A Gainesville’s Premier
Culinary Destination

Located in the heart of Gainesville, Ballyhoo Grill offers an exceptional dining experience. Embark on a culinary journey where you’ll discover fresh seafood, succulent steaks, and delectable sushi. In 1999, Chris Fragale, a seasoned connoisseur of the restaurant world, established this beloved culinary destination.


The menu at Ballyhoo Grill showcases an extensive selection of mouthwatering seafood dishes. These culinary delights are meticulously prepared using the finest ingredients available. You can savor expertly grilled fish, tantalizing seafood pasta, or indulge in lavish seafood platters that showcase the bounty of the ocean. If you prefer alternative options, you’ll find juicy steaks, flavorful chicken dishes, and satisfying pasta creations. Each dish served reflects the artistry and precision put into its preparation.

Ballyhoo Grill offers more than just a meal; it provides an experience. Take a moment to unwind at the full bar, where skilled mixologists craft handcrafted cocktails that perfectly complement your dining experience. During weekends, live music fills the air, creating a captivating ambiance and adding an extra layer of enjoyment to your visit.


Apart from the in-house dining, Ballyhoo Grill also offers catering services. Whether you’re hosting a private gathering, a corporate event, or a wedding celebration, the team will collaborate closely with you to create a memorable culinary experience tailored to your specific needs. Immerse yourself in a world of unparalleled flavors and exceptional service by joining Ballyhoo Grill. With a diverse menu, fresh ingredients, and a relaxed ambiance, a truly unforgettable dining experience awaits you.

Delight with The Exquisite Menu

The Essence of the Ocean

Ballyhoo Grill presents an enticing variety of dishes on its menu, showcasing the freshest seafood, succulent steaks, and irresistible sushi that will leave you longing for more. Seafood enthusiasts will rejoice at the sight of an exceptional assortment of seafood delicacies, guaranteed to delight your taste buds. Grilled fish cooked to perfection and crispy fried fish are just a glimpse of the dedication to delivering quality and flavor.


Crafted with utmost care, the seafood entrees embody the essence of the ocean, beautifully displayed on the plate. For those seeking a distinctive culinary experience, the menu also offers a delightful selection of steak and chicken dishes prepared flawlessly. If you desire lighter options, you’ll find refreshing and satisfying choices among the salads, soups, and sandwiches.

Crafted Cocktails

To enhance your dining experience, the well-stocked bar boasts an extensive collection of beers, wines, and cocktails that are sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates. Whether you crave a refreshing beer, a velvety wine, or an expertly crafted cocktail, the skilled bartenders will be more than happy to serve you with a warm smile. With prices in the mid-range, the menu allows you to relish the culinary creations without straining your budget, ensuring a memorable meal that won’t break the bank.


Renowned as a local and tourist favorite, Ballyhoo Grill is synonymous with fresh seafood and hospitable service. The restaurant’s unwavering commitment to using only the finest ingredients and providing exceptional hospitality has earned it a stellar reputation. Immerse yourself in the world of exquisite seafood, steaks, and sushi at Ballyhoo Grill and discover why it is so beloved by all.

The Signature Dishes

Fish Tacos

A true delight awaits seafood lovers at Ballyhoo Grill with our expertly crafted seafood dishes. The restaurant takes the freshest, flaky fish, skillfully batter and fry it to perfection. These delectable treats are served on warm, soft corn tortillas, allowing you to customize them to your liking. Enjoy the delightful crunch accompanied by a medley of toppings, such as crisp cabbage, zesty pico de gallo, and a creamy chipotle sauce. At Ballyhoo Grill, it takes great pride in providing exceptional service, ensuring that every bite of our Fish Tacos creates an unforgettable experience.

Fish Tacos

They are a true delight for seafood lovers, crafted with the freshest, flaky fish that is expertly battered and fried to perfection. Served on warm, soft corn tortillas, these tacos are customizable to your liking. Their delightful crunch is complemented by a medley of toppings, including crisp cabbage, zesty pico de gallo, and a creamy chipotle sauce. Ballyhoo Grill takes pride in offering unparalleled service, ensuring that each bite of these Fish Tacos is an unforgettable experience. 

