Canal House Cafe
1226 W Washington St, Harpers Ferry, WV, 25425
Canal House Cafe Menu
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Address :
1226 W Washington St
Harpers Ferry, WV, 25425 - Phone (304) 535-2880
- Website https://www.canalhousecafe.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :12:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Becky G.
Date of Visit: June 2013 The staff was friendly and welcoming. The place was smoky during our visit around 3pm for some reason. Our food took a long time to arrive and because of it they gave us an appetizer of mango corn salsa - I didn't like it because it was too sweet for my taste. My salmon salad was ok - it needed more dressing. I probably won't go back.
(2)Ali B.
If I could have given 3.5 stars I would have. We went there on a Saturday night and it was busy. Service was pretty slow overall. Our server explained that only 2 people were working in the kitchen. However, I saw at least 4 different people helping out with service for a total of about 6 tables on the first floor. It took a while for me to get my water. The atmosphere is incredibly interesting and historic. The little backyard is quaint and all of the nice touches throughout the dining room were interesting. There is an upstairs dining room but we didn't check it out. We got the pimento cheese appetizer and it was AMAZING. Absolutely delicious. I would go back there just for that. I got the beef stew and I was disappointed as it was really lacking in flavor. I had to add a lot of salt to it and even that didn't really help. My friend got the sandwich with the cheese and bacon and she liked it. It looked delicious. I saw an Appalachian Trail salad being brought out and wish I had gotten that, but I had been looking for something a bit more hearty. We skipped dessert. Overall it was a unique dining experience but I'm not sure I'd rush back if I was in the area. I do like that they use local ingredients though.
(3)Maggie S.
The four of us had wonderful lunches 11/22/14. This is a small restaurant. Expect the meal to take some time as your meal is cooked when ordered. I wish I lived closer (SoCal is a long way from West Virginia). I would eat here every week! The setting is charming and genuine. The owners were on site and very welcoming. All in all, a delightful experience.
(5)Margaret T.
I'm giving this 4 stars for Harpers Ferry. PROS: Parking was convenient behind the building and on the street. During the summer it is difficult to find parking at restaurants further down the hill. The location and parking is a huge benefit. The building interior, and to a lesser extent exterior, are charming. We dined upstairs after climbing a narrow, winding staircase. Boardgames were available to occupy our time. The menu had few options but that's the way I like it. We ordered a salad and a tofu vegetable plate. The tofu was really good and I'm not usually a fan. The salad was crisp and fresh. There are a lot of mediocre eating establishments in the area but this cafe offers food worth sitting down for. I think the owners were on premise during our meal. They seemed solicitous though harried. CONS: The waiter was slow. I had to order my drink 3 times. CONCLUSION: If you're in the Harpers Ferry area, I'd suggest starting your day here with an early lunch. The options in town just don't compare. Enjoy the sunshine streaming in through the windows onto the wood floors as you share a leisurely, fresh meal.
(4)Rosie B.
This place is amazing! After a long day of hiking we were looking for a good dinner and we got that and so much more! The blue ridge sandwich and the John brown pulled beef sandwich over corn beef biscuits was exceptional. To top it off, an amazing local band was playing outside. The owner of the restaurant was very warm and welcoming even before closing. We're definitely coming back here again!
(5)Stephanie L.
Loved this place! Came here randomly after spending the morning on the Shenandoah. The service was great and the food (pimento cheese app and a ham/brie/apple sandwich) was very tasty! We would definitely visit again. Thanks, Canal House!
(5)Margaret W.
I can't believe this restaurant only has 3.5 stars. My husband and I happened upon this after riding bikes on the C & O Canal. We each had one of the specials of the day. I had a cauliflower and bell pepper frittata, he had the Croque Monsieur. Both were served with heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil. The food was incredible. You can really taste the freshness of all the ingredients, many of which are locally sourced. My frittata had a very light, airy custard and was well seasoned. My husband sandwich was open faced and had the right mix of meat, sauce and the egg was perfectly cooked. If it wouldn't be rude, we would both have licked our plates. Both entrees were generous portions. For dessert we shared the apple crisp. We don't normally order desserts, but we knew theirs would be special, and they didn't disappoint. the restaurant is an historic house with only six tables in the main dining room. The decoration was spare, but perfect. This place is perfect. We will be back.
(5)Jamie R.
We visited in Aug 2013 and it was not a good experience. We had 6 adults and one small child in our party and there was only one other couple in the cafe at the time. It took over an hour to get our food and each plate came out separately. When we asked is they had soda the waitress answered rudely, "We are not that kind of place". Then we asked if they had french fries and again we got the answer, "We are not that kind of place". They are also not the kind of place that speaks kindly to their customers and they are not the kind of place that can handle serving food to more than 2 people at a time. The food was alright but we all had to eat at separate times because they only had one oven. I would never go there again.
(1)Jack A.
Food not worth the wait. They were very friendly but the food was definitely below average. We were sitting for more than two hours, it was crazy. Hope this helps.
(1)Cydney L.
