Location: Gainesville
Top Restaurants in Gainesville
Top Things to do in Gainesville
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Where to eat Italian food in Gainesville: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Find out what Italian restaurants to try in Gainesville. Home to the University of Florida, the largest and oldest university in the state, as well as the Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville is a hub of education and culture. Perhaps due to its strong student population, the city is also at the heart of independent music in Florida, having produced numerous musical acts from a variety of genres. The natural surroundings, including parks, lakes and the adjacent Paynes Prairie State Reserve provide a green getaway from the bustle of city life.
Things to do in Gainesville
10. Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 76 reviews
Piesanos is a locally owned restaurant with three convenient Gainesville locations, two Ocala locations, and one location in the Villages!
Reviewed By allymcshop
We ordered a pizza with mushrooms, spinach and âdiced â pepperoni. We could not taste the pepperoni at all. We called the waitress over and she insisted there was pepperoni on it but it was small. We got out our flashlight and didnât see it as well as didnât taste it. The definition of diced is small cubes. She asked the manager to come over and he refused. We saw her and he said no. All these people needed to do was ask if they could bring us some extra pepperoni but didnât. Our bill was $75 with tip for two pizzas and a salad. Poor poor customer service.
9. Big Lou's Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 130 reviews
Going ten years strong with a menu designed to make mouths water and a location that embodies Gainesville's Downtown area, Big Lou's NY Style Pizzeria comes from humble beginnings. As many local start-ups do, Lou's developed into the reputable pizza spot
Reviewed By tallenarts
I've eaten in-house and enjoyed this restaurant through delivery services like bitesquad and grubhub. I all cases the food has been reliably hot and delicious. If you are willing to step beyond the norm of college town pepperoni you won't be sorry. The pizza with prosciutto, tomato, garlic, and ricotta is outstanding. The subs and entrees are reliable and better than anticipated from a college town staple. Cheesecake and cannoli are solid choices as well.
8. Leonardo's Pizza of Millhopper
Overall Ratings
4 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By Anne P
I went to this restaurant after the 50th annual Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. It was the perfect place to unwind, have a beer or wine and, of course, some of this restaurant's vaunted thick-crust pizza. There are plenty of options for those with any tastes and nobody will be disappointed!
7. Pomodoro Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By Vic P
Met a couple of students there to have lunch. I had gotten their lunch soup and salad before and loved it. This time there was something different. It may be as simple as the onions in the salad were strong and overpowering and affected by taste. Their open face calzone with soup looked amazing and I know their pizza are. Staff was friendly as always. Owner wanted to open the door to the patio, but I asked it to be closed as it was COLD outside and made us discomfortable. He closed it, but I got the look. Ill go back, but it will be something else. BTW, their BOGO carry out is great.
6. Leonardo's 706
Overall Ratings
4 based on 349 reviews
Reviewed By Wizrapp
Weâve been meaning to try Leonardoâs, especially since I have fond memories of when it first opened when I was at UF. I thought it was great then, and itâs still great.The decor is funky, with eclectic paintings and sculptures. We decided on the bar-b-que chicken pizza and it was perfect; it had large chunks of white meat chicken and red, yellow and green peppers with the perfect amount of cheese to hold it all together. One pie, 6 slices, was enough for both of usâit is medium-sized.For dessert we were intrigued by the cinnamon ice cream and split a scoop. Delicious! Great taste of cinnamon which was not too sweet, but sweet enough.We will be back.
5. Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 119 reviews
We are a locally owned restaurant with three convenient Gainesville locations, two Ocala locations and a new location in the Villages. We are the only restaurant in the state with a granite stone pizza oven!
Reviewed By rmom352
Stone fired is a good way to draw me in. The Italian pizza was good with plenty of veggies and sauce, needed more cheese and cooked a bit more to bubble the cheese. Crust was very good. My sister had a salad, medium which was overflowing the bowl. We were served fresh rolls smothered with Parmesan cheese and floating in a sharp Italian dressing. Service was very good and the beer list was large. I think if you like this type of pizza give it a try. My taste buds needed more.
Where to eat American food in Gainesville: The Best Restaurants and Bars
4. Amelia's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By Nancy N
It's usually calm and quiet in here, no loud talking etc. I've never seen anyone that overindulged in alcohol on the premises. The food is freshly prepared to order and is of high quality. I've enjoyed meats, seafood and pastas here. This weekend my family had shrimp fra diablo, baked ziti & chicken parmesan. It was wonderful! I enjoy when someone celebrates a birthday at Amelia's because owner Chef Andy plays happy birthday on his saxophone. The restaurant always has a warm, homey atmosphere with pleasant wait staff that elicit a magical experience.
Most Popular Steakhouse food in Gainesville, Florida, United States
3. Francesca's Trattoria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 488 reviews
Reviewed By Cynthia B
I've eaten at this restaurant a few times before and was expecting a reasonably delicious array of dishes. Suffice it to say that the buffet on steam tables fell so far short of expectations that none of my table of eight found much to their liking. The scrambled eggs were hard and dry, the link sausage cold, French toast flat and soggy. The pork loin and its balsamic/prune sauce promised to be tasty, but the dryness of the meat and the tart sauce just didn't work. Mushrooms with rice looked like vomit. The price - $35+ per person, half that for children under age 10 - was really a cruel slap in the face for such terrible food. Very, very disappointing.I am very sorry that you felt disappointed in our Mother's Day buffet which has been presenting for many years. I personally have gone to the tables to ensure that all guests are happy and enjoying their meal and the selections that we have provided. I have many repeat customers that book well in advance of the event. This year was no exception and was well received by the guests. I do get feedback as people are leaving.We are continually bringing freshly cooked food to the buffet line so that no item is there for very long and it comes directly from the kitchen's ovens and stoves. It would have been helpful if you had let us know that you had an issue and we would have done everything to correct it at that time.
2. Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 314 reviews
Piesanos is a locally owned restaurant with three convenient Gainesville locations, two Ocala locations, and one location in the Villages!
Reviewed By Michael F
i have been using Piesanos for catering events for the past couple months and they do a great job. the food is delicious and the serving size is plentiful. the prices are good for what you get.
1. Satchel's Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1239 reviews
Reviewed By donnab1974
The pie was awesome and the portions are huge! We also tried the bon bons and the cheesecake, both were yummy. The only issue was the service.. we were seated by a young man who also took our order and then disappeared.. maybe it was a change in shifts or something, but our drinks were never refilled and we had to flag down one of the ladies working to get a box and our check. I just feel that no matter what an establishment has to communicate if the wait staff goes on break or leaves for the day.
