Food
Acai Bowls
These smoothie bowls are almost too pretty to eat. Dig into varieties like Mermaid, So Matcha, Good Vibes, and Soul. Our favorite perk is the “you pick two,” where you can pair an acai bowl with toast (like avocado, nutella and peanut butter, or pesto ricotta). Bonus: order a doggy bowl to go for your four-legged friend!
Albany County Restaurant
American Cuisine
Mill House Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie
Artisanal Chocolate Shop
Alps Sweet Shop, Beacon and Fishkill
Artisanal Food Product
Asian Fusion
Bagel
Eastdale Ave Bagels, Poughkeepsie
Bakery
The Pastry Garden, Poughkeepsie
Barbecue
-Reader’s Pick-
Bar Food
There’s elevated pub fare. And then there’s Melzingah, which always goes a step above delicious. Pair your favorite local beer with lunch options like crispy Bavarian pretzel bites with cheese dip or shrimp po’boy. Stick around for dinner to order the smoked pork belly or mussels and sausage. Still hungry? Order the peanut butter explosion cake.
-Reader’s Pick-
Bread
Bread Alone, multiple locations
If you step foot in any local grocery store, there’s a good chance that you’ll see at least a few loaves from Bread Alone—and if you’ve ever bought one, then you know that they’re the best around. All of the company’s products, from their sourdough to their nine mixed grain, are made with organic ingredients—healthy and delicious.
Brisket
Brunch
Heritage Food + Drink, Wappingers Falls
Bubble Tea
Buffet
Shadows on the Hudson, Poughkeepsie
Burger (Beef)
The Dutchess Biercafe, Fishkill
Burger (Meat-Free)
Moonburger, Kingston and New Paltz
Burger Joint
21 Burgers and Wings, Wappingers Falls
Burrito
Mexicali Blue, Wappingers Falls
Butcher Shop
Frankie’s Superette, Hopewell Junction
Calzones
Giacomo’s Pizza, Poughkeepsie and Wappingers Falls
Candy Store
Samuel’s Sweet Shop, Rhinebeck
Charcuterie
Cheap Eats
Pizza Mia, Highland and Newburgh
Cheese Shop
Cold Spring Cheese Shop, Cold Spring
Cheesesteak
Hudson Sandwich Company, Fishkill
Chef
Daniel Crocco, Mill House Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie
Chicken Wings
Smoky Rock Barbecue, Rhinebeck
Chinese Cuisine
Cinnamon Rolls
Coffee
Ready Coffee, multiple locations
-Reader’s Pick-
Coffee Beans/Roaster
Big Mouth Coffee Roasters, Beacon
At this roastery, the goal is to offer something for everyone. On any given day, you’ll find elevated medium and dark house blends, plus four rotating, single-origin roasts from locations like Ethiopia and Guatemala. Beans to go are available in store, online, and soon—at their anticipated new location on Lander Street in downtown Newburgh.
Coffeehouse
Columbia County Restaurant
A sleek, moody interior (think black banquettes and marble counters), an ever-changing menu of fresh takes on American dishes, and creative craft cocktails. What’s not to love about this eatery? Don’t miss plant-forward entrees like fried lion’s mane mushroom tacos, and year-round favorites like baked mac ‘n’ cheese or house-made ice cream.
-Reader’s Pick-
Cookies
Amanda’s Macaron Shoppe, Poughkeepsie
French macarons are hard to craft, but CIA-trained baker Amanda Giacalone has perfected them. Choose classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla or more unusual offerings like carrot cake and peach habanero—they are all delicious. We guarantee you’ll leave the shop with a dozen (at least) every time you visit!
Deli
Rossi & Sons Rosticceria, Poughkeepsie
Desserts
Katie Rose Bakery, Hopewell Junction
-Editor’s Pick-
Dessert Bars
This tiny, Euro-style spot bakes up the most delicious lemon bars around. The shortbread is light and melts in your mouth; the creamy lemon curd is tart and addictive. Violet’s buttery blueberry crumb bar is a very close second place.
