The Federal Rehoboth

Another wonderful night at The Federal. Delicious and creative food in a warm unpretentious environment. Ellen and the team always make us feel like we're home

Yet another fine dining experience at The Federal While small in size, The Federal Bistro routinely delivers outsized enjoyment in food, drinks, service and atmosphere. Don't tell anyone that it is certainly one of Rehoboth's best restaurants, discriminating diners are eager to keep it their own secret special night out.

We attendedthe Dc Brau beer dinner. Both the beer and the food were excellent. We live talking with Ellen the co-owner and definitely will come back.

Food was excellent as was the service. Liked the ambience. That said there was a table of 4 sitting about as far away as physically possible that were SO loud, it was nearly unbearable.

While visiting Rehoboth, The Federal was recommended to us by a server at another restaurant. The evening we dined there was a weekday in the beginning of the slow season on this resort town, and we believe for these 2 reasons the restaurant was not crowded when we dined there. Those factors allowed our server to be very pleasantly and unobtrusively attentive to us with outstanding service. Our meals, the scallops and the ricotta gnocchi, were both truly outstanding. Based on our wonderful experience there we will highly endorse this restaurant as a solid destination for a fantastic dinner!

This is the second time we've eaten here and once again it didn't disappoint. Do yourself a favor and get the apple fritters and the Parmesan Fritters. Our family of four all got something different and not a single one of us left disappointed. Our server was young, but he was great! Walked us through sauces and fritters and was super timely. We will continue to come back here each time we visit Rehoboth.

What happened? This was one of our favorite restaurants. Last nights dinner was horrible and expensive. The tempura shrimp with arugula? The arugula was a limp mess as if it had been dressed yesterday. The gnocchi was inedible. Hard little pieces of dough that was to have been accompanied by scallops and shrimp? Didn’t see any shrimp and the scallops were small and buried under some kind of orange sauce. The Scottish salmon was overcooked -can’t say anything to justify the price. Never again!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

Food was great and staff were attentive. Noise level was somewhat high making conversation a challenge at times.

The food was EXCELLENT which is the only reason we will return. Drinks were weak, service was inconsistent, seating was uncomfortable, tables much too close together, did I mention the food was EXCELLENT!

My first visit but not my last -- I ate every bite of the beautifully prepared scallops with peaches, roasted peppers and corn. It may sound strange, but it was delicious. Not to mention that the scallops were perfectly seared, fat and juicy.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

While the selections were somewhat limited, the entrees we sampled were delicious!( a salmon dish and the Delmarva chicken) The chef sent a special appetizer to compensate for our son not being able to find parking after 40 minutes trying. It was a focaccia take on nova lox on a bagel and was very definitely the star of the evening. Very delicate with well blended flavors. Of the fritters we tried the parmesan risotto was my favorite. The service was wonderful. Please keep in mind that since everything is made to order, there will be a wait for your food.

This place was just fantastic. The food was really different and very well executed. The apps were great and the entrees were even better. The connoli and some sambuca was a perfect way to end. Service was great and the ambiance very nice. We will absolutely be back when we hopefully retire to the area early next year!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great restaurant, wonderful owners and staff.

Went here on recommendation from a friend, made reservations well ahead to be sure we could get in in the middle of busy summer. We showed up a little early, no problem, they had plenty of open tables at that time, but which quickly filled up within an hour...glad we had reservations! It is a smaller restaurant, not that many tables, which is why you need reservations, and why it works so well...plenty of staff to take care of each table without stressing or running about.

Was greeted by the owner Ellen like we were old friends, and Todd (chef and owner) came out and chatted with us also, found out we had mutual friends!

The Federal is known for it's fritters, so of course we had to try some. Had two different kinds with sauce, very tasty! While we were waiting on our dinner, Todd brought us another small appetizer he made for us to try...nice! For dinner, we had pan seared scallops, and the cast-iron skillet Delmarva chicken, a mix of seafood gumbo, andouille sausage and rice, both dishes perfectly cooked and flavorful.

We were too full to order desert and just happy to sit and enjoy our wine, but Todd once again came out with some complimentary small chocolates that went very well as a finish along with our wine.

Can't describe how friendly everybody was, from the owners to the wait staff, everybody just seemed at ease and very polite and attentive. Wish all restaurants could be friendly, so attentive, and have such great food!

Would I go back...absolutely!
Would I recommend...most definitely!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Quaint, elegant restaurant. So happy to find plant-based options. Excellent service. Manager did not have drink my husband ordered, so she came by and offered a free replacement. Food was gourmet and delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Loved stopping here with companions. The fritters were delicious and the focaccia was great though the pesto wasn’t my fave. Recommend the risotto and apple fritters for sure!! Yummy complementary chocolate at the end. And some great mocktail options!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5