5 Best Restaurants in Phoenicia, The Catskills

With ceilings held aloft with original wood beams, huge windows drawing the outdoors in, and rustic decor like a chandelier made from antlers, this beautifully renovated farmhouse offers constant reminders of its bucolic setting, while its proprietors, who have worked in some of New York City's best restaurants offer a fine dining experience with a laidback, unfussy vibe. Devin and Marybeth Mills' impressive and everchanging farm-to-table menu often includes popular dishes like slow-braised beef short ribs—so tender the meat falls off the bone—hanger steak with sauteed kale, and just-picked vegetables with risotto (among several delicious vegetarian options). The tap room offers a wide variety of local brews and the long, log-lined bar serves up an extensive wine list, with wines described both by varietal and by flavor. The firepit on the terrace is the place to be for an after-dinner drink and toasted marshmallows.

With its classic diner decor—swivel stools at the counter, cozy booths, and signs with little plastic letters announcing the specials—and gussied-up comfort food favorites, this popular diner always ends up on visitors' (and locals') best-of lists. Popular dishes include the duck and grits skillet, the trout with scrambled eggs, the house-cured corned beef hash, and the fried chicken and waffle sandwich. Get here early, as tables are hard to come by and it closes just before dinner.

Just steps from Stony Clove Creek, this popular farm-to-table gastropub revels in its location in a tree-shaded spot just outside of Phoenicia, and when weather permits, you should, too, by reserving a table to sit outside on the covered terrace. Owners Peter and Vivian Diaz have roots in the area, which might be why they are so intent on sourcing their ingredients from nearby farms and fisheries. The smoked duck breast is from the Hudson Valley, and the rainbow trout is supplied by a local family. The cozy wood-paneled dining room and fireplace seating are a comfortable backdrop for the elevated comfort food, but the long bar is also a draw with its menu of local craft beers and expansive wine list.