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Great Blue Heron Restaurant and Bakery is located in Carmel Hamlet, New York, offering a diverse menu that blends American classics with Central European flavors. The establishment features a range of dishes from hearty burgers and sandwiches to traditional Czechoslovakian specialties such as pierogi and grilled sausages. Its brunch menu includes items like corned beef hash, brioche French toast, and shrimp and grits, reflecting a commitment to both comfort and creativity. The atmosphere combines a casual dining experience with the warmth of a local bakery, making it suitable for various occasions. Signature items include the Half Pound Black Angus Burger, Bacon & Egg Burger, and the distinctive Open Sandwich “Oblozene Chlebicky,” highlighting the restaurant’s balance of familiar and regional tastes. Great Blue Heron Restaurant and Bakery focuses on solid ingredients and straightforward preparation, appealing to diners seeking a reliable and uncomplicated meal in a relaxed setting.
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Amenities & More
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Curbside pickup
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
- Great dessert
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Quiet
- Upscale
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Reviews for Great Blue Heron Cuisine
Review highlights
Based on 40 reviewsGreat Blue Heron Restaurant and Bakery is consistently praised for its scenic lakeside location and charming outdoor seating, offering guests a tranquil and inviting atmosphere, particularly at sunset. The establishment is noted for its unique focus on Czech and Slovak cuisine, delighting both locals and visitors seeking authentic flavors, although some dishes receive mixed feedback regarding authenticity. The food quality is frequently described as fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared, with standout items like pork chops and traditional breads garnering positive recognition. Service is reported as friendly and accommodating, adding to the overall pleasant dining experience. Some reviewers mention minor discrepancies between the online menu and in-restaurant offerings, suggesting a potential area for improvement in communication. Overall, Great Blue Heron strikes a balance between premium culinary offerings and a warm, picturesque setting that encourages repeat visits.
Amazing tasting cuisine!! We tried with my husband Czech-Slovák cuisine and it was absolutely delicious! We also got some Czech bread to go and it was so good better than what I tried in Prague! Love this place!! Big recommendation!!! So glad this place was open - will go here often! Also they have pretty place outside to sit - cannot wait for warmer weather to sit outside next to the pretty lake view!
UPDATE 1: The porkchop is unbelievable! Must try. Outstanding! So far we've tried the salmon, cornish hen, flatbread and the Sunday Brunch Jersey breakfast sandwich. All were the finest examples I can ever remember having. Juicy and flavorful. GBH is one of the best premium quality restaurants we've had in a very long time. They can easily run with My Cousins but with a more modern appeal. Its not all pasta- theres some great stuff here! Its on Lake Carmel and its absolutely a postcard level venue. Gorgeous. The staff is amazing and the chef is fantastic. You need to check it out now before GBH becomes a 2 week booking prospect!
Great view of the lake Carmel at sunset! Nice patio and friendly service. The wedge salad was huge! loaded with bacon, pickled red onions, tomatoes, and blue cheese dressing. The fried chicken sandwich was delicious and the fries tasted fresh. The onion soup was just ok and the pork goulash was not authentic.
Me and my fiancée are from Czech so it was really great surprise that we found this restaurant with Czechoslovakia menu. And the experience was 10/10. The atmosphere inside was gorgeous and outside it was even prettier the decorations and the whole set up outside were wonderful. I really like the small pots with all the herbs, strawberries and flower. And the view on the water was great. Even restrooms were pretty fancy. The food was also fantastic and the draft Pilsner was the cherry on top for us from Czech the staff were extremely nice and it feels like a wonderful family-owned business. The best for us was homemade bread and our traditional Czech/slovak bread roll. The baker was very kind and even prepared a fresh batch of warm rolls. I probably never had better!!! Highly recommend this place and we’ll definitely visit again,
We had a lovely dinner at this lakeside restaurant — the view is absolutely unbeatable, especially at sunset. Sitting by the water made the whole experience feel relaxed and special. The menu, however, was a bit confusing. What’s listed online doesn’t completely match what’s offered at the restaurant, so I’d recommend calling ahead or checking their latest updates on social media if you’re hoping for something specific. That said, the highlight of our night (besides the scenery) was Lucas, our waiter. He was attentive, friendly, and made excellent recommendations. He really elevated the whole experience for us. Definitely worth a visit for the ambiance and service — just double-check the menu before you go!
Great spot with lake views and outdoor dining. Have been here several times over the past year that they have been opened. The food is very good and reasonably priced, and there is something for everyone on the menu. My go to orders have been the in house made perogies, and the goulash. All the bread products are made in house which is a big plus, the sourdough is amazing. It's a nice local spot offering something different than other places.
We recently had dinner here and were very pleased! They said they were short staffed but we couldn’t tell at all, the service was really great. The food was delicious and the vibe there is on point! So great to see such a lovely restaurant in Lake Carmel :)
Nestled right on Lake Carmel, Great Blue Heron is a culinary gem that brings the heart and soul of Czechoslovakian cuisine to life. Owned and operated by the incredibly personable Frank Gaspar, the restaurant exudes warmth from the moment you walk through the door. Frank’s genuine hospitality makes you feel less like a customer and more like a cherished guest in his home. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between rustic charm and modern comfort. Soft lighting, tasteful Eastern European décor, and a welcoming atmosphere create the ideal setting for an unforgettable dining experience. But let’s talk about the real star: the food. Great Blue Heron offers a menu brimming with authentic flavors and time-honored recipes, but the standout dish that has everyone talking is the Berlin Wall Grilled Kielbasa. This isn’t just sausage on a plate—it’s a masterpiece. Perfectly grilled with a smoky char, the kielbasa bursts with savory juices and rich spices that pay homage to its traditional roots while adding a modern twist. Served alongside house-made sauerkraut and a tangy mustard that’s clearly made with care, every bite is a harmonious blend of flavor and texture. It’s bold, satisfying, and undeniably addictive. Whether you’re familiar with Czechoslovakian food or trying it for the first time, Great Blue Heron is an absolute must-visit. Between Frank’s welcoming presence and the phenomenal menu, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
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Quick info
Opening hours
- Monday (Today) 02:00 PM - 09:00 PM
- Tuesday Closed
- Wednesday 02:00 PM - 09:00 PM
- Thursday 02:00 PM - 09:00 PM
- Friday 02:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Saturday 02:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Sunday 02:00 PM - 10:00 PM
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