Amazing Foodie Guide: Agricultural and Wine Regions in New York State

6:10 pm  |  02.11.2021

New York stands for the glittering city, endless entertainment, diverse outdoor leisure activities, and beautiful nature. But did you know that the state is also a paradise for foodies? Join us on a culinary journey through the most appetizing regions of New York State.

Long Island: Wine and Gastronomy


Long Island extends east of MacArthur Regional Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). As soon as you have obtained a rental car, you can start. The 180 km long island in the Atlantic is known for its relaxed beaches, the quaint communities, and the numerous small farms and wineries.

The family-run Martha Clara Vineyards offer wine tastings and various events, while the Sang Lee Farms offer certified organic products and delicacies. Lavender by the Bay, one of the largest lavender farms in the country, promises special photo opportunities. Even if you can’t make it to the lavender blossom, it’s worth taking a tour of the grounds and a visit to the shop that sells lavender honey and other aromatic souvenirs. Also on the North Fork of Long Islands is the North Fork Table & Inn, whose menu features local cheeses, ultra-fresh seafood, and seasonal ingredients. If you want, you can stay here for the night before heading to the delightful Hudson Valley.

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Hudson Valley: Local Specialties and Wines

The fertile Hudson Valley is north of Long Island. Numerous historical sites are reminiscent of the beginnings of European settlement, which dates back to the 17th century. As a prelude to your pleasure tour, a visit to the year-round farm at the Stone Barns Center is a good idea. The local ingredients in the Blue Hill restaurant are delivered so fresh that there isn’t even a printed menu. The legendary Culinary Institute of America (CIA) further north has produced countless restaurateurs and celebrity chefs.

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During a cooking seminar, you will learn how to fillet, sauté and bake like the professionals. Depending on your personal taste, you can have a fermented cider at the Angry Orchard in Walden or sip a Baco Noir or Cabernet Franc at the Benmarl Winery, America’s oldest winery. Make sure you leave room for dinner at Fish & Game in Hudson. The “farm-to-table” restaurant is housed in a former blacksmith’s shop and scores with a first-class tasting menu, a chef who has received the coveted James Beard Award, and three entries in a row on the list of the 100 best wine restaurants Published every year by Wine Enthusiast magazine. For an overnight stay in a cozy but elegant ambiance, the charming Art Deco Hotel The Barlow is recommended.

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Central New York: Craft Beer Made from Home-Grown Ingredients

Beyond the Hudson Valley there are the farmlands and nice towns of Central New York. Not only is the region a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts, but it has also made a name for itself across the state as a center for craft beer. 

Forests, rivers, and lakes are ideal for water sports, hiking and cycling tours, golf, or, in the cold season, winter sports. After you’ve exhausted yourself in nature, a visit to the Water Street Brewing Co. in Binghamton is just the right time.

The brewery with an attached grill restaurant is not far from the confluence of the Chenango River and Susquehanna River and is also very popular with the locals. Via pretty side streets, you reach the Good Nature Farm Brewery in Hamilton, located to the north, which brews its unfiltered, unpasteurized beer with locally grown ingredients. You can order a meal with your ale in the “farm-to-table” restaurant or simply make yourself comfortable in the beer garden. The Empire Farm Brewery also uses ingredients from the surrounding farms for its artisanal beers. You can stay overnight B. in the picturesque Colgate Inn in the center of Hamilton, which was built in the Dutch colonial style. Your next stop is the lively Syracuse with its versatile aromatic restaurants.

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Syracuse and the Finger Lakes: Individual Restaurants

After the rural tranquility in the center of New York, the bustling Syracuse means quite a change at first. The college city is the seat of an important research university and welcomes you with outdoor leisure activities, sports, history, shopping, and of course numerous restaurants. 

The renovated houses in Armory Square, an Official National Historic District in central Syracuse, date from around 1870 and are now home to shops, bars, and restaurants.

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Lemon Grass relies on Thai fusion cuisine, while juicy steaks and creative desserts are served in the Bistro Elephant Steakhouse. Nearby is the Darwin on Clinton, whose sandwiches will make your mouth water. You shouldn’t miss the down-to-earth barbecue specialties and side dishes in the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, which appears regularly on local and national ranking lists. Fill your basket with juicy berries at the Strawberry Fields U-Pick Hydroponic Farm on the Finger Lakes Sweet Treat Trail. Leave some space for a meal at the Pier House Restaurant, which overlooks Seneca Lake. The Hotel Skyler Syracuse, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, promises a stylish overnight experience with a successful mixture of retro ambiance and modern flair. For the return journey to JFK Airport, you have to calculate about 4.5 hours from here. Alternatively, you can drop off your rental car at Syracuse Airport (SYR) and take one of the hour-long flights to New York City.

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