First time at The Federal, and it was hands down the best dining experience I’ve had in the Delmarva area. The food, people, and overall ambiance was phenomenal and I will now recommend this restaurant as my go to when I have visitors.The truffled Mac and cheese was “light” and had tons of flavor, and the little crust of breadcrumbs on top elevate it further. The hanger steak was cooked to the perfect medium rare and had a balance of flavor that didn’t take away from the quality of the meat being the first thing I noticed when I ate each and every bite.Owners Ellen (and Todd) were active in the kitchen and the bar, and still made time to check in to make sure everything was great. Loved their story and how they came to bringing their fritters idea to life, which are genius and after trying a free sampling of the apple fritters, a perfect treat on a beach day!I look forward to when I can return and try even more of their delicious creations!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best meal in Rehoboth! Friendly crew and the quality of the food is amazing. This is the spot for both special occasion dinners and a comfort food meal. The restaurant is cozy and you feel like you're their most important guest. Love this place!
SharinG
The fritters are good and it stops there. My main dish (seafood with gnocchi) was inedible. I think the seafood was old. The lobster sauce was terrible. My husband ordered the tofu vegetable dish. They were out of tofu but didn't bother to ask if he wanted something different. They served all vegetable stir fry to him and oh by the way we were out of tofu. The dessert (madeleines) was stake, probably a few days past prime. To sum it up, it was an dxpensive meal for sub par food.
CapHillRes
Entrees were overpriced, small and not prepared well. Fish was overcooked and fishy. Rice was undercooked. Pasta tasted off. Panacota was so hard you could not get the spoon in it. Fritters were good but the artichoke fitters were just fried artichoke hearts, no fitter. Service was excellent. Small cold restaurant Not recommend
JaniceB
The Federal is a small restaurant in Rehobeth. Their specialty appetizer is Fritters. We ordered the Artichoke Fritters with the Horseradish sauce. They were very good but after seeing the corn fritters on a neighboring table we wish that we had ordered them. They were more like a fritters than the artichoke ones were. We overheard the waitress telling another customer that they could split the order. We would have done that if we knew that was an option. The entree menu only has a few option's. We both ordered the Gnocchi with Seafood. At first we thought that the portions were small but we really enjoyed it and wasn't hungry after we finished eating. The taste was terrific even though the bits of fish were cut into small pieces. The sauce had a wonderful flavor. The gnocchi was light and very fresh. We think it was a bit overpriced for the amount of fish in the meal but it was very good. We shared the chocolate mousse desert. It was excellent. Very smooth and tasty. We really enjoyed our experience. It is a small restaurant; maybe about 18 small tables. I am sure it is difficult to get a reservation in the summer. We are glad we went during the Off Season. We definitely would recommend the restaurant for a special night out.
GaryR
The food is always good even though the menu changes regularly. The challenge is picking from so many great options. The restaurant is cozy and the noise level is always low. It is a regular go-to place for us at Rehoboth Beach.
Peggers
Our first time at the Federal. It was perfect. The lobster bisque was full of good lobster chunks and the flavor was wonderful. The Sea Scallops over the squash filled pasta were the best I ever had, . My husband had the braised short ribs which were so tender and full of flavor. And for dessert, we requested fritters That they made and they were a hit. So overall we had a perfect evening we're we could talk and hear each other. Definitely will do back. Waitress was so accommodating and very pleasant. A big 5+ star rating.
Disappointing first time dining there. Service was poor, short staffed? Booths are cramped for 4 adults. Other than the scallop entree which was quite good, and arugula buratta salad that was tasty but a small portion, the food was unremarkable.
Ronnie
Had the pear and burrata salad for an appetizer, it was very good. Had the scallops entree and I think these were the best scallops I've ever had, perfectly cooked with a little crust. Everything was delicious, will definitely go again.
