Best of Denver
Best Retreats in the Catskills
Nothing captures Catskills comfort quite like a great burger — whether it’s a classic smash, a vegetarian surprise, or a smoky house special. Across the region, burger spots range from nostalgic roadside counters and lively taverns to modern craft kitchens.
Best Classic Smashburger: Mama’s Boy Burgers — Roadside charm and frozen custard make this a Catskills staple.
Best Kosher Bar Burger: Upside Craft Burger & Kosher Bar — Hand-formed and stacked high, with a full kosher cocktail list.
Best Family-Friendly Counter: Buns Burgers — Grass-fed beef, hand-cut fries, and quick counter service for all ages.
Beef patties sourced from local pasture-raised herds land on potato buns at The Pines. Hand-cut fries pile beside seasonal toppings, picnic tables sit under the pines, and live music weekends give every burger a little extra note.
🎸 Wednesday Tunes: Catch the best local music every Wednesday—arrive by 6:30 PM for a table near the stage.
🌲 Fall Patio: The patio gets chilly after dusk, especially in October—bring layers if you want to linger outdoors.
🥧 Pie Priority: Save room for dessert—the key lime and chocolate pies sell out before 8 PM on weekends.
🍻 Bar Hang: Bar seats fill quickest on stormy nights and during music sets; off-season visits mean more elbow room and quick service.
Smash burgers sizzle under the grill at Brave the Flames. Crispy fries, craft-beer flights, and a warm, no-reservations counter keep the mood easy. When the mountain slows, this burger stop picks up, and the parking lot tells its own story.
🥾 Post-hike staple: This place fills up right after Kaaterskill and North–South Lake trail crowds come down — early afternoons can get busy.
🌱 Veg options shine: The soy curl cheesesteak is a local sleeper hit for vegetarians and omnivores alike.
🍻 Local brews: Ask for the Kaaterskill Hazy IPA from West Kill Brewery — it’s a taproom favorite and pairs well with anything grilled.
🐾 True dog welcome: Well-behaved pups are greeted with water bowls and sometimes a treat, indoors and out.
Burger patties hit the griddle at Darlings (838 Route 32, Tillson, NY 12486), where Southern-inspired flavors meet solid Catskills ease. Bacon-cheddar smash burgers land beside vegan-friendly patties, craft cocktails flow at the horseshoe bar, and the backyard patio — complete with firepit and yard games — makes staying for one just the first thought.
🪩 Disco Details: Take a look overhead — Darlings’ disco balls catch evening light for a true old-school backdrop.
🌱 Garden Out Back: The outdoor seating behind the restaurant runs extra long and is best at sunset, especially in summer.
🍺 Beer Rotates: Local craft beers cycle regularly, so check the chalkboard for new arrivals each week.
🕺 Brunch Scene: Brunch fills up by 1 PM on weekends, with both classics and specials—arrive early for favorite tables.
Candlelight flickers over polished wood while conversation thickens and old jazz threads the air. Cocktails lean inventive, smash burgers sizzle, and the open fireplace marks winter sessions.
🕔 Early Arrivals: Booths go quick after 5:30 PM—show up right at open for a spot by the fireplace.
🍔 Secret Menu: Ask about off-menu small plates or late-night fry upgrades—regulars know what's up.
🍹 NA Options: Bar staff will craft a custom non-alcoholic drink if you mention your flavor mood.
🎶 Saturday Shift: Crowd swells from 7–10 PM; midweek is best for a quieter catch-up or deep pour.
Smashed patties land on potato-bun rounds at The Junction. Crisp fries echo with salt, craft cocktails pour from the bar, and the room hums with the easy chatter of a village that calls itself “Trout Town USA".
🎣 Fisherman’s Start: Early afternoons are quiet—prime for post-river pints when shirts are still wet from wading.
🎱 Pool Table Quickies: Two bucks reserves the table for a while if you get in before the after-work crowd.
🎵 Jukebox Nights: Locals like to commandeer the playlist around 7 PM; expect classics and some country twang.
👻 Bar Stories: Buy a round and ask about the hauntings upstairs—a favorite late-night tale here.
