Terrapin Restaurant

We went to Terrapin last night and really enjoyed the overall vibe. The place has a great atmosphere, and the staff were respectful and attentive throughout. I had a solid IPA to start, and for appetizers we tried the goat cheese-filled wontons and lamb chops—both were decent, not amazing, but fine. The standout was the braised short ribs—perfectly cooked and seasoned, served with creamy mashed potatoes. If you’re in the mood for a classic burger, ask for it medium rare with Gouda cheese—totally worth it. We’ll definitely be coming back. A cozy spot with good food, great drinks, and a relaxed vibe.

Food was good! A little above your average bistro food with some twists but the drinks were extremely good and we had a crème brûlée that was the best that we ever had. The best part of the experience was our server Ashley, she made my time there very enjoyable with her super warm attitude, friendly, and attentive service. I’m writing this review solely for her, she is truly so amazing and I highly recommend going there just for the sole experience of her service alongside with the amazing food, drinks and desserts!

Excellent. We started with the spinach, arichoke dip Which was delicious. For our entrées, we chose the Bronzino and the spring pasta both were prepared to our liking and wonderful..we ended the meal with the phenomenal gluten free ice cream sandwiches.

Stopped in for dinner without a reservation and it was chilly out so we didn’t want to sit outside. The hostess found us a seat and so glad she did. The ambiance is amazing just like the food. The food and service were amazing. We will be back and will get a reservation. This is a must to stop and eat here.

Amazing restaurant with an unbeatable atmosphere inside an old church. Very delicious food, especially the soul food platter. The servers are great as well. I very highly recommend Terrapin for a nice dinner near Kingston.

Great place to have a stake and enjoy the interior while dinning. Due to history of this place you still can feel church vibes while dining. The building originally was built circa 1825 for the First Baptist church of Rhinebeck. Food is great, I love stakes and chops and they definitely know how to cook them. Service is poor, so don’t expect something outstanding as once waiter just forgot about us and another time we got slightly warm food. Worth visiting, but service could be better.

This place is all about the ambiance. The renovated church is spacious and airy, and the space has great dim lighting. It is however super packed, and when I visited there wasn't sufficient staff, so service was extremely slow, and they got one order wrong. They completely forgot about our table for 30 minutes after we finished the meal, so we ended up leaving without dessert. The food is fine, very interesting on paper, but the execution is nothing to call home about at this price point.

Our return after one year. The menu has been changed. Although we were looking for our favorite appetizers, we discovered new ones that totally hit the spot. Service was top-notch as always and the signature cocktails were both unique and delicious. Highly recommended for farm to tabke fans from near or far.

We were searching for a restaurant with an eclectic menu on line and found it wasn't easy. Then we drove by Terrapin and were drawn in by its unique architecture and style! ( it appears to have been a church) I liked that it had two menus. It had a bistro menu and a dining room menu. We chose the bistro as it was less expensive and the crowd seemed to be in the bar- not the restaurant. We were allowed to substitute sides easily which was refreshing. The server was always smiling and attentive. There seemed to be plenty of staff which nowadays is unusual. The menu was great. Tons of tapas priced under $7! We shared a crusted tuna, awesome mushroom soup and a shaved broccoli salad for our appetizer. I had the sliced sirloin steak which was cooked perfectly and came with a tangy horseradish sauce with mashed potatoes. My friends had the meyer lemon chicken breast and the pork chop with apple demiglaze. All were nice satisfying portions. Our cocktails were generous and old school. A great non pretentious place for dinner!

After coming to Rhinebeck for over 25 years, we finally tried Terrapin and it was fantastic! We usually stick to our basics but finally branched out and couldn't believe how lovely all of the food was. The service was great, the food was great, the drinks were great & the atmosphere was gorgeous. We will definitely make this one of our new staple restaurants when we come to Rhinebeck!!

