Honest review: Sticky tables. Tight space. Food was average/home cooking with lots of butter. Appetizer was a fish cake that was fried and tasted just ok. Main courses - salmon and duck (one piece) were also good but just ok for the $. We didn't stay for dessert. Expected more with such wonderful reviews! read more

I am sorry I waited so long to eat at this lovely bistro. Everything about it was great. The food delicious and beautifully presented. A charming environment with a relaxing and secluded outdoor eating area. Especially since it is less than 1 block off the busy main street in New Paltz. I will return soon read more

This is the first time I visited Runa, and was shocked to be informed it had been around for 7 years. I come to the Hudson Valley once/year, and in particular, New Paltz, and only discovered Runa last year, but had no time to visit. So, I was definitely looking forward to my visit. The food that was available, was fantastic, flavorful, unique. The historical building was special and filled with creative decor, as well as dishes from previous establishments. However, the management of the restaurant was surprisingly chaotic for a restaurant that has been open for 7 years. My initial reservation had been lost, even though I went in person to make the reservation and saw our wait person write it down. The manager was also there when I made the initial reservation. We did get an upstairs table fairly quickly in spite of that glitch. Then, our table of 7 was only "allowed" one drink menu and two food menus, the service was quite slow, even though the restaurant was less than half full, and getting separate checks seemed quite difficult. The menu was very different and much more limited than the menu listed on the webpage, and even though already limited, several drink and food items were unavailable. That felt a bit deceptive from the website menu info. I sure hope this restaurant gets up to speed re:management, organization, and food availability and updating the website re:menu. As I said, the food was spectacular, but not having menus available or many food items seems like Runa lacks in basic "restauranting." read more

This is a must go place if you have time to eat in New Paltz. The food is incredible, the escargot especially. The restaurant is like a little oasis within downtown New Paltz that is a nice escape from the loud Main Street. The owner came out to talk to us, she is very accommodating and runs a fantastic restaurant. Will for sure come back again and again. read more

I'm probably still mourning the loss of the Village Tearoom at this location, but the food and drink paled in comparison. Never come on a Tuesday - they restock on Wednesdays and thus many choices were gone or limited. I swear the mushrooms in the overly-peppery mushroom ragout were replaced with olives (yuck); I stopped eating it, only to find the nuts in my salad were stale. You have to pay extra for bread, and prices are high. There was a big emphasis on alcoholic drinks - they didn't even bother having a menu for mocktails and couldn't describe them. Others at the table did say their drinks, mock or not, were good. Can't talk about desserts, as we weren't offered any, but that's probably due to the table's special circumstances. The service, however, was top-notch. read more

Taken here for a birthday celebratory dinner by a friend I was really looking forward to this place. I have been hearing lovely things about it for a couple of years but hadn't made it here. The staff were friendly and we were seated immediately. Our drinks were prepared well and promptly delivered. Perhaps I mis ordered but my duck was meh. Beautifully played but lacking flavor. Desser redeemed the main as it was scrumptious. I do think I'll return in good weather and avail myself of the beautiful outdoor seating for a cocktail and appetizer read more

Very good food and drinks. Definitely recommend. Excellent clams and dessert was exceptional!

We ordered 5 small plates/appetizers, 3 meals and a few drinks for 4 people. Had the escargot, onion pie, beef skewers w/fries etc. we didn't know beef was spicy so it wasn't that great for us but I'll know what not to order next trip. Onion pie was a favorite at the table, like having French onion soup in a fresh pastry with a side salad it was delicious. The Bbq pork was our least favorite we should've skipped it. Dinner was expensive over $300 for 4 people. Service was excellent. I think I'd order differently next time but overall we enjoyed at least half of what we ordered so we'll come back. Relatives discussed price hours later rather than the food so that was telling. Overall a nice place that I'd try again but pay attention to prices, we just weren't wowed for price we paid. read more