Tent lights and malty air set an open scene for house-malted IPAs and pretzels. Fast-moving burgers, vegan plates, and frozen beer slushies reflect their on-site malt program and ever-changing tap list.
🍔 Burger Drop: The kitchen rotates special burgers nearly every weekend—get in early on Saturdays before sellout.
⏰ Midweek Shift: Wednesdays and Thursdays after 5 PM are the quietest; best time for a relaxed pint and patio seat.
🧊 Slushie Season: Spring through early fall, ask for their rotating beer or cocktail slushie—local legend status.
🎶 Live Sets: Live music pops up most summer Fridays—check Instagram for the lineup and bring a jacket for cool creek breezes after dark.
The Clubhouse at Shandaken Inn blends northern-Catskills calm with diner-forward energy. A rotating menu includes “Burgers & Beers” nights featuring a signature The Clubhouse Burger and hand-cut fries, while pine-framed windows overlook meadow and mountain beyond.
🥾 Closest trail: The Ashokan Rail Trail is right out the back—great for a flat morning hike or bike.
🍔 Burger break: Stop in at the Phoenicia Diner, 5 minutes down 28, for breakfast or a late lunch.
🏊 Secret swim: Ask staff about directions to the nearby midnight swimming hole off the rail line—a favorite in hot weather.
🦉 Night tips: Best stargazing happens on the golf course lawn after 11 PM—just bring a blanket from the room.
Smash-burgers meet natural wines at Sonder. A backyard patio hums in the evening, the kitchen beams out a signature Sonder Burger and herby fries, while the wine list tilts local and low-intervention. Creative plates, thoughtful pours, and city-meets-Catskills energy in the heart of Broadway.
🍾 Sample the wine: Staff will happily pour mini-tastes of wines by the glass—don’t miss their offbeat descriptions.
🌿 Patio pick: Back garden opens May through September and is loveliest just before sunset.
🥄 Early menu wins: Arrive on the early side if you want the full menu—specials and popular mains often sell out before 8 PM.
🍳 Bread and butters: The za’atar loaf and rotating butters have a cult following; order extra while you can.
Burger patties hit the griddle at Tiny’s. Crispy fries land beside creative smash-burgers, and the old hardware-store setting hums with local ease. Open Thursday to Sunday for lunch, the café buzzes with conversation and comfort — just the kind of burger stop the Catskills were made for.
🥪 Go-to Order: Chopped cheese gets raves, but the pernil-style pork is a sleeper hit among regulars.
🍪 Sweet Bonus: Nab a couple of the store’s cookies at checkout—locals rarely leave without them.
🕙 Early Arrival: Arrive close to opening for the best shot at hot breakfast sandwiches before the late risers file in.
🌄 Pre-Hike Fuel: Grabbing a sandwich before hitting Bramley Mountain or the Hamden rail trail is a tried-and-true move.
Deer Mountain Inn sits high above the valley, where pine forests and fog-tipped peaks shape the view from every porch. Arts-and-Crafts interiors, roaring fireplaces, and six guest rooms balance mountain stillness with thoughtful detail. Ceremonies unfold on sweeping lawns, dinners in candlelit dining rooms, and nights end around the bonfire with the ridge glowing behind.
🕯️ Fireside Nights: The lounge fireplace is the place to linger after dinner—a glass of rye and a mountain view hit different here.
🥖 Sourdough Highlight: Ask for their house sourdough at any meal—it’s a point of pride among regulars and best eaten warm.
🎨 Art in the Woods: Rotating art and sculpture shows pop up in the inn and grounds—keep an eye on the schedule if you’re visiting in summer or fall.
⛰️ Sunrise Trails: Try an early-morning hike up the inn’s own trail system—deer sightings are common, and the view stretches all the way to Hunter Mountain on a clear day.
Burgers in the Catskills carry a certain honesty—local beef, toasted buns, and a rhythm that’s never rushed. From roadside grills to candlelit taverns, every stop tells its own story of comfort done right. Whether it’s a post-hike reward or a slow-afternoon indulgence, these kitchens keep the Catskills’ easy charm alive, one sizzle at a time.
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