How to Eat Up Beacon’s Main Street

Everyone keeps talking about Beacon, so you’ve decided it’s high time to check it out. Great!

But then you find yourself on Main Street and ready to explore… but famished, and now — with so many great restaurants staring you down — understandably overwhelmed.

Don’t worry; we’re here to help. Here’s a quick rundown featuring some of Main Street’s noteworthy bites that’ll help you make sense of it all:

First, assess your watch. If it’s bright and early, make a beeline for Bank Square Coffee House. One of the first places you’ll come upon when coming from the direction of the nearby Metro North train station, this cafe serves expertly prepared caffeine (including coffee roasted at Coffee Labs Roasters in Tarrytown and over two dozen varieties of tea) alongside an assortment of locally baked goodies. Our recommendation: grab a cappuccino and quinoa blondie. Our other recommendation: come back later in the day for snacky lunch fare and a glass of wine or craft beer.

Alternatively, check out Beacon Bread Company. A local favorite for breakfast, this from scratch-focused kitchen is cooking up morning classics — like omelettes and eggs any style — as well as more eyebrow-raising offerings like Breakfast Tacos with salsa verde homefries and Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Brioche French Toast.

If lunch is on order, consider visiting one of these three midday quintessentials:

Poppy’s Burger & Fries for classic burger-and-shake fare updated with serious culinary precision and locally sourced ingredients. The beef — all humanely raised and 100 percent grass-fed and finished — comes from Barb’s Butchery a few streets over, with produce (they feature veggie burgers and salads, too!) and cheese also sourced from the area. Everything is good (promise!) but don’t miss out on the Sweet Potato Chips.

Homespun Foods, where you’ll find an eclectic mix of hearty comforts and fresh veggie-centric eats. Everything here is homemade (and usually served up in generous portions), and you can expect seasonal produce and high-quality, hormone-free meats.

Finally, Beacon Pantry, which is a place on lots of peoples’ lists because of their massive variety of cut-to-order cheeses, charcuterie, and actual grocery pantry, makes a mean lunch. Serving soup, salads, sandwiches, and plates of the aforementioned cheese and meat, this Main Street spot has all the lighter, French-inspired foods we love to break up our day with. Order a Croque Monsieur sandwich, composed of French ham, Gruyere, and bechamel, and you’ll know what we mean.

All that said, would you rather have comfort food instead? Our 2016 Best of the Hudson Valley Editor’s Choice of comfort food was Beacon’s Max’s on Main. Head here if you’re in the mood for something like a hot open turkey sandwich, fried fish & chips, or some hearty chili. Plus, that comfy, “everybody knows your name” atmosphere.

And if you’re all about the sweets, Ella’s Bellas is just for you. Plenty of (outstanding) pastries, eco-friendly practices, and a beautiful cafe setting combine to make this bakery one of our favorites. (And we’ll let you in on a secret: this place uses absolutely zero gluten.)

If food doesn’t matter so much as what you’re drinking, check out Chill Wine Bar, with 26 pours by the glass — rotating on a monthly basis — you’re bound to find the right sip for you. Another great option is Dogwood, a neighborhood hangout with 16 craft beers on tap and a mix of fun and classic cocktails.

For dinner, Kitchen Sink Food & Drink is an absolute must. Featuring farm-to-table dishes with a global influence, this restaurant is widely heralded as one of the best in our area (and of course, nabbing one of our Best Of’s). Their menu changes super often, but right now we’re digging the Butternut Squash Lasagna, with butternut squash puree, ricotta, fontina, and pecans. However, if it’s Monday, you’ll be enjoying the buttermilk fried chicken with all the classic “fixings.”

Photo courtesy Kitchen Sink Food & Drink 

Oh! And sometime during your visit, you better check out Glazed Over — a brand new, custom-order donut shop — and get at least a dozen to go. You can thank me later.

DISCLAIMER! I know there are plenty more prime restaurants set up on Main Street, Beacon. These are just some of my favorites. Let us know yours in the comments!