The culinary scene here is vast and delicious. To break it down for you a little, or for those times when you’re hungry but not sure what for, here’s our current list of some favorite flavors and house specialties at the region’s finest eateries.
The culinary scene here is vast and delicious. Here, for a little inspiration, is our own list of faves.
A SLICE OF ITALY: Is some of the best Italian around. Go old school with a classic cheese pizza, then decorate with your favorites from a list of 22 tasty topping options— or dine on something from their extensive menu of gourmet Italian entrees.
Kingston, asliceofitaly7115.com
ABA’S FALAFEL: Centers its award-winning signature dish on the goodness of organic chick peas. Try the Sabich, offered in or beside pita bread—it combines oven-roasted eggplant, potato, falafel balls, salad, tahini, and amba (mango curry sauce).
Rhinebeck, abasfalafel.com
ALAMO CANTINA: Is a great place to fuel up for a hike or feast afterward. Order the Enchiladas Suizas—soft corn tortillas filled w/brisket, tinga chicken, or carnitas cheddar & tomatillo sauce.
Phoenicia, alamocantina.com
ANGELA’S PIZZA: Is an essential stop on your Great Pizzas tour. Try their Chicken Parm Pizza, loaded with tender chunks of white meat and Romano cheese—one of many choices on a much longer list of gourmet pizzas.
Lake Katrine, angelaspizzarestaurant.com
ASIA: Serves stunning, mouth-watering sushi and sashimi. And if you’re in the mood for Chinese, their General Tso’s Chicken is the freshest and most delicious take on this classic dish that we’ve ever tasted.
Stone Ridge, asiastoneridge.com
BACCHUS: Is an icon for good reason. Try their Mango Habanero Wings; wash down with the best and latest craft quaffs and a good game of 8-ball.
New Paltz, bacchusnewpaltz.com
BISTRO TO GO: Has mastered the art of healthy takeout comfort food. Try the Veggie Lasagna with broccoli rabe, one of their meatless Monday specials, or dig into the salmon Dijonnaise.
Kingston, bluemountainbistro.com
BRICKMEN KITCHEN + BAR: IPuts a global spin on local Hudson Valley flavors. Try their Brickmen Roll, a delectable spin on sushi that includes tempura fried steak, shrimp, cream cheese, eel sauce, yuzu aoli, and crispy garlic.
Kingston, brickmenkingston.com
BRIO’S: Makes brick-oven pizza that is to die for, but their Chicken Parm is just as incredible. Their latest innovation is a scratch bakery try the Pecan Praline Cheesecake..
Phoenicia, brios.net
CAFE MARGUERITE Is a splendid and comfy place for breakfast—try their Eggs Benedict, or just build yourself a creative egg sandwich on a croissant or on a housebaked English muffin or bagel.
Margaretville, cafemarguerite.com
CAFE MIO Gets very creative with the fresh and local goodies. Try the Roasted Beet Hash with potatoes, onions and goat cheese.
Gardiner, miogardiner.com
Looking to throw a dinner party you’ll all remember for the rest of your lives? Book CHEF ZACH BERGER he’ll bring the magic and show you how it happens in real time. Try his steak frites with 10-mushroom chimichurri.
Hudson Valley, @ food_master_flex
COHEN’S BAKERY Yes, the baked goods are out of this world, but don’t miss out on their everyday, ever-ready soups like chicken tortellini, french onion, chicken vegetable, and more.
Ellenville, cohensbakery.cafe
COLONY WOODSTOCK: Is home to a classic beer garden and restored 1929 theater. Try their classic Reuben Sandwich along with the corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss, mustard and pickles on rye, it’s the Colony secret sauce that pops so perfectly on the tongue.
Woodstock, colonywoodstock.com
COUNTRY INN & PETALY’S Try the Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Fresh Ricotta and Mozzarella Pizza—it’s a classic white cheese pie topped with sweet caramelized Brussels sprouts and drizzled with reduced balsamic
Olivebridge, krumville.com
CREEKSIDE BAR & BISTRO: Does gorgeous comfort food. You can’t go wrong with their Fish & Chips, and your vegan dining companion will love the West Indian Vegan Tofu Bowl.
Rosendale, creeksidebistro.com
EMERSON WOODNOTES GRILL Try the memorable Herb Seared Sea Scallops served with Napa cabbage slaw, sesame citrus vinaigrette, and tuxedo sesame seeds.
Mount Tremper, emersonresort.com
FIRST CAPITAL POKE BAR: Try the Hokkaido Miso with tonkotsu broth, miso paste, thin noodles, chashu pork, corn, naruto fish cake, seasoned bamboo shoots, ramen egg, wood ear, topped with butter, scallions, seven spice powder, and nori.
Kingston, firstcapitalpokebar.com
GARVAN’S GASTROPUB Serves up superb Rainbow Snapper, kimchi spiced snapper served with baby bok choy, and Szechuan glazed potatoes, topped with sesame garlic butter sauce.
