Best of Westchester: Food & Drink in 2023

Courtesy David Burke Hospitality Management

Looking for the tastiest eats in Westchester County? Our 2023 Best of Westchester food and drink winners have you covered.

Editors’ Picks: Food & Drink

Doughnuts

Mad Donuts

Sugar, flour, butter, and yeast are taken to artisan heights with Matthew Moore’s small-batch doughnut pop-up shop (see website for schedule), which proffers takes on classics such as bourbon-vanilla-bean-glazed and raspberry-cardamom jam, plus specials like strawberry shortcake, Beer Cake, or the Westchester Bavarian Cream, with ganache chocolate icing, chocolate crunch, and gold leaf.

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Lunch Special

Shirley’s India

New Rochelle; shirleysindia.com

Is there anything more gratifying than a delicious meal that also saves a chunk of change? Down a nondescript New Rochelle side street awaits one of the best bang-for- your-buck specials. The street box at Shirley’s India has enough for two meals, but if you find yourself licking the container clean at lunch, we won’t judge. Topped with your choice of protein (but trust us: Go with the chicken tandoori) over “Street Cart Fries,” rice, banana chips, and chopped naan, the box is then finished with “Not Mint” & “Pink” sauce.

New Steakhouse

Red Horse by David Burke

White Plains; redhorsebydb.com

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Known for putting his personal spin on American classics (Hello, clothesline bacon! Greetings, coconut-cream-and-strawberry sfogliatella!), David Burke’s 200-seat dazzler of a New American steakhouse in The Opus Hotel is a foodie must: A tableside Caesar salad, onion soup mashed potato gratin, a Burke-patented Himalayan-salt-aged steak, and the shareable tin-can cake dessert make a meal to remember. The dramatic space gives off cool city vibes and includes a considerable Himalayan sea salt wall separating the dining room from the open kitchen, an antique pool table, vintage phone booth, and, of course, statues of red horses.

Red Horse by David Burke. Courtesy David Burke Hospitality Management.

Take on Guacamole

Guacamango at My Second House Restaurant & Lounge

Cortlandt Manor; mysecondhouserestaurant.com

It’s difficult to find a crowd-pleasing appetizer more perfect than guacamole: It’s fresh, flavorful, and healthy. Except perhaps at this traditional Mexican restaurant in Cortlandt, where owner/chef Gabriel Rojas smartly adds a second good source of fiber, vitamin C, and beta-carotene to his guac: luscious cubes of mangoes.

Crab Cake

Saltaire Oyster Bar and Fish House

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Port Chester; saltaireoysterbar.com

If you crave a crab cake that’s long on crab and short on breading, Saltaire is your destination. From the first bite to the last, it’s all crab. You’ll love Saltaire’s ranging selection of seriously fresh seafood, including its marble oyster bar (8 to 10 oysters daily). Set in a historic 100-year-old grain warehouse alongside the Byram River, the comfortably sophisticated ambience, live music, and tantalizing fare won’t disappoint.

New Indian Restaurant

NH44 Indian

Hartsdale; nh44indian.com

Named after India’s longest national highway (extending 2,555 miles), NH44’s intriguing restaurant concept features flavorful eclectic cuisine from regions along the north–south path of National Highway 44. Beyond the unique concept, be wowed by the perfectly spiced food (from the yummy cauliflower-based Kungfu Gobi to kebabs and curries), select wines, and premium beers. And don’t be fooled by NH44’s size — this small but memorable dining destination, with its uplifting, funky, colorful decor, is vast in all the ways that matter.

New Italian Restaurant

Augustine’s Salumeria

Mamaroneck; augustinesny.com

Chef Marc Taxiera (Russian Tea Room) and wife Brianne Myers (Eataly) personally source ingredients (e.g., Malfada pasta with grass-fed beef and whipped goat ricotta; they purchase a steer from Walking R Ranch; cheese from Millbrook-based Hoofprint Cheese Company) for their Italianesque locavore menu. Westchester beers, handpicked wines and spirits, and amaros mild to funky clinch the feast — which should include the pizzelle-cradled cannoli, Aunt Pattie’s recipe. Digs across from Metro-North include a back room with fireplace and local art. Oh, and it’s in the 2023 Michelin Guide.