We started w the artichoke spinach cheese dip. It was gooey cheesy and very tasty. The chips were crunchy but could've used a bit of salt while cooling. (I'm not a salt lover). But they were good it would've brought the bite to the next level. We shared some tapas of duck quesadillas w a guaco on top it was nicely cooked crunchy tortilla w a good portion of duck inside. Then I had the artichoke fried w an aioli on top very crispy good flavor. The best bit was the ahi tuna on a wonton. Very good bite. Our waitstaff was great. No wait time and they have a couple of places to try inside and out. We chose the bistro. But would love next time to try the pavilion in the back or the patio because you get both menus. It was kinda dark but cute inside dark panel walls and old church on the outside very cool. The water was not bad. Good times w friends on a girls trip.

Four of us dined here last night and everything was delicious! We started with the spinach artichoke dip and a mushroom soup and loved them. I got the leg of lamb and my husband got the pork chop, both at the recommendation of our waiter and both were delicious! The pork chop was very moist and huge! The lamb fall off the bone and so big I couldn't finish it. Our server was Patrick who was so funny and a great server. Food came out fast and hot and not a single complaint with the meals. The ambiance was nice, it's a concerted church with a lot of the churches touches kept for the charm. Absolutely would go back.

I hate leaving bad reviews, It's not my style at all. Mom always said "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." Sorry Mom, but I can't let the public stumble upon this place like I did (as an out of town traveler) and order these non-edible crispy fish tacos. Taco Bell could do better. Please take this shit off the menu, and spare yourself the embarrassment. The $16 drink I ordered wasn't good either. I'm grieving the loss of my $50. Let me end with a positive & mention how cool the place looks from the outside! Yeah!

The service was excellent, the appetizer was made to perfection. Congratulations to the chef, perfect blend of music to my palate! We only had drinks and appetizer, THIS IS TO PLACE TO BE.. Terrapin Restaurant , check it out! Ps.. no regrets!

We went to finish of our honeymoon week, and were pleasantly surprised by how well the food/service and attention to detail were. From the bread/water utility , to the hostess, waiters and dining room mgr. All super professional, friendly, noted our special occasion and bought us dessert! Watching the water/busser go to each table with one hand behind back is a lost art. My partner and I are both in the industry and to see the level of service provided you would have thought we were in a Michelin rated restaurant. The waiter was phenomenal, made appropriate recommendation's and the food was so good, we ended up taking a lot home is we wanted to try it all!

A delightful and enjoyable experience, enhanced by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. The setting, a former church with historical charm, has been beautifully transformed into a pet-friendly bistro, filled with happy patrons and delicious food. A must-visit!

Ambience 10/10 Service 10/10 Food 7/10 Berry pie 11/10 Also the portions are very large

We ate outside in the pavillion behind the restaurant. I loved that they are dog friendly! Staff was super kind and attentive to us. We started with pomegranate passion martinis which are so good you have to have 2. The unique flavor will make you think about them for days and want to come back for more! My friend loves their burgers and their shoestring fries are delicious. I have been to Terrapin many times and never been unhappy with my meal. Unfortunately, this time I chose the sirloin steak and it was kind of plain and tough. Won't get that again! But I will be back for anything else on the menu!! You cant go wrong with this place!!

First visit to Rhinebeck for work in a nearby area. I stayed at the Inn at Beekman Arms and could have easily eaten there, but while shopping around the cute town, a local woman suggested I try Terrapin. Ao glad I listened to her! As a solo traveler, it was the perfect spot to get a comfy (albeit a little low) seat at the bar, have a drink, and some dinner. As other reviews point out, the building itself is an old church and has lots of character. It fits perfectly with the entire vibe of the area- the feel that you are stepping back in time, or at least, getting to feel the past's presence in the now. So, I'll get right to the best part- the food. PLEASE GET THE CHICKEN SOUP WITH SOURDOUGH DUMPLINGS AND HOMEMADE CHICKEN BROTH. I've traveled for the past 20 years, eating out all over this country and I must say this is the BEST SOUP I'VE EVER HAD. The flavor is perfect. You can tell when something is made with love. This is it. I also had the quesadilla with figs and goat cheese (and something else). I can't remember the exact ingredients in the quesadilla because I was too spoiled with the soup and nothing could compare to it. I do remember that the quesadilla was tasty, but I definitely wished it had chicken in it. Again, I had the soup before the quesadilla and I was still wanting more. Next time, I'll definitely get more soup! I also had a glass of the Sancerre on the menu. It was delicious. A delightful Cherry sorbet (presented with a real cherry and a mint leaf) and a well-made, tasty decaf cappuccino ended this delicious adventure. I will dream of the soup until I get back there next month!

