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Hours
Tue
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wed
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thu
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
5.0
Travelers' Choice 2023
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, French, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
“I got a grilled mushroom burger with lots of other veggies on it, and my husb...”
“Food ranged from good to excellent, especially the lobster ravioli.”
“... haddock, my wife had the surf & turf special and followed up with piece o...”
“Caesar salad to start, duck and meatloaf (not your typical) and a tasting of...”
Does this restaurant have tables with seating?
Details
About
Welcome to the Canal Side Inn, located in Little Falls New York - serving traditional French & American Cuisine with gracious overnight guest suites. The Inn is located a short walk from the scenic Erie Canal in Historic Canal Place. Located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Little Falls NY, The Canal Side Inn is conveniently situated halfway between Syracuse & Albany with Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame only 30 miles away.
PRICE RANGE
$18.00 – $45.00
CUISINES
French
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service
Contribute
5.0
370 reviews
Excellent
332
Very good
23
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
8
Ashlynne H
2 contributions
Jul 2020 • couples
Last night my fiance and I had the most enjoyable dinner at canal side inn. We started with their weekly tuesday special, the steamahs. We got 2 lbs of little neck clams & a cup of chowder for only $20!! Our entrees were out of this world though, I got the surf and turf special which included filet migon and king crab legs (already cracked) which made them 100x more enjoyable. My fiance had the filet migon which was cooked to perfection. Our waiter James was EXTREMELY attentive to our needs and wants, glasses were never empty. Chef John also came out frequently to make sure we were enjoying our meal. Overall dining experience was 110%, also the new outside seating was beautiful!
Written July 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark from Albany
2 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
Where to begin... the food, the service, the personal attention! Chef John is an amazing chef and his entire staff treats clients as if we're kings and queens. This is a great place to eat before and during the Covid crisis- great social distancing and staff pays attention to our safety. It's only an hour from Albany and worth the short and easy one hour drive. The same folks own the Inn across the street so make a nigh of it! We celebrated an anniversary with friends and it was truly one of the most special dining nights we've had. Great prices and selection and Chef will entertain special requests- he's often seen in the dining room speaking with guests!
Written November 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fran P
Edgartown3 contributions
Jun 2020 • none
The food was presented beautifully. The staff was really informed about the whole menu and were attentive, but gave us our space, as these times require. The lobster and fish dinners we ordered were fantastic and perfectly seasoned. The waitress overheard us talking about my mother's 87 birthday and delivered a huge piece of cheesecake that she loved. Chef John lead the "parade" as they sang Happy Birthday, mom was thrilled. We just moved to the area and will be back soon. A great day!!
Written June 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fritz
Clinton186 contributions
We did not stay at the Inn, we ate at the restaurant. I want to be as fair and objective as I can be with my review of the Canal Side Restaurant. This was our first visit to this establishment. My first impression was good. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was quaint and quiet. We were seated promptly and we were made comfortable. The decor was interesting in that there was paneling (reminiscent of the 1970s) on the wall, but surprisingly it worked.
We ordered and received our cocktails quickly and they were good. I had the Calamari Friture which was cooked well and had a nice flavor. Our problem was with our entrees. My wife had the Saumon Aux Fruits (That’s how it was spelled on the menu) and I had the Agneau Bourguignon. The fish was very very dry and the ceviche was tiny and weak in flavor. My lamb was overcooked and gamey.
The chef came out to ask how everything was and we were honest with him. We were polite with our critique. He had no answer for the Salmon but informed me my Lamb, being organic, may account for the gaminess. We fish in Alaska every few years and have 150lbs of pacific Salmon in our freezer, we know how to cook it and what it should taste like. We have eaten organic free-range Lamb in Iceland, Scotland, and Ireland, it never tasted like his dish. He apologized and offered us free drinks removed the Salmon from our bill. He handled the situation professionally and appropriately.
The only other issue was the pan under the sink in the bathroom. There appeared to be a leak in the drain elbow and a pan had been placed underneath to capture the water.
In being fair, we only tried two entrees. Their other dishes may be gastronomical treats, who knows. Comfortable restaurant with pleasant staff. In our opinion, the food could have been better. Food was average
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick
1 contribution
Dec 2020 • friends
I spent a summer in Little Falls on internship program, and so I have been to many of the restaurants in Little Falls and those in the towns nearby. This Christmas break, I went back to Little Falls to visit a good friend and we went to Canal Side Inn, having experienced so many of the restaurants around, I have to say Canal Side Inn is one of the best!
For the appetizer I had fried shrimp and for the main course I had filet mignon with sides of carrots and mashed potatoes. My steak was tender and delicate - cooked perfectly. My friend ordered a cheesecake for dessert, which I tried. Although I am not usually a fan of cheesecake, I liked this one. It was both luscious and airy.
Chef John is a large presence at Canal side, he makes all his guests feel welcome and ensures they are included in the atmosphere of the room. Chef John is a good old fashioned Boston Catholic; which is to say that he is: hardworking, has a good sense of humor, and is enormously generous!
Written December 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert and Jennifer
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • couples
We were looking for a place to eat after shopping on an early Saturday afternoon and we stopped into the Canal Side Inn. Walking into the restaurant we noticed there were no other patrons, the restaurant was closed. We were greeted by Executive Chef John Luciano, who without hesitation, welcomed us in and offered to prepare us meals.
The restaurant was closed!
