will not get an ordinary bagel or pizza from this spot! It’s truly one of the best places to have lunch in Gainesville.

What Makes it Worthy of A Visit

Humble Wood Fire curates pizza, breakfast sandwiches, and bagels with an undeniably appealing recipe: they are your perfect match 😉

Photo of bagels. Keep reading to find out the best places for lunch in Gainesville.

The Open-faced Nova, which is topped with fresh herbs, pickles, and soft cream cheese, is one bagel that will change your life.

Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:

  • Spuds a la Grande with melted Swiss and Cheddar
  • Grit Bite Ranchero
  • Biscuits & Gravy

Location: 307 SW 4th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601

Get More Gainesville travel planning tips right here!

7. Sublime Tacos

Tacos, burritos, nachos, elotes… All these elite dishes are given an oomph by hardworking and talented chefs at Sublime Tacos, where even a simple taco becomes spec-taco-lar.

Sublime Tacos Gainesville Florida 4th Ave Food Park Interior. Keep reading to discover where to find the best lunch in Gainesville.

All the ingredients are fresh here and your taco will be made to order!

What Makes it Worthy of A Visit

Sublime Tacos has huge servings but what makes it even more special is the contemporary take on traditional dishes; you truly won’t eat anywhere else once you go there.

Sublime Tacos Gainesville Florida 4th Ave Food Park Chicken Tacos

Just wait til you try and sink your teeth into one of their enormous burritos!

It’s pure morning bliss from Monday to Friday, they also serve breakfast from 7 am until 11 am and their Steak and Egg Taco is a must.

Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:

  • Shrimp Tacos
  • Chorizo Breakfast Burrito
  • Angus Steak Breakfast Burrito

Location: 1818 NE Waldo Rd, Gainesville, FL 32609

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8. Public and General

Public & General is a gastropub slowly taking Gainesville by storm.

Its chic but aesthetic ambiance combined with a series of exciting flavors and drinks call for an instant likening, but if you need more reasons, just try the food.

What Makes it Worthy of A Visit 

Public & General is a dainty place where you can get everything from a simple burger to an exquisite charcuterielettuce, just say Hallelujah! 

Charcuterie and red wine. Keep reading to learn more about the best lunch in Gainesville.

Start with charcuterie and wine, indulge in dill fries paired with a smoked burger, and finish off with steak frites, a foodie’s delight. It sounds like a perfect meal out in Gainesville

Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:

  • Salmon Cakes with horseradish aioli
  • Fried Green Tomatoes with whipped goat cheese
  • Drunken Cedar Key Clams

Location: 1000 NE 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601, United States

9. Bento

Bento takes a contemporary take on traditional Asian cuisine and is so popular that it has three branches in Gainesville alone!

Bento Korean Asian Chicken Dish. The best lunch in Gainesville.

If that doesn’t convince you, you might as well give up food.

What Makes it Worthy of A Visit 

Bento creates Asian fusions worth devouring, and if you’re looking for somewhere where there’s consistency in quality and flavor, there’s no better place.

Salmon avocado and rice poke bowl. Keep reading to discover where to find the best lunch in Gainesville.

Local eaters swear by the Poke bowl, fried rice bowl, and garlic broccoli bowl. The prices are so affordable that you can try one of each!

Inside Bento Restaurant in Gainesville, Florida. Two men sit at a high-top table near the counter. Keep reading to see what are the best places to get lunch in Orlando.

Plus with their kid’s meal, everyone in the family can come out.

They have Kids Bowls and Kids Boxes to choose from making it a great place for family dining in Gainesville.

Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:

  • Hibachi Noodle Bowl
  • Hot Lava Signature Sushi Roll
  • Wok Fried General Tso Bento Box
  • Pao Pao Chicken

Location: 150 NW 13th St Suite 60, Gainesville, FL 32601

10. Yummy House

Yummy House is the perfect place to finally subdue those Chinese cravings that pop up at odd times and don’t seem to be satisfied.

Yummy House Chicken in Black Bean Sauce with sautéed red and green peppers. The best lunch in Gainesville.

But be warned; Yummy House is so good; you’ll probably keep thinking a “bao” it.

What Makes it Worthy of A Visit

Yummy House elevates your average Chinese restaurant and gives it an extra kick through love and expertise.

Yummy House Front Bar with menu in Florida. Keep reading to learn more about the best lunch spots in Gainesville.

Just one spoonful and you will be convinced of its excellence and drive your taste buds insane.

Yummy House Gainesville, Florida entrance with Chinese artwork

Must Try Dishes at This Gainesville Location:

  • Spicy Hunan Beef
  • Crab Meat Fish Maw Soup
  • Spicy Seafood Tofu Pot & Black Bean Sauce
  • Chicken and Black Bean Sauce

Location: 3102 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL 32608

My Final Thoughts on the Best Lunch in Gainesville

You don’t have to keep looking for good restaurants in Gainesville, as there’s no place that won’t treat you right.

Big cheeseburger. Keep reading to find out the best lunch in Gainesville.

But if you’re looking to take your palate on an adventurous journey, these top ten places to get lunch in Gainesville won’t disappoint you.

15 best places to have lunch in Gainesville
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What’s the best lunch in Gainesville to you? Let us know in the comments section below?

Until next time, Happy Florida Travels Hipster!

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About the Author

My name is NikkyJ. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves exploring all the hidden gems of Florida!

I was born and raised in Leesburg, Florida which attributes to my passion about for this amazing state.

I want to show you how you can create your own memories while discovering the Sunshine State!

Connect with me on Instagram!

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(Original Article Date: September 27, 2021/Updated by Editor on January 9, 2024)

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