Bryan’s guidebook
Restaurant recommendations
Some of my favorite restaurants in the area. Always check the hours of any restaurant up here before heading out, as they are often unusual!
World class Filipino food served by the most lovely people.
(they are moving locations in Nov/Dec 2023 so check their website before heading out to make sure you're going to the right place - they're in Accord now)
20 locals recommend
Harana Market
5125 Wittenberg RdWorld class Filipino food served by the most lovely people.
(they are moving locations in Nov/Dec 2023 so check their website before heading out to make sure you're going to the right place - they're in Accord now)
Probably our favorite brunch spot up here. Classic diner style food but everything is very home made (house smoked meats, bread and pastries baked in house, house made sauces, etc). Pair this with a stop at the swimming hole down the street (see Inn at Leeds) and you've got yourself a pretty perfect summer day in the Hudson Valley.
121 locals recommend
Gracie's Luncheonette
969 Main StProbably our favorite brunch spot up here. Classic diner style food but everything is very home made (house smoked meats, bread and pastries baked in house, house made sauces, etc). Pair this with a stop at the swimming hole down the street (see Inn at Leeds) and you've got yourself a pretty perfect summer day in the Hudson Valley.
Incredible gourmet donut shop. Don’t miss their savory menu though, breakfast sandwiches and daily pies are out of this world.
Mighty Donuts
Incredible gourmet donut shop. Don’t miss their savory menu though, breakfast sandwiches and daily pies are out of this world.
Newish Indian spot opened by veterans. A+ across the board, highly recommended. Very nice dining room.
Nirvana Indian Cuisine
Newish Indian spot opened by veterans. A+ across the board, highly recommended. Very nice dining room.
Von Salad is by reservation only so text ahead and tell him you are staying at Bryan and Giselle's. His cell is (631) 450-ALEX. This is a very close-by locals only kind of spot. Alex Von Salad is the colorful owner making the amazing pizzas in the wood burning oven. He also brews his own apple wine, makes his own hot sauce, and has great beers on tap. Also has goats and darts. You can buy fresh farm eggs from him as well.
Von Salad Farm
Von Salad is by reservation only so text ahead and tell him you are staying at Bryan and Giselle's. His cell is (631) 450-ALEX. This is a very close-by locals only kind of spot. Alex Von Salad is the colorful owner making the amazing pizzas in the wood burning oven. He also brews his own apple wine, makes his own hot sauce, and has great beers on tap. Also has goats and darts. You can buy fresh farm eggs from him as well.
This is probably the best restaurant in the Hudson Valley right now. Honestly some of the best Japanese food we've had outside of Japan. Both the kitchen and the raw bar are exceptional. And the drinks are fantastic. reservations recommended.
Medo
This is probably the best restaurant in the Hudson Valley right now. Honestly some of the best Japanese food we've had outside of Japan. Both the kitchen and the raw bar are exceptional. And the drinks are fantastic. reservations recommended.
Great date night spot. Most "NYC" restaurant up here. Very upscale, recommendations recommended.
275 locals recommend
SILVIA
42 Mill Hill RdGreat date night spot. Most "NYC" restaurant up here. Very upscale, recommendations recommended.
Phenomenal tapas spot. Definitely some of the best food we've had around here. would be a great spot for a date night or sitting alone at the bar!
Mirador
Phenomenal tapas spot. Definitely some of the best food we've had around here. would be a great spot for a date night or sitting alone at the bar!
I'm a huge pizza nerd and think this place can go head to head with the best of NYC. great place to hit after hiking at Minnewaska.
117 locals recommend
Ollie's Pizza
4 Bruceville RdI'm a huge pizza nerd and think this place can go head to head with the best of NYC. great place to hit after hiking at Minnewaska.
Really excellent, date night kinda place. Reservations highly recommended.
225 locals recommend
Red Onion
1654 NY-212Really excellent, date night kinda place. Reservations highly recommended.
Old school Italian spot a short drive from the airbnb. One of our favorite places to eat in the area. Incredible homemade food, great service, generous portions.
