Top 4 restaurants in Gainesville to host a holiday gathering 

It’s the holiday season—which inevitably means a dinner party. Dine in style with these spacious and accommodating options that are the best for hosting a nice night out for the season.  

The options range from private dining rooms to outdoor courtyards, and menus that celebrate the holiday season or shareable dishes for your friends to enjoy.  

Prime and Pearl  

Located in the heart of Celebration Pointe, Prime and Pearl is an innovative concept that combines elegant dining and design. A private dining room holds up to 24 guests, or you can rent out the entire restaurant.  

Prime and Pearl is planning to expand its restaurant to accommodate even more guests and is aiming to open the expansion in mid-2024. 

Prime and Pearl uses locally sourced beef that is grass and grain-fed and 35-day wet-aged. The chef tasted five different farmers before choosing the best, quality beef.  

Everything that is on the menu is made in house at Prime and Pearl, and the beef is cut on site as well. 

The chef recommends the Prime and Pearl – which features quality beef along with oysters from 30–40-degree water—paired with Justin Cabernet. Locals rave about everything on the menu, but many agree on their love for the smoked old fashioned and the classic filet mignon. 

• Hours: 4-9 p.m. Tues.-Thu., 4-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 4-9 p.m. Sun.   
• Location: 4949 Celebration Pointe Ave. 

Superette Wine + Provisions  

An upscale, relaxed environment with an expansive outdoor courtyard, Superette makes for a great place to gather, sip wine and enjoy the holidays.  

Order a charcuterie board from Superette’s list of seasonal cheeses and meats and choose from the large selection of wine and spirits. Try the short rib flatbread—with braised short rib, cheese, roasted vegetables, a garlic aioli—as a shareable dish for the table.  

The menu is always changing with the seasons. Monday through Thursday each week Superette runs half off by the glass wine from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It offers wine tastings—which are $15 for a selection of four wines—from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. 

• Hours: 4-11 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 

• Location: 1511 NW 2nd St.  

Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille

Spurrier’s has quickly built a winning record since opening in 2021. Recommended time and time again by locals throughout Gainesville, Spurriers is the perfect place to host.  

With a large selection of private dining rooms and a spacious main dining room, options abound for each type of gathering—whether it’s a small group of friends or an office party. Spurrier’s offers farm to table, made from scratch food. 

Some seasonal offerings to help get you in the holiday spirit are the Dance of the Sugar Plum Sidecar (a pairing of 13 Hine VSOP, sugar plum & red wine reduction, lemon juice and warm spices) or the Seasonal Fruit and Burrata Plate. 

• Spurrier’s Hours: 4-10 p.m. Tue.-Wed., 4-11 p.m. Thurs., 4 p.m.-midnight Fri., 11 a.m.-midnight Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.   
• Visors Hours: 5 p.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat.        
• Location: 4860 Steve Spurrier Way 

Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Company  

Dragonfly Sushi prides itself on its unique dining experiences for groups. There is a private dining room that seats up to 30 guests, or if your party is larger, you can rent out the entire space.  

Dragonfly has a special group dining menu that features a family-style dining experience. This menu has several popular options on it as well as a drink menu package for guests to enjoy.  

The sushi is incredible and has been a Gainesville fan-favorite for many years. The favorites from reviewers are the Big Boss roll which has tuna, salmon, yellowtail, avocado, scallions and spicy sauce. 

If you’re not in the mood for sushi, reviewers also rave about the miso black cod.  

• Location: 201 SE 2nd Ave #104 
• Hours: 5 – 10 p.m. Sun. – Thur., 5 – 11 p.m. Fri. – Sat.