Cress Restaurant

My husband and I celebrated New Year’s Eve at Cress Restaurant, which also happened to be our anniversary—and it was absolutely perfect. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt special: warm, inviting, and ideal for a celebration. We ordered the red snapper catch of the day and the filet, and both were exceptional—beautifully prepared, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. For dessert, we shared the white chocolate crème brûlée, which was the ideal ending to an already outstanding meal. Add in great wine and attentive service, and the entire evening felt effortless and memorable. A wonderful dining experience and a night we’ll truly remember. We’ll definitely be back. 🍷✨

Had a nice visit to this small restaurant centrally located in downtown Deland. The service was fantastic. They were very attentive throughout the meal and I was greeted warmly upon arrival. Loved the seat they gave me right by the window so I could people watch. They have quite a large wine list for this area so I was impressed. Started with the escargot and it was delicious and flavorful. Had the ribeye for the main course. It was a little fatty, but the flavor was fabulous. Huge portion as well. Prices very reasonable as well. The ribeye, which came with sides, was only $49. I would return to eat here again.

Do not come here on holidays! On the Christmas Eve me and my husband arrived 15 minutes early for a reservation. After being seated we waited 30 minutes before I stopped a passing waiter and made them aware that we had not been greeted by anyone. The first item came to the table at 6:43 pm, we were seated at 5:15 pm. The entrees arrived at 7:49 pm, my filet was over cooked and had to be remade. The entree was remade quickly and the owner came out and apologized. When the bill arrived the restaurant had an auto gratuity of 20% added. Under normal circumstances we would have paid it but after the service we received we asked that it be removed and the owner said no. Do not go to this restaurant on holidays they don’t know how to handle large groups or busy nights.

After reading the reviews, we were anxious to try Cress restaurant. My husband ordered scallops while our friend ordered the lamb. Both thought their meal was very satisfactory. I ordered the red snapper dinner and found it to be dry. I had to squeeze lemon on it and ask for sauce to make it more palatable. Even the key lime pie wasn’t as good as I expected it to be. The highlight of the restaurant was our server who was very efficient. We all liked how she explained the food we ordered. Unfortunately, for us, the restaurant didn’t hit the mark especially for our $200 bill.

Went for our anniversary. 5:30 pm Friday. Not busy at all. Ate inside and it was a nice atmosphere. Had escargo for appetizer which was very good. Husband had lamb shank and I had the scallops and we shared the Brussels sprouts. It was ok. It wasn’t bad. Scallops needed lemon or spice of some sort. I do believe it’s overpriced for the amount you get. And it’s overrated. I was really looking forward to 5 stars but I just couldn’t do it. But it was a nice restaurant. Small menu. Probably won’t go back I’m sorry to say.

The service was wonderful - everything was immaculate & clean - The food had incredible taste - As you approach the establishment it portrays itself as a more exclusive restuarant in an area with the average guy establishments. The prices would definitely suggest and confirm that. I would say the only thing was the pricing was on the slightly steep side even though lamb fell off the bone. Definitely an anniversary or date night out location.

I recently dined at Cress for lunch, a first for me despite several enjoyable dinners in the past. My partner and I brought our dog and bunny along after a vet appointment, so we opted for the patio seating, which was lovely. We started with a fresh salad that I thoroughly enjoyed, followed by the cauliflower steak and a side of potatoes gratin. Overall, the flavors were delightful! However, I felt that the cauliflower steak could have used a bit more cooking and seasoning, as it needed just a touch of salt. The standout of the visit was the staff; they were incredibly attentive and seemed excited to share that they are now open for lunch. It made for a pleasant atmosphere. I will definitely return to Cress and look forward to exploring more of their lunch offerings!

We drove from ORL to eat at Cress on a Thursday evening. The food was amazing, we ordered the escargot and cheese plate as appetizers. The lamb shank with couscous was fall off the bone delicious. The fish of the day (Snapper) was cooked to perfection . The service was on point , and the owner visiting our table for casual conversation sealed the night ! This restaurant is a 10 + .

Had a nice visit to this small restaurant centrally located in downtown Deland. The service was fantastic. They were very attentive throughout the meal and I was greeted warmly upon arrival. Loved the seat they gave me right by the window so I could people watch. They have quite a large wine list for this area so I was impressed. Started with the escargot and it was delicious and flavorful. Had the ribeye for the main course. It was a little fatty, but the flavor was fabulous. Huge portion as well. Prices very reasonable as well. The ribeye, which came with sides, was only $49. I would return to eat here again.

