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The Refuge

3.7 (1.1k reviews)
Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

The Refuge Photos

THE REFUGE ATMOSPHERE

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Good for kids
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - The Refuge

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Beautiful Christmas decor
Lisa S.

Walked in around 9 PM on a Saturday and was greeted and seated immediately. We ordered a Mahi wrap and a chicken quesadilla. The quesadilla came out piping hot and the wrap was deliciously seasoned but messy. Why put dressing and cheese drizzled on the outside, when a wrap is a hand meal. One star lost. Otherwise it was an excellent experience.

inside
Serena W.

We had reservations here on Sunday night, we arrived on time and got seated pretty quickly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Our table ended up having a big sauce blotch on it that we only noticed after we lifted our glass off it which was pretty nasty[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and we only had knives and no forks when our appetizers came around. I know that businesses get slammed on holidays but they need to have more staff working to keep up with demand for days like this. The food was okay, we ordered a burger, pasta, and quinoa crusted salmon. The burger was fine but the salmon and the pasta were both way too salty. I can't give more than two stars seeing as we had a reservation, still got seated at an unprepared table, and 2/3 of the entrees we ordered weren't good. Pretty disappointing.

Salmon..good but a bit too salty
Melissa W.

[[HIGHLIGHT]]It was a holiday so I know it's more crowded but then again the restaurant knows they're gonna get more people on this particular holiday so I think they should be prepared.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The table was dirty.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We had to call someone over before we got any food and it took a few minutes, but they came in, but they didn't do a great job of cleaning it so we kind of didn't want our silverware to touch the table. Food was OK that's all I can say. I wouldn't say that I would recommend this place.

tres leches
Maria S.

My friends and I all decided to have a "girl dinner" at the refuge for the holiday season and we had a great time! This was my second time here, but I enjoyed this one even more than my last. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Due to the holidays there was a DJ which set the perfect vibe for a Friday night.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We made a reservation so we were seated immediately, and our server was the nicest ever! She was attentive, friendly and super patient with us. There is Sooo much to choose from on this menu which makes it hard, but we all got different things than we did the first time. For appetizer we got "the bomb" which is a cheesy bread with multiple cheeses and tomato. This was delicious and perfect to share amongst us four. I would get it again! For my entree, I got the sizzling shrimp, and it did not disappoint, it was hot, and the perfect amount. it also comes with tortillas to create your own tacos if you'd like! To end the night we had the delicious Tres Leches which is my favorite! I recommend and already want to be back!

Heily P.

Parking can be a problem even though it's a huge lot but if they're having an event you'll be looking for a bit. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Decor is really nice but food was just ok.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I enjoyed the appetizers more than my meal. I got the angry shrimp and it was lacking flavor. Didn't enjoy it at all. My friend who has been before said she was underwhelmed before and still didn't really care for it. Service was great though!

Julie J.

[[HIGHLIGHT]]The location is so beautiful.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I've been here about twice in the past five years and I wish I went more often. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The food, service and place was good then and still is now.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waiter was Jarrett and he was very kind and patient with us, great guy. The food was delicious and well seasoned. I am unsure of the ratings but keep this location open guys ..so many great places are closing out here.. it is also a gem for the locals and its understandable they don't want this gem exposed. They also constantly have events and specials so its definitely a go.

Lily C.

Love the look of this place. It was my first time for brunch and so I was very excited. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. It's very pretty inside and I love the saloon vibe. It's HUGE. I ordered the chicken Parm pizza with prosciutto and fresh mozzarella. It was pretty tasty. I did have to send it back because the bottom of the pizza was completely black. I know that it's hard with a wood fire stove, and they had no problem making me a new one. The chicken was a little dry. There were so many things on the menu, I did have a hard time choosing. Next time, I would order something other than the pizza. Everyone loved their food. I think the stand out was the crab meat eggs Benedict. The peanut butter espresso Martini was also a hit. I would come back again and I would go with a smaller group and reserve one of those cute little inner private sitting booths. Our group was too large for it, but I saw them on the way out and I thought they were cool for a group of six.

