Lacto
Ovo
American
Beer/Wine
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Restaurant and bar. Many menu dishes items come with choice of either meat, tofu, or tempeh. Vegans need to specify. Jun 2013 server reported to happycow member that the pecan encrusted tofu is not fully vegan. Open Tue-Sun 5:00pm-2:00am.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
-
30 N Main St (at University), Gainesville, Florida, USA, 32601
-
Loading...
-
- Accepts credit cards
-
-
Last update on 12 Jan 2023 by AndyAnderson
Update business info -
Are you the owner?
Claim this business
-
-
33 Reviews
First Review by rainfall2008
leighi123
Points +77
Excellent food - Edit
Plenty of clearly marked options. The spicy peanut tofu was particularly good, my toddler ate a ton!
Read moreThey also made a special sauce for us that tastes very similar to cafe yumm sauce.
Good service, good food, good cocktails.
Pros: Good food, Interesting sauce, Plenty of choices
Cons: It’s 4 hours from my house so we can’t go often!
Guest
noellyann25
Points +31
the top - Edit
very many items could be made vegan upon request, even sauces!
Read moreGuest
mmg
Points +205
Lots of vegan options - Edit
Great restaurant with a lot of vegan options clearly marked on the menu. Everything we had was delicious.
Read morePros: Vegan options clearly marked , Plenty of vegan protein options, Great music
Guest
soy_boy
Points +76
Always so good! - Edit
The vegan options are marked clearly on the menu and there’s a lot of great options! The eggplant rollatini and vegan chocolate cake are extremely tasty.
Read morePros: Quality food, Atmosphere, Clear vegan labels
Guest
holdfast2012
Points +1267
Fun spot! - Edit
Loved the vibe at this Gainesville classic. The outdoor area is super cozy and the whole restaurant just has a fun feel to it. Long wait times on a Saturday night but well worth it. Plenty of vegan options and things that can be made vegan.
Read moreGuest
stefanietravels
Points +401
So many vegan options! - Edit
Amazing vegan options with everything clearly labeled on the menu. I had a hard time choosing what to order it all sounded so good. We had fried pickles with vegan ranch as an app. And then after talking with the server, who was very helpful, ordered the pecan crusted tofu but with chimichurri sauce. Broccoli and sweet potato fries as sides. Delicious!
Read morePros: Vegan options clearly labeled
Guest
Hikingtofu
Points +2242
Addicting Vegan Ranch 😍 - Edit
Was recommended this place where there’s tons of vegan options. Amazing variety that I appreciated. Tried the Buffalo Tempeh sandwich which was amazing. Though the real show stopper was the vegan ranch they have. I need that recipe…it’s so good 😭. Will definitely go back even if I get some drinks with fries and vegan ranch.
Read moreUpdate: Tried the Seitan Philly and omg …this place just gets better and better
Updated from previous review on 2023-08-06
Pros: Great variety, Tempeh, Seitan, & Tofu options :0, Vegan ranch is amazing
Guest
LauraBland
Points +25
Unique Yum - Edit
Cute and eclectic with vegan options
Read morePros: Yummy and unique vegan options
Guest
cdurmaz
Points +92
Great vegan menu options and pet friendly - Edit
There are many vegan options at this restaurant and it is pet friendly. We enjoyed the Seitan Texas Cheesesteak (all vegan) and the Eggplant Rollatini (all vegan). Both were delicious and we would definitely have them again. We also had a chocolate cake (vegan) that was pretty good. The outdoor eating area in the back had a good vibe and our dogs were able to join us. The service could be improved….our server wasn’t very friendly and the wait time was very long. Reservations are not accepted which would be nice. However, we loved the menu and our meal, so we will be back next time we are in town. Definitely check it out but be prepared to wait awhile if it’s on the weekend.
Read moreGuest
grace.evyy
Points +118
Great Vegan Options! - Edit
Clearly my phone did not eat first, but I tried the eggplant rollatini and thought it was really delicious! The homemade cashew ricotta was super creamy. The atmosphere was also great, and I’ll definitely be back to try out their other vegan options!
