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Adobe Stock / Gary L Hider
Planning a trip to New Paltz? Be sure to treat yourself to some of the exceptional food and drink offerings available in town.
Sparked by a growing community of artists, students, and nature lovers, the town of New Paltz has blossomed into a hub of quirky shops, eats, and boutiques.
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On Main Street alone, the options can be overwhelming—do we get breakfast at Main Street Bistro or B-Side Grill? Where can we find the best local craft beer? Where’s the best cup of coffee in town?
Here are some of our favorite places to get coffee, sip beers, and grab a bite in the Hudson Valley’s beloved college town.
Coffee & Tea
Mudd Puddle Coffee Roasters & Cafe
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Situated across from the antique barn on Water Street, this is the place to go for strong, flavorful coffee drinks, ample seating (indoors and outdoors), and a beautiful back-porch view of the ridge. Once you’re fully caffeinated, take a stroll around Water Street, where you will find multiple antique shops, a plant store, a wine bar, and more.
The Ridge Tea + Spice Shop
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The Ridge is relatively new in town, but has quickly become a favorite for college students and year-round residents alike. Inside, you’ll find walls lined with loose teas and spices in every hue of the rainbow. You may opt to build you own beverage, but we tend to trust the experts—the staff is friendly, knowledgeable about tea, and helpful in recommending a drink.
Breakfast & Lunch
B-Side Grill
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B-Side is the sort of place you can go with anyone, in any mood, and know there will be something for everyone. It is a perfect destination for music lovers, as the walls and ceiling are lined with hundreds of records ranging from The Beatles to Metallica. Voracious eaters may attempt the Notorious B.I.G. burger challenge, where participants must devour two bacon cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings, and a milkshake in under 30 minutes. For a normal meal, the menu is filled with bites aplenty for an enjoyable breakfast or lunch in New Paltz.
Main Street Bistro
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This breakfast joint is one of the few restaurants at which we’ll wait in an hour-long line to grab a bite in New Paltz. Here, you’ll find great service, good coffee, and an incredibly affordable menu. (You can order two eggs, any style, along with home fries and toast for $1.95.)
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An underappreciated aspect of this dining experience is the art hanging on the walls. Ryan Cronin, a Hudson Valley-based painter, contributes vibrant and imaginative paintings perhaps better suited for a gallery than a diner. How often do you get to enjoy a $2 breakfast beneath a $10,000 painting?
Lunch & Dinner
Lola’s Café
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This eatery is hard to miss. Right in the heart of town, Lola’s overlooks the busiest intersection on Main Street (for those of you who enjoy people-watching). The menu borrows flavors from American southern comfort dishes, Thai cuisine, and more, culminating in a genuinely unique menu. For diners with a sweet tooth, look to the milkshakes, the price of which ($10-12) only seems excessive until you actually lay eyes on one.
Pho Tibet
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This restaurant lives inside the space that once housed Cafeteria, a coffee spot once summarized as “the living room of New Paltz.” Though the residents of the town still mourn the loss of the café, the sting is made lesser by the offerings of Pho Tibet. Complete with a homey atmosphere and generous natural light, this is a great option for lunch, dinner, or even just sharing appetizers and bites family-style with your party in New Paltz.
Drinks
Huckleberry
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Undoubtedly, Huckleberry has one of the best atmospheres for indoor and outdoor dining in all New Paltz. It also happens to offer some pretty delicious beer. The draft list rotates often, and Hudson Valley beers make frequent appearances. (Does Sloop Brewing Co. sound familiar?)
Clemson Bros. Brewery
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Clemson Bros. had big shoes to fill when it took over this location from the iconic Gilded Otter. We love this brewery because its beer menu includes the perfect balance of simple staples and eclectic drafts. For the adventurous drinker, look to the M-Town Beetdown, a beet and mix berry sour ale with a subtle haze. Or, if you’ve a more conservative palate, consider the Foundation pale ale, which is balanced, medium-bodied, and slightly hoppy to finish.
Treats
Krause’s Chocolates
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Be forewarned: if you make a stop at Krause’s, you’re going to have to stop every time you pass through Ulster County. These chocolates are seriously delectable and surprisingly affordable. Our go-to is the half-pound box of chocolates, which allows you to pick individual truffles for a make-your-own assortment. The sweet shop also offers cartoon-shaped chocolate pops, sporting characters from Star Wars, Pokémon, and more, which make excellent gifts. In other words, it’s a must-visit when you’re craving sweet bites in New Paltz.
Lagusta’s Luscious
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This ain’t your average chocolate shop. Lagusta’s makes “heartbreakingly delicious confections,” all ethically sourced and vegan. Here, you’ll find flavors paired together you wouldn’t guess could share a harmonious union. Strawberry-balsamic caramel, rosemary sea salt caramel, white chocolate hibiscus bonbons, and more surprise one’s palate in the best way possible.