A few weeks ago, our hunt for Upstate’s ~Coziest, Vibiest~ Bars + Restaurants led us to an unexpectedly long list of gems. Too many for one drop, actually — so we split the list into two.

Last week’s ~Vibiest~ List became our most-requested collection ever on Instagram – perfect for date night, or any other excuse to dress up.

Below, find Part II: our ~Coziest~ list. Our criteria? Bars and restaurants that master winter ambiance with wood stoves, candlelight and fireplaces — plus thoughtful cocktails and soul-warming food. Good for chunky sweaters, winter boots, couples and friends trips.

Before we get into it, it’s worth mentioning that it was really difficult to narrow this list down; if there’s one thing Upstate does exceptionally, it’s cozy! While many fit the bill, we tried to balance some old favorites with new gems, plus cover different areas in both the Catskills and Hudson Valley. In the end, we narrowed it down to lucky 13.

Find ’em all below, and sign up for our Escape Club Newsletter to get lists like this directly to your email.

Enjoy a fireside meal right outside of Catamount Ski Area at Little Cat Lodge’s cozy tavern. Photo: Julian Bracero

Nestled at the base of the Berkshire Mountains, the Tavern at Little Cat Lodge is a lodge-style restaurant that serves locally inspired dishes, curated wines, and craft cocktails. 2.5 hours from NYC in the hamlet of Hillsdale, NY, Little Cat Lodge is set at the base of the Catamount Ski Area, making it ideally positioned for a weekend of laid-back skiing. After hitting the slopes, warm up in front of the wood-burning fireplace or tuck yourself away in one of the intimate booths for two. Order a drink (if you’re into a wintery cider, try the spiced apple fizz) and get comfortable for an evening of indulging in warming dishes and cozy vibes.

Coziest Features: Cozy booths, large fireplace, lodge-style vibes, and ski mountain views.


Location/Hours: 37 Catamount Road in Hillsdale, NY. The restaurant is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4pm-9pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-9pm.

Stissing House dates back almost 250 years, making it a historic cornerstone in the Hudson Valley. Photo: Catskill Image

Stissing House – a colonial tavern that dates back to 1782 – merges historic charm, candlelit dinners, and delicious New American fare. Settle into a fireside seat to warm up before indulging in hearty dishes like bavette steak, pot-roasted vegetables, and slow-roasted pork loin (the menu changes with seasonal availability, but these dishes are all on the list for February.) Stissing House also has an extensive wine list that features nearly one hundred different bottles of red, white, orange, rosé, and sparkling wines, so there’s a perfect pairing for any meal.

Coziest Features: Historic colonial vibes, low lighting, large brick fireplace, and fire-cooked meals.


Location/hours: 7801 S Main Street in Pine Plains, NY. The restaurant is open Sunday, Monday, and Thursday from 5pm-9pm, and Friday and Saturday from 5pm-9:30pm.

Settle in and enjoy Italian-inspired small plates and wine from the islands and coastal towns of Western Europe at Isola. Photo: Upland Creative Co.

East of the Hudson River, Isola Wine Bar brings cozy, vintage vibes to the town of Kinderhook, NY. The building, which dates back to 1787, recently underwent a meticulous restoration and renovation project, with the goal of maintaining the building’s historic charm while honoring Isola’s inspiration: the trattorias of the Old World. New to the restaurant scene, Isola’s wine program focuses on low-intervention wines from Western Europe. With ten rotating wines by the glass (and ten more by the bottle), there’s always something new to pair with the bar’s menu of Italian-inspired small plates.

Coziest Features: Wraparound booths, rotating wine by the glass, exposed wood beams, candle-filled fireplace, historic charm, and sharable plates.


Location/hours: 16 Hudson Street in Kinderhook, NY. Isola is open Thursday through Saturday from 4pm-9pm.

Spend happy hour enjoying craft cocktails at Prospect’s bar before moving to a table for dinner. Photo: Nicole Franzen

Set adjacent to Hunter Mountain, Prospect – the bar and restaurant at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge – is one of our top picks for après-ski dinner and drinks. Step into the cozy, lodge-like space, complete with two wood stoves, panoramic mountain views, and plenty of room for large groups to gather. Plan on spending happy hour at Prospect’s circular bar before cozying up at one of the dining room tables for dinner. Indulge in New American fare, get a bottle of wine for the table (the by-the-bottle list is pretty impressive), and spend the evening enjoying winter in the Northern Catskills.

Coziest Features: Dual wood stoves, proximity to ski mountains, dark finishes, mountain views, and cozy ski lodge vibes.


Location/hours: 13 Scribner Hollow Road in Hunter, NY. Prospect is open daily, with the bar opening at 3pm and dinner service starting at 5pm.

