The Hudson Valley’s vibrant culinary scene continues to flourish with a fresh wave of new restaurant openings, each offering a distinctive dining experience that captures the essence of the region. From the artisanal flavors of Cafe Silvia at Magazzino in Cold Spring, where Italian cuisine meets farm-to-table freshness, to the bold Afghan dishes at Nansense in Beacon, these new spots are redefining local dining. In Kingston, Sorry, Charlie combines intimate ambiance with creative bar bites and craft cocktails, while the Governess in Poughkeepsie brings waterfront dining back with a modern twist on American classics. Whether you’re craving a taste of Italy at Via Cassia in Hudson or a casual meal at Underground Ales in New Paltz, this round-up of recently launched eateries promises to delight food lovers across the Hudson Valley. Discover your next favorite spot and savor the diverse flavors that define this beloved region.
La Sorella Mercato | Fishkill
In Italian, La Sorella Mercato translates as “sister market,” a nod to its dual function of cafe and retail. In the bright, airy space, patrons can buy a pound of La Sorella coffee while sipping the same hot, grab a package of imported pasta to fix for dinner, and pick up fresh flowers to dress up the dinner table. The menu isn’t complicated, but it’s lovely: Breakfast options include smoked salmon toast ($15) and quiche ($10) for those who want to linger, and egg sandwiches ($8.50) and pastries ($3 to $7.50) for customers who are on the go. Soups, salads, and sandwiches range from creamy tomato soup ($8) to salade Nicoise ($18) and mortadella with pistachio pesto and burrata on focaccia ($15). “La Sorella is a love letter of food I like to eat; it’s hard to put a title on it,” owner Scott Rosenberg says. “It definitely has an Italian overtone, but grabs influence from all over.”
Sorry, Charlie | Kingston
The owners behind Poughkeepsie’s neighboring establishments Goodnight Kenny bar and Hudson & Packard pizzeria have teamed up to open Sorry, Charlie in Kingston. The group upgraded the intimate space inside and out, adding new tilting windows that open out for passersby to peep inside. Bar snacks range from mixed nuts to potato beignets to pimento cheese dip ($6-$12), but the 12-inch pan pizzas are an easy favorite. For drinks, try the signature Charlie’s Sour—bourbon, lemon, and angostura, topped with an edible wafer-paper design ($12). Non-alcoholic slushies are available ($8); add a nip of booze for $4. Two rotating draft beers and a selection of bottles and cans combine local favorites and domestic brands.
Nansense | Beacon
With stunning turmeric-toned Zellige tiles, a live-edge walnut counter, brass stools, penny tiles, and hanging rugs, the recently opened Nansense in Beacon is swankier than your standard burger bar. But touches of neon, legible signage, and playful art keep the Afghan restaurant casual. The chapli kebab smash burgers are made with ground beef with diced onions, tomato, cilantro, and traditional Afghan seasoning. Order yours single, double, or triple ($7, $11, $15) and add masala fries for $5. The small bites include crispy bolani (stuffed flatbread) with a mint-garlic yogurt dipping sauce ($11) and banjan, an eggplant dish with a tomato and onion base, topped with the same yogurt and served with naan ($10). The customizable bowls come with a base of basmati rice, kabuli, and salata, and you can choose either beef, eggplant or bean as your protein ($15-17) and designate your spice level. Add sauces and flatbread for extra. The $25 Mehmani plate is perfect for sharing.
Cafe Silvia at Magazzino | Cold Spring
Last September, Magazzino debuted its new Robert Olnick Pavilion to the public, adding 13,000 square feet of exhibition space to the grounds—and an Italian-style eatery. Cafe Silvia, which Magazzino director Vittorio Calabrese describes as “a killer combination of Italian food and farm-to-table,” is headed by Milanese chef (and current Garrison resident) Luca Galli. The restaurant combines high-quality Italian products and recipes with local Hudson Valley produce, some of which is grown in a small garden right on the museum property. Of course, espresso in all its many forms is available for a post-art jolt, along with sweet treats like sfogliatella, tiramisu, and crema al limon. If you’re in the mood for something more savory and substantial, the cafe also serves hot paninis, housemade lasagne, ricotta and spinach ravioli, and a cannellini bean and scallop soup. The star dish, named for Italian artist Mario Schifano features an umami mix of chickpea puree with shrimp, crunchy guanciale, and parsley sauce.
The Governess Bar | Poughkeepsie
Waterfront dining and drinks are back at the ice house in Poughkeepsie’s Waryas Park. The Governess offers cocktails and signature twists on classic American food, like its two sister restaurants in Queens, the Baroness and the Huntress. Dishes include their lava macaroni with six cheeses and pretzel crumbs ($16); maple sriracha wings ($14); and burgers like Le Ranch with shaved ribeye, Swiss cheese, buttermilk ranch, a runny egg, and barbecue sauce ($22). The restaurant is working with local vendors like Earth to Table to bring in Hudson Valley ingredients. And though not local, the seafood offerings are a nod to the waterfront setting and include a family-style seafood boil ($72), a raw bar platter of clams, oysters, and shrimp ($36), and pan-seared salmon ($37).
Via Cassia | Hudson
Ca’Mea was a fixture of the old-guard Hudson dining scene for two decades. When owner Roy Felcetto retired earlier this year, the restaurant passed to a chef committed to continuing and elevating the tradition of Italian cuisine. Chef Gaetano Arnone has trained in some of New York City’s top Italian restaurants, including Eataly, Babbo, and Otto, before living in Italy for the past four years. Via Cassia is his homage to the country’s casual sidestreet eateries where you can get an aperitivo or a pasta to blow your socks off and a glass of exceptional wine. Like all good Italian food, the dishes are simple, focusing on execution. For pastas, think cacio e pepe ($21) and bucatini all’Amatriciana ($23). The concise secondi selection has one fish, one steak, and a grilled quail. With Arnone’s direct connection to Tuscan vineyards, this isn’t a spot to skip wine.
Underground Ales | New Paltz
Schatzi’s Pub was a staple of the New Paltz scene until its final night, New Year’s Eve last year. The space underwent a light makeover and recently reopened as the second location of Highland favorite Underground Coffee & Ales. With espresso drinks, tasty bar food, and a vast selection of craft beers, it’s the perfect fit for the college town, plus the spacious patio is open in time for the warm weather. Whether you spring for the iconic crispy chicken sandwich ($16), the fried buffalo Brussels ($12), or something breakfasty like the avocado toast ($14), the grub is the platonic ideal of pub food. Wash it down with one of over 100 beers on offer.
Shelter Woodstock | Woodstock
The spot at 21 Mill Hill Road on Woodstock’s main drag has had many incarnations—most recently as the twee diner Maria’s Bazaar and gift shop Sparkle. In May, like so many of its residents, Williamsburg bar and restaurant Shelter traded Brooklyn for the Hudson Valley after a decade-long stint. Like at their other spots, the newly Woodstock-based eatery spotlights open-fire cooking with a menu that ranges from pizzas to Argentine empanadas and grilled meats and fish.
This article appears in Fall 2024/Winter 2025.
