When considering Hudson River hangouts, a train station doesn’t immediately leap to mind-but then most train stations don’t provide a river view and a cozy café.
For more than a year, Hastings Station Café, located inside the Hastings-on-Hudson train station depot, has been offering commuters a place to grab a morning coffee, and has attracted the area’s thriving community of writers and creative types who come to enjoy the homey atmosphere and WiFi.
With its high ceilings and large windows, the space has remained relatively unchanged from its original use as a ticket office, according to owner Avi Schwartz, who re-painted the interior and added stylish lamps. The “living room” area has a TV, soft chairs, a couch, and a bookcase filled with books brought in by customers, including a selection of books by local authors. Art by local artists hangs on the walls. Each table is equipped with its own outlets, ideal for people toting laptops, and several outdoor tables are set up on the plaza.
Schwartz says customers rave about the café’s oatmeal and Barrington-brand coffees. Other food options include wraps, sandwiches, salads, and parfaits, along with gelato, sorbet, and an assortment of pastries, such as muffins, scones, croissants, ruggelach and burekas, Jewish pastries filled with cheese, spinach, and potato.
The café is a popular meeting place for local social groups, like the Rivertowns Networkers, an organization of freelancers and creative professionals who meet there every other Wednesday. The café also hosts poetry readings and musical performances by local musicians. Folk and ballroom dancing are in the works.
“It’s great to be in Hastings,” Schwartz says. “It’s a very supportive and diverse community.”
Hastings Station Café is open Monday to Friday 6 am to 7 pm, and Saturday 8 am to 2 pm.
Hastings Station Café
134 Southside Ave
Hastings-on-Hudson
914-205-3423
