New food hall to feature an 'eclectic fusion of tastes' across from UF campus

Alan Festo, Gainesville Sun
Updated ·2 min read
An artist rendering of the new City Food Hall opening in February on the ground floor of The Standard, 1360 W. University Ave., in Gainesville.
An artist rendering of the new City Food Hall opening in February on the ground floor of The Standard, 1360 W. University Ave., in Gainesville.

A new upscale food court will be opening in the heart of Gainesville in early 2024.

City Food Hall announced it will be opening in February on the ground floor of The Standard, 1360 W. University Ave., and will include a "diverse array of culinary options under one roof."

The 14,000-square-foot location will offer "an eclectic fusion of tastes, ranging from artisanal sandwiches and gourmet burgers to exotic international cuisines, all curated to tantalize the taste buds of every diner."

The food hall will be owned and operated by Mercado Food Group, which includes local investors Jason and Edwina Hurst, who sold their two area Maple Street Biscuit locations to Cracker Barrel in 2022.

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"The vision of City Food Hall is to create a vibrant hub where food enthusiasts can explore a myriad of culinary delights in a dynamic communal and experiential setting," Jason Hurst said in a press release. "With a focus on quality, diversity, and a celebration of flavors, we aim to provide an unparalleled dining experience for our patrons."

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The food hall also will feature a full-service bar and Topgolf Swing Suites, which offer simulators with a variety of multi-sports games, several HDTVs and comfortable lounge seating. The suites cost between $45 and $55 an hour, depending on the date and time of the reservation.

The new City Food Hall in Gainesville will feature TopGolf Swing Suites, shown in this artist rendering.
The new City Food Hall in Gainesville will feature TopGolf Swing Suites, shown in this artist rendering.

A City Food Hall that opened in Destin in March has nine vendors listed on its website, including a chicken concept, Italian and Jamaican cuisine, Japanese fare and more.

The new release notes that City Food Hall's also are being planned in West Palm Beach, Georgia and North Carolina.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: City Food Hall opening in The Standard across from UF campus