The Top Spots to Eat on a Dining Day Trip to Newburgh

B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner | BR: Brunch | T: Take-out

With its curved stone walls and tall arched windows overlooking Polly Pond, Shelter House Café is a welcome addition to Downing Park in Newburgh. Opened in 2018, this café is a beautiful breakfast spot with a full run of coffee and espresso beverages. “Central Park” is code for a bacon, egg, and cheese on toasted brioche, while “Prospect Park” subs sausage for bacon. Come lunchtime, ingredients like house-made pulled pork and buffalo mozzarella make their debut on café sandwiches — perfect with a glass of beer or wine. In warm weather, soak up the sun on the outdoor patio, then catch a concert in the nearby amphitheater.
845.762.5842, B, L, Br, T

Not far from Downing Park, the community-oriented coffee shop Blacc Vanilla offers light fare like egg sandwiches and “Blacc Bean Burgers,” plus all manner of coffee drinks and brunch specials every Saturday and Sunday. Try the Blacc Vanilla latte, the signature blend of “mocha, vanilla, and love.”
845.565.1299, B, L, Br

Over on Broadway, 2 Alices Coffee Lounge gives students, businesspeople, and locals a Brooklyn atmosphere — no subway needed. 2 Alices offers a full range of coffee, tea, and espresso beverages; beer and wine; as well as light fare like bagel sandwiches, mac ’n’ cheese, and salad.
845.563.7124, B, L, T

Liberty Street The latest project from Chef Michael Kelly of nearby Liberty Street Bistro, Newburgh Flour Shop serves a constantly evolving assortment of freshly baked breads, pastries, and treats from classic croissants and macarons to decadent éclairs and elaborate cakes. Grab a coffee and your treat of choice and snag one of the six window-front seats to watch morning unfold on Liberty Street. 845.568.3400, T Liberty Street Bistro serves upscale French cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. Order from the menu in either two, three, or four courses, with wine pairings available as an add-on. Under the careful eye of Chef Michael Kelly, even staples like pasta are elevated at this Newburgh restaurant. Dishes like levantine couscous contain deep flavors, while fourth courses like pumpkin and maple mousse with cinnamon meringue with foie truffles and toasted milk and coffee ice cream make dessert all too tempting. 845.562.3900, L, D, Br A warm neighborhood hangout, Ms. Fairfax serves trendy fare with Mediterranean flair. Cozy inside and casual in the courtyard, the atmosphere here ranges from quaint to boisterous. Start with one of the apps like shallot fried cheese or carrot and turmeric soup before moving on to mains like lamb kofta. 845.565.0169, L, D, BR Hundreds of records line the walls and ceilings of The Wherehouse, a groovy pub with Arabic, Irish, Chinese, and Afghani cuisines and a righteous live music venue. With 28 beers on tap and 50 types of burgers, diners certainly won’t feel limited in their options, although $2 tacos on Tuesdays is a hard deal to pass up. Bring the gang, have fun, and get funky at this Newburgh restaurant. 845.561.7240, L, D, T

Pizza Shop serves some of the best pies around. Classic pies like buffalo chicken and white pizza cover the bases, while thin-crust pan pizzas provide gourmet options. Tomato Fresca slips fresh tomatoes under melted mozzarella, while the Notorious P.I.G. piles on house-made pulled pork, citrus chipotle, flame-roasted scallions, sweet peppers, mozzarella-cheddar blend. Meet you there in 10?
845.565.7467, L, D, T

Related: Which Eateries to Visit on a Dining Day Trip to Nyack

A family-owned operation since 1932, Pete’s Hot Dogs keeps frankfurters simple and affordable. At just $1.94 for a single dog with everything on it, lunch here is a steal. Head to Pete’s for lunch on Wednesdays and you can grab two dogs, a bag of chips, and a fountain drink for just $4.63.
845.561.0211, L, T

Just across the street from Pete’s, Nimai’s Bliss Kitchen serves wholesome, 100-percent vegetarian Indian cuisine. No chicken tikka masala here! Instead you’ll find dishes substitute chickpeas or paneer, as in paneer masala. On weekends, take a yoga class in the studio (first class free!), then refuel at the lunch buffet, where you can try a variety of dishes from the Newburgh restaurant.
845.245.6048, kitchen, L, D, T

The Waterfront Joe Bonura, owner of Blu Pointe, sources his pescatarian products from Manhattan fish mongers, and salmon from the Faroe Islands. Highlights include the impressive raw bar, numerous surf and turf options, and an entire section of the menu devoted to lobster. With plentiful outdoor seating and river views from nearly everywhere in the restaurant, Blu Pointe is known for its atmosphere and its brunch — one of our favorites in the Valley. 845.568.0100, L, D, BR, TA few doors down from Blu Pointe, Cena 2000 lets diners savor traditional Italian cuisine in a quaint interior or on a panoramic patio. Sip an aperitif at the outdoor bar, then enjoy some of the rustic entrees like risotto del giorno, traditional Tuscan fish, or grilled octopus with diced onions. 845.561.7676, L, D Arguably, the coolest river view lies a bit farther north at “The Hidden Waterfront,” where diners get the full effect of the towering Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. Throw trivia on Wednesdays along with $1 off drinks on the half-price bar menu and live music Thursday–Saturday into the mix, and it’s easy to see why Pamela’s on the Hudson is always bustling. The menu here covers a lot of ground, from apps and salads to handhelds and vegan coconut curry. For a true splurge, go for the filet mignon. 845.562.4505, D, BR, T In Orange County, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of Billy Joe’s Ribworks. A goliath of a restaurant in Newburgh, this riverside spot serves ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, mac ’n’ cheese, as well as burgers, stuffed potatoes, and more. Aside from the food and spacious outdoor deck, locals love Billy Joe’s because its doors stay open later than almost any other restaurant in the county, so after dinner, grab a drink and hang out until the DJ gets the dance floor going. 845.565.1560, L, D, T

If you’re looking to stay planted for the evening, Newburgh Brewing Company brings together outstanding beer, live music, team trivia, and games like cornhole in a gorgeous (and enormous) taproom. Get an order of rosemary and garlic fries and a cream ale. You’ll thank us later.
845.569.2337, L, D

Lunch just got twice as nice at the old West Shore train station, with Hudson Taco joining its already delicious sister restaurant, Pizza Shop. At Hudson Taco, the name of the game is eclectic Mexican cuisine in a stunning setting. Nab a seat on the back patio to soak up panoramic river views while savoring items like steak and Shishito pepper nachos and Korean barbecue short-rib tacos. Hudson Taco keeps the tap list neighborly, with an exclusive corn lager brewed by Newburgh Brewing Company.
845.565.8226, L, D, T