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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 meal.
Check each restaurant’s policy on reservations before dining, as COVID-19 regulations require restaurants to operate at 50% capacity.
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Charlotte’s
Millbrook
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. Creole style jumbalaya should warm you up, just like the crackling fire; if not, veal short ribs or venison chili 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 their 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.
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Diamond Mills Hotel
Saugerties
Farm-to-table fireside dining makes the tavern at Diamond Mills a destination. Connected to the luxurious Diamond Mills Hotel, the tavern sits perfectly between the Hudson River and the Catskills. The hotel is a gateway for many other winter-based activities, and the tavern 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. Gorgeous architecture and running water define the restaurant and tavern’s beauty.
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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 on to 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, prime rib, and Maryland crab cakes number among the other standouts. For a more selective menu of lighter fare, check out the tavern menu.
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Restaurant X
Congers
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 scallops or Long Island duck breast with togorashi and sushi rice. Crème brulee and tiramisu sweeten things up.
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 . Madikians makes weekly trips to Cape Cod in his single-engine four-seater plane to pick up fresh seafood for dishes like squid salad with frisee and radicchio. Dinner is Wednesday through Sunday.
Related: This Vegan Butternut Harvest Roll Recipe Is Comfort on a Plate
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Somni
Monroe
The bold flavors of Mediterranean tapas heat up your evenings roaring fireplaces. Classic recipes like linguini alla vongole, seafood paella, and grilled octopus will have your mouth watering while fireside dining. If you’re feeling extra decadent, Valrhona chocolate will spill out of a lave cake. An extensive wine list and inventive cocktails will make you never want to leave. “Something Along the Way” takes cucumber-infused gin and combines it with prosecco and elder flower, “Never Too Old” blends Bulleit bourbon with smoked cinnamon and citrus, and “Just One” emulates a tropical margarita with smoky mezcal and lots of papaya. The modern fireplace just enhances your comfort even further.
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The ’76 House
Tappan
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-shallot gastrique. For additional fireside dining opportunities, the Sunday brunch entices with mountains of shrimp, oysters with fresh cucumber, and delicious omelets— not to mention the mimosas.
