Great food! We really enjoyed their appetizers of fried gator and calamari. Only con is that it's two hours away from my house. I'll def be back next time I'm in Gainesville area. read more

I ate there yesterday evening and had the crab cake appetizer and Gorgonzola steak. The crab cakes were cold inside. The grilling did not get them even warm. Perhaps they were frozen to start and the sauce was overpowering. I am from Baltimore and have had better crab cakes in a roadside diner. The steak may have been better but the mushroom gravy was WAY too salty and ruined it . The loaded baked potato was well done. The service was good, but overall I was very disappointed. read more

The food was good and plentiful. Had the Thai shrimp, St. Augustine shrimp and chicken salad sandwich. The fried portabella mushroom appetizer came hot and the dipping sauce was garlicky. Had a Caesar salad for a side and it was as large as a main Caesar is at most restaurants. The shrimp were fresh and properly cooked. No runner shrimp here. Service was very attentive. Will be back. read more

Ordered fried oysters, stuffed fried shrimp, gator tail, crab cakes, shrimp penne, cheddar cheese grits, and broccoli. The cheddar cheese grits were cold they looked very cheesy but they did not taste cheesy at all. Broccoli is broccoli there's not much you can do to dress that up. The shrimp penne had a nice cheesy Alfredo sauce that was pretty good and the gator tail was good but over all not impressed with anything else. Very bland and boring not worth the money. read more

I have been going to Northwest Grille for over twenty years. It is my favorite restaurant in Gainesville. For the past two years we have been doing takeout rather than dining in. Always good no matter. Love this place. read more

I am now back in Ohio and I miss The Northwest Grille already! I could eat there everyday. Nowhere have I found Fried gator tail and fried oysters any better (and I have sampled many places)!!!! I like the light breading on the tail and oysters. Such a wonderful menu and such reasonable prices! Gainesville is lucky to have the Northwest Grille. Our server "Tee" was so much fun...glad we got her table! I wonder if they can deliver the gator tail up to Cleveland!?! read more

Didn't need all the French fries but the small amount of seafood I did get was tasty. I got 3 diff seafood combo (fried oysters blackened scallops and fried fish) Togo. Again didn't realize it was more fries than seafood. read more

Food was good. I had the fried oyster as an appetizer and the drunken grouper as my meal. Love the cheese grits they are unlike any I have ever had. Fries were very bland, next time I would get double grits. The grouper itself was good but the garlic and sauce on top of it was not great at all, dont recommend anyone ordering that. Was my first time being here and I will definitely be back to try some other dishes. read more

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The food was really good, particularly the seafood. Grouper Sandwich was excellent. The fried potato side item was great compliment to the main dishes. All u can eat fried fish was solid!! Not too many places have all u can eat fried fish. This restaurant is highly recommended. read more

We were in Gainesville and decided to look for food; lots of possibilities but my husband wanted steak and we got lucky on this one! The specials sounded wonderful - more fish options than expected, but he was determined and decided on an 8oz sirloin - it was cooked perfectly and with the 2 sides @ $16. Seemed like a bargain! Lots of great choices between the specials and regular multi page menu with a wide variety of proteins and non meat options and by the way LOTS of beverages as well (fancy cocktails, tried and true, wines and beers). Despite being tempted by a shrimp etc over angel hair, I really wanted the portobello Napoleon appetizer featuring a stack of hot mushroom, crab cake, sliced tomato and eggplant, then topped with arugula and shredded Reggiano - AND an olive oil and pesto border - it was perfect. Deciding that maybe just some soup was a good plan, I ordered the loaded potato soup du jour - big mistake- huge soup plate of serious sustenance meaning that over half of my mushroom madness came home along with the death by chocolate that himself could not finish. (That was actually a little rich for me, I would have gone with the pineapple upside down cake). Our waiter Adam, was attentive and friendly as was the hostess at the door - everyone was moving fast and getting it done. Located in a shopping plaza, it seemed like a locally loved inspired casual dining place and was a great find for us. read more

