My girlfriend and I went to Maude's recently to study for exams and enjoy coffee that wasn't from Starbucks. We had both heard great things about Maude's so we were very excited to try it out. She had an Iced chai latte. She was satisfied with it, although she said the taste of the honey and cream overpowered the rest of the drink. On top of that, the ice melted much too quickly and instead of cooling the drink down, the drink became watered down. Overall she says it was satisfactory but could use improvement. I ordered the Maude's iced coffee. When I received my drink I got a large cup of black coffee, with ice in it. Okay. I got them to fix the order, although I'm convinced that they just poured cream into my cup because there was a layer of foam, a layer of coffee, and a layer of cream in my cup. None of it tasted pleasant at all; even after mixing it up to try to get a blend of the "flavors." It was very bitter and watered down. I felt very little effort was placed into making my coffee taste good and they could not do the simple job of matching the description on the menu. Overall it was an unpleasant experience and we probably won't be going back anytime soon. read more

Food-Terrible like drinking dirty sock water Service-Stuck up Pompous Atmosphers-Cozy Price-Reasonable Overall, its a nice place to hang out if your mouth was sewn with stitches. I have had some horrible experiences here. Bad service and terrible coffee is not the only part of it. Its taking up precious real estate, why would they open next to Starbucks? read more

Yes, the staff is the typical coffee house type that isn't the most polite or bubbly, but the coffee is great, especially the iced mochas, and the atmosphere rocks. Tons of board games fill the shelves and they have nice outdoor seating for people watching. I definitely recommend for a late night chill spot. read more

Maude's Classic Cafe - I love all the stuff on the walls! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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I try to frequent this place often, just so I'm not giving my business exclusively to Starbucks. Unfortunately, Gainesville has a definite lack of local coffee shops. Maude's is decent, but nothing special. However, I'm a tea fanatic, and Maude's has a great selection. I'm not a picky coffee drinker, but the latte I tried once was pretty good too. At least it didn't taste like the syrupy crap that Starbucks tries to pass off for a latte. Maude's also has a great music selection, the typical hipster/indie stuff that I love. Last semester, when I was studying daily for the LSAT, I would come here about once a week. It's been several months since I took that awful exam, and it's been a while since I've been back to Maude's. Maybe once the semester starts to get crazy I'll tire of Library West and head downtown. read more

I'm always skeptical of establishments, particularly coffee shops, that have reviews of judgmental employees. Patrons typically have issues with "hipster" coffee shops. When it comes to Maude's, I don't know what they're talking about. The employees behind the counter have always been pretty chill and are typically willing to strike up a conversation if they're not too busy. I like hanging out at the tables right outside with an iced coffee and people watching, hanging out with my dog, or chatting with strangers. The coffee here is solid. If you don't want to deal with the possibility of judgmental employees or hipster coffee shops, then this isn't the place for you. Personally, I've never had a problem and believe it's a pretty neat place. Side note: If the prices of the beverages are a problem, then go elsewhere. Maude's raised their prices to allow their employees a livable wage and I applaud their efforts. read more

I've heard great things about this place. But I recently came in on a Saturday morning and the service was awful. The girl at the counter seemed annoyed and looked at me like I had 5 heads when I asked her about some of the menu items. Also, I'm don't care much for the whole organic movement, but if you advertise your smoothies as organic and charge a premium I expect my smoothie to NOT come from a box of concentrate. I usually like supporting local businesses but next time I'll just give my money to Starbucks across the street. read more

Maudes is a great break from the corporate atmosphere that entrenches Gainesville. It is fresh and homemade, it has character and it is a great place to get work done. The people there are friendly and it is a great place to people watch. It has an interesting and eclectic group of people that come in, and a lot of people come for first dates. The conversations provide a great break from study. Worth the trip. read more

Love the atmosphere here. Perfect to sit and read a book outside on their patio. Lots of variety in drinks and cake/pastries are very good.

