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The Top
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Vegetarian American (New), Vegetarian [Edit]
30 N Main StGainesville, FL 32601
(352) 337-1188
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 5 pm - 2 am
Sun 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
153 reviews for The Top
Review Highlights
"Three Words: Creamed Corn Nuggets."
(in 32 reviews)
"PS- Their vegan chocolate cake is TO DIE FOR."
(in 7 reviews)
"Photo booth, dollar PBR and great company are a plus."
(in 10 reviews)
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153 reviews in English
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Review from J.Alan L.
Winter Park, FL
1/18/2012
The Top is fantastic! Not only by their food but aesthetically as well.
Amidst the kooky interior (ranging from landscapes on black velvet to an assortment of light fixtures your grandmother would be jealous of) is a restaurant containing people really passionate about Gainesville and good food.
The service is great, a lot of staff are quite charming!
Now the food:
The nacho's are dynamite. Definitely try and go on Tuesday for Taco Tuesday, the tempeh tacos with the local tempeh are unbelievable. They also do specials almost every weekday so you're set. Try and get the peanut butter pie for dessert if you can, ridiculous. Even the side salads here are good, come on!
The only drawback is they get pretty busy during the evening Fri-Sat (who doesn't?) and they don't take reservations.
Viva La Top -
Review from Daniel S.
Gainesville, FL
12/6/2011
Great place !
I've been living here for 10 years and just recently ate there.
Incredible food quality.
The service is a little slow though, so don't expect to be a quick dinner. -
Review from Michelle H.
Portland, OR
11/23/2011
I'm kind of okay with the wait that can crop up from time to time. I mean, it's warranted. It is some of the best food in town. The Top caters to everyone--I mean EVERYONE. Carnivores. Vegetarians. Omnivores. Meat and potatoes fans. Vegans. Big eaters. Small eaters. My mom. Seriously, everyone can find something here that will make them happy.
It's super casual and laid back in here with a ton of wacky shit to look at. Bonsai tree lamps, phallic vases, plants, photos, ostrich figurines...you get the idea. It's primarily a college town after all. The booths overpower the situation, but there is a bar, too. The menu even rolls late night, which is necessary after a night of drinking and you don't want to stand in that line at Flaco's. Sure, it sounds like a dance club in the bar at that hour, but at least you're gorging on a pesto chicken melt and fries.
I've only hung around in the burger and sandwich realm of the menu, but I haven't been disappointed in the slightest. They use pretzel buns. I'll just let that sink in for a minute.
...
...
...
Get that? Pretzel buns are the best thing that ever happened to a burger. The burgers are totally customizable, too, depending on your protein preference. Beef, chicken, black bean. Regular bacon. Fakin' bacon. Do whatever you want. The combos on the menu are not good for my indecision. My heart stopped when I took a bite into their house-made black bean burger topped with goat cheese and real bacon. The black bean burger is thick and meaty. It was definitely drier than some I've had, but the consistency and thickness really makes up for it (that's what she said...).
Their fries are perfect. Crispy and soft in the middle.
Beers are cheap. That tallboy tastes even better with a straw in it.
There is definitely more to the menu than I've let on. Everyone will be happy. I promise.Listed in: Welcome to The Fest
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Review from P M.
San Antonio, FL
2/7/2012
Wow! I travel a lot and use YELP to find the best, but was leery about the 4 star rating for a small city bistro. I now believe that a 5 star rating is more than warranted! Great meal, great service. Fun, friendly place....and yes, DO have the vegan chocolate cake! I will return many times!
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Review from Bill R.
Gainesville, FL
1/29/2012
My daughter picked The Top for her birthday dinner and I was pleasantly surprised. The ambience was interesting and eclectic, the atmosphere extremely casual and the meals matched the ambience which is to say they were pretty good. The service was fine, the prices excellent and my lone concern of parking was a non-issue as we parked right in front of the restaurant. I'll go back. One thing I noted was the crowd was as eclectic as the decor. Obviously young people like The Top but there was a couple of young families not to mention fellow Boomers dining there too. This is what makes Gainesville a great place to live. And dine.
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Review from analia c.
