Best Restaurants in the Catskills

From mountain brunch spots to candlelit trattorias, Catskills restaurants dish up local flavors and crowd-pleasing classics in every season.
Written by Angela Hart and Denver Curated Staff.

Barn suppers, riverside grills, and chef-owned kitchens shape the Catskills’ food scene. The best restaurants in the Catskills balance comfort and creativity — think wood-fired entrees, farm-fresh salads, scratch desserts, and regional brews.

Quick Picks

Best Dinner for Foodies: Silvia — Seasonal small plates and wood-fired mains in Woodstock.

Best Classic Burger Stop: Mama's Boy Burgers — Griddled burgers, frozen custard, and roadside nostalgia in Tannersville.

Best Italian-American Crowd Pleaser: Savona's Trattoria & Bar — Buzzy Stockade District spot with garlic breadsticks and hearty pasta classics.

Silvia

$$$
Woodstock

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Wood-fired pita crackles from the open kitchen, anchoring tables as sun falls over hardwood and glass. House fermentation and a schedule of seasonal mains hallmark the kitchen’s vegetable-forward precision.

Local Insights

🍯 Whipped Butter Ritual: Order the wood-fired pita with honey butter—it anchors every table early and locals rarely skip it.

🌱 Not Just a Steakhouse: The kitchen leans into vegetables—ask about off-menu vegan or gluten-free specials.

🌅 Deck Season: Come early for a sunset seat on the outdoor deck; tables fill up quick after 6 PM, especially in summer.

🍹 Offbeat Cocktails: The spicy margarita or apple sour show up in conversation almost as often as the entrees—don’t overlook the drinks list.

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42 Mill Hill Rd
,
Woodstock
,
NY
12498

Silvia

Woodstock
🌱 Farm-to-Table
A modern Catskills dining room where the kitchen is always alive. Wood-fired pita, local produce, and a steady current of conversation.

Aroma Thyme Bistro

$$
Ellenville

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Market-driven plates set against wood tables and a steady hum of live jazz and clinking glasses. The bar pours deep with local beer and a sprawling wine list curated for every pairing.

Local Insights

🍔 Burger Deal Sundays: Order a burger after 5 PM on Sunday and get the second one free—local favorite, especially after a hike.

🎷 Thursday Jazz: Drop in Thursday nights for live jazz and a low-key gathering around the bar and tables.

🌱 All About the Wine: Ask for the 'wine bible'—there’s a bottle or glass for every kind of palate, with staff happy to guide you.

🐕 Dogs Welcome Outside: Dogs are allowed on the patio, and many locals bring their pups for lunch or dinner when the weather’s right.

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165 Canal St
,
Ellenville
,
NY
12428

Aroma Thyme Bistro

Ellenville
🍔 American
Lively spot with a local streak, pouring organic wines and pouring pints for hikers and neighbors alike. Wood-fired plates and a menu that changes with the season.

Colosseo

$$
Monticello

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Fast-turning booths fill with the smell of thin-crust pizza and bubbling pasta trays. House-made sauces, daily specials, and in-house desserts anchor a menu that covers all the Italian standards.

Local Insights

🍝 Menu Stretch: The specials board is worth a look—sometimes you’ll find off-menu pastas or seasonal pizza toppings.

🍨 Sweet Finish: Don’t miss the tiramisu and cakes in the dessert case. They go quickly by late dinner.

🎵 Not Just Dinner: Locals swing by for a quick lunch slice as much as for drawn-out family dinners—all ages fit in here.

🥗 Veg-Friendly: The kitchen is flexible with dietary tweaks—just ask for extra veggies or no cheese and they’ll usually oblige.

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11 Raceway Rd
,
Monticello
,
NY
12701

Colosseo

Monticello
🍝 Italian
Family Italian cooking with big plates and a steady local hum. Slices, parm, and pasta pass between tables while staff keeps things moving.

Ship to Shore

$$
Kingston

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River light glints off hardwood floors as seafood and steak plates move between bar and Strand-side tables. Inventive mains, a tight wine list, and patio seating set the rhythm.