Had a large group going to the theater afterwards. I ordered the blackened fish sandwich with a mushroom soup. Both were good nothing special. Wife had the Mac cheese and added shrimp. The sangria was $9 and filled with ice not a good value. Service was outstanding and that's why I gave it 4 stars. Only having one bathroom was not good when you're drinking.

Service from Cameron L was professional, friendly and nonobtrusive which is exactly what we prefer. The restaurant is elegant/casual and the menu reflects the ambiance. We arrived around noon for lunch and were immediately seated. We started with the escargot and was impressed with the size, the taste and the plating. For lunch we had the Local Shrimp and Grits ($16) and the (Blackened Fish Sandwich with soup of the day ($18). We enjoyed the portion sizes as they were reasonably priced, enough to finish and didn't leave us feeling to full to enjoy a walk and shop around town with room in our stomachs for chocolates and Icecream as we strolled and shopped the avenue.

We called to make sure we could order from the dinner menu even though we wanted to go at lunch and we were told that would be fine. I was looking forward to the escargot and the scallops. We walked in around 12:00 and we were welcomed in by the owner, Tom. He was extremely friendly and offered a seat by the window or a table farther into the restaurant. We decided we'd prefer the table farther into the restaurant and were seated right away. He brought us water and Katherine came over to introduce herself. She was a wonderful server! She was attentive friendly and knowledgeable. She told us the catch of the day and the soup of the day. Then she gave us some time to look at the menu. She brought our sodas out and we placed our order. DH had a coffee rubbed filet and I had the sea scallops. The food was cooked right and was delicious! The atmosphere was delightful! Very open and inviting. The restaurant also had outside seating. We are definitely returning.

Great food, service was excellent and ambiance was very pleasant. Can't wait to go back again.

Great staff awesome food. The staff were fantastic. Knew the menu very well. The wine was perfect. The food was incredible. The ambience was lovely. I will definitely be back.

With the Bite 30 going on, we decided to venture a little further out and make the hour long drive to Deland to check out Cress. We made a reservation ahead of time for Friday at 7:15pm (glad we did as it was busy). There is a public parking lot around the corner from them as street parking is limited. We arrived ahead of schedule and were able to be seated promptly. The location is very quaint..ladies leave your large purses at home if you are dining indoor. They do have outside seating available as well. I opted to order from the bite30 menu, but my husband chose to go off of the regular menu. He ordered their ribeye and it was cooked perfectly had a really nice Pittsburgh cook to it (a little char on the outside and warm center). I got a taste of it and it was delicious! I opted to start with the soup of the day, which was their tomato bisque. Clearly made in house, very hearty, rustic in nature (a little chunky) with homemade croutons. It was delicious! For my main entrée. I opted for the Australian braised leg of lamb. The lamb was fall off the bone, tender with really warm, hearty flavoring. It was served with a succotash, that also had some good flavor. For dessert, I opted for the James Beard award like cake. Which included a almond citrus flavoring. It honestly wasn't my favorite, but just because there was so many nuts actually in the cake. Overall, we found the food to be really good but our server was very slow and paid very little attention to us. It was a little bit of a disappointment after driving an hour to go out there. It's also a location you should be prepared to take your time or have a two hour plus meal. Our reservation was at 7:15 and we did not have our main entrées until almost an hour later.

My wife and I went and had dinner at Cress Saturday evening 9/14 and again, they did not disappoint. The service was spot on, as well as the atmosphere in the restaurant was great and what can I say but again the chef's did not disappoint my wife and I, the food was fantastic all three courses from the soup, to the main dish and the delicious dessert what more can you ask for. Thanks again for a wonderful dinner.

Food beyond what you would expect for a small town. Even some of the best restaurants in New York City I go to are not as good. If you need a fine dining place for business a date or just want some good food. This is your spot. Only negative I'd say is there's no music or a bar to sit at which I feel is kind of mandatory for a fine dining restaurant other than that five stars

This is a restaurant to avoid at all costs. We went there a two or three weeks ago, and it was a terrible experience. We were essentially held captive for hours, waiting for lukewarm, mediocre food. It took about an hour just to get our appetizer. The escargots themselves were plump and of good quality, but they were horribly prepared--served nearly cold and just lying on a plate with no cups or shells. Escargots are one of the easiest dishes to prepare, yet they still managed to ruin them. After another long wait, our entrées arrived, and they were absurdly rich--everything was drowning in grease and heavy sauce. It was a disaster. The entire dining room was stuck in the same situation, and I think some furious customers even managed to leave without paying. No one ever explained what was going on. A complimentary glass of wine during the long wait or at least some effort on the bill would have been appreciated, but of course, that didn't happen. Independent and expensive places like this are not uncommon. They think they're good just because they list a $60 greasy dish on the menu and have a waiter with neatly trimmed mustaches. That's really not enough - especially in this economy!