Diner
-Reader’s Pick-
Donuts
This is the place to create your own perfect donut. With over a dozen toppings, glazes, and drizzles, the options are endless. Short on time? Order the donut of the day. Our fave combos are maple-graham cracker-caramel and lemon-sugar-raspberry. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the donut ice cream sandwich.
Dumplings
Palace Dumplings, Wappingers Falls
Dutchess County Restaurant
-Editor’s Pick-
Empanadas
There are almost 25 varieties on the menu—and they’re all great. Must-tries include Komodo dragon (hot Italian sausage with Puerto Rican spices), Cajun shrimp, and truffle mac ‘n’ cheese. Dessert empanadas? Check! The apple pie pocket is excellent.
Family Restaurant
Café Con Leche, Wappingers Falls
Farm-to-Table Restaurant
Farm to Table Bistro, Fishkill
Farmers’ Market
Fish & Chips
Mill House Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie
Fish Market
Adams Fairacre Farms, multiple locations
Fondue
Canterbury Brook Inn, Cornwall
Food Pop-Up
Food Truck
French Cuisine
French Fries
The Dutchess Biercafe, Fishkill
Fried Chicken
Fun Vibe
Mill House Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie
Gluten-Free Menu
Gelato
-Reader’s Pick-
German Cuisine
Prost! Tucked along The Gunks is a little slice of Germany where the staff wears dirndls and lederhosen and the pints are always flowing (there are over a dozen types of draught and bottled German beer). Go traditional with three styles of schnitzel with spaetzle, beef roulade, goulash, or a variety of savory wursts.
Girls Night Out
Gourmet Grocery Store
Adams Fairacre Farms, multiple locations
Greek Cuisine
Greene County Restaurant
Frank Guido’s Port of Call, Catskill
Gyro
-Editor’s Pick-
Hawaiian Takeout
There’s one spot in the Valley that’s serving up authentic Big Island-style comfort food. The top-seller is the Aloha plate—your choice of a protein, sauce, and two sides like macaroni salad or pineapple fried rice—but we love the savory loco moco (beef, sunny side egg, rice). Over a dozen bubble teas is the icing on the cake.
Hot Dogs
Hotel Restaurant
-Reader’s Pick-
Ice Cream
Zoe’s Ice Cream Barn, Lagrangeville
Readers adore this cow-to-cone destination. The ice cream is made fresh with Hudson Valley dairy and their unique flavors of orange pineapple, chocolate peanut butter brownie, and lavender honey are addicting. (There’s classic soft serve, too!) Follow their Insta for the “shake of the month” and sundae specials.
Indian Cuisine
-Reader’s Pick-
Italian Cuisine (Not a Pizzeria)
After a trip to any of Cosimo’s four locations, you’ll be dreaming of their exceptional fried calamari, spaghetti with white clam sauce, and grilled pesto chicken salad. A smooth shot of their authentic Italian espresso (served with almond biscotti) and apple zeppoles with caramel sauce are not to be missed.
Japanese Cuisine
Juice Bar
Korean Cuisine
Late Night Menu
-Editor’s Pick-
Local Cheese
Made with regionally-sourced ingredients and absolutely delicious—what more could you ask for in a cheese? Their buttery triple crème, earthy camembert, and milky ricotta are all top-notch, and have won awards from the New York State Fair and the World Cheese Championship.
Latin Cuisine (Other Than Mexican)
Café Con Leche, Wappingers Falls
-Editor’s Pick-
Local Hot Sauce
These vinegar-free, fermented sauces pack a punch. From the mild Evil Possessor to the extra-hot Creeping Death—we love them all. Add a few dabs to spice up any sandwich, egg dish, or noodle bowl.
Mediterranean Cuisine
Middle Eastern Cuisine
Mexican Cuisine
Milk Shakes
Joe’s Dairy Bar and Grill, Hopewell Junction
Nachos
New Restaurant (East of Hudson River)
New Restaurant (West of Hudson River)
-Editor’s Pick-
Onigiri (Rice Balls)
This versatile Japanese delicacy can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—but it’s hard to find in the HV. Lucky for us, Chef Yasuyo Hibino is an onigiri pro and packs her rice balls with fillings like grilled salmon, kimchi tuna mayonnaise, and salted plum at her lunchtime pop-up at Lodger on Liberty Street. Pro tip: pre-order on Instagram—they sell out fast!
