Original American Kitchen (OAK) brings a fresh, memorable take on American dining to Gainesville, blending new Southern fare with a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels both relaxed and refined.
Set in a brick- and wood-lined space, the restaurant creates the kind of setting where a casual breakfast, a long brunch, or a celebratory dinner all feel equally at home.
Guests come for the thoughtful menu and stay for the experience: craft cocktails, a self-pour selection of beer and whiskey, and a strong lineup of drinks that includes a great beer selection, great cocktails, and a great wine list.
Whether you are stopping in for a solo meal, meeting friends over happy-hour drinks, or looking for a place that can handle everything from comfort food to healthier choices, OAK offers a versatile dining experience built around quality, variety, and genuine hospitality.
The restaurant’s appeal goes well beyond the menu. OAK is a favorite for breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, dessert, and catering, making it a reliable destination for nearly any occasion. Guests can enjoy dine-in service, outdoor seating, kerbside pickup, or takeaway, with table service that helps create a smooth and welcoming visit.
Added conveniences like Wi-Fi, free Wi-Fi, a bar on site, and restroom access make the experience even more comfortable, while accessibility features such as a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet help ensure more guests can enjoy the space with ease.
Brunch reservations are recommended, and reservations are accepted, giving diners added peace of mind when planning a visit. Located at 15 SE 1st Ave in Gainesville, OAK combines approachable style with standout service, earning a strong 4.30 out of 5 rating from 1,263 reviews.
With credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted, it is designed to be convenient, welcoming, and ready to serve guests looking for a high-quality American restaurant experience.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Original American Kitchen (OAK)
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Poached eggs, house hollandaise, hickory bacon, paprika, breakfast potatoes, micro greens Contains: egg, dairy, pork, gluten
Two buttermilk biscuits, Fehrenbacher sausage gravy, paprika, green onion Contains: egg, dairy, pork
Fried chicken thigh, golden malted waffle, fresh watermelon, bourbon maple syrup, powdered sugar Contains: egg, dairy, poultry
Multigrain bread, fresh avocados, onion + tomato, spices, over easy eggs, southern' dippin sauce, arugula, micro greens (vegetarian) Contains: egg, dairy, Contains dairy, eggs (may contain wheat)
Flour tortillas, scrambled eggs, Fehrenbacher sausage, seasoned tater tots, house hot sauce, cheddar cheese, green onion Contains: egg, dairy, pork Contains dairy, red meat, egg
Two eggs cooked your way, choice of hickory smoked bacon or Fehrenbacher sausage, breakfast potatoes, buttermilk biscuit Contains: pork, dairy, gluten
Luke's NY style everything bagel, blackened cream cheese, capers, tomatoes, red onion Contains: gluten, dairy
Luke's NY style plain bagel, blackened cream cheese, capers, tomatoes, red onion Contains: gluten, dairy
smashed angus patties or beyond burger. sharp cheddar cheese. grilled onions. bread + butter pickle chips. burger sauce. chorizo-chili jam. seasoned waffle fries. brioche bun. Contains: dairy, red meat, gluten
Scrambled eggs, asparagus, sweet potato + black bean mix, breakfast potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, fresh avocado, green onion, hot honey garlic Contains: dairy, egg
chopped romaine heart. shaved parmesan. seasoned croutons. house made caesar dressing (contains raw egg) Contains: raw egg, dairy, gluten
mixed greens. red onion. fresh pear. heirloom tomato. gorgonzola crumbles. candied pecans. dijon vinaigrette
baby arugula. heirloom tomato. avocado. corn. cotija cheese. basil vinaigrette.