The burger was cooked and seasoned to *perfection*, shoestring fries were tasty, and my hubby's gnocchi was toothsome, fresh, and delicious. The farm-fresh ingredients truly shine. Service was also lovely.

In celebration of our pending 43rd Anniversary, my wife and I had dinner at Terrapin. We have dined here on many occasions and have always enjoyed the experience. We arrived early and enjoyed a cocktail at the bar while our table was prepared. Peter, our mixologist, was pleasant and professional. Our drinks were served promptly and we enjoyed them in the bistro/ bar. The hostess came to inform us our table was ready whenever we wished to be seated. We finished our cocktails and she seated us at a lovely round corner table in the main dining room. Our server , Patrick, introduced himself and inquired as to our beverage request . We ordered a delicious bottle of Bordeaux which Patrick presented and opened for tasting. It was superb. We enjoyed the wine while reviewing the menu selections. Patrick returned and took our orders and placed them with the kitchen. The dinners were delivered in wonderful presentation. My wife's salmon was done to her liking, but my double chop was undercooked. Patrick inquired as to the quality of the dishes and I told him of my issue. He, without hesitation, returned the dish to the chef and apologized for the inconvenience. The manager also came by to also offer his apologies and comped my dinner selection due to the inconvenience. I was very appreciative of their diligent effort to correct the problem and return my order that was now perfectly done. We reviewed the dessert selections and Patrick again offered his expertise and suggestions. The warm berry cake was wonderful! Patrick made our evening enjoyable and filled with good conversation and fun. Our compliments to the entire staff at the Terrapin for another memorable experience.

This is my favorite restaurant in Rhinebeck! The food is amazing and always consistently cooked. Service goes above and beyond, kind, friendly, and usually a fun time is had with any servers I've had over many years of coming here. The dining room is updated and cozy with nice lighting and comfy seats. As for dishes I've had or someone with me has had, faves are tapas/apps menu Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Mini Burgers, & Crispy Artichoke w/Wasabi, Entrees Uncle Vinny's Special Rigatoni, Bowtie Pasta with Sweet Sausage, Garlic, Cream, Tomatoes and Broccoli Rabe, Pumpkin Ravioli, Grilled Organic King Salmon, and Asiago Cheese Crusted Chicken Breasts. Can say each dish was cooked to perfection and we keep coming back for more! Highly recommend, either side, Bistro or Dining room. Haven't had a single issue ever, my go to when in Rhinebeck.

Fantastic! My partner and I had the Valentine's day Prix-Fixe dinner and it was GREAT! Dining room is charming and not too loud although it was packed! Service was Top-Knotch! Tapas platter was quite tasty(Scallop Cerviche was our favorite). Short ribs and filet mignon with fois were perfectly cooked. Our second time here and we will most certainly book again. .

Súper cool atmosphere and vibes - service was top notch - and the food was solid. Mindy my better half had a fish dish that was outstanding - I had the braised short rib which was good but the gratinee was better - not the way it should be - the meat should be the star not the side. Drinks were amazing - one was their version of an old fashioned and the other had muddled blueberries - delicious - both recommended by our waiter. Highly recommend making this one out your stops on your trip to Rhinebeck.

Stopped in the bar area after a long day driving and doing errands. This restaurant & bar is really a gem in Rhinebeck. While we were only in for a beer and sandwich the experience was very positive for 5pm on a Thursday afternoon. Electing to sit at the bar we received very prompt service and each had the Reuben sandwich. This sandwich was outstanding with freshly cut Pastrami, Swiss, and thousand island dressing and a huge portion of fries with malt vinegar or ketchup (I selected the former). My only complaint was even though it was about 82 degrees outside it was freezing inside and I couldn't wait to get back out from under the ceiling fan. Service was prompt, efficient, courteous, and engaging. Could not have asked for a better wait staff member.

