Farm Barn Café in Hillsborough

STYLE

Open, airy cafeteria-style space set on the beautiful property of Duke Farms, a 2,700-acre “living lab” that’s open to the public and features 20 miles of walking/biking trails, an orchid range, classes and more.

THE SCOOP

Duke Farms calls itself a center for conservation science and sustainability, and its café embodies that. Locally sourced, seasonal ingredients (many grown or raised on the property) fill the menu. Seating is available indoors or outdoors, with a view.

THE MENU

The menu from chef Lauren Owens, a Jersey native who also works as a personal chef, is fresh, light and delicious, filled with sandwiches, salads, soups, an artisan cheese plate (a must!) and seasonal sides. The menu is small, but specials add options. Many ingredients change seasonally; in August, the pasta-salad side featured kale, cucumber and tomato. Sammies come with fresh fruits and veggies; in August, that meant peach slices, watermelon and carrots.

PRO TIP

Grab a snack or coffee to take on the trails (the café is located at the orientation center), then return to eat lunch afterward. The paved paths are great for biking (rentals are available) and prove handy to navigate the large property. The orchid range is a must.