Kissimmee, FL
1/4/2012
We went for a nice romantic Tuesday dinner and the place was packed! We had to wait 40 minutes for a table and it was well worth the wait. The decor is nice and mellow, the atmosphere is laid back. For appetizers we had the fried pickles and the basket was FILLED with sliced pickles we didn't think there would be so many. We also ordered the corn nuggets they were good and the garlic dip that came with it is delicious!!! Once the main course came out I was full. I had the Gnocchi with Pecan Encrusted tofu and it was so delicious! The portions are a nice size and prices reasonable. I had a great night and delicious food!
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Review from Laura T.
Gainesville, FL
Updated - 9/26/2011
I Love this place, therefore it gets an update from me.
Is it the best food Ive ever had? no, but in our case its been consistently good, and you cant ask for more than that.
I really enjoy the atmosphere, because its dark and the booths are cozy and there are weird-ass decorations and tsotchkes in the bathrooms that are never the same. The staff is bearded and can barely walk in tight pants and sometimes I think they were manufactured in the same hipster factory complete with a tattoo program and smarmy 101. We have had some iffy service but most of all I feel taken care of. The music is never the same, sometimes we hear sinatra followed by some indie band followed by eminem. I enjoy the variety. It can get really loud in there and I expect it to be that way, Its not a quiet restaurant especially on the bar side. BUT it is a romantic place, in my opinion anyway :)
Onto the food and drinks. Ive had a sampling of what they have to offer. Appetizer wise I love the corn nuggets, they used to have a maytag blue cheese chips concoction but got rid of it (sad laura face here). Ive had the buffalo tempeh, the sweet potato fries and while good they arent the nuggets-o-yummy. Salads are good but in my opinion , unless you add a protein they arent worth it, BUT their SIDE salad is AMAZING! for a Buck Fifty you can add one to your entree and they are HUGE, with romaine/spring mix and kalamata olives, red onions, sprouts, cucumbers, and shredded carrots. I like the Garlic Ranch dressing, but its also good with just plain old Oil and Vinegar.
Entrees: I love the weekly specials, and have tried their special burger on this list before. A "Boss Hog" burger that had pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, and bacon. I do love their regular burgers, the Reuben Burger (burger, sauerkraut, swiss and thousand island on pumpernickel rye bread) being my favorite, with the rocket burger coming in second (goat cheese rocket lettuce roasted red peppers) You can also build your own. Ive had them come out perfect every time and I like my burgers very very rare. Last night I chose the Pesto Gnocchi for the first time and it was perfection, soft pillows of gnocchi in a creamy pesto sauce with sundried tomatoes and parmesean cheese on top. The red curry is also very good, and spicy like i like it.
We are regulars here now, we come for the good food as well as the best mojitos in gainesville, I appreciate its uniqueness, its crunchy staff and I forgive them sometimes for being a bit lazy, it takes A lot of concentration to be so Hip.Listed in: Best Places for Date Night!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/14/2011
I have been to The Top many times now, it wasnt until this last year that I had started even going.… Read more »
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Review from Lou G.
Atlanta, GA
1/9/2012
Wow! Four Stars with over 150 reviews? I had to check this place out! The Top was the initial reason we left our designated travel path on a detour to Gainesville during our drive back to Atlanta. We decided to visit a few of the local establishments (bar hop) in Gainesville, with The Top being our last stop. I drank at all the rest, but decided this is where I would eat while in Gainesville. The Top is truly a hipster bar; funky artwork, deliberate lighting, and a great atmosphere. The beers were all $1 off regular prices, I settled on a Session beer, a dark lager from Oregon, and a deal for $2. The menu is as eclectic as the decor, with many choices for vegetarian or carnivore alike. One of the owners is a vegetarian and it is reflected in the respect given to the vegetarian entrees. Being a college town they had a big list of burgers, which could be made with black bean patty or falafel patty. They also have Seitan bacon which can be subbed for the other white meat. I ordered "The Widowmaker" a black bean patty which came with chili-espresso rub seasoning, Seitan bacon, fried onions, grilled mushrooms, smoked Gouda and cheddar cheese. YUM! I wish i could say that i chose the Session beer on purpose, but it was a divine accident. PERFECT combination of flavors, proving you don't have to be good if you are lucky! I ordered another Session beer for dessert, and left a happy man. If I lived in Gaines ville, I would eat here all the time, and I am sure i would make it all the way around the menu. If i would have thought of it I would have left my sunglasses there on purpose, so I would have a reason to go back next time I drive down to Florida!
