Dolce Vita Bakery Cafe

Reviews

• Anthony A.

  star star star star star 16 May 2026

  Was looking for a little sweet and found this small bakery on yelp.  Dolce Vita is a tucked into a strip mall on 34 st.  Small selection of cookies and pastries.  I don't know if they switch things out daily or not. We just grabbed two cannolis. They fill them to order.  I'll say the filling was excellent. Nice mix of sweet and the Riccotta comes through just right.   I'll be back to try some other stuff when I'm back in town.

• Leah A.

  star star star star star_border 13 May 2026

  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.

• Noah M.

  star star star star star_border 8 May 2026

  I really like this place. They have some great pastries and run out of most items within the first hour of opening. This place would easily be a 5 star if they smiled a bit. T it's probably because they're up so early making pastries and don't have many staff. Still a hidden gem and my favorite bakery in Gainesville.

• Laur R.

  star star star star star 7 May 2026

  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.

• Pam B.

  star star star star star 7 May 2026

  First time here, great chocolate chunk cookies.  Eclair, cronut were delicious.  Pastry of cherry and apple was flaky and good.  Ordered pumpkin pie for today, great flavor and the crust was so good.  Everything is made from scratch and it tastes like it.  Owner Rose was a delight to meet.  Just wish I'd been here sooner.  Lunchtime has boars head meats.  She offers Italian dinners to go also.  Will be back soon.