We had high expectations maybe because we live in DC, maybe because we saw the menu options, or possibly because the Christmas decor and overall ambiance was beautiful. Either way, the experience just wasn't what we expected. We were seated immediately and given menus. I was in love with all the seafood options, but my husband and I were craving steak. I ordered a crème brûlée martini that was fabulous. We also decided on the Cajun calamari appetizer. The calamari was plated with a plastic cup containing the dipping sauce. I hate to say this, but if you want to keep up a semblance of fine dining , black plastic cups shouldn't be a thing. We were on the fence about the calamari. Some pieces were soggy, but the flavor used in the breading was great. We finished and saw the decorative lettuce swimming in grease. Our Caesar salads were wonderful. When we got our steaks we were underwhelmed. The infamous black plastic cup was back and although I asked for extra butter and sour cream, that didn't happen. Both steaks were cooked to the temperature ordered but bland. I suppose we should have paid extra for the flavor add-ons. Sadly we had no salt/pepper so we took it from the empty table next to us. We ran out of water during the entree so we scrapped any idea of asking about dessert. We got the $127 check that included one drink, one appetizer, two small salads, and two entrees. Overall a 3-star experience, and for the price, that's polite. Could we have sent items back...yes. I truly felt that subpar calamari and bland steaks were not getting any better with a second try and they would still come out with a lackluster plastic cup in the wake. The service was decent. The waitresses were pleasant. Although we visit Owego regularly, I doubt our time will be well served coming back. We wanted to love this place but it didn't happen for us. read more

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We've eaten there twice in 2026, once for dinner and once for lunch. I had the beef on wyck for dinner and wife had chicken with mozzarella and basil. Neither dish was impressive or even memorable. We gave it another try for lunch about a month ago. I had the stuffed French toast and fries for the table to share. The portion of the fries for the table was very small, the smallest portion of fries we've seen. And they were average at best. The stuffed French toast was extremely sweet and I didn't really enjoy it. My wife had the house salad and said it was wonderful. The lunchtime waitress was disinterested and the service was slow for that lunch and average for dinner. We doubt we'll return. The Parkview hotel is our new go for meals when visiting Owego NY. read more

Had three appetizers- all great! Chick peas, lamb lollipops and shrimp in butter and garlic. Great restaurant!

The most obnoxious and rude owner and manager. I booked waterfront table for 16 people at this restaurant months in advance for my eldest son's graduation party. I called and confirmed my table several times They set us up at a table for 12 nowhere near the waterfront of course. Owner was rude and obnoxious (putting it kindly), accompanied by a sidekick business partner who was equally incompetent. There was no apology, zero accountability, and zero manners. Food was "meh" at best, except for the rib-eye steaks which were pretty decent. Waitress was fantastic though. read more

Beef Wellington was okay. Caesar salad was awfully fishy. French onion soup was good. I witnessed the server touching the carrot cake with bare hands. Kinda grossed me out read more

This place has soooo much potential. Nestled away in Owego, the ambiance is fantastic. The interior really is quite beautiful. Unfortunately, they fall behind in the service and food. For the price, the scenery is great, the restaurant is gorgeous. It feels very upscale. The food however, incredibly mediocre. Way overpriced for what you're getting. "Chef's choice of seasonal vegetables" seemed to be frozen steamed broccoli, one that you can find in the frozen section of a grocery store in a plastic steam bag. That can be acceptable, just not at a restaurant that's trying to play fine dining. The service is not memorable either, the server was not very personable. All that was memorable about this dining experience was the appearance of the restaurant. It's so very cute I was hoping I'd be blown away and found a perfect new date night spot. read more

We have been to have a cocktail before. This time was for dinner. Our server Mama Cass was great. It is a beautiful spot with a bar on one side that also serves the regular menu from the restaurant. We had a drink after dinner and it definitely a place the locals go for dinner and drinks. My dinner was the mussels with the white wine sauce which was very good. The oysters I started with were rather small. My wife had the Vegan Flatbread which was kind of blah with onions and cheese as the topping. read more

Despite the ominous name, the restaurant was great. The food was amazing but the best part was the atmosphere. I felt like I was in an excellent club. The people were amazing. And overall, it was amazing. read more