Key West Shrimp Scampi

Indulge in the exquisite flavors of our Key West Shrimp Scampi, an exclusive culinary delight created by Ballyhoo Grill, the ultimate destination for seafood enthusiasts. Our commitment to delivering an unforgettable dining experience is evident in every aspect of this mouthwatering dish. Our expert chefs meticulously prepare this signature creation using plump, succulent shrimp cooked to perfection. These shrimp are bathed in a luscious scampi sauce infused with the rich flavors of white wine, garlic, and zesty lemon, tantalizing your taste buds like never before. To further enhance the tantalizing blend of flavors, our Key West Shrimp Scampi gracefully rests atop a bed of linguine pasta.

Key West Shrimp Scampi

The exquisite Key West Shrimp Scampi is a culinary delight exclusively crafted by Ballyhoo Grill, the ultimate destination for seafood aficionados. They take pride in presenting a mouthwatering dish that promises an unforgettable dining experience. Their expert chefs meticulously prepare this signature creation using plump, succulent shrimp cooked to perfection. Bathed in a luscious scampi sauce infused with the rich flavors of white wine, garlic, and zesty lemon, it tantalizes your taste buds like never before. The tantalizing blend of flavors is further enhanced as it gracefully rests atop a bed of linguine pasta. Indulge in this beloved choice that truly embodies the essence of the
unrivaled culinary expertise.

Blackened Mahi Mahi

One of the renowned dishes at Ballyhoo Grill is the Blackened Mahi Mahi. This exceptional culinary creation showcases flavorful Mahi Mahi, skillfully seasoned and blackened using a fusion of fragrant spices, resulting in an enticing burst of flavors. Accompanied by a selection of grilled vegetables, this dish offers a genuine sensory feast. The Blackened Mahi Mahi at Ballyhoo Grill presents a delightful option, perfect for individuals in search of a refreshing and satisfying meal during a sun-drenched summer day. Its impeccable presentation and harmonious blend of tastes are guaranteed to evoke a desire for additional indulgence.

Fascinating Music Show

A Melodic Journey for All Tastes

At Ballyhoo Grill, patrons can indulge in an exquisite dining experience accompanied by a remarkable musical journey. Delight in the perfect blend of mouthwatering seafood, flavorful steaks, and exquisite sushi, all complemented by exceptional service. Ballyhoo Grill’s music schedule showcases a delightful variety of genres, ensuring a captivating experience for every music enthusiast. Attendance is free for all shows, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the enchanting melodies without any obstacles.

For special occasions, a modest cover charge may be applicable. This small fee grants access to unforgettable moments that are worth every penny. The music festivities commence at 6:30 PM and continue until 9:30 PM, providing ample time to relish both the culinary wonders and the harmonious symphony. While enjoying the delectable dishes on the charming patio, guests will be serenaded by talented musicians, creating an ambiance that will linger in the memories. In the event of unforeseen weather conditions, the music performances may be moved indoors.

Upcoming Events

Monday: Thomas Anthony
Tuesday: Terraplane
Wednesday: The Killer Bees
Thursday: George Gomez
Friday: Roger German
Saturday: Stava Mala
Sunday: Rotating country artists

Inviting Guests to Join

The music schedule’s rhythm will enhance your dining experience, taking it to unprecedented heights. Kindly be aware that the schedule may change, but worry not! To obtain the most current information, you can always refer to the social account, where the latest performances are communicated. Embark on a harmonious journey with Ballyhoo Grill, where gastronomic delights blend with soul-stirring melodies, creating a unique experience. Come and indulge your senses in culinary masterpieces, allowing the music to transport you to a realm of pure delight and euphoria. Your remarkable dining adventure is ready to be discovered!

Unforgettable Birthday Celebrations

Ballyhoo Grill firmly believes in providing each customer with an exceptional dining experience, particularly on the unique occasion. This belief has led to the establishment of the Free Lobster Birthday Club, where individuals become part of a community dedicated to commemorating the birthdays in an unforgettable manner. As a member, customers will receive an exclusive coupon enabling them to select a complimentary lobster tailored to the chosen birthday theme.

