Vegan-friendly
Beer/Wine
Delivery
Take-out
Jamaican
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Restaurant is about Jamaican life, culture and flavor, and uses imported ingredients from Jamaica. Menu offers many vegan dishes such as tofu stew, veggie stew peas, and curried hearts of palm, plus fruit smoothies which can be made vegan, and a vegan coconut cake. Reported closed January 2024.
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619 W University Ave, Gainesville, Florida, USA, 32601
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Last update on 15 Jan 2024 by punkmogul
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47 Reviews
First Review by rainfall2008
Srincon
Points +566
I can eat here everyday - Edit
Reggae shack holds a special place in my heart. Every vegan meal I’ve had here has been delicious and I cannot get enough of their wings! Do not hesitate to stop by and try one of their vegan options
Read morePros: Lots of options , Incredible spice , Authentic flavors
Guest
ryanescanlon
Points +206
Best Vegan Wings Ever - Edit
Soooo good. Definitely recommend getting any of the vegan wings and festivals😄
Read moreGuest
prenavet
Points +60
Yummy food in relaxed, happy atmosphere. - Edit
We loved our vegan sandwiches and tofu dishes. Menu is creative and food was exceptional.
Read moreGuest
sumita
Points +28
Curry tempeh all the way! - Edit
Love that all entrees include plantains, beans rice, and cabbage. I was afraid the coconut curry tempeh might be too sweet. It was not sweet at all. Just the right amount of kick. With so many savory vegan options, why even mess with meat?!
Read morePros: Excellent local tempeh, Authentic flavors , Hefty portion sizes
Cons: Styrofoam containers for all orders
Guest
DeborahCarrico
Points +66
Just ok - Edit
I had the Callalou with tofu which was good .. also tried the brown stew with tofu .. everything seemed to have too much oil for our taste .. I’m also not a fan of styrofoam containers
Read moreGuest
samvictores
Points +294
My favorite - Edit
This place is one of my favorite spots in Gainesville. They have endless vegan sandwiches and plates. They also have the BEST vegan wings (I recommend the escovietch sauce with my entire soul) & festivals. Not to mention the vegan smoothies and cakes!! I can get something new every time I go and I know it will always be delicious. The fries also have the best seasoning ever on them I’m obsessed. Some of my favorite dishes include the vegan steak sandwich, jerk tofu sandwich, curry tofu, and callaloo with tofu🤤 It is expensive but worth it in my opinion😄
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-09-10
Guest
maleams
Points +149
super good! - Edit
Got the Tropiq Tofu, and it was perfect. Not too spicy at all and super sweet and flavorful. The rice and beans and the plantains were really really good as well. Exactly what i wanted!
Read moreGuest
IwaWella
Points +1249
Jerk Tofu - Edit
Super hot delicious vegan options and I mean it’s really hot
Read moreGuest
Veg_In_GNV_
Points +126
Good food and options - Edit
Amazing food. I am always craving the Reggae Shack! They have a great selection of vegan options and amazing smoothies!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-12-11
Pros: Good Smoothies, Vegan Wings, Variety
Cons: Weird Service
Guest
T-Swizzle
Points +16
Five stars ;) - Edit
They have a good amount of vegan options and it’s possibly the best vegan food I’ve ever eaten. Service was quick for how busy it was. Ppl were nice too. If you come here, definitely order the vegan wings ;-)
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Wings ;), Quick
Cons: I ate too fast cuz too yummy
Guest
LaurenMirza
Points +28
Get the wings! - Edit
Have been eating here since it opened. Vegan steak used to be my fave, but the wings have become my favorite. MUST GET escoviech wings. Sooooo good!
Read moreGuest
sofiaarias
Points +199
Best Vegan Food in Gainesville - Edit
Ever since I moved to Gainesville, I've been dying to go here. This restaurant serves some of the best vegan food I have ever tried. I had the vegan steak dish with vegan bbq wings and I couldn't believe it!! The vegan steak dish took me back home, it was delicious comfort food. The wings shockingly look like meat and they taste amazing! Any time I want to eat out, I'll go here.
Read moreGuest
DanetteN
Points +49
Awesomely delicious - Edit
2nd time here and it's still my favorite, just wish it was closer to home. I got the Jerk Tofu and was forewarned how spicy it was and she wasn't lyin....omgggg it was packed with flavor and heat. I could hardly eat it and it isn't for the weak haha
Read morePros: Family friendly, Several vegan options on menu, Fun atmosphere
Cons: Limited parking
Guest
TheNightAnn
Points +640
Great vegan menu - Edit
This place has been one of my favorites forever. The food is so flavorful. The jerk tofu is actually spicy (like really spicy) and I love that. The brown stew tofu is also a winner if you don’t like spice.
Read moreThey also make sure to use separate cookware and plates for vegan dishes which is nice if that’s something that is important to you.
Pros: Tons of options, So flavorful , Knowledgeable staff.
Guest
SaraF
Points +261
Vegan Jamaican food - Edit
Easy to read menu with vegan sections. Lots of options of different dishes and sandwiches with tofu, tempeh, hearts of palm. I got the curry tempeh and vegan coconut cake, so good!!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Clearly labeled vegan section of menu , Good price and a lot of food
Cons: Not fully vegan
Guest
JenniferCook
Points +860
Great food! - Edit
Update 2019: Still amazing. Had a jerk tempeh dish that was so spicy my mouth is still tingling an hour later. Indifferent service. Music wasn’t loud this time.
