For most new students, coming to UF means a brand-new city with a brand-new food scene. If you’re a new Gator already tired of the dining halls’ menus, check out these five food stops within walking distance of campus.
The Swamp Restaurant
If you couldn’t secure a football season pass, this is your next best spot to enjoy a game with your fellow Gators. Just a 10-minute walk from Plaza of the Americas, The Swamp Restaurant is the go-to spot to catch a game, accompanied by all the bar classics: burgers, wings and cheesesteaks, as well as hand-crafted cocktails.
Address: 1104 SW Second Ave
Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza
When cafeteria pizza starts to taste a little tired, Piesanos can remind you why this food is at the top of every kid’s list. Besides the 23 varieties of stone-fired pizza, Piesanos boasts a full Italian menu complete with lasagna, spaghetti and calzones. Offering the shortest walk from campus on this list, Piesanos is right on the northeast corner of campus.
Address: 1250 W University Ave
HASS Kitchen
For those lucky enough to avoid the dreaded 8 a.m. classes, you can instead spend your morning enjoying a locally sourced brunch from HASS Kitchen. The restaurant is named after an avocado, which you’ll find all over the menu in the form of avocado fries, avocado toast, avocado curry and even avocado smoothies. If you have an aversion to the fruit, don’t worry — there are non-avocado options, too.
Address: 1220 W University Ave
4th Ave Food Park
An option for the indecisive, this food park offers five options. Try Fehrenbacher’s Meats and Eats for an artisanal sandwich with hand-crafted sausage, or check out SquareHouse for some of the best pizza the city has to offer. Rounding out the selection of restaurants are Muñecas Taco Garden and Bar, Humble Wood Fire Bagel Shop and bakery BakerBaker. Not hungry? Grab something to drink at Opus Airstream, which features internationally inspired drinks with a locally roasted brew.
Address: 409 SW Fourth Ave
Midpoint Park & Eatery
If you’re willing to brace an achingly early wake-up, you’ll be greeted by the sweet reward of Parlor Doughnuts’ layered treats, found at Midpoint Park & Eatery right across from Infinity Hall. But for those who are more night owl than early bird, there’s still a lot of great food to be found. Dine on Korean food at K-INACUP like its signature “Cup-Bap,” or gorge on Big Thyme’s gluttonous “I Dare You” Burger, which features sauteed onions, peppers, bacon, chili, coleslaw, pickles, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese and provolone. It’s a lot.
Midpoint Park & Eatery has also announced Triple D Cattle Company will be opening soon to offer Texas-style barbecue. Keep an eye on its Instagram for an opening date.
Address: 931 SW Second Ave
Contact Christopher Rodriguez at crodriguez@alligator.org. Follow him on X @ChrisRodri29386.