48 locals recommend
Annarella Ristorante
276 Malden TurnpikeOld school Italian spot a short drive from the airbnb. One of our favorite places to eat in the area. Incredible homemade food, great service, generous portions.
Great pizza spot that will deliver to the house. Recommend the grandma pies and the salads.
48 locals recommend
Slices
71 Partition StGreat pizza spot that will deliver to the house. Recommend the grandma pies and the salads.
On the other side of the river in Rhinebeck, but worth it for one of the world’s best falafels alone, plus you can walk around town, which is really cute. 11am-3:30pm only.
36 locals recommend
Aba's Falafel
54 E Market StOn the other side of the river in Rhinebeck, but worth it for one of the world’s best falafels alone, plus you can walk around town, which is really cute. 11am-3:30pm only.
Nice upscale (but not TOO upscale) bistro. Chef is from Gramercy Tavern. Def bringing Euro/NYC vibes to Kingston. amazing wine list as well. as with almost everything good up here: reservations recommended and check hours before you go.
Eliza
Nice upscale (but not TOO upscale) bistro. Chef is from Gramercy Tavern. Def bringing Euro/NYC vibes to Kingston. amazing wine list as well. as with almost everything good up here: reservations recommended and check hours before you go.
If this season is right for apple or other fruit picking (check their website), this is truly the best spot in the area. They have a really nice tap room and food trucks as well.
60 locals recommend
Rose Hill Farm, 1798
19 Rose HillIf this season is right for apple or other fruit picking (check their website), this is truly the best spot in the area. They have a really nice tap room and food trucks as well.
new american farm to table. very well done. lovely dining room. reservations recommended.
Restaurant Kinsley
new american farm to table. very well done. lovely dining room. reservations recommended.
this place doesn't look like much, situated in a strip mall, but it has a great sushi chef and always hits the spot. reservations recommended.
16 locals recommend
SushiMakio
1088 Morton Blvdthis place doesn't look like much, situated in a strip mall, but it has a great sushi chef and always hits the spot. reservations recommended.
This is a little mom and pop cafe. breakfast and lunch only. they bake their bread fresh. honestly everything is very fresh and delicious. really nice locals only kinda spot.
Rushbrook General Store & Cafe
This is a little mom and pop cafe. breakfast and lunch only. they bake their bread fresh. honestly everything is very fresh and delicious. really nice locals only kinda spot.
Have been hearing nothing but amazing things about this newish wine bar / fine dining spot. Walk in only I believe, so go early? We actually haven't been yet, so let us know if you go.
Chleo
Have been hearing nothing but amazing things about this newish wine bar / fine dining spot. Walk in only I believe, so go early? We actually haven't been yet, so let us know if you go.
CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS! This is a longer drive, but is one of my absolute favorite places to eat up here. Very upscale diner food in a classic diner environment. House smoked meats. Outdoor seating when it’s warm. Friday to Monday only.
58 locals recommend
West Taghkanic Diner
1016 NY-82CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS! This is a longer drive, but is one of my absolute favorite places to eat up here. Very upscale diner food in a classic diner environment. House smoked meats. Outdoor seating when it’s warm. Friday to Monday only.
Namaste Indian Restaurant
3112 Rte 9WSuper solid Indian we love for takeout.
The only good bagel in the area honestly. Really nice outdoor seating situation when the weather is right, otherwise take out is the move.
110 locals recommend
The Mud Club
43 Mill Hill RdThe only good bagel in the area honestly. Really nice outdoor seating situation when the weather is right, otherwise take out is the move.
great spot for a classic American brunch. reservations recommended but not required.
171 locals recommend
Oriole 9
17 Tinker Stgreat spot for a classic American brunch. reservations recommended but not required.
Not exactly super close but if you're going to the Tannersville area for a hike, we HIGHLY recommend stopping here to get some treats to enjoy at the peak first. Super next level bakery, everything made by hand by the owner.
