Bringing the parents to town? Here's where to eat if they're paying
"What do you want to eat?" is a dreaded question for many, especially when parents or family are in town. For incoming college students, it may be difficult to pick a place you don't know about.
Here are some recommended local and chain places to eat in Gainesville with your family — but only if the parents are paying, of course! College students can't break the bank.
Amelia’s Fine Italian Cuisine
235 S. Main St.
Want something different and more authentic than Olive Garden? This is the place to go.
Atmosphere: Upscale, fine dining
Cuisine: Italian
Hours: Closed Monday, 5-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 4-8 p.m. Sunday.
Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Company
201 SE 2nd Ave. #104.
https://www.dragonflyrestaurants.com/gainesville-florida/
If you’re looking for the best sushi in town, this place is high on the list.
Atmosphere: Casual, modern pub
Cuisine: Japanese
Hours: 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday.
Embers Wood Fired Grill
3545 SW 34th St., Suite A.
There's no shortage of places to get steak in Gainesville, but this chophouse is high on the list.
Atmosphere: Upscale, fine dining
Cuisine: Steakhouse and seafood
Hours: Opens at 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Ford's Garage
3650 SW 32nd Court, Suite 20.
https://fordsgarageusa.com/locations/gainesville/
This rustic restaurant is themed around the Ford Motor Company. It even has a car hanging from the ceiling!
Atmosphere: Casual, vintage
Cuisine: American
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and brunch from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and dinner from 3-10 p.m. on Sunday.
Mark’s Prime Steakhouse
201 SE 2nd Ave.
https://marksprimesteakhouse.com/home/gville/
This steakhouse serves some of the freshest and finest beef, seafood, wines and vegetables.
Atmosphere: Upscale, fine dining
Cuisine: Steakhouse and seafood
Hours: Closed Monday and Sunday, 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Mildred’s Big City Food
3445 W. University Ave.
https://mildredsbigcityfood.com/
You’ll always have something unique to eat here with a menu that changes nightly.
Atmosphere: Casual bistro during the day, sophisticated foods in the evening
Hours: Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., closed on Sunday.
Prime and Pearl
4949 Celebration Pointe Ave., Suite 70 in Celebration Pointe in southwest Gainesville.
https://www.primeandpearl.com/
With a focus on perfect pairings, this steakhouse focuses on bringing things together.
Atmosphere: Upscale, fine dining
Cuisine: Steakhouse and seafood
Hours: Closed on Monday; 4-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday and 4-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Shula’s Steak House
1714 SW 34th St. inside the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center.
https://shulassteakhouse.com/location-gainesville/
Are you an NFL fan? This steakhouse chain was established in 1989 to carry on the legacy of former NFL player and coach Don Shula.
Atmosphere: Upscale, fine dining
Cuisine: Steakhouse and seafood
Hours: Closed on Monday; 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, and 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille
4860 Steve Spurrier Way in Celebration Pointe.
If you like Florida Gator football (particularly the Steve Spurrier era), then this restaurant is for you.
Atmosphere: Upscale, polished sports bar (also boasts a small Steve Spurrier football museum).
Cuisine: American Fusion; a Southern twist and international flair
Hours: Closed on Monday; 4-10 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 4-11 p.m. Thursday, 4-11 p.m., 4 p.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.
Dave and Buster’s
3023 SW 45th St. in Celebration Pointe.
https://www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/about/locations/florida-gainesville
Dining and arcade games? This popular chain combines both.
Atmosphere: Casual, fun
Cuisine: American
Hours: 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday-Tuesday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Wednesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Places for parents to take their college kids