From Life-Altering Biscuits To A Diner Approved By Lorde Herself, I'd Recommend These 12 Essential Restaurants To Anyone Visiting The Catskills This Summer

The Walk In first opened its doors in early 2021, nestled in the incredibly cute main street of Livingston Manor. Owners Lily Price and Erin Ellis, both of whom hail from the South, assembled a menu of "simple comfort food" for breakfast and lunch, and I've never had a bite of anything that hasn't completely blown me away. That said, the cornerstone of their menu is their life-altering buttermilk biscuit, along with anything and everything they sandwich between it. It's crafted from a family recipe four generations in the making, and to be 100% honest, it's one of the most unbelievable things I've ever tasted.

I feel that as a society, we're firmly in the middle of a craft-pizza movement. Look, I'm all for being inventive and putting unusual or unexpected ingredients together — when it works, that is. And that isn't always the case. The Dale, however, executes its pizza offerings beautifully, with an exciting roster of pies that are undeniably unique without feeling "extra."

When summer finally rolls around to the Catskills, you'll find live music and concerts just about everywhere, featuring local and New York City artists alike. But when it comes to live music, no one does it quite as well as Cabernet Frank's — a queer-owned restaurant, bar, live-entertainment venue, and community gathering place located in the tiny hamlet of Parksville. I've heard some local artists there who have legitimately brought tears to my eyes, and I've even chowed down on some mouthwatering food that's...well...also made me a little emotional.

I've enjoyed a decent amount of beer thus far in my life. To be real with you, I think craft beer can be "meh," totally drinkable, or, on those rare occasions, exceptional. In the case of Upward Brewing Company, it's the latter. As incredible as its beer is — the Basecamp Lagerbier and Breadwinner IPA are two of my all-time favorites — Upward offers so much more than just brews.

It's not often that an establishment that feels ripped out of the world's trendiest Instagram feed has the food or substance to match, but Phoenicia Diner defies the odds and does just that. With its mountain views galore, Instagram-worthy vintage Airstream, and A+ food offerings, it's a must-visit destination for anyone who finds themselves in the quaint hamlet of Phoenicia.

Lorde describes these onion rings as "the biggest she's ever seen," and she's not wrong. This diner definitely doesn't skimp when it comes to size, but there's also a tremendous focus on that gorgeous beer-battered coating, too. They're silky, luxurious, and crunchy all at once, and if you don't order them on your future trip to Phoenicia, you're missing out.

I first visited Cochecton Fire Station — yep, it used to be a real fire station — during the height of the pandemic. There was no sit-down service indoors or out, and they only offered to-go options from a limited menu. I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting, but when I tell you this place revolutionized my preconceived notions of what takeout could look like (and taste like), I'm not exaggerating one bit. And now that it's once again open for in-person dining, this is an absolute must for anyone traveling to western Sullivan County.

Named after the Junction Pool of Roscoe — a world-renowned fly-fishing spot just down the street — the Junction feels like a natural convergence of owners Misty Hackworth and Aaron Blakely's various identities. As married Southern transplants who both spent many years running various New York City bars (and they're fly-fishing enthusiasts to boot), their restaurant is unpretentious yet atmospheric. It feels like an organic extension of what makes Roscoe so special — and their "elevated comfort food" is unmatched.

In a close second place is their Fried Chicken with a hot honey drizzle that's, I kid you not, so fall-off-the-bone tender, it doesn't even seem possible. And for a quick bite, their Latkes with caramelized onion sour cream are the perfect way to prep your stomach for whatever you end up ordering, and they're also a lovely homage to the area's "Borscht Belt" roots.

I have unbelievably fond memories of this upscale restaurant, and no, it's not just because I was proposed to (!!!) moments after I ate there. OK, yes, that certainly helped sweeten the deal, but the restaurant holds up all on its own, proposal aside — and I'm dying to go back.

I'll admit that, given the choice, I'd almost always choose beer over cider. But that said, there's something about the ciders produced over at Westwind Orchard that just about turned me into a convert — and that's saying something. I've tried many a hard cider in my day, from the Angry Orchards of the world to the local, "artisanal" stuff, and I'd venture to say that Westwind's are some of the best I've ever had.