Robert B.

Cool outside bar ! Great bartender ! Gave us great recommendation! The nachos were generous with toppings! Chips were fresh and crispy! I would def explore more of the menu ! Cheers !

Pizza
Ash M.

The Refuge has a beautiful ambiance with great service. Their menu is wide and full of variety including their drink selection. I wanted to absolutely love it here but thought it slacked which is why I gave it 4 stars. I loved their drinks but their food was just okay. I think their wings were great but my brisket bowl wasn't phenomenal and their skirt steak wasn't great either. The service is incredible and I'm glad I tried it here. It's a good place for large parties and celebrations!

Samantha C.

Gone are the days of hanging out on the patio of The Refuge on a Friday/Saturday night. Those were the nights, when we would drink margaritas the size of our heads while trying to yell over the blaring DJs top 40 spins. But that's ok because this place doesn't just have a bangin' event/nightlife scene, it's also got really delicious food. I hadn't been since before COVID. A little fun fact is my sister catered her wedding from here in 2021 and the food was outstanding. I also had never been here during brunch, so it felt like a new experience overall. The brunch menu is great and has a Latin flare. My Abuelita Salad was recommended by our server and she did not steer me wrong. I was able to catch up with friends over my brunch cocktail, the Split Decision. It had tequila, triple sec, orange juice and Prosecco. I think this is my new favorite brunch drink. It was amazing. They have a vegan menu with a variety of options which is so great. Our server quickly brought it out to us. Speaking of, she was so wonderful and really knew her way around the menu. The Refuge itself hadn't changed much since my last visit. I think they have a bigger event space attached to the dining area now. The place itself has a wooden rustic charm. The guac still remains one of my favs. Honestly, it's one of my favorite spots on LI and if you don't come here, you're doing something wrong.

Chopped Baked Clams
Micaela R.

My partner and I have been coming to this restaurant for a few years. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is BEAUTIFUL![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff are attentive and caring. Though I would skip the pizza, the Chopped Baked Clams are a MUST TRY! And the Paella is delicious& can be split with a friend. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The portions are generous, a rustic charm with indoor and outdoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would say this place is Picky-Eater proof. There's something for everyone! I highly recommend the Refuge (:

Loved the room.
Brenda F.

I came here for my friend's beautiful baby shower. I have been here once before for lunch. I had no idea they had such a beautiful private room for celebrations.The food is always so good here. I need that Bella chicken dish in my life again.I love the attention to detail the refuge has.The staff is very nice too. Honestly such an amazing place to celebrate such a beautiful day. I really enjoyed celebrating my girl's special day. To know me is to know, how much I love a good brunch!!! Keep the mimosas coming . Oh and the carnival dessert package is a must. I cannot wait to come back.

Lisa T.

We had a nice dinner there last night. It's a very large space with a cool saloon vibe going. it's extremely loud so conversation is a challenge. the menu is nicely varied and service was excellent. shout out to Ayana our server and the other staff who were very attentive. Food is good, portions decent but very expensive imo. It's not like the food is organic or grass fed but i guess that's pricing in the area. They have a pizza oven which is a cool addition and my family enjoyed the margarita pizza.

Our Mamma Mia Pizza was burned. It left a bad taste in my mouth and was unpleasant to eat.

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Review Insights

3 years ago

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

Enjoyed great guacamole, a tasty Mediterranean shrimp bowl and excellent service from our server, Nicole.

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6 years ago

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1 year ago

Loved the eclectic vibes! Mel was a fantastic server. A+++. Very accommodating to our large group

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Joe was the best bartender!! Drinks are always so good here, especially the Ice Loves Coco!

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

Great food great atmosphere . Catering and outdoor area went there Thursday night hope they bring back the veal chops

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4 years ago

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Page 3 of 27

Ask the Community - The Refuge

Does this restaurant have self parking?

Yes it does...Huge parking lot

Is there happy hour anymore?

All day

Is the refuge good for an intimate anniversary dinner?

I wouldn't go for a intimate date.

