It has amazing food! It is a little overpriced, but probably due from stuff being imported. I don't like goat cheese at all, but their Boursin was amazing!! For sure going back. read more

Alpin Bistro - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Terrible service. Arrived around 5:30, and we were seated within 5 minutes. 15 minutes passed before we ever got menus or water. (Could have been ready on the table.) None of the wait staff even acknowledged us. When the waitress did arrive with a sticky menu, we quickly had our order taken because by then, we had sat there for 25 minutes. Ordered a sandwich, a cheese board, and two drinks. We figured the drinks and cheese board would be out quickly because...it's a cheese board. My boyfriend approached the waitress at the bar and asked if we could move outside (because it was a bit noisy.) Without looking up she replied,"Whaaaaaaaat????" Wow, great response. Someone else let us go outside; she did not even attempt to look up or help us, and this was our waitress. After waiting an hour after arrival, only one of our drinks made it to the table, so we finished the one and left. Wish I could comment on the food, but I never saw it. Overall, the staff was unorganized, unaware, and unable to serve a menu that is comprised of mostly ready-made dishes. We will not return. Afterwards, we went to Crane Ramen where we were seated AND SERVED within 20 minutes. read more

This place is amazing. A refreshing change for the Gainesville food atmosphere. I always order the Le croque Saumon which comes with a nice salad. Also check their cheese and fruit trays. I continue ordering takeout to have their awesome food at home. read more

My partner and I were interested in visiting Alpin, because we wanted a new date spot with vegan options, quality bar offerings, and a nice atmosphere. Alpin met and exceeded our expectations on all fronts. The decor really is a slice of France transplanted here in Gainesville, with pleasant music, Edison lighting, and an open kitchen layout. We ordered the Vegan Trio to get a taste of all of their main vegan plates, the foie gras, cashew cheese and olive and fig tapenade, all served with slices of bread for spreading on, and various fruits, nuts and pickled vegetables for topping. The faux gras and cashew cheese were close contenders for my favorite of the three. The faux gras seems to get most of its flavor from mushrooms, but matches the smooth oily texture and savory bite of faux gras, and even comes with a layer of vegetable fat on top. I would recommend eating the faux gras with the pickled red cabbage and onions on top. The cashew cheese is just as close to its non-vegan counterpart, with a prominent flavor of dill and garlic. I would recommend the cashew cheese with walnuts and lemon juice on top for an even more savory bite, or with the dried cranberries and lemon juice for a sweet tangy bite. The olive tapenade was our least favorite of the night, the mint and fig flavors overpowered the flavor of the olives, and there wasn't enough acidity to cut through the sickly sweet flavor of the figs and mint combination. I would recommend the olive tapenade with the pickled onion and red cabbage on top to add some acidity to the bite. To drink I started off with a Monaco, which was a fantastic lager cocktail, very crisp tasting while not too sweet. Next I opted for something more bold with the Black Velvet stout and champagne cocktail, which had a very hearty and bold kick to it, almost like a crisp but bold cold brew coffee with plenty of alcohol in it. The service was exceptional here. We were given another plate of sliced bread before we even ran out of the first, and had plenty of bread for all of the spreads. There was always someone willing to pause and take our drink orders, and both the food and drinks came quickly and exactly how we wanted them. The staff was knowledgeable about both their alcohol selections and their food, and helped us to find great drink pairings for our food. Overall I can't speak any more highly of Alpin's ambiance. It's a great wine and beer bar with a wide selection and interesting cocktails, as well as innovative and delicious vegan options to accompany your drinks. I would recommend anyone trying to class up their bar experience or impress a date to give Alpin a try. read more

This place is great. Food and atmosphere is nice. Wine is tasty but the pours a little light. Also menus is a bit hard to read. Overall, it's great To have piece of France in gainesville. Definitely worth going. read more