Listed in: Road Trip!
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Review from Noelle H.
Gainesville, FL
The Top has a special little place in my heart. While I see the negative reviews of horrible service, over priced food, and mediocre cuisine, nothing will sway my love for this place.
I've been here for brunch, on weekends, and on weeknights. Brunch was a favorite until they got rid of the Oscar benedict, then the bf no longer wanted to eat there *sighs* so Taco Tuesday is the new favorite! The fish tacos are delish, along with the burritos and the special of the day. Basically, you can't go wrong with anything off the menu. I love love the salads, and either get salmon or blackened tofu on top. I wish there was more of a selection of appetizers, that's my only complaint. But the selection of desserts make up for it ;) *cough peanut butter pie cough*
I've always had great service, with the waiters being attentive and friendly. However, I did go here on a Friday night when it was PACKED and sat in the bar area where the server would consistently forget about us. But ehh, 1 out of 20 times won't deter me from here.
The drinks are tasty and STRONG, and they have happy hour 5-7 and usually do drink specials after 10 on most nights. LOVE the atmosphere if you can sit on the other side of the bar where it's less noisy.
Hate all you want, but I'll still go again and again. -
Review from Hetty W.
10/15/2011
HUGE burgers! 1/2lb patties with a huge variety of toppings/condiments, and killer sweet potato fries! I had the burger with chimichurri sauce and peppers, and swiss cheese. The sauce was delicious! The burger came out a little greasy, but definitely is super tasty! Sweet potato fries were crispy and flavorful and come with a delicious horseradish sauce for dipping!
The ambience is pretty casual but not too loud for a birthday dinner or casual date night. yum. -
Review from Crystal M.
Gainesville, FL
10/3/2011 3 photos
What can I say. I'm a Gainesvillian and I love The Top! I go here on my birthdays and enjoy the funky decor and the waiters that are just as interesting as the weird lamp on your table. The drinks are potent and priced well. The lights are dim. They have an outside bar too.
I have had the sweet potato fries, corn fritters, tacos, pork belly, pasta, desserts... its all freaking good and decently priced. I have never had a bad experience here.
Always always get the corn fritters. And always get the peanut butter pie.
If I leave Gainesville, I will miss The Top the most. -
Review from Matt J.
Naples, FL
11/14/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Definitely one of my favorite spots in Gainesville! It's your favorite pub, lounge and restaurant all in one! Fun drinks! Delicious burgers! Gotta have the Peanut-butter Pie for dessert. Don't tell my mom but it's borderline better than hers. Always the same friendly staff ++ For the wine drinkers out there, try the Petite Petite. It's the best $32 bottle of wine you'll find in any restaurant!
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Review from Amanda G.
Gainesville, FL
9/23/2011
I cannot believe I have not written a review of The Top yet.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Gainesville. It's the first place I go for birthdays, special occasions or just my favorite food. Their sweet potato fries are amazing. Better than any I've had from Washington State to North Carolina. Servers are all friendly and usually have a great sense of humor. Their margaritas are nice and strong and their menu suits the heartiest meat eater and the strictest vegan. I also hold a special place in my heart for their photobooth, where I've spent way too much money.
4 stars for the wait though. Man the wait is ridiculous sometimes. Friday or Saturdays expect to wait minimum hour and half, but sometimes you see people who just got there get a table way before you.
Otherwise, I love The Top. -
Review from Ryan F.
Orlando, FL
9/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Twitter size review:
Very quality grub, local fare, great beer selection.
Must have the pumpkin cheesecake this fall. -
Review from Caitlyn t.
New York, NY
12/31/2011
i grew up in gville and have since moved away, but somehow always end up here when i come back into town- esp if i am meeting friends. anyway. great ambiance, great beer selection, and fantastic black bean cakes. and our waiter last time was pretty awesome. she knew just what to pair things with and what to recommend.
