Finally made it to this GEM of a donut shop in Gainesville! Flatfish GNV is a donut shop that specializes in brioche filled donuts and vegan glazed donuts. Only open Friday through Sunday, they offer a limited selection with monthly rotating flavors, so expect lines out the door. Knowing to expect a line, especially during move-in weekend, my family and I got there about 10min before opening at 10am. There was already a line wrapped around the block! We ended up waiting in line for about 50min before ordering. Shortly after we ordered and sat down to enjoy our donuts, one of the owners notified everyone there was a limited selection left and it was likely not everyone would receive donuts. So if you are planning on visiting, just be aware of this! The service was excellent and extremely pleasant. The co-owner serving the donuts was super sweet and personable. This husband and wife team run a tight ship and really do their best to serve everyone to their best ability! The inside is quant, but there are a couple of seating options. We appreciated the nostalgic atmosphere and decor throughout. We got to the counter at the perfect time as they were just about out of the brioche. While unable to snag one of the brioche donuts, we were able to try 3/4 brioche filled and 5 of the vegan glazed. All the donuts were genuinely phenomenal and you couldn't tell the vegan glazed was vegan at all. The brioche filled donuts were super pillowy, with ample amounts of luscious cream filling. All the flavors were distinct and very good--you can tell they use fresh, high-quality ingredients. I thoroughly enjoyed the brownie filled brioche and thought the filling was divine, almost reminded me of chocolate mousse! The vegan glazed were also great with a wonderful texture. They too were soft and very fresh, each with good flavor. I honestly enjoyed all 5 of the flavors we tried, especially the Arnold Palmer and Cherry Crumble! Overall, Flatfish GNV was most definitely worth as the hype and praise! The donuts are truly something special, with lovely presentation, flavor, and most importantly texture. The donuts themselves are large too and I definitely think the price is justified. They use great ingredients and it shows in the product they output. While the lines can get long, don't let that intimidate you! The service was perfect and this husband & wife team does a wonderful job running their donut shop. I was extremely impressed and would really like to return to try some more of their monthly flavors! read more

Flatfish Gnv - Brioche Filled and Vegan Glazed - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

See all

The donuts were fresh, soft, and the cashier was kind enough to offer a bag and napkins to accompany the cute box they give to house the donuts . Pricing was fair, and i purchased two items for 7ish bucks. The interior was also pretty cute too and far more spacious than I thought. But...after waiting an hour...not sure it was quite worth it. The vegan glazed was a little chewy, and the sprinkle strawberry-glaze, that looked so pretty, was really just okay. Even though it's a bakery, it doesn't quite smell like one. the smell is still lingering in my nostrils, and can't quite place it... Great experience for a Gainesville classic. But for this transplant, the hype exceeded the bite! read more

Donuts are good, not the most flavorful but very fresh. Their open hours are subject to the direction of the wind, though. They close up for weeks at a time and are sold out if you don't show up before they open. Because they're only open three days a week, the demand makes it so you're looking at an hour plus wait and still might not get what you wanted or anything at all. Considering the drive and the low chance that we'll actually score a donut, we've stopped coming which is a bummer. read more

Cute little spot that features homemade cream-filled brioche donuts. They have a menu that changes every few weeks so make sure to check out their social media to see their flavors. I tried the raspberry cream one and it was good. Not too sweet, and the cream was nice and cold. The donut itself had a good chew to it. The inside is pretty quaint with a few picnic tables and some chairs. I came around 9:30 on a Saturday and they were already almost sold out, so definitely go early. They also have free water inside, which was nice. read more

See all

This place has very good donuts and other pastries. There is almost always a line. The food is pricey and very rich. The are open until they sell out, and that can obviously vary timing. I recommend coming at opening to guarantee donuts. read more

Flatfish Gnv - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Delightful (but expensive!) fresh doughnuts. We arrived at 9:30am on a Sunday and there were less than a dozen total doughnuts left! We enjoyed the toffee pecan and pink sprinkled ones. Over $8 for two doughnuts. But will always support local over commercial chains! read more