Is the outdoor space dog friendly?

Yes every Sunday for Brunch!

What kind of music is played here, is it more upbeat/ Latin/ dance style?

No, not especially. Pretty run of the mill popular music. There's no dance area so the music doesn't really cater to that.

Is it loud place for a Saturday nite dinner?

There is a separate area for dining and the bar. But you can hear the music throughout . It does get pretty loud with the music. But otherwise it's a great place

Is their dancing? Or just loud music for pleasure?

No dancing. Just music

Is brunch bottomless drinks?

We don't do bottomless we offer $5 per glass mimosas, bloodymarys, and champagne.

Do you have a dress code on Saturday night? Looking to go out for drinks and appetizers for my husbands birthday! Also do I need a reservation?

Hi Michele, Our dress code is trendy casual, we take reservations for parties of 6 or more… 

Does this place have dancing on a Saturday night?

Hi, We do have a dj thrusday-Satruday starting at 6pm. We don't turn into a nightclub but dancing… 

View All 11 Questions

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We came here for the grinch pop up. It's a cozy lounge so tickets are limited per night. Grinch…read moreperforms a few songs and then allows for picture taking afterward. The show was short but a lot of fun! The Grinch played the character perfectly and interacted with the crowd. Drinks and bites are optional. I got the sugar cookie shots they were okay. I also got the Grinch has a heart because I'm a tequila girl but I wasn't a fan of this one. The sliders however were great.

I miss Main Street so much. And this is one of the reasons why. The Alibi wasn't a thing when I…read morelived here, but I'm glad I'm able to still head to this area and partake in these experiences. Alibi is currently running a Harry Potter pop up, and if you know anything about me, you will know I am a HUGE fan. The Alibi was decorated beautifully and there were two really cute Photo Ops by "Platform 9 3/4" and the Wand Shop. Come here for the drinks! The Hufflepuff was bourbon forward and reminded me of an Old Fashioned which further confirmed that is truly my house. It also came with an edible golden snitch. The server pointed it out before I gave them what I thought to be decor. I popped the chocolate golden snitch in my mouth after being directed to take the wrapping off first. We then did butterbeer shots and I can't even begin to tell you how delish they were...dangerously delicious. Food was had and it wasn't anything to write about but I'll try. Queso dip is made in house, which I respect. Loaded potato wontons were a great idea and were probably the best things on the table. You can't go wrong with pretzel nuggets. Chocolate cake is never a bad idea. I ended my visit with a chocolate frog drink. Very similar to an espresso martini. You know how hot they are right now. It came with a an actual chocolate frog which was nice. Finally one of the staff members came over to help us play Bertie Botts and we all picked a jellybean. I got lemon. Some of us got soap and warwax. So fun! It was so good, we are going to try to snag another rez for trivia. Reservations are for 90 minute seatings. You pay $15 for a ticket but you get a souvenir cup with your ticket. Not mad about this because the cup is actually decent and will be used. Their next pop up will be "Slime Time". Slime is not my thing but maybe you'll see me at the other pop ups.

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I came here on a Thursday with 3 girlfriends. We made a…read morereservation but there was plenty of seating. We ordered the chips and guac as an app I ordered the moussaka enchiladas for dinner and it was so good. The béchamel was so creamy and I loved the meat and eggplant inside My friends got the lamb shank orzo and birria tacos. We all devoured our meals. We also loved the dessert. The churro nachos. The chips were cinnamon sugar and so crispy and covered in dulce de leche, strawberries, banana and a scoop of ice cream. The baklava cheesecake was also great. Our waitress was great, she didn't rush us. The restaurant was filled with tables of friends of all ages and it was so nice to see. They also have bar seating. All of the dishes had a little Greek, a little Mexican and I can't wait to come back and try them!