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Review from penelope P.
Gainesville, FL
8/8/2011
I have lived in Gainesville for ten years. For ten years, I have been trying to like The Top.
I have been vegan for the last five years, but before that, the only items of quality that I can personally attest to at The Top are their corn nuggets and Peanut Butter Pie. I loved those things. In the last five years, the only things I have gotten that I have found to be enjoyable are their Sweet Potato Fries and the Vegan Cesar Salad. I have heard good things about their Portobello Burger, but I am not a fan of mushrooms so I have never ventured to try it. I have tried many of their other dishes and have always regretted ordering each one, including their desserts.
I advise you to never order a tempeh dish. They always sound delicious but you never get what you expect. Typically, their tempeh is served in four large, un-seasoned/marinated wedges, with a bland vegetable or starch side and not enough sauce. Their chimichurri is excellent but they don't utilize it to it's full potential. I ordered the chimichurri tempeh once, ate only the plain broccoli and took the rest of the dish home, where I turned it into AMAZING tacos. Why can't they do that?
Their brunch options are not much better. I eat more sugar than anyone I know. I eat sugar all day, every day. Imagine my surprise when I ordered the vegan french toast and it was too sweet for me. That never happens. And I've eaten a spoon of straight up sugar before!
I have heard good things about The Top's non-veg dishes. They must be doing something right to stay as busy as they are. But it seems that all their veg and vegan options are simply throwaways. I feel they may have adopted the attitude that if someone is vegan, they'll eat anything. No, we won't. So quit serving us crap.
The servers I have had at The Top have always been very friendly and helpful. I once had to send a poor server back to the kitchen three times to get me more sauce for yet another bland dish. He was very understanding and obliged me, without any extra charge.
The Top usually has some pretty decent drink specials and their bar is a nice place to hang out. It's nice to go to The Top on a "drinking night" and be able to get some late night food, drinks and hang out. But if you're having dinner on a Thursday-Saturday night, try to clear out before 10 because it gets very loud once the barflies start filtering in.
So, after all my negative experiences, time after time, I find myself back at The Top. I guess the reason I and people like myself keep going back is because it's Gainesville...where else are we going to go? -
Review from Gramley A.
Gainesville, FL
8/11/2011
3 words: sweet potato fries!
I really enjoy the food here, but it is a little to hipster for me. But in the end its got great food and decent Guiness on tap. Its definately worth a try. -
Review from Buck J.
Daytona Beach, FL
10/27/2011
The food was so good I will have to give The Top a second chance, but a twenty minute wait for a table followed by an hour wait for the food to be served is a bit much.
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Review from Dennis D.
Gainesville, FL
4/24/2011
The problem with The Top has less to do with the food and more to do with the service.
The food at The Top isn't bad. In fact, I highly recommend the "Good Morning" burger.
The service at the top lacks. I don't blame the individual people, but the management. The issues start immediately upon coming to this place.
I never arrived to a half empty restaurant and told there would be a 45 minute wait until I went to this place. I understand that they may be short-staffed, but closing half the restaurant means I have to stand around when I could be seated while I wait. The bar is not an option in these situations, since it gets too crowded to sit at.
Reservations mean little here, as they aren't prepared for you like one would expect. If you make a reservation, especially if it's for a larger group, expect to wait like everyone else.
In terms of the actual service, I find the bartenders to be the best and most consistent of the lot. I've had both good and bad service here, but even when you wouldn't expect it, it's still slow. If you bring a large, yellow flag, you might have some luck getting your server's attention and getting another drink or addressing any issue you might have, including getting your oder taken.
Finally, as I happened upon it accidentally, you don't want to see their health inspection report. -
Review from Dave F.
Minneapolis, MN
11/21/2011
Amazing veggie food! Loved the ginger Tempeh tacos!
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Review from AB C.
Gainesville, FL
5/6/2011
*Puts on Raybans* Yeah man this place is totally cool. You can get the same corn nuggets that Sonnys BBQ serves from Sisco and act like they are delicious because they are disguised on a hipster plate.
