This place had amazing food, but sadly the service was lacking, but only near the very end of the night. The night started out well - our server was very knowledgeable about the menu, and gave us several recommendations. We ended up going with a goat cheese dish to start as an app, and then split a quiche of the day which has veggies, potatoes, and several cheeses. Finally, to top the evening off we split a bottle of Chianti and had a basil creme brûlée which was off the chain. I can't complain at all about the dinner, I only wish we had come to dinner earlier as there were several specials that they had run out of as the evening progressed. However, the ending of the night was just rough. Around 10pm, before we had ordered dessert, we witnessed our server just leave the restaurant, apparently his shift was over. We waited a while to see if anyone would come by and take over service, but when no one did I got up and went to the bar to ask for a dessert menu. We checked it out, and waited for someone to come take our order (as I assumed by coming to the bar I had made it clear that we needed service... obviously this was not the case). Mind you, the bartender was downing several glasses of Rosé while working. I could care less about you drinking on the job, as long as you provide good service. Anyway I walked back to the bar, placed my order. Dessert was solid as stated above. Then I had to come to the bar to obtain my check. When I got my receipt, the bartender (I imagine slightly drunk by this point) charged me for the wrong tables worth of food, and didn't include the itemized bill when she gave our check back. I had to go ask her to refund our money, and then re-swipe the proper amount. It was entertaining to watch her perform these tasks while inebriated, I'll give her that. Anyway, this really ruined the whole vibe of the place for me. I'll be back to give them another chance, but Alpin should probably consider looking into their customer service, especially on a Saturday night. Pros: Food Cheese Wine selection Cons: Service read more

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Worst service imaginable. Restaurant closed at 10:45 on game day, their closing time is listed as 11 PM The hostess in the past has done her best French impression and is just rude They need to bring back Nester. read more

Much more than drinks!! I've never had a dinner with so many ooh's and aah's. Friday night on Gameday weekends in downtown Gainesville is BUSY, so we found Alpin purely by chance, searching for an availability. The wonderful staff seated us immediately and impressed us through the evening. They were charming and guided us through their diverse options. We had a group of three: Foods: French Onion soup, Classic Cheese Board with Brie and Guyere, Le Croque Monsieur, Quiche (bacon and pumpkin). Drinks: Papillon 75, Pink Panther, Draft Beer (Belgian super pils). Every item delighted! The bread used in the soup and on the Cheese Board was salty and fawned over. The atmosphere is intimate (seating indoor at tables or at the bar; lots of outdoor seating also) and the jazz music was loud enough to give your conversation privacy from others. We think it's suitable for large parties or couples/singles; and all ages. We will be returning! And soon! Try Alpin! read more

Alpin Bistro - French Onion Soup, Classic Cheese Board (Brie & Guyere), Papillon 75 [beverage]. All INCREDIBLE! - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

My recent experience at this restaurant left much to be desired. The service was a letdown, and there was a messy mishap that added to the disappointment. The menu didn't offer much variety, which was a bit underwhelming as half of the menu was unavailable. This is absolutely not a place to go if you are dairy intolerant. Nevertheless, I decided to order a bowl of soup and the Chorizo appetizer. To my surprise, the soup portion was incredibly small, which was fine. Unfortunately, things took a messy turn when the waitress accidentally spilled the hot liquid from the Chorizo dish on me. It was quite a surprise, and I ended up with a bit of a mess on my clothes. What made it worse was that they didn't provide any warning about the dish's temperature as I reached to grab it from fully spilling on my clothes and burned my hand. They handed me some napkins and a small cup of water to clean up. On top of that, my friends ordered wine, taking advantage of the "buy one get one free drinks" offer. However, despite reminding the waitress multiple times, they never received their second glass until our meal was finished. To make matters worse, when the bill arrived, we were charged for all the glasses, which was definitely not what we expected. Overall, the service was disappointing, and the mishap with the spill added an extra layer of frustration. While the food itself was decent, the lack of attention to detail and the underwhelming response to the incident left a sour taste in our mouths. If you're looking for a smooth and enjoyable dining experience, I would suggest exploring other options. There are certainly places out there with better service and a greater focus on customer satisfaction. We were surprised how much the mood changed after the spill and the standoffish manor of the staff, the atmosphere is overall nice however. read more

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I have lived in Gainesville for eight years and had no idea that this place existed. It is amazing. Everyone in my group got something different and loved their food. I will definitely be back. read more

