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    Dolce Vita Bakery Cafe

    4.4 (125 reviews)
    InexpensiveCafes, Bakeries, Delis
    Open 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Dolce Vita Bakery Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    DOLCE VITA BAKERY CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Dolce Vita Bakery Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Cannoli
    Alyssa M.

    This place is adorable and has lots of delicious-looking options! The service was pretty quick, but we only got cannolis so I can't speak to how it is for sandwiches and other items. The cannoli was filled fresh right there which is really nice! It was pretty good, though I think it needed more chocolate chips! I have had better cannolis but this is probably the best one I've found in Gainesville, so I'll definitely be back to try other items!

    Rich H.

    Between lunch and dinner, we stopped by Dolce Vita Bakery and Cafe and got some delicious pastries. They have a nice collection of sweet and savory baked goodies, so we got both. Here's the rundown: For the savory: - Spinach Feta Puff - "Savory Rose" - a croissant topped with pesto, tomato, and cheese - Focaccia topped with sun-dried tomatoes, green and black olives, and balsamic For the sweet: - Fruit Tart - Chocolate croissant - Guava and cheese pastry - Cinnamon roll croissant Everything was fresh and delicious. While they were all tasty, my personal favorite of the bunch was the fruit tart. It was a puff pastry topped with custard, berries, mandarin oranges, and sugar. The custard was sweet, but the tart berries and acidic oranges were a wonderful balance. Definitely go check out this great bakery the next time you're in the mood for pastries.

    Nick N.

    We drove all the way across Gainesville for this place because they made lobster tails . The lobster tail was equivalent to Mike's pastries in Boston. we also got a cannoli and that was equally as amazing. Not quite like Mike since they use more of a cheese base but just as creamy and delicious.

    Turkey club sandwich
    Myesha S.

    Great Italian bakery and Deli. I have been twice and it has been delicious each time. I had their turkey club sandwich with avocado and tried a few of their cookies which are so amazing! The service is great and the prices are reasonable.

    Front Pastry case
    Amy N.

    Small Italian bakery and deli on the north side of town that deserves more local recognition! I've been coming here for two years now and they alway exceed my expectations. Food is FRESH, everything is made from scratch and there's lots of options. Shop has a cold case for premade dinners like lasagna and baked ziti. There's also cake slices, or whole cakes/ desserts available in the cooler for any last minute birthday/ anniversary grabs.

    Apple Walnut Pastry!
    Elizabeth H.

    This is a SWEET TOOTH DREAM A little place that hand makes all their bread and croissants EVERY morning! Yes, if you're looking for a delicious pain au chocolat in Gainesville, this is your jam. They also make one of my favorite types of cookies: Florentines! They are crunchy and dipped in dark chocolate, a delicate, perfect cookie. They have a great variety, from classic Italian shortbread cookies, Italian wedding cookies, giant chocolate chip cookies with M&Ms or even stuffed with a Reese's! I highly recommend checking this place out!!

    The Original Fried Cronuts: $3.49 each
    Leah A.

    OK, I finally had the chance to try the original fried Cronut rolled in cinnamon sugar and it was pretty amazing. They are only available on Saturdays and they will only make them on Saturdays if you are coming here specifically for their Cronut. You can (I was told) call them on Saturday and pay and reserve some Cronuts over the phone and pick them up later before they close if you choose, but remember Saturdays are the only day the Fried Cronuts are available. Capeesh? ;) They offer a baked one and filled, but I definitely prefer the fried one. The Cost: A Cronut is $3.49 each at the time of writing this updated review. The actual Cronut is basically a donut-shaped pastry made of croissant dough fried and then dipped in cinnamon sugar while they are still somewhat hot. The final product creates a light, sugary and crispy candy coating around a flakey, buttery, layered and airy treat. The Cronut is not too sweet and provides you with various textures and flavors in every bite. Buttery. Sugary. Cinnamon. Crispy. Tender. Chewy. Flaky....and MESSY so ask for a plate if you're going to enjoy them there. The coffee here is strong. It is self-serve from a thermal coffee carafe and around $2 per cup. I do not know what brand of coffee they use, but the carafe says "Barney's" on it. I can't be sure, but at least they offer it. You can also order various flavored lattes if you prefer espresso drinks. They do offer sandwiches and other savory foods on their menu, but I have yet to try them. They do use Boar's Head meats and cheeses. Overall, the service is decent - NOT great. Like a 2 out of 5 consistently. Perhaps I would be here every week if I lived closer. Unfortunately, the customer service just ISN'T warm. I would expect better from a quaint place like this, but it's usually a reflection of the owner and/or management and how they currently treat their employees. Who knows? Honestly, I wish I could give them a 3.5 out of 5, because there's still some room for improvement regarding the overall customer experience.