Brushland Eating House features an ever-changing menu of elevated, family-style meals crafted with the intention of bringing people together. Photo: Christian Harder

For a unique dining experience (and/or weekend getaway) head to Brushland Eating House in the western Catskills. At Brushland, rotating menus are served as three-course, family-style meals – meaning each meal is shared with the table, and the menu changes weekly. Brushland also hosts a monthly Persian feast, where guests can enjoy a traditional Iranian dinner (the next feast is on Sunday, February 16th.) Those hoping to make a weekend out of their visit can stay in one of Brushland’s four Airbnbs: two apartments above the restaurant, a farmhouse across the street, and a hilltop cabin five minutes away.

Coziest Features: Three-course family-style meals, beautiful candlelit atmosphere, open kitchen, family-owned restaurant in a tiny town with no traffic lights.


Location/hours: 1927 County Highway 6 in Bovina, NY. Brushland offers one seating every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Doors open at 6pm, and the meal begins at 7pm.

Deep in the Northern Catskills, Deer Mountain Inn emphasizes coziness in every detail, from leather armchairs to a grand fireplace. Photo: Ernesto Roman

For classic Catskills ski lodge vibes, head to Deer Mountain Inn in Tannersville. Start the evening with a craft cocktail at the restaurant’s bar before moving into the comfortable dining room for dinner. The menu has been curated to allow guests to enjoy a leisurely three-course meal, starting with fresh sourdough bread and ending with a hearty plate of warming comfort food. If time doesn’t allow for the full three-course meal, the entire menu is à la carte – meaning a small plate with a drink at the bar is just as doable. End the night with a digestif or espresso in the fireside armchairs.

Coziest Features: Low lighting, multiple fireplaces, moody furnishings, and an award-winning wine list.

Location/hours: 790 County Road 25 in Tannersville, NY. Deer Mountain Inn’s restaurant is open from 5pm-9pm Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday, and from 12pm-9pm on Saturday.

In addition to the Urban Cowboy’s main lodge, its new bar Ralph’s Bar and Bowling opened in early 2025. Photo c/o Urban Cowboy

The big news in Big Indian, NY is that the Urban Cowboy Lodge is now Urban Cowboy Lodge & Resort — spanning both sides of the Big Indian Valley. In addition to their original lodge, six buildings are adding 20 more rooms, a tennis court, pool, trails, and most importantly, a really cool bar they’ve named Ralph’s Bar and Bowling. The bar is drinks only, but dinner is available in The Cowboy’s Public House Restaurant, located in the main lodge, which just so happens to have a beautiful stone fireplace. Come for the cocktails, and maybe stay the night at this very cozy lodge we’ve done at least a dozen features on.

Coziest Features: Main lodge with restaurant and fireplace, bowling, dancehall, fun drinks and theme parties.


Location/hours: Ralph’s Bar & Bowling at the Urban Cowboy Lodge & Resort is located at 822 Olivera Road in Big Indian, NY. Open Friday to Monday, 3pm-10pm.

Nostalgic camp vibes create a cozy atmosphere in Camptown’s noteworthy restaurant, Casa Susanna. Photo: Upland Creative Co.

Nestled on the campus of Camptown – a boutique hotel in Leeds, NY – is Casa Susanna: a Mexican-inspired restaurant that puts a twist on traditional recipes and dishes. Recently named a James Beard Semi-Finalist, Casa Susanna has captured the hearts of locals with its homemade tortillas, strong margaritas, and ever-changing menu of seasonally inspired dishes. Each dish is designed with sharing in mind, inviting guests to cozy up by the fire, get close, and enjoy the meal together. After dinner, grab a nightcap at the bar before heading out (in addition to the margaritas, we recommend the jalapeño-infused elote sour for anyone who likes a little spice.)

Coziest Features: Nostalgic camp vibes, dark wood accents, wood-burning fireplace, and private location.


Location/hours: 800 County Road 23B in Leeds, NY. The restaurant is open for dinner from 5pm-10pm Thursday-Monday (bar until 11.)

Beautiful murals, comfortable booths, and historic charm add unique character to the restaurant at Bird & Bottle Inn. Photo c/o Bird & Bottle Inn

The epitome of cozy, Hudson Highlands’ Bird & Bottle Inn is located inside a 250+ year old Dutch Colonial home with history predating the American Revolution. Cozy up in the dining room, clad with a forest mural and centered around a fireplace – or head to the tavern and library/lounge for a cocktail. The restaurant’s fascinating history includes bringing in an “up-and-coming NYC caterer” as a consultant – none other than James Beard, in the 60’s. Its culinary prominence lives on today; in 2024, The Bird & Bottle Inn was voted “Best Restaurant in Putnam County” by Hudson Valley Magazine readers.

