Best of Hudson Valley: Food and Drinks in 2025

The Hudson Valley is a hotspot for some of the top food and drinks in the country, and this list of winners is an ideal sampling.

Drinks • Food


Drinks

Bar

Mill House Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie

Bar Food

Tavern 23, Poughkeepsie

Bar Staff

Goodnight Kenny, Poughkeepsie

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Bartender

Ben, Goodnight Kenny, Poughkeepsie

Beer Garden

Schatzi’s Pub and Bier Garden, Poughkeepsie

Beer Retail Selection (Not a Chain)

Half Time, Poughkeepsie

Beer Selection (Restaurant/Bar)

Mill House Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie

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Bloody Mary

Jason Patrick’s on 44, Poughkeepsie

Brewery (East of Hudson River)

King’s Court Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie

Brewery (West of Hudson River)

Newburgh Brewing Company

Canned Cocktails

Liquid Fables, Beacon

canned cocktails
Photo courtesy of Liquid Fables

Cidery

Locust Grove Brewing Company, Milton

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College Bar

Mahoney’s Irish Pub, Poughkeepsie

Craft Cocktails

Goodnight Kenny, Poughkeepsie

Distillery

The Hudson House & Distillery, West Park

Dive Bar

Tavern 23, Poughkeepsie

Espresso Martini

Cosimo’s, multiple locations

Farm Brewery

Obercreek Brewing Company, Wappingers Falls

Frozen Drinks

Hudson Taco, Newburgh

Happy Hour

Shadows on the Hudson, Poughkeepsie

IPA (Type)

Hudson Haze Hazy IPA, King’s Court Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie

Irish Pub

Mahoney’s Irish Pub, Poughkeepsie

Liquor Store

Viscount Wines & Liquor, Wappingers Falls

Local Beer

King’s Court Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie

Local Bourbon

Taconic Distillery, Stanfordville

Local Cider

Angry Orchard, Walden

Local Gin

Great 9 Gin, Denning’s Point Distillery, Beacon

Local Spirit (Not Whiskey)

Black Currant Liqueur, Cooper’s Daughter, Claverack

local spirit
Photo by Nicole Nero

Local Vodka

Cooper’s Daughter, Claverack

Local Whiskey

Taconic Distillery, Stanfordville

Margarita

Hudson Taco, Newburgh

Martini

Wonderbar, Beacon

Mocktails

Wonderbar, Beacon

 

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Negroni

Brasserie 292, Poughkeepsie

New Bar

Spettro, Poughkeepsie

New Brewery (opened 2024)

Pillow and Oats, Beacon

Old Fashioned

Melzingah Tap House, Beacon

Restaurant Wine List

Cosimo’s, mulitple locations

Romantic Bar

Pretty to Think So, Rhinebeck

Pretty to Think So
Photo by Harrison Lubin

Pretty to Think So’s cocktail list is full of eclectic faves like the mezcal based Bumps & Bruises with pickled blueberries.

Rooftop Bar

Zeus Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie

Sommelier

Vanessa Goodwin, Coupe Champagne Bar, Wappingers Falls

Sports Bar

Stinson’s Hub, Beacon

Taproom/Tasting Room

Mill House Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie

Tom Collins

Brasserie 292, Poughkeepsie

Wine (Red)

Cabernet Franc, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Millbrook

Wine (Rosé)

Milea Estate Rosé, Milea Estate Vineyard, Staatsburg

Wine (White)

Awosting White, Whitecliff Vineyard, Gardiner and Hudson

Wine Bar

di’Vine Wine Bar, Wappingers Falls

Wine Store

Viscount Wines & Liquor, Wappingers Falls

Winery

Milea Estate Vineyard, Staatsburg

Food

Acai Bowls

Chakra Bowls, Poughkeepsie

Albany County Restaurant

Black & Blue Steak & Crab, Albany

American Cuisine

Crew Restaurant & Bar, Poughkeepsie

Apple Cider Donuts

Adams Fairacre Farms, multiple locations

Artisanal Chocolate Shop

Alps Sweet Shop, Beacon and Fishkill

Asian Fusion

Kobe, Poughkeepsie

Bagel

Eastdale Avenue Bagels, Poughkeepsie

Bakery

The Pastry Garden, Poughkeepsie

Barbecue

Smoky Rock BBQ, Rhinebeck

Smoky Rock BBQ
Photo by Meghan Spiro Photography

Bread

Bread Alone, multiple locations

Brisket

Smoky Rock BBQ, Rhinebeck

Brunch

Spettro, Poughkeepsie

Italian gastropub Spettro took home three awards this year: best new bar, brunch, and gelato.

