10 Cozy Fireside Dining Spots to Visit in the Hudson Valley

As the temperature outside begins to drop, stay toasty and enjoy a hearty meal alongside a roaring fire at these rustic restaurants and bars.

When snowflakes start to fall and temperatures plummet, the prospect of dining fireside takes on special appeal. Fortunately, fireplaces are crackling in some of the best restaurants across the Valley. It’s an appealing way to warm up after a brisk day on the slopes (or, less glamorously, shoveling snow). You’ll get a warm welcome — literally — at these toasty spots, whether you enjoy a meal before the hearth or simply stop in for drinks and a small bite.

Blackbarn Hudson Valley

Saugerties

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Farm-to-table fireside dining makes Blackbarn Hudson Valley a destination. Connected to the luxurious Diamond Mills Hotel, the restaurant sits perfectly between the Hudson River and the Catskills. The hotel is a gateway for many other winter-based activities, and the eatery is where people who try those out warm up afterward. Hudson Valley charcuterie starts off any occasion properly, while the artisanal pizzas are perfectly sharable.

Butterfield

Stone Ridge

 

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Inside Hasbrouck House’s luxury hotel lies Butterfield, a farm-to-table restaurant inspired by the cuisine of the Hudson Valley. Named after the surrounding lands, which are so rich they’ve been compared to fields of butter, this eatery puts an aesthetic spin on its hearth decor. Adorned with tall candles instead of logs, the fireplace glows brightly in the center of the dining room for all to enjoy. Sit down for a hearty helping of pasta, oysters, or a roasted chicken, and order a classic cocktail to accompany your meal.

Charlotte’s

Millbrook

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A quaint little spot just outside the heart of Millbrook on Route 44, Charlotte’s includes an eclectic mix of Mediterranean and American cuisine centered around seafood and prime cuts of meat. Parsnip, garlic, and acorn squash soup should warm you up, just like the crackling fire; if not, loaded mac and cheese or a rack of lamb should do the trick. In the summer, the outdoor seating overlooks a picturesque garden, but for the cold months, Charlotte’s has two fireplaces in the public dining areas (and another two are in the private banquet room), so whether you’re nursing a cocktail at the bar or savoring a three-course meal, the warmth of the fireplace is never far.

Harvest on Hudson

Hastings-on-Hudson

 

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Choose to sit in the greenhouse or the garden at this farm-to-table restaurant, but dine inside the main dining room for cozy fireplace views in the winter months. Options like grilled octopus, whipped ricotta, fig and prosciutto pizza, or cauliflower steak are the stars of the show at this Hudson-side restaurant, while the ambiance is a close second.

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Hoffman House

Kingston

Registered on the National Landmark of Historic Places, Hoffman House has been a local favorite for decades. Its stone architecture and dark wood interiors create a warm, welcoming colonial atmosphere, heightened by the three fireplaces in the dining rooms. On the menu, start with classics like French onion soup or bacon-wrapped scallops before moving onto the entrees, which consist of crowd-pleasers from a variety of cuisines. The grilled leg of lamb with garlic butter and mint jelly relies on time-tested flavor combinations, while roast duckling, London broil, and coconut-crusted chicken number among the other standouts.

Il Fresco

Orangeburg

 

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Within the sandstone walls of this historic pre-Revolutionary War building is an Italian trattoria. Il Fresco has seen many different ownerships over the years before becoming what it is today, all of which gave the eatery its charm and character. Now, Il Fresco curates classic Italian dishes out of its cozy kitchen in Orangeburg. Grab a seat fireside for antipasti, insalate, and pasta, along with entrees like pollo parmigiana or scallopine alla saltimbocca.

Restaurant X

Congers

 

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It’s first-come, first-served in this Euro-rustic restaurant’s lounge, where you can have dinner fireside if you’re quick to nab a seat alongside the four-sided central wood-burning hearth (reservations are accepted in the dining rooms). Patrons rave about options like seared Maine lobster, Ahi tuna ceviche, or braised short ribs. For the January desserts, look forward to a chocolate yule log or buche de noel to sweeten your night.

Serevan

Amenia

Located in a snug 19th-century farmhouse, this destination spot features a dining room with a welcoming hearth. Chef-owner Serge Madikians, an Armenian from Iran, draws upon his heritage to offer an ever-changing menu. Winter favorites include a hearty yogurt and barley soup, a rack of lamb served with dates and fresh seafood dishes like Cape Cod scallops with charred Brussels and braised lentils or pan-seared trout with hummus and chickpea salad.

Ship Lantern Inn

Milton

In this intimate atmosphere, the Ship Lantern Inn serves contemporary American continental cuisine in Milton. The building itself dates back to the Revolutionary War and has been family-owned and -operated since 1925. Here, you’ll find comfort food in the company of a roaring fireplace. Explore menu options like oysters, beef tenderloin carpaccio, escargot, gnocchi Bolognese, and Maine lobster rolls, and finish off your meal with crème brulee, lava cake, or bananas foster.

The ’76 House

Tappan

 

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George Washington himself used to warm his bones and knock back a drink or two at this colonial stalwart, which dates from 1668 and lays claim to being the oldest in New York State. By far the taproom is the most popular spot here, where two original fireplaces still roar to life in cold weather. There is also a fireplace in the André room (named for the British spy John André who served prison time in this very spot during the American Revolution) and in the lounge, where you could enjoy a drink before the fire while waiting for your table. You can’t miss the pork chops with whipped sweet potatoes and an apple-brandy glaze. For additional fireside dining opportunities, the Sunday brunch entices with eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, and delicious omelets— not to mention the mimosas.

Related: 3 Firewood Tips to Stay Warm in the Hudson Valley This Winter

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