14 Best Restaurants in Hudson Valley, New York

Save room for the sticky toffee pudding cake or one of the other amazing desserts at this American restaurant in the former village hall. The wine is stored behind bars in the old jail, and other historic accents make for a charming dining room. Entrée favorites include shrimp and pappardelle puttanesca with anchovies, black olives, and capers, as well as Asian barbecue duck breast with whipped potato, baby bok choy, and apple-orange chutney. Brunch is a show-stopper.

The locally-sourced menu here changes daily, but the bistro-style dishes always have a Mediterranean accent. You'll find lots of fresh seafood, like yellowfin carpaccio, fresh shucked oysters, baby shrimp crudo and P.E.I. mussels. There's also plenty for the vegetarian set too, like feta-stuffed ravioli and chickpea sliders with cumin yogurt. On the weekends, there's a lively bar scene.

This classic French bistro is famed for its raw bar, which it stocks with frequent seafood deliveries. Fresh briny oysters (only $1 each at Sunday brunch) are perfectly complemented by the mignonette and spicy cocktail sauce. Mussels are prepared with tasso ham, leeks, and cream; duck confit is cured in a mixture of salt, sugar, and spices. The menu changes every three weeks but the popular steak tartare is always on the menu as are the impeccable french fries.

Swaths of sheer fabric and vibrant murals romance the interior of this rustic trattoria—a paean to northern Italian food. Transplanted New Yorkers sip reds and whites from an extensive wine list. Sage-browned butter laces silky calves' liver, and an espresso demi-glace enlivens grilled hanger steak. The gnocchi pairs well with the lamb ragu. Vegetarians can choose from pasta dishes such as whole-wheat fusilli primavera.

Gardens surround this elegant colonial-style restaurant, 8 miles south of Katonah. Crabtree's is known for such creative dishes as grilled foie gras with toasted brioche, candied orange, and Bordeaux syrup. Portobello mushrooms, served as a main course, are roasted and given the Wellington treatment—encased in puff pastry and served with wild mushroom sauce.

This cozy restaurant makes you feel right at home with its 1950s kitschy vinyl chairs and tables, and decor to match. Anyone with a sweet tooth will love the homebaked desserts like carrot cake roulade and tiramisu that are on display behind the counter, but you'll still find healthy fare like curried beet, apple, walnut, and goat cheese salad (all local ingredients) or a grilled cheese panini. When the weather is warm, you can relax and eat at the tables in the rear courtyard.

A main-drag institution, the restaurant serves traditional pub fare, which includes its famous burgers and more than 80 microbrews from around the globe. The seemingly endless menu also features lighter fare and 13 kinds of omelets, all served continuously so you can have lunch at dinnertime or dinner at lunchtime. Weekend brunch however is only served 11–4. Dine indoors in a dark, cozy, publike environment or outdoors on the sidewalk when weather permits. Be warned that even the lite fare is on the hearty side

Watch sailboats drift by from the veranda tables at this riverfront restaurant, or dine by the window in the country-style River Room. A crust of red and blue tortillas gives crab cakes a new twist. Notable entrées include salmon filled with sun-dried-tomato pesto and arugula, and filet mignon wrapped in a crusty sleeve of pancetta. The stunning dining room is worthy of Martha Stewart herself, and thus the setting of many weddings. Sunday brunch gives you the choice of an appetizer and entrée for $26.

Gianni Scappin, who's been serving excellent contemporary Italian cuisine at Cucina across the river in Woodstock since 2007, recently opened a laid-back yet elegant trattoria serving Italian-American specialties in the center of Rhinebeck. Go for the Neopolitan-style pizzas cooked in the wood-burning brick oven, housemade pastas, and excellent meats including a local rib eye topped with a spicy aioli.

At Pier 701, you'll find modern American fare with breathtaking views. During the spring and summer seasons, snag a table on the outdoor patio that overlooks the Hudson River for an outstanding brunch, lunch, or dinner. Or go for a drink at the tiki bar, a great location to watch the sunset over the river.

Restored stone hearths, exposed beams, and spectacular panoramic views make for an elegant country dining experience here. Enjoy a formal sit-down meal in Restaurant 1915, or head upstairs for lighter fare and stiffer drinks at the Blue Roof Tapas Bar. The menu is locally-inspired and includes standouts like slow-roasted herb chicken, portobello mushroom tart, and house-made charcuterie.

This cozy storefront restaurant is owned by a Culinary Institute alum. The seasonally changing menu might include salmon fillet with fingerling potatoes and citrus-basil glaze, local goat cheese brûlée, or a 12-ounce filet mignon in a black pepper–Chianti reduction. The space—warm and inviting, with exposed-brick walls and dark-wood trim—includes a bar area. The service, friendly and professional, does the food justice.

Lured by the bountiful produce available in the Hudson Valley, chefs John McCarthy and Ben Freemole moved to Hudson to open the Crimson Sparrow, where they now serve a tasting menu filled with exotic ingredients like foie gras, sweetbreads, and octopus. There's a wide range of wines as well as an interesting cocktail and sake list. Brunch, with your choice of four small plates for $16, is a steal.

The seasonal menu of regional American fare features meats, produce, and cheeses from artisanal area farms as well as from the restaurant's own kitchen garden. Ravioli are filled with Hudson Valley foie gras and scallops and served with wild-chervil-and-wine sauce; jumbo crab cakes are dressed with grainy mustard sauce and tea leaves; and organic pork gets an Asian barbecue glaze. There is also a raw bar. Sunday brunch is à la carte and includes omelets, crepes, smoked fish, and scones. Large windows frame swoon-inducing valley views.