Looking for the best brunch in Gainesville FL?
Brunch is one of my favorite meals to have and what’s great is that getting brunch is definitely one of the best things to do in Gainesville. I feel like brunch is such a sociable occasion. It allows you to sleep in, dress up and enjoy a delicious meal with friends without being too rushed on a weekend.
Whether you want to have more savoury breakfast/lunch options for brunch or whether you prefer something a little sweeter, this list has it all, including places with bottomless mimosas!
So with no further adieu, the 15 best Gainesville brunch options here:
15 Best Brunch in Gainesville: Restaurants You Must Try!
Flying Biscuit Café
The Flying Biscuit Cafe serves breakfast all day, and are especially famous for their “Moondust Potatoes,” which are cubed breakfast potatoes seasoned with their signature rosemary blend. The Flying Biscuit Café provides the perfect menu for any event or special occasion.
The menu is very large, and with so many items sounding good, it can be hard to choose. They have been in business for over 25 years, with their first location in Atlanta, their Gainesville location has been open since 2009.
The food is consistently good, and regulars recommend their grits and namesake biscuits. Be prepared to wait as the line for breakfast and lunch is usually very long.
Afternoon
Everyone visiting Afternoon will fall in love with their modern aesthetic. The afternoon is welcoming and the perfect spot to start your day off right. The walls are painted with lots of bright colors and there are fresh flowers on every table.
Just like the décor, the food is equally appealing. Every meal is crafted and plated to perfection. Additionally, their menu items are locally sourced, as Afternoon has partnerships with local farms.
This is a casual restaurant where you order at the counter, and lines tend to get very long. Afternoon roasts their own coffee beans in-house, and they also have a plant shop that you can visit called Serpentine. You are definitely not going to want to miss this place.
OAK Gainesville
Original American Kitchen, OAK, is a fantastic brunch option in Downtown Gainesville. Known for their modern twist on classic Southern food, you will love their upscale brick and wood lined space.
They have bottomless Mimosas from 11am to 4pm, and they offer other southern cocktails, made from freshly squeezed juice. And if you love craft beer (who doesn’t?) they have self-serve taps with seasonal varieties.
If you do choose to visit, reservations are highly recommended. Their brunch menu everything you could desire, such as: Breakfast Tacos, Flank and Eggs, Farmer’s Breakfast, Country Fried Steak, or even just simple Avocado toast. This is an excellent Gainesville brunch choice with excellent food, and a vibrant atmosphere.
This is also a great spot to enjoy breakfast in Gainesville.
The Keys Grill & Piano Bar
Aiming to fill the void of authentic, fresh seafood that reflects Florida style, the Keys is a uniquely entertaining location. This is a great place to go for the piano bar.
The live music and atmosphere is especially pleasant. It just feels like a happy place. The restaurant is located in the new Celebration Pointe development complex. Their brunch menu offers fantastic seafood options such as the Mahi-Mahi sandwich, or the “Good Ole’ Shrimp & Grits.”
This is a great option for anyone looking for brunch in Gainesville and be sure to visit during “Power Hour” from 10 AM to 11 AM, when Mimosas are 88 cents, or $3 for Bloody Mary’s and Screwdrivers.
Country Foodly
Like so many other locations on this list, Country Foodly is another hidden gem located in Gainesville. This is a locally owned and operated restaurant that offers a Korean flair to the traditional American breakfast.
This location is tucked away in a strip mall, but the unique food is something you will not find anywhere else. Bulgogi, is a Korean BBQ recipe for thin, marinated slices of beef, and many consider the Beef Bulgogi Omelet to be one of the best items on the menu.
For those looking to get away from the more usual offerings, and try something new, this is the location to go.
Dolce Vita Bakery Cafe
Dolce Vita is one of the only places in town where you can get the authentic feel of the cafes and bakeries in Europe. This small location makes all their items fresh every morning.
You can order an assortment of baked Italian desserts such as: butter cookies, rainbow cookies, lobster tails, Sfogliatelle and Pignoli cookies. You will be tempted to try everything in the display. It is a pleasant spot to sit and have some coffee and pastries.
This is a fantastic place to grab some breakfast, but they also have lunch specials every day. If you are looking to grab a pastry, make sure you leave early because they run out quickly.
East End Eatery
If you are looking for a cozy breakfast spot, then this hidden gem might be the place for you. The East End Eatery offers health, delicious and affordable food.
Their breakfast and brunch specials change every day. This is a casual American breakfast joint that offers vegan, vegetarian and Gluten free breakfast options. The interior design is eclectic and quaint.