New Paltz, garvans.com
GRAZERY: Is a cheese lover’s paradise. Wash down their Cheese Board—a twocheese tasting experience with fresh seasonal fixings—with great local craft beer or wine, and plan to grab a platter for your next shindig.
New Paltz, grazerynewpaltz.com
HICKORY BBQ Serves up delectable takes on this classic cuisine that will please even a Southerner. Try the Pulled Pork Shoulder Platter.
Kingston, hickoryrestaurant.com
HIGH FALLS CAFE: Has a fan base that will follow them anywhere. Grab a classic burger or treat yourself to their Salmon In Creamy Dill Sauce and you’ll understand.
North Marbletown, highfallscafe.com
HOFFMAN HOUSE Serves fine Continental fare. Try the Roast Duckling, a crisp roasted half-duck served with chef’s sauce du jour
Kingston, hoffmanhousetavern.com
JAR’D WINE PUB: Is the perfect spot for a nibble and a sip; try the Boquorones, Rustic Chips & Housemade Tzatziki or a Cheese Toastie.
New Paltz, jardwinepub.com
JESSIE’S HARVEST HOUSE: Is the perfect place for great share plates: try the Pei mussels with house-smoked andouille sausage, made with garlic, sherry wine, and butter broth.
Tannersville, jessiesharvesthouse.com
MAIN COURSE: Is one of the OG originators of our globally-inflected locavore cuisine scene. Choose from an inspired list of salads, build your own from a list of over 25 ingredients, or enjoy specials like Pan Seared Faroe Island Salmon.
New Paltz, maincoursecatering.com
MILL & MAIN: Go beyond your usual flavor experience and find a new fave with Mill & Main’s Caribbean wild mushroom patties.
Kerhonkson, millandmainstreet.com
MORNING SUNSHINE: Will put the sunshine in your morning with their Green Eggs: two scrambled eggs, wilted spinach, and aji verde on ciabatta.
Ellenville, morningsunshine.market
OLE SAVANNAH: Offers Southern fare down on the waterfront; order yourself a rack of Baby Back Ribs and savor the flavors.
Kingston, olesavannah.com
OLSEN & CO: Knocks it out of the park with The Meat & Cheese: your choice of either creamy burrata with prosciutto, Mark’s kitchen pesto and EVOO served on ciabatta or salami and gruyere with pickled red onions, EVOO, and organic greens.
Saugerties, olsenandcompany.com
PARISH RESTAURANT: Is a delicious taste of Louisiana right here at Water Street Market in New Paltz. Try the Shrimp and Grits as an entree or appetizer, jambalaya, or specials like the Pan Roasted Shrimp served with sauce Pascal over grits.
New Paltz, theparishrestaurant.com
PEEKAMOOSE: Has a stellar housemade charcuterie featuring grass-fed beef pastrami/pork & garlic terrine/chicken liver pate/pickled red onions/grain mustard, but everything here is really amazing.
Big Indian, peekamooserestaurant.com
RUNA BISTRO: So much yum here. Try the Merguez Meatballs with roast pepper, tomato sauce, and garlic labne on pita that is beyond spectacular
New Paltz, runanewpaltz.com
SECONDS: Offers amazing Mediterranean food; try the Falafel Plate or the Moroccan Shrimp Tagine.
Athens, secondsrestaurant.com
STONE DOCK CAFE: After working up your appetite with a round of golf, head to the cafe and try the Birdie on the Greens: whole local, organic chicken breast, panseared and served with their garden-grown green goddess sauce over polenta with sauteed and roasted seasonal vegetables.
High Falls, stonedockgolfcourse.com/cafe
THE PHOENICIAN:Is a top-notch classic steakhouse and the place to go for a fresh Maine lobster. Pick your potato, steamed or baked, with yummy crab stuffing and your choice of side.
Phoenicia, thephoeniciansteakhouse.com
TERRAPIN: Offers barbecued duck quesadillas with mango-avocado salsa, made with tangy braised duck, red onions, and fontina cheese, that have been astonishing hungry guests for over two decades.
Rhinebeck, terrapinrestaurant.com
TETTAS:Makes terrific pizzas and classic sammies, but the absolute must-try here is their oh-so-good garlic knots slathered in pesto sauce.
Samsonville, tettasmarket.com
TWIN STAR ORCHARDS: The brick-oven pizza here is always a win, but if you’re in another mood, their juicy burger is a hearty autumn favorite. Both pair perfectly with their splendid, crisp cider.
New Paltz, twinstarorchards.com
YUM YUM NOODLE BAR:Is justly famous for their mind-blowing choose-your-own-noodle bowls, but don’t miss their award-winning handmade dumplings or surprisingly yummy burger.
Kingston, Red Hook, Woodstock, yumyumnoodlebar.com