Service was great and the food was really good. I went for Christmas Eve and did the pre fix menu. The tapas sampler included was really good. The duck quesadillas are amazing. I had the chicken and it was delicious.

Ambiance, elegant and cozy, Wait staff were pleasant and engaging We just the tapas menu and were thoroughly impressed. I highly recommend.

For a nice and comfortable atmosphere, Terrapin Restaurant is the place to stop at. A reservation is highly recommended if someone wants a seat quickly. There is a decent amount of seating inside and also outside, with plenty of room to move around. It was fairly packed when we came, but our waitress did a great job moving it along. There's a lot on the menu to offer, and it's awesome to see the variety. Looking at it, some of the prices may jump out at you, but great quality food makes it reasonable. All the foods we got tasted delicious and wonderful, and the burger I got was one of the bests I've ever had, very juicy and a little messy. Another visit will sure come soon.

Service was good, food was ok. Lighting was just a little low. Every one was using the phone flashlights to see the menus. Overall it was good. John H

Absolutely love this place! Especially, the Bistro. Great environment and top notch service.

Easygoing environment. Food is delicious and servers are responsive with a friendly vibe. Cool bar.

This place is a great experience and delicious food. The food is more unique than I am used to in California. I feel like they take average food ingredients and turn it into a fine dining experience yet still casual. In some of the dishes, I felt they turned boring food into wonderful and flavorful dishes. The service was a little slow only because of rush hour, but it worked out fine since it helped us build our apartire even further to devour the pretty big serving sizes. I highly recommend. The ambiance is interesting, it reminds me a little bit of Harry Potter. It's also giving fancy grunge because of all the dark wood. Heads up the bathroom is at the bottom of some steep stairs.

I must admit I've been dining here either for lunch or dinner since the restaurant opened. Each table, whether in the barroom, main dining room, or outside on the sidewalk, has usually provided guests a welcome change to the many, many other Rhinebeck options. Here, we ALWAYS knew that whatever looked interesting on the menu, a burger and fries were our failsafe. In a word, delicious! And the other, more complicated dishes --thick pork chops, King salmon, strip steak, etc...are equally good, though pricier, of course. And the wine list always has an affordable winner! (hint: Try the BR Cohn Cab) On my most recent visit for dinner, however, I had a different experience. Mind you, the food we ordered was as good as ever (except the tasteless duck quesadilla) AND my whiskey pour was excellent, but for the first time, many of the traits that kept the restaurant noteworthy for so many years were no longer there. Gone were the waiters who dressed and acted professionally, caring for the customer, and being on the ball. Gone were the clean walls and beautifully lit coffered ceilings, marred now by kick marks, ill-matched touch-up paint strokes, and spiderwebs. Dirty....and worse, the main dining room smelled. As several reviewers have commented, and I agree, the restaurant feels tired, and old, and needs a makeover -- a freshening cleanup, as it were -- ANYTHING to remove what now feels increasingly VERY depressing. You could start by painting, cleaning the carpets, and turning down (or off) the top-40 rock radio station! I understand that Covid hit restaurants smack in the jaw with the loss of the quality and quantity of available workers but, come on, it's been three years now, and those excuses are hard to maintain. Successful restaurant owners MUST continue their original vigilance and not become lazy. Train your staff properly, clean the joint, and continue what you are "supposed" to do best. Then, I'll be back.

