Restaurants

La Cocina de Abuela

4.6 715 reviews 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM 125 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609, United States

Discover this place

At La Cocina de Abuela, tradition meets flavor in a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere. This charming restaurant in Gainesville, Florida, draws inspiration from cherished family recipes, delivering comfort food that feels like home. Known for its generous portions and quick service, La Cocina excels at both lunch and dinner, offering a diverse menu that includes savory Cuban sandwiches, delectable plantains, and vibrant salads. A standout experience is the complimentary salsa bar, allowing diners to personalize their meals. With swift takeout options and a delightful selection of beverages, La Cocina de Abuela is not just a meal; it’s a heartfelt culinary journey worth revisiting.

Photos

Amenities & More

Service options

No-contact delivery
Delivery
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights

Great coffee
Great dessert
Serves local specialty

Popular for

Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Dining options

Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities

Restroom
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

Casual
Cozy
Quiet
Trendy

Crowd

Family-friendly
Groups

Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with La Cocina de Abuela before visiting.

Reviews for La Cocina de Abuela

4.6

715 reviews

100%

17%

Review highlights

Based on 715 reviews

La Cocina de Abuela is widely praised for its authentic and flavorful Cuban cuisine, consistently delivering generous portions that customers find satisfying and well-priced. Reviewers frequently highlight the freshness and variety of dishes, including standout items like mojo pork, chicken curry, and traditional sides such as black beans, plantains, and yuca. The restaurant’s efficient service and friendly staff are commonly noted, contributing to a positive dining experience whether ordering takeout or dining in. Visitors often mention returning multiple times, indicating a strong repeat appeal. Overall, La Cocina de Abuela is recognized for its delicious food, welcoming atmosphere, and excellent value, making it a popular choice in Gainesville’s culinary scene.

James Asher

Mar 25, 2025

Ok, I apologize for not posting earlier and with more photos. I kept eating the food too fast to take pics.This place is legit. This is the best Cuban food I've had in a long long time.It's all good. Every single thing any of us ordered was amazing.Compliments to the chef and staff!

Joey Snuggs (sNOwYjUgGz)

Mar 21, 2025

Just tried this place for the first time and loved it. I got chicken curry, with coconut rice and black beans. I absolutely loved it! 15 bucks for a large portion size that I couldn't even finish. The employees were very friendly and it took less than a minute to get our food. I will definitely be back.Edit: I've been here probably 4 or 5 times now, and haven't tried anything I didn't like. 10/10 from me!

Christopher (C. André)

Mar 02, 2025

This food is absolutely delicious. We grab the food on our last day in Gainesville. We were not disappointed. The staff is very nice. You can take a look at the food to decide what your want. Variety of rice and meats and additions. It's fresh and hot. Very delicious. The yuca is very good as well. I really recommend this place.

Lorenzo Vanderblip

Feb 13, 2025

We stopped in here to get lunch while our vehicle was being worked on. We got takeout of Mojo pork, chicken (Caribbean style) black beans, lentils and plantains. Also got a couple guava pastries for breakfast that were awesome. Generous portions and great flavorful food. I’d come back in a heartbeat.

Robert Rodriguez

Jan 25, 2025

Always great service, food is always delicious (amazing Cuban sandwich!), portion size for the price is fantastic! I now visit weekly and they have erased Chipotle from my memory!

Lindsey Woody

Jan 15, 2025

I’ve lived in Gainesville 9 years … and today I finally made it to La Cocina. It was definitely worth the wait. The staff were friendly and the food was delicious. If I wasn’t moving next week I’d absolutely be a repeat customer.

Aaron Smith

Jan 08, 2025

Amazing food for great prices. Everything is already prepared so you just go in and tell them what you want similar to chipotle. Staff are friendly and helpful. The bakery items are good too

Maeby Ingram

Dec 29, 2024

Amazing. Will be coming back. Fresh hot food, the house-made limeade was amazing, and the service was quick and friendly. Will be coming back.