Alpin Bistro - Quiche was great! - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Loved the cute and cozy atmosphere! The staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating as well when my friend and I went. My favorite dish was the charcuterie board with the chorizo, apple, and cheese spread. The saltiness of the chorizo balanced out really nicely with the fruits/sauce. I do wish the portions were larger, given the price, but aside from that, I would definitely recommend this place! read more

Alpin Bistro - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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This was my first time eating French cuisine, and I'd say I was impressed! My friend and I ordered the escargot which was a perfect appetizer to start. But I can understand why it's be unnerving to start! Snail isn't a common food to eat, and yet I highly recommend being adventurous and try it. We went on a Tuesday, and they do all-day happy hour and $12 le croques (a hot sandwich with ham and cheese between sourdough bread). Their signature cocktails are delicious, but their wine selection is larger and is best to pair your entrees. They also do cheeseboards!If you're interested in charcuterie, then you could order this and try. However, it's $18 for one cheese on the board-- $20 for two and $23 for three. Though it may come with bread and such, it's more value if you buy ingredients to put together your own board. I ordered the croqueta saumon with an egg. It's more filling than it looks, so in the end it was worth the price point. However, the side salad was a bit bitter for some of the greens. The ambiance was intimate and would make a great date night spot or a night with good friends. Overall, the experience was enjoyable and I would come back. I'd love to try other items on the menu. Please check this place out if you've wanted to try French cuisine! read more

Alpin Bistro - Escargot - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Alpin has a great selection of white and red wines (reasonably priced). Pair the wine with one of the many charcuterie boards which are assembled to perfection. The service is also great which adds to the overall experience. No worries if you can't pronounce the French items, they will help you. Alpin is perfect for a romantic evening or simply to gather with friends and family. Unique option in Gainesville. read more

Alpin Bistro - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Excellent food, great service, and dreamy atmosphere! When the weather is right, sit outside!

Just recently tried Alpin for the first time. Went for brunch and the food was some of the best I've ever had. Must try the Nutella crepe and the croque madame. read more

Alpin Bistro - Nutella crepe - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Our friends rave about Alpin and we finally had the chance to stop in while visiting Gainesville. We had an absolutely delightful experience. There was a bit of a wait, but faster than the estimated wait time. We sat on the patio for brunch and our server was so nice. She greeted us immediately and we had drinks before we knew it. The patio was quiet enough for conversation and felt tucked away. The ham/cheese buckwheat crepe is amazing! We tried a couple different ciders that we also fantastic. Highly recommend this place and we will definitely back our next visit in Gainesville (hopefully for dinner to try the rest of the menu)! read more

Delicious drinks, food, and atmosphere. Not the comfiest seating arrangements and service is slow. I had the French onion soup which was quite delicious. The escargot was not particularly impressive. You can tell the restaurant cares about high quality ingredients and presentation. Just be prepared for a long wait for food. read more

Alpin Bistro - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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My first time here was underwhelming and I'm in no rush to return. I had a drink at the bar, wine, and the chorizo appetizer. Positives: the pastis was reasonably priced, the chorizo was good, and the wine was ok. I didn't order any croques or quiches but the ones at the table next to me looked amazing and the specials all sounded great. They also have morcilla. For these things, I will likely return. Negatives: I assume the owner is French or Swiss and likes their pastis a certain way. But having lived in Paris for three years and Europe for nearly a decade, I've never had pastis with so much ice. The least you can do is ask before serving a drink that is difficult to actually drink because of the amount of ice and in a glass that makes it even harder. The server was nice but forgot our dessert order (which we didn't end up getting to eat), forgot to bring us wine we ordered for half an hour, and brought the wrong plate. I'm not sure if the server is new but this was ridiculous by the end. My biggest issue was that the wine selection is way overpriced. 58 bucks for mediocre pouilly fume and 40 for a beaujolais villages is like a sick joke. It just gets worse from there in terms of the price quality ratio. There are no decent wines at the 30-35 dollar mark. The 32 dollar Chardonnay is a 20 dollar bottle at best in a restaurant. And the worst part is that the glasses came out twice smelling like dirty water. If you're going to sell overpriced wine, at the very least, don't do it in a glass in which the overwhelming aroma is dirty water. Maybe the import taxes make it hard to sell wine cheaper, but there's no excuse for that smell. I would return for a pastis (1/4 ice) and a croques and likely be very happy with the outcome. read more