Visiting this lovely area with my family and as someone came out of this place expressing his delicious it was, we decided to have lunch here instead of other lovely places in the village. It is a church that was repurposed so the dimensions, windows and woodwork are lovely. The problems started and ended with our server. I noticed one of those mask-like faces with a 'professional' and in genuine smile that never changed no matter what she was doing or where she was hovering in the restaurant but I just disregarded it. When she sat us, she immediately asked if we'd like any drinks but as we weren't ready yet, she left. But it was twenty minutes before she returned when we asked a busboy if someone could take our order. She finally did come for that. And then another forty minutes passed before our dishes arrived. Simple sandwiches and fries - there was nothing of any theatrical accuracy required. Cold food. And incorrect orders. I told my younger son to let the first person we could grab that he'd ordered Brie on his burger. Instead of taking his dish, and returning with a heated burger and Brie, the waitress came back five minutes later with a small ramekin that had two slices of cold Brie and delivered it with that masked smile and the words, "there must have been a miscommunication". Also note, when the menu says Ahi tuna sandwich underneath the steak sandwich - it won't be what you're thinking : it's tuna fish salad. We all waked for three hours to shift that meal. A five day holiday - luckily this was our only regret. I do recommend the area though- beautiful walks in the woods and usually a great place to share a meal.

This place is a little tired and worn. There doesnt seem to be much presence in the front of the house-nobody at the host stand, eventually a server came over and snapped at my child (granted she was being annoying) and directed us to a strange cavernous outdoor area in the back that kind of looked like a convention area. We eventually sat inside. From then on, the service was good, but the food was uninspired and mediocre. Salmon was cooked well but was served with unseasoned veggies and a flat pesto, ceasar salad was wilted, chicken was dry. The interior has nice vaulted ceilings but could use a refresh. Im sure once they get new management/ownership this place will turn around.

I really enjoyed my experience here! The restaurant wasn't open for dinner yet, so we had a drink in the attached cafe which had a strong drink menu and many choices appropriate for lunch or a smaller dinner. Once the restaurant opened, we enjoyed our appetizers, lamb chops and goat cheese wontons. Both were amazing! For dinner, my friend had a mustard chicken dish that was very tasty and I the filet mignon. Both were excellent, as was the service. The interior is nicely done and helps make the overall experience delightful. This was a good choice for us and I hope for your visit, too.

Service was coo. Drink was good. Ambiance was good. Got the small plates and didn't like them. I hear a lot of good things about this place. The peppers were bland and barely charred. They needed a sauce or something. The wonton were good but not enough. 2 small pieces for $6. Each item on my small plate was $6. The lamb chop... may have had potential but I wasn't asked how I wanted it cooked and forgot to say I wanted it medium well. I wasnt gonna send back 1 chop. It was medium rare and I couldn't even bite into it. It was too chewy. The oysters were really small so mostly bloody mary mix which tasted good. I really wanted to like this place but just didn't care for the food. You could tell I didn't eat much of any of it. Ended up going next door (gigis) for dinner.

The service on a busy Friday night was top notch; upscale dining. The hosts and table staff were friendly and attentive. The spinach gnocchi with truffles was delicious and melted in your mouth. I'm drooling just thinking about it. Beautifully decorated dining room.; the bar side of the restaurant is more laxed. More like a nice sport bar.

Enjoyed a delicious meal at Terrapin while visiting for a football game. The appetizers were absolutely delicious! My only critique would the cocktails - I tried a few cocktails and found their cocktail menu to have several duds compared to other restaurants in the area. Definitely enjoyed their selection of craft beer after the fact!

Great place for variety and quality. Gotta get the tapas to experience it all. Very nice inside. Friendly staff. Fresh food all around

My cousin and I went out for a lovely dinner our server, Patrick, was amazing!!! He made the night. He provided suggestions and had us try things we wouldn't have otherwise. His choices were perfect. He was fun and professional. I would come back just to interact with him again. The food was delicious. We had the double porch chop, braised short rib, artichoke and lamb chop tapas. Patrick had us try the mushroom soup which was to amazing!!! I didn't think I liked mushrooms, I was wrong!

I am sorry to have to give this review, because I have enjoyed Terrapin many times over the years. Sadly, last night's meal may be our last after the mediocre service and execrable food we experienced. The service was quite slow, and we waited almost a half hour for food despite the simplicity of the order and the uncrowded restaurant. Our appetizers finally came. The crispy artichokes were borderline ok: more crust than artichoke. The shishito peppers were way too hot, limp and soft: clearly microwaved too much. We returned the peppers, and looked forward to our main courses: duck quesadillas and tuna tacos, which we have enjoyed in the past. Both dishes were inedible. The duck quesadillas were unrecognizable: puffy and very clearly burnt. The tuna was uncut, gray and raw: a hunk of badly cooked fish on a taco. Needless to say, we left after speaking to the manager. It was perhaps the worst meal we have had out in years.

