Civilization

Really good, fresh and flavorful food! Would go again!

A nice brunch spot with a fresh and well made dishes from various cuisines. The only drawback were the beignets (which were small, over fried, and not authentic). Fiancé had a Basque-​based frittata and I had the avocado/​gruyère grilled cheese. Both were delicious! Service was not slow but given how well the food was prepared, I’m glad it wasn’t rushed which seems to be the expectation of several reviewers. This is a great spot to relax, enjoy company, and eat great food.

Nice place to find some vegetarian food when I was traveling on I-​75 in Florida. It is a bit off the road, but not too bad and worth the drive.
Probably the only negative was the wait for a table and service is a little slow, so this is not the place for a quick bite.
I started off the spinach pakora. It was good, the supplied dip was very good. A bit on the heavy side… not as light as some pakoras, and a bit too salty, but still good.
Next was the fried avocado taco. I liked it, but felt it was a bit too fatty and if I was to order it again, I would have them hold the creamy sauce on it. There was enough fat from the fried avocado (then it would have also been more vegan friendly). but again… it was still good.
The sodas from Maine were cold and refreshing.

Surprisingly delicious burritos! Both the chicken and sweet potato burritos are awesome. Tip: place is cash only and the menu changes frequently. (They should bring back the buffalo burger!) Restaurant is also dog friendly with outdoor seating.

Said we would not return due to a slow kitchen at lunchtime that had caused us to be late back to work on three occasions, but we caved. We decided we’d give this cash-​only, eclectic establishment with good food another try. Unfortunately, we were again disappointed. After being the only guests sitting at the outdoor tables (& after walking inside to let staff know we were outside), we left in search of food after 12 min had passed. No one had come outside to even acknowledge our presence. There had been 2 servers on the floor when we arrived at 11:25 and two tables each w/​ten patrons. Not sure if the kitchen is still ridiculously slow at lunchtime, but I gather the restaurant is painfully understaffed. Another relaxing lunch away from the office affected negatively by Civilization. You think we’d have learned. We once ate here 3x weekly and sang its praises. Very sad.

Dinner here was amazing. I had the Sheba plate and my hubby had the Rava Masla Dosa plate. The food is incredible. I highly recommend and the atmosphere, charming. We sat outside and it rained, perfect evening, and now a beautiful rainbow to top it off. Come eat here. Just one request is clearly Mark vegan items and have a few more of them, then it would be 5 star in my book.

The lemon ricotta beignets are a must have! They’re amazing. My favorite meal is the grits florentine. The eggs were poached perfectly and the ingredients are super fresh. This place usually had a wait, but it’s totally worth it!

I’ve been here for brunch before and everything was really delicious so I was excited to try dinner too but it as impressed. We started with the dip sampler which was $ 7.50 for 3 very small dip ramekins and some toasted bread, a little pricey and the artichoke dip wasn’t very tasty. Next we got the moussaka and sweet potato enchiladas. Everything was extremely under seasoned. Both dishes were okay but flavors were pretty bland and unexciting. And also pretty pricey, $ 16 for a slice of the premade moussaka and a small side salad? Was definitely expecting something a little more exciting.
Also it is cash only which was very strange and a little annoying. Service was also decent, but nothing great.
Overall I wouldn’t come here again for dinner.

Well done! The experience and food was exactly what you would expect from a team focused on the same goal for success. They shine for the democratic business model and should be proud of the business they have created and operate. I asked what would be a good brunch meal and was perfectly matched to the swamp eggs. Two poached eggs over greens and fried potatoes. It was heavenly, but got even better when their homemade maple chipotle sauce was added. Thank you all for the experience.

The day we were there the service was incredibly slow — close to an hour for grilled cheese and soup. Sandwich was burnt and greasy; asparagus soup was filled with little threads that are a hint of overly aged asparagus. Locally sourced is fine, but taste is important also. We were given water when we arrived, but were never offered a refill, even when I tried to signal for more as I choked down my sandwich. I won’t bother with Civilization again. (Just a note, though — they only take cash, which you don’t necessarily know until you get to the door. Be sure to take some with you, or you may be embarrassed when it comes time to pay.)