I'm giving this 5 stars because I want you to try it next time you're in the area. HOWEVER, I agree with the other reviewers: the food is bland. We went for dinner, after being put off by most of the offerings in the more touristy part of Harper's Ferry. Now, I love bulghur and wheat berries, and I appreciate seeing them more and more frequently on menus. But they are carriers of flavor, and need herbs, spices and seasoning to make them sing. While the sweet peppers stuffed with wheat berries were fine, and well- cooked, they would have been much more special with some fresh herbs, maybe some chopped shallots and garlic, mushrooms, or walnuts. Or even just some salt. Serving them on a bed of cantaloup was novel, but resulted in a really dull, monochromatic presentation. Needed some green and white to break all that up. Honeydew? Mint? Wilted greens? My husband had sea bass over bulghur. He declared the fish to be perfectly cooked! But the bulghur- I tried it- had no taste. It, too, needed seasoning and some acid (sun-dried toms?) to liven it up. And his whole plate looked like a gray lump. Again, a little color and flavor would have transformed the dish. The best thing we had was the anchovy dip. Like the rest of the meal, the presentation was dull, but the dip was delicious. I wish it had been served with cucumber discs or zucchini sticks instead of bread (bread was redundant, as it turned out) but it was tasty! It might sound like I didn't enjoy this meal, but I did! I loved it! The ambiance was top notch, and far, far outshone any other place in town (we tried Secret Six Tavern and Private Quinn's- ugh). So did the service. It was a lovely evening, despite some areas for improvement. That's why I'm giving 5 stars- I want you to try it and I want them to work to make it just a little better. BYOB= $5 corkage fee.
(5)Quyen N.
Quick Summary: Delicious, Fresh & Friendly The food is so incredibly fresh and EVERYTHING is made in house. They buy their ingredients locally and the menu is based on the fresh ingredients. They manage to tie together exquisite flavors and quality ingredients that equate to an absolutely DELICIOUS visit. It also needs to be noted that they have WONDERFUL service. Our group consisted of meat eaters, a vegetarian and a vegan. They accommodated us all (making sure that they had a proper alternative for our vegan, even though it was not on the menu). Each of us left satisfied. Everything we had was so delicious - the onion radish in my RB sandwich was literally the best I've ever had - unexpectedly sweet and perfectly balanced out the savory from the roast beef and fresh cheddar. I'd visit this place all of the time if it were in DC! As it stands, it's a definite must for HF!
(5)Kyung L.
Really small portions for the cost, only 3 entrees on menu all ($14) when we went and the menu differs from the website. Took forever to bring out simple chicken, we got roasted rosemary chicken but has no rosemary and they said they roasted a whole chicken and apparently a thin slice is for us. Also no rosemary flavor or rosemary herb on seen on the dish. My side with meatloaf should have been green beans but carrots came out instead with no warning. Its also byob. Not a good experience. I guess this is considered 3.5 stars in the area or reviews are falsified.
(1)Vani P.
We had a disastrous visit to the Canal House Cafe this weekend (Saturday afternoon). There were 6 occupied tables while we were there, and 5 employees. We sat outside, with 2 other parties. Our tables saw the waitress about once every 15-20 minutes. So, she'd take our drink orders, and come back in 15 minutes with water and tea, then another 15 minutes later with the honey for the tea! When we'd waited for 45 minutes, we asked the waitress about our order, which consisted of a sandwich, a salad, and baked brie. She said the chef was in the middle of plating several orders simultaneously. When another 15 minutes went by with no sign of food for any table, one of the outside-groups opted to leave. Another 30 minutes passed by with no explanation from the restaurant staff, or any bread or chips to tide us over. At this point the other party outside decided they'd waited long enough (1 hour and 45 minutes) and left. My husband tried to explain to the kitchen staff that our table was the only occupied one outside and that they didn't need to prepare/plate the other orders, but they basically shooed him away. Then one of them came out and saw the empty tables and exclaimed, "oh, they all left?" At this point, we lost our patience and left as well (we'd waited 1.5 hours). The menu looked great, but was short, and most dishes looked like they could be easily prepped for ahead of time. For the life of us, we couldn't figure out why it would take so long to ready dishes for a few tables, even if they had just one working chef in the kitchen! I understand that restaurants might run into problems with staff quitting or some other kitchen disaster, but there's no excuse for letting people wait for over an hour without anything to munch on. The staff weren't even apologetic about the situation.
(1)Missy M.
My significant otter and I stopped here for lunch to mark off another 101 Unique Place to Dine in WV from the list. It's a nice little restaurant with a menu that changes based on freshest produce and items available to them. I have some food allergies and felt the chef was very attentive to my issues. If you're in the area, it's worth a visit.
(3)Karl B.
We stopped here for lunch on a visit to Harper's Ferry National Park. It is a small restaurant with five tables downstairs and one up.The menu is also very small with only a few choices for soups, salads and sandwiches. I ordered the roast beef with blue cheese and grilled onions. It was nicely prepared with multi-grain bread and good quality beef. The blue cheese was hardly noticeable and there were very few onions. My wife had the ham and cheese. It was also niceley prepared. The meat was what I would call fresh ham. We were surprised by the small size of the sandwiches but we were most dissapointed by how bland they were. Despite the good quality of the meats they had very little flavor. I had to ask for horseradish to get some flavor and my wife 's sandwich needed salt. We expected better. The ice cream from Trickling Springs was excellent and served in generous portions. Our server was also very pleasant.