-Reader’s Pick-
Outdoor Dining
A delicious meal of Bavarian schnitzel and spaetzle at the Gunk Haus is only enhanced by the stunning mountain views. Their spacious patio affords panoramic vistas of the Shawangunks and adjacent apple orchards. Pro tip: make reservations at golden hour to watch the sunset over the ridge.
-Reader’s Pick-
Orange County Restaurant
Culinary magic is alive on North Street. This farm-to-table spot consistently serves up unique, seasonal dishes. Anything with cheese is a winner from the burrata with grilled apricot and honey vinaigrette to ricotta dumplings stuffed with wild mushrooms and spinach-walnut pesto.
Oysters
Pasta
Patio
Billy Joe’s Ribworks, Newburgh
Pho
Miss Saigon Pho, Wappingers Falls
Pitmaster
Ed Randolph, Handsome Devil BBQ, Newburgh
-Reader’s Pick-
Pizza (Gourmet)
Pizzeria Posto, Rhinebeck and Poughkeepsie
Discover the taste of Italy in Dutchess, where Chef Patrick Amedeo cooks Neapolitan-style pies (no slices!) in a wood-fire oven. Cult faves include the Mama Mia (mozzarella, onions, fennel sausage) and Terra Bianca (mozzarella, Grana Padano, ricotta, arugula). Even Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and host of the acclaimed Barstool Pizza Review, declared Posto to be “spectacular.”
Pizza (Traditional)
A Touch of Naples, Poughkeepsie
Putnam County Restaurant
Ramen
Yum Yum Noodle Bar, multiple locations
Raw Bar
-Editor’s Pick-
Restaurant and Bakery
A bakery by morning and fine foods café by night, we love this spot because they do it all. Grab a still-warm, fresh Danish or muffin for a sweet breakfast, and come back for dinner to enjoy best-selling dishes like the creamy lobster risotto or the brook trout with lemon and capers. Bonus: the bakery features an old-fashioned soda fountain.
Rensselaer County Restaurant
Tipsy Moose Tap & Tavern, Troy
Restaurant for College Kids
Lola’s, New Paltz and Poughkeepsie
Restaurant When Someone Else Is Paying
Restaurant With Live Music
Ribs
-Reader’s Pick-
Rockland County Restaurant
Nova Kitchen Restaurant & Bar, Blauvelt
Elevated American fare shines at this fine-dining hotspot. Regulars rave about the selection of prime steak and signature sides like crispy Brussels sprouts with bacon and bourbon-maple glaze and truffle Parmesan pomme frites. Save room for dessert: the chocolate chip croissant bread pudding is amazing.
Romantic Restaurant
Salad
Double O Grill, Wappingers Falls
Seafood Restaurant
-Reader’s Pick-
Smoothies
Blend Smoothie and Salad Bar, multiple locations
With six locations around the HV—and a new shop opening in Newburgh—Blend has the recipe for success. Choose from six nutrient-packed smoothies, like Love My Body (pineapple, mango, orange, vanilla yogurt) and Energy Booster (pineapple, apple, blueberry, grape, almond milk). Or make your own drink with three fruits and a base of choice, plus supplements such as chia seeds and cacao nibs.
Soul Food
Essie’s Restaurant, Poughkeepsie
Southern Food
Sports Bar
Steakhouse
Poughkeepsie Steakhouse, Poughkeepsie
Sushi
Tacos
Tapas
Flores Tapas & Bar Restaurant, Wappingers Falls
Tea House
Thai Cuisine
Ulster County Restaurant
-Editor’s Pick-
Vegan Fried Chicken
Who says delicious, Southern food can’t be vegan? While Darlings’ classic fried chicken is great—their plant-based version (made with local oyster mushrooms)is the best around. Pair with sides like poblano mac ‘n’ cheese, grits, and corn muffins.
