This summer season, the Hudson Valley will once again be host to numerous pop-ups showcasing a variety of local fare. With the region’s farms bursting with fresh, in-season produce, outdoor seating options, and Hudson Valley views that are enough to draw tourists from far and wide, it's no wonder that these tasty pop-ups will draw crowds. These mini-events allow local chefs to demonstrate their skills and cuisine in a smaller-scale environment without the constant pressure and overhead of a full-time restaurant, while being a great way to try something out of your comfort zone, or even something you’ve never heard of. Here’s a round-up of popular Hudson Valley food pop-ups to try this summer.
Hare’s Hollow
Since 2021, Hare’s Hollow has been partnering with local farms to produce seasonal, wood-fired, portable pizza events. Not only do they do catering for parties, weddings, and private events, but across the Hudson Valley you can find their pop-ups at cideries, farms, farmers’ markets, and breweries. Their most common spots to sell a slice are Rose Hill Farm every Friday, the Kingston Farmers’ Market every other Saturday, the Phoenicia Farmers’ Market on select Sundays, and the Woodstock Farm Festival on select Wednesdays. You can also catch this mobile wood-fired oven, along with their current asparagus, green garlic, and pea tendril special, at Rose Hill Farm’s Restaurant Industry Night on select Mondays. Check out their Instagram or Facebook for the weekly pop-up schedule.
Little King
The Little King is not just a cafe in Beacon. This self-proclaimed “quietly ambitious” spot sells minimalist food and drink as well as packaged food products, trinkets, and home decor. Owners Jeremy King and Ken Baldwin opened their shop on Main Street in 2021, with the hope of “always working to produce delicious food without compromise.” Currently, they’re taking their swing at pop-ups. Their latest event was the Little King Filipino pop-up on May 6. This sold-out event was host to woldykusina, a New York-based Filipino chef. Little King is also spicing things up with some of their own new pop-up menu items, such as the Kedgeree bowl, a popular British dish with Hudson Valley smoked rainbow trout and curried rice. They also plan to host Banchan by Sunny Lee on July 8 with her classic Korean menu as well as the Bé Bêp Vietnamese Food pop-up with Phoebe Tran on August 5.
Misto
Just in time for the start of summer, Misto is resuming its burger night on June 1, and will continue to pop-up every Thursday at Rose Hill Farm. With a variety-filled, locally sourced menu, including grass-fed beef burgers, veggie burgers, gluten-free options, and tastes from their respective home countries, Brazilian-Ukrainian owners Wilson and Nadia Costa are offering something for everyone. The Costa’s love for locally sourced, organic ingredients, mixing of international flavors, self-grown herbs, gluten-free options and open fire cooking leave room for delicious summer fares for all. Throughout June, the pop-up and catering duo can be found hosting events at Rose Hill Farm, Slow Fox Farm Brewery, the Gulden Farm Spring Market and the Lasting Joy Brewery. Check their full list of events online.
Oyster Party
For the past five years, New York City native Kyle Needham has run a catering and pop-up raw bar, Oyster Party, bringing molluscs to the masses. Now a staple throughout the Hudson Valley, Oyster party venues range from farms and festivals to local shops, breweries, wineries, and restaurants. If you’re looking to grab a luscious lobster roll, caviar and chips, or some freshly shucked oysters, be sure to make the trip to one of their many pop-up events scheduled throughout the summer. You can find Oyster Party at pop-ups on June 2 at Stonehill Farmhouse, from June 17-19 at Rose Hill Farm, and July 15, August 19 and August 20 at Cooper’s Daughter Spirits. Needham is also a part owner of the Kingston Standard, so if you can’t make any of these pop-up dates, fret not—oysters are always on the menu at the brewery as well as lobster rolls.
Hibino Day by Day
When Yasuyo Hibino first settled in Newburgh during the pandemic, there were no Japanese restaurants close by, so she came up with the idea to create an onigiri-focused pop-up. Through Hibino Day by Day, she sells her popular stuffed rice balls, a common Japanese lunch staple, in a variety of styles and flavors. Try one, three, six or eight, being vegetarian, seafood-based, or stuffed with mushrooms, seaweed, or a kimchi-tuna blend. While Hibino will no longer be hosting weekly Monday pop-ups at Lodger starting June 1, she still has a packed schedule for June. Every Thursday in June, Hibino will be at the Grow plant shop in Newburgh from 12-3. Hibino will also be hosted by the Cold Spring Farmers’ Market at Boscobel House and Gardens on Saturday June 10 and 24 from 8:30am to 1pm.
Hamrah’s Seven Spice
This pop-up offers a local twist on traditional Lebanese food. Hamrah’s Seven Spice uses locally sourced, organic ingredients from Columbia County, Eastern Mediterranean goods, and ethically raised meats to make tasty, quality, feel-good food that will leave you satisfied. Their three types of fatayers offer a perfect doughy, flaky pocket to house freshly grown chard, spinach, or local pasture-raised ground beef and lamb. Maybe pair it with their hummus and baba ghanouj, which comes with a plate of their za’atar pita chips. Every Saturday, from June 3 to July 10, you can find these fabulous foodstuffs in two locations: the Kinderhook Farmers’ Market from 8:30am to 12pm, and the Hudson Farmers’ Market from 9am to 1pm. Don’t miss out on their summer tabbouleh (it’s vegan!), with the fresh flavors of citrus, mint, parsley and scallion.
Supreme Soft Serve
Supreme Soft Serve owner Megan Kitsock has taken her high school ice cream job and turned it into a business, bringing small-batch, custom soft serve to the Berkshires and Hudson Valley with delectable cones. Kitsock’s catering and pop-ups allow you to curate flavors and toppings to your choice, with some mouth-watering options such as sea salt milk chocolate and “Death Wish” dark roast coffee ice cream or malted milk ball centers and mini vegan chocolate chip toppings. Each small batch of soft serve is made with local ingredients. Supreme Soft Serve will be at Cooper’s Daughter Spirits every Friday from 4pm to 8pm until July 28, as well as at Rose Hill Farm most Saturdays and Sundays until July 23 from 12-6.
