Maude's, which I'd not visited for some time until having coffee and dessert there last night with friends both has changed--and has not. They've renovated the interior, making it a bit warmer and, via the use of vivid hues of blue-green, a happy, even exciting atmosphere. The service and quality of desserts however has not changed: while more personal than a Starbucks and having a fairly ample dessert menu, the desserts are not of the same high standard as The Top. The coffee I cannot really address because I always get an Italian soda when at Maude's and they make this just fine. The service is . . . spotty. The girl at the front counter wasn't rude, per se, but seemed hurried and disinterested and then remarked to her coworker "I've just felt so . . . flighty . . . today". Ok? Everyone can have an off day, but it's seemed every time I've ever been to Maude's at least one of the staff is under such signs of Saturn. Gainesville needs a good indie coffeehouse. But we need it closer to campus, and it needs to remain open most of the night. And it needs to have great desserts, like Tart to Tart near UCSF in San Francisco. Other college towns have such, why can't we Gators? read more

Maude's Classic Cafe - Maude's inside. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

I found myself in Gainesville for the day yesterday and was pleased to discover Maude's across the street from a Starbucks. Maude's is locally owned, charming and a perfect reason to stay away from major chain coffee sellers. Maude's offers traditional coffee house counter service. Coffees, teas and desserts were evident but I think it has a much more extensive menu . . . I just could not find any indication of it! I noted the fellow in front of me ordering a bagel, which was my quest any way, so I ordered a whole grain bagel. The server asked me if I wanted a breakfast sandwich so I will hazard a guess that eggs and various breakfast meats are also available. The bagel was fresh, properly toasted and served with a container of cream cheese (as opposed to the assumption at many bagel shops that everyone wants a pound of cheese on their bagel). I was disappointed by the lack of a low fat cream cheese option but in Gaineseville, where the population does not seem to be aware that smoking is a healthy hazard, I suppose that low fat concepts are alien, too! My coffee was excellent. Well balanced and not burned. Very flavorful and hot, but not scalding. A great cup. I ate my bagel in the cafe and was pleased with the small cloth covered tables. The table cloths were a nice touch. Accent lamps and a huge supply of board games gave the restaurant a familiar, living room feel. I rather enjoyed it. I returned later in the day and sat outside in the Maude's courtyard. It was a beautiful day and my iced tea was flavorful -- both fruity and floral -- but the superabundance of smokers marred the experience. There is no reason to go to a major chain when Maude's right across the street! read more

I do like the music, I like that the inside feels like a old cafe, I like the friendly staff. Outdoor seating was exactly what I wanted! I don't think the food is good. My crossaint was cold and not good. It made me crave for Starbucks crosssaint, which goes to show how bad it was. Iced tea was ok. not bad, not great. The people are fun and trendy and its why I went there in the first place. Got a decent amount of studying done until I noticed the hot guy to my right. But, hey, thats not exactly a con. Good study spot, I think. Can't wait to try Volta read more

Maude's Classic Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

When I was at student at UF, I would often venture downtown for a tasty (home made) dessert from this little coffee shop. I have never actually had any of the coffees from here but if the aroma does justice I would say go for it. I came for a visit this past weekend and had the Dolly Parton which is their rendition of the tiramisu; although they have switched from the chocolate to some liquor version it's still quite tasty. I am also a fan of the cheesecake with sour cream topping it's denser than the standard cheese cake but still delish! I will always stop buy when I'm in town visiting friends. read more

Maude's is a great local place in downtown Gainesville. If you are hanging out with a group of friends this would be a great place for after drinks coffee and some board games. Or if you are waiting to see a play at the Hippodrome. Years ago this was the best place to take friends visiting you from out of town, but now we also have Hyppo's and Starbucks. Maude's has a bad odor recently that I prefer to hang out at Starbucks these days if I'm alone. They do have outside seating if you want to bring your dog. read more

This place is my go-to coffee shop whenever I'm in town in GNV because of the convenience. It has free parking, it is easy to get to, and there is always an outlet available so I can work on homework. I always see friends playing board games here (they have a pretty large collection), and I see students studying too. It's quiet enough to study, but not silent enough that it feels like a library where you can hear a pin drop. I can't really comment on their menu; I had tea once here but it was just the Celestial Seasonings brand which I always buy from Publix. Their cheesecake seems pretty good though - try their vanilla cheesecake! If you are someone who needs substitutes, I believe they also have milk substitutes and sugar free syrups. read more