Flatfish Gnv - Inside - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

See all

I stopped by Flatfish Donuts on a quiet Sunday morning around 9 AM (they open at 7:30), and even that early, the place was already buzzing and for good reason. I had my eye on their lemon-filled donut thanks to some seriously tempting photos on Instagram, but sadly, they were sold out by the time I got there. No worries though, because what I did get was nothing short of amazing. I picked up the banana pudding donut for my boyfriend and the pecan praline for myself. For my parents, I got the "Squirrel Fight". This was a creative combo of chopped nuts, pepitas, and a honey glaze. My mom could not stop raving about it! She loved how the sweetness was perfectly balanced by the nuttiness, and honestly, after taking a bite myself, I totally agreed. It's a flavor that stays with you; comforting and just complex enough to be interesting. Their donuts are wonderfully fluffy and airy and it's the kind that feels light but still indulgent. The fillings in ours were mousse-like, not overly sweet or artificial. The pecan praline had a subtle richness that paired perfectly with the fluffy texture. I'm not into banana flavors, so I didn't try my boyfriend's donut, but he devoured it with a big smile, so that's saying something! What really sets Flatfish apart is their clear dedication to quality and freshness. This isn't some overstocked chain with mass-produced, days-old donuts. Everything is made for that day and it shows. Each donut looks just like the photos with no gimmicks, just honest, beautifully crafted treats. Major props to their team and I have to say it's so reminiscent of the donut bakery I used to frequent as a kid in Puerto Rico. They were called sugar donuts,l where I'm from and the base of their donuts is so similar and I've never been able to find something that replicates it quite like theirs. From the consistency in reviews to my own experience, it's clear that this small bakery takes pride in what they do. If you're in Gainesville and even remotely into donuts, Flatfish is a must. Just maybe show up a little earlier if you're chasing something specific because they move fast for a reason! read more

Flatfish Gnv - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

See all

We hit the jackpot today of perfect weather and seeming to avoid the crowds wherever we went, so decided to give Flatfish a try after months of drooling over the photos. Wow, I am so glad we did! I will come back, often! The *filled* donuts were perfectly balanced! The dough was not too dense, not too airy. The filling was the most amazing part, expert level flavor, actual flavors (Not. Straight. Sugar.) that were complementary with the dough. The glazed donuts seemed to be a bit of a miss for me though. Dough seemed different. I can't put my finger on it, not as cohesive. Service was quick and courteous. Ambiance was welcoming and quaint with a touch retro, frankly it was nice to have it feel homemade and not have all brand new shiny furnishings. The decor fits in a historic neighborhood. There is seating inside and a couple cafe tables outside. There is limited on-street parking in the neighborhood but most folks were getting to-go orders so spots were turning over quickly. Go give it a try! read more

See all

We got the dagel? It's like a everything bagel flavor donut lol should try their sweet donuts Great service read more

Flatfish Gnv - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

See all

What a delightful place. The doughnuts are next level. We tried an assortment. The strawberry and cream filled was not too sweet. The whipped cream filling was real whipped cream. Get there early for the best selection. Service was great as well! read more

Flatfish Gnv - Strawberry. Pecan praline Banana pudding - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

This is truly the best donut shop I have ever been to, and that includes some of the most popular spots in Los Angeles and San Diego. Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, this cozy little shop completely blew me away. The donuts are unbelievably soft, fluffy, and full of flavor. The fact that they are completely vegan makes it even more impressive. You would never guess based on how fluffy and cloud-like they are. Chef's kiss. We arrived about an hour after they opened on a Sunday, and most of the brioche-filled donuts were already sold out. I was lucky enough to grab one of the remaining options (chocolate and a blueberry one) and paired it with an iced coffee. The combination was absolute perfection on a hot morning. The owner was incredibly friendly and welcoming. She took the time to chat with us and recommended the sugar cardamom donuts, which turned out to be one of my favorites. The flavor was unique, delicate, and just sweet enough to be satisfying without being overpowering. You can really feel the care and passion that goes into every item here. It is rare to find a place that nails both the product and the customer experience. This donut shop has officially become a regular weekend stop for us, and I already can't wait to go back and try more flavors. read more

In my opinion, no donuts are good enough to wait 1-hour for. We got 6 total donuts, and ranked them the following: 1.) Bagel (Cream cheese and scallion) (filled) 2.) Pecan praline (filled) 3.) Banana Foster 4.) Raspberry Glazed (Pink Sprinkled) We were not fans of: 5.) Tiramisu (because it didn't taste like tiramisu) It tasted more like Almond vanilla filling 6.) Watermelon glaze (The watermelon flavor was so faint) we mostly tasted salt on this donut. read more

The ambiance of this place is sooo cute, it's an old building and just has a such a nice charm to it. The lady working behind the counter was very kind and helpful. I only tried one of the donuts this time, and it was quite delicious! It was light and fluffy and had a really nice flavor to it. I love that they have vegan options here for people who need that, and you would never even be able to tell that they're vegan! I'm not vegan though, so I will definitely be back to try one of the filled ones! read more

Flatfish Gnv - Salted brown butter vegan donut - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Beautiful, clean donut shop. So tasty - didn't even realize the glazed ones are vegan. Only open Fri-Sun and they sell out fast Get there early! read more

