Beer was great, salad was excellent, server was attentive and building design was awesome.On return visit I got the Brussels sprouts and French onion soup. Both were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kara Centrella
I had my wedding at the Gristmill in October of 2023. Bill and Sue were absolutely amazing to work with, and were so accommodating for everything I wanted. The staff went above and beyond to assure everything ran smoothly day of, and I couldn't have been happier. So many guests complimented on the beautiful atmosphere! Amazing venue if you're looking to have any type of party!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justin G.
The atmosphere of this place is great. There's nothing else like it in the North Country. The layout, aesthetic, and ambiance is all very well done, and gives off the vibe of a brewery that you'd find in a more populated/wealthy area, without coming across as pretentious. The location on the river is also very nice.We went in around 4:30, and there was a party that was coming to an end in the rentable space below the main dining/bar area. The service was somewhat slow because the party had gone on longer than it was supposed to, and the staff were trying to get it cleaned up. That obviously wasn't the fault of our waitress and once they had the situation downstairs straightened out, she was attentive for the rest of our stay.I'm going to get right to the reason for the 2 star review... the food. I ordered French Onion soup and my wife ordered the brie bread bowl. Both were fantastic. The French Onion soup was loaded with onions and bread crumbs, had a ton of flavor, and the cheese was melted on on top properly. I didn't try my wife's bread bowl, but she said that it was excellent.We both ordered burgers. My wife got the Gristmill Burger and I got the Maple Bacon Burger. They were shocking. Twice in my nearly 40 years of existence, have I sent food back while out to eat. Last night at the Gristmill was one of those two times.We both got our burgers medium. My wife's burger was burned on the outside and the inside was bloody pink. My burger wasn't as burned, but without even cutting into it, I could feel that it was way underdone. Now, I like steaks rare to medium-rare, but a burger, especially one that you don't know the origin of, shouldn't be undercooked to the point that the interior is cold, as my wife's was.My guess is that they are using Sysco patties (see picture), and are throwing them on the grill at high heat while they're still frozen. This would explain why the food came out as fast as it did, in the condition that it did.As to where our appetizers seemed to be well prepared, the burgers, buns, and the toppings, all screamed "the chef had to suddenly leave and now we've got the dishwasher cooking". My wife's burger came with 3 tiny Sysco onion pedals on it. The cheddar cheese was just thrown on her burnt patty and wasn't even semi-melted. Her burger was also supposed to come with a horseradish cream sauce on the side. They gave her ketchup.My burger came with a single little piece of bacon laid across the middle of it. Underneath the patty, was a tiny grey gob of what I'm assuming was supposed to be the caramelized onions. Under that was a small white smear of what I think was the aioli. There was so little of it, I couldn't really tell. Both burgers came with a random piece of iceberg lettuce, which was was bizarre given the type of burgers they were (or supposed to be).The fries that came with the burgers were fine. They were the generic frozen massed produced ones that get crispy on the outside and stay soft in the middle. Not bad, not good.Now the part that had us very confused, was the price. 17 dollars for undercooked (yet burned) frozen burger patties on generic brioche buns with toppings that were sparse and unappetizing. No way was I going to spend nearly 20 dollars on those atrocities.When our waitress came to check on the table, I let her know that we were going to be sending the burgers back. She was apologetic and offered to re-fire them, but we just wanted to get out of there and go someplace else to get food. She comped the burgers and we left.What's weird, is that friends who have been there before, had said the food was either good or excellent. Pictures of the food on Google and Yelp look good. The reviews are good. Maybe we went on a bad night?Also of note is the beer. It is delicious. We tried 6 of them, and everyone of them was very good. The alcoholic Ginger Beer and Weitbeir were standouts. A 40 minute drive there isn't worth it just for beer though
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Ana Williams-Bergen
Have been here several times. The food is always AWESOME, the drink menu has a ton of fun options, and staff is very friendly. Not to mention the location is beautiful, and the deck has a great view of the water.Some of the best food in the North Country (the salmon in particular is perfectly cooked)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steve A
We went for Valentine’s Day and got the hanger steak tips as we got the same thing last year. Didn’t notice the description this time around didn’t have a vegetable on it when last year it was served with carrot. Instead we got a pinch of spinach ? steak and mash were great
