This review is a bit overdue, as our most recent visit was during a family trip in July. Kennebec Café has become a place we regularly visit when we're in the area, and once again, our family had a very enjoyable dinner. Tucked away just outside Durango in Hesperus, Kennebec has a beautiful, elegant atmosphere that feels upscale without being overly formal. It's a great setting for a nicer dinner or special occasion. The service has consistently been friendly and attentive, and the menu offers a great variety of options. The food is well prepared and beautifully presented, and there's clearly an emphasis on creating a more elevated dining experience. My one critique would be the quality-to-price value. While we've enjoyed most of what we've ordered, at this price point, I think some dishes could stand out a little more. On our most recent visit, we tried a filet mignon special, and while it was prepared well, the quality of the steak itself didn't quite meet the expectations we've come to have for Kennebec, particularly for the price. That said, this was a relatively small criticism of an otherwise great experience. Overall, Kennebec Café continues to offer a good combination of atmosphere, service, and food, and it remains a place we enjoy returning to when visiting the area. If you're looking for a more elegant dining experience around Durango or Hesperus, it's definitely worth a visit. read more

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My party of four were excited to try this restaurant after a long day of hiking and heat at Mesa Verde. The restaurant opened at 5 p.m. and we were promptly seated. The inside was nice, clean, spacious, with windows that were open to let in fresh air. Our server brought us drink and food menus. we ordered beverages right off the bat. For appetizers, we ordered the grilled artichokes, with chevre, orange zest and olive oil. For a second app, we ordered Brussel sprouts, which came with avocado, tomatoes, and sunflower seeds. Interesting combo that worked well. We also ordered a bread basket. the bread was so delicious! All of it was. For dinner, I ordered the scallops with orzo and sauteed spinach. My S.O. ordered the Top Sirloin, with garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach. The other two guests ordered the Salmon with thai red curry sauce and the chicken pot pie. Everyone loved their food! Our server was nice, attentive, and had great recommendations. We will be returning to this restaurant! read more

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This was the second time I visit this restaurant, a years ago for breakfast and I remember it was awesome!! This time we stop for dinner and to be honest it was a real treat!!! We got flatbread and grilled artichoke as appetizers and then I ordered the lamb chops and my son and daughter in law the filet mignon and I did the chocolate and berries cake at the end... the food is the finest all supervised by MIGUEL renowned chief in the Durango, Colorado region... I repeat a real treat !!! And best service you can find under a Italian Tuscan ambiance... worth to try read more

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Worst service I have ever had at a restaurant. Absolute WORST. It's very clear if they don't upsell you wine or appetizers you're get terrible service. I understand being short staffed. But over an hour for food and a server that only checks in on you every 30 minutes. Sad. I saw people come in later than us. And leave after getting their food. I even had to go to the front desk for boxes or salt and pepper. Some father's day service when the place wasn't even full. read more

We went to this wonderful restaurant for a birthday celebration. This is a very special place for my partner and I. We began our friendship one summer day 25 years ago. We were motorcycle riding friends and stopped for pastries and coffee, lingering to get to know each other. Many years later we finally decided we belonged together. To celebrate my birthday, we wanted to return to the place it all began. We found an upgraded version of our first memory together. The atmosphere was beautiful and calm. Our server, Laura, was exceptional. She was warm and personable and made us feel like family. She was also very professional, knowledgeable and took very good care of us while being busy. Our food was amazing. Beautifuly presented and delicious. We highly recommend this gem to mark an important occasion or to be escape the fast pace of your everyday life. It is a bit out of the way and we loved that aspect of it. The drive is lovely and gave us time to reflect how lucky we are to have found each other again. We will definitely be back and are making a list of our favorite people to share it with. Thank you Laura and all of the staff. Diane and Jay. read more

Exquisite cuisine in a delightful setting. Ambiance was outstanding and service was good. The waiter has worked at Kennebec for 15 years and was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. read more