Decorated from the floor to the ceiling with unique art pieces, the décor will make you feel right at home. It is very family friendly and offers a children’s play area and seating on the patio. Just beware that this is a cash only establishment.
Paramount Grill
For over 30 years, Paramount Grill has offered unique and innovative cuisine in Downtown Gainesville. This is a fine dining restaurant but remains reasonably priced. Paramount is a great spot for Sunday Brunch, and the menu changes often in order to provide seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Some of the top recommended menu items are the Southwest blackened salmon or Crab Cake Benedict. The food is very unique, and honestly, everything on the menu looks fantastic. It might be hard to pick a single item!
Do not count on fast service, as everything is made to order, including the bread. This is definitely a special location with extreme attention to every detail.
Mi Apa Latin Café
Mi Apa Latin Cafe is another fantastic Cuban spot in Gainesville, aiming to serve traditional Cuban food using nothing but the freshest and tastiest ingredients.
Mi Apa is a staple in North Central Florida for Cuban food and has three Gainesville locations. Service is fast and the food is affordable, while remaining authentic and delicious.
All the food is also made from scratch. Their breakfast offerings include Beef and Eggs, Cuban Bread Rolls, Cuban Toast, Cuban Rice, Egg & Cheese Sandwich or Stuffed Arepa. You can also order egg whites upon request. Mi Apa is always ready with good food and some of the best Cuban coffee in town.
Flaco’s Cuban Bakery
Flaco’s is a Cuban bakery that serves Cuban sandwiches, arepas, and pastries. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 2:30 am.
The food is really good, and they offer excellent service. While they are usually considered to be a late-night location, they are also an excellent option for those looking to grab some brunch.
Their outdoor seating was formerly Northwest Second Street, which is now a covered patio area where they host live music during their brunch events. They also serve bottomless mimosas.
Their brunch menu options consist of pressed sandwiches, tacos, burritos, pastries and more. Many recommend their Cuban Sandwiches, Arepas, and Puff Pastries.
Maple Street Biscuits
Maple Street Biscuits can be found all over the South and they have a location in Gainesville too. Their biscuits are made fresh everyday using artisan flour and real butter.
Their jams and jellies are also made in house. You can’t go wrong by choosing Maple Street Biscuits. The company aims to create a community experience in each one of their stores, and they do so by offering fantastic service, and great comfort food.
You won’t go wrong ordering the “Five and Dime”, the “Sticky Maple” or the “Farmer”, all of which are fantastic options to start off your morning.
Munecas Downtown Tacos
Offering only the finest ingredients in a beautiful outdoor setting, this is a can’t miss location in Downtown Gainesville. Located by the Bo Didley Community Plaza, you can catch community events and eat fantastic food at the same time. All ingredients are locally sourced, flavorful, and healthy.
The prices are also absolutely fantastic with single tacos being only $4 each. For many locals, this is a go-to place, with great outdoor seating and affordable prices.
For those looking for a brunch location, Munecas also serves bottomless mimosas on Saturdays. They also have kombucha and beer on tap. Munecas is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Wahoo Seafood
If you are looking for brunch, then Wahoo is a well-known seafood spot that offers Cajun and Creole cuisine. They have a number of weekly specials such as: “All you can eat crab legs”, “All you can eat flounder fry”, premium margaritas, and Sunday brunch featuring bottomless mimosas.
Their brunch menu is extensive and offers unique takes on classic American breakfast offerings, such as the Jambalaya Omelet. The seafood is absolutely outstanding and it well worth the visit if you are driving through Gainesville on I-75.
Peach Valley Cafe
Peach Valley Cafe aims to create a delectable breakfast experience, with all food being homemade with the freshest ingredients. It is usually crowded on weekends, but if you can endure the wait then you will be rewarded with a fantastic breakfast experience.
All the food is made homemade, and locals highly rate this restaurant. Everyone who visits Peach Valley will have something to say about their Apple fritters. Others also recommend their Valley Fiesta Rancheros and stuffed French Toast.
La Maracucha Food Truck
Operating in a food truck, if you are able to find them, you will not be disappointed. La Maracucha specializes in Venezuelan cuisine and opens up at 8AM every day.
You can keep tabs on their locations on social media. For breakfast you can have their Egg Arepa, Mandoca (a Venezuelan deep friend cornmeal ring), Empanadas or Espresso.
The Swamp Restaurant
This one deserves an honorable mention as it is reopening in 2022. The Swamp restaurant is an iconic landmark in Gainesville, which was closed its doors in 2020.
The new location will be in a new nearby location. Once it opens in August 2022, you can certainly expect it be a perfect option for grabbing Sunday Brunch.
See more: Restaurants in Gainesville