Friendly, efficient, and helpful server. Delicious trout lightly battered and served hot. Delightful chicken piccata served with of linguine (extra charge). read more

My husband and I had dinner here for the first time and we're looking forward to a good seafood meal. Let me first say, we are in our 60's and grew up in Florida. We have fished all our lives and we know the difference between good fresh seafood and frozen or not so fresh seafood. We are adventurous eaters and rarely have anything left on our plates to ask for to go boxes. We have never returned anything to the kitchen when eating out and generally are not that hard to please when it comes to food. We had ordered the fried shrimp during the pandemic and loved it, so we finally made it to dine in this restaurant for the first time. Sadly, we were so disappointed. First, we ordered the Paloma cocktail special which was advertised as tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice and simple syrup. Paloma is my favorite cocktail and this was not prepared properly - it tasted like a powdered mix had been used rather than fresh juice and there was zero sweetness to it, it was bitter and undrinkable. I asked the waitress to just ask the bartender if something had been left out or to add some agave syrup (which should be used for a Paloma) or add simple syrup. She was very nice and returned quickly with the same drink and said they added simple syrup. One taste and it was still an over powering bitter taste and we could not taste tequila at all and could not get past how bitter it tasted. For the first time ever, I send a cocktail back and asked for wine. Then, moving to the appetizer we ordered the mahi-mahi dip with crackers for $11. I love smoked fish dip or any fish dip, but this was mostly mayonnaise and celery with very little fish or flavor. Next, I had the special of the day - grilled swordfish for $24 that does not come with sides but the waitress described it as placed on a bed of roasted corn, mixed peppers and black beans. The fish was a good portion and cooked right but it was on a bed of hominy, not roasted corn. I am far from a picky eater but I don't like hominy and would not have ordered it if I had known that. I did not complain and just enjoyed the fish but was disappointed I had asked twice for the waitress to describe what it came with - she had said the second time that is was a roasted corn but similar to polenta - umm, no, hominy is neither roast corn or polenta - it is very bland and tasteless. The dish also had three boiled shrimp that tasted like farm raised frozen shrimp and they had no seasoning at all. My husband couldn't wait to get his St Augustine fried shrimp ($19). He dug in and after the first shrimp he asked me to taste one. I did and it was over done and tasted like a ton of seasoned salt was in the breading. I put salt on everything and I could not eat more than one. For the first time I can remember, my husband did not clean his plate, he ate four of the fourteen shrimp and just ate his coleslaw and half of his garlic mashed potatoes. He said the potatoes did not have any flavor or seasoning and just didn't taste good. He ordered peanut butter pie and enjoyed it but said it was typical refrigerator boxed pie. So, it was $70 and $84 with tip. I'm not sure what has happened to this restaurant, but the quality of their food has taken a nose dive simce 2020 when we're ordering pick up dinners that we really enjoyed. We so wanted this meal to be good, but it was marginal at best at high prices, we will not go back. read more

I had the beer battered fried shrimp & my wIfe had the steak & fried shrimp (lighter portion) we both did an upgrade to the side salad. The salads were well worth the $1.50 up charge! They included almond slices, raisins & a large slice of red bell pepper - really nice and worth the up charge. I should have gotten the lighter portion fried shrimp because they are very large shrimp and then my wife gave me most of hers . Her steak was cooked just right but she could not eat all of it after polishing off her sweet potato/ and salad. A nice dark bread loaf was included. Sadly, the desserts looked great but we had no room. Maybe next time. read more

Whoever does afternoon salads on Saturday deserves a raise. Greens were clean, well cut, and dry. Also best salmon I've had in a while. Got what I paid for, 5 stars. read more

First time visiting this restaurant. Arrived at 7:00, no reservation. We were seated in about 15 minutes. Took a few minutes for the server to check on us. Ordered surf and turf (filet medium well) and a combination platter (fried shrimp and trout). Waited over an hour for our food, was delivered lukewarm and the filet was RARE! Server didn't check back for several minutes, then offered to return the steak to the kitchen. I said don't bother, we've waited long enough to eat. Manager deducted $20.00 from the bill for the steak, no apology for the delay or messed up order. Will not be returning the Northmess Grille. read more