What to say about Maude's cafe? To be honest, the best thing about Maude's is the location: on a clear evening, you have the splendor of a sunset-suffused sky (too bad the actual setting of the sun is blocked) and later the dark night sky. The Hippodrome is lovely to look at when lit up at night (even if marred by the fire escape); the little while Christmas lights they've hung up are a nice touch too. With that in mind, one of my favorite things to do on a weekend evening are to go to Maude's, sit outside, watch night fall or read some poetry while having a passable cafe vienna with a passable brownie a la mode, all delivered with passable service. This is sometimes followed after 10:00 by a glass of passable red wine during the passable live jazz. Some evenings, and indeed some establishments, are greater than the sum of their parts. read more

Maude's has good coffee, but it's not worth the cost or the terrible service. EVERY employee I've encountered there (from September through February) has been rude. The BEST case you can hope for with them is terse, unfriendly service, which is a rarity on its own. More often, the baristas and cashiers are exasperated, impatient, and bitchy. It's VERY clear from ALL the staff that their customers are not worth the time it takes to wait on them. I will not be going back, and neither will my boyfriend, or any of our friends. The long-running staff issues clearly illustrate an owner and managers who don't care how their customers are treated. read more

Great, local coffee shop. Decent sized sitting area allows you to get work done, and a large outside sitting area is great for socializing. Prices are about the same as Starbucks, so there's literally no downside. read more

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

Maude's is a Gainesville classic. It brings back fun memories to enjoy a coffee here. I also like visiting this local establishment rather than forking over cash to Starbucks (strangely located directly across the street). Two Maude's favorites: (1) The board games. Grab a beverage and play away. They have lots of classics and some new games. It always makes me happy when I find a game with all the pieces - I think they do a decent job of keeping them intact. (2) The outdoor seating. Love it on a nice evening or in the summertime. I consistently order the raspberry mocha. My husband had a chai latte with no complaints. read more

If you have not been here yet, you should check it out. It's a Gainesville Landmark. Fun for all ages and they have a small lunch menu and lots of board games. And it's located next to the Hippodrome Theater. What's Hipp-er than that?! read more

Maude's Classic Cafe - Always love the decor here. And I love these new big booths! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Aside from the unfriendly workers, this coffee shop/cafe is a gem. The location is perfect and there is always parking for the Sun Center. I love that they carry Harney and Sons teas (this is rare for coffee shops!). My boyfriend also loves their frozen blended coffee, so we love coming here and sitting outside with the dog. read more

I've been there a couple of times. The food was okay and the service average. If you hate Starbucks and want local this might be the place for you. I'm don't like coffee (tea person here) and perhaps thats why I find this place merely average - I might be missing their best feature. I'm glad its there, and liked the outdoor seating - but as usual you then have to deal with the smokers. Its funny, I want to like Maude's but it just doesn't click with me. read more

Was visiting Gainesville for the weekend and had to come here while in town. This place is consistent, unique, and a must. I stopped by while walking downtown for the art show over the weekend. Since it was crisp outside, I got a hot raspberry mocha which was unreal and my fiancé got an Irish coffee which he really enjoyed too. Was only there for a short time, but there are games available to use while you're there, they also have both indoor & outdoor seating for when you want to hang for a little while. read more

Maude's Classic Cafe - My order with part of their merch wall- local sourced honey and t's. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

That whole block by the Hippodrome is a nice little section of downtown Gainesville. Maude's livens it up with live jazz occasionally. I appreciate their chutzpah, trying to compete with the Starbucks right across the street. You can order a whole pot of coffee that they'll brew right after you order it. And--this is the best part--you have a variety of beans and roasts to choose from. Just don't catch a glimpse of the equipment it's brewed in--it reminds me of a scary, Russian, hasn't-been-cleaned-since-the-iron-curtain-fell coffee shop. For that matter, try not to notice the crappy taste of the drip; you're there to enjoy the music! I'd recommend buying coffee from the Starbucks 20 yds. away (tell the manager Avani I say hi) and maybe ordering a dessert. Or... bring a lawn chair and sit on the sidewalk. read more

