# Places to order at the counter with kids in Gainesville

Restaurants and cafés in Gainesville where you order at the counter. 27 listed.

Last updated 2026-10-12, from the newest confirmation among these places.

## The list

1. [Adam's Rib Co.](https://ourplayday.com/places/adam-s-rib-co-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Barbecue with smaller plates of ribs and pulled pork for under-12s. Has: order at the counter.
2. [Cracker Barrel Old Country Store](https://ourplayday.com/places/cracker-barrel-old-country-store-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). A peg puzzle on the table, checkers on the porch and a store full of toys to browse while you wait for the food. Has: order at the counter.
3. [Crafty Bastards Restaurant & Pub](https://ourplayday.com/places/crafty-bastards-restaurant-pub-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). A neighborhood pub with board games at the tables, so kids have something to do while the food comes. Has: order at the counter.
4. [Culver's (SW 30th Place)](https://ourplayday.com/places/culver-s-sw-30th-place-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Burgers and frozen custard, and every kids' meal ends with a scoop. Has: order at the counter.
5. [David's BBQ & Catering West](https://ourplayday.com/places/david-s-bbq-catering-west-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Smoked meats and classic sides, with grilled cheese or a hot dog for the kid who won't touch barbecue. It can get busy and smoky. Has: order at the counter.
6. [One Love Cafe](https://ourplayday.com/places/one-love-cafe-gainesville) (café, Gainesville). A big field with tetherball and cornhole for kids to run around in while you finish eating. Louder when there's live music. Has: order at the counter.
7. [Samba Brazilian Kitchen](https://ourplayday.com/places/samba-brazilian-kitchen-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Brazilian food in a relaxed room: counter service at lunch, the easier time with a wiggly kid, and table service later on. Has: order at the counter.
8. [4 Rivers Smokehouse Gainesville](https://ourplayday.com/places/4-rivers-smokehouse-gainesville-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Counter-service barbecue with brisket and pulled-pork sliders sized for kids, a cookie on the side. Has: order at the counter.
9. [BENTO Asian Kitchen + Sushi (Newberry Road)](https://ourplayday.com/places/bento-asian-kitchen-sushi-newberry-road-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Pan-Asian plates and sushi, with a Little Dragons menu of smaller meals, so your kid gets their own bowl while you order rolls. Has: order at the counter.
10. [Mi Apá Latin Café](https://ourplayday.com/places/mi-apa-latin-cafe-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Empanadas, chicken and rice, and a case of pastries: a gentle first go at Cuban food, with familiar sides for the picky one. Has: order at the counter.
11. [MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company (Celebration Pointe)](https://ourplayday.com/places/midici-the-neapolitan-pizza-company-celebration-pointe-gainesville) (pizzeria, Gainesville). An open kitchen where kids can watch the dough get stretched and slid into the oven. Has: order at the counter.
12. [Perkins American Food Co. Gainesville](https://ourplayday.com/places/perkins-american-food-co-gainesville-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). A diner with Perky Bear pancakes and rainbow pancakes for kids, plus French toast and chicken strips for the ones who won't do pancakes. Has: order at the counter.
13. [Steak 'n Shake (SW 13th St)](https://ourplayday.com/places/steak-n-shake-sw-13th-st-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Steakburgers and hand-dipped milkshakes: a simple burger-and-shake stop that most kids will say yes to. Has: order at the counter.
14. [SweetBerries Eatery & Frozen Custard - 5th Avenue](https://ourplayday.com/places/sweetberries-eatery-frozen-custard-5th-avenue-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Fresh frozen custard with fruit, cookie or candy on top, and sandwiches and wraps if you need an actual meal first. Has: order at the counter.
15. [The Bakery Mill - NW 76th Boulevard](https://ourplayday.com/places/the-bakery-mill-nw-76th-boulevard-gainesville) (bakery, Gainesville). Small pancakes and French toast at breakfast, grilled cheese at lunch, and a case of muffins and cookies for afterward. Has: order at the counter.
16. [The Flying Biscuit Cafe](https://ourplayday.com/places/the-flying-biscuit-cafe-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Brunch with pancakes, eggs and French toast, and the kids' side of the menu covers everyone up to twelve. Has: order at the counter.