One time I went here with my entire family for my birthday, trying to impress my family with a nice brunch (I had never been here for brunch before, but figured it would be decent). Well, it sucked. Pretty sure my family gave me the cold shoulder for a solid month. The waiter was hard to find, and when he did show up, he had a new mustache style. Twisted handlebars. I'm sure that while I needed water and a check, he was in the bathroom perfecting his douchity. *LE SIGH* Time to hop on my fixie and ride into the duckpond with my little dress shoes and tiny vest.
Extra star for drinks...but Minus star for $$ -
Review from Carolyn H.
Gainesville, FL
10/23/2011
mmmmm....the burgers are delicious. and so are the fries. and the plantains.
i'm not gonna lie, this place may come off a little strange but its defintiely a fun place to go. service is ehhh but the food is realllllllllly good. the only thing i've had that i didn't like was the black bean burger. it had a funky taste.
the atmosphere is loud and funky, the perfect place for a night out with friends. parking sucks though, so be patient. all of the waiters are friendly and hipster, but it takes a while to get your food, which is how we discovered the hidden gem: their plantains. with the black bean dipping sauce its a little piece of heaven. -
Review from Gayane V.
Washington, DC
8/24/2011
I'll be the first to say, if you come here on a Thursday or Friday, you won't eat for a good 2 hours. Be prepared to wait and drink at the bar.
BUT, they have amazing drinks - (ahem, pear martini is to die) and they have a good happy hour.
Truly great food and huge portions. You can't go wrong with any of the sandwiches (pesto chicken, personal fave).
However, you should probably get one of their nightly specials. These are always amazing. Oh and the carrot cake. Sheer perfection.
The food is delicious, but honestly a lot of my rating also has to do with the ambiance. Photo booth, dollar PBR and great company are a plus.
The waitstaff is delightful. I don't know what other people are talking about...I've had one bad server in 4 years and she's left. Chris and Otis are definitely the most personable people there. -
Review from Coleen T.
Updated - 10/10/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Alright, so I came here one Saturday night for a pick up order... the special was fish and chips and I was closing at my work around the corner, so I dropped by here for dinner. DELICIOUS!! Beer-battered fish (not sure what kind of fish though), yummy fries, awesome tartar sauce and some traditional malt vinegar to accompany the fish. Top, you are growing on me... maybe you will be worthy of a five star review from me one of these days.... :)
Listed in: Burgers and Fries Man!!, Being Healthy for the New Year
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/19/2011
We came here for lunch on Sunday and had a limited menu to pick from... burgers, fries, salads and… Read more »
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Review from Alexandria N.
Gainesville, FL
6/22/2011
I love eating here. The food is phenomenal. I've tried other things but my favorite is the pepper crusted steak. They have a great beer selection and have great drink specials. My favorite appetizer would probably have to be the plantain chips. They come with black beans, salsa, and guacamole for dipping. The buffalo tempah is also really great.
The service, as far as I've experienced, is wonderful. The times I've been the servers have been attentive without hovering over your table the entire time you're sitting there.
....and they have a photo booth. What more is there to love? -
Review from Sam H.
Pittsburgh, PA
3/20/2011
Mixed thoughts. Someone whose opinion I don't trust very much told me this was a "hipster" place in Gainesville. Some swankass hipsters around here. Tenders are pleasant, the outdoor seating is a nice touch. The food is good; the fries with cheesestuff is delicious.
Problem is: there's always a line and some of the staff can tend to seem annoyed.
One of the dudes is a delight, though. Tallish fella, beard, black. Superpleasant, doesn't hover, but doesn't disappear.
All in all, this could be a cool place if the staff and its regulars didn't think it was such a cool place. -
Review from Laura D.
Gainesville, FL
11/10/2011
The Top is a great little establishment. The food is good, the service is helpful, and the atmosphere is quirky. My favorites include the pesto gnocchi, the sweet potatoes fries with the delicious dipping sauce, and the corn nuggets. They offer plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, adding to the funky, hipster vibe if I do say so.
Brunch is a nice treat I recently discovered. It's great for late night for drinks and apps. If you are going for dinner, especially on a weekend, you MUST make a reservation. A large group of us tried to go, and ended up waiting foreverr.
