Gainesville FL is known for its outstanding seafood restaurants – and we’ve identified seven of the best! Whether you’re looking to indulge in savory lobster rolls or satisfy your craving with an array of fresh fish dishes, these eateries are sure to deliver a top-tier dining experience.
Top 12 Places to Eat Seafood in Gainesville FL
Ocean Buffet
- Address: 6795 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32605, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.1 (3686)
- Phone: +1 352-331-1700
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PMTuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PMWednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PMThursday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PMSaturday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PMSunday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Reviews:
Great place to eat and great price. Normal buffet is a set price per plate and to go it’s charmed perpound. We went around noon and were able to sit down right away but a little bit after there was quite a line. The food was very good we will definitely be back.By Waleska C (6 months ago)Our first time here… Everything was delicious 😋 Sandy our waitress was so efficient and friendly 🤗 Had hot tea with dinner and totally enjoyed NOT doing dishes 🤣💯By Debi Phillips (8 months ago)Came across this place when getting off the exit to get gas, and decided to pull into a plaza. This place was right there.
I have to say, this place is better than any Chinese buffet in Michigan. If I lived in Florida, I would come here often. But I was visiting with family and was on my way back to Michigan.
Good place to visit. Great customer service as well. Great selection of food. They also kept food filled. They not only have buffet food, but a grill section where you can make your own favorite dish. Let’s not forget the section for sushi either. Yum!
By Michelle Boutain (3 months ago)Nice variety of food! The Japanese ribs and sushi were amazing!By Mary Abar (7 months ago)The waitress was nice enough, cleared our table and asked if we wanted a refill of our drinks. The bad, mediocre american Chinese food. The hibachi guy ignored me and then was talking under his breath when I asked him if the hibachi was still available because he was cleaning out some of the empty pans. The ugly, the restaurant itself is dirty. The floors and ceilings were filthy with grease and dust/mold on ceiling vent. There were grease residue on alot of the tables. I saw the refilling lady going around stirring the food and she picked up a piece of eat that was on the counter next to the pan amd threw it back in the pan instead of wiping or cleaning and throwing it out like I’ve seen other buffets do. My husband and I got sick 1-2 hours after we left I will not be returning.By Sarah M (a month ago)
Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille
- Address: 110 SE 1st St, Gainesville, FL 32601, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (2429)
- Phone: +1 352-372-1555
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMTuesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMWednesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMThursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PMSaturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PMSunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Reviews:
Our experience at Harry’s was really good! We were served by Chris Peoples who was such a sweet guy! We ordered an entree of fried green tomatoes, a main of shrimp scampi linguine and another main of jambalaya. Tomatoes were crisp juicy and savory. Loved them. The pasta tasted authentic and cheesy. About the jambalaya – the taste and quantity were good. However, the rice were undercooked.5 stars for Chris and 4 for the overall experience. Visit Harry’s for a good time!By Eshita Kapoor (a year ago)Really, really good fresh food and generous portions. Fried shrimp platter with fries and a side Caesar salad for $24 bucks and some change. Very lightly breaded and tasted great. Fast service, nice New Orleans inspired decor and hard working staff. Will definitely come back!By Double A (11 months ago)Not a bad place to eat because I’m a seafood eater I look for something to eat which was grouper and shrimp 🍤 platter which was $22.99 plus tax and then calamari it was not bad at all it was litely batter and it tasted fresh. We also had the blackened Redfish instead of the Nola rice because it had pork in it we had red beans and rice instead it was good. the drinks were pretty strong they’re good just the way I like itBy Sam Wallstreet (4 months ago)First time eating here. And it was absolutely amazing. The fried grit cakes and fried green tomatoes were so delicious. Chicken and grits with collard greens was my favorite. She crab soup is a must. a strawberry mojito and bloody Mary is a must try for drinks.By Tabatha Reed (2 months ago)Service itself was excellent although food took a long time to arrive, likely due to kitchen staffing issues. Thankfully they kept the fresh bread and butter coming!
Enjoyed the outdoor seating and they easily accommodated our party of six.
Also, give yourself time for parking as it can be a challenge, especially so on weekends.By Harry Canary (7 months ago)
Red Lobster
- Address: THE OAKS MALL, 6910 W Newberry Rd NEAR, Gainesville, FL 32605, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.1 (2034)
- Phone: +1 352-331-2670
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMTuesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMWednesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMThursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PMSaturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PMSunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Reviews:
Our server was fantastic! Big win for Liz, best service we have had there by far..her service was perfect!
Food: everything was tasty, a bit on the higher side of salty BUT my fried fish was not good. They over battered it and over fried it until the fish curled. Didn’t really eat it and left a bit hungry.