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Well unfortunately our last visit here was not as good as our previous ones. The service was extremely slow. Our waiter disappeared for a very long time after we got our appetizer. It took 40 minutes from when they cleared to bring our main course and then another 20 minutes after our main course to take our dessert order, 15 minutes to get our dessert. Our check was the fastest thing he did. lol The food was very good and the dessert was so delicious . For being a five star restaurant I would have expected them to scrape the breadcrumbs off the table between the courses, bring us fresh silverware for each course. But that was not the case. They only have drip coffee no espresso. The place is very nice and comfortable. But, When the main room is full it's very loud. This used to be my favorite restaurant in the Durango area. Now not so much! read more

Excellent food and atmosphere. We had the fresh bread and artichokes for appetizers, both were delicious. The crab cake salad was very good with two crab cakes and fresh greens. We had steaks and manicotti for our entrees and everything was delicious and well prepared. The deserts are a must! I love the carrot cake! It is moist with a light and fluffy cream cheese frosting, caramel sauce and fruit. The lemon tiramisu was also delicious. Do be aware they charge an extra fee to package the deserts to go. I've seen complaints about the service being slow, but I think those people just don't understand that finer dining restaurants like this do not rush to get you out the door like most casual dining places. read more

The staff was very attentive and the food was absolutely fabulous. Best steak I've ever had!

Good food, extremely slow and bad service. Okay ambiance, nothing special. I don't recommend it.

I called for a reservation and got accommodated which I was grateful for as this was a last minute reservation. They ask you to just arrive just 5 min or less before your reservation which was fine as well Can I tell you from the minute we sat down at bar, we received such hospitality. Our bar server was pleasant and our server Tyler was great. To top it off we enjoyed all of our dishes. Will definately go back read more

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One word - delicious! Great service, great food, lots of options. Not just Mediterranean. Started with the Mediterranean plate and charcuterie. Hummus was good, but tzatziki was amazing. Duck was delicious, as was cannelloni. Red potatoes and salad, yum! Sour cream apple pie and tiramisu were a great way to finish. Be prepared for a slow, leisurely pace. Reservation was at 6:45 and we were seated promptly. After appetizers, dinner and dessert, we left at 9:20. read more

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Llloved! This place. So perfect. From the food to the ambience. I had the glazed duck and my husband had multiple appetizers. We both eat gluten free and they have many choices. The waiter who happened to have lived in Tempe, AZ like us was so friendly. Also we deeply appreciated that they gave us our own private room because their patio was closed. It's a gorgeous atmosphere with beautiful paintings, beautiful service. Creative menu and excellent presentation. Highly recommend! read more

Kennebec Cafe - Front patio of restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Hesperus, Colorado

Absolutely wonderful experience celebrating our first wedding anniversary. They brought us complimentary champagne and set us in the back in a more private area. Our waiter was extremely helpful and kind. To start we shared the Mediterranean mix and it was so good and had large portions. For dinner we shared the lamp chops and honestly it was one of the best meals of my life. Great flavors and perfectly cooked. We ordered a couple cocktails to wrap up the night which were also delightful. This place is such a great surprise in the middle of nowhere. read more

Kennebec Cafe - Mediterranean mix appetizer - Mediterranean Near Me - Hesperus, Colorado

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Phenomenal. Brought my girlfriend here for her birthday dinner and she absolutely loved it. As did I. 10/10

We were there in July 2024 for our 4 time. In the past I have given good reviews. I hate to say it here, but I was not impressed this time. Why? Well, first they post something like "allow 2 hours for good service". We allowed close to 2 hours for "Not Good" service. Whenever we asks about something (a couple of times) we got "It's coming". 1) It was close to an hour before we got served. 2) The servers (or whatever they are called), just lacked the friendliness that you expect in an establishment like, theirs. Matter of fact, a couple of times, they made us feel like we were squatters. 3) So, the food comes. I get served an overcooked dish. Nice tough, overcooked salmon. At this time, if I go back up to Durango, I will be looking at other establishments for food. There is a saying, "once bit, twice shy"(no punn). Message to the owners: Check out your staff. Now if the staff are owners, consider selling. read more

Kennebec Cafe is certainly worth the drive. Menu is varied and has something for everyone. Food is fantastic and service was exellent. Highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a colorado casual fine dining experience. read more

