Few things make your morning special like bottomless mimosas, fluffy Belgian waffles, and endless eggs Benedict options. In the Queen City of the Hudson, you’ll find just that and more at cafes and restaurants stretching from Vassar’s campus to the riverbank. Whether you’re in the mood for sweet, savory, casual, or bougie, there are so many ways to enjoy a brunch in Poughkeepsie at these hotspots.
The Crafted Kup
44 Raymond Avenue, 45 Eastdale Avenue North
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If you find yourself near Vassar College, or if you’re checking out Poughkeepsie’s ever-expanding Eastdale Village, you’ll want to stop by The Crafted Kup for a cute and casual brunch. With an endless menu of hand-crafted coffee and espresso beverages, made-from-scratch baked goods, and delicious café fare, you’ll find your fill of all the breakfast essentials at this stop. French toast, avocado toast, and lox toast will satisfy your sweet or savory craving, and classics like egg sandwiches and oatmeal are unbeatable options.
Essie’s Restaurant
14 Mount Carmel Place
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Look no further than Essie’s Restaurant for the southern brunch of your dreams. The corner spot offers inventive breakfast foods like jambalaya croquettes, Jimmy red corn Belgian waffles, shrimp and grits, and jerk ribs. Don’t miss out on southern sides like hand-cut Cajun potato wedges, Jimmy red corn grits, and bacon (because what’s brunch without it?).
Farmers & Chefs
40 Albany Street
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Overlooking the Hudson River from its outdoor patio, Farmers and Chefs does farm-to-table fare with a gourmet flair. Reserve your spot for brunch on Sundays to chow down on seasonal dishes that are prepared with ingredients from Hudson Valley farms. Start with charcuterie, escargot, or oysters for the table before choosing between entrees like a breakfast burger, hot honey chicken sandwich, shakshuka, lobster eggs Benedict, and more exciting options.
Kelly’s Bakery
110C Delafield Street
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A newer addition to the Poughkeepsie brunch scene, Kelly’s Bakery marries the bounty of the Valley with artisanal bread-making practices. You’ll want to show up at this gem early on weekends, otherwise you’ll be waiting in line to try the culinary creations of owner and CIA graduate Kevin Halim. From toasts to sandwiches to bowls, it’s hard to choose just one dish at the café, but Kelly’s Toast is a favorite with homemade sourdough, avocado, feta, furikake, and cilantro-lime dressing. Don’t forget to take home a freshly baked loaf of bread to enjoy later.
Mill House Brewing Company
289 Mill Street
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In case you didn’t know, Poughkeepsie’s popular Mill House Brewing Company also does amazing brunch in addition to its unique lunch and dinner spreads. Head to Mill Street in the city for breakfast essentials like buttermilk pancakes and omelets, but stick around for exciting treats like a peanut butter and jelly waffle, chocolate chip crème brulee French toast, lobster Benedict, and smoked salmon flatbread.
The Poughkeepsie Grind
107 Main Street
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Located on Main Street, just a short walk up from the Metro-North station, The Poughkeepsie Grind has been a staple café since 2016. With coffee roasted in-house and fresh food that’s made to order, it’s no surprise that this spot is highly frequented six days of the week. You can pretty much get any kind of breakfast sandwich you want here, but the signature, house-made waffles are often the star of the show.
Savona’s Trattoria
1 Collegeview Avenue
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A Hudson Valley brunch destination so loved that it has several locations around the region, Savona’s Poughkeepsie spot is another Vassar College mainstay. The trattoria specializes in Italian cuisine that’s made with local ingredients, and the brunch menu showcases the Valley’s bounty. Stop by on Sundays to try entrees like the Sicilian street breakfast sandwich, Italian shakshuka, filet mignon and eggs, Sunday morning risotto, and other Italian-inspired dishes.
Shadows on the Hudson
176 Rinaldi Boulevard
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While the views at Shadows on the Hudson are unbeatable, so too is the restaurant’s brunch menu. The Sunday morning buffet offers one of everything (literally) with special stations for omelets, crepes, pasta, meat, and desserts. Dig into eggs, mini Belgian waffles, breakfast pastries, apple cider donuts, and more as you take in the scenic Hudson during this brunch in Poughkeepsie.
Related: The Best Apple Cider Donut Destinations in the Hudson Valley
