New Restaurant Roundup: What’s Coming to Gainesville this Fall?

We’ve already covered a few exciting restaurant openings, but get your taste buds ready because there are going to be even more new restaurants in Gainesville to try this fall.

Ken Peng of the popular food review blog Ken Eats Gainesville has partnered with us to give the scoop on which new restaurants will be opening in time for fall semester.

If you want to add a little more variety to your usual lineup of fast food, Top Ramen and Pub Subs, check out one of these delicious eateries instead.

1. Dave’s New York Deli

First on Ken’s list is Dave’s New York Deli. Currently located at 12921 SW 1st Road in Newberry, Dave’s will be opening their second location in Gainesville this August.

The new restaurant will be on the corner of Archer Road and Tower Road in the Park Lane Apartment complex, to serve all of their fan-favorite sandwiches and wraps.

2. Bangkok Square

This Thai restaurant is also getting a second location in Gainesville this fall. Currently located currently at 6500 SW Archer Road, they’re moving across town to the new complex Park Avenue at Santa Fe. This complex is located at 8300 NW 39th Ave.

It is a family-owned restaurant that boasts offering a variety of delicious and interesting Thai foods that appeal to everyone.

3. Apoke Sushi 

Already popular in Miami, Apoke Sushi is bringing their signature sushi burritos to Midtown. They also have build-your-own poke bowls. Gainesville already has several build-your-own type restaurants so these are sure to be a hit.

Ken said that though he is excited about this restaurant, he’s worried the location could be bad for business.

“Restaurants in the Midtown area tend to fair poorly in the summer time when the students are out of town,” he said. “That area is just not appealing to young professionals and older residents.”

4. Yummy House (Sweet Buns) 

Arguably Ken’s most anticipated addition to Gainesville’s food scene is Yummy House’s new an Asian-fusion bakery, Sweet Buns, which will open next door to their current restaurant at 3102 SW 34th St.

“Egg tarts are kind of my favorite thing, so being able to buy them by the dozen and shoving them into my mouth hole is an appealing prospect,” Peng said.

5. Ameraucana Wood Fire

This popular food truck is finally getting a brick and mortar pizzeria that is set to open in late July/early August at 2410 NW 43rd St.

This restaurant has been highly anticipated by the food-truck’s fans on Facebook as they’ve followed the building’s progress. So, if you’re looking for a new pizza joint to fill the void once Leonardo’s is gone, Ameraucana could do the trick.

6. Madrina’s

This Cuban-inspired cocktail bar, located at 9 W. University Avenue, was recently opened by the guys behind Crane Ramen, with TJ Palmieri at the helm, Peng said.

“It’ll be great to see TJ Palmieri have his own space again after the demise of 2nd Street Speakeasy,” he said. “In my opinion, he is the best bartender in North Florida. Having checked out a sneak peek of the space and the prospective menu, I think he’s poised to put Gainesville on the map for cocktails.”

If you’re like Ken and these restaurants don’t completely satisfy your cravings, he suggested even more restaurants that he would love to see come to Gainesville.

He hopes that we get a French restaurant, a butcher shop, or a Cuban bakery so he can fill up on Cuban bread and pastelitos – two things he says Gainesville doesn’t have to offer as of right now.

Overall, the impact of all of the incoming new restaurants in Gainesville is not only giving the public amazing new places to eat, drink and socialize, but it’s raising the bar for customer expectations.

“The food culture here has evolved to the point where a large number of residents seek out new foods and demand better quality,” Peng said. “We’re no longer settling for mediocrity. I love it.”

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