(2)Alisha B.
I tried this place for lunch/brunch on Sunday with my family. After a busy morning of whitewater rafting in the Harpers Ferry area we were looking for a nice lunch place where we could get something other than the standard fast food chain fare. We chose the Canal House based on excellent reviews online and were prepared for the limited option menu. With 3 vegetarians in our group of 6, we needed a place that had vegetarian options. At the Canal House we were presented with a menu of six options. There were three sandwiches, one was vegetarian, and three brunch dishes, one pancake dish was vegetarian. While I am glad that they have vegetarian options, I guess I wasn't prepared by the extreme limitations of the menu. If you need substitutions of any kind - meaning gluten free, vegetarian, or food allergies, this is not the place for you. On top of that, my group found the food to be extremely bland. The brisket and the egg and cheese sandwiches were completely lacking in flavor. There was cheese on both sandwiches and you could not taste it at all. The brisket was extremely dry and there was so sauce so you had to chase it with mouthfuls of water. We had all been rafting before this meal, so we would have eaten pretty much anything yet this meal fell short. The only thing good about the sandwiches was the bread. There were only two side dishes available - cheesy potatoes and oatmeal, so this place isn't necessarily healthier than any other restaurant in the area. That said, I agree with the other reviewers that service was great, the people were super nice, and the atmosphere was adorable. However, given the bland food, I would consider this place a better option for coffee and cake rather than a full meal.
(2)Barbara V.
Grest place for lunch. Appetizers yummy. So quaint.
(5)Kim M.
We stopped for lunch before hitting Harper's Ferry National park. Ordered a roast beef blue cheese sandwich which was a nice combination on homemade bread(which was sliced a bit too thick for my taste). Husband had grilled salmon which was cooked perfectly and came with a side of bulgar wheat salad. Small but cute little place with antiques for sale around the restaurant.
(3)Ryan N.
Out of all the places to eat in the Harper's Ferry area this was the only one that didn't have a menu full of deep-fried food and sandwiches for dinner. After reading all the reviews we decided we wanted to try this place out. First of all, everything is homemade. There was no real "menu." There was an appetizer and two entree selections to choose from for dinner. The appetizer we had was sliced eggplant with cheddar cheese melted with fresh tomatoes. For the entree it was a steak over some beets and sliced onions in a purple beet sauce. Doesn't necessarily sound great but it turned out to be very delicious. The steak was cooked perfectly. For dessert they had about a dozen flavors of homemade ice cream and also had just freshly made a banana pudding from the oven. We decided to get some of the pudding with some vanilla ice cream on the side and it was pretty amazing. Overall, it was a great experience and would definitely visit again if ever in the Harper's Ferry area. If you are looking for a place to eat in Harper's Ferry GO HERE!
(5)Sam L.
The hot cider was amazing. The food was very good, but I was not satisfied with the portion size. Both my friend and I had to stop at McDonald's on the ride home because we weren't satiated at all.
(3)Eric B.
REally good foor and quint environment. I loved the limited menu with only the freshest ingredients. The chef did an amazing job! Our server was very energetic and vibrant. She made the evening for sure! I moved to the Charles Town area recently (almost a year now) and have now found a nice hidden gem that I will definitely go back to!
(4)John K.
Went here with a friend after a hike based on recommendations from guys at the ATC and what I read beforehand on yelp. We ate outside, but the inside seemed very nice and cozy. Things to know: As many have mentioned, they focus on locally sourced ingredients, and their menu changes nightly based on what's available. When we went there was one salad, three appetizers, and two entrees. Separately, it's BYOB, so if you want beer either hit up the liquor store that's a few blocks east or 7-11 that's a little farther to the west. Prices were excellent and I was pleasantly surprised by the zucchini bake entree. Wasn't that fired up for it when I ordered, but it turned out to be excellent. The Caesar salads had the anchovies in the dressing and was very tasty. The bread and hummus appetizer was just okay, but on the other hand it was only two or three dollars. For dessert, we had two different types of ice cream, and they were both great. All of that for only $35? Very happy we wound up there.
(4)Laurie M.
Fantastic! Very quaint with delicious and fresh food! My friends and I decided to spend a day at the wineries out in country near Harper's Ferry. After, we ventured into downtown Harper's Ferry to grab some dinner and decided on "Canal House" based on a friend's recommendation. It was delightful! First of all, the building it's in is very quaint, with a nice fireplace in the main room. The food was absolutely delicious - they have a new selection every day, based on the local selection of what's at market. We had an order of two entrees on the menu - delicious pumpkin pasta, and some of the best pork loin I've ever had! Canal House is a BYOB establishment, so don't forget to bring a bottle of your favorite wine from the local wineries! If you're in the area and looking for something a bit different, I highly recommend trying out this great find!
(5)Carlos Q.
Tried them out for dinner recently and had a great experience, and we had excellent service from the minute we walked in the door. All fresh ingredients, and I think locally sourced. That may be reflected in the limited menu, but they do make the most of those ingredients. All the dishes we tried were flavorful and reasonably priced. Also, the operation runs in an old house, so it's got kind of a nice atmosphere. We happened to come by on one of their live music days, and it added to the whole experience. The upstairs is more of family style seating (so you may be asked if another party can sit at your table). As a bonus, they did have some tasty ice cream for dessert (the 'creamery' portion of the operation). Will definitely come by again next time I'm in the area!
