Brimming with rich art, history and well-preserved natural beauty, Gainesville in Florida is known for its slower pace of life. Expect to be spoilt for choice here as the outdoor activities you can enjoy include over 100 miles of biking and hiking trails and loads of opportunities for wildlife spotting, as well as a dining scene that’s truly exceptional.
Talking about dining, when it comes to vegan restaurants in Gainesville, FL, this town boasts an incredible selection! Whether you’re looking for traditional comfort food or innovative cuisine, Gainesville has a cuisine scene that doesn’t disappoint!
You’ll find purely vegan restaurants here, as well as some restaurants that serve both meat and vegan dishes – but we just had to include them as their vegan menus are well worth checking out.
So read on to discover some of the best vegan restaurants in Gainesville, FL for you!
Six Exceptional Vegan Restaurants In Gainesville, FL: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. Vegan Gator
We’ve got to start with this super unique vegan food truck which keeps true to Gainesville’s undeniable charm. Vegan Gator has nailed it when it comes to blending into the seamless beauty and special charm of this town. Their 100% plant-based concept, locally sourced ingredients, unrivalled customer service, and quick vegan dishes to-go are a winning combination in our eyes.
This solely vegan food truck whips up delicious artisanal burgers, incredible smothered fries and a wonderful rosemary infused blueberry lemonade that has to be one of the best drinks in town!
But first, we’ve got to talk about their burgers. Vegan Gator’s winning combination of soft bun, well-seasoned patty, grilled onions and garlic aioli has earned this super quirky food truck it’s position as number one on our list of the best vegan restaurants in Gainesville, FL.
We recommend The Surf & Turf Burger which includes vegan Southern fried shrimp, bechamel cream sauce, grilled onions and garlic aioli. Another awesome pick is The Vegan Cowboy which is prepared with BBQ jackfruit, crispy onion, cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce and we love that that all the ingredients are farm to table concept and organic!
We couldn’t recommend their White Truffle & Rosemary Fries enough, as those incredible flavored fries paired with your burger will impress vegan and non-vegans alike.
An added bonus at this food truck is that all their dishes are freshly made in under 15 minutes and their portion sizes are always generous. You’ll also be impressed by the very friendly and enthusiastic customer service – the owner clearly enjoys what he does and you can see that in the service and the food.
Vegan Gator can be on the move sometimes so make sure you follow them on their social media to know their location (find their Instagram by clicking here!).
This vegan restaurant in Gainesville, FL is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 7pm, but is closed on Monday and Sunday.
Address: 220 NW 8th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
2. Plantology
We believe that vegans shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to classic comfort food and taste. And that’s why this eatery goes the extra mile to serve guilt-free, organic, as well as delicious American comfort food ranging from wraps, sandwiches, pasta, burgers to delicious loaded fries.
Plantology is a fantastic 100% plant-based food truck located right at the heart of Gainesville. As it’s situated inside the Midpoint Park & Eatery, you don’t need to just grab and go as they have a lovely outdoor eating space. That outdoor area boasts a grassy area, loads of seating choices such as picnic tables and comfy chairs, as well as cornhole to keep you entertained while you wait for your food.
If you find yourself confused about what to try, then their delicious Mac & Cheeze Burger is a popular choice. As is their Buffalo Ranch Sandwich which is prepared with vegan chicken, tossed in house-made buffalo sauce, ranch drizzle, lettuce and tomato. And to go with either, why not grab the Bacun Chedda Fries.
If you end up visiting on a sunny day, the perfect drink to pair with your food is definitely the chilled Kombuchas on offer. The Legacy Kombucha, which is a blend of orange, mango and sea buckthorn, really gives you a taste of the tropics.
This vegan food truck in Gainesville, FL is open everyday from 11am to 7pm.
Address: 931 SW 2nd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
3. Daily Green
Fresh, crisp, organic and colorful – that’s what this friendly cafe aims for. And let’s be honest, there’s few better places to get your daily greens than the Daily Green! This fantastic vegan cafe in Gainesville, FL is loved by locals, and not only for their colorful dishes, but also because they make a real effort to cater to most dietary needs like those who need to avoid gluten.
This café makes a diverse selection of sandwiches, burritos, waffles, fresh juices and smoothies to match the seasons. Why? Because Daily Green’s team is very passionate about creating seasonal mouth-watering fare with fresh, organic and locally sourced ingredients.