Augustine's Salumeria — Photo by Enormous Creative

Colombian Restaurant

Colombian House Restaurant

New Rochelle/White Plains; colombianhouse.com

This South American duo is the best representation of Colombian cuisine in the county: Robust, zesty, and at times spicy, expect a focus on comfort food with the substantial use of starches (rice, yuca, plantains) and grilled meats (steak and chicken especially), plus many sangrias, margaritas, and mojitos, and fresh-fruit shakes to wash it down. Don’t skip the hearty sopa de pollo, replete with chicken, potatoes, carrots, and fresh herbs, or the pandebono — a soft, cheesy bread made with cassava starch.

Breakfast-Lunch Café

Bobo’s Café Somers/Chappaqua/

Baldwin Place; boboscafe.net

More than just a spot to eat, Bobo’s Café cultivates a friendly community vibe and dishes out creative plates. What started as a small coffee-and-a-bite café in Somers has grown into a popular breakfast-lunch scene at three locations, serving amazing avocado toasts, superb sandwiches, and dazzling salads and bowls daily to loyal regulars and curious newcomers alike.

Farm-to-Fork Entrées

RiverMarket Bar & Kitchen

Tarrytown; rivermarketbarkitchen.com

In addition to strongly adhering to a mission of supporting Hudson Valley farmers, the menu at this subtly sophisticated restaurant achieves the difficult balance between high-end and accessible. From Hemlock Hill Farm in Cortlandt (love their smoked bacon in several plates) to Westchester Mushroom Company in Peekskill to Millbrook Venison Products in Dutchess County, a number of a given dish’s ingredients are likely from a local purveyor. Additionally, many of the ingredients, including honey, eggs, meats, dairy, jams, and breads, are for purchase from the restaurant’s gourmet market.

Vegetarian Appetizer

Crispy Cauliflower Florets at Milton Point Provisions

Rye; miltonpointprovisions.com

These crispy, tender, flavorful bites of beer-battered cauliflower will make you forget all the cauliflower-imposter dishes that have wronged you in the past. Chef Evan Kalogiannis pairs the cauli with a siracha aioli for some heat and richness, creating a pop-able appetizer that’s impossible to share. Chicken nuggets who?

New Cheese Shop

Bloomy Cheese & Provisions

Dobbs Ferry; bloomydobbs.com

Whether stopping in and grabbing some pre-cut choices or spending time talking to the knowledgeable staff to put together a selection from the larger cheese case, this store packs a lot in its small space. There’s an emphasis on seasonality in cheeses, as well as on products from women-, BIPOC-, and LGBTQ-owned businesses. Those include cheese-adjacent items, such as cutting boards and other home goods, small-batch provisions, and books. You can sign up for a Cheese of the Month club, and the store leans into community by offering a range of events.

New Coffee Shop

Laughing Horse Coffee & Tea Co.

Harrison; thelaughinghorsecoffee.com

Westchester is welcoming one whopper of a java shop with Laughing Horse Coffee & Tea Co. Founded by locally based couple Mike and Ali Nazzaro, Laughing Horse stands out from other new cafés with its top-tier beans courtesy of Fair Trade Certified, NYC-based For Five Coffee as well as baked goods shipped from the legendary Balthazar Bakery, locally crafted cookies, and the most important ingredient: amiable people both behind and in front of the counter.

New Ramen Restaurant

Duke’s Ramen

Mamaroneck; facebook.com/dukesramen

Sip and slurp your lunch hour away at this lively, comforting counter spot, where Eugene Lum simmers up savory bowls of authentic Japanese ramen. His house-made tonkotsu broth boils for eight hours with pork and chicken bones, vegetables, and alliums until a rich, deeply flavorful consistency is achieved. Dive deep into a bowl topped with a luscious egg and slow-boiled pork belly (but do come up for air).

