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Nestled in Kingston’s historic Stockade District, Hotel Kinsley is a sweet boutique hotel that is situated across 4 historic buildings. We’ve stayed at Hotel Kinsley a couple of times now and we love that the design of the hotel really embraces the historic nature of the buildings they’re within, while still being full of modern well-designed flourishes (think amazing bathrooms, and in some rooms - working fireplaces.)
The main hotel building, in an old bank, also houses the fantastic Kinsley restaurant and bar which is one of the best restaurants in the city. You can expect expertly-crafted American classics like roasted chicken, and tons of seasonal specials. They also serve a fantastic martini served with both gin and vodka, AND much like Hotel Kinsely are super dog friendly!
Right near Hotel Kinsley is one of the best pizzerias in upstate New York. Slinging Neapolitan pies and housemade soft serve, LOLA is the kind of place where you could pull up a chair and hangout for a while in the warmth of their wood-fired pizza oven. If you’re stopping in, don’t skip out on the pastas – their carbonara is fantastic!
Newcomer to Kingston’s ever-expanding Broadway strip, Eliza is an ultra-chic European-style bistro that is cooking some of the most exciting food we’ve had in a while. On the surface, the dishes at Eliza feel familiar, but upon further inspection unexpected ingredients and flavors jump out. Case and point: we thoroughly enjoyed a bowl of Tagliatelle which had flavors inspired by Thai drunken noodles, complete with Thai basil and spicy chili breadcrumbs. PS the wine list is perfect.
Owned by the same restaurant group as Eliza (and directly next door) Fletcher & Lu is a butcher and grocer that punches high above it’s tiny footprint. In addition to a selection of housemade charcuterie, Fletcher & Lu features a daily sandwich that is definitely one of the best lunches in Kingston.
Okay we know that some people (perhaps even a few readers of this newsletter) hold the opinion that bagels are only good within the five boroughs. BUT if you are in Kingston, it’s absolutely required for you to give Fantzye a try. In addition to absolutely stellar bagels, their bright and modern cafe also serves one of the best cups of coffee in Kingston.
This gem of grocery store features tons of local produce and refillable/bulk items alongside house made pastries, lunch, and local beers. Coolstuff contributor Eric Do once claimed that this Kingston mainstay made the best sandwich he has ever had.
While Moonburger has expanded to Williamsburg these days, there is still so much charm to the original drive-thru only location. We’re also pretty loyal to their vegetarian burgers as a roadtrip snack on the way out of Kingston!
Another Kingston restaurant making NYC classics that rival the city’s best is Ollie’s Slice Shop serving…you guessed it…pizza! This city-bound branch of Ollie’s in nearby High Falls is also owned by the good folks behind Eliza and Fletcher & Lu meaning the slices you should try are ones featuring meats (cured or otherwise) from the butcher next door. If you’re visiting like us, not to worry, there are a handful of seats inside including two booths.
Every time we visit Kingston we always make it a point to visit Salt Box, and each time the little bar keeps expanding. Just in time for warmer weather, they’ve burst out of the 18th century stone house that houses the bar and built a wonderful back and side yard to enjoy house cocktails and great beers – all without pretention. If you’re looking for something chill, make this a before dinner stop, and if you’re looking for a fun a lively night in Kingston, anytime after 8 or 9, this is your JAM.
On one of our first few trips upstate many moons ago, and in the early days of this newsletter, we happened to order a can of West Kill Brewing’s, “Brookie,” lager. It is easily the best beer in the world that isn’t Guinness. The brewery opened up a taproom in Kingston recently and it brings the best parts of a brewery tasting room while leaving behind the uncomfortable picnic tables and dark industrial vibe. Instead, a wallpapered room with wooden furniture and vintage artwork makes this place a perfect spot to hangout for a late afternoon beer and play a game of backgammon. When you’re hungry, there is a rotating lineup of foodtrucks that the team curates right out front.
A few blocks away from the grocer we recommended above is their sister coffee shop. To this day, the best coffee in Kingston has always been from this little spot off the beaten path. If you’ve only got time for one of the Village spots, this one also sells their housemade pastries including a selection of breads to go.
While a lot of the rec’s we’ve shared so far are along Kingston’s Broadway or in the Stockade District, there are a few gems in the generally more touristy Roundout neighborhood; Brunette is one of them. This natural wine bar has been around since the time back when Manhattan and Brooklyn combined had fewer than 5 bars that served natty wine. In other words, they know exactly what they are doing. Stop in for a glass or two alongside a handful of snacks and small plates.
Half bookstore, half coffee shop, Rough Draft is the type of place that anchors a neighborhood. Our favorite thing to do here is grab a cup to stay, find a seat on one of the many cozy sofa’s, and read a new book.
This shop in the Rondout area is one of two locations of Clove & Creek, the other being across the river in Hudson. You can always expect the shelves to be well stocked with a blend of the owner’s favorite European brands alongside local makers from across Upstate New York. Think handmade cutting boards and French soaps.
Record stores are either good or bad. This hinges entirely upon whether the curators of the stacks try to have an opinion about what’s in their shop or simply stock a mix of whatever sells well and cheap records they bought from estate sales. Rhino Records is firmly in the former category and is where we’ve found TONS of the most treasured pieces in our collection (namely a few 12” singles from The Smiths.)
No matter where we are, a well-curated kitchen shop will always capture out attention. Bluecashew is no exception. From larger staples like enameled dutch ovens to handmade spoons, there is something for everyone here.
Newt is pne of the best curated shops in all of upstate New York – and we’ve been to quite the handful! They describe the wares they sell as a collection of, “exceptional and unlikely objects,” and we couldn’t put it any better. Stop by yourself and get a special treat – for anyone on your list or simply yourself!
If vintage is your thing, there is no better stop on a trip to Kingston than Kingston Consigments. Sprawling across two stores of an old wooden building, the shop has dozens upon dozens of booths that stock everything from great vintage coats at a steal to full sets of midcentury Danish silverware.
A short hop from Rondout and into a more residential part of downtown Kingston lies Maison Après. Part cafe, part retail, the goods this storefront are mainly upcycled fashion pieces sewn and tailored right in the same building. We love how the team at Maison Après take classic menswear pieces and create new silhouettes with them.
Another cafe / retail hybrid, Kingston Social is one of the newer spots on this list, and has a lot of earned buzz about the place. Their coffee and pastries are exactly the sort you’d expect to find at a Roman espresso bar (bombolone, cornetto, etc) and the retail side of the shop carries a mix of art books, home goods, and toys (for both children and puppies.)
This moody waterfront florist has a fantastic storefront that caters to those of us who have a green thumb. Chances are if you put a plant in a new pot you buy here, it has a 65% greater chance of staying alive.
A popular brunch spot, Rosie General is also secretly one of the best independent grocers in Kingston. Their edited shop area features an array of snackable goods – many of which are made right in house!
One of our favorite things to do on a trip is to find a new bottle of wine and bring it home to enjoy as a reminder of the fun we had. The selection at Kingston Wine Co is the perfect place to find a unique natty bottle – as well as some hard to find liqueurs and amaros!
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At the mouth of Rondout Creek in the Rondout section of Kingston is TR Gallo Waterfront park. This riverwalk-stye park is a great place for a picnic or simply sitting by the river and relaxing on a bench.
Hotel Kinsely’s rooms aren’t the only well appointed piece of the property – each building has amazing common spaces as well. The reservable Sauna, however, is our favorite. Especially after colder upstate nights, it’s so nice to wake up with a warm session in the infrared sauna which is located just off the hotel’s gym in the Pearl St building.
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