Tucked out of the way on SW 2nd St. the Alpin Bistro is a unique and very pleasing restaurant in the Gainesville. You enter the unassuming building directly in sight of the open kitchen where the chefs are creating their masterpieces. The dining area tends to be a bit loud when it's crowded....and it is usually crowded. To the left though is a small enclosed terrace with several small tables. This is my choice of seating. It feels intimate and welcoming. For diners into the pleasures of the grape, the wine list is seductive yet reasonable. The tap has only four choices, but each one is unique to this restaurant. Lots of bottles on the list also. The menu is classic French bistro with daily specials to also entice you. I personally love the appetizers followed by one of the delicious quiches. The classic croque sandwiches are also popular. The bottom line is..... Ce repas était vraiment très bon! read more

Best restaurant in Gainesville. Everything on the menu is amazing and they source their food locally. Service is top notch. I cannot recommend this place enough. read more

Let me start with the positives: the interior is adorable! I loved the decor and ambiance. We walked in and we were seated right away on a Saturday at 6:30. We waited a little longer for our waitress to greet us than I would have liked, but they were busy so it's understandable. We ordered our drinks. Wonderful selection or beers and wines! I had a glass of prosecco and my boyfriend got a very delicious German beer. We ordered the warmed Brie tapas. The Brie was delicious! The ingredients were very fresh! We only had appetizers but the food at the tables around us looked just as delicious. The cons: let me start by saying these cons would not stop me from coming back. I would however probably not come for dinner, just sit at the bar and get drinks and tapas. We were served our food and then never given utensils, plates or napkins. We ended up managing with our fingers and the knife that came with the Brie. But then our fingers were messy. Our waitress finally came by after we were finished eating and we asked her for a napkin. We were given ONE napkin for the two of us. Again, I'm not very picky so this didn't bother me too much, but I just felt as if it should be common sense to bring plates, utensils and napkins to a table that is being served food. I will be coming back for another go for the drinks! The desserts also sounded wonderful! read more

I've been wanting to try this place out since it opened and I finally made it over here and I have to say I was totally blown away. I'm a tough critic, but I have to say that the Croque-Monsier sandwich was the best I've had in Gainesville and tbh probably one of the best I've had in general. It was exactly what you would expect of a French sandwich, packed with delicious meat and cheese and BURSTING with flavor. I paired it with a very nice glass of French Bordeaux and finished off my lunch with a delicious cappuccino. The atmosphere was super laid back, they had chill reggae jam music playing in the background that was so good that I had to ask what radio station it was. The staff was friendly and the service was on point. They also have a nice patio area if you prefer to eat outside. Prices were average, about what you would expect for an establishment of this quality. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Pros: Enjoyed the drink I ordered, and the cheese plates were good. I went with a group and we tried two varieties of cheese plates and enjoyed both. Cons: Myself and 3 member of my party had the tart of the day, which was cheese, tomatoes, and anchovies. I'm aware that anchovies are a salty ingredient, but the entree was the saltiest dish I've ever eaten, and I couldn't taste the other ingredients. I drank a lot of water and felt I still needed more over an hour or two after I left the restaurant. I don't want to speak for everyone but I think my other friends who had the tart were also not pleased. However, I tried the salmon croque that my friend had and liked it, so maybe the tart was just not a good option. Overall I felt disappointed by the quality versus the price, and wouldn't return unless a friend insisted. read more

Gainesville leans towards all the same, all the time. Alpin offers an incredible alternative to our typical American fare. Their brunch alone is always five star, just like their staff. This is THE ONLY restaurant in Gainesville that has consistent excellent staff, which we all know is Gainesville's weak spot. Live entertainment and the best desserts in town are always something to look forward to. They made my 16 year old godson a birthday party that he and his friends still talk about today. Beautiful decor, ambience and an enthusiastic staff makes it a regular stop here in Gainesville. Highly recommended and reliably delicious. read more