Bubble Tea

Tea Talk, Poughkeepsie

Buffet

Shadows on the Hudson, Poughkeepsie

Burger (Beef)

The Dutchess Biercafe, Fishkill

Burger (Meat-Free)

21 Burgers & Wings of Wappingers, Wappingers Falls

Burger Joint

21 Burgers & Wings of Wappingers, Wappingers Falls

Burrito

Mexicali Blue, Wappingers Falls

Butcher Shop

Frankie’s Superette, Hopewell Junction

Calzones

Emiliano’s Pizza, Poughkeepsie

Candy Store

Alps Sweet Shop, Beacon and Fishkill

Caribbean Cuisine

Cafe Con Leche, Wappingers Falls

Charcuterie

Rossi & Sons, Poughkeepsie

Cheap Eats

Palace Dumplings, Wappingers Falls

Cheese Company (local)

McGrath Cheese Company, Hudson

Cheese Shop

The Cheese Shops, Beacon and Cold Spring

Best Cheese Shop
Photo courtesy of The Cheese Shops

Cheesesteak

The Beacon Daily, Beacon

Chef (private/catering)

Ed Kowalski, Lola’s Weddings & Events, Poughkeepsie

Chef (restaurant)

Danny Crocco, Mill House Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie, and The Ridge, Highland

Chicken Wings

21 Burgers & Wings of Wappingers, Wappingers Falls

Chinese Cuisine

Chan’s Peking, Poughkeepsie

Cinnamon Rolls

Adams Fairacre Farms, multiple locations

Coffee

Ready Coffee, multiple locations

Coffee Barista

Em MacHugh, Ready Coffee, Newburgh

Coffee Beans/Roaster

Ready Coffee, multiple locations

Coffeehouse

Valkyrie Coffee Roasters, Chester

coffehouse
Photo courtesy of Valkyrie Coffee Roasters

Columbia County Restaurant

Lil’ Deb’s Oasis, Hudson

Cookies

The Pastry Garden, Poughkeepsie

Decorated Cookies

The Pastry Garden, Poughkeepsie

Deli

Rossi & Sons, Poughkeepsie

Desserts

Tiramisu Ristorante Pizzeria & Bakery, Hopewell Junction

Diner

Red Line Diner, Fishkill

Dinner and a Show

Daryl’s House, Pawling

Donuts

Glazed Over Donuts, Beacon

Glazed Over Donuts
Photo by Dawn Sela

Dumplings

Palace Dumplings, Wappingers Falls

Dutchess County Restaurant

II Figlio Enoteca, Fishkill

Empanada

Empanada Mama, East Fishkill

Family Restaurant

Cosimo’s, multiple locations

Farmers’ Market

Beacon Farmers’ Market, Beacon

Farmers’ Market
Courtesy of Beacon Farmers’ Market

Farm-to-Table Restaurant

Farm to Table Bistro, Fishkill

farm-to-table restaurant
Photo by Malissa Sublaw

First Date Spot

Melzingah Tap House, Beacon

Fish & Chips

Erin O’Neill’s Pub & Grill, Poughkeepsie

Fish Market

Adams Fairacre Farms, multiple locations

Fondue

di’Vine Wine Bar, Wappingers

Food Truck

Empanada Mama, East Fishkill

French Cuisine

Brasserie 292, Poughkeepsie

French Fries

Dutchess Biercafe, Fishkill

Fried Chicken

The Beacon Daily, Beacon

fried chicken
Photo by Cherry Media House / The Beacon Daily

Fun Vibe

Happy Valley, Beacon

Gelato

Spettro, Poughkeepsie

German Cuisine

Mountain Brauhaus, Gardiner

Girls Night Out

Wonderbar, Beacon

Gluten-Free Menu

Kitchen & Coffee, Beacon

Kitchen & Coffee
Photo by Meghan Spiro Photography

Gourmet Grocery Store

Adam’s Fairacre Farms, multiple locations

Greek Cuisine

Athena Gyro, Lagrangeville

Greene County Restaurant

Barnwood, Catskill

Gyro

Athena Gyro, Lagrangeville

Hibachi

Kobe Hibachi, Poughkeepsie

Hot Dogs

Pete’s Hot Dogs, Newburgh

Ice Cream

Joe’s Dairy Bar and Grill, Hopewell Junction

Indian Cuisine

Tamarind, Poughkeepsie

Indian Cuisine
Photo by Steve Howard

Italian Cuisine (Not a Pizzeria)

