Matchbox Cafe

We have been trying to visit this place for the past 3 years and the wait was worth it. It’s a small family-run cafe and the owner was really sweet. We tried their matchbox veggie farm burger which was great and their vegetarian lasagna which was outstanding. Portion size was huge for lasagna since it came with 6 slices of garlic bread. We were sitting near the parking since our daughter was sleeping in the car and the owner came to give the food to the parking. The view from the parking was so nice - there was some cool breeze and the trees on the farm in front of us were moving.

The matchbox burger was DELISH! Worth every penny. I walked away so full. And I bought a peanut butter and chocolate cookie for later...I can't wait to eat it. The owners are so sweet and thoughtful. My husband and I will absolutely be back

Really cute cozy family owned spot!! Everything is made from scratch. The burger was memorably delicious!! We also got the bacon egg and cheese sandwich - every ingredient was so fresh and perfect! Not greasy at all.

Amazing comfort food and desserts. We had grilled cheese, meatloaf sandwich and a burger. All delicious! The 1/4 pound chocolate chip cookie was also good. We’ll definitely be back.

We’ve been unofficially comparing cookies across the Hudson Valley and their sugar cookie is easily in the lead. But overall great place, all food is freshly made with care.

Growing up, “matchbox” was a term for a little, cozy home, and that’s exactly the feeling this eatery gave us. While driving through Upstate on a scenic route, ChatGPT recommended this spot (among others) for lunch, and we’re so glad we chose it. From the moment we walked in, the staff behind the counter (possibly the owner) was incredibly warm, welcoming, and friendly, making us feel at home. The food was absolutely delicious and packed with flavor. The french fries were fresh and crispy, and since everything was cooked to order, there was a bit of a wait, but it was well worth it. He also kindly provided us with trays so we could enjoy our meal in the car during our drive. Overall, I’d rate this place a 10/10 and highly recommend it if you ever find yourself in Rhinebeck!

Always fresh when I order, even take out is great quality. Large portions

I’ve been coming here for years. This place has some of the best sandwiches and burgers in the Hudson valley. It’s a shame that the owners are so cold otherwise I would come here more often. The woman owner is extremely condescending and probably shouldn’t be in a customer facing position. I feel bad for her. I get anxiety just calling to place an Order. Today I came to pick up my food and asked for an extra container since I was giving a cupcake to someone and she boxed them together. The woman owner wouldn’t give me one- just offered something that wouldn’t transport it appropriately. The prices here are at a premium and the food is worth it but the rude service keeps me away.

Very cozy little place for lunch. You get a nice portion for the money. Something simple like a grilled chicken sandwich with fries always tastes great. We have been here a few times over the years and always had a good meal. You order with counter service, then they bring your meal to you when it is ready. It is located in a quirky older home and has a few tables and a counter inside. There is more seating outside. They also bake their baked goods--cookies, cakes, etc--in house. Worth a visit when you are in the area!

The counter person was incredibly rude today because she felt overwhelmed. Snapped at me and told me to get out and wait outside. Really disappointing. It was my first time there. absolutely no space inside. way too crammed. Grilled cheese was soggy and stale tasting. Do not recommend.

Very cute place with a few tables and very clean. Nice owners and friendly service. They cook the food to order. The cheeseburger was a little dry. Next time, I'll ask for medium well. Well definitely try for lunch next time.

Great people run this awesome little cozy restaurant just south of the busy part ofRhinebeck. Walk there. Best French fries around. Great, Hardy sandwiches. Excellent local burger meat. Very good coffee too.

Well, I thought it would be great food for the price we paid which was steep, but we were ok since it had great reviews. We each had the chicken sandwich, mine sans dairy. Well, the seasoning was ok but it was DRY. No mayo, no sauce, nothing. And the bun was awful--hard with too many sesame seeds, so I didn't eat it. The fries were awesome though. For the price of the food I'd think it would be better quality. And it had so many darn cobwebs! Could use a good swiffering.

