4 Best Restaurants in Woodstock, The Catskills

In a rambling farmhouse painted a lovely shade of yellow, Cucina serves up some of the region's best Italian fare. There's a huge communal table if you want to meet other foodies, fireside tables for chilly fall dining, and tables on a wraparound porch that are perfect for romantic summer evenings. The menu includes a surprising array of pizzas and pastas, all reasonably priced, as well as heartier dishes like slow-roasted salmon with corn pudding or seared scallops with vegetable succotash. The meats, cheeses, and produce all come from organic farms in the nearby Hudson Valley. Italy is the inspiration for the long wine list, although there are also selections from France and farther afield.

With pale wood floors, original art on the walls, and chalkboards crowded with menu options, Oriole 9 is a local favorite known for its breakfast all day—be that the traditional eggs and bacon or something more special, like poached artichoke, curried coconut tofu hash, or bread and butter pudding served with bacon and maple syrup. There are several different soups and salads if you're not feeling breakfast for lunch, as well as heartier fare like sandwiches made with slow-braised pork or brisket with spicy mayo. The bittersweet chocolate mousse is a perfect dessert to share.

A casual eatery in the heart of Woodstock, this popular local hotspot delivers comfort food "just like mom used to make," if she used organic ingredients sourced from local farms and dairies. The soups and salads are tasty, but the burgers and sandwiches—like the farmhouse burger (with cheddar, bacon, and sriracha aioli) and the veggie-friendly grilled cheese (three types of cheese with date preserves)—are what keep people coming back. Mac and cheese or hush puppies are the perfect sides. Wash it all down with craft beer or cider, or a selection from the surprisingly varied wine list.