I've lived in Gainesville for years and only just stumbled across this place while coming back from Flaco's on an awful first date. I was immediately charmed by the intoxicating smell of the ingredients they were using in the kitchen (which happens to be right in the middle of the room), the sound of the live two-piece band, and the beautiful French woman who greeted us. I wish that I hadn't eaten prior; the food looked and smelled absolutely incredible! We sat at the bar and got dessert- the mousse is delightful. Though my picky date didn't like the creme brûlée and sweet wine that the owner recommended, I found both of them very good and after his complaints the owner took it off his bill. I am only giving this place four stars (for now!) because it's a bit pricey for my grad student budget, and I didn't try much of the menu, but I am absolutely looking forward to coming back and exploring more! The perfect date night place in Gainesville! read more

I'd been longing to try this place for quite some time. French food is one of my favorites. It seems to be pretty popular since it's looked full almost every time I've passed by it. It's a smaller restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. My friend and I came here for dinner on a Friday around 7pm with fingers crossed we'd be able to snag a table and surprisingly we were able to pretty easily. They were hosting some larger groups and I could see how it would be a cute place for a birthday dinner. Inside it's open concept with a larger bar area where you can watch them prepare drinks and food. The menu is a little limited and doesn't feature many hot dishes. It's comprised mostly of charcuterie, cheeses, spreads and croque monsieurs. The drinks menu is strong with sparkling cocktails and an array of wines. I ordered the escargot from the tapas menu and the sundried spread which was a goat cheese and herbs spread served with crostinis. It was all rich and delicious. For dessert I had the affagato which was a scoop of vanilla ice cream, toasted almonds and a pour of hot espresso over it. Oh my god it was soooo good. I'm a big coffee lover so it was the perfect dessert for me. I want to go back today just for that. Yum. The service was good and the atmosphere was relaxed. I really enjoyed my experience and I'm glad I tried Alpin. Can't wait to return. read more

Alpin Bistro - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Our favorite local restaurant. Great for birthdays & anniversaries, but most especially for a weeknight out.

Authentic, calming atmosphere. Friendly staff. Amazing drinks and food. I will 100% be returning. Such a great place to go to a casual, classy drink with friends! read more

We had a wonderful light dinner at Alpin last weekend! We ordered an antipasto plate which was beautiful and delicious along with a quiche and soup. The service was excellent and friendly and the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. Highly recommend Alpin for a great experience! read more

I grew up in France and I love this place. Found it by accident. Fantastic mix of tastes without trying too hard. Quaint and cute seating area outside. Very romantic for a wine and some regional flavors from France read more

Sita M. I NEVER GRABBED the waitress's arm. I was there with my wife, and our daughter's boyfriend and three other women. One was the boyfriend's mother. My daughter, who posted the review chose that restaurant because my wife and I were taking the boyfriend's Mother out as this was the first time we met her. She was astonished at the behavior of your employee as well. That is a complete lie and everyone at the table was astonished at the behavior of that waitress. And your employee could not open the bottle properly. And my wife did not post the review, that was my daughter who is employed by the University of Florida. My daughter is a Registered Dietician and saw first hand how rude your staff was. I asked for another waitress, and that person was even ruder. In fact, when I was paying she even insulted my wife. And as to the wine, they brought it out in a decanter and you could tell that they pushed the cork through. And I will give you a tip. The French don't throw fried eggs on their cooking. Because of your conduct, I will file a Complaint with the Florida Attorney Generals Office. I read several reviews of your restaurant and it appears that you have a history of rudeness and racism. Sita M. You have an excuse for everything. I read several reviews, and you always have something to say. Why don't you try hiring individuals that want to be kind and courteous to individuals that want a fine meal. Being nice goes very far. My experience at your restaurant went downhill when I told the waitress that she was opening the bottle wrong. She should have said thank you, listened, and just open the bottle. You also need a new ventilation system. read more

I want to like this place I really do. But. We came here for a celebration dinner on a Saturday night with my mom who was in town visiting. We ordered wine and a cheese plate, both of which were great. However, when we tried to order our dinners we were told that they had run out of both types of bread needed for 95% of the dishes on the menu. This left us with one special as an option for dinner. With no other options we all ordered the special which ended up being pretty disappointing. It was the first time my gf has failed to finish a meal. When we asked about dessert we were told they were out of the item we wanted. If we had gone to dinner at midnight that would be one thing but it was 8pm on a Saturday night! Our waitress was kind and apologetic but we were all pretty bummed about our celebration dinner :( read more