(4)Bruce M.
We were on the bike trail and looking for something different for lunch. We found it! This is a great restaurant! My wife ordered a kale salad since she loves kale and I had the hummus sandwich. Each was fresh, with homemade bread, and the meals were made after we ordered, and delicious! The side of sweet potato salad with my sandwich was an excellent surprise. Our only disappointment was that they didn't have any desserts. They hadn't had their ice cream delivery yet and the bread pudding was just ready to be baked. This isn't a restaurant for people who simply like to gobble big meals with a lot of fat and salt. Compared to common restaurants we can really taste the food, rather than salt as most other restaurants do.It is the perfect place to really enjoy something different, and well prepared fresh food. I suspect that this is the reason some people felt that the food was bland. If you go, eat slowly and really enjoy the taste of the fresh ingredients! We live more than 400 miles away but when we re in the area again we will definitely stop here.
(5)Deanna H.
We were staying in Harpers Ferry. However, the food is way too touristy/pub food. This is 10 min away and worlds better! The Brie was amazing! Everything was very good. Plus the decor and ambiance was nice for a date. The service was a little slow on a Saturday night. The owners have a b&b in Harpers Ferry - the Ledge. I highly recommend that as a place to stay!
(5)Scott M.
I made this my destination for the mid-point of a a 50 mile bicycle ride. Was surprised at the steep climb to Harpers Ferry / Bolivar but it was completely worth it. Turkey on the turkey & roasted veggy sandwich was cut from the turkey (not deli meat) and the tabouleh on the side was delightful. Bread was home-made and full of crunchy grains. The coconut macaroons were to die for. The restaurant is in an old house which gives it charm. Staff were friendly. I want to go back (by car) for dinner and try the Morrocan-inspired menu. I think they have live music from time to time in the evenings.
(4)Waldemar R.
This place is tops!
(5)Kristy W.
This place was very out of the norm for my husband and I. We were visiting Harpers Ferry so we decided to eat locally. This place is small, but it's very home like and warm and welcoming. The food was AWESOME, and the service was phenomenal. We'll definitely go back.
(4)Corey G.
After a very romantic and fun moonlight canoe on the Potomac, my girlfriend and I headed into Harpers Ferry for a late dinner. A quick glance at the Yelp app on my phone drew me to the Canal House Cafe. It was 10 to 9 and they were just about to close, but were very welcoming and insisted that it wasn't a problem. We were the only people in the restaurant, which is cozy and very charming. The wait staff was very pleasant, and reminded us not to hurry. The Parmesan chicken and roasted potatoes weren't mind blowing, but definitely hit the spot after a day out on the water. The waiter even helped direct us to a romantic spot down near the water that we could visit after dinner and it was spectacular!
(4)Jerry C.
I had read all of the great reviews about the Canal House and made it a point to stop there for lunch on a recent visit to Harper's Ferry. Before we went for lunch we asked around the historical area for the best restaurants, and asked specifically about the Canal House. All feedback was very positive, so we gave it a try. We started off with a wonderful soup - collared greens and pork, with onions. Ordinarily this is not a dish I'd select, but given the ratings, I figured they'd find a way to make anything good. It was absolutely wonderful. The greens were not soggy - cooked "al dente", so to speak, and the pork and broth were perfect. Next my wife and I shared the Pork and Roast Beef sandwiches (she got Pork, I got Roast Beef). All of their ingredients are fresh, with meats purchased from local farms and the bread made on-site. Again, wonderful. They don't serve anything that is not absolutely fresh and of the highest quality. The selections are not lengthy, and they change daily depending on the chef's ideas and the availability of quality meat and vegetables, but whatever you order will be thoroughly enjoyed. Our waiter was marvelous - when he saw we were open to conversation he regaled us with information about the area, other good restaurants (!), and things to do in the area. All in all a wonderful experience, excellent food, and definitely highly recommended. Note that they do not serve wine or beer, but you can bring your own (which we did - there is a liquor store down the street).
(5)Kiki R.
I wanted to love this place - especially after previous reviewers said they'd had great experiences there. It was definitely super cute outside and inside. BUT. When we walked in no one greeted us and we waited maybe 5 minutes to even be acknowledged - though staff were walking in and out of the reception area the entire time. No one smiled. No one said hi. No one said we'll be right with you. We were flex, though, and spent the time looking at the menu - which looked delicious. Finally, someone came and told us to sit wherever we liked - it seemed there was one waitress for 15 tables or so. The only available tables had dirty dishes all over them. We waited fifteen minutes for someone to come to our table and do something - anything - say hello; bring us water; clean up the dishes. But no one did. And then we realized everyone around us was talking about how they were waiting and annoyed. So we left and went up the road to the Anvil (which was gross, but in a different way.)
(2)Anne M.
Hugely disappointing lunch. Very limited menu (1 soup, 1 salad, 4 sandwiches). The side of the day (& only side available) was a wild rice salad that, at first taste was bland, but quickly yielded a weird, acrid aftertaste that made me long for bland. The cafe itself is quaint, and the service, while indifferent, was at least friendly. Pricey for what you get.