I really like the vibe of this place because it's small, cozy, and independent. However, when it comes to the actual coffee, I think the iced coffees are too basic and not that delicious to be at the price at where it is (I think around four dollars?). They have creams, sugars, and cinnamon available to flavor it how you'd like, but then again, almost every other coffee place has this, so it's not too big of a deal. I do like being able to study here though because it's usually pretty quiet. Also, I like the availability of board games so that I can take a break from studying. But, other than that, the coffee itself is pretty mediocre. There are better coffee places in the area with a tastier selection. In fact, I'd recommend Volta over this because it has the same thing, but with better coffee. The only thing they don't have is the board games. read more

Maude's Classic Cafe - 12 oz Hot coconut mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

The interior and patio are really cute, but the coffee prices seem pretty high in comparison with other places. The hall behind the cafe is also pretty run down and could be made a little nicer. But the coffee and pastries are good quality and the food menu is great! Good veggie options! read more

Stopped by this place in downtown Gainesville to grab a coffee and catch up with an acquaintance. It's a nice place to chill with someone and just talk. They also have board games I believe and plenty of outlets to allow for studying. It's a pretty quiet place and seems nice for studying. There just aren't a lot of seats available so I had to sit at the counter with my friend. The service was okay. My cashier didn't really smile or seem happy to see us. But the service to get my beverage was pretty quick. I ordered the caramel latte and it was delicious. A little pricey but I enjoyed my beverage. The ambiance of the coffee shop is very hipster and quaint. It had Halloween decorations but the place does smell old. It also had flies inside that were annoying me. The parking outside is limited. I also came around 3pm and it got busy right after that time so try and get there earlier if you plan on studying for a while. Overall, this coffee shop was alright. Nothing too memorable. Great location though. read more

Maude's Classic Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Greatest Alfresco venue in all of Downtown Gaines is your "Porch's front" with Coffee read more

Maude's Classic Cafe - From the best El Fresco experience in North-Florida - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Stopped in on a cold evening and ordered a decaf coffee mocha with added coconut syrup. We really enjoyed sipping coffees on our evening stroll. This looks like a great place to meet up with friends, drink coffee, and play uno or backgammon or any other game from their nice selection. Their dessert selection was limited, however this was a late Saturday evening. There's seating inside, outside patio, and out back in the mall. read more

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I wanted very much to like this place. But the staff were rude and the environment not very welcoming. We had hoped to spend some time here working and have lunch before heading to the airport. No go. Quick coffee and out the door for us. read more

As hipster as it gets. I come here often to study because they have a pretty quaint seating area inside the cafe. It's a little cramped but I like the cozy (slightly dingy) feel. They have ample outlets for all your charging necessities. I can't really comment on the menu because I've only tried their hot coffee once and their iced sweet tea. And I'm not a huge coffee drinker either so my opinion on the quality of the coffee is discredited. As for the sweet tea, I absolutely love it. It's Earl Grey sweet tea and it's so good. I've actually raved about it several times and I would come here specifically just to get that sweet tea. Judging by the other yelp reviews though, it seems like their menu isn't THAT great for its price. I still gave the cafe 3 stars because I do come here often. I really enjoy their hipster vibe and sweet tea! read more

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This places coffee is overpriced and tasted old, would rather go across the street to Starbucks. Don't waste your time.

This place is super cute, staff is amazing and the food was delicious, will definitely be back when in Gainesville!

You walk in and are immediately hit with a must that will knock you off your feet. It smells very unclean. The coffee isn't even that good, subpar at best. Sitting outside on the patio is nice, but you have to be careful because Maude's doesn't really regulate homeless people lingering around and not paying for anything.. in fact one time an older woman harassed me into paying for a coffee for her. It was extremely uncomfortable and I haven't wanted to go back since. I've given it a few tries, and haven't been impressed. read more

Came here while visiting for work. Cool spot, quiet for me to work at during the time I was there. I got a coffee and the girl behind the counter kindly made one of the salads as a wrap. Not a huge amount of vegetarian options as I was expecting given the vibezzzz but hey, better than the Starbucks across the street! read more

I think this place is aiming for hipster but it's really more "antique" looking. Hipster doesn't mean dirty, which is how this place kinda feels. Prices are comparable to cafes in New York, which is shocking cause the quality just isn't there. I got an almond latte (~$4) and my friend got a vegan carrot cake and it was $6. It's nice that there are a lot of outlets and free wifi, so I can see why students love it here. The booths fit 6 ppl comfortably, but the table is kinda narrow so with a laptop it'd feel cramped. They have a good selection of games though. Bathrooms are outside in the building not cafe. read more