Mixed greens, red tomato, shallot, monterey jack cheese, pineapple vinaigrette Contains dairy
Two buttermilk biscuits & butter
Five fried Oreos, vanilla bean ice cream, powdered sugar, chocolate sauce Contains: dairy
Homemade bread pudding, vanilla bean ice cream, bourbon caramel sauce, powdered sugar Contains: dairy, egg
Warm pecan pie, vanilla bean ice cream, caramel sauce, candied pecans Contains: dairy
Poached eggs, house hollandaise, hickory bacon, paprika, breakfast potatoes, micro greens Contains: egg, dairy, pork, gluten
Two buttermilk biscuits, Fehrenbacher sausage gravy, paprika, green onion Contains: egg, dairy, pork
Fried chicken thigh, golden malted waffle, fresh watermelon, bourbon maple syrup, powdered sugar Contains: egg, dairy, poultry
Multigrain bread, fresh avocados, onion + tomato, spices, over easy eggs, southern' dippin sauce, arugula, micro greens (vegetarian) Contains: egg, dairy, Contains dairy, eggs (may contain wheat)
Flour tortillas, scrambled eggs, Fehrenbacher sausage, seasoned tater tots, house hot sauce, cheddar cheese, green onion Contains: egg, dairy, pork Contains dairy, red meat, egg
Two eggs cooked your way, choice of hickory smoked bacon or Fehrenbacher sausage, breakfast potatoes, buttermilk biscuit Contains: pork, dairy, gluten
Luke's NY style everything bagel, blackened cream cheese, capers, tomatoes, red onion Contains: gluten, dairy
Luke's NY style plain bagel, blackened cream cheese, capers, tomatoes, red onion Contains: gluten, dairy
smashed angus patties or beyond burger. sharp cheddar cheese. grilled onions. bread + butter pickle chips. burger sauce. chorizo-chili jam. seasoned waffle fries. brioche bun. Contains: dairy, red meat, gluten
Scrambled eggs, asparagus, sweet potato + black bean mix, breakfast potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, fresh avocado, green onion, hot honey garlic Contains: dairy, egg
chopped romaine heart. shaved parmesan. seasoned croutons. house made caesar dressing (contains raw egg) Contains: raw egg, dairy, gluten
mixed greens. red onion. fresh pear. heirloom tomato. gorgonzola crumbles. candied pecans. dijon vinaigrette
baby arugula. heirloom tomato. avocado. corn. cotija cheese. basil vinaigrette.
Mixed greens, red tomato, shallot, monterey jack cheese, pineapple vinaigrette Contains dairy
chopped romaine heart. shaved parmesan. seasoned croutons. house made caesar dressing (contains raw egg) Contains: raw egg, dairy, gluten
mixed greens. red onion. fresh pear. heirloom tomato. gorgonzola crumbles. candied pecans. dijon vinaigrette
red + white quinoa. crumbled goat cheese. heirloom tomato. sweet potato + black bean mix. fresh avocado. kale. sunny side up egg. dijon vinaigrette. Contains: dairy, egg
baby arugula. heirloom tomato. avocado. corn. cotija cheese. basil vinaigrette.
Mixed greens, red tomato, shallot, monterey jack cheese, pineapple vinaigrette Contains dairy
Two buttermilk biscuits & butter
Five fried Oreos, vanilla bean ice cream, powdered sugar, chocolate sauce Contains: dairy
Homemade bread pudding, vanilla bean ice cream, bourbon caramel sauce, powdered sugar Contains: dairy, egg
Warm pecan pie, vanilla bean ice cream, caramel sauce, candied pecans Contains: dairy
Five fried Oreos, vanilla bean ice cream, powdered sugar, chocolate sauce Contains: dairy
Homemade bread pudding, vanilla bean ice cream, bourbon caramel sauce, powdered sugar Contains: dairy, egg
Warm pecan pie, vanilla bean ice cream, caramel sauce, candied pecans Contains: dairy
Deep fried jalapeno peppers. house pimento cheese stuffing. southern dippin' sauce. (vegetarian) Contains dairy, gluten
house brined chicken wings served naked or deep-fried. oak hot honey drizzle. bleu cheese or ranch dressing.
seasoned + fried mahi mahi bites. lemon zest. house made lemon tartar sauce.
seasoned + fried cauliflower. honey. sriracha + spice blend. white truffle oil.
warm bavarian salted pub pretzel, house made kale + artichoke dip (vegetarian) Contains dairy, gluten
whipped feta. chili oil. crumbled pistachio. thyme. kalamata olives. olive oil. ciabatta crostinis.
grilled chicken breast. pesto aioli. fresh mozzarella. red tomato. bibb lettuce. brioche bun. seasoned waffle fries.
Melted smoked gouda + monterey jack cheese, ciabatta bread, fire roasted tomato soup. Contains: dairy, poultry (chicken base)
fresh mahi mahi. blackened seasoning. lime + onion + mango pico de gallo. fresh cilantro.
smashed angus patties or beyond burger. sharp cheddar cheese. grilled onions. bread + butter pickle chips. burger sauce. chorizo-chili jam. seasoned waffle fries. brioche bun. Contains: dairy, red meat, gluten
brined + fried chicken thighs. golden malted waffle. white chocolate peach sauce.
fresh seafood, sun-dried tomato cream sauce, artichoke jasmine rice Contains: seafood, dairy
breaded + fried bone in pork chop. fehrenbacher sausage gravy. white cheesy grits. fried egg. green onion. Contains: dairy, egg, red meat
fire grilled & hand-cut six ounce filet mignon, rosemary demi glace, grilled asparagus, fried onions, garlic mashed potatoes Contains: dairy, red meat, gluten Contains red meat, dairy, gluten, soy
fire grilled angus boneless ribeye. gorgonzola crumble. grilled onion. balsamic reduction. garlic mash. choice of side.