(2)Rrose S.
After a horrible dinner experience at a separate restaurant down the road, my boyfriend and I stopped at this lovely little cafe since it was the only ice cream place still open after 5. It's located in an old home (isn't everything in Harpers Ferry, though?), with small tables , lots of sunlight, and its own little lending library for the patrons. It seems like a local hang out spot, and while we were there, the people at the register greeted several customers by their first name. They have a small selection of ice cream flavors, but the service was so friendly, and the ice cream so delicious, what does it matter? I got a cone, and my boyfriend had an apple pecan pie with vanilla ice cream that he loved. The cafe menu looked very promising, with several vegetarian dishes, and I was wishing we had gone there to eat instead!
(4)Sandie T.
My husband said it was like having lunch at a friend's house. So quaint and cute! Great food, especially the desserts.
(5)Liz S.
I worked in Harpers Ferry for a few months with the National Park Service in the Harpers Ferry area. This was a very popular lunch spot for people in the office. They have an usual array of sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts. Although they may seem like unusual combinations at times, the cook really knows what she's doing. You can tell that all the bread is homemade. It really makes the sandwiches some of the best I've had in a long time. The restaurant has two floors and some outdoor seating as well. Its well lit. Quaint and cosy as well. Whenever I'm back in the area I have to go back. Only complaint is that they're not always open for dinner even though they're usually open for lunch.
(4)Jarrett N.
Let it be known: Aunt Bea left Mayberry, attended a French culinary school, relocated to West Virginia and opened an elegant yet cozy and informal restaurant in some nice old widow's home. Canal House specializes in Southern comfort food with more refinement than one is likely to find at Cracker Barrel or another comparable chain. Adhering to a farm to table culinary philosophy, the restaurant offers such delectable meals as scallops atop a bed of rice, peppers stuffed with black beans and rice, cheesy pasta with chicken, and, my favorite, meatloaf served on a thick slice of bread and covered in a tasty tomato sauce. Though it could use a small bump in flavor (a little more salt perhaps) all the food I ate here was satisfying. The desserts are impressive here but my absolute favorite was the chocolate pot de creme served in a small mason jar. Be greedy with it and don't apologize. Canal House was, indeed, a house once, and its ambiance is quaint and homey, recalling Sunday dinners surrounded by family and friends. Expect to listen to tunes by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and other jazz greats while you dine. Staff are amiable and accommodating (even after flubbing my order, but no harm). Anyone can dine here--couples, families, small groups--but no rowdiness or slovenliness, please. Dine with manners and graciousness, as if Aunt Bea herself or some other sweet old lady (maybe your grandmother) is cooking for you straight from her heart.
(4)Charlie B.
Very cozy and simple restaurant in a very small town. Like others have said, most of the food is said to be locally sourced, which is always a positive. The food was very tasty, and healthy with no excess oils used. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the building has that very historic feel, both inside and out. The menu options are somewhat limited, which is nice and isn't overwhelming . The owners were very kind and the service was top notch. The Canal House is about a 10 minute walk to the historic downtown section of Harpers Ferry where most of the other restaurants/shops are located. We look forward to eating here again during our next visit to Harpers Ferry.
(4)Brian H.
I feel conflicted about the Canal House Cafe. On one hand, the food was really good. It all tasted fresh, great flavors, quality ingredients. On the other hand, the portions were tiny. I'm not saying I need Cheese Cake Factory style mountains of food, but the $10 pizza was literally the size and thickness of a taco shell. A very tasty taco shell, but no where close to enough. We also got a bowl of really good black bean soup and a delicious sandwich (also small). The other complaint is it took forever. We were there for over hour and a half, with most of that time spent waiting for food. If they were busy I understand but we were one of three tables when we got there. So I guess if you aren't too hungry and you have time, go, the food is tasty. But if you're wanting a substantial meal after hiking the AT all day, find another place.
(3)Emily V.
My friend and I stumbled upon this place after nearby tubing. It is so cute! It is like an etsy hipster cottage chic dream come to life. The service was good. My friend and I ordered Arnold Palmers which were kinda impossible here because the lemonade comes bottled but the waitress brought us each a bottle of lemonade and a cup of iced tea so we could make them ourselves (and only charged us one drink price). We started with the pimento cheese which was good, not the best I've ever had. The toast it was served with was just basic bread you might see at your supermarket which I was disappointed by. I got the Triple Crown sandwich which I liked; I liked it even more when I put some of the pimento cheese on it. I really like how it is farm to table and local. It is definitely the best choice for food in a section of town that has more touristy, uninteresting food. Worth checking out if you're in town.
(4)Rev. Craig E.
My wife and I had a great dinner. Tomato Basil soup was very good. Wife had seasonal vegetables and cucumber salad, also very good. I had the special pasta with marinara and fresh roccta. Ended with desert of their chocolate/coffee pudding. Sooooo good!
(5)Peebo B.
First my meatloaf was stone cold in the middle. Second I noticed they didn't serve it on bread and it was supposed to be open faced. No biggie. I asked them to heat up the loaf, they did and when they brought it back all of a sudden the bread was there. They tore away pieces of it so it matched the pieces of meatloaf I already ate! Those tricksters! I expected more from this place...like a hot meal. To top it off the cheese on my sons cheesy toast wasn't melted in the middle. Didn't bother to ask for that to be reheated since he didn't like it anyway. Maybe they had an off day, I dunno.