I don't have enough good things to say about this place! If you've been in Gainesville long enough you might remember when it was Club Spank. However, say goodbye to the old walking cess pool and hello to a place that has been completely gutted and remodeled into a beautiful, warm, and inviting space that is a perfect date night spot! I went with my boyfriend and we sat at the bar. We were serenaded by live music all night and were given attentive service throughout our dining experience. The food is unbelievable! Totally matches the amazing vibes of the restaurant. Be sure to order the baked Brie and pear dish. This place adds so much to the ever-growing Gainesville food scene. I'm excited to see what else they're going to come up with once they settle in! read more

The food was absolutely amazing. We had the pear and walnut tart and it was warm and delicious. The sour cream and dark chocolate perfectly complemented the flavor of the pear. My only complaint is that the menu is pretty bare and the service was a bit slow (though they were quite busy), but I will definitely visit again. The ambiance of the place is very calm and relaxed. We'll be back to sample more of their menu for sure! read more

Alpin Bistro - The Pear and Walnut Tart was divine! - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Very nice and cozy place with French charm. Soft music and great wine selection make for a perfect romantic night out or a casual evening. The staff is super friendly and food is great. Creme brûlée is delicious. read more

I so very much want to like this place. But we've tried twice now and I can honestly say, we won't be going back any time soon. The first time, it was very busy. They had just opened so I figured they were still working out some issues. It took FOREVER to get drinks, food, or even to get a waiter to stop by. But we gave it another chance recently for brunch one Saturday. We ordered a pitcher of mimosas. How long can that take to mix 2 solutions together? Well, 20 minutes after ordering them, the waiter came back and mumbled something about our carafe not being brought out yet and then took our food order. I assumed since he realized our drinks weren't out yet that he'd go get the carafe...which had been sitting on the bar for about 10 minutes. It was another 15-20 minutes before the carafe was brought to us. Then we ordered the fresh ricotta that did come out fairly quickly but it seemed rather an odd texture. I'm not a ricotta expert but I've had fresh ricotta in the North End in Boston and it wasn't anything like that. The bacon and onion quiche was very good and the croque monsieur was good...although I'd ordered the croque madame, but her hat (the egg on top) was missing. Everything else had taken so long, though, I didn't bother pointing out the mistake. As I said, I really want to like the place, but the poor service makes it not worth going back. read more

This place is just what Gainesville needs! An adorable, clean and relaxed place with outdoor seating and reliably delicious food and drink. Great service. I look forward to coming back read more

Worst service we've ever had at a restaurant. Sat for 1.5 hours and neither our apps or main course were served. Nothing was done to explain or say sorry by the waitress or manager. Drinks were not comped. Not a chance this place lasts with that kind of service and attitude. Fast food restaurants? We certainly weren't looking for fast food. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect your appetizers to arrive within a hour and a half of ordering. We were excited to try your restaurant but to say it was a major letdown would be an understatement. read more

Escargots is my favorite and the wine list is definitely good. And of course go for a Creme Brûlée dessert.

The smell inside I would pay for!! We had wine and shared a 3 cheese plate. The cured salami was separate cost but delicious. I would have liked some chutney or other sweet element over dried cranberries but it was still tasty. Extra bread was offered. I thought the price was a little high BUT portions were good and could be shared by 3-4 making it more reasonable. I wish the waiter talked louder and gave more recommendations but I guess it was all part of the French experience. read more

Fantastic selection of cheeses, wines, and beers. We really enjoyed the morbier cheese that came with bread and an assortment of fruit. I sampled a few Belgians and loved every single one, while my wife had a few glasses of wine. Our waitress' recommendations were on point. Love this place. Try to sit on the patio if it's open read more

Nice quaint rustic European atmosphere. Great staff and service. Red wine needs to be kept at true cellar temperature.

