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We have been coming to this wonderful restaurant for many years, and it never disappoints! From the moment you walk through the door, you're welcomed with friendly hospitality and surrounded by the charm of old High Springs. The gorgeous area Springs photos( Many by wonderful local photographer, John Moran!) on the walls, pecky cypress paneling, canoes, and other vintage Florida memorabilia create such a warm, unique atmosphere. Last night we were also treated to live music by Airbee, a wonderful musician.We loved his style and laid-back demeanor--it made for a perfect evening. We had just been here the week before, and I ordered the Blackened Tofu Bowl again because I enjoyed it so much. (I'm not a vegetarian, but this dish is so flavorful that I happily order it whenever I can !) My husband had the Weeki Chicken Sandwich with broccoli, and his meal was just as delicious. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. We highly recommend this restaurant for the outstanding food, welcoming atmosphere, and friendly service. Be sure to enjoy their beautiful outdoor seating area as well!
In all fairness this isn't our first time to the Great Outdoors. And each time has been very good, from the outdoor motif (complete with hanging canoes) to the alligator skinned seats to the great service. We started with the smoked salmon dip, always a good choice here particularly with the cream cheese and lightly smoked samon. We shared a blue springs burger, loaded with a good supply of blue cheese plus lettuce, tomato, onions and a moist bun. We ordered the parmesan fries but initially didn't get them. However our waitress quickly replaced the plain ones which were good in their own way. My husband had a draft beer that was cold and well poured. Overall it was a great visit.
Historic eatery that preserves the history of its site. That was once a pharmacy. Nestled in historic downtown lake city the ambience is upscale dining rememence of the early twenties. The French onion was delicious wishing a larger portion and the rooa vieja is an amazing addition that is hard pressed to find outside Miami. The staff is very friendly and prompt.
So far I'm impressed. I'll update after I eat. Kelly is a great server, she's got it going on. Nice outside area with fire pit tables. It's GOOD! All of us had a good meal. My shrimp & grits was very tasty, pork belly & andouille sausage complimented very well. Hubs had Ginnie burger & loved it. Sis had chicken Sammy & it was juicy. SIL had gone wild burger & said it had a great flavor.
My friends and I were in town for the Gators game this past weekend and stayed in High Springs. We found this restaurant kind of on a whim since it was close to our Airbnb. Our server whose name unfortunately is escaping me, but was a very friendly and funny young lady, made our experience very enjoyable! She had a great sense of humor and well-rounded knowledge of the menu and answered any questions that we had (if an owner or manager sees this I know that her boyfriend also works there so hopefully that narrows it down so you know which girl was fantastic!). We got fried pickles to share, which are always a hit in our group. I then enjoyed the fried green tomatoes and the pork belly, both of which had different type of grits on the side, one being a grit cake and one being grits more in their natural state. The ambience and the noise were very enjoyable as well. It was a good level of sound where you could hear each other at your table, but also know that everybody else was having a good time too. I would absolutely go back!
Marvelous restaurant. Walking in.... you can feel the cheery vibe !! Part of the Downtown Main Street District..... several shops to walk around is pleasant. We met friends to have drinks and hamburgers. We were not disappointed... at all !! . We sat at a high top in the bar.... Gina was our Bartender this afternoon. What a delightful lady. Very attentive without being overbearing. We ordered the Springs Burger with fries and a side of coleslaw. The burger was seasoned well and cooked perfectly to our temp... med/rare. Fries were very crispy on the outside. Enough for us to split. Definitely recommended !!
We were waited on today by Rebecca C who did an outstanding job and made our whole meal a pleasure. We started with Fried Mushrooms- hot crispy and large - delicious with a dipping sauce. Also one cup of Tomato Basil Soup- was pretty thick - almost like a cup of marinara but is was delicious- could have been a little hotter. For our entrees- hubby had the Blue Burger cooked perfectly medium - delicious and messy! With a side of steak fries. I had the Chicken Toscana Flatbread- lots of crema, basalmic, cheese and chicken - enough to feed 2 at least - took more than half of this home. The restaurant itself is decorated in the Great Outdoors motif of course and the background music was '80's and 90's - perfect! They offer a full bar and many house specialty drinks. We will be back with our friends in 2 weeks - they were all jealous we came without them!!