We were looking for a relaxing place, off the beaten path for a good coffee and snack. This answered the call. Many decadent temptations, but we were very content with the toasted Rosemary Cheese bread and coffee. Perfect kickoff to our road trip. We'll be back in the fall. read more

Maude's Classic Cafe - Toasted Rosemary bread with cheese... Simple and satisfying. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Do yourself a favor and find another place to eat. We made a special trip to come here as we had been here a year ago. Back then it was a nice place to eat quiche. Today, the tall heavy set dirty blonde hair lady who took our order just wasn't into being kind today. Very low vibes coming from the staff today. Like we were putting her out. The food was ok. Didn't have the coffee...for sure going to SB across the street after the way we were treated here. Note to Maude, we are the customer, would be great to be treated like one and appreciated for even coming here. Plus your music is very generically annoying and LOUD, too LOUD! Want be back. read more

Maude's is a classic staple in the 'Ville! I've been coming here since I was teenager (now I feel old!). They are located in the Sun Center so parking is usually pretty easy to come by. The vibe is relaxed and the staff is always friendly. They have a full inside seating as well as a large patio with tables and chairs for you to enjoy. There is a stack of board games you can borrow if you're feeling some nostalgic of your youth or you have your kids with you. Now onto the important things...like COFFEE (can you tell I love coffee?!)! They have a full range of teas, coffee and espresso drinks that they are great at making! The food is delicious...they have a fun dessert menu named after different celebrities...David Bowie, Dolly Parton, etc. (they have some vegan options as well). The homemade chocolate cheesecake and David Bowie are my favs but I will hunt you down if you take the last slice of either and I'm in line behind you. There's also wine and beer if you need to unwind a little. They have also stayed in business for years after a Starbucks opened across the street and sent all the locals in a panic...that tells you something. I love coming here still many, many yyears later (do not judge my age!). The food and drinks are amazing and the customer service puts it over the edge. You should definitely check them out if you haven't already and support this awesome locally owned business...just don't eat my chocolate cheesecake! Xoxo read more

I like their house blend iced coffee (cinnamonny by and shit) and that they have daily specials. Their large size is bigger and cheaper than Starbucks and they have really tasty bakery treats that, while terrible for you, sure, we're at least made nearby. I ordered a bagel once before work and it took upwards of ten minutes for them to defrost and toast it, and then they forgot the cream cheese. That was pretty lame. The staff needs to be punched in the bum and reminded that no one is nearly as cool as they think they are... But I'm confident that life will teach them that. Until then, they're fast enough and I don't take a snarky look to heart. Always space outside to sit for a bit and handy sun blockers installed, which shows good planning and sense. read more

Overpriced food that's not even worth a normal price. Slow, pretentious servers. Terrible coffee and embarrassing espresso drinks. I've eaten here three times because, apparently, I'm a masochist. I have yet to try something here that is nearly worth the amount of money I paid for it. I keep going because I get tired of Starbucks and long for an actual, local, breakfast cafe downtown. And each time, wallet lighter and tastebuds dissatisfied, I remember that I had previously sworn to never return. read more

This is sort of like their website?? http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gainesville-FL/Maudes-Classic-Cafe/129000623623 I did not eat here. I'm always pleased when towns have ghetto hipster country blends. Maude's handles all the left wing you can get in a coffee shop. Flannel-covered staff with warm smiles, board games, inexplicable postcards, ultra-liberal newspapers, that weird flyer drop-off counter near the "sink" just to the right of the entrance, free wi-fi... and acceptable prices. They do charge extra $0.25 for plastic And when I went it was attached to some epic Florida nature photo gallery! That was a trip. But could you please tune the piano? Sigh read more