Mexican-Greek fusion was definitely not something I expected to come across, but I'm glad I…read morestumbled upon this little spot! I was really looking forward to the zucchini fries, so I was a little disappointed that they seemed to lack actual zucchini. Truthfully, with just a little more care they could have been exceptional. The street corn was pretty good overall, but I felt it was missing that fresh squeeze of lime and some chopped cilantro to really bring all the flavors together. ‍ Now, the peach bourbon... you can definitely taste the bourbon! No complaints there I ordered the lamb tacos and they were very flavorful, filling and definitely one of the highlights of the meal. The fried cheese was also delicious and surprisingly filling. Overall, not a bad experience at all. A unique fusion concept with a lot of potential and just a few small details away from really standing out. Would definitely be interested in coming back and trying more of the menu!

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Booked a reservation for a party of 10. Birthday celebration for my sister. The gentleman I…read morespoke to was cordial and professional. I received a text confirming the res. Unfortunately some our party arrived late due to the evening rush hour traffic. With that being said, they seated and hosted those of us that had arrived. Meagan (hope I'm remembering her name as this is days later) was our hostess / server. She was uber professional and welcoming. She ensured our table was well taken care of. Thank you! Everyone enjoyed their meals. We tried a variety of dishes throughout the table. The lobster egg rolls, Chips with Queso and spicy disco fries were a good way to start. Some of the entrees we had were; Short Rib ravioli, Asian Persuasion, Cheese Steak, Aioli Burger, Lemon Pesto Pasta, and the Miso Salmon. Everyone really enjoyed their meal. For drinks, the Lemoncello Spritz, and Blueberry Mojito were table favorites. The decor is so modern and current without being over the top. Comfortable and functional. Better suited for smaller parties but accommodating nonetheless. Will definitely return for a date night with wifey.

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Vespa Italian Kitchen & Bar - Pollo Alla Griglia GF

Vespa Italian Kitchen & Bar

4.3(739 reviews)
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Outstanding Food, Impeccable Service and Genuine Kindness…read more I can't express enough how exceptional Vespa's food was and how incredible Adán and his staff were. Their service was absolutely impeccable. We arrived late because of unexpected delays at the cemetery, and Adán was beyond gracious and accommodating. He made a difficult day feel lighter. I hosted my mother's funeral luncheon at Vespa, and the way they cared for us meant more than I can say. Everything was handled with such kindness, professionalism, and genuine warmth. I am deeply grateful. Susan McCann

An Italian restaurant located on the main street of Downtown Farmingdale. Came on a weekday evening…read morefor early dinner and found street parking out in front. The place has a good amount of seating area including high tops, low booths, bar table, and a private room. There is also two unisex restrooms. I came with my boyfriend before an event at Farmingdale State College and we were on a time crunch. I made a reservation on OpenTable but it was not busy at all. We got greeted and seated immediately upon walking in. Then, a server came with ice water for the both of us before our actual waiter came to introduce herself and ask if we were ready to order. Shortly after ordering, the waitress brought us a plate of complimentary bread that comes with garlic on top and olive oil dip on bottom. We got the fried calamari which was perfectly battered (not too little nor too thick) and fried perfectly (not too burnt nor too pale). The taste was great and went well with the marinara sauce. The Clams Oreganata were delicious too - very meaty and flavorful with a nice sauce and lemon to squeeze on top. The Clams Vespa is very unique and creamy. It reminds me of a white Alfredo sauce with baked clams. They had a huge variety of drinks and it was hard for me to choose, but the lady recommended me the Sicilian Kiss which is a strawberry flavored cocktail. It is supposed to be on the sweeter side but the alcohol was strong too. As for our main entree, we got the Papperdelle Bolognese which was a veal, pork, beef ragu on ribbon pasta. Very well cooked and the taste and texture went perfectly together. We were so full, but never skip on dessert! I'm personally not a fan of cheesecake, but they have creme brulee cheesecake and rainbow cookie cheesecake which I would have loved to try if it wasn't for the cheesecake. But I was happy to find out I could order the rainbow cookie gelato that usually comes with the cheesecake. That was yummy! The texture reminded me of the cake mix Ice-Cream from Carvel and the flavor is not too strong. Overall, great vibes and service. Will definitely be back to the the pizza and other pastas.

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The Refuge - latin - Updated July 2026

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