I really loved my time at Alpin Beer and Wine. I believe it is a very unique gem in Gainesville. The food was delicious and creativity prepared. It has a cozy, casual atmosphere. The drinks were not impressive (reason for 4.5 stars not 5) but my adult daughter thought the hot chocolate was the best she had ever had. Beautiful, tasty salad, cheese plate, soup and the quiche was so delicious that I tried to buy one for Christmas breakfast... but alas, many other people must have had the same idea ... next time I will plan ahead.. loved the dessert as well. The live music was amazing. Would absolutely recommend.! read more

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This place is a gem. We stopped here for a girls night and it surpassed all of my expectations. They were able to sit all 14 of us on a busy night which was awesome. Although they were busy and the service was slow, it was worth it. We shared two cheese boards and I enjoyed the chianti which was delectable. The blue cheese and the brie were my absolute favorites. I am so glad this place is in Gainesville! read more

Alpin Bistro - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

I recently went here for dinner with my partner and we both loved it! The atmosphere was fantastic and so was the food. It was nice to try European dishes that are not so easily found in Florida, and to have good wine paired with it. I am not a wine expert by any means but that's ok because the staff offered recommendations which I enjoyed. My favorite part of the meal was probably the Brie appetizer! And the seasonal desserts are also a must try! read more

Came here for their happy hour and got the salmon croque monsieur. It was yummy. Unfortunately their website is not updated and states that on Tuesdays they have $12 croques , but that is no longer the case. They have $2 off all croques and drink prices have also changed. Overall a cool ambience, but a little pricey for gainesville imho. I would return for the food, but only on Tuesdays. read more

Alpin Bistro - Le Croque Saumon - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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I've been coming here for years now. The quiche of the day is my go to and it never fails to impress. The dessert menu has lots of gluten free options which is fantastic. The gluten free buckwheat crepes at Saturday brunch are incredible. I wish they were on the menu all week long. read more

This is my third time trying out Alpin and this restaurant never fails to be better every time I visit! My big and I went for dinner around 7PM on a Thursday night and it wasn't too busy! But when we left around 9PM, it was packed. Tip: go earlier! We were seated immediately and was given the special of the day which we pretty much order from, haha. These dishes are so unique and delicious. We started off with the leek soup - creamy and subtle! The taboulé, merguez, zaalouk with house roasted bell pepper hot sauce had the perfect combination. The zaalouk eggplant dish was roasted with the bell pepper which it was filled with exotic flavors. The zaalouk mixed so well with the taboulé rice! I do have to say the merguez which was the lamb sausage was bland and lacking something to it. But, I think that was the purpose of the dish since everything else in that dish was flavor-filled. My favorite entree was the bacon and potato quiche! It was such a large portion and you honestly can't go wrong with this dish. Lastly, we order the dessert of the day, lemon and basil creme brulee. I cannot stress how yummy this dessert was! It's an interesting combination but yet, so good. Best part was the caramelized sugar on top! Attentive service, unique and appetizing dishes, and warming/comfortable environment! I highly recommend checking out Alpin with your friends or family! read more

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Alpin Bistro has a great ambiance, it is very decorative and trendy inside. The french onion soup is the best I have had and served in very neat soup bowls. I really enjoyed the wine and cheese boards as well, and the bread is made in house. Overall, it was a great dining experience. read more

Such a cute little spot! I went here to enjoy wine, live music, and some cheese with a friend and I was not disappointed in any way. A cozy little spot tucked into Downtown, if you blink, you may miss it. The decor makes me feel like I'm back in France, or in a dainty little apartment in some city far away from Gainesville, I love it. Along with the cute aesthetics, the menu will make you even happier. With a wide array of wine, bubbly and beer options, I enjoyed the wine and wine cocktails! Of course, when I visited Alpin, I put my dairy-free life behind me because I had my eyes on some cheese to match with my wine and it was amazing! Looking for a cute date night or a chill night out? Alpin should be at the top of your list! read more

This place taps into the small French cafe aesthetic PERFECTLY! It is worth every penny you spend, all decently priced for what you get. The staff was extremely friendly, the interior and atmosphere was incredible, and the food was absolutely mouth watering, as well as the drinks. Would return over and over again if I wasn't a broke college student. read more

Alpin Bistro - Le Faux Gras Plate Le Croque Monsieur Quiche - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Staff so accommodating to my dietary needs, loved the wine and ambiance. They have indoor and a nice outdoor patio in the back. I definitely have to visit again and I recommend anyone visiting Gainesville to visit here!! They also have vegan dessert which is nice and a rotating menu weekly so there's always something new to try! read more