Ribs

BBQ Pork Ribs at Moderne Barn Restaurant

Armonk; modernebarn.com

As a regularly listed appetizer (at $19), diners get four meaty melt-in-your-mouth pork ribs that Chef Gregg Boyd not only seasons and barbecues but cooks sous vide for 12 hours. And each order is accompanied by a large square of warm freshly made cornbread topped by a dollop of creamy honey-chili butter.

Hot Antipasto

Mardino’s Italian Cuisine & Steakhouse

Mount Kisco; mardinos.com

For over 45 years, Chef Mardino and family have been serving classic Italian food at this eatery that blends the best of traditional dishes with a modern touch. Expect all your favorites along with an array of cold and hot antipasti, including perfectly fried calamari, luscious, layered eggplant Parmigiano, clams, mushrooms, and zucchini with savory homemade stuffing.

Prepared Soups

Mt. Kisco Seafood

Mount Kisco; mtkiscoseafood.com

Wander to the back of this fish market and peruse the refrigerated case to discover the best house-made fish and seafood soups. Get your lobster fix with velvety bisque or butternut version, your clam on with their variety of chowders, and a delectable surprise with their gumbo and chef’s special.

Bar Pie

Beekman Ale House

Sleepy Hollow; beekmanalehouse.com

The already-busy Beekman Ale House recently got a boost, not only from this magazine, but from Dave Portnoy’s One Bite Pizza Reviews for their thin-crust, crispy bar pies. As with any bar pie, you can top it how you want or get one of their tried-and-true creations, like hot oil (Fresno chili-infused oil), Beekman Avenue (red sauce, cheese, bacon, cherry peppers), or look out for their wildly creative weekly specials. A few pints to wash down the slices is the pro move, as Beekman’s draft list is one of the county’s best.

Tableside Pasta

Cacio e Pepe at Risotto Restaurant

Thornwood; risotto-restaurant.com

Can’t make it to Italy? A serving of this Roman specialty, which means “cheese and pepper,” will at least temporarily satisfy your desire. Freshly cooked ribbons of pappardelle are tossed in a hollowed-out wheel of Pecorino Romano mixed with cracked black pepper, pancetta, a poached egg, and a splash of cognac. The outdoor patio is the perfect setting to enjoy this rich entrée.

Cacio e Pepe at Risotto Restaurant — Photo By Robert Brum

Ropa Vieja

Yuka’s Latin Fusion

Croton-on-Hudson; yukaslatinfusion.com

Ropa vieja means “old clothes” in Spanish, but this savory Cuban classic never goes out of fashion at this boisterous family restaurant. Tender, slow-braised flank steak is shredded, seasoned with an aromatic, tomato-rich sofrito and served with basmati rice and sweet plantains. Still hungry? Don’t miss Yuka’s ingenious chipotle chicken mini-egg rolls topped with a tangy poblano ranch dip.

Poolside Dining

Gigante

Eastchester; giganterestaurant.com

Open-air dining is one thing; a meal enjoyed poolside is another. On the pool deck at Lake Isle Country Club, lean back and allow the cool vibe to wash over you as glowing firepits kill any chill. Dip into shareable small plates or a Prime steak and linger over a cocktail or splash of Prosecco while taking in every ripple on the water.

Tapas

Buleria Tapas & Wine Bar

Tuckahoe; buleriatapas.com

If the appetite craves tasty nibbles served on a small plate, you’ll walk away happy and full; if you seek true Spanish tapas, born from imported ingredients, you’ll never want to leave. At this upmarket take on an old-world tavern, traditional hot and cold tapas dominate the menu (grilled Angus filet mignon tips, charred Spanish octopus, chorizo and chickpeas), gastronomically transporting diners to Seville with every bite.