Il Figlio Enoteca, Fishkill

Japanese Cuisine

Bonsai, Poughkeepsie

Juice Bar

Blend Smoothie and Salad Bar, multiple locations

Korean Cuisine

KorPot, Poughkeepsie

Korean Cuisine
Photo courtesy of KorPot

Kosher Cuisine

New City Kosher Deli, New City

Late Night Menu

Red Line Diner, Fishkill

Latin Cuisine (Other Than Mexican)

Café Con Leche, Wappingers Falls

Latte

The Crafted Kup, Poughkeepsie

Mediterranean Cuisine

Athena Gyro Greek Taverna, Lagrangeville

Mexican Cuisine

Casa Amigos, Lagrangeville

Middle Eastern

Ziatun, Beacon

Milk Shakes

Joe’s Dairy Bar and Grill, Hopewell Junction

Nachos

Juan Murphy’s, Arlington

New Restaurant (East of Hudson River) – Opened in 2024

La Sorella, Fishkill

new restaurant
Photo courtesy of La Sorella

New Restaurant (West of Hudson River) – Opened in 2024

Pasta d’Oro at The Jolly Onion, Pine Island

Orange County Restaurant

Hudson Taco, Newburgh

Outdoor Dining (Non-Waterside)

Melzingah Tap House, Beacon

outdoor dining
Photo by Evolved Media

Summery plates, such as PEI mussels and watermelon salad, go great with outdoor dining at Melzingah Tap House.

Oysters

Blu Pointe, Newburgh

Pasta

Il Figlio Enoteca, Fishkill

Patio

Roundhouse, Beacon

Roundhouse Beacon
Courtesy of Roundhouse

Pho

Miss Saigon Pho, Wappingers Falls

Pitmaster

Dimitri Psichas, Smoky Rock BBQ, Rhinebeck

Pizza (Gourmet)

Hudson and Packard, Poughkeepsie

Pizza (Traditional)

Giacomo’s Pizza, multiple locations

Poke

Asahi Poke & Tea, Beacon

Putnam County Restaurant

The Bird & Bottle Inn, Garrison

Ramen

Quinn’s, Beacon

Raw Bar

Blu Pointe, Newburgh

Restaurant for College Kids

Lola’s Café, New Paltz and Poughkeepsie

Restaurant When Someone Else Is Paying

Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz

Restaurant With Live Music

Daryl’s House, Pawling

Ribs

Brothers Barbecue, New Windsor and West Nyack

Rockland County Restaurant

Hudson House, Nyack

Romantic Restaurant

Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz

Salad

Double O Grill, Wappingers Falls

Sandwiches/subs

Rossi & Sons, Poughkeepsie

Seafood Restaurant

Blu Pointe, Newburgh

Smoothies

Chakra Bowls, Poughkeepsie

Soul Food

Essie’s Restaurant, Poughkeepsie

Southern Food

Brothers Barbecue, New Windsor and West Nyack

Specialty Food Shop

Stella’s Fine Market, Beacon

Stella's Fine Market
Photo by Stella Hayes

Our readers love Stella’s Fine Market for the selection of high end pantry staples—such as tinned fish and high quality oils and vinegars—and non-alcoholic beer, wine, and mixers.

Steakhouse

Poughkeepsie Steakhouse, Poughkeepsie

Sullivan County Restaurant

Pasta D’oro, Wurtsboro

Sushi

Bonsai, Poughkeepsie

Tacos

Hudson Taco, Newburgh

Tapas

Terrapin, Rhinebeck

Tea House

Harney and Sons, Millerton

Thai Cuisine

Sukhothai, Beacon

Ulster County Restaurant

Ship Lantern Inn, Milton

Vegan Menu

Lola’s Café, New Paltz and Poughkeepsie

Vegetarian Menu

Tamarind, Poughkeepsie

Vietnamese

Miss Saigon, Wappingers Falls

Waterfront Dining

Shadows on the Hudson, Poughkeepsie

Westchester County Restaurant

Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish, North Salem

Related: Best of Hudson Valley: Food and Drinks in 2024

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