What to Eat at The Academy Food Hall in Poughkeepsie

Photo courtesy of The Academy Food Hall

Head to The Academy Food Hall in Dutchess County for a range of flavorful bites like burgers, beer, baked goods, and barbecue.

The Academy Food Hall, located in the heart of Poughkeepsie, is where foodie dreams come true. That’s no exaggeration—in addition to The Academy Kitchen, “a 75-seat indoor modern American Bistro unlike anything else in the Hudson Valley,” the food hall features six additional vendors with a variety of bites in a central location. The abundance can feel a little overwhelming, so give our guide a glance before you plan your gluttonous day trip to the Queen City on the Hudson.

The Academy Kitchen

American Bistro


This 75-seat restaurant with a large, central bar offers customers a unique dining experience. It serves up a full menu of globally influenced American fare as well as craft cocktails, local beer, and wine. Kick off your feast with an appetizer like charred tomato burrata, tuna carpaccio, or your classic fried calamari. The seared scallops and mushroom risotto topped with herbed pesto, golden toasted pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and fresh pea tendrils is a standout of the entrée menu. Conversely, vegetarians will love the grilled cauliflower steak—slathered in your choice of sauce, Maître D’hôtel Butter, chimichurri, or green peppercorn—served alongside French fries and fresh salad. Complement you meal with wine, beer, or one of The Academy Kitchen’s signature cocktails for an unforgettable first impression of the food hall.

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Smoke 33

Barbecue

 

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This roadhouse-style barbecue stand is sure to get your stomach grumbling with scrumptious smoked meats perfectly seasoned with house-made rubs and sauces. You can’t go wrong at Smoke 33, but we tend to favor the pulled pork sandwich soaked with sweet and savory barbecue sauce on a brioche roll. Don’t fret, vegetarians—Smoke 33 didn’t forget about you! The barbecue joint at The Academy Food Hall also offers plant-based options like a loaded chili-smoked sweet potato.

Valley Taco

Tacos and Poke Bowls

 

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Want some tacos? Valley Taco has you covered. Don’t feel like tacos? That’s fine, too. At this taco stand, you can also order poke bowls, tasty sides, starters, and desserts. Sample the citrus-spiced salmon tacos, which commingle sour, savory, and spicy flavors with pickled cucumber and Fresno chilis. If you’re more in the mood for a poke bowl, opt for the tuna and mango bowl, which comes topped with sesame oil, mango Thai chili sauce, soy sauce, hoisin, and miso kewpie, all sprinkled with a flurry of sesame seeds.

East West

Asian Fusion

 

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This stand proffers a wide variety of flavorful Asian dishes, from bao buns and dumplings to ramen and rice bowls. We can’t get enough of the kimchi karaage chicken rice bowl, which comes topped with sesame, soy, mouthwatering kimchi, salt and pepper cabbage, gochujang sauce, kewpie, brown rice, and lemon—talk about flavor. If you’re dining with a group, consider ordering a smorgasbord of buns (with a chicken, pork, or Impossible filling) and dumplings (made with kimchi pork, chicken, edamame, or shrimp) to share while at The Academy Food Hall.

Hudson Hopworks

Beer

 

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Beer snobs can rest assured that The Academy Food Hall slings stellar brews to go along with its food. With five beers on tap, four varieties of bottled beer, and 24 canned beer options, there are many refreshing beverages to choose from at Hudson Hopworks. 

Café + Grill

Breakfast and Sandwiches

 

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Need to get in and out quick? With its slew of sandwiches, pastries, hot dogs, toasts, and other grab-and-go grub, Café + Grill is the way to go. For breakfast, order a two-egg sandwich customizable with different bread, cheese, and meat options to please every palate. If you arrive around lunchtime, grab some chicken wings, a burger, or the ditch dog—a glizzy topped with creamy mac and cheese on a grilled bun. Plus, the eatery rotates its menu frequently, meaning you’ll never run out of new bites to try.

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Newburgh Flour Shop

Baked Goods


That’s right! This family-owned, Newburgh-based bakery unveiled a second location in The Academy Food Hall. Its artisanal baked goods are ideal for any occasion, whether you snag a few fluffy pastries or order a showstopping wedding cake.

Related: A Foodie’s Guide to Eastdale Village in Poughkeepsie

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