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Chris
Most excellent,
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Parmesan Truffle Fries, Gristmill Burger, Gristmill Side Salad
Ashley Kalman
The BEST food I have tasted in this town, thus far! Service Outstanding, Atmosphere Beautiful.....if you haven't been here yet, it is a must. Kudos Gristmills and Thank You!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashlee Sweeney
We had our Christmas party in the event room and it was perfect! And absolutely GORGEOUS! Super convenient to be right by the bathroom AND have access to the beautiful river view. Food was awesome, and everyone left full and happy and wanting to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Darin LaGarry
My wife and I go here regularly. The atmosphere is nice although it can be noisy on busy nights. Giant wrap around bar and a nice patio overlooking the grass river. Service is generally good but can be slow at times. Food is amazing. Definitely recommend, best in Massena at the moment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Megan Prionas
Absolutely wonderful restaurant. The atmosphere cannot be beat for the entire local area!A completely refurbished historical flour or "gristmill" structure on the edge of the Grasse River, the historical integrity of the original brick construction is not only preserved but highlighted throughout. Black wrought iron fixtures, antique equipment and gears, with Edison bulb lighting in the dining room create an atmosphere that echoes the past while providing modern convenience.The giant horseshoe bar has ample and comfortable seating, with every angle offering a charming and interesting view. The on-site brewing tanks are an arm's length away, and the seasonal offerings from brewmaster Kyle are always exciting and delicious (coming from someone who typically does not drink beer!).The menu is so thoughtfully crafted, there is something that will please every person in a group. Though not extensive in the offerings, the options have truly been perfected in their execution by Chef Russ and his staff. Seasonal rotations and weekly specials keep regular patrons like me always able to try something new and exciting. Holiday meal specials and the new schedule of live music and special events means this place will only grow better over time.The staff are always friendly and inviting, with prompt service and always accommodating for families; make sure you ask about the kids menu options!The landscaping is unrivaled in the area, with a spacious and inviting lawn; with spaces for entertainment, seating and games- not to mention the largest riverside patio I've seen in the north country. Every angle of this property is Intagrammable, the management has paid incredible attention to detail in every aspect; and they can be seen regularly checking in on guests with big smiles for everyone.As a side note, there is a spacious event space on the lower level, that walks out to a private view of the river, with an inlaid brick path connecting to the lawn.I will never have enough good things to say about the Gristmill Brewery; just go for yourself and enjoy!Parking: Parking is along the street, come a little early and you'll find a spot.
Meet some friends here on a beautiful fall night. We sat on the deck overlooking the river, which was AMAZING! The staff was attentive, checking in regularly. The menu had a nice variety, including seasonal cocktails. We shared a few "small plates" (appetizers) which were fine. Two of us had three burnt ends and Mac & cheese which was delicious. The other person had the margarita pizza which she also enjoyed. Also with buying was the bathroom was very clean. I will definitely return to try this place again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Karlene Burley
This was our first time eating at the Gristmill Brewery. What a breath of fresh air for this community. The building itself is beautiful. Walking up to it, I was blown away by the craftsmanship of the wooden doors and brick exterior. Inside was more of the beautiful brick and large wooden beams. We had the Octoberfest draft, and it was delightful. The food was topnotch. I had the shrimp salad and baked french onion soup. Every bite of the salad was amazing, as was the flavor of the french onion soup. My husband had the Chipotle Chicken Flatbread, he said it was great. I can attest to this since I couldn't help but steal a piece, and 100% agreed! The bartender was quick and friendly! We had a fantastic experience and will be back to enjoy this hidden gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Chipotle Flatbread
cory page
Wow, what a great night out. Food was so good beer yum and the pretzel cheese, my god it was so good. Well worth a full line of 5 stars, thanks for a great night. :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JoHn K.
Dog owners don't bother to visit. Didn't think to call ahead as most breweries /rstaurants with outdoor dining permit dogs. Oh well. Drove up specifically to Massena/St. Lawrence River to see the area and take in the sights. So much for wanting visitor dollars.
Robert D.