penne pasta. house made vodka sauce. heavy cream. parmesan cheese. fresh basil. black pepper. (Pictured w/ add chicken)
sautéed lobster. white cheesy grits. crumbled bacon. spices. heirloom tomato. green onion. roasted red peppers.
boneless angus short rib, onion + garlic, sweet tea demi glace, smashed fingerling potatoes, candied heirloom carrots, thyme Contains: red meat, gluten
chopped romaine heart. shaved parmesan. seasoned croutons. house made caesar dressing (contains raw egg) Contains: raw egg, dairy, gluten
mixed greens. red onion. fresh pear. heirloom tomato. gorgonzola crumbles. candied pecans. dijon vinaigrette
red + white quinoa. crumbled goat cheese. heirloom tomato. sweet potato + black bean mix. fresh avocado. kale. sunny side up egg. dijon vinaigrette. Contains: dairy, egg
baby arugula. heirloom tomato. avocado. corn. cotija cheese. basil vinaigrette.
Mixed greens, red tomato, shallot, monterey jack cheese, pineapple vinaigrette Contains dairy
Five fried Oreos, vanilla bean ice cream, powdered sugar, chocolate sauce Contains: dairy
Homemade bread pudding, vanilla bean ice cream, bourbon caramel sauce, powdered sugar Contains: dairy, egg
Warm pecan pie, vanilla bean ice cream, caramel sauce, candied pecans Contains: dairy
Deep fried jalapeno peppers. house pimento cheese stuffing. southern dippin' sauce. (vegetarian) Contains dairy, gluten
house brined chicken wings served naked or deep-fried. oak hot honey drizzle. bleu cheese or ranch dressing.
seasoned + fried mahi mahi bites. lemon zest. house made lemon tartar sauce.
seasoned + fried cauliflower. honey. sriracha + spice blend. white truffle oil.
warm bavarian salted pub pretzel, house made kale + artichoke dip (vegetarian) Contains dairy, gluten
whipped feta. chili oil. crumbled pistachio. thyme. kalamata olives. olive oil. ciabatta crostinis.
grilled chicken breast. pesto aioli. fresh mozzarella. red tomato. bibb lettuce. brioche bun. seasoned waffle fries.
Melted smoked gouda + monterey jack cheese, ciabatta bread, fire roasted tomato soup. Contains: dairy, poultry (chicken base)
fresh mahi mahi. blackened seasoning. lime + onion + mango pico de gallo. fresh cilantro.
smashed angus patties or beyond burger. sharp cheddar cheese. grilled onions. bread + butter pickle chips. burger sauce. chorizo-chili jam. seasoned waffle fries. brioche bun. Contains: dairy, red meat, gluten
brined + fried chicken thighs. golden malted waffle. white chocolate peach sauce.
fresh seafood, sun-dried tomato cream sauce, artichoke jasmine rice Contains: seafood, dairy
breaded + fried bone in pork chop. fehrenbacher sausage gravy. white cheesy grits. fried egg. green onion. Contains: dairy, egg, red meat
fire grilled & hand-cut six ounce filet mignon, rosemary demi glace, grilled asparagus, fried onions, garlic mashed potatoes Contains: dairy, red meat, gluten Contains red meat, dairy, gluten, soy
fire grilled angus boneless ribeye. gorgonzola crumble. grilled onion. balsamic reduction. garlic mash. choice of side.
penne pasta. house made vodka sauce. heavy cream. parmesan cheese. fresh basil. black pepper. (Pictured w/ add chicken)
sautéed lobster. white cheesy grits. crumbled bacon. spices. heirloom tomato. green onion. roasted red peppers.
boneless angus short rib, onion + garlic, sweet tea demi glace, smashed fingerling potatoes, candied heirloom carrots, thyme Contains: red meat, gluten
Deep fried jalapeno peppers. house pimento cheese stuffing. southern dippin' sauce. (vegetarian) Contains dairy, gluten
house brined chicken wings served naked or deep-fried. oak hot honey drizzle. bleu cheese or ranch dressing.
seasoned + fried cauliflower. honey. sriracha + spice blend. white truffle oil.
warm bavarian salted pub pretzel, house made kale + artichoke dip (vegetarian) Contains dairy, gluten
thick cut hickory bacon. bibb lettuce. fried green tomatoes. pimento cheese. balsamic glaze. multigrain bread. seasoned waffle fries.
grilled chicken breast. pesto aioli. fresh mozzarella. red tomato. bibb lettuce. brioche bun. seasoned waffle fries.