Runa - French onion pie - French Near Me - New Paltz, New York

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My friends and I visited a local park, an amazing place, after which we wanted to eat. After reading good reviews, we chose this cafe. It's cozy place , and have amazingly decorations in outside. Very-very nice waiters. But dishes was not good. I really like burato cheese, so I decided to order a splat with this cheese. But instead of a salad, they brought me a raw red beet, cut into four parts, with my favorite cheese in the middle. Maybe someone likes it, but not me. The next dish was potatoes with small calamari, this dish was cold. I was disappointed and had high hopes for the third dish and was disappointed again, the meat and beans were too spicy, everything burned in my mouth. I believe that such things should be written on the menu. Unfortunately, I will not visit this cafe next time read more

Runa - a walkway in front of a building at night - French Near Me - New Paltz, New York

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Sat outside and listened to live music. Romantic setting. Had salmon and pickled veggies and wine. Healthy meal, not too oily or too much sauce. Nice servers. Would go back. read more

Stumbled on this lovely bistro and were delighted by the food, service, and inviting, beautifully lit outdoor setting. We ordered the rigatoni ragout, warm chèvre salad, carrot curry soup, and escargots. Tahini brownie for dessert. Everything was beautifully prepared, fresh and delicious. The young wait staff was super thoughtful and attentive, making some special items for our toddler and supplying her with a collection of colored pencils and a drawing pad. The restaurant itself is enchanting and serene, with large outdoor area and cozy indoor dining. Would highly recommend for a date night, convivial dinner with friends...or even a family night out read more

This was a good meal, not great-- Good. The French onion hand pie was fine, kinda bland, nice fresh salad on the side. Nothing to run home about. The veggie shwarma was good, vaguely Middle Eastern. I was starving and the food was fresh, so I scarfed it. I liked the hummus. And lastly, the tahini brownie was tasty, but had no tahini flavor. Generally, The menu seems confused, the service is kind but slow and the food is okay. I was between a 3 and a 4 star review. read more

Perfect evening. The food was delicious and the service was sophisticated and friendly. What a find!

This plate once contained a delicious dish - a beef brochette with fries and a peppercorn cream sauce - but it is now completely empty. Another great night of food, drink, and family at Runa! read more

Runa - French Near Me - New Paltz, New York

My reviews are based on customer service and quality! Everyone knows that we're in the middle of a pandemic. They still managed to provide amazing customer service! The food was to die for! Everything was so tasteful, mouthwatering and delicious! I had the half roasted chicken and my wife had the salmon. I can't wait to come back! read more

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My wife and I stumbled across this gem of a restaurant just off Main Street behind Starbucks. Our getting lost in a new town led to a wonderful discovery. We are not sure which was better the food or the wait staff. Both were great and we are eager to return. Highly recommended. read more

I feel in love with the look of this spot immediately! Parking was tricky but we managed. The food was ok, do not think I will be going back. Maybe I tried the wrong dish. I did not enjoy the charcuterie board. The waitress described the meat as stuffed with pistachios but it was only a cold cut that looked like bologna. Was hoping for warm meat on a cold day. The charcuterie board came with bread, mustard, and pretzel sticks. It was definitely overpriced, the presentation was not impressive. For the price I expected something totally different. The meal was good but I do not need to eat again. Chicken and potatoes. The chicken was well seasoned and nicely cooked but again I wasn't amazed by anything on the plate. I really wanted to absolutely love this spot but there was a lack of flavor in the dishes. For the price, I was definitely expecting something I wouldn't be able to make in my own kitchen ! read more

The burger was good, the fried rice was good, the escargot was good. The menu didn't feel French to us. The porch was lovely.

