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.


Venue map for The Top
© OpenStreetMap contributors

33 Reviews

First Review by rainfall2008

leighi123

Points +77

Vegan
05 Jun 2024

Excellent food

Plenty of clearly marked options. The spicy peanut tofu was particularly good, my toddler ate a ton!
They 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!

noellyann25

Points +31

Vegan
19 May 2024

the top

very many items could be made vegan upon request, even sauces!

mmg

Points +205

Vegan
28 Mar 2024

Lots of vegan options

Great restaurant with a lot of vegan options clearly marked on the menu. Everything we had was delicious.

Pros: Vegan options clearly marked , Plenty of vegan protein options, Great music

soy_boy

Points +76

Vegan
18 Mar 2024

Always so good!

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.

Pros: Quality food, Atmosphere, Clear vegan labels

holdfast2012

Points +1275

Vegan
04 Feb 2024

Fun spot!

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.

stefanietravels

Points +401

Vegan
09 Nov 2023

So many vegan options!

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!

Pros: Vegan options clearly labeled

Hikingtofu

Points +2262

Vegan
02 Sep 2023

Addicting Vegan Ranch 😍

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.
Update: 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

LauraBland

Points +25

Vegan
28 May 2023

Unique Yum

Cute and eclectic with vegan options

Pros: Yummy and unique vegan options

cdurmaz

Points +92

Vegan
13 Nov 2022

Great vegan menu options and pet friendly

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.

grace.evyy

Points +118

Vegan
06 Jul 2022

Great Vegan Options!

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!

Pros: Great vegan options, Friendly atmosphere

amkb

Points +163

Vegan
01 Jul 2022

Best chocolate cake ever

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!

Pros: Chocolate cake, Many vegan options, Local/fresh

croffi

Points +571

Vegan
10 Jun 2022

Good amount of vegan options, clearly labeled

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!

MukhyaNivasiniDd

Points +27

Vegan
11 Apr 2022

There are several vegan entrees. Really enjoyed the vegan Cesar salad.

Salad was awesome. Vegan cheese options would be nice.

Pros: Mid size prices available , Contactless take out.

Cons: Parking

carolinedavidson

Points +365

Vegan
23 Dec 2021

decent options but $$

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 ....

Pros: fun atmosphere , great d8 spot

Cons: expensive

JoelleFriedlander

Points +66

Vegan
06 Jun 2021

Eclectic restaurant with good vegan options

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!

FreyjaInanna

Points +17

Mostly Veg
29 Jul 2019

Racist Drink Menu Items

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.

Here 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

12 Dec 2021

SaraF

Points +261

Vegan
02 Jun 2019

Cool place with some vegan options

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!

Pros: Unique dishes, Cool decor , Very tasty!

Cons: Expensive , Always a long wait , No vegan labeling on menu

leighi123

05 Jun 2024

DavidKiviat

Points +13

Mostly Veg
23 Sep 2018

Good Food, Good Atmosphere, Poor Service

Good Food, Good Atmosphere, Poor Service

SeekerOfTheWay

Points +277

Vegan
03 Jul 2018

Quirky place, fantastic dishes!

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!

Pros: Vegan chocolate cake, Spooky fun atmosphere , Lots of vegan options

Cons: Long wait for table anytime

TheSafariAri

Points +40

Vegan
05 Oct 2017

Best bar in town

Drinks here are good and strong. Get the vegan caesar with buffalo tempeh on the side.

Pros: Great atmosphere, Expansive bar, Outdoor bar and patio

Cons: Long wait during peak hours

Jamie9705

Points +831

Vegan
13 Sep 2017

Cool place with a few vegan options

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.

The 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

mikey725

Points +196

Vegan
05 Dec 2016

trendy and tasty

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.

Pros: 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

tyranny

Points +67

Vegan
22 Sep 2016

Decent for a local trendy joint

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.

Pros: friendly staff, open late

Cons: noisy, expensive

beehivekristine

Points +86

Vegan
15 Feb 2015

Vegetarian friendly, vegans beware

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.

Pros: Interesting menu / specials, good food, good service

Cons: no reservations, long wait time , could offer more clearly vegan options

kmilitello

Points +725

Vegan
23 Oct 2014

Better options for vegan food in Gainesville

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.

Pros: Nicer atmosphere for dinner, Good beer selection

Cons: Few vegan options, Nothing labeled vegan on menu

jennafusal

Points +219

Vegan
24 Jun 2013

Very good.

This was voted best vegan place in Gainesville but I was skeptical when the menu I found online had nothing designated vegan.

With 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

saumya108

Points +27

Vegetarian
28 Jan 2013

An upbeat place

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.

Pros: nice people , charming atmosphere, interesting food

Cons: not for the dirt poor, but save and go!




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