Got here at 11:40am ordered avocado toast and a bagel w cream cheese. At 12:15 we finally had to leave due to MBA graduation. Why does it take so long to get a simple food order? Not busy at all. Ridiculous read more

I put a one star review because it's required but this place is a piece of shit the workers are so rude and lazy zero stars they truly deserve zero stars it honestly blows my mind how you're getting paid to do a job and you can't even do it with fucking manners the people were so rude and honestly this place shouldn't even existIt's truly deserve zero stars and I will never recommend this place to anyone. read more

I was extremely let down by the coffee at Maudes. A small latte was $6.25 and came out tasting like milk. When I asked for more espresso, they wanted to charge me an additional $2.30 to fix my coffee. The coffee is way over priced and not worth it. The only positive about this place is the unique atmosphere and fun decor, but I will not be returning for coffee. read more

I sometimes FORCE myself to come here instead of the Starbucks across the street because I like to support local businesses. The service is TERRIBLE. There's some unhappy people back there that don't smile at all. They even give uninviting and judgmental stares to their customers. What's up with that? Their coffee is average; nothing exciting. If you want good coffee, go to Volta. If you want great service, go to the Starbucks across the street. read more

Maude's is an experience. Situated next to the Hippodrome, this is the perfect place to pop in after a show and relax -- maybe.The atmosphere is chill, you get lots of students sitting around, studying, or you get people meeting up over tea or coffee. There are games available if all you want is game night with a few friends. There's indoor and outdoor seating, but it gets crowded really quickly, especially if you want to study inside. My favorite is the outdoor seating -- something about lights strung up against the backdrop of the night sky really gets me. They also have a private parking lot, so it's nice not to have to deal downtown parking. The coffee is good, though not as good as Karma Cream's. Their English Breakfast Tea was amazing, but sadly it was just a temporary item on the menu. Try it if they have it. lol. They do have a wide variety of sweets and baked goods, but I've never felt the inclination to try any. Their food is meh -- I had their BLT twice, and it was dry each time. I guess I kept hoping it would get better. lol. After trying a few more unmemorable dishes there, I gave up eating at Maude's. Honestly, though, everything above would have rated this place four stars, at least. If only they had consistent service. On occasion, I've had amazing customer service (a smile, prompt service, etc.). It's a shame the majority of my experiences there felt slipshod though. Now, I have nothing against the "hipster" or "alternative" look (I honestly think that kind of style is amazing and I wish my body type and personality fit with those clothes.), but it felt like customers who didn't look a certain way were treated with less enthusiasm. I know, maybe I was being irrational and those were the regulars; but even after going there at least two or three times a week and learning the names of the girls behind the counter, I still wasn't treated the same way. I'm not asking for extreme enthusiasm or perks, but I am asking that they take my order when I'm ready and not look at me like I'm interrupting their conversation. I once ordered a specialty coffee (that was on their main menu), and they told me they didn't feel like making it and if I would order something else (I ordered a simple cup of tea after that.). I'm sure you understand why I stopped going there; ANY other coffee shop (even Starbucks) would be much happier with my patronage. Other negatives, they used the free downtown wifi, so it was shifty, at best; whenever it didn't work, they suggested we connect to the neighboring Starbucks' wifi. Even then, the distance made the connection slow if you were sitting inside. Also, they share bathrooms with the entire plaza. So you have to ask for a key if you need to go; at least the bathrooms were clean most of the time. lol. read more

I love downtown Gainesville, because I am a people watcher. There isnt a whole hellofalot to do down there, there arent any talented street performers (occasionally you will get a tuba or some kid with a neon hula hoop) The Hippodrome looms over the SunCenter like a gigantic grey temple that no one but the richest amoung us can afford to go in and pay homage to. I happen to be a serious coffee drinker, and so is my boyfriend. We both can drink it at all hours of the day. I am picky about my coffee. I will not set foot in a starbucks unless i am forced too by someone who has no taste , and then i get a hot chocolate. Maudes isnt the best coffee in gainesville (that goes to dunkin donuts) but it is good coffee. It also has a good atmosphere, especially for us people watchers. I have never personally ordered food there, I have seen others around me do so and they always look a bit or more disappointed. This time that we went was at night, 10ish. I was hoping this wasnt a night where some really sensitive guy and his merry roommate were playing (badly) acoustic guitar in the outside area because Maudes will charge you to sit outside and have your ears bleed. Last i saw it was 2 bucks for that. This time it was free and clear. We sat down and this is where you must forgive Maudes, the servers arent exactly plentiful, or quick. They arent gonna chat you up when they get to you and they arent going to look like they have been awake for awhile. forgive them. I got a Cafe Vienna (coffee, cinnamon syrup, milk, whipped cream, sugar) and James got a Latte. We both shared a Peanut Butter brownie. came out to 6 and change. Our hot beverages were delicious and warm, the brownie was very rich, sweet, and nuttery. People around us were playing games, using the WiFi , and just soaking up the beautiful night we all were blessed with. There isnt another place like this downtown, its dependable coffee and tea, and really what more do I want ?? read more

