Flatfish GNV (Doughnuts and Bakery) — Restaurant in Gainesville

i've been coming to flatfish for some time now, and it has never disappointed!

the brioche doughnuts are perfectly airy and light, contrasted by the gritty sugar they're coated in (eat the brioche with a fork to avoid sugary fingers!). they don't weigh on your stomach at all the way chain doughnuts do, and i have to physically stop myself from eating three at once. they are overfilled with perfectly sweetened crème—so much so that the sheer amount of crème in each doughnut was a taste i had to acquire, but was acquired nonetheless. i also appreciate the effort put into making each doughnut as full and flavorful as possible.

the vegan doughnuts are denser with a lovely chew, and the flavor does not suffer whatsoever from the change in ingredients. the dough has a very interesting slight tartness, and the toppings are all distinct without taking away from the doughnut itself.

the ingredients are wholesome, delicious, and completely lack any artificiality that makes other doughnuts taste fatty and sickly. at $3-4 per doughnut, the price is absolutely justified by the quality!

i have yet to try their coffee, but the apple cider and hot chocolate are of course to die for and i wish they were available throughout all of fall/winter! i love the occasional change/expansion in the menu as the baker experiments with new flavors and other kinds of pastries altogether. the new flavors make me excited to visit and shows a clear passion for recipe development.

the ambience in the shop is cute and comfortable, and the pair that run flatfish are incredibly friendly and pleasant people. i love the small circle tables out front and how they're in the perfect spot to enjoy the morning sun. the logo and doughnut packaging is so freaking adorable and simple. my only complaint is that i never got to try their lunch menu before they focused solely on doughnuts—i'd love to see their po' boys in the future! (and also, coffee lid plugs would make it handier to take their beverages to-go!)

i visit flatfish once a month, and they have earned a loyal customer out of me! please support this local hidden gem so that i can keep throwing...

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.

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...

Sprint don't run to Flatfish Doughnuts. Heard a ton about them and finally found myself in the area and I stopped by. The shop is not big by any means but felt warm and inviting. Theres a handful of tables for seating but mainly people come in order and leave. The bakery was offering three types of glazed doughnuts (chocolate, salted brown butter, and sprinkles) and 6 filled doughnuts (chocolate velvet, cold brew coffee, pecan, fruity pebbles, tropical cheescake, and a "dagel"). The dagel was unique as it was advertised as a "everything bagel but in donut form". I ordered 4 filled doughnuts (cold brew, choc velvet, cheesecake and fruity pebbles) and 2 glazed (salted brown butter and sprinkles) . All were absolutely delicious. My family raved about the cold brew and chocolate velvet. My personal favorites were the cheescake and salted brown butter. Come early as they close once they are sold out. For reference I came at 9a on Saturday and they already sold out of the chocolate glazed. The staff are super friendly and they offer deals if you buy 6+. The specials change regularly so be sure to follow them on instagram to get updates. They also have updated information about allergies and...