On a friend's and family trip after a long drive from Miami, we decided a night out was well deserved. It was a Thursday night and they had a bottled wine special making everything taste better. I decided I wanted 2 appetizers instead of an entree and I got the French onion soup which was really flavorful and rich. My 2nd app was the Mac and cheese. This did not disappoint either. The rest of our group (7 of us) got the fish picatta and the plates were licked clean. Our server was Michelle (I think) and she was attentive and fantastic. She gave us a few places in town to check out. I'm pretty sure we had the best server in the place. After dinner we finished our cocktails in front of the fire while chatting. They didn't rush us out and we stayed and really enjoyed our time.
Reviews are mixed. Many praise the fresh, flavorful food, inviting atmosphere, and friendly, attentive service, with positive mentions of the patio and live music.
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14 days ago
3 months ago
We have been coming to this wonderful restaurant for many years, and it never disappoints! From the moment you walk through the door, you're welcomed with friendly hospitality and surrounded by the charm of old High Springs. The gorgeous area Springs photos( Many by wonderful local photographer, John Moran!) on the walls, pecky cypress paneling, canoes, and other vintage Florida memorabilia create such a warm, unique atmosphere. Last night we were also treated to live music by Airbee, a wonderful musician.We loved his style and laid-back demeanor--it made for a perfect evening. We had just been here the week before, and I ordered the Blackened Tofu Bowl again because I enjoyed it so much. (I'm not a vegetarian, but this dish is so flavorful that I happily order it whenever I can !) My husband had the Weeki Chicken Sandwich with broccoli, and his meal was just as delicious. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. We highly recommend this restaurant for the outstanding food, welcoming atmosphere, and friendly service. Be sure to enjoy their beautiful outdoor seating area as well! read more
In all fairness this isn't our first time to the Great Outdoors. And each time has been very good, from the outdoor motif (complete with hanging canoes) to the alligator skinned seats to the great service. We started with the smoked salmon dip, always a good choice here particularly with the cream cheese and lightly smoked samon. We shared a blue springs burger, loaded with a good supply of blue cheese plus lettuce, tomato, onions and a moist bun. We ordered the parmesan fries but initially didn't get them. However our waitress quickly replaced the plain ones which were good in their own way. My husband had a draft beer that was cold and well poured. Overall it was a great visit. read more
Historic eatery that preserves the history of its site. That was once a pharmacy. Nestled in historic downtown lake city the ambience is upscale dining rememence of the early twenties. The French onion was delicious wishing a larger portion and the rooa vieja is an amazing addition that is hard pressed to find outside Miami. The staff is very friendly and prompt. read more
So far I'm impressed. I'll update after I eat. Kelly is a great server, she's got it going on. Nice outside area with fire pit tables. It's GOOD! All of us had a good meal. My shrimp & grits was very tasty, pork belly & andouille sausage complimented very well. Hubs had Ginnie burger & loved it. Sis had chicken Sammy & it was juicy. SIL had gone wild burger & said it had a great flavor. read more
8 days ago
4 months ago
10 months ago
1 year ago
My friends and I were in town for the Gators game this past weekend and stayed in High Springs. We found this restaurant kind of on a whim since it was close to our Airbnb. Our server whose name unfortunately is escaping me, but was a very friendly and funny young lady, made our experience very enjoyable! She had a great sense of humor and well-rounded knowledge of the menu and answered any questions that we had (if an owner or manager sees this I know that her boyfriend also works there so hopefully that narrows it down so you know which girl was fantastic!). We got fried pickles to share, which are always a hit in our group. I then enjoyed the fried green tomatoes and the pork belly, both of which had different type of grits on the side, one being a grit cake and one being grits more in their natural state. The ambience and the noise were very enjoyable as well. It was a good level of sound where you could hear each other at your table, but also know that everybody else was having a good time too. I would absolutely go back! read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
2 months ago
5 months ago