By Cynthia Yanez, MSW, LCSW (6 months ago)I’ve been to this Red Lobster a few times and this recent trip far surpassed my previous experiences! Our server, Destiny, was amazing! Attentive, quick, and very friendly! The environment was much cleaner than previously and the food was of excellent quality! I had their endless soup/salad and the clam chowder was excellent! Very flavorful yet light! The salad I had was significantly improved from previous experiences, the ingredients were clearly of higher quality and freshness. Overall very pleased with the new direction management has taken!By Elaina Black (3 months ago)We had an enjoyable meal. We started out with stuffed mushrooms and artichoke dip. Strawberry daiquiri and frozen peach martini. They served us up right perfectly cooking steak and scallops, coconut shrimp and fried fish.By DeeDee Sullivan (a year ago)Love red lobster it is one of my favorite places their rolls are so good and service is always good. I ordered the shrimp linguini Alfredo and it was so good and the portion size is largeBy Britney Megnath (a week ago)I am having a wonderful time and the Manager Darius is very attentive to his guests ! Thank you Darius for introducing yourself and making sure we have a pleasant meal!By Michelle Munns (3 months ago)
Cedar River Seafood of Gainesville
- Address: 5141 NW 43rd St #101, Gainesville, FL 32605, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (1777)
- Phone: +1 352-371-4848
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMTuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMWednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMThursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMSaturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMSunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
My first visit here but not my last by far. Everything was a 10. I was actually shocked at the high quality and quantity of food served for luncheon. Unbelievable quality food. The oysters cooked to perfection (oysters are 7 of the 9 major food groups so I take them seriously), the fries crispy and the Cole Slaw was magical. I NEVER EAT HUSH PUPPIES. They are always greasy and not good. These were wonderful and I will always order them. The ice tea was so good without all the chlorine water taste so many city restaurants serve. An 11 on a scale of 10. Perfection in Gainesville. My ONLY seafood restaurant from now on.By Sam Dawson (a year ago)Wife really loves Flounder fried. I like shrimp and fries are fat and great flavor. Nothing is greasy. Stuffed flounder also excellent. Great waitress! Good comes out quickly,!By Curtis Gully (a month ago)Delicious food. Wonderful staff. Parking was decent.By Elizabeth Ivey (4 months ago)Had broiled grouper. Baked potato hush puppies, grilled corn and iced tea. The fish was a bit salty/seasoned which we diluted with the tea. Service was very good with tea refills and cups to go. Nice selection of fish, seafood and appetizers. Will be returning and have been there several times in the past. T. J. R.By Theodore Rosov (3 months ago)Good food, only problem I ever had was that the staff was chewing food when checking me out and I looked in my to go box and had a piece of fish missing and a hush puppy. I would have shared with her. But the food was good. I recommend you to eat inside.By Carie Marie (2 months ago)
Northwest Grille
- Address: 5115 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32606, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (1457)
- Phone: +1 352-376-0500
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMTuesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMWednesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMThursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
By far the best seafood we’ve had in Gainesville. My wife and I love this restaurant. It feels like we’re eating somewhere on the coast. Everything was fresh and delicious. Highly recommend. The stuffed grouper was incredible!By Eric Daff (11 months ago)First time here….
Ordered the Seafood Pasta Diablo Style. Yum!
Clams, scallops, shrimp with linguine. Pasta is made to order. Not too spicy. My husband ordered Bronzed trout! Grits and garlic mashed potatoes. Very good.
We sat at the bar, by choice, that’s our spot.
Great service. Great margaritas. We will be back.
Oh and 3 desserts to go!!By 2 DeNaes (2 weeks ago)Our party of 15 had a great time. Close to downtown without being in the fray. Great service! Servers hustled all evening! Excellent holiday dinner!By Glenn Lumpkin (4 weeks ago)Everything was awesome! Food, drinks, company, service, etc! Such a homely feeling. Always have a great experience!By Shakasmurf (a week ago)Northwest Grill, located in Gainesville, FL, is a true 💎! I arrived 3:30-4PM and had the pleasure of being served by Sean, who is both attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. When I arrived, it was moderately busy with no wait. To quench my palate and thirst, I chose the Mimosa Special, $8 for 4: Peach, Orange, Cranberry, & Pineapple, all with a perfect balance of champagne and juice, with a glass of ice water and a “bowl of lemons”. I was, quickly, served a soft, warm, honey wheat loaf of bread and real honey butter, shortly followed by a House salad, made with fresh, baby spinach, arugula, and dark-green, leafy Romaine lettuce, red peppers, plump, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, sweet cranberries, and shaved almonds, with choice of dressing: I wisely chose lemon-feta vinegarrette. For my main course, I enjoyed the St Augustine Shrimp, butterflied, lightly battered, then delicately fried to perfection, with fresh, steamed broccoli. This dish will delight any palate. I finished my meal off with the light and creamy Tiramisu and the sweet and fluffy Pineapple Upside-down Cake! I give the NORTHWEST GRILL ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for Quality of food and service, Friendly and Attentive Staff, Cleanliness (including restrooms), Location, and Price/Value.By YouSee AllDifferent (9 months ago)
Ballyhoo Grill
- Address: 3700 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (1402)
Bonefish Grill
- Address: 3237 SW 35th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32608, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (1115)
G’ville Seafood N’ Chicken
- Address: 2224 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (1042)
Mr. & Mrs. Crab – Gainesville
- Address: 3246 SW 35th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32608, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (754)
Hook Fish & Chicken
- Address: 1340 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 3.8 (749)
Blue Gill Quality Food
- Address: 1310 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32608, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (562)
Mark’s Prime Steakhouse
- Address: 201 SE 2nd Ave #102, Gainesville, FL 32601, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (522)
Thank you for reading! We hope this list helps you find the best seafood restaurants in Gainesville FL. If you have any additional information, please leave a comment below!
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