Since my husband and I moved to Gainesville we've been coming to Alpin on date nights. It's the closest thing to Orsay in the area. Food is pretty good and I like the atmosphere but menu is limited. Their dark chocolate mousse keeps me coming back though, It's amazing. My husband even goes in and takes it to go for me sometimes. That being said I went by there tonight after a long drive back into town to get some of the mousse to go and was met with opposition, no idea why. The brown haired waitress flat out said no and then when I stated I have gotten it to go on multiple occasions she stormed behind the counter while a blonde haired waitress rolled her eyes. Literally do not know why they were so pressed over the mousse? But came up with some excuse about it being in a glass container...even though I've had it given to me in their regular small to go containers which doesn't change the composition of the mousse at all. She then snarkily stated "You definitely can't take the creme brulee to go" even though I didn't ask for that and due to how creme brulee is made that's obvious. Then on top of that they didn't even add the regular fruit toppings. I don't know if they were having a bad day or what but that was inexcusable and extremely poor customer service. I will be taking my business elsewhere which I'm sure they won't mind. Felt like a poorly written episode of the twilight zone. read more

First visit was a memorable experience. Ordered the rustic salad and house rioja: both were excellent. Most house reds leave a lot to be desired so the full flavored red was a pleasant surprise. Service was excellent. We arrived early but by 7ish, the place was very busy. Some of the hard bench seating looked uncomfortable and would have been a deal-breaker for me. Decor is unpretentious. Will return soon. Try the chocolate mousse for sure. read more

Just finished a wonderful meal with my wife seated in the small outside garden. The food was delightfully French with excellent flavors of old world goodness. Fare is locally sourced. Service was excellent with time to enjoy your meal and your company. This is a wonderful addition to Gainesville's local cuisine. I will have no concerns about bringing my out of town guests for a quiet evening and plan on returning soon. Worth a visit, support our local restaurants and farmers. read more

The wait was terrible. It took nearly an hour and a half to get a plate of cheese. The waiter had to ask order multiple times. His face reminded me of the ever expressive grim spectre of death. The food was mediocre and over priced. They were out of half of their wines. read more

Great atmosphere, super friendly and attentive staff, and most importantly, amazing food and drinks. We had a fantastic date here!

First time to Alpin bistro and definitely will be back! Our waiter Stephen was very attentive and gave us great insight on what to get and was very knowledgeable. We ended up getting an appetizer of the classic Brie chaud that had cherries, walnuts, and apple. For entrees we had quiche du jour with salmon and scallions which was very sizable and the other entree was the savory tart with seasonal vegetables that Stephen said only is during the summer. For dessert we had the clafoutis a dessert that's a cross between an egg custard and cake with cherries soaked in amaretto with powdered sugar and whipped cream. Everything came out timely and was fresh and delicious. read more

Heard wonderful things and came with a few locals. Unfortunately, the wait was unbearable, lasting nearly 2 hours. The inefficiency of service was spectacular with an ending of asking for it boxed up. They weren't able to do that properly either. Staff changes and changes in attitude are a must. I cannot imagine this restaurant open for much longer. read more

Very delicious food and drinks. I just went for drinks and appetizers and was impressed. The inside of the restaurant is very quaint and clean. The staff was attentive and prompt. The coffee was both delicious and strong. We ordered the French onion soup which was very flavorful. We also got the chaud brie dish which was not only pleasant in presentation but also very tasty. Looking forward to coming back to trying some of the entrees. read more

I ADORE this place! It's my favorite spot to go on a girls wine night night or a romantic date with my partner. It's an enchanting atmosphere with staff that really care and listen to your tastes! LOVE. read more

I've always enjoyed the food here, however, I had my credit card info stolen two days after I went there. This is the only place I went to during that time frame where someone physically held my card and took it out of my eyesight for a period of time, so be wary. Waiter also disappeared for a large portion of our meal and conveniently returned when it was time to drop the tab. The restaurant was nearly empty from when we got there to when we left. read more

Very select menu but the options are all excellent. Great drinks and service as well. It's a little on the expensive side but definitely worth it read more