Marvelous restaurant. Walking in.... you can feel the cheery vibe !! Part of the Downtown Main Street District..... several shops to walk around is pleasant. We met friends to have drinks and hamburgers. We were not disappointed... at all !! . We sat at a high top in the bar.... Gina was our Bartender this afternoon. What a delightful lady. Very attentive without being overbearing. We ordered the Springs Burger with fries and a side of coleslaw. The burger was seasoned well and cooked perfectly to our temp... med/rare. Fries were very crispy on the outside. Enough for us to split. Definitely recommended !! read more
1 year ago
We were waited on today by Rebecca C who did an outstanding job and made our whole meal a pleasure. We started with Fried Mushrooms- hot crispy and large - delicious with a dipping sauce. Also one cup of Tomato Basil Soup- was pretty thick - almost like a cup of marinara but is was delicious- could have been a little hotter. For our entrees- hubby had the Blue Burger cooked perfectly medium - delicious and messy! With a side of steak fries. I had the Chicken Toscana Flatbread- lots of crema, basalmic, cheese and chicken - enough to feed 2 at least - took more than half of this home. The restaurant itself is decorated in the Great Outdoors motif of course and the background music was '80's and 90's - perfect! They offer a full bar and many house specialty drinks. We will be back with our friends in 2 weeks - they were all jealous we came without them!! read more
9 months ago
8 months ago
3 years ago
On a friend's and family trip after a long drive from Miami, we decided a night out was well deserved. It was a Thursday night and they had a bottled wine special making everything taste better. I decided I wanted 2 appetizers instead of an entree and I got the French onion soup which was really flavorful and rich. My 2nd app was the Mac and cheese. This did not disappoint either. The rest of our group (7 of us) got the fish picatta and the plates were licked clean. Our server was Michelle (I think) and she was attentive and fantastic. She gave us a few places in town to check out. I'm pretty sure we had the best server in the place. After dinner we finished our cocktails in front of the fire while chatting. They didn't rush us out and we stayed and really enjoyed our time. read more
3 years ago
Awwww really enjoyed this place after a long day on the itichituchnee! From being in and out of the cold water all day you work up a hunger! John knew about this place and took us here, they were warm and welcoming when we came in! :) I think we all enjoyed our food here, everything tasted great! It's funny, I ordered a wedge salad and it was good, but wayyyy too much dressing for me, I should have asked for it on the side because I use very light dressing. So my dish was my least favorite but I tasted everything else and thought it was really good. read more
4 months ago
I dined in on a Sunday evening at the bar. The bar was never full but there were always a few other people than me. The bartender was very friendly and prompt with the service. I ordered the grouper piccata- I was a little disappointed that the grouper had been deep fried and then topped with the piccata but it was still very delicious as the breading isn't too thick. I substituted Mac and cheese for the mashed potatoes- the Mac and cheese was alright, the sauce was good but I don't think it goes well with the penne. Overall, I had a good experience. I would return again. read more
1 year ago
Awesome food, fun vibe, excellent and friendly service! This was a great lunch spot after kayaking down the river! read more
10 months ago
First time at this restaurant. It did not disappoint. I had a wedge salad with add on grilled chicken breast. My husband got the pork chop with bourbon sauce. It was filling but not too much. Next time we are this way we'll stop in again. Stephanie C was our waitress. She was pleasant, knowledgeable and attentive. read more
We came here on a Thursday afternoon after shopping at the little shops in downtown High Springs Florida. We grabbed a couple of drinks at the bar and shared a appetizer, chicken flatbread which was pretty tasty. I heard this place is pretty hopping on the weekends It has a huge back patio and sometimes has live bands on the weekends. The inside is beautiful full of aged wood and has great history. There is limited parking in the front on the street but there is also parking in the back. I think that this is one of the best restaurants in this area I must see if you're down this way. read more
1 year ago
Food was good and our server was great! The front hosts was a bit frazzled to what seemed like seating issues. This place is worth the try if you are in the area. The play live music out back but it's loud if that a factor for you. read more