Tucked behind Main Street, Civilization is a definitely a place to try! I always knew that it was popular for brunch, but their local centric, unique dinner menu was what drew me in.
With nothing more than an upside down triangle sign and single spot light to indicate its location, Civilization is truly hidden, since it seems like the only beacon of light on the pitch black street. Pulling up, you’ll notice how inherently Floridian the space is, with ample outdoor seating, plenty of ceiling fans, and a charming Florida mural. The interior is just as chic, boasting overhead and and artistic wall lanterns. Their tables are adorned with a cute turquoise and white polka dot pattern. There was a live cello band playing when I arrived. All made for a great date night ambience.
The menu was extremely broad and internationally influenced. You can find some of the most unique dishes that you would not find anywhere else in Gainesville. The food ranged from simple house made fettuccine to an exotic Ethiopian Sheba plate. If you know me, you know that I am obsessed with the Masala Dosas from the downtown farmer’s market, so I could not resist it since I’ve never seen it on any other dinner menu. My date ordered the Sheba plate with locally caught Red Snapper. We also ordered an Ommegang Hennepin Saison and a Ginger Mimosa, which were both delicious.
Civilization has their flavors down. My dosa was exploding with a complex mix of spices. The spicy curried potato filling was contrasted with the cool mint and coconut sauces. The tomato Dahl it came with was subtly sweet, with a really spicy aftertaste. The whole meal was delicious, however a little pricey since I can get an equally tasty dosa downtown for $ 4 instead of the $ 14 these two cost.
The Sheba plate was very unique. I’ve never had Ethiopian food before, but have always wanted to try it, so I felt as though this would be a good gateway plate for future endeavors. It came filled to the brim with stewed collard greens, red lentils, potatoes, and a traditional Ethiopian pancake called an Injera. It was all topped off with grilled Red Snapper. Sheba was nothing like I’ve ever had. The Injera was neutral and the perfect platform for the plethora of flavors. The snapper was a little too fishy for my taste, but the collard greens were tasty along with the lentils. I don’t think it is my cup of tea persay, but it’s definitely worth a try.
Overall, I would love to give Civilization four stars, but the service really turned me off. The servers were not attentive at all. I think we only saw them when it was time to order and time to pay. No one really spoke to us at all. I really wanted to try their house made hot sauces, but no one came to check up on us after we got our food. The crazy thing is that we were tucked away in the front of the restaurant right beside the bar that all of the servers were hanging around! The food was a bit pricey for the ingredients used and they are cash only which is inconvenient. There is an ATM out front, but it charges a $ 2 fee. I would really like to give Civilization another chance by coming back for brunch since there is so much hype around it and to try their house made pastas since hand made pasta is one of my obsessions. I just hope that I feel more welcomed the next time.

I love this place! Reminiscent of my favorite places in Wynwood (Miami).
Food is so delicious, well thought out and planned. The ambiance is small but intimate.
Go there for brunch you just have to its delicious! Get the lemon ricotta beinette!

The only reason I write this review in Unilocal is so the owner and staff at Civilization are made aware that I thought you all did a spectacularly brilliant job at offering horribly inattentive and un-​engaging service during your brunch shift today. EACH and every one of your FOH staff had multiple opportunities to acknowledge our existence, refill our h20/​coffee/​mimosas, ask us if everything was okay, offer ANY sort of concern/​gratitude/​hospitality that we waited two hours to eat a mediocre meal.
Instead you offered nothing-​nothing-​that would make me want to visit your restaurant ever again.

Went for dinner tonight. I got something called curried shrimp. Dry, flavorless, uninspired. Overwhelmingly mediocre. I added salt. It didn’t help. My husband had the gumbo. Same problem. No flavor. Expensive and disappointing meal.

When I drove into a residential area, I knew this place would be good. I wasn’t disappointed. The place got packed real quick and the parking lot got full as soon as the place opened. I would recommend to get here early. They do take reservations.
I went there for brunch with several friends. Everything was made to order and the ingredients were organic and fresh. The portions was enough and the taste is out of this world.
There is no need to go on building up this place. Just go there and see it for yourself. It is definitely a place to go.

Ever feel like you’ve been combing the beach with a metal detector, only to find a treasure chest in your backyard? Civilization is a stone’s throw away, but a far cry ahead of many restaurants in town for their stunning commitment to local-​centric ingredients, an ambitious menu, and plenty of beverages to satisfy any patron.
The Space
Off of W. 2^nd and between 23^rd and 16^th you can find Civilization’s signage poking out of the trees. Most of the parking will be to the right, but if you feel like trying your luck a couple of spots are right by the entrance. A row of tables sit outside for nicer days, and they all have checker board outlines taped to them for the enthusiasts. Inside you’ll get a dimly-​lit, chill atmosphere with accents of fun from the polka dot blue table covers. Enough space for most days, but I can definitely understand what people mean when they say Sunday Brunch is rough here.
The Service
Not a single thing to complaint about, which is great for a more pricey dining experience. Every request, from an iced coffee after saying I just wanted water to the appetizer coming out the exact right amount of time before the entrees, was handled with stride. Sit-​down service in Gainesville can lean lackadaisical for those unfamiliar with this town.
The Food
Knowing they endorse local produce/​products so heavily already had me excited, and asking around I got only positive feedback. Then I peek at the menu and see food styles from all over the place, with half of them vegetarian! Partly due to the build up from the aforementioned, as well as because of legitimate issues, I lost my 5^th star here.
— Pinenut-​Crusted Goat Cheese (A): This was a fabulous special. Came with several crostini slices but also enough leafy greens to pair with any remaining cheese that missed our first pass.
— Rava Masala Dosa (B): Came out a tad cooler in temp than I thought ideal. The onion-​potato curry was solid, if a bit mild. Chutneys were mellow in flavor but the texture was just right for the soft crêpe and potato combo.
— Spinach-​Tomato Dhal (C): This tasted very watery and void of spice.
Apart from the knockout appetizer, the entrée itself just seemed subdued. Indian cuisine has a reputation for strength in spice, but I did not get the kick I was after when I ordered. I specifically chose the entrée because I haven’t had any «as good as it gets» indian fare in Gainesville, and that remains the case.
Final Thoughts
Their iced coffee is really, really good. I almost didn’t even get a glass but am glad I did. They specifically mention chocolate notes on the menu, and that holds true. I did try a bite of my date’s meal, which was also a special for the night, and it was definitely more rich with flavor. I hope this was a wrong dish, wrong night situation, and I am eager to try dinner (and definitely brunch) again soon.