Read morePros: Great vegan options, Friendly atmosphere
Guest
amkb
Points +153
Best chocolate cake ever - Edit
The Top is my favorite restaurant in town. That Spicy Peanut Dish, fried pickles, sweet potato fries, vegan Caesar, Eggplant Rollatini and Seitan Texas Cheesesteak are all favorites. I never go without getting the chocolate cake. In all honesty, I usually end up eating it for breakfast the next day - pairs wonderfully with coffee!
Read morePros: Chocolate cake, Many vegan options, Local/fresh
Guest
croffi
Points +571
Good amount of vegan options, clearly labeled - Edit
I've been here twice now and both times the food was amazing! Super easy to choose a vegan dish off the menu. The vegan cheesesteak and blackened tofu melt are must-tries!
Read moreGuest
MukhyaNivasiniDd
Points +27
There are several vegan entrees. Really enjoyed the vegan Cesar salad. - Edit
Salad was awesome. Vegan cheese options would be nice.
Read morePros: Mid size prices available , Contactless take out.
Cons: Parking
Guest
carolinedavidson
Points +365
decent options but $$ - Edit
not really worth the money but the atmosphere is fun- usually I am disappointed by my food but I haven’t tried all the vegan dishes yet! there’s def options just not the yummiest options ....
Read morePros: fun atmosphere , great d8 spot
Cons: expensive
Guest
JoelleFriedlander
Points +66
Eclectic restaurant with good vegan options - Edit
I love The Top! They have a wide variety of vegan options including thai peanut dish, eggplant rollatini, vegan Caesar salad with amazing dressing, beyond burger, and more!
Read moreGuest
FreyjaInanna
Points +17
Racist Drink Menu Items - Edit
This establishment serves and has on their menu, a cocktail called ‘Strange Fruit’. It's offensive to create a cocktail named after a song that tells the story of hanging the ancestors of black people from trees by their necks. The play on words in the description, "unbearable lightness of being" is a grotesque and insensitive reference to the decaying bodies of the victims of these lynchings that were a common practice in Florida and other southern states in the past century and happened as recently as 1981. They should make public apologies and remove this item and other items from their menus such as the Marco Polo, which are also racially insensitive.
Read moreHere are the full lyrics of ‘Strange Fruit’:
Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swingin' in the Southern breeze
Strange fruit hangin' from the poplar trees
Pastoral scene of the gallant South
The bulgin' eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burnin' flesh
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather
For the wind to suck
For the sun to rot
For the tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Lewis Allan
JasmineHouston
That is disappointing.
Read moreGuest
SaraF
Points +261
Cool place with some vegan options - Edit
The top has a really nice atmosphere, it’s always busy and they have really cool decor. The menu has no labeling for vegan or vegetarian. a lot of dishes that could be vegan have cheese or something added. I got the coconut crusted tofu with kimchi (they make it in house and it’s vegan) and buffalo tempeh. It normally comes with blue cheese but the server offered me a vegan nutritional yeast sauce or a vegan Ceasar dressing sauce which is not on the menu. All really good!
Read morePros: Unique dishes, Cool decor , Very tasty!
Cons: Expensive , Always a long wait , No vegan labeling on menu
leighi123
It’s clearly labeled now!
Read moreGuest
DavidKiviat
Points +13
Good Food, Good Atmosphere, Poor Service - Edit
Good Food, Good Atmosphere, Poor Service
Read moreGuest
SeekerOfTheWay
Points +277
Quirky place, fantastic dishes! - Edit
It was totally worth the hour wait for this restaurant! The menu featured creative and plentiful vegan options for entrees as well and appetizers. There is Kombucha, almond milk for the coffee and the wait staff is well informed about a vegan’s diet. I had the plantain chips and dipping sauce, and the black bean burger with vegan bacon which was delicious. Would recommend to both vegans and non vegans!
Read morePros: Vegan chocolate cake, Spooky fun atmosphere , Lots of vegan options
Cons: Long wait for table anytime
Guest
TheSafariAri
Points +40
Best bar in town - Edit
Drinks here are good and strong. Get the vegan caesar with buffalo tempeh on the side.
Read morePros: Great atmosphere, Expansive bar, Outdoor bar and patio
Cons: Long wait during peak hours
Guest
Jamie9705
Points +831
Cool place with a few vegan options - Edit
When we're in town, we always go to The Top at least once, but really, it's more like 3 or 4 times. We've gone twice in one day. :) They have a large menu with quite a few vegan options.
