Kingston has a busy food and drink scene, with new players entering the scene in a rapid rotation. We’ve written longer features about some of these culinary developments in New York’s first capital, but for those who are just tuning in, here’s an update on the latest food and drink news for Kingston.
Golden Hour Grocery
232 Wall Street, Kingston
Golden Hour Grocery debuted in July in Uptown Kingston, after a year of community fundraising and planning by Masha Badinter. This neighborhood grocery reflects a deeply rooted passion for food, agriculture, and community revitalization. It stands as a locally driven model of small-scale grocery entrepreneurship that nurtures urban food access and economic growth, while prioritizing local farmers and food purveyors.
The Little Rye Bakehouse Trailer
Moveable
In 2023, self-taught baker Catarina Cowden opened up a shoebox bakery at 588 Broadway in Kingston for her budding business, The Little Rye Bakehouse. It isn’t uncommon to drive by on a weekend and see a line down the block of hungry people queuing for still-hot sweet and savory danishes, morning buns, biscuits, cookies, scones, and, of course, her famous pies. Given Little Rye’s popularity, it’s no surprise that Cowden opted to expand her reach with a bright 1953 Fleetwood canned ham trailer, which she painted periwinkle and dubbed Pie a la Road. “I bought it on a whim in 2020 amongst the Covid chaos, and the past few years used it for a bunch of solo camping with my dog,” Cowden says. “This year, my husband and I starting cutting some holes and spray painting and voila! Our intention is to bring more pie, and pastry to the people.” Pie a la Road debuted at the Red Owl Flea in early September. The trailer made an even bigger splash on September 20 at Woodsist Festival at Arrowood Farms. “I’d really like to do more events, particularly weddings, as I’m a sucker for love and beautiful things, and also want to get folks on board with pie as their wedding dessert,” Cowden says. “But also I think the trailer is a great opportunity for morning-after coffee/pastry too.” Future pop-ups for the trailer include Phoenicia Flea, Woolen Affair, and dates at Rose Hill Farms. Stay tuned to her instagram for pop-up dates. The trailer is also bookable for private catering events.
Blue Duck Brewing Co.
79 Hurley Avenue, Kingston
Blue Duck Brewing Co. and Phoenicia Diner have teamed up to bring German-style craft beer, diner favorites, and pub food (plus pancake brunch) together with local sourcing and a community-focused ethos to the old Daily Freeman building in Kingston. Phoenicia Diner classics present at the new industrial brewery’s Canteen include the reuben (both classic and veg) and the onion rings (made with PD lager). The new fried chicken sandwich with white cheddar, ranch verde, and cucumber slaw on milk bread is sure to be a fast favorite ($16). Big-kid entrees include steak frites ($24), steelhead trout ($25), and a vegetarian chana masala ($18). Salads and a short kids menu round out the offerings.
Lucky Kingston
43 North Front Street, Kingston
In April, we reported that Tannersville favorite Lucky Catskills would be opening a location in the Stockade District in the old Kingston Bread + Bar spot, bringing pan-Asian tapas and provisions to Uptown. The original target opening date was in June and then mid-September, but NOW the latest update is that they will be open during the annual uptown block party Stockade Faire on October 4 with a soft opening the following Thursday, October 9. The concept for the Kingston spot will be the same as the Tannersville location: an Asian cafe with dim sum offerings, coffee drinks, and a provisions market, open from 9am to 5pm.
Kingston Bread + Bar
608 Broadway, Kingston
OK, so if Lucky is taking over the KBB spot, where is KBB going? So glad you asked. In January, they moved out of their North Front Street spot and, after signing a lease late March, spent the past few months renovating and moving into the former PAKT storefront (RIP) on the corner of Broadway and Field Court, adjacent to West Kill Supply. KBB is set for a soft opening on September 29, with the full menu coming on Wednesday, October 1. “Menu will be 90% the same as our old location with some fun new breakfast and lunch items,” says co-owner Aaron Quint. “The biggest change menu-wise is it will be the same menu every day, meaning bagels, sandwiches, soup, salad. We’re excited to be in the new neighborhood surrounded by friends and a great existing community of restaurants and shops. We’re trying to create a welcoming space for everyone with a bunch more seating and space than our old location.” The Broadway spot will be open Wednesday to Monday, 9am-3pm. The team has hopes of also keeping a retail counter open at the interim bakery they’ve been using at 25 Barbarossa Lane; more details on that to come.
Kestrel Tavern
21 Oneil Street, Kingston
With sexy lighting and smooth sound, Kestrel Tavern is slated to open in late October (exact date TBD) and hopes to correct some of the missteps of the building’s former tenant, Dear Kingston. The bar is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for owner and career bartender Steven Ives. From Dear Kingston, Ives inherited a 14-tap draft system, which he plans to use to feature a constantly rotating “all-star team” of Hudson Valley craft beers and wine from Red Maple Vineyard. On the liquor side, he’ll offer commercial favorites while reserving the top shelf for local craft spirits. The in-house kitchen will offer minimal snacks like bar pretzels and paninis, though Ives plans to have a full-time, third-party food provider on-premises during opening hours all year-round.
Union Street Taproom
36 Broadway, Kingston
Two years after launching their Hudson taproom in a renovated 1930s warehouse, Union Street Brewing Co. is expanding across the river. This October, they’ll open a second location at 36 Broadway in Kingston, in the former Half Moon Cafe space. (Donut lovers, fear not: Half Moon just moved across the street.) Though no production will happen onsite, the new outpost offer 12 taps of beer alongside wine, cider, and cocktails. A to-go fridge will keep 12 to 14 Union Street beers available for retail sale. Food will be lighter than in Hudson, but still overseen by CIA-trained chef Joel Somerstein. Union Street’s Kingston location is slated to open around October 15, with Thursday through Monday hours at launch.
This article appears in September 2025.
