Culinary delights await in the Catskills, where farm-to-table feasts, fresh-caught fish, and decadently sweet confections are in abundance. Whether you’re dining surrounded by mountain and valley vistas, savoring après-ski bites and local brews, or immersing yourself in the global flavors of an open-air mountain festival, the Catskills promise to satisfy every craving and elevate your culinary experience.
Hometown Classics
Trout
Renowned as the birthplace of American fly fishing, the Catskills boast pristine trout streams and a culinary scene that transforms fresh, local catches into unforgettable dishes. At the center of this legacy is the charming hamlet of Roscoe, aptly nicknamed “Trout Town USA.” Reel in the ultimate fish lover’s feast at Julia’s Local in Round Top. This culinary hotspot offers creations like trout sashimi, mocha-seared trout, and crispy rainbow trout cakes, all crafted with fish sourced fresh from the nearby Beaverkill Trout Hatchery.
Must-Try Meals
Chef Efrén Hernández, a 2024 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef in New York State, brings his culinary brilliance to Casa Susanna in Leeds, hailed by Eater as the “best Mexican restaurant in the state.” The restaurant’s in-house masa program ensures every tortilla is freshly made, complementing a seasonal menu crafted from the finest local ingredients sourced from farmers, ranchers, and fishermen. For dinner, savor standout dishes like the blood sausage tamal, smoked goat birria tatemada, or whole grilled mackerel al pastor. Weekend brunch offers equally enticing options, including chilaquiles con cochinita and papas con chorizo. Round out your meal with homemade desserts including guava sorbet and tamal de chocolate.
Credit: @newyorksherpa on Instagram
The Phoenicia Diner has been a beloved Catskills staple for over 30 years, offering fresh, locally sourced dishes with a modern twist on classic diner fare. Situated in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, this iconic spot showcases seasonal ingredients from nearby farms in dishes like locally smoked trout or lox on a Brooklyn bagel, cornflake-crusted crab cake eggs Benedict, a taco skillet packed with scrambled eggs, chorizo, and flavorful toppings, or French toast topped with fresh fruit and local maple syrup. Breakfast is served all day along with a lunch menu featuring sandwiches, salads, and soups. The diner also caters to diverse dietary needs with dedicated vegan and gluten-friendly menus.
With accolades from dozens of press outlets and a well-earned place on every list of top restaurants in the Catskills, Peekamoose Restaurant is a true culinary beacon. One of the region’s farm-to-table pioneers, Peekamoose continues to thrive as a destination and community hub for locals, weekenders, and day-trippers alike. Founded by a couple who left Manhattan’s fine-dining scene in the mid-2000s to restore a charming farmhouse, the restaurant blends rustic ambiance with sophisticated cuisine. Sourcing ingredients from Catskills farms, Peekamoose offers a menu that features dishes like pork belly meatballs, wood-grilled octopus, house-made orecchiette, and pan-roasted rainbow trout. The drink menu is equally impressive, boasting creative cocktails (including non-alcoholic options), an extensive wine list, and a selection of local and regional beers and ciders.
Tucked away in Leeds, this hidden gem has been satiating loyal patrons and making headlines since 2016 with its scratch-made cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. Partnering with area farms and purveyors, they use local eggs, dairy, vegetables, and even potatoes grown nearby to craft their irresistible menu. Highlights include shrimp and grit fritters, spinach-artichoke stuffed pretzels, brisket hash, fish fry, and fancy hash browns topped with sour cream, chives, and smoked trout roe. For dessert, indulge in a homemade maple bacon bar donut or a banana bread snickerdoodle cookie.
Credit: @silviawoodstockny on Instagram
In the colorful and eclectic town of Woodstock, you’ll find SILVIA, a family-owned gem offering some of the finest dining in the region. With its open kitchen inviting atmosphere, wood-fired grill, and devotion to only using locally sourced ingredients, SILVIA delivers New American dishes like steelhead trout, grilled lamb chops, seafood bouillabaisse, and chicken & duck liver pâté. For dessert, indulge in the chocolate lavender pots de crème or the Turkish delight panna cotta. Every dish reflects SILVIA’s commitment to quality, featuring 100% grass-fed, locally sourced beef, pasture-raised chicken, lamb, and eggs, sustainable seafood, and GMO-free, additive-free products.
Unique Dining Experiences
Housed in a charming building overlooking Bovina’s Main Street, Brushland Eating House is a place where community, tradition, and simple joys come together. Dining at Brushland is an intimate affair, with a single seating Thursday through Saturday featuring seasonal, three-course, family-style meals (each party is seated separately) crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Their approach is rooted in revisiting timeless recipes that evoke memories of warm kitchens, childhood meals, and the enduring joy of sharing food. The menu rotates weekly, and has featured hand-rolled pasta, Fieldstone farm beef au jus, country pate, and Celeriac vichyssoise with trout roe. Adding to its charm, Brushland hosts a monthly Persian feast, a vibrant celebration of heritage, memory, and the joy of a shared table delighting in multiple courses together. For those looking to linger a little longer, right above Brushland you can stay at the apartment and relax and retreat after you eat!