Just a terrific restaurant with great service and great food.The ambiance is the best of any restaurant in the area.
Beer was great, salad was excellent, server was attentive and building design was awesome.On return visit I got the Brussels sprouts and French onion soup. Both were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had my wedding at the Gristmill in October of 2023. Bill and Sue were absolutely amazing to work with, and were so accommodating for everything I wanted. The staff went above and beyond to assure everything ran smoothly day of, and I couldn't have been happier. So many guests complimented on the beautiful atmosphere! Amazing venue if you're looking to have any type of party!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The atmosphere of this place is great. There's nothing else like it in the North Country. The layout, aesthetic, and ambiance is all very well done, and gives off the vibe of a brewery that you'd find in a more populated/wealthy area, without coming across as pretentious. The location on the river is also very nice.We went in around 4:30, and there was a party that was coming to an end in the rentable space below the main dining/bar area. The service was somewhat slow because the party had gone on longer than it was supposed to, and the staff were trying to get it cleaned up. That obviously wasn't the fault of our waitress and once they had the situation downstairs straightened out, she was attentive for the rest of our stay.I'm going to get right to the reason for the 2 star review... the food. I ordered French Onion soup and my wife ordered the brie bread bowl. Both were fantastic. The French Onion soup was loaded with onions and bread crumbs, had a ton of flavor, and the cheese was melted on on top properly. I didn't try my wife's bread bowl, but she said that it was excellent.We both ordered burgers. My wife got the Gristmill Burger and I got the Maple Bacon Burger. They were shocking. Twice in my nearly 40 years of existence, have I sent food back while out to eat. Last night at the Gristmill was one of those two times.We both got our burgers medium. My wife's burger was burned on the outside and the inside was bloody pink. My burger wasn't as burned, but without even cutting into it, I could feel that it was way underdone. Now, I like steaks rare to medium-rare, but a burger, especially one that you don't know the origin of, shouldn't be undercooked to the point that the interior is cold, as my wife's was.My guess is that they are using Sysco patties (see picture), and are throwing them on the grill at high heat while they're still frozen. This would explain why the food came out as fast as it did, in the condition that it did.As to where our appetizers seemed to be well prepared, the burgers, buns, and the toppings, all screamed "the chef had to suddenly leave and now we've got the dishwasher cooking". My wife's burger came with 3 tiny Sysco onion pedals on it. The cheddar cheese was just thrown on her burnt patty and wasn't even semi-melted. Her burger was also supposed to come with a horseradish cream sauce on the side. They gave her ketchup.My burger came with a single little piece of bacon laid across the middle of it. Underneath the patty, was a tiny grey gob of what I'm assuming was supposed to be the caramelized onions. Under that was a small white smear of what I think was the aioli. There was so little of it, I couldn't really tell. Both burgers came with a random piece of iceberg lettuce, which was was bizarre given the type of burgers they were (or supposed to be).The fries that came with the burgers were fine. They were the generic frozen massed produced ones that get crispy on the outside and stay soft in the middle. Not bad, not good.Now the part that had us very confused, was the price. 17 dollars for undercooked (yet burned) frozen burger patties on generic brioche buns with toppings that were sparse and unappetizing. No way was I going to spend nearly 20 dollars on those atrocities.When our waitress came to check on the table, I let her know that we were going to be sending the burgers back. She was apologetic and offered to re-fire them, but we just wanted to get out of there and go someplace else to get food. She comped the burgers and we left.What's weird, is that friends who have been there before, had said the food was either good or excellent. Pictures of the food on Google and Yelp look good. The reviews are good. Maybe we went on a bad night?Also of note is the beer. It is delicious. We tried 6 of them, and everyone of them was very good. The alcoholic Ginger Beer and Weitbeir were standouts. A 40 minute drive there isn't worth it just for beer though
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Have been here several times. The food is always AWESOME, the drink menu has a ton of fun options, and staff is very friendly. Not to mention the location is beautiful, and the deck has a great view of the water.Some of the best food in the North Country (the salmon in particular is perfectly cooked)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went for Valentine’s Day and got the hanger steak tips as we got the same thing last year. Didn’t notice the description this time around didn’t have a vegetable on it when last year it was served with carrot. Instead we got a pinch of spinach ? steak and mash were great
