My Favorite Locations & Restaurants in the Catskills
Food and Drink!
Some of my favorite local restaurants, craft breweries, and cideries within a 30-minute drive (with one exception, for good reason!)
The chef here is terrific. Menu changes often with the seasons. Call ahead for a reservation!
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Jessie's Harvest House
5819 Main StThe chef here is terrific. Menu changes often with the seasons. Call ahead for a reservation!
Authentic swiss food in the Catskills! The owners did an amazing job renovating this space, and the food and beer are a perfect match following a hike or day on the slopes. I like the traditional schnitzel and an IPA, personally.
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Jagerberg Beer Hall and Tavern
7722 Main StAuthentic swiss food in the Catskills! The owners did an amazing job renovating this space, and the food and beer are a perfect match following a hike or day on the slopes. I like the traditional schnitzel and an IPA, personally.
Jay and Manu have done a great job with this space, which has one of the best views of Hunter Mountain year-round. Beware it can fill up quickly on weekends, so get there early. If you're looking for something to keep you warm on a cold day, try Manu's Chicken Curry!
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Hunter Mountain Brewery
New York 23AJay and Manu have done a great job with this space, which has one of the best views of Hunter Mountain year-round. Beware it can fill up quickly on weekends, so get there early. If you're looking for something to keep you warm on a cold day, try Manu's Chicken Curry!
A welcome addition to the neighborhood, clean, Scandanavian style features through and through at Scribners Catskill Lodge. The best part? The restaurant and bar, which feature amazing cocktails, homemade pasta, and local seasonal fare, offer direct views of Hunter mountain and the surrounding foliage as the trees change color.
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Scribner's Catskill Lodge
13 Scribner Hollow RdA welcome addition to the neighborhood, clean, Scandanavian style features through and through at Scribners Catskill Lodge. The best part? The restaurant and bar, which feature amazing cocktails, homemade pasta, and local seasonal fare, offer direct views of Hunter mountain and the surrounding foliage as the trees change color.
A terrific brunch spot in charming Phoenicia, this diner has built a reputation in Brooklyn for being a weekender's brunch spot of choice while visiting the Catskills. Eat indoor in the charming old-school diner (now with a full bar!) or outdoor on picnic tables while taking in the rolling mountains. Try the smoked trout on avocado toast!
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Phoenicia Diner
5681 NY-28A terrific brunch spot in charming Phoenicia, this diner has built a reputation in Brooklyn for being a weekender's brunch spot of choice while visiting the Catskills. Eat indoor in the charming old-school diner (now with a full bar!) or outdoor on picnic tables while taking in the rolling mountains. Try the smoked trout on avocado toast!
If you love craft beer, come to Woodstock Brewing. Excellent selection of high-quality brews with a terrific outdoor space that offers multiple firepits and reclining chairs under the lights and stars. Great for groups. My favorite thing on the menu: cauliflower wings!
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Woodstock Brewing
5581 NY-28If you love craft beer, come to Woodstock Brewing. Excellent selection of high-quality brews with a terrific outdoor space that offers multiple firepits and reclining chairs under the lights and stars. Great for groups. My favorite thing on the menu: cauliflower wings!
Anniversary, birthday, or date night? Check out The Phoenician for a great selection of steaks and hearty American fare on white linens. The pastas are quite good here as well, and in the warmer months they have an impressive outdoor seating area with fire pits as well. Make a reservation!
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The Phoenician
10 Main StAnniversary, birthday, or date night? Check out The Phoenician for a great selection of steaks and hearty American fare on white linens. The pastas are quite good here as well, and in the warmer months they have an impressive outdoor seating area with fire pits as well. Make a reservation!
A local favorite for the kids, check out the homemade donut maker and grab your coffee and you're off to the races!
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Twin Peaks Coffee & Donuts
5950 Main StA local favorite for the kids, check out the homemade donut maker and grab your coffee and you're off to the races!
Love the open firepits here and the general vibe, and the beer is terrific. Beautiful drive from the west. Bonus points if you can find Teddy the Maine Coone on the grounds!
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West Kill Brewing
2173 Spruceton RdLove the open firepits here and the general vibe, and the beer is terrific. Beautiful drive from the west. Bonus points if you can find Teddy the Maine Coone on the grounds!
A hidden gem just a short drive from the town of Phoenicia in Tremper, tucked away off the beaten path on a nice-sized property with picnic tables and a rustic old house, serving quality American food and spirits. I personally love the Tagine with healthy vegetables and chicken. Highly recommend.
