Are you ready to take advantage of this beautiful Florida weather and enjoy outdoor seating in Gainesville while diving into your meal?
Gainesville is known for its beauty and greenery throughout the city, so it’s always the perfect time to grab family or friends for a night out with good food and drinks.
And when the cooler weather rolls around it brings with it the beautiful colors of fall making it even more gorgeous to find yourself some outdoor seating at one of Gainesville’s best restaurants.
I’m making your search easy today with this list of 7 best restaurants with outdoor seating in Gainesville Florida.
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Best Restaurants in Gainesville with Outdoor Seating At a Glance:
- Las Margaritas: This is the place to go for a fiesta of authentic Mexican flavors (Try the Enchiladas Rancheros with a Frozen Raspberry Margarita)
- Wahoo Seafood Grill: A menu full of mouthwatering Cajun & Southern dishes and ALL day EVERY day Happy Hour (Try the Boom-Boom Tacos and a Voodoo Juice)
- The Keys Grill and Piano Bar: Delicious Florida seafood and live entertainment with an indoor and outdoor bar (Try the Shrimp and Grits and a Gator Spicy Margarita)
- Chopstix Café: Patio dining with beautiful lakefront views and flavorful Asian cuisine (Try the Tempura Cheesecake with Ice Cream)
Keep reading to find out why these are my favorite restaurants with outdoor dining in Gainesville.
1. Spurriers Gridiron Grille
This one’s definitely a winner, and I’m not just saying that because of all the game memorabilia belonging to Steve Spurrier including rings, trophies, and gear, along with his Heisman trophy too.
Not just for football fanatics or Spurrier fans, this restaurant is an exciting 600-square-foot location with both indoor seating and outdoor, including a rooftop bar.
Why We Love This Restaurant With Outdoor Seating in Gainesville
The cuisine features American favorites like seafood pasta, Spurriers bacon cheeseburger, and boneless ribeye.
You will also find that the menu is full of unique and innovative dishes too, like macadamia encrusted mahi short rib and wild mushroom risotto, along with a killer dessert, drink, and brunch menu.
Must Try Dishes:
- Eggplant Fritters: Pan-seared roasted eggplant and sundried tomato cakes on a bed of herb ricotta and basil pesto drizzle, finished with marinara and parmesan Reggiano
- Spinach Artichoke Chicken: Grilled olive oil & herb marinated chicken breast topped with a spinach and artichoke fondue finished with tomatoes and creamy bechamel over mashed potatoes
- Sweet Corn Ravioli: Ricotta & sweet corn stuffed ravioli, charred corn, poblano, and Anaheim peppers, finished in a savory cream sauce
Location: 4860 Steve Spurrier Way, Gainesville, FL 32608, United States
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2. Bolay
The Bolay Kitchen puts you in charge of the dishes that are made with Create Your Own “Bol” or the Chef’s “Bols,” all made with high-quality and fresh ingredients.
It will become your go-to place for a healthy meal that makes you feel good.
They have something for everyone whether you are looking for plant-based, gluten-free, or vegetarian-friendly, it is all there freshly waiting.
Why We Love This Restaurant With Outdoor Seating in Gainesville
For people with particular tastes, you can create your own bowl from their long list of fresh ingredients like pickled-red onions, goat cheese, forbidden black rice, Asian sweet potato noodles, or try their chef-inspired bowls.
You can even purchase a family pack that serves 4-5. Enjoy these tasty bowls outside where seating is plentiful at this fast-casual restaurant.
Must Try Dishes
- Spicy Thai Shrimp: Shrimp with spinach and almond salad and tender Japchae sweet potato noodles drizzled with spicy, zesty sauce
- Vegan Miso Tofu: Roasted silken tofu cubes in a savory and sweet miso-infused glaze, with chopped kale salad and fresh pesto noodles
- Citrus Chicken Bowl: Chicken breast, citrus mojo marinade atop a bed of fluffy steamed jasmine rice and herb pesto noodles
Location: 2905 SW 42nd St. Suite 70, Gainesville, FL 32608 United States
3. Square House Pizza
Who doesn’t love a good slice of pizza?
Square House Pizza has outdoor seating right along the side of the restaurant while you wait for your fresh pizza to be made.
Why We Love This Restaurant With Outdoor Seating in Gainesville
The menu is perfect for people who want to build their own meal! Choose the type of pizza you want whether it’s regular or, gluten-free, then add your favorite toppings.
BBQ Tempeh, hot honey, ricotta and, artichoke hearts, to vegan options such as vegan cheese, vegan pepperoni and, vegan sausage, everyone is included.
Breakfast pizza, waffles served all day, speciality square pizzas, salads, wine and, beer, Square House Pizza really does have you covered for any time of the day.
Must Try Dishes:
- Breakfast Pizza: Pan pizza with cheese, eggs, choice of protein, red sauce, hot sauce or syrup and extra toppings
- Buffalo Bird Pizza: Chicken, bleu cheese, red onion, buffalo sauce
- Mariah Curry: Curry chicken or cauliflower, onion, green pepper, jalapeno, coconut curry sauce, tomatoes, cilantro
Location: 405 SW 4th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601, United States
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4. Wahoo Seafood Grille
They know seafood, and they proudly display that on their home page.