Prospect at Scribner’s Lodge is more than just a restaurant, it’s a year-round destination for lodging, dining, and adventure in the heart of the Catskills. The dining room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, wood accents, and cedar deck with a cozy fire pit create a welcoming and rustic atmosphere. Located just minutes from Hunter Mountain and a short drive from Windham and Belleayre, it’s an ideal spot to unwind, whether you’re après-skiing in winter, gliding on their “glice” rink, or strolling through the lodge’s scenic meadow with five acres of wildflowers in warmer months. The menu at Prospect showcases creative New American dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, including produce from the on-site garden. From trout rillettes and citrus-brined chicken to a 16 oz ribeye, a smashburger, or a mushroom sandwich, there is something for every palate. Dedicated brunch and après-ski menus offer even more ways to indulge, and you can pair your meal with a signature cocktail, wine, craft beer, or mocktail. With events happening all year-long, there are endless experiences to enhance your meal!
Credit: @moonrisebagels on instagram
Bagels stuffed with pizza? It doesn’t get more New York than this, and Moonrise Bagels is in a league of its own. After months of experimenting and perfecting their craft, these culinary innovators have created a show-stopping treat. Head to scenic Woodstock to dive into their stuffed bagel creations, including classics like bacon or sausage, egg, and cheese, and bolder choices like Buffalo chicken, eggplant parmesan, pizza, or pastrami Reuben. Prefer your bagels the traditional way? They’ve got you covered with fresh, handmade bagels paired with a variety of flavorful cream cheeses and spreads. Each bagel is handmade, boiled and baked fresh daily.
As a 2024 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards semi-finalist for Outstanding Restaurant, The DeBruce stands as a culinary gem in the Catskills. The dining room features glass walls and a wood-burning stove, offering captivating views of the mountains and valley. In the summer, the glass walls open, transforming the space into an open-air dining experience. Its approach to food transcends the traditional four seasons, instead embracing the ever-changing rhythms of the land. At The DeBruce, the menu is crafted around five distinct seasons: Heritage, Awakening, Stream, Farm, and Mountain. The exclusive and regularly changing tasting menu offers an immersive, progression-based culinary experience that tells the story of the Catskills through both sight and taste. Guests will enjoy a shared culinary journey that celebrates the region’s rich heritage, with each course showcasing the wild, seasonal bounty of the land. A sample progression might include pheasant, rabbit, mushroom, boar, and venison.
International Cuisine
Embark on a culinary journey at The Tulip & The Rose Café in Franklin, where global flavors come to life. With chefs mastering Turkish, Malay, Indian, Mediterranean, and European cuisines, every dish is a celebration of international tastes. What began as a gyro stand at the Franklin Farmer’s Market has evolved into a renowned dining destination. Delight in brunch offerings like the Javanese Breakfast (spicy noodles, country-fried pasture-raised eggs, and satay chicken), or the Cypriot Breakfast (mint-rubbed halloumi cheese, asparagus and egg scramble, fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and toast). The dinner menu rotates regularly to highlight the freshest ingredients, such as grilled kalbi ribs, Mongolian beef, and Gobi 65, a cauliflower dish infused with 65 herbs and spices.
Discover upscale American cuisine with a distinctive Scandinavian twist at Julia’s Local in Round Top. The restaurant is the inspired collaboration of Norwegian chef Henning Nordanger and longtime Round Top resident Julia Joern, who combine their passion for fresh, local ingredients, warm hospitality, and community connection to create an exceptional dining experience. Ingredients are sourced directly from their own garden, just half a mile from the restaurant, and feature in dishes that celebrate Scandinavian techniques like curing, pickling, and fermenting, alongside rich, French-inspired sauces and perfectly slow-cooked meats. Signature dishes include fresh-water trout from Beaverkill Trout Hatchery, chicken liver pâté, spicy glazed-braised pork rib belly, short rib bourguignon, and scratch-made breads like rustic sourdough and Danish rugbrød. Julia’s Local also offers cooking classes, from knife skills to mastering salmon, chicken, and duck.
Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner for two, a memorable group gathering, or simply stopping by for a quick bite at the bar, at Good Night in Woodstock, every evening lives up to its name. Indulge in globally inspired dishes with a modern pan-Asian twist, all served in a trendy but inviting space. The menu offers creations like shan tofu, bibimbap, crispy panko chicken katsu, Korean BBQ beef, Vietnamese grilled pork chop, and tea-smoked duck. Pair your meal with a libation from their curated menu of signature cocktails, wines, or non-alcoholic drinks.
With its German-inspired cuisine, extensive drink menu including a popular wine school, and warm, inviting atmosphere, Jägerberg Beer Hall is a beloved destination in Hunter, no matter the season. Start your meal with a soft pretzel, steak tartare, or braunschweiger pâté. For the main course, indulge in authentic favorites such as schnitzel, a bratwurst platter, sauerbraten, or the Chef & Sommelier Special filet mignon. Each dish on the menu is crafted by Chef Christie Flanagan, a Culinary Institute of America graduate with over 30 years of culinary expertise.