The service was good, sat and had the calamari it wasn't seasoned much tho... but it was as okay. Nice friendly environment

Great menu items, everything was delicious. Great mixed drinks, Service was excellent! Cool vibe in what looked like an old church or cool old building. Overall a great time and would go back.

First time visit to Terrapin - the front/hostess stand are absolutely lovely. The ambiance of the old church is beautiful, I love to see an old building repurposed. It was a bit loud for my liking, but it was a busy Saturday night, so it was to be expected. The food was good - not great. Everything was cooked properly and tasty, there was just no "wow, you have to taste this" moment. Our server was fine, somewhat lacking in his tableside manner. Would definitely return, but would also checkout other places in Rhinebeck as well.

i had a custom burger with swiss, tomato, and lettuce with thousand island dressing. the burger was really good but i would have gotten the dressing on the side. it almost had a little too much dressing. the fries were ok. a little too over cooked/burnt for me. the wasabi aioli was good from my dads appetizer he had. the service was very friendly. bathrooms were clean. i would come back.

We had the Prix Fixe' dinner for Valentine's Day. The food was excellent and the flavor profile very well layered and nuanced. In specific we chose the Grouper and Filet Mignon options. The tapas for appetizer were varied and just the right amount for a starter. Some of the preparation elements (sauces and purees) are available on the regular dinner menu. Note, The Terrapin has both a Bistro and Fine Dining section, this was in the Fine Dining section.

Had an amazing meal in their lounge. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Very diverse menu with fresh, locally sourced food. Everyone at the table shared. I particularly enjoyed the mushroom and squash soups and the customized sandwiches. Choose your bread, cheese, toppings, and sauces from a wide assortment. Could decide between salad and fries, so the waiter suggested getting half of each. Also, the offer tapas portions of desserts... perfect.

Very nice lunch spot. We ate on the outside terrace which was open and comfortable. The staff were all helpful and accommodating. We had salads, sandwiches and tacos. All were prepared well and delicious. Great variety and accommodating to changes. Would highly recommend.

Come si,come ca- Not a top notch place for the price.dark, dungeon like feel and entrees are quite ordinary. Had a burger and it was not worth the price. If this is considered one of the better restaurants in Rhinebeck than either it was a bad night or the clients are nit that fussy.

Terrapin was such a great experience! The duck tacos were the star of the show. Sitting Al fresco was such a great vibe on a beautiful day. The service was great and food came out quickly. Would come back!

I'm from out of town, but right off the bat I was gonna give this place 5 stars, simply because as soon as I was seated outside I realized they were playing the entire Harry's House album and it made my whole day! My rosé sangria was delish and refreshing and the baked mac & cheese was one of the best I've ever had. My Dad really enjoyed his burger as well! It was cooked perfectly! Will definitely come back when I'm in the area again!

My dinner and experience at Terrapin was a 5/5. Our waiter was amazing, his menu recommendations were spot on. He recommended the pork chop, it was so good I ate it off the bone. The dessert warm berry cake was so good. We almost didn't order it, so glad we did. Don't skip this place, they took great care of my group. Everyone was pleased.

This place is in a converted church right in the village. There's a more formal restaurant on one side with a more casual bar on the other that's open late. Sandwiches, salads, grain bowls. Some veg options and comfort foods.

Celebrating my daughter's 30th and had a great meal. Special thanks to Patrick for his recommendations, all were delicious!

Absolutely beautiful restaurant with incredible food. The rack of lamb was insanely tender, delightful, and the sauce complimented it perfectly. The fries were incredible as well.

The Terrapin in Rhinebeck is a 5star restaurant in my eyes, everything about the Terrapin is outstanding, food service, hospitality. The bar staff along with the kitchen staff are on point, I have eaten there several times never a bad experience. I highly recommend the Terrapin to all in the Dutchess and Ulster County area!!!