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This in my opinion is the best restaurant in the area. My wife and I had dinner on New Years Eve. They are the only place I know that still does Lobster Thermidor and Beef Wellington. It has been remodeled by the new owners. The servers were friendly and a very cozy atmosphere. Please give them a try if you never have . The food is amazing read more

A beautiful space, recently remodeled. I love the new menu, especially because they are offering both Vegan and Vegetarian options in their daily specials. And the food is absolutely delicious! When I have out of town guests, this is where we dine! read more

Excellent meal !! A tad noisy. January 2026 The Great: The food was excellent. Best meal I've had in some time. All agreed our shared mushroom crepe appetizer was delicious. My wife and I had the pork loin special (don't recall exact name). Probably the tastiest pork I've ever had! Really!! The sides were just as yummy. We both agreed it was a seriously good meal. Other couple had Ciopinno and seafood czarina. They both loved them and shared a taste with the table. Have to agree, they were fabulous. Our waitress was timely, attentive, and friendly! No issues at all. Due to impending snow storm, they reduced prices on entrees and drinks. A nice bonus. The Good: Beer selection was pretty good. My request was tapped out, but it turned out, the replacement was even better. A delicious nut brown ale. Wines were also very good albeit a tad pricey. The price special mentioned above helped. Overall bill was on the high side partly due to the drinks and slightly higher prices for the non-special meals - even with the price breaks. Needs work. We were two couples. Sat near the maître d' podium. The inside door of the foyer kept sticking open. Had to get up to close several times as it was about 5 degrees outside. Not a huge issue but should not have been an issue at all. Slightly more annoying was the noise level. The restaurant was full and very noisy. It was a bit challenging to have a conversation at our location. It eventually quieted down and all was well. Definitely something that needs improvement though. I gave it 5 stars due to the excellent meal and service. Considered dropping one star for the noise and price, but the meal was so good, I just couldn't do it. Looking forward to going back. read more

So... a lot has changed and the Cellar is under new management. First of all, bravo! It's better. The new owners have updated the interior and it's simply stunning. As is the food , the appetizers are better than ever. They now have calamari which is delicious. The smoked salmon is as great as ever and the entrees are well worth the price. This is a must visit restaurant in Owego and a true gem. Well done and highly recommended read more

The Cellar Restaurant - Fantastic experience in the coolest small town in America - American Near Me - Owego, New York

This is fine dining at a reasonable price in downtown Owego! I walked in on a Friday night with a friend around 7pm. We waited maybe five-ten minutes for our table and we both ordered a cup of soup, and the petit surf and turf. The steaks were cooked perfectly and we really loved the sauces. I enjoyed the jalapeño cream sauce with my scallops. I think this was a great meal, and the atmosphere was a relaxed fine dining. There were people dressed up but there were also families in jeans! read more

Very enjoyable. Excellent food at a good price. Would love to try the lobster thermador but need to plan for the minimum 45 minute cook time. read more

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I take my boyfriend here for his birthday almost every year and the food is always fantastic. Hands down one of the top three restaurants in Owego. They tend to get busy pretty quickly most evenings so reservations are a good idea. read more

THE BEST FRENCH ONION SOUP I HAVE EVER HAD - do not listen to any of the reviews that are less than 5 stars. In a small village surrounded by other small towns, this is THE hidden gem. The people are so friendly and accommodating, the food is the best I've had in the area, and the cute small town vibe is everything and more. You should run, not walk, to try the cellar restaurant. you'll be happy you did. read more

We had a wonderful time. Food was exceptional and so was the service. We went and sat in the bar after dinner and had a drink. Overall, excellent experience and cocktails. read more

Called to order takeout, and was denied because they said they were "too busy." I have never heard a restaurant deny a customer food services because they were too busy. read more