We chose to eat here because of the cozy setting, and the looks and feel of the place did not disappoint. The food tasted like a solid home-cooked meal but we expected better food for the type of place. The cocktails we had were excellent and we'll likely be back for drinks on their lovely patio in summer. The servers were very friendly but we did have some issues with our bill. Besides the setting, it was difficult to discern the French influences. read more

RUNA is my new favorite restaurant! I've stopped in for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and each meal has exceeded my expectations. The perfect, cozy spot to meet friends or to plan a business meeting. RUNA is truly a hidden New Paltz gem. read more

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So we were in town for the weekend excited to eat at this place all day waiting to call to make a reservation but they don't open until 5.30 so we were there at 5.35 and they didn't take us because of a private event so I think it's terrible how they handle the business is a huge place so for us was unbelievable that they couldn't designate an area for walk in this counting at it was imposible to comunícate to make a reservation. read more

I cannot say enough good things about Runa. My fiancé and i recently got engaged and we went for a nice date night. The owner sent two glasses of champagne to our table as soon as we got there! Carolyn was our server and she was warm, friendly, and super knowledgeable about the menu. We got the the charcuterie and escargot to start, both were wonderful. for dinner I got the boulliabase and my fiancé got the pork indochine and our minds were BLOWN. highly recommend Runa for a beautiful cozy spot for a wonderful meal! read more

Really enjoyed our impromptu visit. We'd had a big brunch before this dinner so we just shared a few dishes but they were all excellent as were our drinks (a pinot noir & a beer). Mussels were plentiful for an app, broth was delicious and so was the bread (not sure if they make it themselves). Fondue was very good, great texture & flavor...I might only have wished for a little more variety in the items to dip into it. Flatbread special was also very good, and came with plenty of cheese & pestu (sp?) to spread on it. Service was terrific, friendly & helpful. Looking forward to bringing back more friends for a full meal. Whoever they are we know they'll enjoy the vibe here. Welcomingly designed and perfect music selection too. Check it out! read more

Delicious locally sourced, bistro food and cozy decor in a gorgeous antique building... Eat here and you won't want to leave! The owner Clare and her staff are truly welcoming, provide excellent service and make you feel like you are dining at an old friend's home. I enjoyed a relaxing, long brunch here and am looking forward to coming back to eat the rest of the menu and sip craft cocktails outside under the vintage string lights! Support local food, eat at RUNA! read more

RŪNA is a great place if you are looking for delicious food, a lovely environment to relax, and friendly service. We went with a party of 8 for a long lunch and everything was wonderful. It's nice to see a new place like this in the vicinity, and we are looking forward to nicer weather when the deck with the awesome views will be open for seating. Highly recommended!!! read more

Phenomenal food and excellent service. This is the best kept secret in New Paltz! Def will come back, loved this place.

Tasteful spot, great wine and cocktail list! Sitting in the garden was like a little vacation. Highly recommended!

Had a great fall bistro dinner menu with pumpkin spices, great service, & loved that escargot. We shall return. Just what I needed out of NYC! All desserts with ice cream ( as life should be). read more

What a fantastic new addition to the New Paltz food scene. This quaint little bistro has a lot to offer. For starters, the aesthetic is lovely, with careful attention to all the details from the light fixtures, to the napkin linens, to the wallpaper in the bathroom. Our first meal was for brunch and we were greeted warmly at the door and seated promptly at a spot with room for our stroller. The menu is thoughtful french fare, that offers seasonal and local ingredients. We've since returned for lunch and dinner and some highlights on the menu are the croquet madame, the french onion soup, the burger, the brandade, and the steelhead trout. Oh, and how could I forget the flourless chocolate torte...yummmmm! Definitely check RUNA out...you will not be disappointed. read more

Our return to Runa (since COVID) was a delight! Chef Ryan was on point and my picky husband is still talking about the chicken special. And then the fries/frites!Oooh-la-la! The staff was attentive without being intrusive. Well done, RUNA! Counting the days until we return. read more

This is a really welcome addition to the new Paltz restaurant scene, which has lots of pub food catering to college students, but few choices at the higher end. Runa offers a nice French menu and excellent service, in a pretty, casual setting. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal on our first visit. My goat cheese salad and the vegetarian dish--mushroom and vegetable bourguignon--were delicious. Also, the bottle of Rhône red we ordered was a stand out. We will be back!! read more