This little place is a must! I was never so glad I missed breakfast in Chicago. Upon recommendation from a sweet patron who was finishing her lunch, my friend and I ordered the veggie burger, while another ordered the egg sandwich. You'll need to unhinge your jaw to fit one of the most mouth-watering uniquely divine "burger" alternative's, I've ever had! The egg sandwich looked equally intriguing, although she did not offer either of us a bite! Served with generous sides of fresh cut fries and friendly service, this place is not one to be missed. And did I mention what we took with us? Cookies that will put your mama to shame! Dense, buttery and full of goodies. I cannot recommend one over another. We got one of each and split them between us. Kitchen sink & Sugar might be slightly the favorite, but I wouldn't turn away any of the others. All made fresh, right there!

Place is great! Food is pricey, but worth it. We got a chicken salad sandwich and a meatloaf sandwich -- both very generous portions. Sam, the owner is the nicest guy. Highly recommended if you're ever in the area.

You know you've had a good meal when it comes up again over coffee the next morning! For the vegetarians out there, the house-made veggie burger/sandwich is flavorful and satisfying. The garlic Mayo was such a great compliment for it as well. We ordered for takeout and while waiting had a nice talk with the friendly owner who also packed our food safe for travel so nothing was out of place when we arrived home. We will be definitely dining there again very soon!

The food was very good. All fresh and seasoned well. The portions were substantial so you shouldn't leave hungry. We were so full we didn't sample any baked goods but I definitely would if we lived in the area. The owners are on site which usually matters. They were friendly and helpful with suggestions. We ate outside as the temperatures were very pleasant. Not a lot of indoor seating had that not been the case. But for us, we give it a big thumps up!!

Incredible tasting food! Quality and size of items are all way above average. The owners are always present and pleasant.

We love visiting Sam & Joanne in their Matchbox Café in Rhinebeck, NY. You just have to get coffee and cake from them sometime. They have rich conversations waiting for you. It's not a place where you feel ignored at all. And the food is worth it. It's small, intimate, lots of fun. They will do right by you. Bonus: Sam has a degree in chemistry...fascinating guy! And Joanne has written a book called Sorry We'reOpen...you can buy it there...ever worked in retail? You'll see yourself in its pages. Go, visit, eat, and Repeat!

Adorable mini restaurant with Amazon eats and personable customer service to match. The fries are to die for!

Sweet little road side cafe with outside bistro tables under a canopy of trees and picnic tables next to a garden and fountain. Limited inside seating - but even on a hot day it's pleasant outside in the shade. Friendly owners make you feel welcome and comfortable. My husband had a burger that he was very happy with and I had the best potato based veggie burger I ever had. Generous side of fries are big and natural cut - full of fresh potato flavor. A bit pricey ($50 for both with drinks) but can't really complain when food is good and it's a nice experience. Bought a giant chocolate peanut butter cookie to go (a steal at $4) that was rich and delicious.

We enjoyed a great chicken salad sandwich and fresh garden salad despite the fact that they had just lost power when we walked in. We will definitely be back to this charming gem.

This little cafe has been on my to-do list for a while now, but we hadn't gotten the chance to try it. We were out antiquing and decided to stop in for a late lunch, and boy were we glad we did! Incredible, local sourced food! The burgers my two adult kids had were so tall that my daughter had to take three bites to get from top to bottom! Get everything on them including the sliced avocado, and add some of the garlic mayo from the fries too! We also tried the delicious blueberry pie and my son took home one of their pot pies for dinner during the week. Their cookies are huge! Try one of the butter sugar cookies...mmmm! We were so full we didn't go to dinner that night. We will definitely be back to try more!