We paid our first and final visit to The Cellar on a Sunday afternoon in mid-May, following a nearby youth soccer game. Our first choice was MJ's but we knew from a search of business hours the MJ's has a 30-minute closure between 2:00-2:30 (their parking lot was overflowing, regardless) and we needed to eat sooner than later. Did a bit of quick research from the car and learned of The Cellar from both TripAdvisor and Yelp, and it seemed to align with what we were looking for in terms of both menu and hours (posted as a straight 10-7). We also checked the direct website to confirm hours. Upon entering the hostesses/servers seemed to be confused as to why we were there and if they could seat us. Ummm...okay? We were, however, seated and whatnot. Ordered from the brunch menu as that's what we were given and waited a long time for the food despite very few active tables. My dining partner's meal (standard breakfast-y kind of thing) was fine but my burger, ordered medium, was cooked to hockey puck-like status and no amount of condiments could have salvaged it and I also received the wrong fries with it. We didn't see our server again until she arrived with the bill. As we were departing the guy at the bar, doing something on a laptop, audibly commented about "f***ing people who can't tell time". Excuse me??? So - in summary - the space itself is pleasant but I am certain my food was intentionally overcooked, and ownership/management's attitude was both childish and inexcusable. I wasn't going to leave a review at all, but Yelp has been prodding me for one for several weeks now and it turns out that I'm still mad. (I will note that when looked today Yelp shows that the hours have been "updated in the last month" and indicate a break in Sunday service between 1:30-2:30, which is when our visit occurred). But to blame the customer when they went by what was posted in multiple locations? No thank you...we'll wait for MJ's next time (awesome food, beverages and vibe!), or just drive home and I'll cook myself a 10x better burger. A final note to whoever handles online updates for this restaurant - as of June 30th, your Sunday hours are still incorrectly listed as 10-7 on TripAdvisor. read more

The Cellar offers a very nice rustic environment. Staff is friendly and service was good. The food was very good but felt slightly over priced. The wine list offers some common California vineyards to choose from. I'd recommend their old fashion ...very good. The Cellar offers a good place to eat if within your budget. I'd definitely visit again and recommend to friends. read more

We came too early for dining so we hung out at the bar for a bit. John, the bartender, is friendly & professional. In addition to the Beach Breeze he was able to create a Bushwacker. Very good. The Island Burger is deliciously juicy & tender. The House Salad, with dried cranberries & walnuts with a harvest dressing, also good. Our waitress is professional but not friendly. Elegant dining & atmosphere. read more

The Cellar Restaurant - Dining - American Near Me - Owego, New York

10 out of 10 on food, service and a beautiful ambiance. After myself moving from a more populated larger city, it has been difficult to find a restaurant that hits all of the notches in a foodies belt... I want my food to look pretty, smell pretty and smile while eating it! Jon (behind the bar) makes a delicious custom cocktail while the kitchen crew works their magic behind historic swinging doors. I will for sure be back and tell others too! read more

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We booked this restaurant for our celebratory dinner for our son's graduation from BU. They put out a special, condensed menu for this weekend, as it's also Mother's Day weekend, and "we don't want our chef to be so overwhelmed by the crowd that they'd jump into the river!" according to our marvelous waiter, who was attentive, knowledgeable, efficient and with a great sense of humor (which adds value to our experience, making it ever more enjoyable). The river was out the dining room window, a gorgeous view to accompany our meal. We were all really hungry so ordered a lot of food. Every bite was amazing! We finished everything, even after we were all too full to eat any more. Just didn't want to waste such deliciousness. It was a perfect and memorable evening in every aspect! read more

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I only came here once (because the taco place shut down), but based on my experience and the other reviews, that'll be enough. The menu generally seemed good, but pricey. And so I was expecting something good for those prices. Especially since they are self-described as, "an affordable, upscale atmosphere" with "the finest, freshest global cuisine". Yeah, right. Wrong on all points. First, the ambiance was extremely dated, like it probably hasn't been updated in 20 years. In fact, I told my parents I visited this place and they also hadn't been there in 20 years; it looks the same. It's a very old-timey feel. Nothing "fine" or "upscale" about it. Antique-y, and not in a cool way. I scoured the previous reviews for photos of some of the food. For example, the scallops. I saw the plates had five scallops on them. So I ordered the pan-seared scallops and how many were on the plate? Three. They tasted fine, but for $14 in a run-down, non-coastal town, there's no reason three scallops should cost that much. Ridiculous and, frankly, an insult. I also ordered a seafood flatbread, which was just one shrimp per slice (when the menu suggested there would be more on the flatbread). It was fine. My dinner companions ordered sandwiches, which had good portions but were "decent but not amazing" for the price. The place was practically empty yet the service was at a snail's pace. Frankly, this place seems like it's getting by only because it's literally the only place in town that isn't (solely) a bar or cafe at this point. Or because boomers remember it "in the good ol' days". I won't be back. read more