Shandaken Bake
Not exactly super close but if you're going to the Tannersville area for a hike, we HIGHLY recommend stopping here to get some treats to enjoy at the peak first. Super next level bakery, everything made by hand by the owner.
Drive thru vegetarian burgers. As a carnivore I promise you will not miss the meat. Great spot nearby when you need a very quick bite.
Moonburger
Drive thru vegetarian burgers. As a carnivore I promise you will not miss the meat. Great spot nearby when you need a very quick bite.
This is one of our favorite restaurants in the Hudson Valley. Upscale Mexican in a very nice space with impeccable service. It's not hard to spend $75-100 a person, so might be birthday level big night out, but well worth it!
Casa Susanna
This is one of our favorite restaurants in the Hudson Valley. Upscale Mexican in a very nice space with impeccable service. It's not hard to spend $75-100 a person, so might be birthday level big night out, but well worth it!
This is a well designed bar with pretty great food, mostly pizza. Kitchen open very late for this area, every night but Wednesday, which makes it a lovely go to for us when everything else seems closed in the area.
Sorry, Charlie
This is a well designed bar with pretty great food, mostly pizza. Kitchen open very late for this area, every night but Wednesday, which makes it a lovely go to for us when everything else seems closed in the area.
Groceries
Adam’s is my local favorite for groceries. Family run, supports local farmers, great customer service, and keeps it pretty real on the prices:
216 locals recommend
Adams Fairacre Farms
765 Dutchess TurnpikeAdam’s is my local favorite for groceries. Family run, supports local farmers, great customer service, and keeps it pretty real on the prices:
The Kingston Farmer’s Market is on Saturdays in downtown Kingston from Memorial Day through Thanksgiving, 9a-2p. Great place to get fresh fruits and veggies, fish, bread, meats, even ice cream and tamales!
112 locals recommend
Kingston Farmers Market
285 Wall StThe Kingston Farmer’s Market is on Saturdays in downtown Kingston from Memorial Day through Thanksgiving, 9a-2p. Great place to get fresh fruits and veggies, fish, bread, meats, even ice cream and tamales!
Thur-Sat only. Old school German butcher. Best meats in the area. If you want to grill, I highly recommend stopping by here first.
59 locals recommend
Smoke House of the Catskills
724 NY-212Thur-Sat only. Old school German butcher. Best meats in the area. If you want to grill, I highly recommend stopping by here first.
Hiking
Cannot recommend the All Trails app highly enough. great GPS to trail heads, and you can download trail maps in advance to your phone so you never get lost even if you have no phone signal. Here are some of my faves in the area.
This a super nice little hiking spot that works for people of all levels of expertise or lack there of, and is just 8 minutes away. 3 different loops. Each about an hour long. Nearly impossible to get lost.
Israel Wittman Sanctuary | Woodstock Land Conservancy
This a super nice little hiking spot that works for people of all levels of expertise or lack there of, and is just 8 minutes away. 3 different loops. Each about an hour long. Nearly impossible to get lost.
Esopus Bend Nature Preserve
4 Shady LnVery close by and pretty easy hiking for everyone
Nice out and back with incredible views from the peak. It’s uphill most of the way out.
49 locals recommend
Huckleberry Point Trail
2425 Platte Clove RdNice out and back with incredible views from the peak. It’s uphill most of the way out.
Right on the other side of the bridge, pretty family friendly. You can get to a firetower with incredible views from the top pretty easily.
82 locals recommend
Ferncliff Forest
68 Mt Rutsen RdRight on the other side of the bridge, pretty family friendly. You can get to a firetower with incredible views from the top pretty easily.
not *super* close but worth the trek for some of the best hiking in the area. does get crowded with city folks on the weekend.
6 locals recommend
Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center, Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Hamilton Point Trailnot *super* close but worth the trek for some of the best hiking in the area. does get crowded with city folks on the weekend.
Probably the biggest hiking attraction in the area and for good reason. You can do an easy hike to the platform or go further down to the bottom of the falls (beware you will have to be somewhat athletic to come back up). This is an extremely popular hike! Well worth it, but the parking lots do fill up, so I recommend to go early on a weekday if you can swing it.
