Such a cute unique place. Welcoming and delicious. Food was great and the cocktail options are plentiful. I really enjoyed my bourbon mimosa flight, what a great idea! read more

Empire Square - Bourbon mimosa flight - Southern Near Me - Watertown, New York

Decided at this spot for lunch. But don't fear, everything is town is all on this same street. We came in and were the only ones there beside a few at the bar. Sit down and the tables are so sticky. So don't wear anything nice or bring any important declarations because they will get ruined. We ordered drinks, a cosmopolitan in a chipped glass and a mock tail that ended up having alcohol in it. Bartender was nice enough to remake it. Made sure to put mint in with no gloves. I don't know that bothered me. Food was mediocre. Mac and cheese with pulled pork just tasted like adding two left over overs together. French toast was burnt and tasted like onions. Good for quick bite I guess but wouldn't really recommend to anyone. read more

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I love this place! Staff was friendly and came by several times to make sure we were happy with our meal. I ordered the pulled pork hoagie with Mac and cheese on the side. They were amazing! The Mac and cheese was certainly peppered giving it a little bite. Heaven! Highly recommend! read more

TERRIBLE! Don't eat here! Food was thrown together and cold. Bacon in my BLT wasn't cooked all the way, the salad was a mess. I'll never come back here. I ordered an old fashioned as well and it was hands down the worst old fashioned I've ever had. I don't understand how this place has any good reviews if it serves food like this read more

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Kevin's great uncle was the owner of Enrico's and we were in Watertown to see family. He immediately raved about Empire Square as he walked back to greet me. He loves their celebration of Pride month; how they kept the old bar--where he would talk with his uncle and hang out. The food was satisfying and I felt like I was having bc some home cooking. Good comfort food. Had the French toast, fried eggs over hard and Kevin had a burger and fries. So grateful for places that don't oversalt food! Hurray! Atmosphere is casual, family friendly, the art is nostalgic and they display a local artist's work. read more

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Advertised to be open at 8 am but not open at 9 am - at least not for us. So, we ate somewhere else. Odd to have opened doors but you're not open until 11. read more

Love love this place. The environment, games, food and service. Definitely recommend. They have something to do every day of the week.

A beautiful setting to compliment the amazing food; served at the heart of Watertown BY the heart of Watertown. That's the best way I can describe the restaurant briefly Both my wife and I are avid fans of this restaurant. The food accompanied with the unorthodox setting gives the Empire Square a feeling unlike any other establishment in upstate New York in the BEST possible way feasible. The service is impeccable; my wife and I showed up at a relatively busy time and we were still taken care of accordingly. We've eaten here before and most definitely will eat here again. 5/5 read more

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This was the first time my husband had been to Empire Square. He LOVED IT!!! Of course I had been there before and loved it too. The fried green tomatoes are almost as good as my Mom's (LOL) and the shrimp and grits -- well there was nothing left. The pulled pork hoagie was consumed by hubby and the cheese fries as well. We are local and loved it and will be back!!! read more

Really interesting funky place with a menu full of pleasant surprises. One of the best places in Watertown and honestly it could hold its own against much bigger city competition. read more

There is nothing like finding a cure to homesickness - and if you've ever travelled outside NY (or to NYC for that matter) nothing compares to the consistency of the clean oil in the fryers, the mood of the staff no matter what, the authenticity of Sarah the bartender...and of course some of the BEST South Western style food you can find!!! And it's all in 65 Public square WATERTOWN, NY!!! read more

Empire Square - Mmmmm - Southern Near Me - Watertown, New York

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Fairly new restaurant in town! My husband and I visited the first week they opened and weren't super impressed but knew it would get better when they figured everything out. Came back and we loved it! Our server was great, drinks were great, and the food was good. read more

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10/10 Restaurant!!! I was skeptical at first because I'm a picky eater, but WOW. The waffles, biscuits & gravy, & the monkey bread were amazing. On top of that the service was "homey". The chef came out herself to talk to the people here and see how they liked the food. Hands down the best food/service I've had in Watertown. Hidden gem to say the least. read more