(2)Mark N.
Stopped in for lunch and we're pleasantly surprised. Had roasted eggplant with lentils and potato hash, and it was delicious. Great BLT to with fresh ingredients. Highly recommend for a good meal in Harper's Ferry.
(5)Ningxi X.
We rolled in on a late Sunday morning for lunch while visiting town for the first time. The neighborhood is off the touristy beaten path down near the water. It was serene. We sat outside on the patio in the backyard and had a very relaxing and pleasant meal. The Harpers Ferry and John Brown sandwiches we ordered were both fresh and good; the portion was also reasonable, with a side of potato salad or greens. My friends also got ice cream with cookies for dessert. They came in ramekins, each with a cookie on top. I believe one of them was blueberry. Sounds yummy. The house itself is quaint and lovely. Definitely reminds me of a b&b. It may be a little antiquated (my friend also commented on the floor upstairs which appeared t be crooked). A good place to stop by and refuel with some baked goods, coffee, or simple lunch. They now also take reservations for two on the balcony upstairs. I'd definitely love to return next on my next visit to town and find a quieter haven away from the crowds downhill.
(4)Jerry B.
Food taste was excellent and this would be a 4 star review if we stopped there.... However the issues started before we got to eat it... My wife has Celiac disease and we were impressed that some items stated Gluten Free.... But then when we asked specifics on the specials the waitress had no idea and had to go ask the chef each time... Then when our plates came the wrong items arrived for my wife and it took another 7-10 minutes to get a new salad? Then when we ordered desert, my dish came out wrong... Instead of remaking it they put my ice cream in a new bowl and added the cookie crumble and hot fudge but by this time my ice cream was soup.... Finally, my wife had expressed several times about her gluten allergy and ordered the Canal House Banoffee Pie... The ingredients on the menu stated that the graham cracker crust was gluten free, however there was something that had Gluten in it... Five minutes down the road she was writing in stomach pain... This was the straw that broke the camels back... If I'm ever in the area again we will try a different place...
(2)Evelyn S.
Great place! The food was very good and fresh. Portions a tad small, but no big deal. We ordered appetizers and lunch and we're very full.
(4)Laura T.
This place is such a gem! Quaint old house and the food is super fresh and delicious. Our favorite of the meal was the pimento cheese with toast appetizer. The pimento cheese was baked and they have gluten free bread. SO DELICIOUS!!!
(5)Nik G.
This is probably the best restaurant there is at Harpers Ferry. We were visiting for the a few days and after trying the other restaurants, we found ourselves back here several times for lunch and dinner. I loved all the dishes, especially the stuffed peppers and the garden egg. The waitress were great! I wish the weather was better to sit at the patio but it was very humid at the time. Regardless, the food was spectacular! My father is selective to vegetarian and healthy choices, and he loved the canal house!
(5)Phill Y.
I've been here on several different occassions, this was the first bad experience. Came in with the family, waited over 1hr for our food this Saturday around noon. Only one server working, every table was full. There's only six tables in this room. I guess the upstairs is just for parties? The ham and bean soup was very salty, uh! The canenbert cheese on The Blue Ridge sandwhich was so potent it was unetiable. Much stronger than goat cheese! It overpowered every other flavor. The side of pasta noodles that we got with the sandwhich was bland and flavorless. Plain noodles with maybe a little butter. The Johnny cake appatizer was average in taste, very small portion, not recommended. The lady at the table next to me sent whatever she ordered back. It looked like chicken in a white sauce. She was very nice about it but I heard her say, it was way too salty! What was good? The C&O Canal wrap with a side of poatoto salad was our best choice. The Jefferson pasta dish was also good. The Triple Crown sandwhich was average but I wouldn't get it again. It took almost 20min just to process our check. We spent $70 on bad food and service. We left starving, ended up at a pizza shop down the road. Sorry to say, we won't be back to The Canal House for a long time. Overall, this was a horriable experience!
(2)Jack H.
This is a BYOB restaurant that serves very fresh, well prepared,modern food. I loved the Triple Crown (imagine a fancy BLT), my wife loved her Garden Egg and our guest loved her eggplant lasagna. We sat outside on a warm summer evening and the bugs weren't too bad. The desserts were excellent also. Service is on the leisurely side, but it just gave us more time to enjoy the wine we brought. I would here again and recommend it.
(4)Hugh F.
This is a great place for a lunch on a day trip from NoVA or DC. I came out here because if the review and it lived up to expectations. It's run by a British guy and his wife who are obviously pouring their hearts in to. It's a beautiful old building right on the main drag in Bolivar about a mile from Harpers Ferry. The food was delicious with a great selection of seasonable meats and veggies. The hot apple cider is incredible, made from real apples. The Triple Crown sandwich has a delicious chutney on it and my sandwich had some great apple butter. Price is decent and what you would expect, just slightly slightly small portions. Friendly wait staff, great vibe, great food and seems to attract a crowd searching things a little off the beaten path. Don't miss out on visiting this amazing place.
(4)Bella R.
