Empire House

Some of the best food in the Ostego area. Exotic and bohemian atmosphere with very welcoming staff. A must visit if in the area.

Food was great the place was great a wonderful place to go have a meal and a glass of wine and the service very professional!!!!

Great food, great atmosphere, and great people make this little gem worth a visit.

Truly fine dining. Must try: Persian lamb stew. Favorite: fish tacos.

A true gem in the Butternut Valley. Try the lamb.

Food was good but not always authentic

Wonderful food. Always a nice experience

Great place for food! Great atmosphere

Cool old building. Friendly wait staff. Great food.

Awesome place, awesome people, stop by anytime that you can

Nice small town place to stay !

Very Nice!! Awesome food & atmosphere!!!

Great customer service. Love the owner

It feels like the heart of the community. We'll be back!

Lamb Shank is my go to dish

Wonderful people great service !

The food was amazing!

I love the food there

Good food good times

Outstanding Food !!! A Got To Place !!!!!

Fantastic place!

Excellent food

A lovely oasis in Gilbertsville. The owners are great, took a lot of care to explain the menu to us. Too many delicious options to choose from - I will definitely be back!

We really like this place and are so glad we found it! Great food, great service, great dining experience.

Delicious Food. Great atmosphere. Wonderful owners who come out and talk with their customers. Love it!

I love going to The Empire House. Everyone is so nice. Great place to meet for drinks eat whatever you want. Small town vibe which is why I love Gilbertsville NY

Great atmosphere and staff. It doesn't hurt the food taste great as well.

Amazing food and atmosphere, wonderful people....my new favorite!

Very good cuisine, and experience. Owner extremely passionate about the restaurant and quality of service.

It’s about the journey right ? Plan an on a nice, relaxing dinner that is worth the time you will spend there . The owners care about connecting with and creating an experience for you, not just serving customers. We have eaten here several times and the food is delicious, every time, we laugh, every time, we enjoy every time. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t put your energy into checking the boxes of your expectations. Put your energy into appreciating what the restaurant is. Unique, personable, relaxing…it’s a gem that deserves it.

We were absolutely starving and just about ready to give up when we spotted this place, one of the only spots still open. We parked and walked up. It was quiet, almost appeared closed, but decorated beautifully. The moment we stepped inside, the calm and nostalgic vibe made me feel like I had walked onto the set of an old movie. Before I could even take it all in, we were greeted at the door by Q, the owner. He’s lively, warm, and entertaining, and he instantly put us at ease. With a couple of quick jokes, Q turned what could have been just another meal into an experience. You don’t meet people like that often, and it set the stage perfectly. We started with the calamari. I order calamari everywhere I go and I can honestly say this was the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly crisp, seasoned just right. The only downside was wishing there was more of it. The coconut shrimp followed, golden and flavorful with a sauce that made me want to lick the plate clean, though the shrimp themselves could have been a bit bigger. Then came the tacos, both shrimp and fish. Fresh and well-prepared, but smothered in too much cheese, almost like quesadillas. We didn’t enjoy them much because of so much cheese. If you’re a cheese lover, you’ll be in heaven. For me, next time I’d order them without to let the seafood shine. All the while, Q floated around the room, chatting with regulars, laughing with us, and making sure everyone felt like more than just another table on the list. As the owner, he clearly takes pride in making every guest feel welcome. It’s the kind of personal touch that makes a place stick in your memory, though some guests might prefer a quieter experience. For me, it was exactly what I needed that night. I left already planning my next visit, because according to Q, the ribeye is the best around. After this first visit, I’m inclined to believe it.

Excellent service and amazing food with top quality local ingredients. The hotel is also great. It is a historic building with a lot of charm in a quiet village, close to a lot of wedding venues. The hotel rooms were very clean and the owners (husband and wife) very attentive and kind. I highly recommend the restaurant and the hotel.

Best restaurant in 100 miles radius , what a gem in the middle of nowhere.

This place is great! Amazing food, some of the best drinks (house mojito is amazing), and very excellent service. I just stayed in one of the guest rooms for a week. It's a historic building so no, there wasn't a pool or business center or fitness room... But the room was clean, nice, and very comfortable. I highly recommend dropping by for dinner and a drink or a nice weekend retreat. Ask Q about his coffee...

Food was delicious and the owner was super nice.

This was our first time there. It was great. We had the beef dumplings, lamb shank and chicken osso bucca, all excellent! Good prices and Lynn, our server, was awesome. We sat out on the porch, just wish the plastic wasn’t there.