We were literally driving by Great Outdoors Restaurant and thought this place look cool, so we turned around and I am so glad we did!! The dining room is absolutely beautiful with lots of cool artwork from springs in the area. Our server Kristin was friendly and attentive, with great suggestions. We started with the Nut N Berry salad, one of the best salads I've ever eaten, then the coconut shrimp and ended with the Gone Wild burger with truffle fries...they were all exceptional!! read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
The food was good while I was there. However, I believe I got food poisoning from this lunch, specifically the burger, so I can't give it a good review. The food came out super quick and the waters were refilled constantly. If I didn't get sick, I would give the place 4/5 stars. read more
5 months ago
6 months ago
We were very pleasantly surprised with this restaurant. We were passing through High Springs and were in need of a lunch spot and Great Outdoors was the right choice. Our server was very friendly and fast. The restaurant is clean and the decorations are very nice. The food was fantastic. We loved the fried mushrooms appetizer. I got the country shrimp and greats and man was it good! It had massive shrimp, pork belly, and andouille sausages for protein. And the tomatoes and corn and green onions made for a flavor packed bite every time. I'd definitely get it again. We're glad we found the Great Outdoors and decided to stop in. read more
7 months ago
7 months ago
An enjoyable experience overall. This solo diner was easily accommodated as a walk-in on a Tuesday evening. The dining room was about half full and I was given a small booth for two. It was a bit of a wait after being seated but not too bad. I looked over the "Unique selection of signature cocktails from the great minds of Spring Tavern" (the adjoining bar space) and decided on the Strawberry Crush, made with strawberry vodka, lemonade, and muddled strawberry and basil. Very nice, though only average in strength. Reasonably priced at $10. My waitress was great, available when I needed, made good recommendations, and offered insight into the one complaint I had: the slowness in getting my drink - and the second one later on. The first took so long that my entree came first and I thought they forgot, but no. It turns out there was only one bartender serving the entire dining room and the bar, nearly full because "tonight is burger night". Not good and for that I had to ding one star or it would be 5 stars (graded on a curve considering the class of restaurant and its location). But I didn't come for a burger, though there was an interesting selection and the prices were right. Instead I ordered the "Bronzed Mahi-Mahi Caribbean Style". Honestly it was among the best mahi-mahi I've had anywhere, if not the best. I'm not familiar with the term "bronzed" but I'd compare it to "blackened" but more subtle. It didn't strike me as particularly "Caribbean" but most of that flavor probably came from the compounded butter, served on the side, which I used sparingly. The fish itself was fresh, not overcooked, and bigger than most portions I've seen. I was amused that the fish was cut perfectly square, just like the square dish it was served in. I am easily amused. The fish was accompanied by sauteéd snap peas, artfully charred in spots, strips of pimento peppers, and rice which was just ever-so-slightly mushy. No matter, it really was excellent overall. I loved the room and ambience. True to the "Great Outdoors" name it was decorated with photos of nature scenes, especially of the many springs found in the area. Canoes hung from the painted tin ceiling, paddles on the walls, and pretty vintage-looking chandeliers. Walls covered in a multitude of surfaces ranging from brick, to stucco, to ceramic tiles. I liked the 2-person booths. Often booths are meant for 4 and have backs that are upright and uncomfortable. Not these. The wooden straw-seated chairs also looked comfy and went well with the rustic decor. The bathrooms had nice tile work on the walls, were clean and well stocked and smelled very nice! The other customers seemed to be a mix of couples, families (with well-behaved children), and friendly groups having a good - but not too loud - time. What I mean is, I was not distracted by boistrous rowdiness or yahoos in tank tops and shorts; it was a positive, friendly vibe. I'd definitely go back if I was ever in the area again. Highly recommended. read more
9 months ago
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More info about Great Outdoors Restaurant
18587 High Springs Main St
High Springs, FL 32643
Directions
(386) 454-1288
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http://www.gohighsprings.com
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Ask the Community - Great Outdoors Restaurant
Do serve Thanksgiving dinner?
Tisha Yes we are serving a buffet downstairs and a buffet upstairs for large parties from 9-4 Please call the restaurant for reservations
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21 reviews that are not currently recommended
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