Just ate there tonight for Mr boyfriend's Birthday. It was a huge disappointment! The duck was raw and I ended up waiting another 10-15 minutes for them to cook it. Waitress made no effort to reach out to manager who was busy talking to his friends outside . We ordered dessert and I hoped a candle would have been added since it was my boyfriends Birthday . I have worked in the restaurant business for many years and that meal would have been comped and dessert on the house for someone's Birthday. It is an expensive place to eat and I won't be back

Cress is one of those places that you go for a special occasion, tablecloth on the table very very nice atmosphere, service is attentive, but not hovering. However, from a foodie's perspective, the menu is a bit small. However, what they make they make well, and it is always consistent.

We knew we were going to be in the DeLand area this past weekend, so we decided to make reservations at Cress for a Saturday night, which came highly recommended from many of our chef and foodies friends. This is a more fine, elevated dining experience and Cress definitely lives up to all the wonderful things we had heard. We had reservations right at 5pm when they opened, so we were seated immediately, but it wasn't long before the place filled up completely. This is a popular pre-show dinner spot when folks are attending an event happening at the Athens Theater just down the street. We started our meal with Chenin Blanc (they have beer, wine, and a couple wine-based cocktails) and their famous signature escargot. Loved the wine (and great wine prices too!) and the escargot was top notch.... Garlicky, buttery, and the cremini mushrooms complemented this dish well. For our mains, we ordered the crispy duck breast and the braised Australian leg of of lamb. Both of our entrees were phenomenal. I absolutely loved my duck paired with the goat cheese, beet confit, orange citrus, and toasted pistachios. This flavor combo was perfection. My husband's lamb dish was also fantastic. Cabernet broth, seasonal succotash, roasted veggies, and cress grits... like a big comforting bowl of stew (he even had leftovers). Of course, we saved room for dessert -- their signature orange infused creme brulee with seasonal berries. I also paired this with the Italian coffee (cappelletti, espresso, and cream). The creme brulee is super light and it was the perfect cap to the meal. The service was remarkable. The GM walks around and talks to every table, and you can tell they are truly committed to the guest experience. This is probably why they have been in business since 2008 and won Best Overall Restaurant in the 2020 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards. We will definitely visit again the next time we're in the area!

If I could I would give it a 3.5/5. This restaurant is a cute local restaurant located in the heart of downtown DeLand. Went for the bite30 menu. They start everyone with a strange slice of daikon/radish with a salsa on top. Ordered good local beer, but they had a strange choice of glass as the beer only filled about 3/4 of the glass. The fish ceviche had a good amount of fish, but the flavor itself was bland and over a bed of soggy butter lettuce. The chicken leg was the best dish with a nice spice to it. I would only come back for that dish. We also ordered the duck which was very well made but only came as two slices with a strange side of barley salad that was listed as couscous. The crème brûlée was a strange cherry garcia flavor that was gritty in texture and the layer of caramelized sugar was so thick.

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Cress last night - what a great choice. Food was superb to be certain, but the best part of the experience was meeting and getting to know the owners over a glass of wine she poured for us after our meal and we had paid our check. We talked travel, food, and life. Very peaceful vibe. Very very good value for money at Cress

My husband and I wanted to try someplace new to celebrate our anniversary and had heard that Cress was the place to go in DeLand. It did not disappoint! I was worried that it would just be pricy mediocre food, but it was delicious. We started with the escargot- I was a bit concerned when it came out just piled on a plate but that concern quickly went away. Absolutely delicious! I ordered the leg of lamb while my husband ordered the chicken roulade. Both were outstanding- the chicken roulade won for the best entre, though. It was also the best service we've had out in a long time. The staff was very attentive and made you feel comfortable. This is one big piece that will have us coming back.

It was our wedding anniversary and we wanted to have a nice dinner but not our usual place! We found this restaurant online and the menu looks good so we made a reservation online and went there! Our server is amazing, friendly and like a friend! Her service is awesome! Food is even better! We tried the bite 30 menu! They are so good and yummy!

We wanted to stop here for a super long time. We decided to stop and love it so much! The service was super great, they were attentive and super nice. All the food was omg delicious! I love that it has minimal seating. I love that it was quiet and nice ambiance! I will definitely will be back and highly recommend!