The Napoline Mushroom Appitizer was Asome, and the Thia Shrimp was amazing. Server was great, sorry I can remember her name. Price was right. read more

I went here when my parents came up to Gainesville visit me and had a wonderful experience! Our waiter was extremely attentive and friendly, and there was a great variety of appetizers and main courses to choose from. Food was very good, definitely come here if you want to visit a great local restaurant! read more

This place was amazing. We started out with the crabmeat fondue which we enjoyed (although I would have liked a bit less spinach). I ordered the fried cod which was delicious, and my husband ordered the salmon with the shrimp/goat cheese topping and he really enjoyed it. I also liked that the salads had almonds and craisins as well. Our server was very attentive and efficient. We visit Gainesville about every 3 months so we are excited to eat here again! read more

We were in Gainesville on business and a friend suggested Northwest Grille for dinner. We were not disappointed. All 3 of us ordered the St. Augustine shrimp and they were fresh and delicious. Our server was prompt and attentive without hovering. We will definitely return the next time we're in Gainesville. read more

Just looking for seafood restaurants in Gainesville, this place had good reviews so we tried it. We arrived at 2:30 and they had a Sunday Brunch until 3. We were told we could order from the menu. We had the hot crab dip which was served with a loaf of great bread. It was plenty for Both. Then the seafood chowder was thick and rich. The entrees were just as good. Fairly priced but the service was wonderful. Our waitress was prompt and was on top of our needs. The villages would be happy to have your next location so we wouldn't have to drive so far next time, but we will be back! read more

Do not walk in...MUST make reservations! We have been waiting an hour, still not sat, they said 35 minutes. Reservations get sat first.

Had dinner tonight. In the past have had very good food and service. I ordered the seafood linguine All of the seafood was over cooked, chewy and tough. The bread was so hard on the bottom could not cut with the knife given, overall was very disappointed. read more

Used to come here often when they had first opened but then the quality sharply declined. After several years we met some friends there and well...... Service spotty and the food was not all that good. Had fish and chips. Heavily breaded but it didn't really stick and the fish was slightly over. The other dishes around the table just didn't wow anyone. Not sure I will go back. So sad since it was so very good when they first opened. It's almost like they have lost their passion to produce great food. read more

Normally I like eating here, but I had such a terrible experience today I had to write this review. My group of six called ahead and made a reservation for 11:30. We got there early and waited patiently. The restaurant was not busy at all. We could see numerous empty tables that could have accommodated us. At 11:45, we asked politely about our reservation and were told it wasn't actually a reservation, but a call in (not what we were told on the phone). By noon, we had watched several parties walk in without a call ahead and be seated - even one that was a party of five, nearly our size. We inquired again politely, indicating an empty, clean table with six chairs at it. There was no one else waiting. The hostess coldly told us that there might be a group coming in the next 10 minutes. What about the group that's been waiting for 45 minutes? If there are no reservations, how could this other group have priority? We were all going to order full meals and alcoholic drinks. We're big tippers and easy customers. It was so saddening to have this experience, because I used to take everyone here. It was the only place I would go out for brunch or breakfast in Gainesville, but after the experience today I am going to find a new place to enjoy my Saturday and Sunday mornings. read more

Our first time eating here... we will definitely be back! We did have reservations since we were advised it would be busy on a Friday night! Friendly host staff welcomed us and got us to our table. Our server was great giving us great recommendations and took great care of us! The food was very good... we got the mussels for an appetizer followed by the stuffed grouper and chicken caprini - all was fantastic! They also have a huge variety of desserts so we got a carrot cake to go - also delicious!! Great food, great service! Well done! read more

The food was great! The service was excellent. The waitress catered to my food allergies and made efforts to make sure it was right. I will definitely be back! read more