Delicious doughnut place in an old Gainesville neighborhood. The kind of building that's disappearing around town. The owners are incredibly nice, and have been trying different food concepts to best fit the neighborhood. The latest evolution is a doughnut and coffee shop, with a selection of small batch fresh doughnuts filled with light cremes. The doughnuts themselves are fluffy and airy, with a dusting of granulated sugar. The lemon curd is a balance of tart and sweet, the chocolate is a smooth mousse, and the pecan has a hint of caramel with crushed pecans for texture. They are a good size for cutting and sharing, though each is so light you don't feel guilty for having an entire one for yourself :) read more

See all

Ordered at the front counter and sat down to wait for our meal. Service was great and staff was attentive. Food: Tried the Shrimp Meal with home fries and hushpuppies with the spicy sauce. All of this for $12. Everything was delicious and food came out quickly. Can't wait to come back and try the rest of the menu. read more

Flatfish Gnv - Menu - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

See all

I saw a post on Instagram about Flatfish doughnuts and just had to try it - and I'm so glad I did! There are not many local, non-chain spots in Gainesville for dessert but this place is a gem. The doughnuts are light, fluffy and just the right amount of sweet. I got an assortment of filled and glazed doughnuts and so far have tried pecan praline-filled, pumpkin spice glazed and cardamom sugar glazed. They were all delicious! They are great to cut in half and share if you're like me and want to try multiple doughnuts. I look forward to going back to try additional flavors! read more

Flatfish Gnv - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Wow!! I was blown away as soon as the filling from the donut reached my tongue! I ordered one of the banana foster and one pecan praline. The banana foster was my first try and I felt like the flavor just electrified through my body. I tried the pecan praline after and it was fabulous. I very much will be stopping by on plenty of occasions to try the different flavors they have! I'm actually quite bummed that I missed out on the Flat Fish when they were serving fried seafood. read more

Flatfish Gnv - Banana foster on top, pecan praline on bottom - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Amazing donuts! And the line shows it... plan on waiting in a line, but definitely worth the wait.

Such a cute place! They used to be a fish fry and did donuts on the side but the donuts did so well they do them full time now! The lemon curd was the best but the blueberry cheesecake was great too. Their prices are good and the service was kind and attentive. We will be back! Parking is tight so arrive early. read more

Flatfish Gnv - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

The donuts were amazing, people seemed very friendly and helpful with questions I had for them, the place was very clean, very cute, it had a vintage vibe. read more

Flatfish Gnv - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

See all

I am not a donut-eater. THESE are great donuts. And the owners are the nicest people you could hope to meet.

Donuts are amazing, so fluffy and had a nice chew to them! Get there early to try more variety read more

Donuts were delicious, they are not overly sweet and extremely fresh. They post their weeks offerings on their facebook page. They also offer other pastries and such in the restaurant. These homemade donuts cost around $5 each. The owners are very kind hearted. Went right when they opened on a Saturday morning. The only downside is Parking is hard to find. There is seating inside if you would like to stay at eat. All of the donuts this particular week were filled donuts. read more

See all

Great service and fabulous donut choices! Simple flavors to complex, they were all super fresh and sooo yummy! Get there early so they don't run out!!! read more

Flatfish always has such unique and surprising flavors, it keeps you wanting more! Definitely recommend to get there early, though, because they sell out. read more

See all

Delicious donuts and nice people. We tried the banana pudding, chocolate silk, Earl Gray, and pecan praline. The donuts were so tender, and the fillings were delicious. I will say the pecan one didn't taste much like pecans to me, and one of my daughters said that they were too sweet. But the other flavors were so good! read more

Best European style Brioche doughnuts I've tasted since I was in Italy. I wish they added an Espresso machine

Best donuts I've had in gainesville, maybe ever. Worth every penny. Will be going back every weekend! read more

Flatfish Gnv - dark chocolate, passionfruit, peanut butter and jelly, pecan praline filled, lemon filled, strawberry jam filled - Donuts Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

A little reluctant to write a review of this spot because it is one of the few local gems still remaining in Hogtown. We have been here several times and the food has been outstanding each visit. The place is small and as far as I can tell there are only two employees. If you're eyeballing the doughnuts while you order, get them now because they don't have anymore in the back. You can thank me later. We always get the fried flounder. You always get two nice size pieces cooked to perfection. I get the greens and my wife gets the cheese grits. I usually get the cocktail sauce to dip, but next time I am getting the spicy. They also have a basil I think. Not my thing but you may like it. Throw some hot sauce in your greens, get a sweet tea and you are in heaven. The fish meal is only $12. Difficult to find a better seafood deal around. read more

We bought most of them and all were excellent!! Best in town. Love the filled donuts. So big, we split them.

The service was great, the front people were so nice, and the place was really cute. The donuts were yummy, and the flavor choices were cool, but they definitely let the donuts rise too long because the yeast flavor was very much there. read more