9 Best Restaurants in Hudson Valley, New York

You never know which eclectic special you'll see on the menu at this cozy bistro and bar in uptown Kingston. So take a seat in one of the red leather chairs and admire the paintings from local artists on the wall while you peruse the exciting menu. If you sit at the bar, you can watch the chef in action. Don't be surprised to see roasted tomato and Brie frittata for breakfast, a North African spiced pork stew for lunch, and a roasted leg of lamb for dinner. Just be sure to save room for the goat cheese custard dessert with fruit compote.

This bright and cozy café wins over Cold Spring locals and visitors with its "breakfast until 4 pm" menu that includes chocolate babka French toast, biscuits and gravy, and a grilled Gouda cheese sandwich with Granny Smith apples. Their Bloody Marys are extra spicy. The lunch menu offers lighter fare such as Cobb salads and salmon BLTs. Make sure you leave room for a slice of homemade sky-high carrot cake or flourless chocolate cake.

Ben Gable was known for his savory pies and quiches in Brooklyn before he and his partner moved upstate to open this welcoming café serving his signature savories made with local milk, cream, cheese, and eggs. The café also sells sandwiches, soups, salads, and sweets.

The European-style bakery receives daily deliveries from its main facility in nearby Boiceville. The loaves, shaped by hand and baked in wood-fired ovens, come in such varieties as hearty whole grain and baguettes—and can be found at many local farmers' markets throughout the Hudson Valley. The café, with six tables and a window bar, is a comfortable place for a cappuccino. There's also a dining room in the back that serves breakfast and lunch. Wine and beer are available.

This elegant and rustic boulangerie/bistro features handmade artisanal breads and sophisticated pastries and fruit tarts. The dining room serves classic French dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Standouts include housemade sausages and pâtés, crostini topped with artichoke and feta or roasted garlic rosemary hummus, and moules frites. The brick patio is a welcome oasis in warm weather while the zinc bar is an intimate spot for a rendevous with wine, craft beer, or cocktails.

Since 1929 a diner has sat on this spot, with the current edition, a stainless-steel boxcar version, dating from 1952. It's a great hangout for locals, who love how quickly that early-morning cup of coffee is served. Order hamburgers, french fries, BLTs, and other diner basics here.

For anyone who wants to imagine themselves on the streets of Paris, look no further than this bakery serving classic French pastries, crepes, and desserts. In the warmer months there are sidewalk bistro tables, a perfect spot for enjoying a croissant and gourmet cup of coffee, but beware the long weekend lines. For a quick and delicious lunch, you can't go wrong with a simply but tasty baguette sandwich.

Day-tripping bicyclists and locals favor this popular bakery, where you can sip gourmet coffee and nibble on omelets or "Hubwiches" (tasty breakfast sandwiches named after various bicycle brands), as well as scones, muffins, and pastries that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Lunch offerings include hot and cold sandwiches, and a variety of hearty soups.

Before opening this comfortable café, Dan Budd was a James Beard Award–nominated pastry chef in both New York and Chicago. Bard students and locals can hang out for hours enjoying the relaxed vibe and wide-ranging menu that includes breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, and gourmet beverages. Everything is casual except the exquisite pastries like the flour-free Red Hooker—a brilliant concoction of Belgian chocolate mousse, chocolate cake, and raspberries.