Went there based on reviews. So disappointed. There were supplies stored on the porch but I thought OK quirky. It did not get better. The prices are ridiculous. $17.50 for a BLT!!!!! I thought ok quirky must be amazing food. I ordered the creamy, dreamy mac and cheese and it was anything but. Barely edible. Husband has the grilled cheese and the house made potato chips were the most bizarre chips we had ever seen. Pure white, No salt, completely tasteless. Ate outdoors in a dirt covered lawn on shabby furniture. Have no idea why this place has four + stars. Avoid at all costs!!!!!!

Absolutely delicious food! My husband got the shrimp po'boy, which he loved. J got the salad with grilled chicken and homemade veggie burger, which was the best veggie burger I've ever had! 10/10 dinner and will definitely be back!

What a wonderful hidden paradise. The food was spectacular and the cookies, absolutely amazing. This is definitely a hidden gem owned and operated by Joan who is is very funny and has great wit. I can not wait to visit again.

Great veggie burger, fries and baked goods. Prices were a little steep but food was good. Do not pay attention to the reviews about rudeness, that has not been my nor my wife's experience. Owners were very pleasant and unlike other reviews, using the bathroom was not an issue at all.

Quaint roadside eatery. Friendly owners who aim to please ; casual comfort food that is all homemade!

I heard about this place a couple of times so I went to go try it out. Nice small place with nice people but the guy who took me and my girlfriend's order made us feel uncomfortable. He gave us the menu and the prices were a bit inflated (ordered a burger and fries). Pretty disappointed when i got my order. I just believe its overpriced and maybe overhyped especially for locals trying to enjoy a meal.

Ate lunch here a few weeks back. We ate outside , very tiny inside. BLT was good but we felt lunch ( we all had BLTs) & 3 lemonades for $71 was a bit steep. Outdoor dining area borders a car repair shop so view is eh.

Such a cozy feeling when you walk into the restaurant. It has a small dining area, but it's worth to eat inside. Their burger was delicious and super juicy. Their fries are excellent and one of a kind. Their service was so sweet and kind. The owner came out and asked us how our meal was and told us why his fries are so delicious! I love coming here!

Wow, that was a terrible experience! My mom has a service dog and they told us that we had to leave even though she is a fully certified golden retriever dog(not just one of those emotional support dogs). They said we either had to eat outside(it was pouring rain), or leave. My mom's dog is was fully behaving because she was working but we ended up leaving. This is actually illegal to do but we didn't feel like getting into it with the store so we just left. We have never had this experience before where a business doesn't allow us to eat because of a certified service dog, and I definitely don't wish it on anyone else. They also waited to tell us that we couldn't eat there until after we had already spent 80 dollars for 3 people. I can't speak for the food because we didn't get the chance to try it, but the way they handled that really rubbed me off the wrong way about the companies work ethic.

The best secret in the Hudson Valley! We make a special trip from Poughkeepsie often to savor their incredible meals and to eat outside with the pup. We had the grilled chicken and chicken salad sandwiches. Both were off the charts.

I'm neurodivergent and I have some particular food issues. I checked the menu and it said fried chicken on the weekends while available. Cool - I wasn't counting on it but it could be a fun option if we got there early enough. They had fries on the menu so I knew I could eat there. We get there, I ask if there is any fried chicken - blank stare from the owner with the cool glasses, then an Oh no we only do that in the summer. It does not say that on the menu or on the website - pretty easy fix imo. Nevertheless, I attempt to order the LARGE order of fries since I'm unable to go with anything else. No, I cannot have that because they are not going to hold up the frier line for 1 person/customer. I ended up with a 1/2 order of fries, the guy told me he tried to add more. They were good fries, I love it when they are still soft inside. I did end up eating a ton of my guys fries that came with his burger. My guy got the burger with bacon (extra $6!!!) and he seemed to like it. Update your website if you aren't going to update your menu, people like me comb through the info to find what we can and can't eat.

Amazing service and hamburgers. Sam Cohen is a gem of an owner. You must stop next time you are in Rhinebeck. Best. Burgers. And. Fries. Ever.