A hidden gem in an historic village, you can’t go wrong at The Empire! The food is top notch, in particular any curry, Persian, or Mediterranean dish. The biryani is superb. Then again, the fish tacos are also fantastic! Mediterranean Breeze is a favorite appetizer, and we’ve never had anything like it anywhere else. Q and Aileen sling the beat cocktails in the Butternut Valley. You’ll be sorry if you don’t stop here.

Food was Fantastic and the owner "Q" was friendly and funny, felt like we knew him forever. we will definitely be back , so many interesting things to try on the menu! Its definitely a dining "Experience" . If your in a rush and want to eat an leave, then this is probably not your place. If you enjoy a relaxing meal and some laughs...then this is your place!

We were visiting from OH and got a recommendation to visit the Empire House Hotel. We got the Mediterranean Breeze (warm baba campus + feta, raisins, walnuts and the Gambas (shrimp) Al Oglio w crostini special appetizer and both were phenomenal. We then had the crispy chicken osso busco and the shrimp with a curried crab corn cream sauce and those too, were fantastic. Everything was so full of flavor and texture - what a hidden gem and made me wish we lived close so we could come back often.

This restaurant doesn't only have great food. But great service! Highly recommend this restaurant. Not only was I treated with good service but it was the owner himself, very pleasant, kind and even working thr bar and serving tables himself. There was no wait for me because he was fast and efficient. Worth every penny!!!!##classyandfun...

The grape leaves were tasty. The spicy thai wings were indeed spicy. The beef shawarma was delicious, tender and the right amount of seasoning. The tiramisu was wonderful. We ate on the porch, it was a great experience. Took a while but didnt really notice until I looked at the clock in my truck when leaving. I'll be going back soon, more menu to explore.

Food was amazing, great atmosphere. The owner was very pleasant and accommodating! Made you feel comfortable and welcomed. Will be dining again!!

This is a very exceptional hotel / resturant . The atmosphere is like being on a vacation resort, with friendly people & staff. Its clean, great priced & exceptional food & rooms , makes any dining or stay a want to come back , kind of expierence.

Christian ZOGowski

Best restaurant in 100 miles radius , what a gem in the middle of nowhere.

Tracy Young

It’s about the journey right ? Plan an on a nice, relaxing dinner that is worth the time you will spend there . The owners care about connecting with and creating an experience for you, not just serving customers. We have eaten here several times and the food is delicious, every time, we laugh, every time, we enjoy every time. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t put your energy into checking the boxes of your expectations. Put your energy into appreciating what the restaurant is. Unique, personable, relaxing…it’s a gem that deserves it.

Dan Cigno

Food was delicious and the owner was super nice.

Michael

We were absolutely starving and just about ready to give up when we spotted this place, one of the only spots still open. We parked and walked up. It was quiet, almost appeared closed, but decorated beautifully. The moment we stepped inside, the calm and nostalgic vibe made me feel like I had walked onto the set of an old movie. Before I could even take it all in, we were greeted at the door by Q, the owner. He’s lively, warm, and entertaining, and he instantly put us at ease. With a couple of quick jokes, Q turned what could have been just another meal into an experience. You don’t meet people like that often, and it set the stage perfectly. We started with the calamari. I order calamari everywhere I go and I can honestly say this was the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly crisp, seasoned just right. The only downside was wishing there was more of it. The coconut shrimp followed, golden and flavorful with a sauce that made me want to lick the plate clean, though the shrimp themselves could have been a bit bigger. Then came the tacos, both shrimp and fish. Fresh and well-prepared, but smothered in too much cheese, almost like quesadillas. We didn’t enjoy them much because of so much cheese. If you’re a cheese lover, you’ll be in heaven. For me, next time I’d order them without to let the seafood shine. All the while, Q floated around the room, chatting with regulars, laughing with us, and making sure everyone felt like more than just another table on the list. As the owner, he clearly takes pride in making every guest feel welcome. It’s the kind of personal touch that makes a place stick in your memory, though some guests might prefer a quieter experience. For me, it was exactly what I needed that night. I left already planning my next visit, because according to Q, the ribeye is the best around. After this first visit, I’m inclined to believe it.

Semira Martin

Excellent service and amazing food with top quality local ingredients. The hotel is also great. It is a historic building with a lot of charm in a quiet village, close to a lot of wedding venues. The hotel rooms were very clean and the owners (husband and wife) very attentive and kind. I highly recommend the restaurant and the hotel.