668 locals recommend
Kaaterskill Falls
Probably the biggest hiking attraction in the area and for good reason. You can do an easy hike to the platform or go further down to the bottom of the falls (beware you will have to be somewhat athletic to come back up). This is an extremely popular hike! Well worth it, but the parking lots do fill up, so I recommend to go early on a weekday if you can swing it.
Art
This is an absolutely incredible outdoor sculpture park. Honestly on par with Storm King, just not as well known because it's further from the city.
310 locals recommend
Art Omi
1405 Co Rte 22This is an absolutely incredible outdoor sculpture park. Honestly on par with Storm King, just not as well known because it's further from the city.
Really cool sculpture that one artist spent his whole life building. very close to the airbnb, highly recommend stopping by.
351 locals recommend
Opus 40
356 George Sickle RdReally cool sculpture that one artist spent his whole life building. very close to the airbnb, highly recommend stopping by.
Okay, this really isn't close, it's almost a 2 hour drive. BUT, if you find yourself here on a bad weather day, and really want to get out of the house, you could do a lot worse than traveling to what is arguably the world's best modern art museum.
382 locals recommend
MASS MoCA
1040 Mass MoCA WayOkay, this really isn't close, it's almost a 2 hour drive. BUT, if you find yourself here on a bad weather day, and really want to get out of the house, you could do a lot worse than traveling to what is arguably the world's best modern art museum.
swimming
Not here as a restaurant recommendation but as one of the most beloved swimming holes in the area. You can either park on the street or in the parking lot behind this restaurant and make your way down the short path past the dumpsters to an unreal swim spot. Fair warning: We've never experienced this and it doesn't stop us, but have heard stories of towed cars and there is some minor trespassing involved to get to the creek.
17 locals recommend
Inn at Leeds
1125 Main StNot here as a restaurant recommendation but as one of the most beloved swimming holes in the area. You can either park on the street or in the parking lot behind this restaurant and make your way down the short path past the dumpsters to an unreal swim spot. Fair warning: We've never experienced this and it doesn't stop us, but have heard stories of towed cars and there is some minor trespassing involved to get to the creek.
big beach here that's great for swimming. can get very crowded but when you're really trying to beat the heat it's a great spot. if you're feeling more adventurous, I recommend going left when you enter the park, away from the beach, parking at the big lot just past parking lot F, and making your way to the peninsula on the lake. it's way more peaceful and one of my fave spots to swim and chill up here. $10 per car to get in.
132 locals recommend
Lake Taghkanic State Park
1528 New York 82big beach here that's great for swimming. can get very crowded but when you're really trying to beat the heat it's a great spot. if you're feeling more adventurous, I recommend going left when you enter the park, away from the beach, parking at the big lot just past parking lot F, and making your way to the peninsula on the lake. it's way more peaceful and one of my fave spots to swim and chill up here. $10 per car to get in.
Big Deep
Pretty well known swim spot in the area, for good reason!
there is a waterfall here that is one of the best swimming spots up here. there are lots of no swimming signs that you'll notice everyone ignores.
128 locals recommend
High Falls Conservation Area
540 Roxbury Rdthere is a waterfall here that is one of the best swimming spots up here. there are lots of no swimming signs that you'll notice everyone ignores.
great campground with two lakes you can swim in. perfect stop for a dip after Kaaterskill Falls hike. $10 per car.
165 locals recommend
North/South Lake Campground
874 N Lake Rdgreat campground with two lakes you can swim in. perfect stop for a dip after Kaaterskill Falls hike. $10 per car.
Wellness
Great for a spa day. Advance reservations recommended.
13 locals recommend
Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck
46 W Market StGreat for a spa day. Advance reservations recommended.
Moonlight Sanctuary
Great spot for a yoga class or sound healing, book in advance online
Great local studio run by our friend with many offerings: yoga, reiki, sound healing, etc etc
North Node Space
Great local studio run by our friend with many offerings: yoga, reiki, sound healing, etc etc