I only continue to go to Maude's because I'm too cheap to buy my own copy of Scrabble. Luckily, all of the board games are in the back of the store, so I don't ever have to get too close to the snooty employees. Everything about Volta, which is right down the street, is infinitely better, so if you're a regular coffee drinker, forget about Maude's and go there instead. read more

Went here for the first time a week ago. It was on a Sunday so people were studying for exams and such. I did my research and checked the reviews before going, so I had an idea of what to expect. All I can say is I wasn't really thrilled. I ordered a cheese sandwich, which to me was a cheap item on the menu for lunch. The bread tasted as if it just passed it's expiration date, but it was nonetheless okay. The employees were a little mean. I felt rushed when trying to order, especially when I'm trying to maintain a budget and consider having something to fill me up. Overall, it's a neat place, but I doubt if I'll be back anytime soon. read more

Coffee: 4/5 stars, a standard value. Same goes for the rest of the standard coffee-shop food menu. The outside patio is a decent hangout for highly caffeinated socialization. The inside is a decent place to do laptop work. read more

10/10 place!! The buffalo chicken quesadilla is my go to! The environment is amazing and workers are so friendly.

I've been to Maude's several times. I enjoy the outdoor atmosphere in the early evening. It is a perfect place to sit and have a cup of tea. Yes, tea is one thing they know well. I saw someone complain about the staff but I have never had a problem. I usually just order tea and sit with friends. I like it for the atmosphere. read more

I recently visited Gainesville for the first time in January. My cousin wanted to go to Starbucks across the street but I told her I wanted to try some of the local places and Maude's has vegetarian options. The food, okay. Service? An absolute joke. The guy behind the counter treated us as if we were bothering him. He made a comment under his breath about my friends using debit cards. We clearly didn't fit his approval of a cookie cutter hipster stereotype. To the guy behind the counter--Just because you have medusa dreads and listen to the decemberists doesn't make you a free spirit:-) read more

This place has decent coffee and milk alternatives, which is always a plus for me. The interior is kind of too dimly lit for my liking, but it's popular among college students because of free wifi and coffee. What college student doesn't like coffee and wifi and a place to plug your computer in? If you're okay with the occasional homeless individual passing by (totes norm), dis place coo. read more

Like previously mentioned, this spot is a better alternative to Starbucks. The coffee was tasty...and super cracked out...it wasn't such a smart idea to order an iced coffee @ 10p...it was so hard to sleep that nite! The pistachio mousse brownie was DELICIOUS!!! At first glance, I thought it was a some kind of Andes peppermint-related brownie, but who knew it would be a nutty & creamy alternative! I loved it! I kept telling my boyfriend i will take it home, but by the end of our hanging out it disappeared in my stomach! LoL. I plan to come back here someday just to people watch...great spot to do it! read more

Visit Date: 03.27.2010 I had a thirst for an iced coffee, and I saw this place right across the street from the Starbucks, so I decided to give this place a go. Not bad coffee, and prices include tax. Their coconut creme chocolate cupcake was tasty as well. I also like how they have specials depending on the specific day of the week, so keep ya eye out for that. read more