Coziest Features: Historic building with dining room, lounge/library and bar; excellent, soul-warming, award-winning food.


Location/hours: 1123 Old Albany Post Road in Garrison, NY. The restaurant at Bird & Bottle Inn is open Wednesday through Saturday from 4:30pm-10pm and on Sunday from 4:30pm-9pm.

For late-night cozy vibes, grab a seat at Hemlock in Catskill, where craft cocktails pair perfectly with classic bar food. Photo c/o Hemlock

For the perfect blend of cozy and sultry, head to Hemlock – a cocktail bar with low lighting, velvet booths, rich wood details, and strong drinks. Grab a seat at the bar with a date, or cozy up in a booth with friends, and peruse the menu of craft cocktails, beer, wine, and classic bar food (think burgers, fries, chopped cheese, etc.) Located right on Main Street in Catskill, Hemlock provides a laid-back vibe, making it the perfect place to duck into and warm up after an evening of exploring the town, whether you’re winding down or looking to extend the night.

Coziest Features: Velvet booths, comforting bar food, strong drinks, and space for groups.


Location/hours: 394 Main Street in Catskill, NY. Hemlock is open daily from 5pm-12am.

A wood-burning fireplace anchors the warm, inviting space at Dandelion at Eastwind Oliveria Valley. Photo: Upland Creative Co.

Set on the Eastwind Oliveria Valley campus in Big Indian, NY, Dandelion is one of the coziest spots in the Catskills. On the way in, grab a hot toddy from the bar before sinking into the cozy fireside couch. Warm yourself up while watching snow fall through the restaurant’s oversized windows, and then grab a seat at one of the tables for dinner. The menu is loaded with seasonal dishes, each crafted with a “forage to fork” ethos. To start, order small plates to share – or grab a bowl of soup for yourself if it’s on the menu (trust us.) Then, dive into the main course and enjoy refined versions of classic comfort dishes. Dandelion also has a weekly fondue night on Wednesdays, adding an extra layer of coziness to your midweek dining experience.

Coziest Features: Grand fireplace, mountain views, fondue night, comfortable couches, and an intimate bar.


Location/hours: 212 McKenley Hollow Road in Big Indian, NY. Dandelion is open Sunday through Thursday from 5pm-9pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 5pm-10pm.

The social atmosphere at The Junction adds a fun twist to the intimate bar/restaurant. Photo: Alec Castillo

Roscoe’s laid-back cocktail bar and restaurant The Junction serves elevated comfort food with a Southern influence that simply hits different in winter. Owned by a fly-fishing obsessed couple with hospitality backgrounds in NYC, this new-ish bar quickly became a staple in the Catskills’ Sullivan County. The front of the restaurant is home to the bar (where you might meet SullCo’s “Best Bartender” winner Aaron Blakely), a cozy wood stove, and a few sofas for bar overflow – creating a fun social atmosphere. Once you’ve got a seat, our favorite menu items include whipped feta, smoked trout spread, and the grain bowl; other menu items of note include the chicken sandwich (which won “Best Chicken Dish” in the area) and their burgers, recently nominated in local Catskill Crew’s “Best Burger” list. You really can’t go wrong here.

Coziest Features: Excellent food and cocktails, wood stove, great music and atmosphere.


Location/hours: 60 Stewart Avenue in Roscoe, NY. The Junction is open Friday through Monday, with the bar being open from 3pm-11pm and dinner service running from 5pm-9:30pm.

A glimpse into Wm. Farmer and Sons’ dining room, where many tables enjoy a view of the cozy fireplace. Photo courtesy of/o Wm. Farmer and Sons

Wm. Farmer and Sons offers a refined yet cozy dining experience in Hudson, NY. Under the guidance of chef-owner William Farmer, the menu changes seasonally but consistently features expertly prepared meats, house-made charcuterie, and innovative vegetable dishes – all complemented by an impressive craft cocktail program and carefully curated wine list. A warm, sophisticated atmosphere has a central fireplace, exposed brick walls, vintage fixtures, and intimate dining spaces – perfect for both special occasions and casual evening meals. Staying a while? Check out their lodging options, just upstairs from the restaurant. (Of note: Wm. Farmer and Sons is walkable Hudson’s Amtrak station, making a cozy, car-free weekend Upstate possible.)

Coziest Features: Central fireplace, beautiful bar, happy hour menu, range of seating options from large tables to intimate dining nooks.


Location/hours: 20 S Front St, Hudson, NY 12534. Through February 18th, the restaurant is open Friday and Saturday from 5-10pm and Sunday through Tuesday from 5-9pm. Starting February 19th, their hours will change to Monday through Thursday from 5-9pm and Friday through Saturday from 5-10pm, with the restaurant closed on Sundays.