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Most excellent,
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Parmesan Truffle Fries, Gristmill Burger, Gristmill Side Salad
The BEST food I have tasted in this town, thus far! Service Outstanding, Atmosphere Beautiful.....if you haven't been here yet, it is a must. Kudos Gristmills and Thank You!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had our Christmas party in the event room and it was perfect! And absolutely GORGEOUS! Super convenient to be right by the bathroom AND have access to the beautiful river view. Food was awesome, and everyone left full and happy and wanting to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I go here regularly. The atmosphere is nice although it can be noisy on busy nights. Giant wrap around bar and a nice patio overlooking the grass river. Service is generally good but can be slow at times. Food is amazing. Definitely recommend, best in Massena at the moment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Absolutely wonderful restaurant. The atmosphere cannot be beat for the entire local area!A completely refurbished historical flour or "gristmill" structure on the edge of the Grasse River, the historical integrity of the original brick construction is not only preserved but highlighted throughout. Black wrought iron fixtures, antique equipment and gears, with Edison bulb lighting in the dining room create an atmosphere that echoes the past while providing modern convenience.The giant horseshoe bar has ample and comfortable seating, with every angle offering a charming and interesting view. The on-site brewing tanks are an arm's length away, and the seasonal offerings from brewmaster Kyle are always exciting and delicious (coming from someone who typically does not drink beer!).The menu is so thoughtfully crafted, there is something that will please every person in a group. Though not extensive in the offerings, the options have truly been perfected in their execution by Chef Russ and his staff. Seasonal rotations and weekly specials keep regular patrons like me always able to try something new and exciting. Holiday meal specials and the new schedule of live music and special events means this place will only grow better over time.The staff are always friendly and inviting, with prompt service and always accommodating for families; make sure you ask about the kids menu options!The landscaping is unrivaled in the area, with a spacious and inviting lawn; with spaces for entertainment, seating and games- not to mention the largest riverside patio I've seen in the north country. Every angle of this property is Intagrammable, the management has paid incredible attention to detail in every aspect; and they can be seen regularly checking in on guests with big smiles for everyone.As a side note, there is a spacious event space on the lower level, that walks out to a private view of the river, with an inlaid brick path connecting to the lawn.I will never have enough good things to say about the Gristmill Brewery; just go for yourself and enjoy!Parking: Parking is along the street, come a little early and you'll find a spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Chipotle Flatbread, Grilled Shrimp Salad, Cured Meat
Restaurantji Recommends
Meet some friends here on a beautiful fall night. We sat on the deck overlooking the river, which was AMAZING! The staff was attentive, checking in regularly. The menu had a nice variety, including seasonal cocktails. We shared a few "small plates" (appetizers) which were fine. Two of us had three burnt ends and Mac & cheese which was delicious. The other person had the margarita pizza which she also enjoyed. Also with buying was the bathroom was very clean. I will definitely return to try this place again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
This was our first time eating at the Gristmill Brewery. What a breath of fresh air for this community. The building itself is beautiful. Walking up to it, I was blown away by the craftsmanship of the wooden doors and brick exterior. Inside was more of the beautiful brick and large wooden beams. We had the Octoberfest draft, and it was delightful. The food was topnotch. I had the shrimp salad and baked french onion soup. Every bite of the salad was amazing, as was the flavor of the french onion soup. My husband had the Chipotle Chicken Flatbread, he said it was great. I can attest to this since I couldn't help but steal a piece, and 100% agreed! The bartender was quick and friendly! We had a fantastic experience and will be back to enjoy this hidden gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Chipotle Flatbread
Wow, what a great night out. Food was so good beer yum and the pretzel cheese, my god it was so good. Well worth a full line of 5 stars, thanks for a great night. :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dog owners don't bother to visit. Didn't think to call ahead as most breweries /rstaurants with outdoor dining permit dogs. Oh well. Drove up specifically to Massena/St. Lawrence River to see the area and take in the sights. So much for wanting visitor dollars.
Just a terrific restaurant with great service and great food.The ambiance is the best of any restaurant in the area.