Overall, I do not hesitate to return to the Top. I always have a good time. I just make sure to make a reservation. -
Review from Coty S.
Bradenton, FL
2/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
We ended up here around midnight on a Thursday night and were immediately carded. From the crowd outside gathering, it appeared that there was a wait to be seated. However, there were plenty of tables available inside. So don't let the crowds fool you. I love the retro decor and the dim lighting. There as a PBR special that night, so all of the Hipster kids were there being stylish. I ordered a Lambic and my husband tried two different beers that he was not so fond of.
We seated ourselves since we did not see any signs that said to do otherwise. The Late Night menu was way more limited than I was hoping for. There were appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, and a few salads. The burgers read as very appetizing, served on a pretzel roll. The flavor was not as bold as I was hoping for, but the meat was very tender. The loaded fries were just decent, but the mild swiss cheese sauce that they were covered with was worth every bite. If the sauce was not hitting the fry, then I was no longer interested.
I was mostly looking forward to their fried pickles, and they were everything I was hoping for; crispy, thin cut, and salty. The horseradish sauce was also an excellent pairing. We will definitely return to try their regular menu one day when we have an abundance of money and a craving for some fried foods.Listed in: Gainesville Late Night Dining
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Review from Justine B.
Gainesville, FL
8/6/2011
The top is a staple in downtown Gainesville. Everyone's been, and everyone likes it.
All the food I've tried has been good. They offer both delicious vegetarian and non vegetarian options. The widower is delicious! But as the name implies it's by no means healthy. Lots of meat, lots of bacon, lots of cheese. Be sure to try the corn nuggets and sweet potato fries!
If you're going at night be prepared to wait for a table as they are usually pretty busy. The service is ok, but can get pretty slow.
It is a bit hipster-y and the decorations are very eclectic. But it's a great place to go for a good meal and a good drink. -
Review from Andrew C.
Granted I've only dined here once (and that will probably be the only time unless I ever sack up and go to The Fest) but I fail to see why there's so much hating. Driving around Gainesville on a lazy Sunday morning didn't yield too many breakfast options. Satchel's was closed, the bars weren't open, and I sure as shit wasn't going to be eating at IHOP, feel me?
The Top was open and fit the bill perfectly.
I loved the weird artwork spread throughout and how dark and almost tropical it was in there with the palms and what not. I was seated quickly by a nice gent who I swear is in one of the bands in my iTunes rotation. Ordered up water on account of Gainesville's "NO BOOZE UNTIL 1PM YOU DRUNK BASTARDS!!!" city ordinance. Lame.
Quite a few things on the menu looked enticing but I went with one of the brunch specials; breakfast tacos. Yes. Oh yes.
I totally expected some Tex-Mex nonsense but what came out was surprisingly good. I had a heap of potatoes, and two good sized tacos with scrambled eggs, salsa and some other fixings on top. The meal set well. Not too heavy, not too light.
From my table in the back by the photo booth, it looked like The Top could be a pretty cool place for some drinking or just dining on what I believe to be pretty awesome food. The cool servers paid great attention to the water line in my glass and even offered some directions for a music crazed tourist to the No Idea Records compound.
That was worth an extra dollar when it came to be tip time.Listed in: Florida, We're G-A-I-N-E-S-V-I-L-L-E,…
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Review from Johnny L.
2/14/2011
The Top is one of the better places to eat and drink in Downtown Gainesville. The food is great (most of it) and the drinks are real cheap on certain nights. Late nights, you gotta be 21+ to get in. The atmosphere is pretty unique. It's pretty much a "sports bar" for hipsters. But the service is great, people are friendly, and food is good. Hours piss me off though....can never tell when this place is open. This place is weird in that you can have a fancy dinner or just have some drinks with friends. (Versatility might be the word I'm looking for)
In any case....did I mention the food? Great burgers....but I was VERY disappointed when they took my favorite one off the menu. I used to get the Last Buccaneer burger (Huge Bacon and Pan-Seared Scallops on a Burger!? Fantastic). Unfortunately, they removed it. (i think that Single-handedly docked this place from 5 stars to 4 stars for me). The burger was the best burger I had eaten in all of Florida. (Closest thing to a foodgasm you can reach)
They have a lot of different specials everyday. I've had fish tacos here (amazing by the way). The fish tacos were fried cod with coleslaw and a creamy sauce. The sweet potato fries are a local favorite. The crab cakes were awful though. Didnt sit well with me. The duck breast was fantastic (I had it rare) but it was too pricey for me to get a second time. Corn nuggets here are overrated....theyre pretty much the same everywhere. For dessert, chocolate bourbon torte is a must. My buddy in culinary school now still has wet dreams about that thing. (It's unhealthy how much he enjoyed it) Essentially, its a slice of sweet chocolate cake with a strong hint of bourbon.