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I always thought it was in a cellar so I never tried this place until yesterday. Come to find out it is under new ownership as of September. Anyway, the place is definitely old, as is the decor. It's nice and clean but very dated. And cold inside. There were plenty of servers there but because we sat in the bar area, the bartender John waited on us. He was nice enough but the service was weak at best. Had to ask for a refill, had to ask for the check..etc The food, well started with soup for my wife and I had the mussels in red sauce. Both were amazing and hot. My wife got a Sunday pre fix menu item, soup, chicken legs w mashed potatoes and green beans. I got a Ruben 'which they weren't supposed to serve on Sunday' requested on toast, not grilled. Everything on the chicken plate was cold. Cold mashed, cold chicken legs, lukewarm warm beans. Tasted like everything was sitting around in a warmer. My Ruben was grilled despite my request for it to be on toast. Thinnest Ruben ever. The two slices of bread were thicker than the filling. Very weak version on a Ruben. Kicker is they told us we could only order off the Sunday menu. A local couple came in next and they offered them the full regular menu. Special rules for regulars I guess. Kicker #2, they billed us at higher prices than the menu. I asked John about it and he said they are CC prices. You get a discount for cash. I think you're supposed to state on the menu that there is a service fee for CC's , it was just weird. I was also charged $3.10 for the tiniest 3 pcs of bread. And over $3 dollar for soda and tea is a little steep. One and done for us, not impressed at all... I would not recommend The Cellar! read more

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Elegant dining atmosphere, the food was done to perfection. Had to push away from the table although I didn't want to. A must.

This was our first time at The Cellar as MJs is our usual go to in Owego. We both ordered cocktails one was fine the other eh did not taste as described on the menu so I had to send it back as it was too sour. It was gin fizz which was suppose to have a mint simple syrup I didn't taste that at all just too sour and for the price I wasn't going to just try and get it down. The waitress pleasantly replaced with another choice and it was delicious. We shared a French Onion soup which was delicious but our first choice the seafood chowder was sold out. My boyfriend had the Ahi Tuna salad and enjoyed. I had something from the special menu Chicken Beur blanc the size of the chicken for the 26.00 price was small. The sauce for the chicken was fantastic. The sides were "chef choice potato and veggie". The chefs choice potato was a roasted diced potato but made me think more for breakfast than a dinner. The veggie green beans fine nothing spectacular. I feel that for the price of the meal a small salad or some bread could come with the meal not to add in for additional cost. Then we tried the black and white tuxedo cake to die for. My only other suggestion is my bf second drink was an old fashion he liked it but you need the fancy ice for those drinks the big cube or the big round ones not a glass full of regular ice melts in the drink too quick. Our bill plus tip was 150.00. Would we go again possibly but it's not like we left feeling like oh we need to do that again. Side not the front room and bar area are very nice looking, we were in the back room and could hear everything from the kitchen to the wait staff. This review is a toss up between 3-4 stars. read more

Question on where the oysters came from, ie: blueproint etc...poor dear replied from main harvest seafood. Very little attention to detail , subpar food overall. read more

This is a challenging review because the food itself is very good but the complete failure of service impacted more than just my dining experience. Other tables also lacked basics like silverware when their food arrived. There is literally 3 out of 20 tables in use and I've yet to see the same employee twice! Whoever took our order never followed up. If they did she would have been told our pastry never arrived, or even perhaps a coffee refill. It took way too long just to find someone so I could ask for a glass of water. Needless to say the service completely marred this Sunday brunch. I only hope the owners will see this and rectify it quickly. read more

The Cellar Restaurant - River view with empty tables - American Near Me - Owego, New York

I've been to The Cellar a number of times for brunch, & I side with reviewers who have posted positive comments. I've never had a bad experience in any way while there, & have always enjoyed the food, as have friends who have eaten there with me. The menu is wonderful, with many creative offerings & the food is excellent. I especially enjoy having a meal in the room that overlooks the river- it & the views are lovely! Wait staff has also been pleasant & professional. The only reason why I didn't give 5 stars is because of the frustration I felt on several occasions when attempting to make a reservation by phone with no luck. Other than that, I would definitely recommend The Celler- it's one of Owego's gems. read more

Waited an hour and a half for brunch ... asked the waitress when we can expect our meal... she went to check and never came back ... when we finally gave up on getting our food we talked to the owner who was less than apologetic... never did get our food and left... although the food is good there we won't be back...very poor customer service ... read more