Great food and atmosphere. My favorite fine dining in the Four Corners area! I always chooe this establishment for a special occasion. Also a great bar with a good wine list. A five star meal! read more

Waitstaff was very nonchalant and the food was bland. Have never had prime rib that was devoid of flavor until I ordered it here. Do not recommend this restaurant and will probably not darken its doors ever again. read more

This review is overdue. The service here is excellent. The staff go above and beyond to make sure you are comfortable and that your food meets your satisfaction. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. I've had the duck confit in the past and last night I had the Ono special. Both were excellent. This place is definitely worth stopping at along one of your road trips or planning to visit if you live close enough! read more

Beautiful ambience with a continental menu, come and stay for 2 hours. It's 16 miles from Durango and 40 minutes from Cortez, tucked off of Hwy 160. It's a world class rdefinitely off the beaten path but worth the drive. The New York strip was tender with a red wine shrimp reduction, served with grilled asparagus and French style mashed potatoes. The baby back ribs could have been a bit more tender but the sauce was a tangy perfection, served with Asian yams, crispy on the outside. The seafood pasta was stuffed with clams, shrimp and scallops (they were out of mussels). The best part of the meal was the freshly baked ciabatta bread--literally to die for. The wait staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The deserts are HUGE! Save room and share. We were there on a Wednesday and it was packed so reservations recommended. An amazing find in this corner of the world when you get tired of Mexican food. read more

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We really enjoyed the second visit here. Very good food, nice setting, and lovely staff.

Nothing can be better than fine dining at the base of beautiful mountains. An incredible dining experience. Delicious food, impeccable service, and surrounded by beautiful local artistry read more

We were there recently and will not visit again. Lovely ambience, but service was slow for a weekday, with approximately 50-75% of the tables occupied, and food was disappointing. The beet salad was good, but the entrees were not impressive. The duck confit was just ok, and the ahi tuna "special" was an overcooked piece of sesame seed-coated tuna in an odd tasting sauce. I've done better at home with frozen ahi from Trader Joe's. I mentioned that it was overcooked to one of the servers, but got an "I'm sorry " and that was it. At that point we really didn't want to wait another half hour to order something else anyway. Got a piece of (minimally) chocolate Bailey's cheesecake to go that was very good but the only chocolate was in the crust and a small swirl . And believe them when they say service takes 2 hours! read more

Top notch! Absolutely delicious food! Service is great and the owner is a wonderful woman.

A wonderful meal! We had a flatbread (pear and a little bit stinky cheese, pistachios,etc)- this and a glass of wine would be a perfect light meal, BUT we did eat alot more! Duck two ways (i preferred the thigh and drumstick to breast) and steak (for Mr), and then because our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, buttoned things up with chocolate mousse cake. Everything was completely top rate-and to note, VERY GENEROUS portions The decor and ambiance was how I imagine a really charming French country inn would be like. Service was great: low key and attentive at the same time. We would certainly return read more

The food is great, good combinations of meat, vegetables and sauces/glazes. The decor was attractive especially the choice of paintings, the room we were in had light from three directions and a view of the mountains. My wife had scallops which were well prepare, I had the halibut special which was well prepared. The artichoke appetizer was enjoyable with no stringy fibers and a real tasty sauce. read more

dined 4-27-25. food was refined, good, but not great. my server, Cole, was a definite disappointment. served wine in a filmy glass. blamed me for sending an appetizer back. food under flavored, but generally good. they think that they are much better than they really are. good for the area, but not great. read more

Everything I have tried from Kennebec has been excellent! The only exception for multiple times going was some of the pasta dishes (seafood pasta) were not overly flavorful or have much from seafood in them. But I wasn't the one in my party who ordered that. I love the feel of the restaurant, wouldn't guess it from the outside. The service is great. You get complimentary bread. I usually get any fish special but have also tried the usuals on the menu. I love that this couple keeps this business only what they can handle to maintain delicious food and great service. Worth the drive if you don't live near Hesperus! read more

Kennebec Cafe - Crab cake salad- amazing flavor! - Mediterranean Near Me - Hesperus, Colorado

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We love love love Kennebec! Food is very very good, ambiance is wonderful and the servers are very friendly and genuine. Highly recommend!

