7 Best Restaurants in The Catskills, New York

In a pretty red farmhouse at the entrance to Bethel Woods Center for the Performing Arts, the Dancing Cat Saloon—sister restaurant to the Catskill Distilling Company—is hands-down one of the best eateries in the area and a great place to dine before a concert or after a trip to the museum. The dining room is decorated with musical instruments—appropriate enough, given its location and the fact that the Dancing Cat often has live music. A favorite hangout spot is the deck, where you can sit under umbrellas overlooking the field of “Stray Cat” sculptures in front the of Catskill Distilling Company. The food ranges from expertly put-together burgers to the satisfying main courses, which includes the signature pork chops. Jazz brunch is also popular, especially with locals.

You may want to reserve ahead, as the place is always packed.

The Japanese eatery has several tranquil dining rooms with an indoor water garden and bar. Sushi, sashimi, and tempura are the standouts. A popular spot with vegetarians, Hana is also a good choice for when you're in the mood for something a little different.

Intimate surroundings, white tablecloths set against a burgundy backdrop, and waiters clad in tuxedos make this a romantic spot, but it's not just couples who come to dine on the fine northern Italian fare served here. Handmade pastas are a specialty, and Caesar salad for two is made table-side. Linguine is tossed with tuna, capers, olives, and wine sauce; penne in spicy tomato-cream sauce gets a splash of vodka; and shrimp are sautéed with mushrooms and prosciutto in champagne and cream. The menu also includes chicken, steak, and veal preparations. The list of wines is extensive.

This 1882 country inn has two dining rooms—the wood-paneled Catskill Mountain Room and the bright and airy Greenhouse Room—and one menu, which includes charcoal-broiled steaks, blackened red snapper, and other traditional fare. A hearty country-style breakfast is great fuel for a day on the slopes. The après-ski crowd packs the place on winter weekends, when you can find live music and the bar area warmed by an old-fashioned wood stove.

Ostrich, buffalo, and venison are served alongside traditional New York strip steak, pastas, and seafood dishes at this brick-storefront restaurant. At various times the building has housed a bank, a dry-goods store, a luncheonette, and a clothing store; the restaurant takes its name from the date of the building's construction, which appears prominently on the facade.

Lush gardens surround the outdoor terrace at this regional Italian restaurant. Inside, the long bar that dominates a corner of the dining room is a favorite spot with locals. Traditional dishes figure prominently on the menu, which includes pork chops with vinegar and peppers, veal scaloppini with artichoke hearts, and shrimp and lobster served over cappellini.