January 24, 2016
You can find quality, authentic eats everywhere in Gainesville, as the food scene has really picked up the pace. Whether you are checking out fine dining restaurants, specialty shops, craft beer bars, ethnic spots, or any number of other types of eateries and culinary destinations, there are great neighborhood spots to be found. With so much to choose from and an ever-evolving scene, it can be hard to narrow it down. However, if you want to eat like a local and really get a taste for Gainesville’s deliciousness, you can start with some of these:
Let’s start with great food and cheap drinks at Mother’s Pub. It is a hole-in-the-wall sports bar in downtown Gainesville with daily drink and food specials. Check out the fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and of course, the wings.
Next, check out Gainesville’s first legitimate ramen joint, offering the classic comfort food you love, made from scratch. A couple of the most popular options include the spicy puled pork paitan and the chicken paitan. You can view the full menu at www.craneramen.com.
For some fantastic ice-cream that is both organic and vegan (or not, if you prefer), check out Karma Cream. This ice cream shop has tons of interesting and unexpected flavors, including, but certainly not limited to Indian chai, lemon cookies and Earl Grey.
And as long as you are stopping for ice cream, you may as well follow it up with a few cookies. The Talented Cookie Company in High Springs is famous for its custom cookies, but they also offer gourmet cupcakes and other cookie flavors in both gluten-free and vegan options. Check out their Facebook page here.
Continuing on the sweet tooth trail, you can’t miss Thornebrook Chocolates, offering everything from truffles to chocolate covered strawberries and potato chips and more.
Last but no least, be sure to pay a visit to Innovation Square at lunchtime on Wednesdays to check out all the local food trucks. With a different truck on the menu each week, you are bound to find something that excites your tastebuds.
