These 6 restaurants in the Hudson Valley are worth a visit, with one opening this weekend

With the holiday season brings a quick sprint to the new year. Resolutions come to mind, thoughts of change and trying new things.

Why not try one of these new restaurants in the Hudson Valley?

Of course, you'll always have a few go-to restaurants, but maybe one of the six places listed below will be added to your favorites in 2024.

Coming soon to the Hudson Valley

Moonburger

The burger joint made for now and made for everyone just opened a third location in Poughkeepsie on Saturday. Moonburger will be located in the Chestnut Market gas station off Route 9.

Owner Jeremy Robinson-Leon, a 2007 Vassar graduate, said it is surreal to be returning to Poughkeepsie. He already has two locations in Kingston and New Paltz. The Kingston location is just drive-thru, the New Paltz location is dine-in, delivery, online ordering and pickup, but his newest location will incorporate all aspects. He said customers describe Moonburger as a familiar, nostalgic and classic experience, but with a unique, futuristic spin.

"To us, it's 100% about the food and the experience," he said. "We just want people to come because they want a great burger, great fries, great shake, and a delightful experience every time."

Of course, the new restaurant will still have its signature meatless menu items, but the atmosphere is going to be unlike any of their other locations including neon light walls, screens and audio-visual effects.

Robinson-Leon said he is "almost positive" Moonburger Poughkeepsie will be the first plant-based fast food joint in a gas station in America. Check out their website for updates and to learn more about the Kingston and New Paltz locations.

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These restaurants recently opened in the Hudson Valley

Casa Amigos

Casa Amigos, located at 1516 state Rte 55, Lagrangeville, closed for renovations on Oct. 29, and reopened Friday, Nov. 24. They originally opened in November 2022, but already needed an expansion to fit their customers.

Arianna Torres said her husband Sergio Jimenez is "the mastermind behind Casa Amigos." The family-owned business wants to create an inviting atmosphere to share their authentic Mexican cuisine.

At Casa Amigos, you'll find menu items with fresh, seasonal foods, and one of their most popular dishes: the burrito casa amigos. Similarly, they use what's in season for their drinks, like their house, top shelf and specialty margaritas. To be the first to know when they reopen, check their Instagram for updates.

Tomo Asian Fusion

On Oct. 26, Tomo Asian Fusion located in Eastdale Village in Poughkeepsie had a soft opening and on Nov. 16 had their grand opening. Owner Tomo Lin also has another restaurant in Middletown, Mr. Sushi & Grill.

Lin said Tomo Asian Fusion provides original, authentic and healthy Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine to the area, with a strong focus on customers. He said when creating the menu, he wanted to keep it on the smaller side, while understanding what the clientele in the area wants most and providing that. He also has kept dietary restrictions in mind and priced the food so anyone can come to Tomo Asian Fusion.

When you go, check out their Omakase sushi bar experience and see the mixologists at work at their full bar. For more information, see their Instagram or Linktree.

Willa

Willa at 52 Main St. in Millerton has been open for just under a month. Owners Alanna Broesler and Jim Buhs used to work at 52 Main, and they decided it would be a wonderful opportunity to make this restaurant their own with a rebrand, new name, concept and menu.

Broesler said the space has a clean and elevated look with lots of live plants and fresh flowers. They're also farm-to-table, with a smaller menu that changes pretty frequently.

"90% of our menu ingredients come from the Hudson Valley," Broesler said. "As you get to Northern Dutchess, where we are, there's a lot of opportunity to source from smaller farms."

When you go, try some of their most popular menu items, including the smash burger with Kinderhook Farms beef and the clarified rum punch. They're open from Tuesday to Saturday at 4 p.m. for dinner.

New restaurants in the Hudson Valley you still haven't tried

Blackbird Bistro

Blackbird Bistro, located at 3997 NY-22, Wassaic, opened on June 11. George Santiago has been a chef in the Hudson Valley for 25 years, but was elated at the opportunity to open his own restaurant alongside his wife, Tara Moccio.

Santiago's son, Anthony Santiago, said Blackbird Bistro's ambiance is created by the music they play and the warm atmosphere stems from it being a family-owned business.

George Santiago said there's a new special every week and there's always going to be something new to try when you come in.

Features to try include Tara's Twisted Chicken Parm, the Imagine Chicken and the bistro's signature Blackbird drink. They are open every day of the week except Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Blackbarn Hudson Valley

Blackbarn Hudson Valley opened earlier this year, and if you haven't tried the restaurant connected to the Diamond Mills Hotel in Saugerties yet, put them on your list. John Doherty owns both Blackbarn Hudson Valley and its New York City sister restaurant, Blackbarn Nomad.

Marcos Castro is the executive chef and said they are located right on the Esopus Creek with a waterfall in their backyard. They have an outdoor terrace for customers to enjoy the view, but during the colder months you can enjoy their indoor dining area, which he describes as rustic made upscale. Regarding the menu, Castro said it is farm-to-table and similar to Blackbarn Nomad, but they've put a twist on it with Hudson Valley local ingredients.

"We deal with very many of our local farmers that I built a relationship with over the years working in the Hudson Valley," he said.

Blackbarn Hudson Valley's menu changes with the seasons. If you're looking for a drink to try, Castro suggests his favorite, Second Self. Also, all of their beers on tap are from the Hudson Valley. See their website for more information.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: 6 new Hudson Valley, NY restaurants to try in 2024