Vegan Menu
Vegetarian Menu
Vietnamese
Miss Saigon Pho, Wappingers Falls
Waterfront Dining
Shadows on the Hudson, Poughkeepsie
Westchester County Restaurant
Drink
Bar
County Fare Bar & Grill, Wappingers Falls
Bar Staff
Bartender
Luke Riley, Melzingah Tap House, Beacon
Beer Garden
Schatzi’s Pub and Bier Garden, New Paltz and Poughkeepsie
Beer Selection (Restaurant/Bar)
Scotchtown Craft Bar & Kitchen, Middletown
Beer Selection (Retail Store; Not a Chain)
Bloody Mary
Erin O’Neill’s Pub & Grill, Poughkeepsie
Brewery (East of Hudson River)
-Reader’s Pick-
Brewery (West of Hudson River)
Newburgh Brewing Company, Newburgh
The beers aren’t the only thing that make this brewery great—its large taproom overlooking the Hudson is always hopping with entertainment and events. In addition to live music Friday–Sunday, Newburgh offers happy hour specials every Wednesday and Thursday (plus trivia and karaoke) and monthly concerts in partnership with station WRRV.
BYOB
Canned Cocktails
Cidery
College Bar
Mahoney’s Irish Pub & Steakhouse, Poughkeepsie
Craft Cocktails
Distillery
The Hudson House & Distillery, West Park
Dive Bar
-Editor’s Pick-
Farm Brewery
Vosburgh Brewing Company, Elizaville
Start with an antique barn that has a roomy bar, plenty of tables, and features live music on Sundays; add 140 acres of apple trees, wildflowers, and hops which you can gaze upon while enjoying excellent craft beers (from IPAs to lagers to stouts) in the outdoor garden; mix in food trucks and comfy Adirondack chairs—and you’ve got the recipe for the region’s most outstanding farm brewery.
Frozen Drinks
Happy Hour
IPA
Wrench, Industrial Arts Brewing Company, Garnerville and Beacon
Liquor Store
Viscount Wines & Liquor, Wappingers Falls
Local Beer
Local Cider
Local Spirit
Maid of the Meadow by Denning’s Point Distillery, Beacon
Local Whiskey
Taconic Distillery, Stanfordville
Margarita
Every flavor of margarita you could imagine is on the menu and offered frozen, on the rocks, or straight-up. Top picks are de la casa (house), hibiscus, blood orange, mango, and pomegranate. Go big with the Bulldog—it’s made with Casa Noble tequila and topped with an upside-down Corona.
-Reader’s Pick-
Martini
This art-deco spot goes above and beyond with its cocktail offerings, so it should come as no surprise that the bartenders can mix a mean classic martini. Order it dirty and relax in the uber-cool lounge.
Negroni
New Bar
Erin O’Neill’s Pub & Grill, Poughkeepsie
Old Fashioned
-Editor’s Pick-
Pommelier
Boutique Wines, Spirits and Ciders, Fishkill
You can find over 225 types of bottled and canned cider here. Not sure where to start? Taste-test a dozen ciders at the taproom and share your flavor preferences with staff. We promise you’ll leave with a smile and a growler (or two). And don’t miss their cider events throughout the year.
Riesling
Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville
Romantic Bar
BarVino Bar & Lounge, Fishkill
Rooftop Bar
Zeus Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie
-Reader’s Pick-
Rosé
Milea Estate Vineyard, Staatsburg
Milea’s winemakers craft rosé with terroir (specifically shale and slate soils) in mind: grapes are picked on a specific schedule to maintain acidity and freshness. It’s blended with cabernet franc, Bordeaux, and muscat grapes and fermented without sugar. The result is a crisp flavor with aromas of orange, lemon, lime, and rose petals—a perfect sip for summer.
Sommelier
Heather Barr, Homespun Foods, Beacon
Taproom / Tasting Room
Newburgh Brewing Company, Newburgh
Tom Collins
Wine Bar
di’Vine Wine Bar, Wappingers Falls
Wine Store
Viscount Wines & Liquor, Wappingers Falls
Winery
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