I've been going here for over twenty years. Still the best coffee, still punk rock, still a safe place for eveyone. Amazing coffee, awesome vegan options and no up charge for oatmilk! Also nice outdoor area for when it's not super hot outdid. read more

I've always been a fan of this place. Today I ordered an iced dirty chai latte with soy milk (amazing) and I always get a chocolate chip cookie when available. I don't know the name of the girl who attended me but she was super nice! The only thing I would recommend is for them to change the lighting in the sitting area to one that they have by the register, it's more inviting and homey. read more

I agree with Lili Z. Maude's gets talked up a whole lot in Gainesville and I'm not really quite sure why. I ordered my usual, a chai latte with honey. It was okay but I would have rather gone to Starbucks across the street. Though Maude's has its' character, the staff wasn't as friendly as I expected. They kinda brushed off my friend and I from the second we walked in the door. I'm not sure if it was because we weren't Indie-type people but I definitely felt unwelcome. What I do know is that many people like to come here and hang out in the outside patio area or they will study inside. I will say that there are a lot of seating options at Maude's so it's no surprise that people like to hang out. It's set in a nice section of downtown Gainesville that houses many other restaurants, shops, etc. Parking is around the corner in the lot or on the street if you can find a spot! At night, it's nice to take a stroll because Maude's has cool lighting for the outside seating area. I would consider giving Maude's another try the next time I'm in Gainesville but it really didn't make an impression on me the first time. Perhaps I'll order a dessert and see if I've changed my mind. read more

I want to preface this review by saying that if I get coffee downtown, it's almost always going to be at Maude's. Volta is too far away from my apartment, the Bull intimates me, and my neutrality to Starbucks is over come by my desire to support local businesses. That being said, the service here sucks. Like, it's so stereotypical it's comical. Nearly everyone that works there is a sulky hipster. This doesn't bother me because I like their products and, honestly, I don't like people that much either so I'd rather get my food to-go. I always get the Maude's iced coffee or the sweet iced earl grey tea. My favorite food item is the FLT (basically a BLT with fake bacon and vegenaise) They have dollar off deals on certain days of the week, tons of vegan and vegetarian options, and they serve breakfast food until an hour before they close Good place for a coffee date, breakfast, or quiet study time. They have indoor and outdoor seating. read more

Maude's Classic Cafe - lox on bagel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

the location is great. Perfect for people watching. But the service and the food are hit or miss. If your going to spend money on coffee and food better know that one of the people who works there is your friend and gived a shit about you. read more

I was hesitant about trying this place, because of the reviews about the service...but a friend wanted to meet up here, so I came cautious. However, it should be noted that they're under new management now, so it seemed promising. The service didn't suck...my cashier was nice and smiled! I ordered their iced chai latte, because on Wednesdays it's apparently a $1 off. They also have a $1 off for other things depending on the day of the week. My iced chai latte was okay, a little milky, but okay. Maybe next time I'll try something else. They have a good selection of teas and coffee to choose from. The ambiance is nice. Great place to study or catch up with a friend. I went around 2PM and it wasn't crowded. Plenty of outlets and board games to play with friends. They have an outside patio, which is nice and shaded (and also has outlets!). read more

The food was pretty good, but the service was unfortunately bad. The woman who took our order was very hateful and nasty, we asked a simple question and the attitude she gave was completely uncalled for. Sometimes people have rough days, but being hateful is just not necessary. Long brown hair, red eyeliner. She definitely needs some training in customer service. read more

Maude's is a place that I am sure many people wish was better. It is locally owned, it has a great location, and it could just be awesome. It even has some ingredients: live jazz from time to time, and so on. But it is also beset by a number of problems: 1) dirty - when you buy your coffee and you look into the kitchen, you sort of do not want to look. it is probably less dirty than it looks, but it just does not look good. But even worse - the interior is awful - the tablecloths are disgusting, the outside seating is pretty, but the chairs and tables are not clean at all. the place has a particular smell, which is not inviting at all. 2) coffee is just bad. sometimes it is acceptable, but often it is just plain awful. this concerns both the brewed coffee and espressos. 3) the pastries and such - some are good, some less so. often they are aesthetically unpleasing. make them smaller, cuter, more chic. The staff is OK - some people complain, maybe rightly (for example, they could try to look cleaner, and nicer), but it's a relaxed hippie place, so that's OK. The prices are OK too. On the other hand, I think the coffeehouse is at its best in the evenings, with a glass of wine and jazz music. They have renovated now and probably are better, so it is 3 points. I just wish they would be a serious competition to Volta and Starbucks. Not the same as Volta, and so, but just more acceptable to non-hippie/over 18 crowd. read more

