Romantic Restaurants in the Hudson Valley, New York

Located in the most famous small town of New York – Woodstock – Cucina is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner for two. Situated in a beautifully restored and rambling farmhouse in the historic town, the restaurant boasts a crackling indoor fireplace and a large 24-seat communal dining table and serves a contemporary Italian menu of elegant and straightforward farm-to-table food. Based on seasonal and local ingredients, the menu features sharing platters of antipasti, primi of pasta, risotto, and gnocchi dishes, and secondi of hearty entrées. Guests can dine at the 24-seat communal table or more privately in a dining room and on the large wraparound porch on warm summer days. Private events and functions can be held in The Barn, a lovingly restored 19th-century barn next to the restaurant.

109 Mill Hill Rd. Woodstock, NY, 12498, Phone: 845-679-9800

Based in a beautifully renovated church, Terrapin Restaurant is a rustic-chic bistro-style restaurant that serves creatively inspired New American locavore fare in an intimate and romantic atmosphere. Using locally sourced ingredients from the Hudson Valley and globally-inspired tastes and flavors from around the world, the restaurant serves a menu of contemporary cuisine with signature dishes like Barbecued Duck Quesadilla, Golden Nugget Squash Soup, Pumpkin Ravioli, Horseradish Crusted Sushi-Grade Ahi Tuna with Miso Aioli, Maples Brined Double Thick Pork Chop with Calvados-Apple Demi-Glace and Braised Beef Short Rib Gratinee. The dessert menu features sweet treats such as Valrhona Chocolate Pudding, Creme Brulee, Cheesecake Paradise, and classic Apple Tart.

6426 Montgomery Street, Rhinebeck, Phone: 845-876-3330

Located in the architecturally stunning Culinary Institute of America, The Bocuse Restaurant is an upscale eatery that offers a new style of casual yet sophisticated dining with reinvented executions of classic French cuisine. Prepared and served by students at the Culinary Institute, the menu features sublime dishes such as Black Truffle Soup, Pâté Maison, Seared Turbot, Hanger Steak, Pork Tenderloin, Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast, and Aquerello Risotto. The restaurant also serves an excellent French wine list and innovative cocktail program.

1946 Campus Dr, Hyde Park, NY 12538, Phone: 845-451-1012

Swoon Kitchen Bar lives up to its name and has diners swooning over the contemporary menu of innovative cuisine created by owner-chefs Jeffrey and Nina Bachinsky-Gimmel. Served in a casual ambiance with modern décor and a convivial atmosphere, the daily-changing dinner menu features appetizers of bacon-wrapped dates, smoked salmon mousse and roast cauliflower salad, entrées of spice-rubbed skirt steak, grilled swordfish, and pan-roasted bluefish served with an array of sides of shoestring fries, creamy mash, and freshly made salads. Sip on a delicious martini from the bar made with boutique vermouth or a crisp white wine from France or Spain.

340 Warren Street, Hudson NY, Phone: 518-822-8938

Aroma Osteria is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been serving traditional Italian fare for more than 20 years. Established by Eduardo and Lucia Lauria in 1997, the now employee-owned restaurant is renowned for their authentic Italian food which includes handmade pasta dishes like farfalle deliziose with toasted walnuts and of sun-dried tomatoes and orecchiette rustiche with sauteed fennel sausage and broccoli rabe. Other delights on the menu include imported Italian mozzarella di bufala, the Piedmontese classic of Vitello tonnato, and grilled rainbow trout brushed with extra virgin olive oil. The wine list features wines from smaller regional producers and varieties of prosecco, as well as craft beers, and imported spirits.

114 Old Post Rd, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590, Phone: 845-298-6790

Established in 2003 in Ellenville in upstate New York, Aroma Thyme Bistro is a Certified Green Restaurant© that focuses on supporting local for both their creative food menu and a well-stocked bar. The eatery serves artisanal local cuisine prepared under the expert guidance of award-winning Chef Marcus Guiliano using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and organic produce from regional farms. Daily specials include Pan-Seared Wild Coho Salmon Filet, Grilled Grass-Fed Rib-Eye Steak, Blackened Mahi-Mahi, and Spicy Jackfruit Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms. Aroma Thyme boasts one of the best-stocked bars with over 250 fine wines from around the world, 250 local craft beers, and 250 boutique spirits for creating handcrafted cocktails.

165 Canal Street, Ellenville, Phone: 845-647-3000