Our family celebrated my Father's life last Saturday. I'll keep this short and sweet: Barb and her staff (servers and chefs) KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK! The food, the presentation and the flow of the drinks, appetizers, main course, and desserts was perfect. We were a group of 32! Such a gorgeous ambiance as well. Wow. Fantastic. read more

Exceptional food and service! From the warm ambiance, to the friendly staff, to the food, everything stands out. The Caesar salad was one of the best I've had anywhere in the world. The osso bucco fell off the bone and was paired with a rich sauce and creamy ancient grains polenta. The crab cakes were light, crispy and delectable. And the chicken pot pie was hearty and topped with puff pastry. The carrot cake was big enough for three, fragrant with spices and topped with a thick cream cheese frosting. This out-of-the-way cafe is well worth the short drive from Durango. read more

Kennebec is our favorite restaurant in Durango. We frequent this beautiful restaurant for special occasions and date nights. The staff is exceptional and the food is always outstanding. If you haven't already you must try it out! read more

Excellent service. This was the site chosen to host a wedding rehearsal dinner. Family and friends from around the country converged here. Yes a huge group of people. Right from the get go the entire staff was well coordinated and hospitable, no one was ever on the floor without a smile. The food was amazing! A 5 course menu was prepared for our party and it seems that no expense or detail was spared. After drinking much wine, all I remembered was a variety of hors d'oeuvres followed by a lite salad with a raspberry dressing with goat cheese that floored me. The main course consisted of a choice of pork tenderloin, chicken or fish. I think I said yes to all. Did I mention I drank a lot of wine? I skipped dessert :( ...oh well next time I guess? All & all, Kennebec pulled off a well orchestrated, magical and intimate experience that I will not soon forget. Cant wait to get back up there again! BTW if you happen to ever find yourself (or live in) in Albuquerque NM... go north on the 140 and when you get to the 160 make a left. Its about .25 of a mile. It will not disappoint. Great Job Kennebec Team!!! read more

Kennebec Cafe - Banquet dinner - Mediterranean Near Me - Hesperus, Colorado

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Great restaurant, amazing food and great wait staff. Also, their deserts are the best

My husband and boys took me here for my birthday. We had a reservation for 5:45. We were sat promptly and received our appetizers fairly quickly. Then we waited for our entrees for almost an hour and a half! Such a long wait. Food was pretty good but the service was poor and our drinks etc were not refilled without having to flag someone to help us. I'm okay with a slow meal but that seemed a little excessive. I don't think we'll be back any time soon. read more

Great. We arrived at 6:15 on Tuesday. We hadn't made reservations so we opted to sit on patio which was perfect. Service was perfect . Wine and food selections were great and varied. Omg the bread! Not anymore expensive than someplace like Outback or other steak type restaurant . . But it's not bar fare. We were very pleased . Just traveling thro and glad we stopped even during Covid experience was great read more

Kennebec Cafe - Beef bourgeois and chicken enchiladas. - Mediterranean Near Me - Hesperus, Colorado

The service was absolute shit! Our server, Ben, was slow to check on our table, rarely came by to refill and bring out drinks, and forgot to put our order in. This was my first time going to this restaurant (out of towner). It's one of my father's favorite places, and he was so excited to bring the family to "his spot". While the food that we did get was delicious, we left before our entrees came out because we had already waited 2 hours at that point, and were informed it would be another 30 minutes minimum. From my father the local and regular, "that place has really gone down in quality of service, and it's such a shame!" No wonder when you have people like Ben ruining the experience for everyone. read more

The food is always great... always. Service is amazing and the ambience is warm and inviting. I've had almost everything on the menu and have enjoyed it all. read more

My friend received a nasty case of food poisoning after a visit here :( Super sad and I felt really bad for him. Owner was super rude when we informed her (next day after spending all day in the ER where he was prescribed zofran for nausea and a prescription strength AD). Won't be returning or recommending. read more