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    Universal Cafe & Bar

    4.9 (13 reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

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    Grass fed beef.
    Corduroy K.

    This is a very good restaurant in the quaint village of Germantown, NY. The grass fed beef was excellently prepared and presented. The eggplant was also very good, as was the pot de crème for dessert. So why not 5 stars? The menu was very idiosyncratic, chef forward fare. It was hard to pair flavors together over multiple courses. We didn't even try. Atmosphere was charming and service excellent.

    Bathroom

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    4 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Everything was perfectly balanced and served with grace. A delicious find in Germantown that has no rivals.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    We had dinner here last night. The place is super cute. Funky art. The food was great as was service. We definitely plan on going back

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    3 years ago

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    Review Highlights - Universal Cafe & Bar

    this is by far the coolest and most innovative restaurant in the Hudson Valley...

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    Damon Baehrel

    Damon Baehrel

    4.8(16 reviews)
    15.5 mi
    $$$$

    THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH STARS TO RATE DAMON BAEHREL!!!!! The hubs and I were extremely lucky and…read morefortunate in being able to come here to celebrate my birthday!!! Damon Baehrel, which is named after the chef himself, is probably considered the most exclusive restaurant in the world. It is literally a one-man show, as Chef Baehrel is the one who cooks, serves, and hosts a 5-6+ hour-dining experience for his guests at his beautiful home on his 12-acre property in upstate NY. As most know, this restaurant is booked solid until the year 2026, and they have not been taking any reservations/adding parties onto their waiting list since last year/'14 (this is for an indefinite period of time) - you bet your tootin' bootin' that I felt so victorious for bypassing others on the list by 11+ years!!! (Just note that it really doesn't matter 'who' you are, 'who' you know, and/or if you come equipped with a list of multiple referrals.) Known for his 'Native Harvest Cuisine,' every single item on his menu (besides the seafood that is brought fresh from Nova Scotia from his private supplier) is made/created/raised on the premise - when I mean every item, I mean EVERY item, from the flours, pressed oils, vinegars, breads, to the curing his own meats and aging his own cheeses! This restaurant is the epitome and the prime definition of what 'farm-to-table' should really be! We were welcomed warmly from Chef Baehrel, and I was super excited that we were his only guests for the evening - YES, IT WAS JUST THE 3 OF US, THE HUBS, ME, AND THE CHEF!!! (I think I literally sobbed right on the spot). Our super private dining experience was about 5.5+ hours, but actually flew right on by and was like a total dream - we were given a multi-course menu (about 24-26+ items, including some handful of extras since the Chef was just super excited in having us(!!!)), that featured seasonal, organic plants/fruits/vegetables/trees from his property, in addition to a lovely educational overview of each of the ingredients used for the dish. I just couldn't believe at some of the ingredients that he had used, and how each of them had a distinct flavor (and were all actually edible/okay for human consumption!) - it was amazing to listen to the experimentation, the time spent, the punctuality of harvesting such items throughout the year, and the multiple aging/preserving/curing process that he does. I had a lovely wine pairing with the multi-course dinner (delicious champagne, reds, whites, and dessert wines), while the hubs had homemade juice pairings made from the luscious fruits/tree saps (super delicious and refreshing!). The love, the passion, and the excitement from the chef was just purely an eye-opener, and this literally was the BEST DINING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!!! BELIEVE THE HYPE (of the very few limited ones there are) - Chef Baehrel will change your life and exceed any and all expectations that you may/will have!!! You have to go there to experience it personally, as there are no words to describe such a unique experience - the overwhelming appreciation that you obtain in tasting the raw essence of the ingredients that are found around you was truly truly truly remarkable - Chef Baehrel is a GENIUS! Just note that there is no photography/video/recording equipment/note-taking allowed inside the restaurant, so PLEASE be respectful to the Chef (and, shame on those 'bloggers' who disregard/circumvent around this request/policy!). I cannot wait to go back! :D +BEST DINING EXPERIENCE EVER!!! +Chef Damon Baehrel :D +Native Harvest Cuisine :D +5.5+ dining experience :D +no photography/video/recording equipment allowed inside the restaurant - please be respectful!

    Much has already been written about Damon Baehrel so I will try and be succinct. I put in my…read morereservation request in August 2012 and fully expected a 5-year minimum wait but to my delight I was able to snag a "special seating" on a Sunday at 4pm. It helps to be flexible with your dates and within driving distance. 20 courses (!), 4.5 hours. 5 hour round trip drive. 1 car rental. Completely worth it. Damon Baehrel is the ultimate host, completely charming and engaging. My wife and I were the only guests and it was awesome! Not awkward at all. What I loved about the meal, besides his "Native Harvest" dishes, was that by the end of it you can start to understand his botany heavy food lexicon, as certain themes started to emerge. Stevia and clover as thickening agents, all sap everything, powders galore, nut flours, fermentation trickery, homemade cheese. Homemade everything! (except some salt and the seafood/wine). Hearing his insanely detailed and clever course preparations makes you feel guilty about eating all of these small bites in less than 30 seconds. Damon paces the meal perfectly, always happy to chat and answer your questions at length. He takes great satisfaction in his cooking and sharing his techniques. This meal is about learning the process as much as it is about eating, and both are better for it. There were some items that sounded cooler than they tasted, but overall each dish was solid. The highlights for me were the teal duck and the duck egg "creme brulee". I guess I like duck. If you are fortunate enough to get a reservation here come with an open mind and don't expect a rich fancy-pants food experience or you will be disappointed. PS - Leaving a one-star review for a restaurant you have never eaten at just because you can't get a reservation is pathetic.

