Dark Horse Restaurant — Restaurant in Town of Riverhead

A Hidden Gem in Riverhead – Dark Horse Restaurant Delivers Consistently Exceptional Dining Experiences

Dark Horse Restaurant, nestled at 1 E Main St in Riverhead, NY, is a culinary haven that consistently impresses both locals and visitors alike. With its warm ambiance, attentive service, and a menu that celebrates local ingredients, it stands out as a top dining destination on Long Island.

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Upon entering, you're greeted by a cozy yet elegant setting. The restaurant's modern decor, combined with soft lighting and tasteful artwork, creates an inviting atmosphere perfect for any occasion. Whether you're enjoying a casual lunch or celebrating a special event, Dark Horse offers a comfortable and stylish environment.

Menu Highlights

The menu at Dark Horse is a testament to their commitment to quality and creativity. Dishes are crafted with precision, showcasing a blend of classic flavors and innovative twists.

Appetizers: Begin your meal with the fresh baked cornbread skillet, fried calamari, or a well-curated cheese board.

Entrees: The local duck breast, braised beef in a merlot and vegetable reduction, and market-fresh fish are standout choices. For those seeking gluten-free options, the menu offers a variety of dishes to cater to dietary needs.

Sides: Complement your main course with sides like mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, or roasted vegetables.

Desserts: End your meal on a sweet note with delightful desserts that change seasonally, ensuring freshness and variety.

Service Excellence

The staff at Dark Horse are consistently praised for their professionalism and attentiveness. Servers are knowledgeable about the menu and wine pairings, offering recommendations that enhance the dining experience. The team is accommodating, ensuring that every guest feels valued and well-cared-for.

Special Features

Brunch: On Sundays, Dark Horse offers a delectable brunch from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, featuring dishes that cater to various tastes.

Live Music: Enjoy live entertainment on select evenings, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

Catering Services: Dark Horse also provides catering for special occasions, ensuring that your events are memorable with their exquisite cuisine.

Final Thoughts

Dark Horse Restaurant in Riverhead continues to be a standout establishment, offering exceptional food, impeccable service, and a welcoming ambiance. Whether you're a local resident or visiting the area, a dining experience at Dark Horse is sure to be memorable. Highly recommended for those seeking a top-tier culinary adventure on...

Just left the Dark Horse Tavern in Riverhead, a lunch with friends, three couples. We are all Foodies, all great cooks, in fact, one of our party used to be a personal chef for a royal family. Our crowd has a decades long history of our moveable feast, all of us hosting and cooking for each other on a loose rotation, with many, many memorable meals. My point being, that we all know what good food, even exceptional food, should taste like. Dark Horse hit it out of the park! Two of our party had the Sweet Chili Chicken Sandwich, both raved about it. In fact, one gal, (who is quite diminutive) never thought she’d finish the generous dish, and looked down at her empty plate, somewhat surprised that she had, it was so good she couldn’t stop eating it. Her husband had the burger, and was equally impressed. My wife had the Fig & Arugula Grilled Cheese and loved it. Another had the Brasserie Salad, huge and hugely delicious and satisfying. I had the Duck Wrap, which had layers of flavors, and stayed delicious and interesting until the very last bite. And the FRIES! Possibly the best I’ve ever eaten, perfectly cooked and seasoned. Our waiter, Benedict, was attentive, pleasant and kept us well cared for. We had all passed this place many times, but with so many choices, just never went in, somehow. DO NOT make the same mistake! The next time you want something above the ordinary, go to the Dark Horse. You’ll be...

I LOVE this place! We took a day trip to visit the local wineries and ended up having lunch AND dinner here, because the food...and the staff...are amazing! Everything on the menu is gluten free and locally grown....and absolutely delicious. No cross contamination in their kitchen! It doesn't get any better than that!

Ross, Sonja, and the rest of the staff are so accommodating....funny, personable....we shared some great laughs. They're also quite knowledgeable about food allergies, we spoke about quite a few topics. Ask them and they'll tell you which local farms provide their produce and meats. Got to love it.

Everything we've ever had there is good....from the cornbread served with dinner, salad with gluten free croutons!, the fried calamari served with a delectably sweet marinara, the beef burgers made with grass fed beef, the apple squash soup (to die for!), the perfectly seasoned chicken burger, the incredible hand cut french fries, the honey dijon salmon (omg!)....and the desserts...ohhhh, the desserts. They make amazing desserts. Try the fruit cobbler....the fruit changes with what's in season. They also offer dairy free (or regular) ice cream to put on it.

Definitely the best place on Long Island....I live two hours away and wish I could eat there...