This simple farm to table restaurant was wonderful. The dessert was delightful. I would highly recommend this spot for a fresh dinning experience.
(5)Karen B.
Was excited to try this restaurant and their farm to table menu and quaint setting. It is also BYOB, a usual plus in my book. Food was adequate and even though you could bring your own wine, they charged a corkage fee. Never seen that before and was enough to pass on a return trip. Disappointed.
(2)Lauren M.
My boyfriend found this place for our quick two day trip in Harpers Ferry. The food was delicious (we had the chicken pot pie and sides) and the owners were the ones helping to make the food. So quaint and perfect. I definitely recommend stopping in a grabbing a bite. You won't be sorry.
(5)Glen G.
Slow service. Waitress nice. Food so, so. Would not come back. Been at much better restaurants in Harpers Ferry.
(2)Marcia P.
I was told by a friend how much she loves this place now under new ownership so I finally stopped in for lunch on a Friday. Oh my, how adorable! Old farm house feel, cozy fireplace burning, and super nice people. The beef stew was delicious and hearty but not too much. My friend got the lunch special, a chicken sandwich with havarti and a salad and butternut squash soup. She loved it all. Especially the soup. The chicken was local and quite good. At only $10 the special was a steal. On my way out I couldn't resist grabbing a ginger molasses cookie baked that day to go. Very tasty. This is a must stop and was a great lunch at a very good price.
(5)Jeff L.
This is a really charming restaurant that makes a great mealtime destination if you're visiting Harper's Ferry. I went with family -- party of seven, plus two kids -- for lunch on this past Sunday (first weekend of spring). They appeared to be running their winter menu. I didn't see what the rest of the party ordered, but I ordered the soup de jour ($4) for myself, the roasted split chicken ($24) to share with my wife, a grilled cheddar for my son ($6), johnnycackes to share, an apple cider for my wife, a coffee for me, and a sticky toffee pudding a la mode for dessert to share with my wife. The soup was _very_ tasty and well seasoned, although the portion was quite small. I found the johnnycakes tasty, but I think they were way too greasy for my wife. The portion size of the roasted split chicken was good -- definitely large enough to share for two people who don't overeat (and plan on ordering dessert) -- but it was completely overcooked (dried out, although not burnt), which was a big shame. Seasoning was ok, but on the bland side. I meant to tell the waitress, but she didn't ask how our meal was and I forgot to mention it. I probably should have asked for some gravy. The pot pie or beef stew probably were better choices. My son ate his grilled cheese, so no complaints there. I found the cheddar to be quite tasty. (Dad is the last stop for uneaten food before disposal.) We brought some snacks for the kids while we were waiting and didn't receive any complaints from the proprietors. (Thank you!) The apple cider was quite good and tested very fresh. The coffee was good, too; it wasn't weak, either. Now for the dessert ... the sticky toffee pudding is INSANELY good! Definitely one of the best desserts we've ever eaten. This is British-style pudding and it is DELICIOUS. If you just wanted to stop by for dessert and coffee, I think you'd be a huge winner. Hospitality was good. The proprietors were friendly; the British gentleman asked about the temperature and started up the fireplace for us. -2 stars for the overcooked chicken, +1 star for the amazing dessert. I'd come again and order the Trail Blazer (pot) pie or Gamers Beef Stew.
(4)Heather S.
Such a cute restaurant and everything we ordered was amazing! The triple crown sandwich was delicious and the cookie and ice cream topped off a great meal and a unique restaurant.
(5)John M.
Harpers Ferry ain't exactly known as a foodie destination. Until now. Canal House uses only locally sourced ingredients, often bought that morning by the uber-friendly owners (take time to chat them up, you won't be disappointed) at area farms and markets where they have personal relationships. (They even have a blackboard at the entrance that lists exactly where each ingredient came from.) Service is friendly and engaging. The historic building gives off a quaint, comfortable atmosphere that exudes warmth and coziness. I took my Mom for lunch and we both had wonderful meals. A bit up the way from the main part of Harpers Ferry National Park, it's worth the small extra effort to get to Canal House, away from the typical hamburger-and-fries offerings of so many places in town. Highly recommend!
(4)Mark C.
Really good. Farm to table fresh and local. Cozy and friendly atmosphere, great service. It's also a really cool old building. In the summer try the upstairs balcony.
(4)Nitzan G.
In a small rural town, this restaurant stands out as one of the most delicious experiences I've ever had. The place is under new ownership as of this last summer and the new owners are just wonderful people (British husband and Virginian wife). Their food is still all sourced from local farms and businesses, and the atmosphere is incredibly nostalgic and relaxing - ideal for a couple's dinner. All the dishes were well sized - just the right proportion to not feel too bloated, but still feel very satisfied. Soup of the day was cream o mushroom and its mild flavor was a good appetite opener. I took their version of a chicken pot pie (which was also with cream) and MY GOD I was in seventh heaven... To top it off I had their homemade spiced hot cider, and that was most definitely the highlight of my night. Two mugs after I was swimming in an endless ocean of ecstasy, swaying along with the super chill jazz playlist they had playing in the background (I'm sure it was quite the sight to see from the side). For dessert I had their gluten free hot fudge brownie, topped with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream... The brownie was okay (as much as gluten free can be I guess) and that's the only thing that felt slightly heavier by the end of the night. The owner said that even though the town becomes pretty dead over the winter season, they intend to keep the place open throughout and focus more on soups... I really want them to do well and survive the harsh winter, so please make sure you go and check them out soon!! You won't regret it... and if you're already in town, you can always just look for a nice B&B, wake up the next morning, and drive back home all nice and refreshed :)
(5)Jon P.