JanetL
We went to Federal Fritter on the advice of a friend I met on a trip to Thailand. Our friends were coming into town and we wanted a nice place to go for a meal. I had difficulty deciding on which dish to order so I went with the special which was rockfish. It was excellent! One of our friends had the scallops and the dish was beautifully presented. Not only did it look good, our friend loved them! I was secretly hoping for a taste but one was not offered to me... My husband ordered lamb which he rarely has at a restaurant. His only comment was about the greens served with the lamb, but I dismissed his comment because he is more of a meat and potatoes guy. We will all return to this restaurant. I want to try those scallops!
First visit to The Federal. Food was delicious. Enjoyed a combination of yummy fritters as our appetizers and dessert. Entrees were excellent. We will definitely come back. Thank you!
FoodieTang
My favorite fritter is the corn with the creme freche dipping sauce. The poached pear and crunchy burrata salad is light and refreshing and the hangar steak is divine. Wasnt a huge fan of the midnight spaghetti...just too rich. Have tried several desserts there. None compare to the carmel apple fritter.
MegR
What a treasure Federal is, tucked away on the main drag! We didn't miss a thing, from the artistic drinks, to the oyster stew, fritter variety selection, midnight spaghetti with scallops and shrimp, to the bittersweet chocolate pot au crème. And, the not too loud playlist was perfect. The service was attentive, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Counting the days until we can return! (I'm a for real diner and not exaggerating.)
gregorym
We enjoyed an excellent dinner as part of their Wine and Dine program. Each dish was prepared perfectly, served hot and in the right proportion. We enjoyed every item. Service was excellent, and it was a delight to meet the co-owners. We will be back.
ChristianB
We went for NYE dinner. The food was good but not memorably excellent, and one expects a lot from a $135 tasting menu. (The price reflected the holiday, and I assume an ordinary dinner would be priced more reasonably.) The ambiance was pleasant, and quiet enough to have a conversation. The service was polite, efficient, and even friendly. One server did spill a glass of ice water on me, though. These things happen, but it's harder to enjoy one's dinner when one is wet and chilly.
First time at The Federal, and it was hands down the best dining experience I’ve had in the Delmarva area. The food, people, and overall ambiance was phenomenal and I will now recommend this restaurant as my go to when I have visitors.The truffled Mac and cheese was “light” and had tons of flavor, and the little crust of breadcrumbs on top elevate it further. The hanger steak was cooked to the perfect medium rare and had a balance of flavor that didn’t take away from the quality of the meat being the first thing I noticed when I ate each and every bite.Owners Ellen (and Todd) were active in the kitchen and the bar, and still made time to check in to make sure everything was great. Loved their story and how they came to bringing their fritters idea to life, which are genius and after trying a free sampling of the apple fritters, a perfect treat on a beach day!I look forward to when I can return and try even more of their delicious creations!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best meal in Rehoboth! Friendly crew and the quality of the food is amazing. This is the spot for both special occasion dinners and a comfort food meal. The restaurant is cozy and you feel like you're their most important guest. Love this place!
The fritters are good and it stops there. My main dish (seafood with gnocchi) was inedible. I think the seafood was old. The lobster sauce was terrible. My husband ordered the tofu vegetable dish. They were out of tofu but didn't bother to ask if he wanted something different. They served all vegetable stir fry to him and oh by the way we were out of tofu. The dessert (madeleines) was stake, probably a few days past prime. To sum it up, it was an dxpensive meal for sub par food.