Sweet Treats
Credit: @fruitionchocolate on Instagram
Situated along the scenic Ashokan Reservoir, Fruition Chocolate is celebrated for its award-winning “bean-to-bar” craftsmanship, earning over 75 accolades and recognition as one of the world’s finest chocolatiers. Their creations are nothing short of irresistible, from salted caramel peanut butter cups and spice-dusted chocolate-covered nuts to exquisitely crafted truffles, bonbons, and artisan bars in unique flavors like cinnamon maple bourbon dark chocolate, vanilla bean toasted white chocolate, and brown butter milk chocolate. Through the shop’s windows, visitors can watch the chocolatiers at work, adding behind-the-scenes magic to the experience.
Credit: @catskill_chocolate_co on Instagram
Discover why Travel + Leisure described Catskill Chocolate Co. as a “Sweet fantasia.” Located on Catskill’s charming Main Street, this artisanal chocolate shop takes pride in crafting every treat by hand, using local and ethically sourced ingredients. Their mouthwatering selection includes vegan organic gummy bears, sour belts, milk and dark chocolate nonpareils, chocolate-dipped fruits, and an array of indulgent truffles with flavors like gingerbread, Cranberry Manhattan Ganache, Fig-Balsamic Caramel, Rosemary Caramel with Mushroom Salt, and Hot Butter Rum Ganache.
Located along the vibrant Main Street of Tannersville, known as “The Painted Village in the Sky,” Shandaken Bake is as inviting as its cozy interior and outdoor patio. With staples like pastries, pies, tarts, and scones, and a frequently rotating menu of treats, there’s always something new to tempt your taste buds. Popular confections include chocolate chip banana bread, the irresistible “Chubby Squirrels” (a scone-coffee cake hybrid with cinnamon crumble and molasses-vanilla stewed apples), and key lime pie.
Primely placed on Cairo’s Main Street, Red Star Cafe and Bakery invites you into its modern yet cozy coffee shop atmosphere, perfect for relaxing or getting work done. Treat yourself to specialty coffee drinks, hand-selected teas, and an assortment of freshly baked goods. From chocolate and almond croissants to cruffins, muffins, pound cake, banana bread, pumpkin bread, cookies, and daily specials, there’s endless reasons to keep coming back.
Credit: @overlookbakery on Instagram
In the shadow of Overlook Mountain, Woodstock’s Overlook Bakery crafts small-batch cakes, cookies, and desserts to enjoy inside or on the outdoor patio. Don’t miss their famous salty chocolate chunk cookies, or the molasses ginger, oatmeal coconut raisin, rainbow sprinkle, or peanut butter cookies. Also make sure to grab a bag of their homemade granola in flavors like pecan cranberry and blueberry almond. With gluten-free and vegan options, there’s something sweet for everyone!
Food-Centric Events
Celebrate the rich history of cauliflower farming at the Margaretville Cauliflower Festival, a family-friendly event honoring the crop that helped local dairy farmers thrive. Held in Village Park in Margaretville, the festival offers a variety of activities, including live music, delicious cauliflower dishes, quilting demonstrations, food vendors, and classic car show! Margaretville; late September.
Join the fun of the Maple Shade Hootenanny this October for a family-friendly, two-day harvest festival at Maple Shade Farm in Delhi. Celebrate the beauty of fall with food, beer, wine, and products from local farmers, producers, and artisans. Taste your way around a variety of food vendors, browse the market, and enjoy live music throughout the day. Kids will love the abundance of games, activities, and engaging workshops! Delhi; 10/11-10/12, 2025.
Celebrate the spirit of Oktoberfest with three free weekends of fun at Hunter Mountain! Enjoy authentic German entertainment, beer tents, delicious food, and exciting activities for all ages, including kids’ games and the crowd-favorite doxie derby. Soak in the vibrant fall atmosphere with live music and some of the state’s most stunning foliage. For more vibrant vistas, take the scenic skyride up to the 3,200-ft summit, where you can even ascend higher by hiking to the firetower. Hunter; 9/27-9/28, 10/4-10/5, 10/11-10/12, 2025.
Rip Van Winkle Wine, Brew & Beverage Festival
Experience the Rip Van Winkle Wine, Brew, and Beverage Festival each May at Historic Catskill Point! Sample a variety of craft beverages while enjoying live music, food trucks, and craft vendors in a scenic setting along the Hudson River. Your ticket includes a branded wine glass for tastings and access to an open-air plaza, a historic warehouse, and a maritime museum. Catskill; 5/10, 2025.
Tap New York Craft Brew Festival
Cheers to the 2025 TAP New York Craft Brew Festival, happening June 28-29 at the scenic Blackthorne Resort in East Durham! As one of the nation’s largest and longest-running beer festivals, this two-day celebration features 65+ craft brewers and 150+ beverage options, including craft beer, cider, mead, sours, mixed drinks, and more. Indulge in mouth watering food, like the crowd-favorite corn dogs, enjoy live music, games, and a lively festival atmosphere. Make it a weekend to remember with VIP perks or Stay & Play packages, offering on-site lodging, camping, and exclusive parties. East Durham; 6/28-6/29, 2025.
Don’t forget to post photos of your New York adventures on Instagram and Twitter with #iSpyNY and tag us on Facebook!