Local Insights

🍳 Weekend Brunch: Brunch here is a local ritual—arrive early to beat the late-morning rush, especially if you want the riverside patio.

🍷 Wine Finds: The wine list changes often and usually includes a few Hudson Valley standouts. Ask the bar staff for their current off-menu picks.

🥩 Steak Specials: Keep an ear out for daily steak or meat specials that sometimes push the menu outside its usual boundaries.

🌅 Sunset Tables: Early dinner gets you the best river views as the sun sets over the Strand—reserve ahead for outdoor tables in summer.

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15 W Strand St
,
Kingston
,
NY
12401

Ship to Shore

Kingston
🦞 Seafood
A fixture on Kingston’s Strand where the bustle hums from lunch to late plates. Seafood, steaks, and cocktails land at tables by the river.

The Dutch

$$
Saugerties

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Pressed tin ceilings and battered floors frame pints passed between regulars and a rotation of schnitzel and pub plates. Sixteen local draft taps and a steady pie lineup anchor the draw.

Local Insights

🍻 Beer Flights: Ask for a tasting flight to sample local brews before committing to a full pint.

🎤 Weeknight Music: Tuesdays and Thursdays often see acoustic sets—less crowded, easier to chat.

🥧 Pie is a Must: Don’t skip dessert—homemade pies and cheesecakes rotate often and vanish early.

🌻 Patio Season: Grab an outdoor table in warmer months; it’s the prime spot for people-watching on Main Street.

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253 Main St
,
Saugerties
,
NY
12477

The Dutch

Saugerties
🍔 American
Restored tavern alive with 16 taps, regular live music, and weekend crowds. Onion soup steams from the kitchen, beer glasses clink at long tables.

Miss Lucy's Kitchen

$$
Saugerties

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Tin ceilings ring with cutlery and conversation as slow-cooked brisket, fried chicken, and seasonal pies hit every table. Housemade desserts and local produce drive menus from brunch through dinner.

Local Insights

🥧 Save Room for Pie: The house pies and bread pudding tend to vanish on weekends—order dessert with your meal if you want a sure slice.

🍻 Bar’s a Scene: Regulars post up early at the bar for cocktails and quick plates—grab a stool if you’re flying solo.

⚡ Brunch Moves Fast: Early brunch is calmer; after noon it can be a squeeze for a table, especially in summer.

🥗 Vegetarian Surprises: Ask staff about off-menu vegetarian plates, which rotate with local farm deliveries.

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90 Partition St
,
Saugerties
,
NY
12477

Miss Lucy's Kitchen

Saugerties
🍔 American
Neighborhood mainstay with a lived-in feel and plenty of local chatter. Plates come out bustling—fried chicken, brisket, and pie cut through a lively crowd.

Peekamoose Restaurant

$$
Big Indian

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Barnwood walls catch soft light while woodsmoke drifts from the open grill. Menus shift with local produce, landing wood-fired steaks and handmade pastas beside a tightly curated wine list.

Local Insights

🔥 Firepit Nights: Grab a marshmallow kit at the host stand—firepit sessions start at dusk on weekends, weather allowing.

🧒 Kids' Treehouse: The playful indoor treehouse is open to kids until 8 PM—perfect for longer meals with family in tow.

🐕 Dog-Friendly Deck: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio; ask for a water bowl and table in the shade.

🍸 Offbeat Drinks: Locally inspired cocktails rotate with the seasons, but ask for the plum daiquiri if it's on; it’s a staff favorite.

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8373 NY-28
,
Big Indian
,
NY
12410

Peekamoose Restaurant

Big Indian
🍔 American
Peekamoose turns a restored farmhouse into one of the region’s most thoughtful dining rooms. Candlelight and wood fire flicker through slow dinners and passing seasons.

Prospect at Scribner's

$$$
Hunter

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Mountain sunlight pours through tall windows while fires flicker just outside. Ribeye, trout, and beet risotto rotate on the menu, matched with a strong cocktail list and steady brunch service.

Local Insights

🍳 Brunch Tip: Early weekend brunch means less crowd and strong morning light—ask for a window table for sunrise or changing colors in fall.