They also have a pretty big beer selection. Lots of different kinds and they have specials on them on certain nights. Parking is crap. This place is definitely one of those places you have to try. It's a little pricey, so you can come here when you want to celebrate or something. But definitely get your butt over there sometime. -
Review from Ka T.
5/1/2011
I am so turned off by this place, the service is the worse i have EVER seen starting with the front hostess. If it wasn't for my friends wanting to go there and not being familiar with this area, i would have walked out.
I went up to this hostess guy and friendly asked about where we stand on being seating, he reacted like Im from a different planet and why am I talking to him. There were others in the area who dropped their jaw as well.
The meals seemed to take forever and out dinner ended up lasting 10 times longer then it needed which included when i took the bill to the front hostess stand and explained to the hostess we were in a hurry cause our dinner took forever. She responded that she cant take it and i asked politely if she could find my server and give it to him. (keep in mind its was like 11pm at night and we were like one of the last tables in the restaurant and the hostess didn't have a lot to do) she responded with "Well it will just sit there" referring to the checks. I politely asked again, to please hand this to our server and walked away.
However the food itself was decent, but the services just made the experience horrible. I hear restaurants in the area come and go all the time and i got a feeling this will be one of them. -
Review from David A.
We loved this place. Great atmosphere. Went their for Sunday Brunch while visiting my daughter at University of Florida. Had an awesome Black Bean burger and sweet potato fries. My daughters both loved their meals. Devon had a special. It was some sort of coffee cake batter dipped and served as french toast. Not sure it was the main meal or dessert but she loved every bite. Taylor had an egg white omelette with asparagus that was cooked perfectly.
Funky, indie place with cool decor and lots of vegan options. Tops on my list the next time I visit. -
Review from Tiffany C.
Gainesville, FL
2/18/2011
Very cool place that my friend Johnny L recommended me to go for my birthday since I wanted to try something new. Most of my friends got burgers and they were really good, the meat actually had taste and it's not like burgers that you get in Friday's or Chilis.
Instead of burger I decided to try the San Diego chicken. The chicken came stuffed with crab, corn and gouda. It was good, except a little on the heavy side with all that cheese. We had corn nuggets as appetizers and sweet potatoes fries. Those are a must try. You can substitute fries for sweet potatoes fries for an additional charge with your bugers.
Burgers were around $9 something. I feel that if you are planning to get burger and you are willing to pay around $9 for it then give The Top a try. -
Review from Lindsay S.
Tallahassee, FL
6/12/2011
I think this is my favorite place to eat, ever. Gainesville has some amazing food for being an otherwise mediocre college town.
But I digress. While this is typically a college hipster/bearded bicycling boys sort of restaurant, my whole family (3 generations) loves it so we go for regular family nights out when I'm home or for special occasions.
My "Death Row meal" (no joke) is an appetizer of hot sweet potato fries, pecan encrusted tofu over vegan caesar salad with a slice of ciabatta and a wedge of lemon, and a giant piece of vegan chocolate cake. Oh, that cake. One slice is enough for 2-3 people. The cake is moist and rich and the frosting is like decadent mousse or pudding. It is also not $9 a slice like the other good vegan cake in town at Sisters. The rum cake is not nearly as good, so just get something else. My mom especially loves the giant peanut butter pie. It's probably 4 or 5 inches tall all the way through.