Wound up at Rūna for our Valentine's day dinner and it was incredibly delicious. The price was accurate for the amazing food. We indulged in the pre fixe menu for the holiday and both enjoyed a first course of Fondue. My partner chose the steak and shrimp option and I got the half of chicken. We both said that the chicken was some fo the best and most flavorful and moist chicken we've ever had. For dessert they had flourless chocolate cake and a butterscotch pot de creme which was one of the most delicious things we've ever had. If you have the chance for sure go and treat yourselves! read more

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Had a wonderful visit! The owner is present and engaging. Wait staff is friendly and attentive. The food was delicious! I recommend the French Onion soup and the duck, just scrumptious! Will be back again to try another dish. Very impressed! read more

Classic French bistro food in a lovely yet casual setting. Exactly what New Paltz needed! I've eaten brunch, lunch, and dinner there already and can't wait to go back. Try the lentil burger, the French onion soup, the mussels, and the steak frites. You won't be disappointed. And remember to save room for dessert... read more

Food fine, though limited, limited wine list. Acoustic very poor, must have to listen to others conversation, really distracting from the meal. Service well done, lovely lunch. Not to return though, very un French! read more

We went in on a Sunday night after hearing about Runa and how awesome the food is. We were not disappointed. We started with the escargot and French onion soup. The escargot was perfect. It was served with amazing bread, and just the right amount. The French onion soup was just as amazing, made from bone broth with just the right amount of cheese and croutons. For the entrees we had the steak frites and the trout almondine. Again, it could not have been more perfect. Everything was fresh and cooked to perfection. For the desert we ended with the flourless chocolate torte and profiteroles. All around the experience was wonderful. We also had the pinot noir, but there were so many other good wines to choose from, no one will be disappointed. Clair was super accommodating of our crazy food limitations and made every effort to make sure we were taken care of and nothing we couldn't have was in our food. We will definitely be back and we are looking forward to trying some of the other options. The only hard thing would he choosing an appetizer other than escargot!! It really was that good! read more

We've had a few meals at Runa since it's opened and have been consistently impressed by the food and service at this new addition to New Paltz. Our favorites so far have been the goat cheese salad, French onion soup, mussels and the steak frites. It's cozy downstairs and upstairs we enjoyed a large group dinner. If you haven't already, I'd suggest trying it out for brunch, lunch or dinner. read more

i. love. runa. i think it's such an absolutely wonderful addition to new paltz. the staff is so kind. i like the feel and vibe of the inside. service is fast but you don't feel rushed. i have my fingers and toes tightly crossed that they last a long time in our town. if i had to say anything suggestive about this place- heartier dishes for the colder weather but i can't say anything negative about this place. i love the food in new paltz and frequent all the restaurants quite a bit and i'm just so so so thrilled for this addition. if you want something aa bit more "upscale" (compared to the also good bar and american food in town, but also far more laid back than station, or the italian joint down town) this is my pick (think huckleberry but with a far better menu) read more

Great new addition to New Paltz, which lacks a true French restaurant. Escargo done the right way, steak frites cooked to perfection and many other great choices I am looking forward to trying. A very friendly owner and staff as well. Will definitely go back to try more for dinner and look forward to experiencing the brunch. read more

This place feels like a beautiful breath of fresh air in one of our favorite spaces in town. Freshly prepared delicious French food, great drinks, and a cozy atmosphere with an outside courtyard. We have tried the special soups, crepes, amazing salade Niçoise, brunch egg dishes, mimosas, Bloody Mary, Kir royale. All were perfect. Clare and her staff make you feel welcome and at home. Family friendly yet refined enough for a romantic date. So glad to see this historic space that was a beloved tea room for many years still be a part of New Paltz. read more