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    Damon Baehrel
    Damon Baehrel - Damon Baehrel

    Damon Baehrel

    Damon Baehrel - Damon Baehrel

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    Damon Baehrel

    Rip Van Winkle Country Club

    Rip Van Winkle Country Club

    4.9(29 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    "Among the Catskills, a disjointed member of the Adirondacks, there lives a simple and good natured…read morefellow named Rip Van Winkle". - Washington Irving. And I can continue to quote much chapter and verse of this posthumous writing as the writing is near and dear to my heart - the gallantry shown at Fort Christina and more, the true founders of New York and I wish the good Peter Styversant were here today to drop a heap of learning about America on you who don't understand not just NY history, but America! Love it or be gone. Arriving at 5:45, I hadn't inquired as to what time the first tee ball hits the air, turns out it's about 8:00am. So I practiced my sneaky bump and runs, flips and flops and Texas toe downs. And player worth his salt has to know a multitude of great escape shots. So I lead the field being put out as a single with twins and fours amassing behind me and being 2 years removed from the short grass (due to injuries) I was a bit nervy on the 1st tee, nobody knew who I was, everyone else knew each other. Fortunately I ripped a low 3 iron cut stinger and I was off, still walking and carrying my bag, adding layers and subtracting layers as it was nippy in the mountains. I love the classic shallow and square bunkering design originally popular with architecture from the 20's and 30's. The greens rolled true but I couldn't buy a putt, not much break out there and putting off the second collar is doable. The fairways were in the shape to be expected for early season golf, what I should have done was pay closer attention to the unseen creeks that protected some greens and ran out along the sides. But I was the first player and I needed to set a good pace out there. Overall, the course played extremely fair, I can't give the staff enough credit for such fine service for me, attentiveness and extremely friendly.

    Rip Van Winkle holds a special place in my heart…read more Not only is it the closest golf course to my parents' home and as such the place where I've golfed the most in the past decade (not saying much), but it's also the first place my brother, my father and I played after my father went through some very serious medical issues. We weren't entirely sure if he would ever be able to play golf again, so it was an amazing feeling to get out and hit a few balls with him last year. My father is doing much better now (physically at least, not that much better at golf), and so we try and get out whenever possible. This adds up to a couple times a year here when I'm in town, and accordingly, I am very, very bad at golf. Please believe that no one is mistaking Rip Van Winkle for something that belongs on the PGA Tour. When Greene County hasn't gotten enough rain, you may see a few brown spots out there. It's only nine holes, and generally pretty flat. However, it's an accessible, family-run place that I feel lucky to be able to play. It's affordable (kids play free too), and has my kind of casual vibe. I love that if I forgot to pack a collared shirt, they don't hassle me. My dad says the owner John is a great guy, and I like that his teenage son is often riding around tidying up the course. It's a true family biz. They do a good job too; the greens are well-maintained, the mountain backdrop is gorgeous, and you can't be sad about any day you spend trying to knock a little white ball around a beautiful grassy area. I suppose I can be sad about how poorly I do it, but I'm pretty happy here overall.

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    Rip Van Winkle Country Club
    Rip Van Winkle Country Club
    Rip Van Winkle Country Club - Shot from the opposite side of the banquet hall.

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    Shot from the opposite side of the banquet hall.

    The Partition - Street corn fries...sooo good!

    The Partition

    4.3(31 reviews)
    5.3 mi

    I met up with some friends on an evening trip to Saugerties. We came to The Partition for some…read morelight bites and drinks before our nearby sunset kayak tour. First off, I love this little town. It's quaint but feels current, and very walkable. We arrived around 430P and had no issues with parking right across the street. Brandon with the aviation shades, was bartending and doing all the things. He was very nice. We ordered drinks and food with him, and he brought our order to our table. We kept the food order simple. Everything was really good and we shared all of the dishes. Wings - I ordered them sin salsa because I just love a good naked wing Street Corn Fries - these were really good, messy but good Meat & Cheese Board - simple charcuterie Pear & Truffle Flatbread - goat cheese, arugula, basil pine-nut pesto, and a balsamic glaze. This was amazing They have a decent variety of beers on and off tap, and a full bar. I had one brew with my food and it was all good. The vibe is super chill and laid back. The signage is funny, and bathroom is clean. They have a nice sized indoor/outdoor space, and host weekly events. I would definitely love to come back. When we finished up with our kayaking, we passed by again, and the place got packed and was bustling, even on a Thursday evening. Now that our friend had moved to the area, we have a good reason to visit more often. The area is a nice escape from the city.

    Lovely spacious bar. Nice seating area out front and rustic trending industrial vibe inside. It…read morehas a juke box and some tvs. I came in on a Sunday afternoon and the bar tender was great. Friendly and attentive. I got the burger and it was very good. Side note- north Hudson peach cider was great

    Photos
    The Partition - Drinks and food before we kayak!

    Drinks and food before we kayak!

    The Partition - Pear & Truffle Flatbread *chef's kiss*

    Pear & Truffle Flatbread *chef's kiss*

    The Partition

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    Universal Cafe & Bar - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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