Ok I'm going to share my experience of (attempted) breakfast at Maude's. This morning, I was going to meet with a friend there. I ordered a small cappuccino and a slice of quiche. The total was $14.05. Which seemed like quite a lot for a single drink and a slice. I handed the guy at the counter $14. Then I said (while holding a $1 bill in my hand) I was going to put $1 in the tip jar and take out a nickel, so it was a 95-cent tip. At this point, I will be the first to admit that I should have stopped and waited for him to assent, and I was a bit hasty in going forward. But the guy at the counter totally flipped out and started shouting at me. I tried not to get reactive, I calmly apologized, and said I can see that this was making him upset, and that I would just put the $1 in the jar and not take out a nickel. But he was totally over the top and told me that I had to leave the cafe immediately. So I took back the $14 that I wasn't going to pay for an overpriced cup of coffee and a slice of quiche and went outside. Then my friend arrived and purchased a cup of coffee. We were sitting outside five minutes later, and the dude from the cafe came out and continued to flip out a me, telling me that I had to leave the outdoor seating area and threatened to call the police (over an attempted 'theft' of 5 cents?!?). At that point I didn't feel like getting into a macho dick swinging match with him so we left. I get that maybe this guy had had problems in the past with people swiping money from the tip jar, and maybe he was upset that I was taking 5 cents out (even though I was leaving a dollar), but I was shocked that even after apologizing and explaining myself (and continuing to offer a tip even after being verbally attacked), he threatened to call the cops on me. I have lived in this neighborhood for longer than Maude's has existed, since the Sun Center was actually the Gainesville Sun building, and despite their being overpriced, I have supported this business because I prefer to shop at local businesses. But I will never return to Maude's. They have lost my and my family's business forever. I encourage everyone considering getting breakfast here to take their business somewhere else, because the guy working there was a straight up a-hole. I would give negative stars if I could but I will give one. read more

Perfect place to grab a coffee and hangout in downtown Gainesville. I love the local brews and the relaxed environment. With a great proximity to the Hippodrome State Theatre, the outdoor seating is a great place to wait before or after the show. you could head over their as an alternative to Starbucks! The sweets are great and the coffee is better. One downside, if you want to play games inside, the tables inside are not the most comfortable. They are extremely short and the seats are too high, leaving very little leg room. Get the right table and you're good to go. read more

I'm curious what everyone that gave Maude's less than 5 stars was thinking. Where else can you go in Gainesville? Starbucks? Maude's in the only place in Gainesville that offers a truly urban cafe experience. Hands down the best (and potentially only) cafe I would visit while visiting my hometown. read more

Coffee was mediocre :( I ordered a latte and the coffee tasted a bit stale and there was no froth at all--not worth it for $5

This is in a great location, but not worth it. You can judge a coffee shop by its simple drinks, and the coffee with soy was made poorly and had those pesky bitter protein clumps (these can be avoided if made carefully). Also, the staff is rude. I have worked in a coffee shop and know what drinks are difficult to make. A black tea and an iced coffee does not deserve an eye roll or snarky remark. I love supporting local businesses and my coffee addiction and am lucky that Gainesville has better places to accomplish these needs. read more

It has good location, in the heart of downtown Gainesville but it really can't even call itself a coffee shop, with how terrible the coffee is. If you want "specialty drinks" you'll probably like Maude's a lot, but the coffee is really no better than gas station coffee. Internet was frustratingly slow, so don't expect to do any work. Nice enough place to hang out with friends, though, as long as you drink something that isn't coffee. read more

I love Maudes. Not for the coffee. Not for the food. The desserts are average but enjoyable enough. What I love most about Maude's is the true coffee shop feel. Volta's coffee is much better but the place feels cold. I can go to Maude's and do homework. Meet up with a friend for a cookie, have a long talk and hangout for a while. Bring my kids for dessert and some board games. The place is just fun. There are also some interesting characters there. I hope Maude's never goes away. The only negative is a glass of wine is ridiculously over priced. 6$ a glass for wine that is about 10$ a bottle. read more

I went "café shopping" in Gainesville one weekend, getting the vibe of different locations. Overall, Maude's Classic Cafe won on many levels. There's indoor AND outdoor seating, with a cool variety of chairs/booths/tables. Inside, there are board games that would be ideal for a casual afternoon hangout or night adventure. There's a schedule for live music performances, and the coffee is DELICIOUS! I had a Vienna coffee with egg breakfast sandwich and it certainly made me smile on the Sunday morning. I would spend hours here. Also, it's the FIRST coffee shop I've ever seen with power cord surge protector strips at the table, rather than a 2-plug outlet -- perfect for group hangouts and multiple electronic devices, something that's necessary in our day. I highly recommend you stop by! I can't wait to go back. read more