Maude's may be a Gainesville classic, but its pricey sub-par food and service really make this a struggle to enjoy. My hot-chocolate was pretty much just luke warm milk. I would rank one star, but I really really want to like this cafe. Which is a bad reason to spare it the rating it deserves. read more

Not a fan of the food or drink, but like other reviews say, good for killing time with the board games. Makes for a cute first date experience. Things I'm prone to ordering while there is the apple pie ala mode (can't mess that up!), the milk steamers, and italian soda (hit or miss, but still good). read more

Maude's is a super quirky place, but I really like it. They have great coffee, and pretty good baked goods. The music playing is always a roll of the dice- it was once very loud tribal music. They have board games, which are super fun with a few friends! They also have a nice patio area where you can people watch! Not the best place for a serious conversation or to study, in my opinion. read more

I have gone to Maude's since I was an undergrad, and what keeps me going back is the quality of the food and the beverages. What always keeps it from getting those additional stars is the service. When I went to place my order, I waited for several minutes while the two ladies on duty were chit-chatting in the kitchen-area, and though they looked right at me, neither of them even acknowledged me with a simple "be right there." It was a Thursday morning, and all of their other patrons were already served and hard at work on enjoying their meals, so I cannot understand the delay. The Cafe Vienna and Greek Quiche was delicious, and per usual I enjoyed my treats on the patio. Unfortunately, the tables outside didn't seem to be completely cleaned from the night before as cocktail swords and napkins were left over on some of the tables. While I am a high fan of consistency, I was hoping that this would have been an area of improvement since 1998. With a lack of clean options, I had to select a table downwind of a patron who was smoking. While I appreciate the "bus your own table" approach, I would at least hope that the staff could consistently monitor the cleanliness of the patio area, as with limited seating inside, the majority of the patrons enjoy their meals outside. Note: if you have to use the restroom, you have to be a paying customer and you must get the key from the counter to go into the mall and access the locked restrooms. Plane your bathroom break accordingly because if you are unfamiliar with the layout of the strip mall, it can be a little uncomfortable. I had to wait for the other customer that had the key but couldn't FIND the restroom!! The hardest part is that I really try to love Maude's, but the service is what always reminds me why I should consider taking my business else where. Since customers have to order at the register inside, find their own tables, and bus their own tables, I would sincerely wish that there was a slightly greater push buy this staff to care. There is a competing coffee joint right across the street, and better customer service would elevate the cafe far above them. read more

A lovely spot ready for some chill time with friends or a date. Great coffee and great service. Love the casual and cozy vibe and game options! read more

The service was very disappointing, the woman taking our order was very rude. She had an attitude and was visibly bothered by every question we asked. My aunt asked for water and she rolled her eyes. She then proceeded to prepare food for three customers that were behind us. We waited 45 minutes for a BLT and two cups of soup..... terrible service and I was extremely disappointed. read more

Stopped into Maude's for a morning coffee and meeting. Was happy to see they opened at 7:00am and several patrons enjoying the quiet atmosphere before they got too busy. Service was quick at the counter and friendly. Appreciated the employee who was acting as cashier, stocking, making breakfast and coffee drinks, etc. She seemed like she was solo, but was no novice to multi-tasking. Well done! I can't comment too much on a cup of coffee ($2.50 approx) without any fanciness added to it (I'm a black coffee with a splash of cream kinda-gal), but it was the service and atmosphere that left me content and makes me want to go back. read more

I almost feel bad that I have to give this place 1 star but then I remember the times I left with regret for having gone there. Coffee- ok, but Starbucks is much better and cheaper! Desserts- not so great. I had the cheesecake and it was just plain bad. Service- DEPLORABLE!!!! I have NEVER had good service here. The employees are bitter. Never a smile, hello, thank you, how are you, or a goodbye. They make you feel as though you are a huge inconvenience for being there. They are all wannabe "hipsters" and seem to think they are way better than everyone else and their shit doesn't stink...well, it does! I have tried to give this place a chance many times because I love to support local small business but this place honestly doesn't deserve it. Sadly, I go across the street to Starbucks where I feel welcome. read more