Hazelnut Kitchen

Just what we were looking for! Creative cooking and menu that highlights local farms in season! Interesting ingredients too. Sat at the bar on Weds night and was pleasantly surprised that was actually a seat next to the open kitchen. Very fun to see the chef and staff in action. Ended up chatting with the chef owner who was super cool. Highly recommend for a delicious and fresh meal. Nice portions too. Had a refreshing cocktail too.

A casual restaurant with an open kitchen and a simple menu that changes with what's in season. You can request to sit on high chairs facing the open kitchen where you have a front seat view of the chef cooking. Service is excellent. The small plates are great for sharing. The food and desserts are very good.

Amazing all around! I wrote them to let them know I’m vegan when I made my reservation and the chef prepared a special vegan dish that wasn’t on the menu! They are really accommodating if you let them know of restrictions beforehand. The duck confit was some of the best my boyfriend has ever had. Awesome wine selection and fun mocktails available. Absolutely try this place!

My wife and I had the distinct pleasure of eating dinner at Hazelnut Kitchen tonight! The food was superb! We enjoyed the swordfish, and the chicken schnitzel, the lamb dumplings and the crispy potatoes. We followed up our meal with strawberry icecream and chocolate stroopwafel and blueberry coconut semifreddo. The wait staff was excellent, and if you get a chance to meet the owner and his Sous chef, the experience will be that much better. If you get a chance to visit, sit towards the back near the open kitchen where you can see the magic happen!!

In reading pervious negative reviews (most were older) people said food was great but the service wasn’t the greatest. Our first time and our server Matt was amazing. Attentive, knowledgeable and pleasant. Food was also top notch. I had the burger which came with delicious potatoes but my dish was outdone by my girlfriend’s choice of the chicken Schnitzel which Matt said was the most requested dish.

Wow! What a special gem. This is a fine dining experience for a true foodie. I had an amazing experience and the food and cocktails are fabulous. The chef makes everything from scratch and is clearly a remarkable culinary artist. The presentation of everything is beautiful and carefully placed, the combinations are terrific and the portions are good. I haven’t had such an amazing food experience in so long. I can’t wait to go again! Thank you!!

Excellent food and service! This place is a local gem. I'm excited to visit again and check out their menu as the seasons change.

We were truly impressed by this small bistro in Trumansburg on Cayuga Lake (New York state). It was an unexpected gem. The menu is short (6-8 dishes, depending how you count), but it covers all the main bases in terms of size and tastes. Ingredients and preparation of the dishes were both top quality, and the service was impeccable.

A treasure to find! Service was amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed sitting at the bar and talking to the chef. Food was so fresh and locally sourced. We will be back!

Delicious meal. Amazing service. One of the best pastry (pear galette) from their up and coming pastry chef. Run don't walk.

This has been one our favorite spots for special occasions (or just a delicious date night) for years, and now under new ownership the future is looking very, very bright!
A lot still feels the same, the casual elegance, locally sourced ingredients and helpful, friendly staff. However the menu has been reimagined and updated with a new chef at the helm.
We enjoyed an amazing four course meal for my wife's birthday last night and it was one of the best we've ever had there, or elsewhere for that matter.
Each dish we tried was creative and expertly executed. A delicious adventure for the senses, can't wait to go back and try the rest of Chef Matt's new menu.
If you've never been, it's well worth the short trip to trumansburg and if you're a long time fan you surely won't be disappointed!

We went to celebrate our tenth anniversary and we were not disappointed. We felt welcomed from the moment we arrived until the time we left. Our server was attentive but not overbearing. Would recommend the crispy potatoes as a small plate. The chicken schnitzel was cooked perfectly. The herb buttermilk added the right amount of creaminess with the salad, peppers, and pickled peaches adding brightness and pop to the meal. The agnolotti was delicious!

Excellent and fun dining experience. Original dishes, great friendly service, very reasonable pricing. The owner is the chef, always a good sign. The manager and server was awesome. Everything perfectly done.

Hazelnut Kitchen is an absolute gem that turned our last-minute getaway into an unforgettable experience. From the moment our server welcomed us and personally guided us to our seats, the tone was set for an exceptional evening.

Little did I know, my boyfriend had planned a surprise proposal. With Etta James' "At Last" playing in the background, he popped the question, and time stood still. The restaurant staff expressed genuine joy, and the immediate champagne celebration added an extra layer of magic to the moment.

The chef specially prepared an engagement dish which was an absolute masterpiece-- hand-drawn pasta adorned with magnificent truffles. The dish truly showcased the farm-to-table commitment. Speaking to the chef personally, facilitated by our server, was a delightful touch that elevated the entire dining experience.

As we reveled in the celebration of our engagement, the intimate setting of Hazelnut Kitchen provided the perfect backdrop. From the carefully arranged tables to the soft lighting, every detail contributed to the overall warmth of the restaurant.

The staff's warmth and enthusiasm, from congratulations to capturing our joy in a photo, made Hazelnut Kitchen feel like a home away from home. Even without the engagement, this restaurant would have been the highlight of our culinary adventures. We're already planning to return, drawn back by the incredible food, exceptional service, and the memories of a perfect night. Hazelnut Kitchen comes highly recommended for anyone seeking a truly special dining experience.

TLDR: Hazelnut Kitchen turned our spontaneous getaway into a magical evening. The welcoming staff, personalized vegetarian dish from the amazing chef, and surprise proposal created an unforgettable atmosphere. The intimate setting, superb food, and attentive staff make it a must-visit. Can't wait to return for more memorable experiences. Highly recommended!

This location is my absolute favorite and a must try the chef and his team are incredible. The food selections always are changing and the food pairings are fantastic . The service is unmatched to anything in the area and well worth the drive which is over an hour from our location. We try to visit this location during each season to try the diverse menu and flavors associated with the different times of the year!! Can’t wait to return as always!

Amazing! My sister recommended this place and it did NOT disappoint. My girlfriend had the Buratta Agnoletti. I got a taste and it was very good. I had the duck breast and it was done perfectly! I love duck and I think this is the best preparation I've ever had.

We treated ourselves to dessert and got the fig crostada, also amazing!

Service was on point. Everyone was friendly.

Only about a 20 minute drive from Ithaca. Definitely a must to go here for dinner!

What a delightful surprise. I read a write up in the NYT a few years ago and have been trying to get to Hazelnut. The food offers sophisticated cuisine, in a contemporary setting, served by country genuine people, in a cute little town. The many photos of the food speak to the quality but you must taste it to really know how good Hazelnut is!

Amazing service, matt is really putting in the busy work

Amazing food, chef team making insanely tasty yet innovative food, the tempura squash blossoms were so good

Outstanding food! Great service, lively bistro vibe... far a away the #1 place to eat in Trumansburg, Ithaca and the Finger Lakes! Loved the Tomato Salad and eggplant small plates. Lamb burger and seared swordfish were outstanding! Musky house-made sourdough bread with herb butter - yum!

Excellent gourmet food. Steak was cooked perfectly, PERFECTLY! Also ordered creamy tomato soup with a floating risotto ball and a chocolate torte. Totally delicious, I'll be back..