There’s something about new taste experiences that makes you happy, knowing that the food you’ve just tried is going to be your friend for a long time to come. Gainesville’s own Buddha Belly serves up such an experience that you and your friends will fall in love with. Offering a selection of curries, fried rice dishes and hot sandwiches, Buddha Belly does the Indo-Asiatic fusion that has grown in popularity in recent years very well.
It’s not as easy as it should be to get Indian style curries in Gainesville. There are a few selections around town, and of course, there’s always the Hare Krishna lunches on the University of Florida campus, but for those who may be scared of the idea of Indian cuisine, Buddha Belly’s delicious curries are there to ease the transition to some of the more exotic Indian offerings. And whether you like spice or not, Buddha Belly can craft your dish with any level of heat you want, starting with not spicy at all to too-hot-for-my-Louisiana-born- taste-buds. Buddha Belly serves other, more American dishes, for those not in the mood for oriental flair. Burgers, ranging from beef to mahi, fill the menu, and vegetarians can join their meat-loving friends by ordering up one of the many vegetarian options, be it a burger or a rice dish. Buddha Belly also offers the beer connoisseur a fairly extensive list of beers from around the world to try, and the wine drinker has his or her options as well.
Walking into Buddha Belly, the sights and smells set the mood. The restaurant is clean, crisp and fairly hip, but feels entirely Gainesville. Buddha Belly truly is a local gem. Check out what else Gainesville has to offer by visiting our What’s Happening page.
-Ryan