Alpin Bistro - French onion soup - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Super cute place in Gainesville and our server was absolutely lovely. It's a perfect brunch place! I ordered a buckwheat crepe with salmon, goat cheese, and capers. It was a bit too salty for my taste, but the cafe crema cut the saltiness. My favorite dish definitely had to be the Croque Madame. It was a delicious baked sandwich with a perfectly cooked egg on top! I definitely recommend this place for a cute outing with the girls or a date spot! read more

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Alpin is a delight. Run by a Swiss gentleman, his wife, and a young Parisian lady, they know what's up and how to prepare the type of simple French bistro fare they offer. The interior is a tremendous renovation of the dark and dingy Motor Room space into a rustic yet hip and inviting restaurant that indeed could be in Paris or Lyon. The muted grey paint scheme and innovative use of lighting will make this space cozy whether day or night, and downright romantic in the latter portions of the evening, which is all the better since they do stay open late (to around midnight, perhaps beyond). My croquet monsieur sandwich came with a small, fresh, side salad and a tasty yet non-intrusive dressing based in quality olive oil--yes, quality enough you could well taste it in the dressing's composition. The sandwich itself was a true version of the French classic, perfectly prepared and the cheese, ham, and bread clearly were fresh--the owner explained he was still sourcing the very best bread for the sandwich and trying several locally-baked breads out but I assured him that whatever he used today was just fine. The owners are very friendly and enthusiastic about their small yet wonderful restaurant. They love to talk about France and French food and also are committed to a modest yet well-considered list of wines (mostly French) and beer. I didn't have any alcohol but their list of wines is impressive though truncated--they've done a heroic job of making fine choices instead of just buying an endless smattering of bottles. Gainesville has needed something of this tenor and I'm elated we now have this fine restaurant and am excited to see it grow and probably even add more to its menu. read more

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Always really good. It's one of those places I don't want to tell anyone about because seating is somewhat limited.

Everything we've ever eaten or sipped there has been delicious. It's definitely hipster, but in a good way. In cooler weather, their little patio is nice. read more

Miles away and weeks later, I still crave Alpin brunch. As a prior fan of late-night Alpin, I had high expectations of the bistro and am happy to say there were all met. If you've ever eaten something so good that you didn't want to finish it, you'll understand the Alpin crepes. Do not come to brunch expecting a standard menu with scrambled eggs and bacon. Come to Alpin expecting to pay a little more for high quality, uniquely French, healthy yet comforting dishes with some Paris flair. La Norvegienne Absolutely everything in this crepe was delicious, from the savory taste of the thin pancake to the soft texture of goat cheese. The 5 components balanced perfectly together and the crepe is large enough to be quite filling. I would definitely order this crepe again. La Nutella The definition of an indulgence and the perfect end to brunch. While large enough to share, you definitely won't want to. read more

Alpin Bistro - La Nutella - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Great food. We had brie cheese with balsamic and pear, it was AMAZING! The quiche was perfectly made. The onion soup was also great. The service was great, the staff was very friendly, Despite that clearly they were short of people. read more

What can you say when you are left speechless...? YUMMMMMM !!! If you are in Gainesville you MUST come to Alpin Beer and Wine; no excuses SERIOUSLY! The food price compared to the food quality and service value is spectacular and by far unmatched by other places in Gainesville. I will say this is my absolute FAVORITE place in Gainesville. The menu is quite simple, but they have amazing potential to rock more signature dishes. Our server Juliette was the sweetest! -PS. Loved her accent! So.... let me tell you more! My bf and I decided to leave the house after a very stressful semester and came to celebrate his achievements at Alpin. The place feels very homey and the atmosphere is calm, classy, and inviting (I loved the dimmed candle lights). Overall, the restaurant is not very big, but the space distribution is well thought-out, as you are far enough from other visitors and have your own privacy. The food... OMG THE FOOD! We had the escargot to start (I could cry of how good it was) as well as the beet salad (so perfectly fresh). I asked for the salmon quiche and my boyfriend had the oven baked cheese bread with the poached egg on top. The flavors in both dishes were surreal, not too much, not too little, not too dry, not too heavy, just PERFECT! Both dishes had the house salad with a house vinaigrette that made the perfect combo with our main dish. For dessert I really wanted the cream brûlée, but they had already ran out (the make everything the same day; which is probably why everything tastes so freshhh). I am not going to lie, I was a bit disappointed at first because I could imagine the deliciousness of that cream brûlée, but the chocolate-orange tart that Juliette suggested had nothing to envy to that cream brûlée. The tart was SPECTACULAR!! It was big enough for 2 and flavorful enough to leave nothing behind. Usually, it's difficult for me to finish a whole chocolate tart (most of the time it's either too sweet or too heavy), but their tart is so light and refreshing (hello orange) that you could probably eat more than one. The parking can be tricky just because it's downtown Gainesville, but if you are patient you can probably find a spot very close to the place for free past 5PM. The other option is a public parking garage (not sure about rate/hour) right across the street from Alpin. Without any doubts, this place is a gem! I cannot wait to go back. The tapas menu looked amazing, and the wine is very affordable, so if you are looking for a girl's night out this is also THE place to come with your gals to have amazing service and wine ;) read more