This is a charming restaurant downstairs you can sit outside. The food is really good and it's a great place to have meetings or have your group out for some kind of an award banquet. It's set up excellent. They have a good choice of foods all kinds of things you can order from breakfast to hamburgers to steaks, and there's Muriel's painted all downstairs on the walls quite charming

The menu selection and food were excellent. We were a party of 7 people and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their choices. Delicious food, quaint environment and nice wine options. This was an unexpected pleasure in a small town. I would definitely return.

The hubby found this place for a birthday dinner and it was spectacular. The food was worth every penny. He could not finish all of his beef tenderloin, which is saying a lot. Everything on both plates was moan-worthy. We also had the perfectly prepared escargots for an appetizer, but somehow that picture has vanished. Downtown DeLand is very charming.

Our first time at this great little restaurant in the beautiful town of Deland FL. Our service was great, the appetizer was delicious and the catch of the day was unbelievable. Our dessert was Cremè brûlée which was delicious but served cold instead of hot. All in all we enjoyed our dinner and wine (Duckhorn Sav Blanc) very much.

I forgot to get a picture of everything because I was digging in! I truly enjoyed everything we ordered. We ordered the strawberry and goat cheese salad, Herb Crusted Smart Catch of the Day, Braised Australian Leg of Lamb, almond cake and the most delicious glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Everything was delicious and tasted freshly prepared! Looking forward to going back to try more items on the menu.

Cress is such a pleasant surprise of a find in Deland! Definitely fine-dining service standard with a cozy ambiance. The food is such excellent quality full of depth and so much flavor!!! We had the duck and mushroom steak and both dishes blew us away with flavor! Looking forward to going back and trying different dishes. Seating is limited, but well worth the reservation. Fortunately, my husband and I were able to walk in without one and be seated right away to an open table. Amber was our server and it was so refreshing to finally find a sit down restaurant with excellent customer service. If you're looking for good date night this is the place!

Disappointing dinner. Gaps in service, warm beer, cold food that had to be sent back. Great menu but an off night for an expensive meal. What was good: corn silk soup, hummus platter, Cress salad, and two had high quality NY Strips.

Disappointed. I had a vegetarian pasta dish that was too salty for me to eat (and I like salty foods). I sent it back - a gentleman came over and said that they would make it without any salt at all and I could add as much salt as I wanted. ummm..... no - that's ridiculous. Please remake it with an appropriate amount of salt - this should not be difficult for a trained chef. The salt level should be somewhere between "no salt at all" and "inedible." The second meal to be served was okay - not great and not good enough for the high price.

Small intimate restaurant with great food. Everything made from scratch and as ordered. Menu changes with the seasons. Always an amazing experience. The staff is great and knowledgeable about everything.

Service was great, Food was awesome, including desert. Nice small Quaint restaurant. Went before a concert at the Athens theater.

Ok ok ok hear me out. Let's start with the good. We stopped by with no reservation and they took us immediately. The location and ambiance is stellar. The staff is amazing/friendly and knowledgeable. The menu has something for every palate. While we skipped dessert we did have plenty to eat and drink. Liza had the sparkling Rosé and I had the Merlot both were very nice. The appetizer was Gnocchi, it was delicious full of flavors and textures I've never had before. The dinners were something else;while I had the Fillet Liza had the prime rib I ordered mi Filet Med Rare and I usually order my steaks and it was not, the steak was overcooked and the vegetables were burnt. Liza's Prime was a little better but still overcooked and as hard as a hockey puck. The entrees were a real downer as I had waited to eat here for a while and was expecting a much better experience. The cost for us was about $130 or so (not bad). I have heard nothing but amazing things about this place but unfortunately my experience was very different.

The food was absolutely delicious! We made a last minute reservation for dinner on a Saturday night and they were able to accommodate us. When our food took too long to get to us, the server comped each of us (4 total) a glass of wine. The space is small, but there are outdoor tables available.

Great little place in DeLand with yummy food and a nice wine selection! Try the zucchini bread!

I've been here before, years ago and absolutely loved the experience. I've been waiting to return and introduce a new person to the amazing cuisine located in the heart of Deland. The food was amazing, even down to the detail of the smoked grapes on the cheese board. The food is filling and the prices are reasonable and worth it for the culinary experience. We had a table in the back and enjoyed the liveliness of the table next to us. We all had a great time.

Nothing special considering the prices and talk about the place. There really is no atmosphere either

Wow what can I say 1st Customer service is a 10/10 Attention to detail you are treated like royalty Everyone works from inside to the outside to make you have the best experience ever Great place for a casual or romantic dinner. Highly recommend. A little pricey but to be honest The food is amazing the location is great but the service if worth the money. You can not put a price in these customer service Great job all around you can see the love and passion in this business. Looking forward to come back again!!!!