17. [Tinker Latin Restaurant - Main Street](https://ourplayday.com/places/tinker-latin-restaurant-main-street-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Latin street food made for sharing, arepas and empanadas, with plain sides for a cautious eater to pick at while you try the rest. Has: order at the counter.
18. [Arby's (SW Archer Road)](https://ourplayday.com/places/arby-s-sw-archer-road-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Drive-through with sliders and chicken tenders sized for kids, and applesauce or milk on the side. Has: order at the counter.
19. [Dairy Queen Grill & Chill - NW 39th Avenue](https://ourplayday.com/places/dairy-queen-grill-chill-nw-39th-avenue-gainesville) (ice cream shop, Gainesville). A full grill with chicken baskets as well as the Blizzards, so it can be dinner and dessert in one go. Has: order at the counter.
20. [Goldie's Burgers](https://ourplayday.com/places/goldie-s-burgers-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Burgers with an arcade and putt-putt on site, and a big park next door for whatever energy is left. Has: order at the counter.
21. [Leonardo's Pizza of Millhopper](https://ourplayday.com/places/leonardo-s-pizza-of-millhopper-gainesville) (pizzeria, Gainesville). Deep-dish pizza, garlic knots and baked pastas made to share, in a relaxed room where a table of three generations fits right in. Has: order at the counter.
22. [Satchel's Pizza](https://ourplayday.com/places/satchel-s-pizza-gainesville) (pizzeria, Gainesville). Eat in a van, under a plane or in a greenhouse, with slides and swings outside, so kids play between slices. Has: order at the counter.
23. [SquareHouse Pizza](https://ourplayday.com/places/squarehouse-pizza-gainesville) (pizzeria, Gainesville). Square, cheesy Detroit-style pizza and waffles from a food-park counter, with outdoor tables and cornhole. Gluten-free and vegan options for a mixed table. Has: order at the counter.
24. [Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (Butler Plaza)](https://ourplayday.com/places/taziki-s-mediterranean-cafe-butler-plaza-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Grilled cheese, chicken and rice or a turkey melt on the kids' side of a Mediterranean menu. Has: order at the counter.
25. [Up2U Nutrition Gainesville](https://ourplayday.com/places/up2u-nutrition-gainesville-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Fruit bowls and waffles piled with fruit to share at a table. Has: order at the counter.
26. [BAMBUU Asian Eatery Gainesville](https://ourplayday.com/places/bambuu-asian-eatery-gainesville-gainesville) (restaurant, Gainesville). Asian-fusion bowls at the counter, with a kid-size bowl so your kid eats what you're eating, just less of it. Has: order at the counter.
27. [Krispy Kreme - NW 13th Street](https://ourplayday.com/places/krispy-kreme-nw-13th-street-gainesville) (bakery, Gainesville). Kids can watch glazed doughnuts roll down the production line, warm when the Hot Light is on. Has: order at the counter.

## Other lists for Gainesville

- [High chairs](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/with-high-chairs) (42)
- [Changing tables](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/with-changing-tables) (13)
- [Kids' menu](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/with-kids-menu) (43)
- [Cribs](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/with-cribs) (10)
- [Pool](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/with-a-pool) (24)
- [Free breakfast](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/with-free-breakfast) (17)
- [Connecting rooms](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/with-connecting-rooms) (3)
- [Fridge in the room](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/with-a-fridge) (19)
- [Separate bedroom](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/with-a-separate-bedroom) (6)
- [Restrooms](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/with-restrooms) (22)
- [Free](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/free-to-visit) (71)
- [Water play](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/with-water-play) (4)

## About this list

Every place here is a listing on Play Day, and a place is listed only when something positive is known about it for kids. Each listing carries the kid facts (high chairs, changing tables, kids' menus, wheelchair access) A list needs at least three places to exist.

Page: https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville/order-at-the-counter. All of Gainesville: https://ourplayday.com/united-states/florida/gainesville