Empire Square in Watertown, NY is the kind of restaurant that draws people in for all the right reasons: consistently strong service, a welcoming atmosphere, and a menu that fits everything from an early breakfast to a relaxed dinner with friends.
With a customer rating of 4.60 out of 5 from 322 reviews, it has earned a reputation for delivering a dining experience that guests trust and return to.
Whether you’re stopping by for a quick meal, settling in for solo dining, or planning a casual gathering, Empire Square offers the kind of thoughtful hospitality that makes every visit feel easy and worthwhile.
A big part of its appeal is the range of dining options and features designed around real customer needs. Guests can enjoy outdoor seating, dine inside, order takeaway, or take advantage of delivery for added convenience.
The restaurant is especially known for fast service, great beer and cocktail selections, great coffee, and great dessert, along with live music and local specialty offerings that give the experience extra personality and local flavor.
From breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner to catering and counter service, Empire Square provides flexible options that make it a dependable choice throughout the day.
The menu includes alcohol, beer, cocktails, coffee, comfort food, happy-hour drinks, happy-hour food, and healthy options, giving customers plenty of ways to enjoy a meal that suits their mood and appetite.
Empire Square also stands out for the comfort and accessibility it provides. The space includes a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet, helping ensure a smoother experience for all guests.
Amenities such as a bar on site, gender-neutral toilets, restroom access, Wi-Fi, and free Wi-Fi add to the convenience, while the casual, cozy, and trendy setting creates an inviting place to linger. Payment is simple and flexible too, with credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted.
Located at 65 Public Square, Watertown, NY 13601, and reachable at +1 315-777-4114, Empire Square offers a polished yet approachable dining destination where great food, good company, and reliable service come together naturally.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Empire Square
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Hear from our valued guests
Such a fun and cozy spot in Watertown! The food and prices were great, and we loved the eclectic art, decorations, and games that made us feel like home. The New York and Kentucky themed bathrooms and bar menu are a nice touch. Highly recommend checking out!
The food here is wonderful. The autosphere and staff are amazing. It's such a unique menu especially if you're looking for something new locally. The pulled pork nachos are served in a dog bowl to help the SPCA, the are amazing....must have.
Got the dog bowl Nachos sponsored by the SPCA. Very friendly staff. Very relaxed setting. They have live music on Thursday’s and Saturday. I got the chicken and waffles and they were very tasty. Nice fluffy waffle with a chicken patty the syrup was very good. Prices are very fair
Stopped in for a bite while passing through, sat outside and had a delicious meal! Homemade queso and hot chips were a great start, then chicken and biscuits and chicken and waffles?! So good. Portion sizes were perfect- nothing leftover and we were all pleasantly full. Would definitely recommend!
Ive been going to Empire Square almost since they opened. I don't know where to begin when I describe this place. It not only has been a phenomenal place to drink with execellent monthly cocktails made by Sarah the bartender. Whether slammed or dead; Sarah has been able to make me a solid drink. The food has been delicous, even if not made correct still has amazing flavor, and heart put into it. Ive talked to both the owner and the lead-cook, and both of them have proven to me that this place embodies the southern soul that this place has brought to me while I've visited. I've loved coming down during when they have karaoke or my favorite night, trivia. I'll always reccomend this place to any of my friends, family, and coworkers
Best southern breakfast, I’ve had in along time! Owner, manager and the whole crew are absolutely great and so helpful, customer service is outstanding ! The food is hands down one of a kind amazing, a touch of southern and northern almost in every plate. We went 2 days in a row and on the 2nd day brought family visiting from TN, they also raved! The art is so different but stunning, Decor is one of a kind and so fun! Highly suggest this place and all the wonderful staff! PS THEY HAVE SWEET TEA!!!!
The best new restaurant I have visited in Watertown. The Shrimp and Grits and the New Orleans style Sugared Bacon were awesome. They also make an excellent Blueberry Cream Italian Soda. Wonderful food, great service and a delightful, friendly staff. I can not wait to go back and try more of their menu. I am a very particular Foodie and this is now my favorite new restaurant. I have been looking for some good Southern style food in the north country for more than a year and this is the place!
Food is great. The staff is very friendly. The owner is very informed of the history of building and the area. The chefs are great. We were visiting from Kentucky. We ate there several times over the weekend. My husband had shrimp and grits. He said they were the best. I had the Kentucky hot brown. Delicious. For dinner we had their homemade Sloppy Joe's. Very good. We will go back tomorrow for brunch before we head out. Stop by if you are in the area you won't be disappointed. They just got their liquor license so you can enjoy a drink with your dinner.
The best roasted vegetables I've ever had. That might not sound exciting, but I could've eaten those vegetables every day of my life. They were SO GOOD. We were so happy the server recommended them. Staff was really friendly. The restaurant had a cool renovated-antique vibe. Breakfast was yummy and reasonably priced!
Empire Square is one of the best local establishments you can visit! Sarah is by far the best bartender you will find-She has an extensive list of drinks that she makes as well as a punch she creates each week. If you’re unsure what you want, she will be more than happy to help you out and create something for you that you will be sure to love! The food is delicious and if you haven’t tried chicken and waffles it’s a must have! You can find trivia nights, karaoke nights and band nights! Or if you just wanna sit down and play a game of checkers or chess, they have that too. I’m sad to see any stars less than five here… The people who work a at Empire make you feel at home - Vonnette is the owner and has some great stories She can tell you about the place! If you’re in the area, it’s a must have! Sundays are brunch with bottomless mimosas! Check it out! (If you like local history you’re in for a treat!)
Common questions about Empire Square
Empire Square is located at 65 Public Square, Watertown, NY 13601, United States, Watertown, NY, United States.
You can reach Empire Square by calling +1 315-777-4114.
Empire Square has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 322 customer reviews.
Empire Square features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Empire Square features the following from the business: Identifies as veteran-owned, Identifies as women-owned.
Empire Square features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Delivery, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Empire Square features the following highlights: Fast service, Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great coffee, Great dessert, Live music, Serves local specialty.
Empire Square features the following popular for: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Empire Square features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Happy-hour drinks, Happy-hour food, Healthy options, Late-night food, Quick bite, Small plates, Spirits, Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Wine.
Empire Square features the following dining options: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Counter service, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Empire Square features the following amenities: Bar on site, Gender-neutral toilets, Restroom, Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi.
Empire Square features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Trendy.
Empire Square features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, LGBTQ+ friendly, Tourists, Transgender safe space.
Empire Square features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Empire Square features the following children: Good for kids, Has changing table(s), High chairs, Kids' menu.
Empire Square features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Plenty of parking.
Empire Square features the following pets: Dogs allowed, Dogs allowed inside, Dogs allowed outside.
Business Features
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