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The Pines
5327 NY-212A hidden gem just a short drive from the town of Phoenicia in Tremper, tucked away off the beaten path on a nice-sized property with picnic tables and a rustic old house, serving quality American food and spirits. I personally love the Tagine with healthy vegetables and chicken. Highly recommend.
For those looking for a fun spot off the beaten path, take a one-hour drive west through the beautiful landscape to the charming town of Andes, NY. Here you will find one of the best cidery's in New York, hidden inside a converted barn with stunning views of the nearby mountains. Try a flight and find your favorite!
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Wayside Cider
55 Redden LnFor those looking for a fun spot off the beaten path, take a one-hour drive west through the beautiful landscape to the charming town of Andes, NY. Here you will find one of the best cidery's in New York, hidden inside a converted barn with stunning views of the nearby mountains. Try a flight and find your favorite!
I love this place! Amazing local cidery in the cute town of Catskill, NY. They have a great patio out back for relaxing in the warmer months and a warm and cozy vibe inside for the colder ones. The owners opened during the pandemic - show them your support!
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Left Bank Ciders
150 Water StI love this place! Amazing local cidery in the cute town of Catskill, NY. They have a great patio out back for relaxing in the warmer months and a warm and cozy vibe inside for the colder ones. The owners opened during the pandemic - show them your support!
What started as a small craft brewery is now a nationally recognized brewery with some terrific beer. Food carts on the weekends and a great outdoor space.
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Crossroads Brewing Company
21 2nd StWhat started as a small craft brewery is now a nationally recognized brewery with some terrific beer. Food carts on the weekends and a great outdoor space.
Farmhouse brewery located in the historic village of Catskill, NY. These upstart brewers are are doing some amazing work with their own malts and now serve woodfired sourdough pizza Thursday-Sunday in their beer garden (courtesy of their friends from Golden Farms). Seating is first come first serve with limited space, but worth it.
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Subversive Malting + Brewing
96 W Bridge StFarmhouse brewery located in the historic village of Catskill, NY. These upstart brewers are are doing some amazing work with their own malts and now serve woodfired sourdough pizza Thursday-Sunday in their beer garden (courtesy of their friends from Golden Farms). Seating is first come first serve with limited space, but worth it.
Fellow Mountain Cafe
7883 Main St
Tabla
6033 Main StreetGreat Spanish tapas right in Tannersville!
Local activities
Here are some of my favorite sights and local trails.
A source of inspiration for painters, writers, and poets for hundreds of years, two massive waterfalls cascade a total 260 feet (79 m) in height, making Kaaterskill Falls one of the highest waterfalls in New York, and one of the Eastern United States' tallest waterfalls.
The waterfalls are one of America's oldest tourist attractions, being depicted or described by many books, essays, poems and paintings of the early 19th century.
There is a viewing platform accessible 15 minutes from the property by car (head towards North-South Lake and make a right before the entrance at the sign to Kaaterskill Falls). Or if you're feeling adventurous, there is a shorter, but very steep, hike up to the waterfall from 32A. Bring your swimsuit!
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Kaaterskill Falls
A source of inspiration for painters, writers, and poets for hundreds of years, two massive waterfalls cascade a total 260 feet (79 m) in height, making Kaaterskill Falls one of the highest waterfalls in New York, and one of the Eastern United States' tallest waterfalls.
The waterfalls are one of America's oldest tourist attractions, being depicted or described by many books, essays, poems and paintings of the early 19th century.
There is a viewing platform accessible 15 minutes from the property by car (head towards North-South Lake and make a right before the entrance at the sign to Kaaterskill Falls). Or if you're feeling adventurous, there is a shorter, but very steep, hike up to the waterfall from 32A. Bring your swimsuit!
The largest ski resort in the Catskills and just 8-minutes from the house, Hunter Mountain is good for skiers of all levels in the winter and offers amazing views and ziplining in the summer and fall!
For skiiers, the training center was recently rebuilt to an efficient and modern space to get your gear if you are renting, and the old lodge still retains its charm as a place to grab a hot bowl of chili or beer over lunch while warming your toes.
This was the first mountain I ever skied in New York, and will always hold a special place in my family.
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Hunter Mountain
The largest ski resort in the Catskills and just 8-minutes from the house, Hunter Mountain is good for skiers of all levels in the winter and offers amazing views and ziplining in the summer and fall!
For skiiers, the training center was recently rebuilt to an efficient and modern space to get your gear if you are renting, and the old lodge still retains its charm as a place to grab a hot bowl of chili or beer over lunch while warming your toes.