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I love this little place. It feels like you step into a café in Paris when you arrive. The food is amazing and the owners are so welcoming! Definitely check it out he next time you are d read more

It is my favorite spot in town. Great food, service, with a legitimate European vibe. Love it!

Wonderful bistro, the atmosphere is definitely French. Staff friendly an attentive. We've been many times, inside and out. If I had something I don't like it isn't something they can fix. If you dine early and a larger group comes from their work the conversation noise is really crazy loud, you can't talk at your table. So I'll be silent and enjoy the food and wine. This is a "go to" spot for French Onion soup, sooooo good. Recently solo it was perfect, soup, bread and wine before going to the Hipp! read more

This place slaps! Food is fire and priced pretty well. The ambience is very welcoming and the server was professional. The food is European influenced with a decent selection of highly priced wine. I ordered the salmon with soft boiled eggs. They gave a large portion of salmon and everything was delicious. This is a great date spot at night or brunch place with friends on the weekends. read more

One of my absolute favorite places to eat! If you dine in you'll enjoy the cozy, sexy and casual atmosphere, but get dressed for date night too - either way the food will put you in a great mood. Fresh and original flavors. LOVE IT! read more

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A favorite spot for date night. Incredible food. Only wish it had a bigger outdoor patio. Highly recommend!

All I have to say is why did I wait so long to come! My experience at Alpin was AMAZING! It's been awhile since I've been wowed with the service, atmosphere, and food, but absolutely EVERYTHING was on point! Amanda was super amazing and helpful and the quiche and chocolate mousse was to die for. Definitely gonna be my new go-to when it comes to girls night or any celebration! read more

We had a top notch first time experience at Alpin tonight. I guess I've always been a bit intimidated by this restaurant thinking it would be too "bougie" or something, but it was delicious, affordable, and a great atmosphere. We had a minimal wait for our party of 5, the hostess told us all of the specials of the day, our server was so sweet and attentive and the food was as authentic as it gets. New favorite restaurant for sure! Highlights were the escargot, the apple/Brie dish, the French onion soup and the creme brulee! read more

We stopped by this place one time before for dessert and drinks and decided that the next chance we got, we'd come back for their food items. My husband was super hungry and pretty skeptical that the food would be enough when we first arrived but was quickly proven wrong and is now obsessed with this spot. We tried lots of different items on the menu, but the best we ate were the Chorizo Flambé au Brandy and Crottin De Champcol. There isn't a lot that I can say about them, because I'm not particularly cultured (read: not at all) when it comes to French food, however, this was the best chorizo we have ever had and we instantly wanted at least eight more servings worth. The Crottin was so surprising. It's goat cheese with honey, lavender, and pears and served with bread to spread it on, and it was gone within moments. Our server recommended the pairing of those two dishes since they are very different, and I highly recommend it now as well. We got a few other items off the menu that were very good, but not as good as the chorizo + Crottin. Also, we didn't get dessert this time, but we got the Afogatto before and the Amaretto paired with the ice cream + espresso is a dream. This is a place we will definitely come back to. Logistical tips: - Parking is easy in the garage across the street. - If the seats by the windows are available, grab them. - There's great places to wander around close by after your meal if you want more drinks + more coffee. read more

My friend and I have been here twice, and we absolutely loved everything we've ordered so far. From drinks through desserts and everything in between, the menu is unique in Gainesville and they do a great job bringing it to life. Service can be a little slow, but it's thoughtful and worth being patient. read more

Alpin Bistro - Espresso - Wine Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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