Read moreThe staff we've encountered were all really knowledgable about what was vegan and some gave us some great suggestions on things to try that weren't on the menu. The vegan caesar salad is fan-freakin'-tastic, as is the vegan burgers and vegan bacon. They even had some vegan breakfast/brunch options (tofu scramble), which I always find to be the hardest meal to find vegan options.
It can get really busy at times, especially when college is in session and on the weekends. It has a full bar, outside seating and is a pretty cool place.
Pros: Vegan options, Knowledgable staff, Cool atmosphere
Cons: Can get busy, Can get loud, Can have really long wait times to be seated
Guest
mikey725
Points +196
trendy and tasty - Edit
Not too many vegan options but at least there are some witch makes this trendy hipster joint a viable option when meeting with carnivore friends. A little disappointing if you have Celiacs and must eat gluten free. I will say however that our waiter was exceptional when it came to pointing out each gluten free option available although a thin selection. His knowledge of the menu was complete. Good wine/cocktail/ craft beer menu. Good sized bar. Everyone in our party absolutely loved their dish! We ordered some vegan and gluten free desserts that where large portions for the money! We left full and satisfied.
Read morePros: super nice and helpful waiter, large portions, excellent and tasty entrees
Cons: dimly lit , better get there early , long wait is a good sign we think
Guest
tyranny
Points +67
Decent for a local trendy joint - Edit
I was treated to a big dinner here and really enjoyed it. The servers were friendly and went out of their way to ask the kitchen staff about specific ingredients. I tried the tofu triangles, plaintain chips, eggplant rollatini, and a few other things. I had some collard greens which were way too salty - maybe that's a Southern thing? I prefer to barely season my greens because they have a great natural flavour. I found that most dishes would have tasted better with a bit less salt, except the eggplant rollatini - I would really like to go back and try that one again.
Read morePros: friendly staff, open late
Cons: noisy, expensive
Guest
beehivekristine
Points +86
Vegetarian friendly, vegans beware - Edit
I've had some nice meals here. They have specials and vegan options, but I've had to ask a lot of questions and request things be left out or substitute one ingredient for another on each visit. I've always found them to be accommodating, so I've been pleased..but I ask a LOT of questions about what's in each dish. I think it's a fun place to go, I like the energy of the place. I was disappointed once that I wasn't able to make a reservation (the wait can be quite long), but it was a holiday. I'm not sure what their reservation policy is on a regular day.
Read morePros: Interesting menu / specials, good food, good service
Cons: no reservations, long wait time , could offer more clearly vegan options
Guest
kmilitello
Points +725
Better options for vegan food in Gainesville - Edit
Nothing on the menu is labeled vegan and that's because a lot of seemingly could-be-vegan items aren't for one reason or another (like a mayo based sauce). We found a few vegan options and they were okay. The place is trendy. Good beer menu. If you want a nicer dinner and are eating with non-vegans, not a bad option. Otherwise, head over to Southern Charm Kitchen or the Daily Green for better vegan food options.
Read morePros: Nicer atmosphere for dinner, Good beer selection
Cons: Few vegan options, Nothing labeled vegan on menu
Guest
jennafusal
Points +219
Very good. - Edit
This was voted best vegan place in Gainesville but I was skeptical when the menu I found online had nothing designated vegan.
Read moreWith few options on a Sunday evening, I was talked into going. It was busy so we opted to eat at the bar but it was still 50 minutes until we ate. The bartender was vegan and told us what was vegan, about 5 items. We had spicy noodles with tofu which was spicy and delicious and eggplant with a cashew cheese pesto sauce which was very good. The pecan encrusted tofu mentioned here is not vegan.
Atmosphere was nice and staff friendly and helpful. Service was a little slow but they did look busy.
Cons: limited options, longish wait
Guest
saumya108
Points +27
An upbeat place - Edit
I consider this place to be a bit pricier than I would prefer, but I'm rather poor. You may not think so. The atmosphere is charming and the people that served us the one time I went there were friendly and understood our vegetarian concerns. They had vegetarian Southern comfort food, which is quite interesting, really. We had fried pickles as an appetizer that were REALLY tasty, although not for someone counting calories. Nice people. Try it.
Read morePros: nice people , charming atmosphere, interesting food
Cons: not for the dirt poor, but save and go!
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 12100 times.