The dinner menu at Wahoo Seafood Grille even includes a Boathouse option which features shrimp, scallops, oysters, calamari, and fish.
From colorful seafood favorites like Drunk and Spicy Mussels, Boom Boom Shrimp Tacos, and Wahoo Chargrilled, it’s all fin-tasticly delicious.
Why We Love This Restaurant With Outdoor Seating in Gainesville
With a wide variety of seafood dishes and specials every day of the week, this restaurant is one to add to your list. But don’t worry they have dishes for land lovers too!
It’s happy hour EVERY day ALL day and they have great specials all throughout the week.
So grab a seat outside on the patio and cool off with a Frozen Mango Margarita, a Goombay Smash or a glass of Voodoo Juice.
Must Try Dishes:
- Drunken Mussels: White-ale, sundried tomatoes, jalapenos, broth, toast points
- Wahoo Fish Dip: Smoked fish, tortilla chips
- Boom-Boom Tacos: Shrimp, cabbage, pico, cheese, aioli
Location: 3833 NW 97th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606, United States
5. The Keys Grill & Piano Bar
Combining rich local Florida flavors with an eclectic ambiance of live music and selection wines and beers, this grill and bar is certainly a place to have a good time.
Dive into some of their coastal favorite dishes like Mallorcan Shrimp and Grits and sip away on some of the best beverages in Gainesville.
Why We Love This Restaurant With Outdoor Seating in Gainesville
From their it’s 5 o’clock somewhere appetizer and drink specials throughout the week, Easy Breezy Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas and their indoor and outdoor bar it’s the go to spot in town to unwind and have a little fun.
Throughout the week enjoy some live music on the patio and if you can’t make it during the weekend, join them during the week where they have trivia, jazz, and rock piano shows every night.
It’s always showtime at The Keys!
Must Try Dishes:
- Shrimp and Grits: shrimp, sausage, and bell pepper mixture served over rich cheese grits with a spicy jalapeno cream sauce
- Crab and Shrimp Dip: Mixture of lump crab, Gulf shrimp, and mushrooms in a creamy sauce served with toast point
- Jerk Salmon: 8oz of salmon seasoned, The Keys jerk sauce, topped with mango and pineapple salsa, served over Caribbean rice and seasonal vegetables
Location: 4860 Celebration Pointe Ave Suite 30, Gainesville, FL 32608, United States
6. Las Margaritas
Bienvenido! This local favorite restaurant in Gainesville is loved for its authentic Mexican cuisine and vibrant atmosphere.
Las Margaritas is a fiesta of flavors! The mouthwatering dishes are cooked with bold spices and fresh ingredients.
Serving some of the best margaritas in town, signature drinks and a yummy Taco Tuesday this Mexican eatery has definitely made our list of the best outdoor dining in Gainesville.
Why We Love This Restaurant With Outdoor Seating in Gainesville
We love that they have also put together a children’s menu too so it’s a deliciously good time for the whole family.
They also offer an extensive drink menu with beer, wine and Margaritas galore.
Dine inside or out on the patio on a cool night with a margarita in one hand and one of their special entrees like Chimichanga, Flautas Mexicanas or Vegetarian Fajitas, in the other.
Must Try Dishes:
- Enchiladas Rancheros: Three cheese enchiladas topped with enchilada sauce, shredded pork, and grilled vegetables and served with guacamole salad and sour cream.
- Chimichanga: Flour tortilla deep fried and filled with chopped steak or chicken cooked with onions, peppers, and tomatoes, topped with cheese sauce, lettuce, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream, and served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
- Fried Ice Cream: Ice cream covered in cereal and deep fried, served in a crispy flour shell, topped with whipped cream, cinnamon, and chocolate syrup.
Location: 4405 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32606, United States
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7. Chopstix Café
This family-owned pan Asian restaurant has something for everyone.
Their menu is filled with Asian treats like delicious noodle soups, pan Asian specials like Penang, House Hung Pao, and Tempura.
Why We Love This Restaurant With Outdoor Seating in Gainesville
They have a wide variety of soups, salads, and fresh appetizers to start your meal with. The patio dining affords you a beautiful lakefront view and it’s one you can’t miss out on.
Chopstix Café will become one of your favorite places to dine outdoors in Gainesville not just for its huge menu of authentic Asian cuisine but for its incredible views and atmosphere.
Must Try Dishes:
- Penang: A delicious Malaysian curry in coconut cream, ground peanuts, & green pepper (Chicken, Beef, or Pork Shrimp or Seafood)
- Pad Thai: Stir-fried thin noodles sautéed with bean sprouts, onions, eggs, peanuts, and Thai spices. (Chicken or Beef Shrimp or Seafood)
- Tempura Cheesecake with Ice Cream
Location: 3500 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL, United States, Florida
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My Final Thoughts on Outing DIning in Gainesville
As you can see, there so many fun options of outdoor seating in Gainesville that not only comes with a great view, but delicious food as well.
I hope these restaurants in Gainesville have you craving a meal out and you’re ready to eat your way through the city!
Until next time, Happy Florida Travels Hipster!
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!
Now it’s your turn, what’s your favorite outdoor dining spot in Gainesville? Let us know in the comments section below.
(Original Article Date: November 15, 2021/Updated by Editor on January 14, 2024)
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