Northwest Grille - House Salad with Italian - Seafood Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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We found Northwest Grille on google as we traveled through the area. We saw the great reviews, and loved that it is a local, family owned business. We were greeted at the door and promptly seated. My wife is a light eater and went with the peel and eat shrimp as her meal. I had the St Augustine style fried shrimp. Both portions were generous and get high marks for perfect cooking and seasoning. The only negative for me was the smashed potatoes which were extremely bland. Even copious salt and pepper couldn't save them so they went uneaten. Great service and highly recommended. read more

This rating is for service since I didn't have the opportunity to try the food. After 15 minutes waiting with no acknowledgement from either manager or waitress, I had to leave. I can't say it was because they were busy because they weren't at the time. Very disappointing. read more

OH- MY- GOD!!!!!! I went to this restaurant on a job outing with my tattoo shop and the food was absolutely to die for!!!! Reminded me of 5th Avenue seafood 5 star restaurants in NYC. Definitely try the fried mushrooms, gator bites and the combos. The service was perfect! Waiters were polite and pleasant! Not one complain for this place! A must try! Thank you to the staff and chefs there we are very happy! read more

This used to be a great lesser known restuarant. But like the Archer Road eateries it has become too crowded with long wait times and a ridiculous reservation system that leaves tables & boothes unoccupied far too long while walk-ins are standing waiting for a table. Sad to see this place become too popular. Not on my list of favorites anymore. read more

I have been by this place several times over the last year or so. First chance to stop and eat. I had the NW burger as you see by the picture I posted. The burger was good and juicy and not over cooked. You get a choice of ff, home fries, or coleslaw. I opt for the home fries which are baked potatoes sliced and then fried. Only thing I have an issue with is the menu you have a lot of alacart items. If you order the fried chicken strips, that's $3 more for fries. read more

Northwest Grille - Northwest Burger - Seafood Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Food was great. We had no problem ordering or with our meal. I ordered the stuffed Florida grouper with a sweet potato and cheese grits. Very good. For desert I had the salted caramel cheesecake, amazing. We had someone order a desert and a small piece came out so they brought a 2nd piece. The waitress was very friendly. I would recommend this place. read more

We had a 40th wedding anniversary at north west grill with a party of 29. The service and the food was fantastic. All food came out hot At the same time. No one was disappointed. They surpassed all my expecations. Great job!!! read more

Very disappointing meal on Sunday evening May 2nd. I could kick myself for not walking out before ordering after several red flags signaled my disappointment to follow. Service was terrible, food was bland and lacked seasoning. I think someone other than the chef prepared our meal. Possibly one of the servers. I left angry that the bill was so high and the dining experience so terrible. I would think twice before ever going back to spend my hard earned money at this restaurant. read more

Here's why Northwest Grille gets 4 stars: They really enjoy their customers. If you go there twice they remember you. Not because they're not busy (because oh yes they are busy!) but because they're just that good. The staff all seem to have worked there for awhile; turn over doesn't seem to be something they ever have to worry about. They're friendly. Honestly, not the fake, "What are we going to have tonight, dear?" Well, I'm going to eat a blackened grilled chicken dinner with a side of French fries; not sure what you're going to eat. Northwest's clientele is mostly older but because they have an excellent brunch younger 20- and 30-somethings are showing up. It's a family friendly place. The food is good. My husband adores the steaks. I'm down with the death by chocolate cake...or the grilled chicken breast. YUM! So why not 5 stars? Well, it's really the dated decor. Yes, it's a seafood restaurant but it doesn't need to look like a Cedar Key tourist shop. It used to be dark inside but they painted everything white. So it's a bit brighter. Just...I don't know. I think it would be good to have some improvements since it is such a popular place when people want fresh and local seafood. Oh yeah, LOCAL seafood, y'all. Like just down the street, either coast. read more