Read more2014: We ordered tofu sandwiches--the brown tofu stew and tofu with jerk sauce. They were both delicious. Quick, friendly service.
My only complaint is the super loud music. It was hard to hear.
Hope we get to go back and try something else next time! Well worth the detour from 75.
Pros: Delicious food, Quick service
Guest
NilbogMilk
Points +64
Decline in quality + Making fun of animal death = A boycott from me - Edit
Reggae Shack used to have excellent quality years ago. Now, food is of inconsistent quality. Although half of the menu is vegan, they have recently taken to social media and made a meme with a “before” and “after” of a stock image of goat and their goat stew, and said “One minute you here, next you’re gone”. I will not be supporting a business that brags about having vegan options, then turns around and makes open jokes about the deliberate death of animals.
Read morePros: Half of the menu is vegan
Cons: Not concerned with animal ethics, Inconsistent quality
OmarOselimo
Sorry I offended you but remember not everyone is vegan exclusively because of the ethical treatment of animals, there is a myriad of reasons to be vegan. Reggae shack is and continue to be one of, if not the most important vegan restaurant in Gainesville! We have create more conversation and platform for vegans to have dialogue with meat eaters, and vegans trying to convince there meat eating friends and family to eat vegan than anywhere else, and vegans thanks us for making it easy to have that conversation, Like the young lady whose birthday wish was for her father to try vegan food, he love the curry chicken so it was easy to introduce him to the curry tempeh which is what he gets everytime now. Or my a long time customer that say " whats up with that vegan stuff man, i see it alot on the news lately, eventually got a vegan steak and surprisingly loved it . We have converted more meat eaters to vegan that any other restaurant in gainesville and no one esle has our platform or diverse customer base to do that. We have been hankering vegan food in Gainesville before almost all the other vegan spots that has popped up, so next time lets have a conversation, we play an important role on the vegan conversation, most meat eaters wont step into a vegan restaurant, most of out meat eating customers have been introduce to vegan food because of coming to reggae shack!
Read moreGuest
HopefulForChange
Points +112
Nice variety of vegan options - Edit
There was a nice variety. And they give a lot of food! I was full for 24 hours. A little too sweet (too much sugar), but still very good! The hibiscus ginger drink was amazing!
Read moreGuest
AbigailAnnaFoster
Points +475
A GREAT VEGAN MENU - Edit
I love reggae shack. The fries are delicious and worth going just for them! They are sugary and salty at the same time and just seasoned so well. I have gotten curries as well as sandwiches and haven’t been disappointed. I would stay away from anything that has the word “jerk” as it is EXTREMELY spicy, unless you love being in pain. Lol. They also have vegan carrot cake as well as coconut but are usually out of carrot.
Read moreGuest
SaraLauren
Points +32
Worth the wait - Edit
Their food is delicious and the staff are friendly, but only visit when you've got a couple of hours for dinner. If you need your food quicker, carry out is surprisingly quick.
Read morePros: De-[censored]-licious, Reasonably priced
Cons: Dining in takes a loooong time.
Guest
Coki79
Points +213
great food - Edit
I absolutely love the vegan options and the well spiced Jamaican food. :)
Read moreI gave it 4 stars because of the service and the loud music. I would recommend to take it to go.
Guest
Jamie9705
Points +831
Not impressed - Edit
The employees were very nice but service was slow. It took a long time to get our food. They have quite a few vegan options. I didn't really like what I got but that's just my opinion. I wouldn't go back but am happy that they have vegan options and a good selection.
Read morePros: Vegan options, Cool atmosphere
Cons: Slow service, Didn't like the food
Guest
marimari101
Points +27
fun and friendly! - Edit
I was surprised with the large variety of vegan options offered the first time I went, and even more surprised and how great they all tasted! They offer vegan appetizers, main dishes, desserts, and smoothies. The vegan smoothies are a must have! Not only does the food taste delicious and very homey but all of the employees make sure to make you feel welcome, happy, and at home at all times! Great vibes!
Read moreGuest
Mannie_bogi
Points +116
great food - Edit
Visited this place on Sunday ! Friendly staff and great food! I would have given it 5 stars if they were not out of every single vegan dessert we wanted to try
Read moreGuest
Bohemianwife
Points +73
so good! - Edit
We ordered off the vegetarian menu and it was some of the best food we've got out. I had the curry seitan and my husband had Escoviech tofu, they both were marvelous! The plates are huge and filling and well priced. If we lived in Gainesville this would be our jam. Sadly we'll probably only come once a year.
Read morePros: choices, price, tasty
Guest
jennafusal
Points +219
My favorite in Gainesville. - Edit
The curry tempeh is it for me. I can't say that I have tried too many other items on the vegan menu because it is that good. The service has always been fast and friendly! The prices are very reasonable. I had a mango smoothie one time and it was wonderful. Just be sure to ask for the vegan version. I travel from Ocala on a regular basis just to get my fix.
Read moreGuest
newsomz
Points +96
Awesome Jamaican with great vegan selections - Edit
I always hit Reggae Shack when in Gainesville. They have tons of vegan selections on the menu including sandwiches, entrees and smoothies. My favorite menu item is the tofu escovitch!! The tofu is fried and served with a spicy and tangy sauce over rice with peas and steamed cabbage. The steamed cabbage is soo good (I really need to figure out how to make it). The smoothies are great for tempering the spicy dishes but are huge so we always share one between two people. Portions are huge and you can easily share one dish and a smoothie and be satisfied.
Read morePros: Jamaican vegan selections, Huge portions
Guest
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