Melted smoked gouda + monterey jack cheese, ciabatta bread, fire roasted tomato soup. Contains: dairy, poultry (chicken base)
fresh mahi mahi. blackened seasoning. lime + onion + mango pico de gallo. fresh cilantro.
smashed angus patties or beyond burger. sharp cheddar cheese. grilled onions. bread + butter pickle chips. burger sauce. chorizo-chili jam. seasoned waffle fries. brioche bun. Contains: dairy, red meat, gluten
pan cooked or fried blackened redfish. diced tomatoes. shredded lettuce. proud pickle chips. shredded cheddar. southern dippin’. hoagie roll. seasoned waffle fries.
seasoned + fried tofu. roasted red peppers. melted smoked gouda cheese. pesto. LTO. brioche bun. seasoned waffle fries.
chopped romaine heart. shaved parmesan. seasoned croutons. house made caesar dressing (contains raw egg) Contains: raw egg, dairy, gluten
mixed greens. red onion. fresh pear. heirloom tomato. gorgonzola crumbles. candied pecans. dijon vinaigrette
red + white quinoa. crumbled goat cheese. heirloom tomato. sweet potato + black bean mix. fresh avocado. kale. sunny side up egg. dijon vinaigrette. Contains: dairy, egg
baby arugula. heirloom tomato. avocado. corn. cotija cheese. basil vinaigrette.
Mixed greens, red tomato, shallot, monterey jack cheese, pineapple vinaigrette Contains dairy
Five fried Oreos, vanilla bean ice cream, powdered sugar, chocolate sauce Contains: dairy
Homemade bread pudding, vanilla bean ice cream, bourbon caramel sauce, powdered sugar Contains: dairy, egg
Warm pecan pie, vanilla bean ice cream, caramel sauce, candied pecans Contains: dairy
Deep fried jalapeno peppers. house pimento cheese stuffing. southern dippin' sauce. (vegetarian) Contains dairy, gluten
house brined chicken wings served naked or deep-fried. oak hot honey drizzle. bleu cheese or ranch dressing.
seasoned + fried cauliflower. honey. sriracha + spice blend. white truffle oil.
warm bavarian salted pub pretzel, house made kale + artichoke dip (vegetarian) Contains dairy, gluten
thick cut hickory bacon. bibb lettuce. fried green tomatoes. pimento cheese. balsamic glaze. multigrain bread. seasoned waffle fries.
grilled chicken breast. pesto aioli. fresh mozzarella. red tomato. bibb lettuce. brioche bun. seasoned waffle fries.
Melted smoked gouda + monterey jack cheese, ciabatta bread, fire roasted tomato soup. Contains: dairy, poultry (chicken base)
fresh mahi mahi. blackened seasoning. lime + onion + mango pico de gallo. fresh cilantro.
smashed angus patties or beyond burger. sharp cheddar cheese. grilled onions. bread + butter pickle chips. burger sauce. chorizo-chili jam. seasoned waffle fries. brioche bun. Contains: dairy, red meat, gluten
pan cooked or fried blackened redfish. diced tomatoes. shredded lettuce. proud pickle chips. shredded cheddar. southern dippin’. hoagie roll. seasoned waffle fries.
seasoned + fried tofu. roasted red peppers. melted smoked gouda cheese. pesto. LTO. brioche bun. seasoned waffle fries.
chopped romaine heart. shaved parmesan. seasoned croutons. house made caesar dressing (contains raw egg) Contains: raw egg, dairy, gluten
mixed greens. red onion. fresh pear. heirloom tomato. gorgonzola crumbles. candied pecans. dijon vinaigrette
red + white quinoa. crumbled goat cheese. heirloom tomato. sweet potato + black bean mix. fresh avocado. kale. sunny side up egg. dijon vinaigrette. Contains: dairy, egg
baby arugula. heirloom tomato. avocado. corn. cotija cheese. basil vinaigrette.
Mixed greens, red tomato, shallot, monterey jack cheese, pineapple vinaigrette Contains dairy
Hear from our valued guests
Just had the best piece of salmon I have ever had at OAK! This was my first visit and I was impressed with the friendly manager Carlos who greeted us as we entered. OAK has a wonderful, fun atmosphere. Emma was our waitress and she did a fantastic job, explained a little about the restaurant and provided wonderful service. I can’t wait to come back and try their brunch!