Neighborhood Pub

Rye Roadhouse Rye; ryeroadhouse.com

The setting is intimate and welcoming, and the eats are as Southern as it gets. Authentic, zippy Cajun and Creole cuisine are the main draw at this down-home pub, with gumbo, jambalaya, Louisiana crawfish, blackened gator, and shrimp ’n’ grits complementing fajitas, fried chicken, grilled meatloaf, and po’ boys and burgers (with a nice lineup of lagers), making for an all-around, crowd-pleasing good time.

Sugar Rush

Chocolate Truffles

Cocoa Chocolate Shop

Larchmont; cocoachocolateshop.com

For a taste of classic, old-school truffles, you go to Cocoa. Here, Angela Ingrao, a culinary-schooled chocolatier with the prettiest store and sweetest heart, spins top-quality Belgian chocolate into rough-shaped nuggets of rich, creamy bliss before dusting each in the traditional manner, with bittersweet cocoa powder. Pop one in whole, allowing the lusciousness to slowly melt in your mouth and gently settle into your dreams.

Croissants

Breads N Bakes

Pound Ridge; breadsnbakes.com

Buttery, flaky, and absolutely amazing — the croissants at this bustling bakery are made with a traditional technique that’s a three-day process — though they certainly don’t stick around for that long. Sourdough culture and good-quality French butter are the secret sauce in all the croissants. Plain, chocolate, and almond croissants are on daily rotation. And making occasional appearances are specials such as Nutella croissants, as well as savory ones.

Cake Pops

Patty Pops Pelham; pattypops.com

Happiness on a stick is on the menu at Patty Pops. With holiday-themed offerings like pots of gold, bunnies, and pumpkins, Patty Pops can customize cake pops to fit any need. Cake pops offered in-store daily come in a variety of flavors and can be shipped all over the country. Perfect for corporate orders, special events, or a single treat “just ’cuz.”

Bakery for Dessert Tables

Flour Power

Pelham; flourpowerny.com

Owners Miranda Bucciero and Lauren Gibaldi Vaccaro concoct treats that are as whimsical as they are delicious. While it may be tough biting into these pieces of art (at least, maybe the first bite), you’ll be going back for seconds — no matter how cute. From cookies in custom designs to realistic cupcakes, a specially curated dessert table is a guaranteed hit for everyone’s serotonin levels. And you can bet it’s made with love from start to finish.

New Chocolate Shop

Cocoa Tree Chocolates

Dobbs Ferry, cocoatreechocolates.com

The chocolates here are works of art and almost too pretty to eat — almost because you don’t want to miss these bursting-with-flavor truffles. The colors are bright and fun, and the small-batch and rotating offerings range from the simply named coconut to the whimsically named Snapping Turtle, which pairs cinnamon and chipotle caramel ganache with pecans. The truffles are seasonally based, so look for summer-fruit themes on the menu now.

Behind the Bar

New Brewery

Run & Hide Brewing Co.

Port Chester; randhbc.com

Former Coals co-owner and beer geek Tim Shanley opened Run & Hide (named after a Prohibition phrase) last summer, serving refreshing, unfiltered pilsners, juicy no-lactose IPAs, and Fuque de French, an earthy saison with fruity and floral notes. For now, Shanley is “gypsy brewing” at Decadent Ales and Crossroads Brewing Company until he moves nearby to 30 Broad Street, in about a year, when he’ll brew on his own barrel system.

Run & Hide Brewing Co. — Photo by Emanuel Zepeda Arceo

New Speakeasy

Whistling Rail

Bronxville; bxvlcoffeehouse.com/whistling-rail

It’s no secret, nor does it require a special knock, but tip across the threshold of this trackside bar at Bronxville’s historic Metro-North depot and step back in time to the era of illicit cocktailing and swank, jazzy vibes. It’s the passion project of Delhi-born Charu Rana (of BXVL Coffee House in the adjacent space), with finely tuned handcrafted cocktails, palate-pleasing small plates, and all that jazz.