Gina Buttignol

This was our first time there. It was great. We had the beef dumplings, lamb shank and chicken osso bucca, all excellent! Good prices and Lynn, our server, was awesome. We sat out on the porch, just wish the plastic wasn’t there.

Colin Pollard

This place is great! Amazing food, some of the best drinks (house mojito is amazing), and very excellent service. I just stayed in one of the guest rooms for a week. It's a historic building so no, there wasn't a pool or business center or fitness room... But the room was clean, nice, and very comfortable. I highly recommend dropping by for dinner and a drink or a nice weekend retreat. Ask Q about his coffee...

Melissa Lambert

We were visiting from OH and got a recommendation to visit the Empire House Hotel. We got the Mediterranean Breeze (warm baba campus + feta, raisins, walnuts and the Gambas (shrimp) Al Oglio w crostini special appetizer and both were phenomenal. We then had the crispy chicken osso busco and the shrimp with a curried crab corn cream sauce and those too, were fantastic. Everything was so full of flavor and texture - what a hidden gem and made me wish we lived close so we could come back often.

William Scully

A hidden gem in an historic village, you can’t go wrong at The Empire! The food is top notch, in particular any curry, Persian, or Mediterranean dish. The biryani is superb. Then again, the fish tacos are also fantastic! Mediterranean Breeze is a favorite appetizer, and we’ve never had anything like it anywhere else. Q and Aileen sling the beat cocktails in the Butternut Valley. You’ll be sorry if you don’t stop here.

Grand Knight William Buchanan

Food was Fantastic and the owner "Q" was friendly and funny, felt like we knew him forever. we will definitely be back , so many interesting things to try on the menu! Its definitely a dining "Experience" . If your in a rush and want to eat an leave, then this is probably not your place. If you enjoy a relaxing meal and some laughs...then this is your place!

John King

This restaurant doesn't only have great food. But great service! Highly recommend this restaurant. Not only was I treated with good service but it was the owner himself, very pleasant, kind and even working thr bar and serving tables himself. There was no wait for me because he was fast and efficient. Worth every penny!!!!##classyandfun...

Erika Biedermann

This is a very exceptional hotel / resturant . The atmosphere is like being on a vacation resort, with friendly people & staff. Its clean, great priced & exceptional food & rooms , makes any dining or stay a want to come back , kind of expierence.

keith flood

The grape leaves were tasty. The spicy thai wings were indeed spicy. The beef shawarma was delicious, tender and the right amount of seasoning. The tiramisu was wonderful. We ate on the porch, it was a great experience. Took a while but didnt really notice until I looked at the clock in my truck when leaving. I'll be going back soon, more menu to explore.

Laura GK

A lovely oasis in Gilbertsville. The owners are great, took a lot of care to explain the menu to us. Too many delicious options to choose from - I will definitely be back!

Andrea Pertilla

Food was amazing, great atmosphere. The owner was very pleasant and accommodating! Made you feel comfortable and welcomed. Will be dining again!!

Make sure you have lots of time to dine here, took 3 1/2 hours from start to finish. Food was good, but i have to say some of the people in our group said the meat was sparse. Lots of rice and veggies. Didn’t use a room so I have no idea how they are.

Christina Babcock

Make sure you have lots of time to dine here, took 3 1/2 hours from start to finish. Food was good, but i have to say some of the people in our group said the meat was sparse. Lots of rice and veggies. Didn’t use a room so I have no idea how they are.

Owner is really nice guy, food was amazing

Some interesting dishes. Overall very good

Very friendly and helpful staff. Wi Fi is difficult to connect.

Fun, Friendly & Yummy!

Pleasant staff

Nice atmosphere. Hits and misses with the food, more hits than misses. One of the better restaurants in the area. Pass on dessert though, dough severely undercooked/raw and bananas foster was thrown together like a stew of sugar.

K S

Nice atmosphere. Hits and misses with the food, more hits than misses. One of the better restaurants in the area. Pass on dessert though, dough severely undercooked/raw and bananas foster was thrown together like a stew of sugar.

Food was ok not the best had a bar n inn was very clean n ppl we're very nice

BED BUGS bites , on back of my legs , horrible. Stayed 2 nights recently, room is old and very small. The building is in disrepair. 7/15/2025 ****Thank you for your response, 11 months later*****

Gail Hamm

BED BUGS bites , on back of my legs , horrible. Stayed 2 nights recently, room is old and very small. The building is in disrepair. 7/15/2025 ****Thank you for your response, 11 months later*****