    I got the cake in the back that was sadly smaller than my boyfriends slice.
    Laur R.

    I have passed by Dolce Vita on my way home from Possum Creek puppy park countless times, but had never found my way in until now. It is worth taking your puppy to as they have outside seating. If you are with someone else they have premade sandwiches and deserts in the cooler to try. Just send someone in to grab you something. I had the baked cronut with delicious Bavarian cream filling that felt so light and airy on my tongue. I was full from my sandwhich and pickle, but I could not stop eating that cronut. Dolce Vita Bakery is the only place in Florida to try a cronut. You will not regret it. Next time I will try the fried cronut with raspberry filling. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I might skip eating lunch first to make more room for the cronuts. update- They now offer a lunch special of any sandwhich, a side of chips or pasta salad, a drink and a slice of cake for $10. My slice was missing the raspberry cream the rest of my table had. It was still the most moist and chocolately cake I've ever had.

    Ham and Cheeae Croissant
    Roger S.

    Everything we had was awesome! Pastries and sandwiches were excellent. Small and quaint store.

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    4 days ago

    Great everything. But in particular Best rainbow cookies. Have only had desserts here never disappointed

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    1 month ago

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Incredible selection of delicious pastries. Decent prices. Service with a smile. The blueberry cream cheese danish is fantastic

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    2 years ago

    locally owned, everything is fresh, and friendly customer service. i have yet to try anything that i don't like

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    3 years ago

    We got a variety of desserts from the ones that were ready on their fridge and all of them were a hit. Will visit again when back in town.

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    3 years ago

    Everything I had here was great! Highly recommend checking them out. The Key Lime and Apple pastries were my favorite.

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    Page 1 of 4

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    PJ's Cafe & Catering

    PJ's Cafe & Catering

    4.0(12 reviews)
    18.6 mi
    $

    I work out in Hawthorne in the afternoons. All of my coworkers love this place, but I'd never had…read morethe chance to go, so I was happy for a Monday afternoon where we all could go! The restaurant is under new management and owners, but they do have some cow decor in honor of them. The new owners do accept credit card/debit card payments for food. PJ's is an absolutely adorable place situated in the Hitchcock's plaza. The minute you step in, this place is warm and inviting. The wait staff is friendly and so is the cook. If you're lucky, you'll get to hear them talking back and forth--it really makes the place feel like a home. Service was quick and very mindful of our water/coffee cups being filed. On this day, I had the veggie quesadilla, some beef quesadilla, sauté veggies, and mashed potatoes with gravy. Let me tell you--this food is amazing. I don't think I've ever had a restaurant give me so much flavor in my side of veggies. And the gravy on those potatoes was perfect. Some of the other items that my coworkers recommend are the meatloaf (a special), the liver and onions, the Shepard's pie (also a special), and the greens. It's really nice to have a restaurant in Hawthorne with so many options and good taste. This is a place worth putting on your regular breakfast or lunch dine out rotation. I'm looking forward to trying some of these specials myself!

    Great food and sooo affordable! I love "mom and pop" and "hole in the wall" places and PJ's is one…read moreof my favorites.

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    PJ's Cafe & Catering - Fresh green beans, real potatoes and the most tender chicken breast all for $6.99!

    Fresh green beans, real potatoes and the most tender chicken breast all for $6.99!

    PJ's Cafe & Catering - Inside shot.

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    Inside shot.

    Dolce Vita Bakery Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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