Specialty Martini

Ouzo-Lemon Martini at The Greekish

Harrison; thegreekish.com/harrison

Ouzo’s fennel forwardness is restrained by an equal part of Stray Dog Wild Gin, made with foraged Greek botanicals and citrus, supporting stray animal welfare in Greece. Double that with fresh-squeezed lemon juice with a musty touch of Syrah and Kotsifali wine fermented with fruit. Add agave, shake, and strain, leaving some ice chips, and opa! — the perfect palate opener for this resto’s riff on Greek cuisine.

Cocktails for Two

Donjito

Mamaroneck; donjito.com

Serving up Latin food with flair and perfect Friday-night vibes, Donjito has some of the tastiest libations on this side of the Sound Shore. The real marquee items for anyone who loves a good Instagram pic and a real bang for your buck are the “drinks for two” (but if you don’t share, we won’t tell). Served fishbowl style, with flavors like watermelon, passionfruit, and more, you’ll be in your happy place in no time.

Bar Bites

The Raconteur Bar & Kitchen

Pleasantville; theraconteurbar.com

Classy, clubby, and comfortable, this cocktail lounge checks all the boxes. The exposed brick front bar, intimate sofa-strewn backroom, and the alfresco garden are all wonderful areas to sip a classic or concocted cocktail while savoring a scattering of inventive small plates (truffled labne toast, lamb kofte sliders, myriad charcuterie boards). The mixologist and chef are on the same page when it comes to the quality and execution of their crafts.

The Beauty of Boards

Restaurant Charcuterie

Heritage 147

Larchmont; heritage147.com

There is a fine art to charcuterie, far beyond slapping down some meat and chocolate-covered almonds on a board. Chef-owners Rich Perez and Alissa Svorka not only thoughtfully curate the best meats on the market from small purveyors, but pair them with accompaniments that highlight flavor profiles — not just esthetics. Expand your culinary horizons with their gentle guide and you may just find a new favorite. With a constantly rotating selection, the creativity and deliciousness are endless.

Candy Charcuterie Boards

Sugar Attic’t

Somers; sugarattict.com

A woodland-themed baby-shower board, a chocolate lovers’ “candycuterie,” and holiday-themed candy jars and candy bouquets are just some of the custom creations done by the two Somers moms behind this sweets-board company. Delight your child (or your inner child) by having a fun candy presentation almost too pretty to eat at your next celebration.

Charcuterie Boards

Board Appetite

New Rochelle; @boardappetiteny

Your party guests will be impressed by Desiree Dibuono-Mandarino’s striking planks, done up like a food artist, likely prompting many posts of the creation on social media. Whether it’s an artisan cheese, preserves, and breads platter, a fresh fruit rainbow board, or a vintage fondue board, this is a no-utensils-needed, something-for-everyone, yummy experience that adds a note of luxury to your gathering.

Cluck Central

Chicken Parm

Pizzeria La Rosa

New Rochelle; pizzerialarosa.com

As big as the plate it’s served on, this red-sauce classic gets the royal treatment during prep. It starts with pounded-out organic chicken thighs — way more flavorful and juicier than the breast — that sit in a brine for 24 hours before they’re breaded, fried, and topped with a bright red “not-too-spicy sauce” and Pizzeria La Rosa’s house-made mozzarella. Always order this, just don’t forget a couple wood-fired pizzas on the side.

Chicken Sandwich

Stephen’s Green

Tuckahoe; stephensgreenpublichouse.com

There are chicken sandwiches out there in the ether, and then there’s the ethereal hot-honey chicken sandwich at Stephen’s Green. At this classic, neighborhood Irish pub, tender and perfectly charred grilled chicken is blanketed with sliced avocado, bacon, and tangy pickled onions before being drizzled with hot honey and tucked into a crisp and soft pressed baguette. It’s clucking out of this world.

