Whether your parents are coming to visit you at school, you’re celebrating a friend’s birthday or just looking for some good french toast on a Sunday morning, brunch is the perfect activity.
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Gainesville has many different brunch options, and each one can be perfect for different occasions. So, we’ve written this article describing the 8 best brunch spots in Gainesville and how far they are from Sweetwater.
8 Best Brunch Spots for Students near the University of Florida
1. Original American Kitchen (OAK)
Distance from Sweetwater: 4-minute drive
Address: 15 SE First Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
Best for: Bottomless mimosas
OAK, best known for its eclectic American menu, is the perfect spot to enjoy a lovely brunch and snap some trendy pictures while you’re there. Its menu is somewhat small, but there’s definitely something for everyone. Being located downtown, the restaurant is pretty central and easy to get to, and there’s plenty of parking in the area. However, if you’re planning on having bottomless mimosas on Sunday morning, Uber or Lyft is probably the way to go.
2. Flying Biscuit Cafe
Photo courtesy of Flying Biscuit Cafe.
Distance from Sweetwater: 10-minute drive
Address: 4150 NW 16th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32605
Best for: Cheesy grits and biscuits
Slightly further from campus, Flying Biscuit Cafe definitely has a more local feel. And, that local feeling continues into its menu, which is filled with southern delicacies including cheesy grits and fluffy biscuits. But, it throws in a unique twist to southern breakfast with its fun mimosa flights. Flying Biscuit Cafe is the perfect place to take your family when they come to visit you at school, just be mindful that there is practically no phone service in the restaurants.
3. Peach Valley Cafe
Photo courtesy of Peach Valley Cafe.
Distance from Sweetwater: 11-minute drive
Address: 3275 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL 32608
Best for: Cinnamon apple fritters
Peach Valley Cafe, known for its Orchard Fresh Apple Fritters, has a special mix of southern classics and American favorites, including french toast and egg benedicts. The setting at Peach Valley is perfect for catching up with friends, and it has a nice outdoor patio to enjoy your brunch in the sunny Florida weather.
4. Bagels & Noodles
Distance from Sweetwater: 1-minute walk
Address: 1222 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
Best for: Pad Thai
Bagels & Noodles is a classic hangover brunch spot. Whether you wake up at noon and want some chicken Pad Thai or you get up at 9 a.m. and need a bagel to wake you up, Bagels & Noodles is the perfect casual brunch spot. The service is a little slow at Bagels & Noodles, but the food is worth the wait.
5. Metro Diner
Photo courtesy of Metro Diner.
Distance from Sweetwater: 10-minute drive
Address: 2130 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL 32608
Best for: Chicken and waffles
Metro Diner is local to Florida and has many locations across the state. The Gainesville location is a very popular spot on Sundays after Saturday game days, so if you plan on going on a weekend in the fall, be prepared to wait around an hour for a table. However, this place is definitely worth it; no matter what you order, you’re sure to leave Metro Diner full and content.
6. 43rd Street Deli & Breakfast House
Photo courtesy of 43rd Street Deli & Breakfast House.
Distance from Sweetwater: 12-minute drive
Address: (Northwest location) 4401 NW 25th Pl, Gainesville, FL 32606
Best for: Two egg breakfast
43rd Street Deli & Breakfast House is a nice place to get a casual meal. This local favorite is a little farther from campus, but it’s also on the cheaper end, so the extra few miles of driving ends up being worth it. 43rd Street Deli has many different meal options, ranging in size and flavor, so the menu is full of options for everyone.
43rd Street Deli & Breakfast House Menu
7. Big Top Brewing Company
Photo courtesy of Big Top Brewing.
Distance from Sweetwater: 4-minute drive
Address: 201 SE Second Ave Unit 101, Gainesville, FL 32601
Best for: Breakfast burrito
While Big Top Brewing Company is best known for its brewery options, including beers and ciders, it is also known for its bottomless mimosas and brunch foods. This casual downtown brewery has a fun brunch vibe. The menu is small and simple, but still offers southern favorites, including buttery biscuits and egg platters.
8. Afternoon
Photo courtesy of Restaurant Guru.
Distance from Sweetwater: 4-minute drive
Address: 231 NW 10th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
Best for: Poached eggs and shakshuka
Looking for a trendy brunch spot with an eclectic collection of breakfast and lunch favorites? Afternoon is the spot for you. Owned by the same people who own Crybaby’s, a popular downtown bar, the vibe at Afternoon is equally good as the quality of food. The menu is somewhat short, but it still offers options for everyone. The restaurant is not too far from campus, but it’s tucked away in a different area than most of the other popular restaurants in Gainesville, so it feels a bit like an adventure getting there.
We hope this review helped you learn more about brunch options in Gainesville! Next time you’re trying to find a nice place to grab brunch with friends, we hope we’ve inspired you to try one of our favorite spots!