For the omnivorously inclined, there are always interesting burger or fish specials and a whole page of sandwiches on the back of the menu. You can choose options from each category until you have what you want. My dad likes the bleu cheese burger, while an old boyfriend of mine always ordered the "Mastadon burger". It was huge and included what I think was chipotle sauce, onion rings on top, and a side of purple slaw.
One time my friend and I had a hankering for a cherry coke, so the server got creative and made them out of coke and grenadine syrup. It was wonderful. I have rarely had slow or bad service, maybe a bit slow when they're slammed busy.
I love that The Top is open late (2 am for the bar), but the regular restaurant does seem to have weird hours during the day and evening. Consistent hours for lunch and dinner would definitely help. I love the vegan french toast for Sunday brunch, and the new back porch is pretty cute. Parking is, however, kind of lousy unless it's after hours and you can park at the state attorney's office (I guess that is the building?) across the street. Avoid paying $5 for the parking garage if at all possible.
I hope this didn't come off as fanatical. I'm just really excited for that cake when I go home next weekend. -
Review from Art L.
Kendall, FL
11/25/2011
Just ate here with my son, his roommate and his gf. I must say that I thought the whole experience was quite nice. I started out with a margarita, which was good not great. The menu is quite extensive and I would have liked to have tried several of the many variety of dishes they serve. I especially like that they cater to the vegetarian and carnivore equally, something you don't find very often anywhere. Being a carnivore, I took a vegetarian dish - pasta covered with tomatoes, artichokes, olives, bell peppers and onions tossed with olive oil and garlic - and added grilled shrimp. It was excellent. Everyone else had one of their many variety of "burgers", which can be a traditional burger or a chicken filet, or a black bean burger or falafel burger for the vegetarian. They serve these burgers about 15 different ways. No one was disappointed, and the whole bill with drinks came in at under $100 with tip. The service was a tad slow but attentive. A strong recommendation for "The Top".
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Review from Corie S.
Gainesville, FL
10/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This place is great for a night out with your friends or date night. Awesome variety of cuisine options. Great burgers and sandwichs and nice appetizers (corn nuggets and sweet potato fries!). Full bar and ecclectic/hipster ambience. Fun photobooth and outdoor areas. Has DJ on popular nights. Definitely need to try at least once. I like to bring people from out of town because it is a special place that lends itself to a good time by all!
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Review from Thomas B.
Gainesville, FL
12/12/2010
I'm a huge fan of this place!
The food is excellent (the cesar salas is the best I've ever had). Combine that with the funky decor and eclectic vibe and their fantastic beer selections....
This is one fun place to visit for an outstanding meal! -
Review from Bryne Y.
Orlando, FL
4/17/2011
Most everyone loves The Top. I think it's pretty, pretty, pretty good, but not great.
A few years ago I had a buffalo tempeh sandwich here that was honestly the best sandwich I'd ever eaten in my life up to that point. Impressive, considering the frequency of my sandwich habit. It'd been downhill ever since, though; I ordered the same sandwich a couple of weeks ago and it was pretty bland. Call me old-fashioned, but I expect any dish with the adjective "Buffalo" to be spicy, and that was hardly the case here. Bummer.
Well, I changed my order on my most recent visit and wouldn't ya know it, the sandwich this time (a tempeh reuben) was pretty damn good. Nice and flavorful. You'll never mistake it for corned beef, but for a vegetarian it's quite the treat. Great sweet potato fries. Oh, and get the corn nuggets as an appetizer--delicious!
The service here is usually pretty good. Could be a bit faster at times, but it's a busy place. I get it. The decor has always been unique and fun to look at. Great beer selection and a full liquor bar. Like most GNV restaurants, a far more enjoyable place to visit when The Fest ISN'T happening. -
Review from K M.
Gainesville, FL
5/10/2011
The menu selection isn't that appealing to a non-vegetarian, and they definately gave their steak the "go-away" price. (everything else on the menu is moderately priced) What do have is very good though, there are 2-3 dishes that I really like, and they are so good I would go back there and just order the same 2 things each time.
I love the decorations, and the atmosphere, its a beautiful place to eat.
Also, its a hipster bar at night playing a really eclectic mix of music which is refreshing. Its not just the uber-indy obscure music.
Also, they have some nice tables that are intimate, it is a great date location.