🔥 Fire Pit Evenings: After dinner, grab a drink and head outside to the fire pit; blankets are often on hand and mountain stars show up after dusk.

🌾 Chef's Special: Watch for rotating dishes inspired by the chef’s Puebla roots—if you see a mole or seasonal tamale, grab it before it’s gone.

🐕 Dog Policy: Leashed pups are welcome on the patio, and staff sometimes brings out homemade dog treats if you ask.

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13 Scribner Hollow Rd
,
Hunter
,
NY
12442

Prospect at Scribner's

Hunter
🍔 American
A Catskill lodge dining room set with mountain views and open beams. Dishes swing from ribeye and trout to pancakes stirred up at sunrise.

Brushland Eating House

$$$
Bovina Center

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Evening sun slides into a clinking dining room where courses flow at a single seating. Weekly menus lean into local produce and Persian-French family recipes, bracketed by a thoughtful natural wine list.

Local Insights

📅 Weekly Menu Drop: The menu is posted online at the start of each week—locals keep an eye out for seasonal surprises.

🧅 Dietary Requests: Give special dietary needs well in advance; the kitchen is remarkably accommodating but needs notice.

🍰 Cake Worth the Drive: The olive oil cake is legendary—if it's a highlight, ask if you can take a slice for the road.

🛑 Digital Detox: Cell service disappears in Bovina Center, so screenshot directions and plan to disconnect during dinner.

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1927 County Hwy 6
,
Bovina Center
,
NY
13740

Brushland Eating House

Bovina Center
🌱 Farm-to-Table
Dinner that feels like gathering in a light-filled Catskills house. Plates full of local produce, chatty tables, and dishes that linger on the mind.

Phoenicia Diner

$$
Phoenicia

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Railcar windows frame mountain views as forks clatter and country music cuts through the breakfast rush. All-day pancakes, inventive hashes, and strong coffee anchor familiar counter seating and outdoor tables.

Local Insights

🌲 Early Bird Wins: Arrive before 9 AM on weekends, or try midweek for the shortest waits and quieter counter seating.

🥄 Outside Trailer: The outdoor airstream serves a condensed menu on busy days—fast ordering, but bring your own shade in summer.

🍩 House Specials: The buttermilk pancakes are the local favorite, but don't miss The 3500, a plate loaded with hash, eggs, and extras.

🐕 Dog Hang: Outdoor tables welcome dogs, and servers often bring water bowls if you ask.

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5681 NY-28
,
Phoenicia
,
NY
12464

Phoenicia Diner

Phoenicia
🍳 Breakfast
A classic roadside diner gets a fresh spin in the Catskills. Buttermilk pancakes, griddled specials, and counter chatter shape the day.

Barnwood Restaurant

$$
Catskill

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Stamped tin and raw pine fill the barn-sized dining room, while platters of Southern fried chicken and BBQ ribs land fast on big tables. House-made bread pudding and a deep tap list anchor the menu.

Local Insights

🍕 Pizza Nights: Don’t miss their pizza specials, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays—locals line up early for those slices.

🍗 Fried Chicken Legend: The Southern fried chicken is the house pick; ask your server if you want extra gravy on the side.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Go-To: Kids love the garlic knots and there’s a solid children’s menu. High chairs and booster seats always stocked.

🍰 Bread Pudding: Barnwood’s bread pudding draws a quiet crowd—grab a piece before it’s gone after dinner rush.

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COORDINATES

14 Deer Ln
,
Catskill
,
NY
12414

Barnwood Restaurant

Catskill
🍔 American
A roadhouse-style spot where locals and travelers pull up for big plates and local beer. Fried chicken, ribs, and chatter carry through wood-trimmed booths.
From riverside seafood joints and farm-fresh bistros to retro burger counters and Italian family tables, the best restaurants in the Catskills invite you to slow down and savor. Bookmark this guide for your next adventure, and share with friends planning a trip. And don’t forget to tap our directory for even more picks, or explore related guides for hidden gems tailored to your tastes and favorite towns.
Written By
Michael Kauffman
Last Updated:
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