Empire Square - View of the restaurant - Southern Near Me - Watertown, New York

Went and had a quick breakfast and had the special of a loaded breakfast hash and avocado toast. The waitress was very sweet and kind. The food was very reasonably price and perfect breakfast portions that leave you full but not waddle away stuffed. We also got a side of the Katie's candy bacon and added it to my avocado toast and it was a perfect combination. We will definitely be back! The waitress also mentioned live music on Saturday nights! read more

Great food and staff, and very family friendly. They have karaoke on Wednesday and they have game nights as well, a great place to eat or just hang out overall. read more

To start the food is way over priced for there to be no nuance upscale flair. It also taste bland, boring and has no depth. the drinks are mediocre and boring as well. the ambiance sucks, it feels like I just walked into a 7 year olds room and they're serving me their Play-doh dinner. read more

Went with Friends. Cool place, yummy food. Friendly staff. New chef coming to help with Celiac and Gluten menu. read more

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The decor was really cute. That's about all I liked about it. We were sat pretty quickly and drinks all came out. From there, our meals were all brought out one at a time with about 5-7 minutes in between each plate. We had to ask for utensils and condiments. The food on the plate looked divine and we thought it would be the saving grace. NOPE. It was TASTELESS. The five of us each sampled each other's meals and it all tasted the same. No seasoning and tasted like sawdust and grease. Our waitress never once came back to refill drinks or ask how we were. I wouldn't recommend this place to my dog - who coincidently refused to eat the food as well. read more

Hands down THE best hamburger I have ever eaten. The hamburger, lettuce, bacon and cheese is all locally sourced. I had it as a lettuce wrap so not sure about the bun but I've heard it's fresh from a local bakery as well. The Chief herself came out to check on us. And the rest of the staff is so friendly! I'll be back! Thanks for a great brunch. I'll be back! read more

Sadly I visited this establishment last week and was so impressed by both the food and service...so I convinced my family that we should come back for my birthday! Big mistake the food was a HUGE disappointment....and the service rating is an F at best...our appetizers came out after 30 minutes with our meal and they did not follow what we had asked for regarding "no bun" with our burger! I would vehemently NOT recommend this place to eat! Too bad...because the vibe of the restaurant is prey cool! Oh and our server was doing shots at the bar! BOO!!! read more

The menu is unique with options you can't get anywhere else in Watertown. Our food was very flavourful. While we waited there was interesting art to look at, Watertown historic fact cards on the table and board games available to play. The owner gave us the history of the building and offered to share the recipe for one of the menu items with us. The wait staff were very personable and efficient. We'd absolutely recommend you support this local business. read more

I have been going to Empire for quite sometime now! I am a Black man & most places I feel uncomfortable however, the waiter at Empire who's name is Nick has been very very pleasant & welcoming! I love Empire!!! read more

Dropped in for brunch and we were glad we did. They had the best frittatas and their bacon was crisp and yummy. The service was great and everyone was so friendly. I wish we lived closer as this would definitely be a favorite. read more

Excellent new trendy eatery for us in downtown watertown mimosa flights and unique brunch style menu Friendly service read more

Up north visiting our daughter who lives local. Great newer place. Friendly staff. Excellent food. The chicken was so tender. The avocado toast was the best I've ever had. We will be back every time we are in the area! read more

Absolutely amazing atmosphere, not like anything else I've found in Watertown. The staff is unbelievably friendly, the food is actually amazing, even being as picky as possible, this place is AMAZING!! GO HERE read more

Great change of pace here in Watertown. Went for a family brunch and everything was fantastic!

worst customer service ever took them 20 plus min to even get our drink order and then the female server brought the drinks, ignored us when we tried to ask who's drink was who's. will not go back read more

Passing through town and found this place open on Public Square. Eclectic menu that has Southern inspired or "Southern Fusion" items and interesting looking daily specials on the board. Our lunch of Chicken & Waffles and Chicken & Biscuits was really tasty. The servers were friendly & helpful. Would happily stop in again next time we pass this way! read more