We had a nice conversation with Chef John, he's is extremely personable and welcoming, and then we placed our orders. We shared the Blue Crab Goat Cheese Crostini and the Bacon Bleu Burger. Both dishes were incredible, full of flavor, prepared and seasoned to perfection.
We can't say enough about how wonderfully we were treated by Chef John and his staff. Chef John truly went above and beyond. We cannot wait to go back for dinner and enjoy the Canal Side Inn's exceptional cuisine and hospitality.
Robert and Jennifer
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chris w
3 contributions
Jun 2020 • family
My wife and I were in there area with our kids. We were contemplating what to eat and saw that the patio had just opened up. We decided to give the menu a look over and we were happily impressed that had some options for everyone. The chef was great and said he would make some fresh chicken tenders or pasta up for the kids ( we went with the tenders they were great and the kids loved them) . I chose something from the bar menu( French dip made with shaved medium rare prime rib. It was absolutely fantastic. My wife had the bacon Bleu cheese burger and that to was great. It was a great night and it was a great feeling eating out again at a restaurant. They do have a full bar and some local beers by the bottle.
Written June 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia D
1 contribution
Dec 2020 • none
My fiance and i decided to take a drive on this beautiful December afternoon and stumbled upon Little Falls, which we have not visited in about 15 years.....it was getting late in the day and feeling hungry, we chose to stop and have an early dinner.
We walked into the restaurant around 4:15 not realizing until the chef informed us that they were not opening until 5pm but he graciously invited us to stay. Well, the meal was delicious and the presentation was like a painting...The staff were extremely accommodating and the chef gave us dessert on him....Chef John came out of the kitchen to follow up to see how everything was to our liking
If you happen to be near or in Little Falls, NY, Canal Side Inn is the restaurant of choice, you will leave satisfied and happy. It will NOT be another 15 years before we return to that area and restaurant, looking forward to seeing it again soon
Written December 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaci&Kevin
Phoenix48 contributions
Sep 2020 • none
We hadn't even stepped foot inside before we knew that we had discovered a true gem. Chef John came ambling out of the door and greeted us like long lost family with his warm, energetic personality. After a few minutes, we felt as though we had happily know him for years. AND WHAT A CHEF!! Everything we ordered, from the appetizers to the desserts, was crafted to perfection in both method and presentation. Both John and the owner were sure to stop by the table to chat and make sure we were happy. The hospitality, food, wine and ambiance all intertwined to created a lovely, beautiful and most memorable evening that we will remember for years to come.
Written October 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelly V
Thousand Oaks3 contributions
Jun 2020 • family
My 20yo son and i had a thoroughly enjoyable dinner at the canal side inn restaurant. We've travelled around the world and had many amazing food experiences and this tops or equals them. We had the goat cheese stuffed poblano chile and crab stuffed haddock with saffron and both were amazing. The staff is genuinely friendly without being intrusive and the chef is full of personality and talent. He made us want to experiment with recipes at home. The setting in Canal place is like nothing else. Possibly the most beautiful city in the US. Gorgeous footbridge, shops, brewery and art galleries.
Written June 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William J M
Barneveld15 contributions
Nov 2019 • none
The Canal Side is an experience for all who dine there! The atmosphere is warm but totally enhanced by Chef John welcoming all guests at their tables. The meals are presented in a truly regal fashion and the quality and taste are second to none.
We drive 30 minutes to get there because we know that "a true dining experience awaits us".
Well done in all areas!
Written September 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AncientWest
Phoenix3 contributions
Sep 2020 • none
I've really tried hard to like this restaurant. We pass through Little Falls every year on the canal and we've eaten at Canalside in the past - it used to be VERY good!! I'm sorry but the food is just not good anymore! I hate to say that but it is true, over salted, sloppy presentation and lacking balance. The restaurant had almost nobody in it and the Chef was screaming at some poor staff in the kitchen, we could all clearly hear him in the dining room, unprofessional and rude! Sorry but we will not be back.
Written November 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruby C
New York City1 contribution
Jul 2020 • none
Went upstate to get away from the city and celebrate my birthday - and what a lovely place to stop by! The staff did a fair job accommodating us for our outdoor seating request out of respect for COVID guidelines. The menu selection is EXCELLENT, and no one was disappointed when the food came out. We had everything from the fois gras, to beef selections, to seafood - everything was exquisite. Chef John is also quite the character - wears super cool pants that change by the day (we dined here twice over the weekend) and he takes time to say hello and make sure everything is working out well. His thoughtful birthday cake was really sweet too! Thanks so much to the all the staff for a memorable 'quarantine birthday'!
Written July 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam Pacchiana
Sandy Hook1 contribution
Sep 2020 • none
Canal Side Inn restaurant is a must if you are in the area - and well worth traveling for a visit. The food is top notch, fresh and locally sourced. Chef John creates delightful dishes with original combinations and you should expect a visit to make sure everything is to your liking. Chef is wildly entertaining and makes sure you are satisfied.
In addition to all this, Canal Side Inn is right next to the Erie Canal and you should plan a nice walk along the water before or after dinner. Little Falls is a charming town and the area around the restaurant is unique and has plenty of natural and man-made sites to visit.
Written September 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa R
Ballston Spa2 contributions
Aug 2020 • couples
Food was hands down amazing and worth every penny! No need to go to Utica or Albany for a sophisticated meal. Restaurant was clean and staff including the chef were extremely welcoming and accommodating. They know how to cook a filet to order and the bartender makes one mean spicy margarita. Everyone e should try ASAP!
Written August 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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