Entrees were overpriced, small and not prepared well. Fish was overcooked and fishy. Rice was undercooked. Pasta tasted off. Panacota was so hard you could not get the spoon in it. Fritters were good but the artichoke fitters were just fried artichoke hearts, no fitter. Service was excellent. Small cold restaurant Not recommend
The Federal is a small restaurant in Rehobeth. Their specialty appetizer is Fritters. We ordered the Artichoke Fritters with the Horseradish sauce. They were very good but after seeing the corn fritters on a neighboring table we wish that we had ordered them. They were more like a fritters than the artichoke ones were. We overheard the waitress telling another customer that they could split the order. We would have done that if we knew that was an option. The entree menu only has a few option's. We both ordered the Gnocchi with Seafood. At first we thought that the portions were small but we really enjoyed it and wasn't hungry after we finished eating. The taste was terrific even though the bits of fish were cut into small pieces. The sauce had a wonderful flavor. The gnocchi was light and very fresh. We think it was a bit overpriced for the amount of fish in the meal but it was very good. We shared the chocolate mousse desert. It was excellent. Very smooth and tasty. We really enjoyed our experience. It is a small restaurant; maybe about 18 small tables. I am sure it is difficult to get a reservation in the summer. We are glad we went during the Off Season. We definitely would recommend the restaurant for a special night out.
The food is always good even though the menu changes regularly. The challenge is picking from so many great options. The restaurant is cozy and the noise level is always low. It is a regular go-to place for us at Rehoboth Beach.
Our first time at the Federal. It was perfect. The lobster bisque was full of good lobster chunks and the flavor was wonderful. The Sea Scallops over the squash filled pasta were the best I ever had, . My husband had the braised short ribs which were so tender and full of flavor. And for dessert, we requested fritters That they made and they were a hit. So overall we had a perfect evening we're we could talk and hear each other. Definitely will do back. Waitress was so accommodating and very pleasant. A big 5+ star rating.
Disappointing first time dining there. Service was poor, short staffed? Booths are cramped for 4 adults. Other than the scallop entree which was quite good, and arugula buratta salad that was tasty but a small portion, the food was unremarkable.
Had the pear and burrata salad for an appetizer, it was very good. Had the scallops entree and I think these were the best scallops I've ever had, perfectly cooked with a little crust. Everything was delicious, will definitely go again.
We went to Federal Fritter on the advice of a friend I met on a trip to Thailand. Our friends were coming into town and we wanted a nice place to go for a meal. I had difficulty deciding on which dish to order so I went with the special which was rockfish. It was excellent! One of our friends had the scallops and the dish was beautifully presented. Not only did it look good, our friend loved them! I was secretly hoping for a taste but one was not offered to me... My husband ordered lamb which he rarely has at a restaurant. His only comment was about the greens served with the lamb, but I dismissed his comment because he is more of a meat and potatoes guy. We will all return to this restaurant. I want to try those scallops!
Restaurantji Recommends
First visit to The Federal. Food was delicious. Enjoyed a combination of yummy fritters as our appetizers and dessert. Entrees were excellent. We will definitely come back. Thank you!
My favorite fritter is the corn with the creme freche dipping sauce. The poached pear and crunchy burrata salad is light and refreshing and the hangar steak is divine. Wasnt a huge fan of the midnight spaghetti...just too rich. Have tried several desserts there. None compare to the carmel apple fritter.
What a treasure Federal is, tucked away on the main drag! We didn't miss a thing, from the artistic drinks, to the oyster stew, fritter variety selection, midnight spaghetti with scallops and shrimp, to the bittersweet chocolate pot au crème. And, the not too loud playlist was perfect. The service was attentive, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Counting the days until we can return! (I'm a for real diner and not exaggerating.)
We enjoyed an excellent dinner as part of their Wine and Dine program. Each dish was prepared perfectly, served hot and in the right proportion. We enjoyed every item. Service was excellent, and it was a delight to meet the co-owners. We will be back.
We went for NYE dinner. The food was good but not memorably excellent, and one expects a lot from a $135 tasting menu. (The price reflected the holiday, and I assume an ordinary dinner would be priced more reasonably.) The ambiance was pleasant, and quiet enough to have a conversation. The service was polite, efficient, and even friendly. One server did spill a glass of ice water on me, though. These things happen, but it's harder to enjoy one's dinner when one is wet and chilly.