The committed staff at Ballyhoo Grill surpasses expectations to ensure every birthday guest feels valued. Through personalized decorations and attentive service, a warm and inviting ambiance is created, reflecting the jubilance of this special day. Enroll in the Birthday Club and allow us to enhance your birthday celebration to extraordinary heights. Indulge in our exquisite seafood, relish the succulent steaks, and witness the artistry of our sushi. Entrust Ballyhoo Grill to orchestrate an unforgettable birthday experience.

Temporary Closure of Two Branches

Regrettably, Ballyhoo Grill must inform you that, due to unforeseen circumstances, temporary closures will affect two of our branches. Specifically, the locations affected are situated at 7604 Ehrlich Rd, Tampa, FL 33625, United States, and 900 N Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689. Please be assured that our main restaurant will continue providing you with the same exceptional standards of excellence that you have come to anticipate. As Ballyhoo Grill diligently strives to reopen these branches, visit the main establishment, where the skilled chefs and attentive staff eagerly await the opportunity to curate an unforgettable dining experience exclusively for you. Indulge in the freshest seafood, relish the juiciest steaks, and savor the finest sushi, all accompanied by the unparalleled service that has become synonymous with Ballyhoo Grill.

Exquisite Photo Collection

Introducing Ballyhoo Grill’s Exquisite Photo Collection. The collection showcases the artistry and passion that goes into every plate, capturing the vibrant colors, intricate flavors, and impeccable presentation that make Ballyhoo Grill a dining experience like no other. Whether it’s the succulent lobster tail glistening under the warm glow or the sizzling perfection of our aged steaks, each image encapsulates the unparalleled service and attention to detail that define our restaurant. So step into the world of Ballyhoo Grill through the photo collection and let your senses be enchanted by the culinary masterpieces that await you.

Customer Reviews

Amazing!!

Rated 5.0 out of 5
August 2, 2023

Stumbled on to this place when I saw they had a raw bar split a 6 oysters (3each) and added the Nowlins Shrimp and brussel sprouts all were awesome I currently have a third degree black belt in seafood especially oysters The big surprise was the brussel sprouts I’m used to having them cooked until the entire sprout is soft however thier recipe didn’t sacrifice the meat in the large bulb to soften the stem that I used as a Handel to get to the perfectly seasoned sprout Jamie was very attentive kept an eye on our drinks so we never had to ask for a refill I bet this place would really be fun to watch some games/matches needed a nice relaxing break in the day and they really delivered!

Avatar for Gerry W.
Gerry W.

It is a unique place, and can grow on you quickly!

Rated 5.0 out of 5
July 27, 2023

Get the sweet potato fries; they are amazing! A very friendly local restaurant that has a varied menu! The bartenders are efficient, funny, and thoughful. They have a large sushi menu, that is varied and delicious. The atmosphere is unique, with statues, decorations, and rare items attached to the walls and ceiling. They have tables, booths, outside seating, plenty of space at the bar, and plenty of TVs to watch sports The owner is here most of the time, and he brings the food out to you himself sometimes.

Avatar for Erich C.
Erich C.

Excellent meal!

Rated 5.0 out of 5
July 12, 2023

Great service and table side banana fosters was worth the drive. We will visit anytime we are in town.

Avatar for R E.
R E.

Loved this place

Rated 5.0 out of 5
July 8, 2023

Loved this place – had. Had a great Cuban sandwich and the inside is perfect for lunch. Great bar area and friendly staff.

Avatar for John V.
John V.

First time coming here and really enjoyed the food and service

Rated 5.0 out of 5
July 2, 2023

Ordered the Firecracker shrimp tacos and they were delicious. The only con is the house salad is a bit bland. Waitress was attentive and helpful.

Avatar for Sara T.
Sara T.

Read more reviews at Tripadvisor and Yelp!

Direction to Ballyhoo Grill

Discover the perfect dining experience at Ballyhoo Grill! Situated in a prime location, the restaurant offers the freshest seafood, mouthwatering steaks, and delectable sushi, all served with unparalleled service. Indulge in an exceptional dining experience at Ballyhoo Grill and make your visit an extraordinary one. Explore the location today and embark on a gastronomic adventure like no other!

Address: 3700 W University Ave, Gainesville, Florida, United States