Just across the river from New Hope, a steady stream of Bucks County diners crosses into Lambertville each weekend. It is a short trip.

But the shift in setting and pace feels different. One of the places drawing that traffic is Under the Moon Cafe.

Under the Moon sits at 23 North Union Street, a few minutes from the bridge. The Lambertville location blends a casual restaurant with a more polished, experience-driven feel.

The menu leans into shareable plates, backed by a full bar and a steady brunch crowd. People come here for the setting as much as the food.

The story starts in Bordentown in 2006. Santiago Orosco opened the original location with help from his mother and sister. It began as a small coffee and sandwich shop with about 27 seats and a handwritten menu that changed daily.

From the start, the approach was flexible and personal. “We used to change our menu every day… tacos to pizza to whatever,” Richardson told Check, Please! Philly last year.

The kitchen pulled from different influences and adjusted based on inspiration and ingredients.

That mindset still defines the restaurant today. The food reflects a mix of Argentine, Italian, Spanish, and American influences. Santiago’s Argentine background and Richardson’s Italian roots shape the menu.

“We’re like a Spanish Italian American mix… very homegrown, heartfelt flavoring,” Richardson said.

The Lambertville location represents the next phase. Santiago and his life partner Eric Richardson built it together, and Richardson now co-manages the restaurant. This is where the concept expanded.

One of the biggest shifts is the bar. The original Bordentown location is BYO. Lambertville introduced a full cocktail program, which now anchors the Lambertville experience.

Guests come in for mojitos, blood orange tequila drinks, and a rotating list of cocktails that match the energy of the room.

The menu evolved as well. The tapas-style format that defines Lambertville came later, shaped by trips Santiago and Eric took to Spain.

The goal was simple. Create a table where people share food, talk, and stay longer. “Take a little bit of everything… that creates engagement and people talking more,” Santiago said.

That approach shows up across the menu. Empanadas remain a staple, tied directly to the restaurant’s roots. Richardson calls them a constant. “Cold days, warm days, empanada goes all times.”

Other dishes range from Spanish-style potatoes and skirt steak with chimichurri to salmon with maple bourbon sauce and rich comfort plates like duck mac and cheese.

The setting reinforces the experience. Inside, the space feels layered and eclectic. Outside, the garden and porch seating drive demand, especially in warmer months. One guest described it as playful and whimsical, with a feeling similar to an Alice in Wonderland tea setting.

Across reviews, the same themes show up. Atmosphere leads. Food quality and presentation follow. The cocktail program stands out. Service is often described as attentive and personal.

There is also a clear philosophy behind it. “Everybody needs to feel comfortable with whoever they are… everybody’s welcome here,” Richardson said. That sense of openness shapes the tone of the space as much as the menu.

There are tradeoffs to know. Prices sit above many nearby options. The shareable format can feel light for some diners. Parking in Lambertville takes planning on busy nights.

These factors shape expectations, but they do not slow demand.

For locals, the draw is simple. Under the Moon offers a setting that feels distinct without requiring a long drive. It works for date nights, group dinners, and hosting guests.

At its core, the restaurant reflects its origin. It started as a small, family-driven idea with a handwritten menu. In Lambertville, it has grown into a place built around energy, variety, and shared experience. That is what keeps people crossing the bridge.

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Under the Moon Cafe, a small Lambertville restaurant built on family, culture, and consistency, blends Argentine, Italian, and American influences into a menu shaped by real stories and shared meals. From handmade empanadas to rich, thoughtful dishes, every plate reflects where it started and who it serves.

Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on BUCKSCO Today in April 2026.