Took my parents here for dinner when they visited me at UF and I was a little nervous. My dad's picky and my mom doesn't do loud restaurants well. Ended up being the perfect call. We went on a Monday evening so it was quiet, no wait, easy to actually have a conversation. Dad got the strip steak with sweet potato fries and cleaned the whole plate. Mom had the tomato soup and grilled cheese and said it was the best she'd had in years. I went with the chicken and waffles, they were boneless, fluffy waffle, and tasted great. Manager even came by to check on the table which was a nice touch. Definitely my go-to spot to bring family now.
Upscale dining experience with modern log cabin feel to the decor. Went here for lunch during the week with my husband. We enjoyed a mule, Oak smashburger with fried egg, waffle fries, and grilled cheese with tomato soup. Food was ready in about 15 minutes. About $100 with generous tip. The place was nicely decorated. Restrooms were clean. We decided to eat outside since it was a nice day. Upside = it was sunny. Downside = there was a friendly fly 🪰 which luckily, appeared at the end of our lunch date. Parking is metered via parking app; $0.60 for every 30 minutes. We would come back here again for lunch. Thanks for a nice first visit 😊
Beautiful bar, decor and vibes. Ryan made me a White Lotus 🪷🍸 delicious coconut milk and elderflower liqueur with a touch of Rosemary herb. I would love to see Florida Standard vodka for awesome this cocktail and venue!
Genuinely one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to. The food options are amazing. ENTREE FAVS: (Breakfast) • Breakfast Burrito with tater tots! (Dinner) • Short Rib with the sweet tea demi 🤤 • Filet Mignon with a rosemary demi!! DESSERT FAV: • Bread Pudding: I’d come in JUST for this! DRINK FAVS: • Strawberry Orange Mimosa Blonde Ale: It’s very light and like a mixed drink but it’s a beer. It’s so refreshing. SERVICE: • We usually get great service every time we come. However, our most recent visit, our server wasn’t very attentive and we were waiting on water refills for a bit before I had to stop her and ask. ATMOSPHERE: • The music can be too loud sometimes, making you feel like you’re in a bar setting and have to yell to the person across the table. I think people would prefer a more lower music volume to chat with people. Overall, this place is worth it!
Had such an amazing experience at Oak! The food and atmosphere were incredible, but Tabitha truly made the night unforgettable. She was so attentive, friendly, and made us feel so welcomed from the moment we sat down. You can tell she genuinely cares about her customers and goes above and beyond to make sure everything is perfect. Easily one of the best servers I’ve ever had. If you go to Oak, definitely ask for Tabitha!!
Original American Kitchen (OAK) is an absolute gem for anyone who appreciates delicious food and a warm, inviting atmosphere. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by friendly staff who make you feel right at home. The menu offers a fantastic selection of American favorites, all prepared with great attention to flavor and presentation. Every dish is fresh, well-seasoned, and cooked to perfection. The burgers are juicy, the ribs are tender, and the sides complement the meals beautifully.
Had an amazing experience at OAK in Gainesville! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the staff was friendly and attentive, and the food was absolutely delicious. The cocktails were excellent, and every dish came out fresh and full of flavor. Perfect spot for brunch, dinner, or a night out with friends. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Gainesville and I’ll be coming back again soon!
OAK in downtown Gainesville was such a nice surprise. The space feels warm and inviting, with rustic details mixed with modern touches. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the food was solid Southern-style American comfort food. If you enjoy things like fried green tomatoes and biscuits, you’ll probably love it. It’s a lively, enjoyable spot and definitely worth checking out.
A nice take on american style foods. Additional ingredients like pesto on my chicken sandwich, and Hugh chicken and waffles were more than we could eat. Wonderful flavors in the pretzel dip too.
Common questions about Original American Kitchen (OAK)
Original American Kitchen (OAK) is located at 15 SE 1st Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601, United States, Gainesville, FL, United States.
You can reach Original American Kitchen (OAK) by calling +1 352-558-6696.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 1263 customer reviews.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Kerbside pickup, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following highlights: Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great wine list, Serves local specialty, Sport.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following popular for: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Happy-hour drinks, Happy-hour food, Healthy options, Late-night food, Small plates, Spirits, Vegetarian options, Wine.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following dining options: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom, Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Trendy.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, LGBTQ+ friendly, Tourists, University students.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following planning: Brunch reservations recommended, Accepts reservations.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following children: Good for kids, Has changing table(s), High chairs, Kids' menu.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Paid parking lot, Paid street parking, Somewhat difficult to find a space.
Original American Kitchen (OAK) features the following pets: Dogs allowed outside.
Business Features
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