Cress is my go to upscale restaurant in Deland. I enjoy the quality of the Chef's menu and specialties. The curry dishes and steak selections are especially good. Service is always outstanding. One can tell that each server is well trained and attentive to the diners needs as well as being knowledgeable about the menu. The bar and wine selections are excellent.

I found Cress on Yelp and, based on reviews, decided to give it a try. What luck! This unassuming restaurant is absolutely the best, from reception to dessert. My wife had the Shrimp & Grits - a spicy take on an ole favorite - and Cress hits a homer! I had the Almond & Black Sesame Grouper - an uncommon take on one of my favorite fish - and Cress hits a grand slam! Absolutely the best grouper I have ever enjoyed. Add to this a tender and extremely tasteful escargot appetizer followed by a wonderful bread pudding dessert and we had one of the most relaxed and enjoyable dinners in years! BZ to Cress and their wonderful staff.

Came here for our anniversary in an effort to do something nice while being close to home. The experience was nice, the food was pretty exotic, and the service was exceptional!

Lovely food and ambience. My favorite place in DeLand. Service was excellent too. Will be back soon for a special treat!

Been wanting to dine at the Cress.. Made a reservation 2 days prior. They were very good in reminding us of our dinner reservation for the 16th of May. We arrived on time & reception was warm & friendly, we were seated at once & a server came to offer us water. Another server came & explained the special of the day. In short, we ordered escargot in clarified butter & garlic sauce for the appetizer which was superb. The portion was plenty for 2. And for the main entree, I ordered the cocoa espresso rubbed tenderloin with sides of shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon lardon/garlic, potato aug gratin & salsa verde. My friend ordered the crispy maple leaf farm duck breast with sides of herbed pearl couscous, babaganoush. Both were excellent choices! All of the ingredients are fresh & meticulously prepared to perfection by the Chef. Savored every bite of our food. And for dessert we had the delicious crème brûlée. On top of the tastiest food, the ambiance & service was impeccable! Another big plus Ms Suran, owner of Cress is hospitable, reasonably accommodating to the diner's requests. She made sure that our expectations were satisfied. She even shared a green papaya salad with us that she made for herself. After our dinner, she even sat with us offered wine & the Chef Amanda came to join us too. Awesome! Made Brenda's birthday celebration really special & memorable! We would definitely go back & highly recommend this restaurant!

All I can say is hands down best food in Central Florida. The explosion of spices and flavors is superb. The quality and knowledge of the made to order plates are delightful. You really get a great dinning experience. Perfect date night restaurant.

What an amazing Place. The food is fresh and flavorful. Loved he experience. The menu is captivating and unique

Outstanding! One of the more interesting menus I've seen in quite some time. We had the parsnip and sweet potato soup, wild mushroom flatbread, and the bison stroganoff with homemade noodles. All offerings were bursting with flavor and beautifully plated. The wines at the lower price point were very nice too. We felt there was an concerted effort to provide quality at every price point, and a delicious lower priced wine was no exception. We look forward to returning!

We had a reservation at 7:45 tonight and were not seated until 8:05. We didn't have drinks until 8:15 and our food was not plated nor served until 9:40. There was also a table who was sat after us, food came out before us, and left before us. We didn't have anything crazy. We waited almost 2 hours for our food. Granted, the food was delicious. My husband had the ribeye and I had the filet. Both amazing. We just don't have that kind of time to spare. If you're okay waiting that long for amazing food, go for it. But I'd rather go somewhere in winter park or lake Mary for those prices and quality of food. We will not be back.

Best restaurant in DeLand and a top choice in Central Florida. The duck confit is insanely delicious. Haven't had a bad meal here, ever.

Excellent food and customer service. There are options for pescatarians and also vegans. The bison stroganoff is amazing!

We were very impressed with the food & the service. We had prime rib, which was excellent & perfectly cooked. The vegetables served with it were excellent accompaniments. Before that we had the mixed mushroom appetizer, which I highly recommend. My only complaint is that the noise level made it difficult to have a conversation with our guests.

Excellent Everything Highly recommend- will be back. Party of four celebrating our daughters new job.

Cress is a jewel for Deland. I cannot think of anything that wasn't perfect. The welcome, food presentation , service and quality was exact what one would expect. Thank you so much to all. See you all soon.

The food was delicious, and the service was fantastic! Very nice spot to get dinner if you're in Deland.