I had high expectations before coming here and I can happily say that I was not disappointed. Civilization is tucked away on a little side street, providing a pleasant sort of privacy from the usual hustle and bustle. The building itself has a storied history that dates all the way back to 1929. It was originally a depot for distributing petroleum products delivered by a long forgotten railway. However, nowadays, it certainly delivers a relaxing and elegant atmosphere as an eatery. I especially like the teal and white polka dot tables!
I went for a dinner date and the evening menu is full of exciting dishes. The ingredients are local and organic, but the flavors are a journey around the world, with entrees like the West African Gumbo or the Moraccan Braised Beef. Some other positives are the plethora of options for vegetarians and the fairly extensive beer and wine list.
For an appetizer, I tried the pine nut crusted goat cheese over spinach with a balsamic reduction, which was quite tasty. For my entrée, I ordered the special for the night which was a potato Napoleon served atop a bed of black beans, the potatoes covered in a rich, sweet red sauce, finished with a topping of more of the yummy goat cheese.
I was definitely too full for dessert, but that just gives me a reason to go back! I highly recommend Civilization to everyone. Treat yo’self!

Literally the best place in town. You have to come here!!! The atmosphere is fantastic, the location is easy to get to and the food is phenomenal. Brunch is my fav (1-​because the food is good and 2-​because I’m obsessed with breakfast foods). I recommend the avocado toast and mimosas. The southwestern breakfast is to die for. Will always be my favorite spot in Gainesville. Only tip: come early and expect to wait. They don’t have a call ahead option so you’re at the mercy of their popularity that day.

HOLY COW!!! This place is the mother load. Got pakora, chana masala, beet salad, and wahoo fish with spicy guacamole, black bean sauce and chayote melon slaw. Every single component could have stood on its own. I ate a ton. Super clean food begging for me to have a BIG dark chocolate bar afterwards. Challenge accepted Civilization!
Our waiter, the big guy with a beard and salt and pepper hair, was perfect. He was unbelievably hip and hardly needed to use his words which I greatly appreciated. I’ve never had an experience in which the waiter truly KNEW when to come and when to go. He realizes and practices his role as an element of the dance of a meal out, but makes sure that he is not taking the spotlight and trying to impress us. The non-​verbal conversations had with the waiter were beautifully done. He added to the experience and remembered that he is not the focus of a romantic evening out, it is the love between partners that should always be the star!

A locally owned Gainesville restaurant tucked away down an easily missed side street is a spot worth finding & trying. I went with girlfriends for Saturday brunch. Not terribly busy at 10am, but business picked as the morning went on.
FOOD
Our table of 4 shared the lemon ricotta beignets with ginger mimosas ($ 20 total for both items). The beignets (qty 5) were light and airy, not too lemony, with a blueberry jam drizzle. The mimosa pitcher was tasty, bubbly and a pretty pink hue and plenty for 4 of us to each have 2 glasses. I had the 2 poached eggs over black beans and rice with avocado and crispy tortilla (see picture). Plentiful with good flavor. I think my dish was $ 8 – 9. A friend had the spinach florentine over grits covered with beautiful heirloom tomatoes (see picture). The menu had a ton of variety overall for brunch from eggs to sandwiches and soups.
SERVICE
Superb service, checking in just the right amount. I don’t know what the guy’s name is (salt and pepper hair, beard, tall & handsome :)), but he was a wonderful server — personable, friendly, and attentive.
ATMOSPHERE
The atmosphere is a mix between industrial and diner quirky with pops of color. A small space inside with some outside seating, too. Side parking but not a ton of it.
If you want local and fresh, check it out!