I am reviewing Northwest Grill because we DID NOT go there tonight. I couldn't get excited about going there. Maybe they have the blues, or maybe they have lost their fire - I don't know - I just know they peaked a couple of years ago, and given the opportunity to go there last night, we chose to go somewhere else. Northwest Grill, even when it first opened, had this old feeling to it, like a throw back 70's family restaurant, and it was kind of hit and miss for many years. Had there been a Yelp back then, I would have given them 4 stars. But then, 5 or 6 years ago, it got its stuff together: the menu started clicking, they started putting out some really delicious specials, and somehow the the greeters and servers became less depressed, and they joined the 21st century. The whole feel of the restaurant changed for the better. One of the specials they did a lot, the stuffed grouper, is my favorite. It is tricky and delicate, and they do not always get it right - often the grouper is over cooked, and sometimes the stuffing is undercooked - but the balance and flavors really work, and, when it is served with the dirty mash potatoes, the potato and the sauce and the fish and stuffing all come together into an absolutely heavenly special. They also have a sushi grade rare sesame incrusted tuna steak that is yummy - yes, I eat so much tuna that I get taller in the summer and shorter in the winter. My husband says Northwest Grill is the only inland place in North Central Florida that has a clue how to batter and deep fry a scallop. They are arguably the best Gainesville location for a variety of seafood. So perhaps I have just been there on off nights, but lately the greeters have not seemed happy, and the wait staff has not been engaging, and the bar has not been putting care and love into making a precise drink. And worst of all, the specials have started to loose there specialness. They should start calling the specials the occasionals. It seems to me, based on a very small sample of recent experiences, that the restaurant is starting to loose its energy again. So I am giving Northwest Grill 4 stars in the hope that I am either being unfair or that Northwest Grill finds it's heart again. I will revise or re-review them in the fall. I am hoping, expecting them to become a 5 star dining experience again. read more

It seems I'm often out of touch with most other diners. I guess it all depends on what you're looking for. I'm not a Cheesecake Factory fan so give this review whatever weight you wish. This used to be a decent fall back place that was perfectly adequate, but didn't exactly knock my socks off. Under their new ownership and with the corresponding menu changes, this is one of the very few places where I've ever bothered to find the manager to tell him how impressed I am with the food they're serving now. They've got a portobello mushroom appetizer that's to die for and their seafood selections are absolutely fantastic. If you're looking for 5,000 calories of cheesy fried pasta goodness to fill your takeout box, don't bother coming here. If you're looking for a quality meal in NW Gainesville, however, this just might be your place. read more

What an amazing experience! We just traveled 5 hours and searched for great seafood. While the restaurant is simple, don't let that deceive you. This is a wonderful place to eat. The staff was amazing, so friendly and attentive. We highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Just enjoyed a wonderful meal at NorthWest Grille in NW Gainesville. My wife, my 19 year old son, and I are big "seafoodies". Our go to spot in town is Northwest. In our opinion, the menu selection, freshness, portion sizes, chef creativity, and service beat any of the chain seafood places. Tonight, our server, Katherine, did a masterful job of attending to our needs. The meal came out on time, everything was hot and flavorful.Drinks were refilled quickly, check came to the table fast. My son had the crabmeat stuffed, fried shrimp along with a huge plate of broccoli. My wife indulged in her favorite, Seared AHI Tuna, cooked to perfection (too red for my taste, but she loves it that way). I ordered the Fresh Grouper -Bronzed, which is a large filet, blackened on the grill, the topped with remolaude sauce and pecans. Perfect blend of spicy and sweet! Portions were so big, I have enough left for lunch tomorrow. Only reason this is not a 5 star is the cost, but good seafood has become very expensive almost anywhere you go these days. Highly recommend Northwest Grille! We look forwarding to going read more

I still love the food here, but the rating's coming down due to the horribly bad service we received about two weeks back. The last time I ate here, we didn't have a waitress, we had a food runner, literally. She showed up to take orders and drop off plates, but otherwise she was nowhere in sight, ever. No drink refills. No table clearing. When you're eating with two other people and there are appetizer plates and salad dishes all around, that becomes an issue. The sad part was that the host struck up a conversation with me as I waited for my husband after dinner, and HE had more to say in two minutes than our server had said to us the entire meal. Granted, maybe he's just naturally chatty. But when the host is talking to you about the dinner specials and the new sodas available and the dessert and you could barely get the server to give you the check so you can pay ... well, you get my point. Not cool. I figure it was just that particular server. Hopefully we won't see her again. read more