We had a death in the family and were scrambling for a place to host ~30-40 people for a small reception after the funeral. Bob and Sandy opened up their back room for us last minute (before they officially opened at 4 p.m.) and threw together drinks and a late lunch for us and truly saved us, and were super accommodating and thoughtful to get us anything we needed. The food they prepared and atmosphere they created for this short reception was perfect and made this sad occasion end on a high note for everyone involved. I'd highly recommend The Cellar get a visit if you're in town. read more

Sad to say this, but unfortunately the quality has gone downhill in our recent visits. Brownish gray Brie that had gone bad was served as our appetizer (we sent it back after cutting into it) and it seems they are no longer cleaning their tap lines regularly. Both of these things can make someone seriously ill which is what happened to me due to the bad beer from the taps. I had a flight and three of the four were beers I regularly drink. They all tasted off and the one legitimately tasted bad. I only ended up taking a couple of sips from each. I was sick within the hour. Not sure what's going on there but we don't plan to return again for fear of more food poisoning. read more

Went for New Year's Eve dinner. It was ok? Honestly the best thing I had was the salad, because the house dressing was unbelievable. Best salad I have had in awhile. Basic menu however. Limited options - probably because it was an event night...but still they could have made it a bit more fancy. read more

Very disappointed. I went here tonight and ordered the smoked turkey sandwich. Absolutely horrible , the cranberry chutney tasted like cleaning fluid , the turkey itself was ice cold and the bread was burnt . The cheese wasn't even melted one bit . We also ordered the sampler as an appetizer . The macaroni and cheese bites had ZERO flavor . The dipping sauces tasted disgusting like something old out of a bottle , and the "chicken tenders" looked like tofu chicken scraps. My husband ordered the AM burger which wasn't Bad but the cheese wasn't even melted either . The only "good" thing about this place were the Reuben balls and our view of the river in the back of the restaurant . Otherwise , I'm extremely disappointed at how crummy everything tasted for such an "upscale" restaurant as you claim to be . Please consider getting a new cook or revamping your recipes because they are horrid and no where near the price points you have them listed at ! read more

Excellent!! Even though short staffed like every other place we had a great experience at the Cellar- "get a grip you people who like to complain about being short staffed.... " ( so you feel better about leaving a poor tip) anyways..... we sat at the Bar and our bartender was busy but very attentive and provided us with great service! Thank you!!! To start: Seafood Platter 2 Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp and gnocchi, 2 Pan Seared Scallops with a jalepeno cream sauce, and a Seafood Cake with lemon aioli ( very good!) Shrimp raviolis with a cream sauce - perfect! ( my husband had. ) I had the Seafood Czarina A delectable combination of scallops, shrimp, and lobster tail sautéed in a spicy cream sauce, I requested the zoodles ( cooked perfect still firm and didn't water the dish down at all!) instead of pasta ( I was asked if I was good with spice ) and yes I was ! It was one of the best seafood dishes I have had in a very long time! And we travel a lot and eat at really good places! ( not chains) read more

We stopped in while on a road trip from Albany. What a delightful surprise! There is a great cozy yet roomy bar area, a cozy/romantic dining area too, but we were seated near the river! The Beef Wellington was superb! The house salad was so yummy I bought a bottle of the house dressing to bring home! Warm, friendly staff. Great ambience. The menu also offers burgers and sandwiches. But the steak options are mouthwatering! You will enjoy your meal here! read more

Food was ok. Service was ok. Ambiance was ok. Price was that of fine dining. We don't plan to return. They use different glasses for the same drink but charge the same price. So my first mojito was large, and my second was small - but the price consistent. They served a Moscow mule in a standard glass not a copper cup, and their silverware was from dollar general. My biggest compliant is their incomplete menu. Many of their main dishes do not indicate the sides that come with it. My chicken came with Brussels sprouts and rice but I had no idea until it arrived. My fiancé ordered the ravioli of the day. It was definitely freezer ravioli we could have bought at Price Chopper and quickly boiled ourselves. Definitely not worth the $100 plus we paid for a two person meal. All in all - eh. read more

We had a great time last weekend, the food was very good, and our waitress Sandy was super friendly ,very pleasant and helpful! She really took her time to answer all our questions and even helped with some recommendations! Hope to visit there again soon! read more

Would love to eat there Every time I call the rudest young lady answers the phone and is very condescending yuck read more