Probably the best restaurant in walking distance from Harpers Ferry. My girlfriend and I loved it so much we ate here both nights we stayed in town. Constantly rotating menu based on local farm offerings, and on Saturday night they had a bluegrass band on the patio. Very cute.
(5)Jen C.
Quaint and cozy by appearance, but awkward and disappointing when the food hits your mouth. Like a visit to your really hospitable friends' house, who serves not-so-good meals. When you enter this home converted to a restaurant, you're greeted by such lovely hosts--who ask if you want to sit inside or outside. Inside is very cool from the AC, adorned with vintage silverware, chairs and trinkets. Immediately, you're given their house-baked bread + butter, which is a little tough to the bite and flavorless--but kudos for them baking on their own. The sweet tea was very delicious, not overly sweet. The lemonade, however, was simply sour overwatered lemon water (my refill was sweeter and much, much better). We ordered an appetizer of house salads in addition to their seared tuna. The tuna came about 20 minutes after, and was overcooked, to the point of dry chicken. Only a hint of raw fish was in the center. It was topped on arugula, which was crisp. The execution was very poor, and I saw potential for the flavor--but unfortunately too doused in sesame oil and not much else (the crust would have been better served with a sweet char). Another 10 min later we would finally receive our salads, which is pretty much something you can get from the grocery store: a pack of salad and squirt of store bought dressing. The fruits, however, were very fresh. I could tell it was local. Our entrees then came out, much later than the table next to us who sat down at the same time. Our jambalaya wasn't really jambalaya; it was riceless, they used baby carrots, and diced potatoes. The sausage (chorizo?) was pretty dry. The sauce seemed like a better, chunkier version of ragu. Again, something you can definitely pick up in a grocery store to be done better. But overall, this was something that you can definitely do much, much better in your own home. The seared beef wasn't a very good grade, and was overly tough. The wheat bberries was pretty tasty and healthy, but very dry and flavorless. I had to dip the rest in my beau's leftover jamabalaya ragu. What saved it was the parsley dressing on top of the beef--otherwise this would have been one very bland dish. Overall, the food was healthy, so it was definitely safer than going to a restaurant; but it was just so underseasoned and poorly executed. I didn't get the farm/local fresh to table vibe from the ingredients we were given. You're better off eating at home. The staff is extremely nice and friendly, but expect to sit a while for your food.
(2)Kent S.
Great find. We spent the day outdoors at Antietam and Harpers Ferry. This about a mile from the HF waterfront. BLT with potato salad and BBQ pork John Brown with squash. All fresh and local. The setting is a plus and the people are fantastic. Coffee is A1 as well. Can't go wrong.
(4)Misty C.
This is a great local place my husband and I like to go to. The food is fresh and they use local farms, which we love. There are different dinner specials each night and they are awesome. I love that they always have a vegetarian option. BYOB!! The staff is great and super friendly. We love sitting on the patio too.
(4)Elizabeth E.
Early Valentine's Day dinner with my Love at the Canal House Cafe last night. Everything was DELICIOUS. Best sticky toffee pudding. Hot cider, tomato soup and Appalachian Trail salad- amazing. Homemade, local, fair prices, fireplace, genuine/lovely/hardworking owners- You could not ask for more. We are hooked.
(5)M C.
Great food. Great desserts. Food with flavor. Neat location. We ate outdoors on the patio. And will be back.
(3)Tom S.
We stopped by this little gem bisecting a 4 hour trip last Sunday night and we were very pleased. We had home made soups to start which tasted homemade! My wife liked her dinner salad and I had a pork loin dish that had some kind of fig chutney or relish on it which was really good. The mash potatoes had fresh rosemary in them which made it taste like there was ginger in the potatoes too. They were delicious. The oven roasted veggies were great as well. Just like I make them actually. Affordable. Laura and her husband are very pleasant. Great atmosphere. We will be back!!!
(4)Zoila R.
Best hospitality and the food is absolutely amazing!!! This place is really cozy and welcoming. recommended
(5)Michael C.
Very friendly service. On plus side: Tomatoes were fresh. Negative: zucchini fritters were gummy... too much flour. Spinach salad was not tossed with dressing, just squeezed on top and all over the edge of plate. Hard boiled eggs were overlooked (tale tell green-gray yoke). Dressing was broken. Gumbo was too think, shrimp were overlooked. Flavor was good, texture poor. Your format is good, with tight focused menu, just need to step up your game.
(2)Jenny M.
Stopped in for a nice lunch while visiting Harpers Ferry. Enjoyed homemade soups And sandwiches along with some sodas that took us back to our childhoods. Root beer and black cherry. Yummy!!! We left stuffed!!! Wonderful hospitality and a charming cozy rustic feel. We'll definitely be back. FYI. If you enjoy wine with dinner don't forget to BYOB
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