13 of the best farm-to-table restaurants in Upstate NY (2024)

By Chuck D'Imperio | Contributing writer

One of the hottest food trends both in Upstate New York and the nation is the concept of "farm-to-table." Restaurants are sourcing local farms and foods for their dining patrons rather than resorting to the normal institutional food providers. This makes for a truly wholesome and delicious new spin on home cooking and dining out options. Here are 13 of Upstate New York's very best "farm to table" restaurants, bistros and cafes.

Red Dove (Geneva)

Popular restaurant and gastropub located in downtown Geneva. Owner is committed to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Patrons are encouraged to wash down the Dove's delicacies with any of the local brews on tap, including the popular Naked Dove Brewery from nearby Canandaigua.

Address:30 E. Castle St., Geneva

» Website

Peekamoose (Big Indian)

One of the most popular restaurants in the Western Catskills. Owners and chefs Devin and Marybeth Mills got their start at several of New York City's top-rated restaurants, including Gramercy Tavern and the Hudson River Grill. Once located in the Catskills, they turned the rustic Peekamoose into a farm-to-table favorite for diners who come from near and far. The restaurant supports the many surrounding farms by changing their menu frequently to represent the freshest ingredients of the area's changing seasons.

Address:8373 Route 28, Big Indian

» Website

Whole in the Wall (Binghamton)

Now going into its fourth decade, the Whole in the Wall is one of Upstate's oldest all-natural farm-to-table restaurants. They locally source their honey, maple syrup, hamburger, flour, eggs and more. Popular with locals and with Binghamton's growing college student population. Their homemade pesto has a large national fan base and can be ordered online.

Address:43 S. Washington St., Binghamton

Website

Table on Ten (Bloomville)

One of the tiniest restaurants in the Catskills, and one of the best. Located in Bloomville (Delaware County), this little farm-to-table restaurant is situated right in the middle of a veritable cornucopia of wonderful farms, dairies and orchards. All are frequently sourced by the chefs and, in fact, almost all of their food purveyors are located within 25 miles of the little eatery. No matter how remote Table on Ten is, the food gurus soon came calling. It has been favorably reviewed by many, including the Wall Street Journal, Conde Nast and Martha Stewart Living!

Address:52030 Main St., Bloomville

» Website

The Tailor and the Cook (Utica)

One of the new bright spots on the Utica food scene. Located in a historic building in the downtown area, the Tailor and the Cook uses as many and as much from the local bounty as they possibly can providing, as they say, "a path to the local farmers and producers who make the restaurant happen." Not only are some of their major menu items locally sourced, but they use breads and greens from nearby providers, butter from Hamilton and maple syrup products from New Lisbon. They invite you to ask your server for a full list of local farms and producers used, and they will gladly present it to you.

Address:94 Genesee St., Utica

Website

Camillo's at the Crossroads (Montgomery)

Chef Chris Camillo has worked at some of New York City's premier restaurants, including the famous Rainbow Room. He opened Camillo's at the Crossroads in 1997. He is a strong believer in the farm-to-table movement on the American dining scene and he promises that "everything that is brought into the restaurant is unprocessed and then processed by hand on site. Everything is purchased fresh from local farmers, including the all-natural meats."

Address:2215 Route 208, Montgomery

» Website

Grazin' (Hudson)

An amazing story behind this popular Hudson Valley farm-to-table. Owners actually farm more than 500 acres and have 300 Black Angus beef cattle, 1,000 heritage laying hens and 100 Tamworth pigs. All items are prepared with care, using only their own or local food sources. This is the first and only restaurantin the worldto be certified as Animal Welfare Approved. These folks are committed to bringing you the best food in the best possible way. Get their food in a classic 1950's retro diner situated on busy Warren Street in downtown Hudson.

Address:717 Warren St., Hudson

» Website

The Grange Community Kitchen (Hamburg)

This farm-to-table restaurant is a multi-tasker. People dine here, visit here, share news here. It is a real community hub. Brad and Caryn Rowell are the owner/chefs. They use as much of the local food treasures as they can. The area provides them with a wide variety of well-known and hard-to-find fruits and vegetables, such as Inca berries, which come from the nearby Arden Farm in East Aurora. The Grange keeps three local meat providers busy all year: Erba Verde Farms (Marilla), Plato Dale (Arcade) and Preischel Farms (Eden).

Address: 22 Main St., Hamburg

Website

Mouzon House (Saratoga Springs)

This elegant Victorian home was built in 1883 and is a standout farm-to-table restaurant in the Spa City. They utilize a wide range of local farms for their menu items, including Sap Bush Hollow Farm (chicken, beef and lamb), Old Chatham Sheepherding Company (cheeses), Natural Selection Farms (fruits and berries) and Padgett Farms (sausage). Locals like the Coq Au Vin made with pan seared local chicken breast in a rich wine mushroom sauce.

Address:1York St., Saratoga Springs

» Website

Capital City Gastropub (Albany)

One of Albany's most popular pubs. Lots of local craft brews and a menu heavy on local food sourcing. Locals love the hamburgers here! Area farms sourced by the chef include Wertman Farms, Tilldale Farms and Blackhorse Farms. Also, specialty cheeses come from R&G Cheesemakers in nearby Cohoes.

Address: 261 New Scotland Ave., Albany

Website

Farm to Table Bistro (Fishkill)

Here they strive to provide as many local foods and food products as possible. Their menu is rich with the meats, produce and dairy products of local farms. Among their purveyors are local favorites like Peter's Meat Market, produce provider Taliaferro's Farms and award-winning cheese maker Sprout Creek Farm.

Address: 1083 Route 9, Fishkill

» Website

Agava (Ithaca)

A lovely spot that really lives up to its motto: "Farm-to-table done right!" Enjoy the delicious variety of flatbreads that emerge from their wood fired ovens, and take your pick of seasonal fruits and vegetables from a "made from scratch" menu. Their website lists more than two dozen local farms from which they get their fresh foods. Also, you can relax with an adult beverage from one of nearly 20 different local breweries, distilleries and cideries. Their coffee comes from Forty Weight Coffee Roasters, one of the Ithaca area's most popular.

Address:381 Pine Tree Rd.,Ithaca

» Website

Becker Farms (Gasport)

Located in Niagara County, this restaurant puts a little splash and flash into the farm-to-table theme. They offer "farm-to-table feasts" periodically, which are popular and really shows how much mileage you can get by outsourcing your menu foods to the locals. How much mileage you ask? How about 100 miles? Their feasts (visit the website for dates) feature only foods, wines and beers that can be found within 100 miles of the inn. Previous feasts have included local beet tarts, spicy roasted soups, Lake Erie perch and strawberry pie.

Address: 3724 Quaker Rd., Gasport

» Website

Read more: 30 vegetarian and vegan restaurants across Upstate NY

Eating your veggies is never a chore, thanks to inventive and comforting dishes served up at these vegetarian-friendly restaurantsacross Upstate New York.