Everything was so delicious and fresh! The service was amazing and we loved chatting with the owners. We had the challah French toast and the burger and will definitely be back! Highly recommend to all in the area!

Great food and great people - lovely little out-of-the-way spot. Also desserts are phenomenal.

The Matchbox Cafe was an absolute delight for me and my friends on our way to upstate NY! We just wanted a simple spot for lunch and this place absolutely exceeded our expectations. I definitely recommend the chicken salad sandwich which was so fresh and delightful. The chicken salad was hearty and the lettuce and tomato was very fresh. I also added the optional bacon which elevated the sandwich even more. It was perfectly salty and added another layer of texture to the sandwich. The sandwich came with a side of chips which were good as well. My friends ordered a BLAT and their mac and cheese which they really liked as well. Service here was also great! We were warmly welcomed by the owner and were given a warm goodbye when we left as well. However, please note there's no bathroom on the premises. The owner did let us know that the hotel down the road would accommodate us if needed, however. Would definitely come back here again!

Can't say enough good things about this place. Was considering something else on the menu but when I saw the burgers coming out of the kitchen I knew I had to score one. They did not disappoint. Hand cut fries! Outstanding! Wife had a grilled chicken salad with homemade dressing which she loved as well. Wish we saved room for dessert as there were lots on display that looked scrumptious.

The food is very good and they give you very large portions. But frankly, I could do with human portions and not so ridiculously expensive. The meatloaf sandwich was HUGE. Who can eat that much ground beef at one sitting, plus french fries? It must be a day's worth of calories and fat. They charge almost the same for a chicken sandwich as they do for a Shrimp "Po Boy". That makes no sense. I just read in another review that they have no bathroom? Seriously? Now you know they have one......they are just not providing the paying customers (who are paying a lot) with bathroom facilities. Is it a restaurant or a gas station? I think that is tacky. Rhinebeck is a tourist town that is very full of itself. EVERYTHING is expensive. This place fits right in. Full of itself and very overpriced. You could get a better meal in Manhattan for less money. And we all know how expensive New York City can be.

Believe the hype! Good food does come from small restaurants. This tiny unassuming restaurant with the big reviews deserves every five star review it gets. The burger, voted one of the best in the Hudson Valley is phenomenal as is its vegetarian counterpart. The fries are not an afterthought. Actually, they vie for top billing! The service is friendly and attentive. The price is fair and reflective of the quality, except for the $6 up charge to add bacon. The dessert looks too good to pass up but alas it will need to wait until next time and there will be a next time!

Lovely service. The Mac and cheese and the burgers are good. And the desserts are to die for!

We were looking for a nice place to eat and this restaurant came up in yelp. It's a nice place to have and the people seemed pleasant however for a Mac and Cheese which had no taste and a Berger with bacon and fries ( nothing to drink it was 30 dollars. I think it was a little expensive for what they gave us. And the place had no bathroom. No even a pot-a potty. So my thoughts are if you happen to have a few dollars to burn and don't need a bathroom. This is the place for you.

Charming cafe with delicious, homemade veggie burgers. Friendly owners made our visit special.

I could eat Matchbox every day of the week... and sometimes I do! I love everything on the menu; I get the sense that the food is genuinely made with love. I'm posting pictures from a recent to-go meal - just LOOK at the size of that chicken parm! And they have one of my favorite salads in town. A few other menu suggestions: real solid burger, BLT, grilled chicken sandwich, and lasagna! Lastly, the baked goods are to die for. Try them all!!! The owners are the nicest and friendliest people! Highly recommended!

Our first stop in Rhinebeck. Late afternoon lunch and we were the only customers at that time. Missed the lunch rush. Sam, displaced Manhattanite, is a treasure trove of local information. Gave us great recommendations as to how to spend our short time in the area. Now to the food. Absolutely the best veggie burger I have ever eaten. No joke! It's home made with no fake meat or any beans. Sandwich is huge with lettuce, tomato, and avocado slices. Mmm. And the home made fries...outta this world. My husband reported his chicken salad sandwich was spectacular. We purchased 2 of the renowned chicken pot pies- only available for takeout. It's a small place, only 3 tables inside. Outdoor seating available. The owner and the ambiance are both rich in character. Highly recommend!!