So expect to be impressed by the little creative touches they add to each dish as the Daily Green team whips up some of the most delicious savory and sweet plant-based food in Florida.
When it comes to their cold pressed juices and smoothies, their ‘Daily Activation’ with wheatgrass, lime, ginger and apple is a great pick, especially if you’re looking for a midday boost. As for the smoothies, their simple, yet delicious ‘Daily Berry’ prepared with apple, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, agave and acai, is a real crowd-pleaser too.
This vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Gainesville, FL is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Address: 436 SE 2nd St, Gainesville, FL 32601
4. Karma Cream
If you’re looking for healthy, nutritious and easy grab-and-go food for breakfast, lunch or dinner, then Karma Cream is a great option. Situated just a ten minute walk from the University of Florida, Karma Cream is open earlier than most other vegan restaurants in Gainesville, and on top of that they’re super budget-friendly too.
Curious about the name? Well Karma Cream is an organic ice cream cafe, dishing up some of the best vegan ice cream in the state.
You don’t need to be in an ice cream mood to visit though as this solely vegan restaurant in Gainesville, FL serves sandwiches filled with tasty fresh ingredients, as well as fair-trade organic coffee for your daily caffeine fix.
This place is popular amongst students as its relaxed vibe makes for the perfect study spot. We’ve also got to mention that this very eco-friendly cafe also uses compostable plates and utensils – which is unfortunately still a rarity in other Floridian restaurants.
So you’ve had your coffee, now it’s time to eat! Well we highly recommend their Breakfast Sandwich which is a whole wheat English muffin packed with bacon, tomato, avocado, vegan cheddar and spicy mayo. If you’re on the lookout for a gluten-free option, then their gluten-free Curried Chickpea Salad Wrap will be right up your alley!
If you’re still hungry afterwards, then their chocolate donuts or cookie sandwich with some organic and locally roasted coffee will be a great finisher!
This vegan restaurant in Gainesville, FL is open from Monday to Thursday from 8am to 8pm, Friday from 8am to 10pm, Saturday from 10am to 10pm and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Address: 607 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
5. The Top
Although this restaurant isn’t exclusively vegan or vegetarian, we had to include it on our list of best vegan restaurants in Gainesville FL, due to their appealing selection of vegan choices, as well as the fun and lively atmosphere. They open their doors later in the day and close at 2am, but be assured that this spot is your best bet when it comes to grabbing a late night bite if you’re hungry!
The Top is the place to be for a casual sit down dinner, and is ideal for catching up with family and friends around some food and a large drinks selection. The hip and pub-like feel here thanks to the dim lights, funky decoration, gaming machines and super spacious outside area which is equipped with a patio heater, has created a restaurant where it’s easy to stay for hours.
As for the food, some of their popular vegan dishes include starters such as the Top Nachos and Eggplant Rollatini. While mains include their Seitan Texas Cheesesteak or you can even customize your burger by choosing either a black bean patty or beyond burger patty, as well as trimmings and a side.
Their huge drinks selection caters to all, as it includes loads of different spirits, cocktails, wines, mocktails, as well as beers.
The Top is open everyday from 5pm to 2am, but is closed on Mondays.
Address: 30 N Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601
6. Reggae Shack Café
This place screams vibrant and friendly thanks to its super funky mural paintings, posters and of course, the reggae music playing in the background.
Although not solely vegan or vegetarian, we’re certain that you’ll love Reggae Shack‘s menu as the starters, sandwiches and main dishes perfectly showcase Caribbean and Jamaican cuisine – i.e. lots of flavor and seasoning.
To start with, we highly recommend their Coco Bread (made with coconut of course!), and if you can get your hands on their seasonal crispy Breadfruit then go for it – it’s well worth the hype. As for the mains, their Vegan Steak Sandwich, Jerk Tofu Sandwich and Curry Palm Hearts are winners in our eyes!
We also love that you can choose your preferred spice level here, just be careful as their hot version is off the charts! And if you’re looking for a sweet treat after all that heat, then their decadent Carrot Cake or Coconut Cake are perfect as they’re both vegan!
This restaurant is open everyday from 11am to 10pm.
Address: 619 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
