As autumn settles over New York, drawing city residents northward for crisp weekend hikes, vibrant foliage, and classic apple-picking excursions, travelers would be remiss to overlook the region’s burgeoning culinary landscape. While the Hudson Valley and the Catskills have long attracted nature enthusiasts seeking respite from the urban grind, the local dining scene has quietly evolved into a powerhouse of farm-to-table excellence, artisanal production, and historic charm.
Mary Anne Porto, an editor at Punch who splits her time between Brooklyn and the shadow of the Catskills where she frequently stays in Accord, New York, understands the magnetic pull of the region. Having fallen deeply in love with the landscape of trees, birds, and slightly cooler mountain air, Porto notes that while picking up fresh produce at local farm stands and markets makes for a dreamy night-in, the region more than justifies a thoroughly dining-focused itinerary. For travelers looking to blend outdoor adventure with exceptional eating, a carefully curated route through New Paltz, Kingston, Accord, and surrounding Hudson Valley towns offers an ideal weekend escape.
The journey north often begins long before reaching the mountains. Travelers departing New York City via New Jersey can kick off the trip with a stop for massive, pillowy garlic knots at Corner Slice. Once on the road, transit options abound—including buses from Port Authority to New Paltz or Kingston, Metro-North to Poughkeepsie, and Amtrak to Hudson—though having a car is essential for navigating the rural stretches of the Catskills.
A classic Friday itinerary might begin with a cultural stop at the Storm King Art Center in Orange County to take in the sprawling outdoor sculptures or catch a live musical performance on the grounds. While museum dining has seen a notable renaissance, Storm King allows visitors to bring their own food for a scenic picnic among the fields, accommodating everything from elaborate spreads to casual roadside fare.
Continuing north into New Paltz introduces visitors to the rustic charms of the region with dinner at Shorties, a self-described family-friendly bar featuring nightly DJs, pinball machines, and an eclectic menu. Diners can sample kimchi-topped hot dogs, green pozole stew, togarashi-rubbed wings, or prosciutto- and pepperoncini-topped nachos, complemented by sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages crafted with ingredients like salted guava juice. Those planning to cook during an extended stay can source local seafood at Gadaleto’s in New Paltz, while outdoor enthusiasts can gear up with rented bouldering pads from Rock & Snow.
Accommodations in the Accord area span a diverse spectrum, ranging from rustic cabin rentals and retro-revamped motels like the Starlite Motel to the high-end luxury offerings of Inness. Even for those not staying overnight at Inness, the property’s outdoor bar offers a prime spot to sip a drink in an Adirondack chair around a fire pit while taking in panoramic sunset views. Alternatively, visitors can pick up natural wine at Bluebird Wine Shop and stock up on pie or ice cream for dessert at the adjacent Accord Market.
Saturday mornings set the tone for outdoor exertion, beginning with coffee and pastries from the Black Dot Cafe before heading out to tackle the diverse trail networks at Minnewaska State Park or the climbing routes at the Mohonk Preserve. Both natural reserves sit conveniently close to the Mountain Brauhaus, a legendary, family-owned German restaurant renowned for its lively atmosphere, dirndl-clad servers, and massive portions of wienerschnitzel, spaetzle, pumpernickel bread, and wheat beer served with a slice of lemon.
To work off the hearty lunch, visitors can head over to Skate Time, a retro roller rink operated by the team behind Bjorn Qorn. Beyond roller skating beneath the glow of vintage lighting, guests can indulge in pierogies from Helena’s Specialty Foods, sourcing a local favorite without needing to navigate the cash-only policy of the brand’s brick-and-mortar shop in nearby Kerhonkson.
As evening approaches, Westwind Orchard in Accord serves as a quintessential dinner destination. Famed for its simple, seasonal, and hyper-local menu, the orchard offers a relaxed ambiance where families gather among the apple trees, sometimes accompanied by live music or salsa dancing. Diners frequently rave about the life-changing panzanella salad, featuring sun-ripened summer tomatoes, alongside handmade pastas like pappardelle and wood-fired seasonal pizzas topped with local produce such as summer squash and blossoms. Operating primarily as a cidery, Westwind also pours classic cocktails infused with New York ingredients, including Negroni Sbagliatos finished with a bubbly cider topper.
Sunday mornings transition the focus toward Kingston, one of the region’s cultural and commercial hubs. After starting the day with a cortado and frittata from Village Coffee and Goods, visitors can spend hours browsing Kingston’s thriving independent retail scene, which boasts destination shops for antiques, rare records, vintage clothing, and independent books.
For lunch, Rosie General operates as a standout all-day cafe, earning praise for meticulous attention to detail where every sandwich—ranging from mortadella creations to chile-crisp-topped egg toast—is served on its own specific, house-made bread, including English muffins, ciabatta, and baguettes. The cafe’s pantry shelves also offer edible souvenirs like homemade mustards, pickles, and infused oils and vinegars.
An afternoon drive toward the greater Hudson Valley opens up further exploration, including a peaceful stop at Zabriskie’s Waterfall near the Bard College campus for a quiet moment of reading by the water. Nearby, C. Cassis offers a modern take on traditional blackcurrant liqueur, serving up unexpected concoctions like a blackcurrant piña colada in a welcoming tasting environment.
By evening, dinner at Stissing House provides an experience where the wait for a table is part of the appeal. Guests without reservations are welcomed into a cozy, candlelit living room space to enjoy a drink and self-serve peanuts before sitting down for a rustic tavern meal featuring ham and pickles, hearty fish pie, and steak. Rather than lingering for dessert at the restaurant, visitors can return to the Accord area for a classic sweet treat at Cherries Roadside, savoring vanilla soft-serve ice cream, sundaes, or milkshakes in true Americana style.
For travelers looking beyond a single weekend, the Hudson Valley offers an abundance of additional culinary gems. Harana Market provides celebrated Filipino cuisine through pop-up events and takeaway orders, while Eng’s Chinese in Kingston stands as a cherished local historic institution. Cafe Mutton in Hudson serves adventurous meat dishes like head cheese sandwiches, and specialized drink destinations like Kingston Wine Co. and Mirador offer natural wines, sherry, and pintxos. With so many options scattered across the mountains and valleys, the region continues to solidify its reputation as one of the most dynamic food destinations in the Northeast.