Chicken Empanadas

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant

Yonkers; donjosemexicanrestaurantyonkers.com

Don’t expect run-of-the-mill minced chicken within the walls of the empanadas at this festive strip-mall standout; instead, buckle up and dig into these puffed-up bad boys that boast tender, well-sized slivers of stewed, delicately marinated chicken swaddled in a light, crisp shell. Green tomatillo sauce, Mexican cream, and cojita cheese take it over the top and make it a meal.

Chicken Soup

La Casa Bronxville

Bronxville; lacasabronxville.com

Simple and soul-soothing, the caldo de pollo at this sophisticated and inviting village hotspot sways rustic and homey, as if prepared by a skilled abuela with a need to nourish instead of a Puebla-raised chef from a Michelin-starred NYC restaurant. Fresh carrots, cabbage, corn, chayote, and garbanzo beans bob about the authentic, earthy broth that leaves the slurper satisfied and comforted yet hungering for more.

Across the Border

Rotisserie Chicken

Wildacre Rotisserie Cos

Cob; wildacrerotisserie.com

If the idea of rotisserie chicken conjures up dry, flavorless, birds that have been baking under a heat lamp all day, Wildacre Rotisserie is here to realign your expectations. With a chic, wood interior and excellent service, this over-the-border eatery is dishing out moist, golden-brown rotisserie chicken complemented by mouth-watering sides, like white cheddar mac ’n’ cheese, slow-roasted sweet potato, and crispy Brussels sprouts, plus sweet desserts as well as a fleet of savory sauces.

Pizza

Grigg Street Pizza

Greenwich; griggstreetpizza.com

Owners Matthew Watson and Jon Corbo opened Grigg Street Pizza in 2020 in a subterranean spot right off busy Greenwich Avenue to immediate fanfare. Here, three-day naturally leavened sourdough pizza is the name of the game. Combined with Watson’s classic French culinary pedigree, and it’s a recipe for stunning artisan pies that are crisp, light, and won’t leave you feeling overstuffed. Each begins with a base of Bianco Di Napoli tomatoes, house-made mozzarella, and add-ons like house-ground fennel sausage, garlic-habanero-infused honey, and roasted chili di arbol hot oil, should you feel so inclined. Bite that first slice, and you’re hooked.

Pasta

Bar Rosina’s

Greenwich; barrosinas.com

Following his stint as Fortina’s culinary director, Chef Jared Falco teamed up with industry veteran and longtime friend Coby Blount to open Bar Rosina’s, named after Blount’s wife Francesca’s grandmother. You’ll find elevated versions of Italian fare, including fresh pasta that’s made daily. Quality flour and egg yolks that are practically orange make for otherworldly carb bowls, like the Malloreddus (squid-ink pasta, Calabrian chili, shrimp, breadcrumbs) or the spicy vodka sauce rigatoni. For an appetizer, don’t pass up the memorable raviolo al’uovo, which is filled with one those rich egg yolks and house-made black-truffle ricotta.

Moussaka

Famous Greek Kitchen

Byram; famousgreekkitchen.com

Layers of classic Greek goodness are a sure bet with Chef Steve Karipides’ moussaka, where alternative layers of a rich ground lamb ragu, eggplant, and potatoes are topped by a creamy, peppery bechamel sauce. Paired with a crisp horiatiki salad (cukes, tomatoes, feta, olive, onion) and a glass of Greek wine on the cozy patio, you’ll close your eyes and think the Aegean is mere steps away.

Carrot Cake

Lloyd’s Carrot Cake

Riverdale; lloydscarrotcake.com

Across from Van Cortlandt Park, people have queued up at this bakery since 1986 for the richly textured goodness based on Lloyd Adams’ mother’s recipe from St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands: about five cups of twice-grated carrots per cake, walnuts and raisins optional, cream cheese frosting mandatory. Walk in for a slice or order a cake. Also try the red velvet, pineapple layer, and German chocolate cakes — all natural and made on-site.