This was the first mountain I ever skied in New York, and will always hold a special place in my family.
There is something for everyone at North-South Lake. A unique hour-glass shape defines this lake, which is set against a backdrop of mountains and site of the historic Mountain House, which stood from 1823 to 1962. There are easy hiking trails looped around the lake, which is great for swimming, fishing, and boating (paddleboards, rowboats, and canoes only), and from here you can access some of the best views of the Catskills looking down across the Hudson Valley. A great place for the family.
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North-South Lake
There is something for everyone at North-South Lake. A unique hour-glass shape defines this lake, which is set against a backdrop of mountains and site of the historic Mountain House, which stood from 1823 to 1962. There are easy hiking trails looped around the lake, which is great for swimming, fishing, and boating (paddleboards, rowboats, and canoes only), and from here you can access some of the best views of the Catskills looking down across the Hudson Valley. A great place for the family.
One of my favorite hikes in the area, and good for beginners, this trailhead is just 15 minutes from the house and roughly 4.5 miles roundtrip (2.5-3 hours at a moderate pace). The reward? A panorama 180 degree view of Elka Park and the Hudson Valley. Bring a packed lunch and relax on the rocks before heading back. If you're lucky, you can see red-tailed hawks soaring below (yes below!).
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Huckleberry Point Trail
2425 Platte Clove RdOne of my favorite hikes in the area, and good for beginners, this trailhead is just 15 minutes from the house and roughly 4.5 miles roundtrip (2.5-3 hours at a moderate pace). The reward? A panorama 180 degree view of Elka Park and the Hudson Valley. Bring a packed lunch and relax on the rocks before heading back. If you're lucky, you can see red-tailed hawks soaring below (yes below!).
This waterfall is quite a bit smaller than Kaaterskill Falls but charming and beautiful. Easily accessible at the end of Platte Cove Road, just 15 minutes from the house and right up the street from the Huckleberry Path Trailhead. You'll usually see some cars pulled off to the side of the road where you can park, and you can hike down to the waterfall and surrounding pool in just 15 to 20 minutes. The hike is quick but a bit steep, with some amazing views of the Hudson Valley on the way down. Bring your bathing suit and a pool towel! You'll want to jump in.
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Platte Clove Preserve - Catskill Center
Platte Clove RoadThis waterfall is quite a bit smaller than Kaaterskill Falls but charming and beautiful. Easily accessible at the end of Platte Cove Road, just 15 minutes from the house and right up the street from the Huckleberry Path Trailhead. You'll usually see some cars pulled off to the side of the road where you can park, and you can hike down to the waterfall and surrounding pool in just 15 to 20 minutes. The hike is quick but a bit steep, with some amazing views of the Hudson Valley on the way down. Bring your bathing suit and a pool towel! You'll want to jump in.
My favorite antique store on main street, which is really a collective of multiple art and antique dealers with a revolving selection of things. It is easy to get lost in this space, and the items are generally very reasonably priced.
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Tannersville Antique & Artisan Center
6023 Main StMy favorite antique store on main street, which is really a collective of multiple art and antique dealers with a revolving selection of things. It is easy to get lost in this space, and the items are generally very reasonably priced.
Just a 20-25 minute drive from the house is the town of Windham, home to the Ski Resort by the same name.
The mountain was first opened in 1960 and saw major investment in 2006-2007, now featuring 54 trails and 12 lifts, including three high-speed detachable lifts. The highest peak is situated at 3,100 feet (940 m).
I like it because the resort has a more Western feel and can be less crowded than Hunter Mountain on peak dates.
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Windham
Just a 20-25 minute drive from the house is the town of Windham, home to the Ski Resort by the same name.
The mountain was first opened in 1960 and saw major investment in 2006-2007, now featuring 54 trails and 12 lifts, including three high-speed detachable lifts. The highest peak is situated at 3,100 feet (940 m).
I like it because the resort has a more Western feel and can be less crowded than Hunter Mountain on peak dates.
This charming lake is just 10 minutes from the house and great for a quick dip on a hot day, or to lay out in the sun on a towel and relax. The lake is on the smaller side and perfect for paddleboarding and families. Definitely more of a " locals" feel compared to the more traveled North-South Lake.
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Colgate Lake
This charming lake is just 10 minutes from the house and great for a quick dip on a hot day, or to lay out in the sun on a towel and relax. The lake is on the smaller side and perfect for paddleboarding and families. Definitely more of a " locals" feel compared to the more traveled North-South Lake.