Sam and Joann are simply fantastic online magazine empowering women everywhere ist ein

I haven't even eaten my food yet and I'm writing this review. I have been here for now 70 minutes waiting on a chicken salad sandwich, a grilled cheese and a veggie burger. 70 minutes is absurd. She said it would be awhile and that's fine but this is too long for 3 sandwiches that cost me $45. I can make both those sandwiches in 10 min. Everyone has been waiting this long. I am so confused how a business like this could work.

What a great little spot! Matchbox has amazing food and great service. My personal favorite is the Burger as it is always cooked to perfection.

Love this place so much! Great food, great service. Nice little inside seating area with ambiance!! Would reccomend this for anyone looking for a tasty n Bite to eat

Rhinebeck's hidden gem! I visited Matchbox Cafe after touring the Vanderbilt mansion with a weekend long craving for a burger and fries. Boy, did they not disappoint. I ordered the Matchbox burger which happened to have grass fed beef with the regular toppings. My oh my was it the juiciest burger I've had in a long time. Amazing! The special garlic mayo was an added touch that blew the meal out of the water. My boyfriend ordered the corned beef sandwich which was priced at a hefty $19 and was totally worth the tag. The cuts of beef were chunky and thick. Absolutely decadent. At the end of the meal we also ordered the Butterfinger and espresso brownies which tasted similar to fudge. They were amazing and I highly recommend! So thick and chocolatey...mmm. Needless to say, you need to stop by. You won't regret it. P.S. - the inside is fairly quaint and the bathroom door is deceiving. Be sure to knock a few times to make sure that someone's in the stall. There were many people including myself who mistakenly stood outside waiting for someone to finish only to realize 10 minutes later that no one was inside!

Best Burger in town! The desserts are delicious and you can take home chicken soup or chicken pot pies which are hearty and perfect for comfort food. Sam always is charming !

As much as I really enjoyed my grass-fed, local-beef, cooked-to-order burger here, I have to say this is the first time I ever thought a crafted veggie burger looked even more interesting than the burger I was eating. My dining companion who ordered couldn't stop raving about it (and he's used to cooking pork loins on his own gas grill). It was so thick he had to use the knife and fork they gave him to cut it rather than eat it as a hand-held burger. And the slices of avocado under it were a nice plus and nice tough. My cheeseburger was no-frills, but that's the way I like them, so that I taste the flavor of the meat instead of the condiments. But what really impressed me were the fries. These were like "7 Guys" fries, definitely local and naturally cut and cooked to perfection. I had to remember I also had a burger to eat. Oh, and the music playing was a lot of fun too. I made sure to pick up a menu, too. This place has a great breakfast menu, and I got to see some of those items prepared as late breakfasts while I was having an early lunch. I'd definitely stop in for breakfast if I'm on the road early.

Great burgers in a casual setting in Rhinebeck. No frills, just good homemade burgers. Perfect stop to wind down a weekend road trip up north.

This tiny but delicious restaurant is one of my favorites. Their food is great from what I've had (though slightly pricy) and for the vegetarians, they have an outstanding potato veggie burger. To be honest, Matchbox's cookies are the best thing on the menu. The service is great and the people there are always so kind.

Charming and very relaxed, just-off-the-road spot for a delicious burger. The French fries were some of the best I've ever had - like, ever had! The service was slow yet very personable from the kind owner and his wife; I was prepared for a busy Sunday lunch crowd. The great weather made for a nice sit outside in the shady mix and match seating area provided. Good burger and great fries.

very sad that th French fries that we have had the last 3 times we were there were dry and overly brown - they seemed to have been refried. We'll go to Buns for fresh fries.