Canal House Station, Milford, NJ: A Restaurant Review
Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.
Canal House Station: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: Classic American with European influences
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: Excellent. Well-executed menu, using fresh farm-to-table ingredients, presented as works of art
Service: Friendly, professional, attentive. Meal wait tends to be slow, due to the food being prepared from scratch.
Ambiance/Decor: Elegant, yet cozy rustic, with historic train station atmosphere.
Overall Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
Note: Four-star Rating System from 1/2 star = poor to 4 stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate.
Dress: Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy a high end, well executed menu in an historic rusting setting.
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who prefer a traditional casual style American menu, in a trendy, contemporary, high-energy setting.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Roast Prime Rib of Beef with Wax & Green Beans, Sister Frances's Potatoes; The Duck Confit with green & wax beans & frites; and The Mussels in wine and cream & crusty bread.
Liquor: BYOB
The Canal House Station is an upscale, chef-inspired casual dining restaurant located in Milford, New Jersey, situated within a renovated 1870 historic train station.
Co-owned by acclaimed chefs Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer, the restaurant has garnered recognition as one of New Jersey’s hidden culinary gems, blending award-winning cuisine with a commitment to seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients.
Hamilton and Hirsheimer, both veterans of the culinary world, launched The Canal House Station as their first joint restaurant venture. Prior to this, they co-founded Canal House, a publishing and design studio known for its cookbooks and blog. Their cookbook Canal House Cooks Every Day received a James Beard Award, and their blog, Canal House Cooks Lunch, attracts a dedicated following.
Before collaborating, Hirsheimer co-founded Saveur magazine, earning 23 James Beard Journalism Awards during her tenure as executive editor. She previously operated two restaurants in Illinois. Hamilton, meanwhile, served as executive chef at Hamilton’s Grill Room in Lambertville, NJ, which she opened with her father in 1988. She also held editorial roles at Saveur, Martha Stewart Living, and Cook’s Illustrated.
In 2020, the duo was nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Mid- Atlantic award, highlighting their impact on the region’s culinary scene.
The Canal House Station emphasizes classic American fare with European influences, showcasing French techniques and home-style cooking. Menus change weekly based on seasonal availability, featuring a prix fixe option with limited selections, including vegetarian accommodations. Ingredients are sourced from local purveyors such as Comeback Farm (Hunterdon County), Phillips Farms (Milford), and Manoff Market Gardens (New Hope), alongside specialty items like Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt Tam cheese from California.
Notable offerings include:
Seasonal Sunday Dinners: A five-course prix fixe menu for families and friends.
La Dolce Vita—Locals Spaghetti Night: A Friday tradition featuring rustic Italian-inspired dishes.
The restaurant retains the historic charm of its 1870 train station setting, with original woodwork, chestnut wainscoting, and restored paint colors.
The space includes an open kitchen area where guests can observe meal preparation.
A 49-seat dining room with tall windows, unframed oil paintings, and photography of the Delaware River region. There is also 35-seat café with communal farmhouse-style tables, porch seating, and displays of Canal House cookbooks and fresh produce.
Outdoor garden seating is available, weather permitting.
Service is noted for its professionalism and warmth, with Hamilton and Hirsheimer often personally greeting guests and delivering dishes.
The ambiance balances historic elegance with casual comfort, reflecting the building’s railway heritage through exposed wood beams and rustic decor.
The Canal House Station continues to celebrate culinary tradition while
fostering a dynamic connection between food, history, and community.
Hours and Operations
As of January 2025, The Canal House Station operates on Sundays (prix fixe menu), Fridays (spaghetti night), and select holidays.
(updated January 2025)
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