Choosing restaurants for a “best” list always feels like walking a tightrope. On one hand, you want to highlight the spots that genuinely wow you — the places with the dishes you can’t stop thinking about — like the pizza, smashburger and arugula salad I consistently get at Pizzeria La Rosa. The New Rochelle restaurant was just included on USA TODAY’s Restaurant of the Year 2026 list.
I’m longtime La Rosa customer — it was my nomination that placed it on our third annual USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list — but truth be told, I tend to overthink these assignments. There are so many great places to eat in Westchester and Rockland that choosing one is a tough — and admittedly subjective — call.
Should I be picking the buzzy new opening everyone’s talking about or instead opt for the longtime neighborhood staple that quietly crushes it every night? And what priority should trump them all? Is it creativity, consistency, vibes, or value?
And of course, there’s that nagging inner voice reminding you that your personal favorites might not be consistent with reader expectations. Bottom line: coming up with one restaurant is a messy mix of instinct, experience, and a little bit of guilt, because whatever I choose means inevitably leaving something equally terrific off the list.
So, take the following with a grain of salt. While I fervently stand by Pizzeria La Rosa (and Mamaroneck’s Augustine’s Salumeria which I selected last year), I fully admit choosing a restaurant is a biased exercise based on mood, craving, and personal preference.
What follows is a celebration of places that, if I could pick more than one, would have made my “USA TODAY Best Restaurant of the Year 2026” list. I’m also fully committed to the 11 I named last year, including Craft Taqueria in New City which has only gotten better thanks to its recent expansion, OKO in Rye which is owned by James Beard nominee Brian Lewis and the always inventive brunch-famous The Tasty Table in Ossining.
I’m also a fan of the 13 I named in 2024, though, sadly, a few on that list have since closed.
To keep things as fair as possible, this group of 11 is different than the ones I’ve already written about — just my way of spreading the love and tempting you to keep tasting your way through Westchester and Rockland.
Cenadou, North Salem
This is fine dining amidst a casual ambiance that, if it weren’t so far from where I lived, would be among my regular go-to’s. The modern French bistro, modeled after Marseille where husband and wife owners Andrea Calstier and Elena Oliver grew up, has consistently received a host of accolades since it opened in June 2023. Most recently it was awarded a “Recommended” nod by the Michelin guide (their downstairs restaurant, La Bastide by Andrea Calstier received one star) — and it’s well worth it.
Calstier, who went to culinary school in Marseille and worked at various Michelin-starred restaurants in France before coming to New York, is all about seasonal ingredients, interactivity (hence the open kitchen), and a menu designed around sharing. Case in point: the cheese and charcuterie options along with baked black sea bass for two with saffron potatoes, grilled fennel and a vierge sauce or the 16-ounce grilled côte de boeuf with grilled bone marrow, green salad, pommes boulangeries and Béarnaise sauce. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong. It’s no exaggeration to say everything, from the Hudson Valley foie gras terrine to the Cenadou garden salad to the chicken breast and honeycrisp apple dessert, delivers. 721 Titicus Road, North Salem, 914-485-1519, labastidebyac.com.
TRUCK, Bedford
Chef/Owner Nancy Allen Roper puts her heart and soul into everything she does which is why the Southwestern-influenced TRUCK is an all-time favorite of mine. Another reason it rocks? Its focus on sourcing locally. That includes TRUCK’s signature margaritas made with top quality, 100% agave tequila, fresh-squeezed lime and all-natural triple sec.
I’m also fan of the grass-fed beef used in the restaurant’s tacos, enchiladas and signature salads where you can seriously taste the difference. Her desserts are another stand-out with a display of goodies greeting you front and center, reason enough to have you salivating before you ever sit down. 391 Old Post Road, 914-234-8900, truckrestaurant.com.
Bistro de Ville, Scarsdale
I’m a sucker for a place that transports you to France and this slice of Paris does just that thanks to its refined art deco décor, cozy vibe and dedication to seasonally driven, classic French fare. Standouts include Moules Frites (in a marinière or tomato Provençale sauce), roasted duck breast (with cherries, and pomme de ville), Bouillabaisse de Marseille (monkfish, shrimp, clams and mussels with rouille toast), a killer burger and Steak Frites (with au poivre or Béarnaise sauce). Another must: the super light and fluffy chocolate mousse, which is scooped tableside from a soup tureen and served in a generous, cloudlike mound.
That the two-year-old bistro comes from the exceptionally skilled team behind Farmer & the Fish — with locations in North Salem and Sleepy Hollow — and Br’ers BBQ in Bedford Hills, only heightens its appeal. 185 Summerfield St., 914-574-6364, bistrodeville.com.
La Chitarra Pasta & Wine, Bronxville
This just opened in December but already, has won my heart for its authenticity. On one side, it’s a pasta shop where you can pick up the same housemade sauces and pastas served in the restaurant. On the other, it’s a cozy wine bar and dining room stocked with more than 100 bottles and a menu so obsessively curated that owner Randy Restiano, who’s worked in the restaurant business for 20 years as a sommelier, and chef John Poiarkoff, another industry veteran, tasted a dozen different brands of tomatoes before selecting a Bronx importer who’s “head and shoulders above the rest.” (They did the same thing with cheese, ultimately settling on a company that delivers once a week from Brooklyn.)
Restiano, who owns the business with his cousin Peter Diana, says his half market/half restaurant offers “the two best guilty pleasures — pasta and wine.” And I wholeheartedly agree, especially because the food is rooted in honoring the owners’ Italian heritage while letting the ingredients speak for themselves. A longtime sommelier — Restiano was most recently at Gramercy Tavern, but also worked at Eataly Flatiron and with Eli Zabar — he approaches the menu with wine in mind, featuring bottles that best complement the food. It all makes for a delicious and well-thought out experience that sweetly ends with the best blood orange tiramisu I’ve ever had. 4a Cedar St., Bronxville, 914-652-2591, la-chitarra.com.
Cifone’s, Irvington
You’ve got to hand it to a chef who can reinvent chicken parm to rave reviews. But that’s what Michael Cifone has done with his new, five-month-old restaurant. His slightly unorthodox chicken parm rollatini with fregola sarda, spinach and cheese that oozes from inside the chicken is just one example of the creative dishes on his menu — a mix of traditional as well as twists on classics.
Fans of linguine with clam sauce, for example, will also find a new take featuring white clam sauce, fresh black squid ink trenette, cherry tomatoes and toasted breadcrumbs as well as Cifone’s version of Brussels Sprouts with guanciale, chick peas and a honey balsamic glaze. Even the standard affogato has been reimagined with espresso poured tableside from a moka pot.
And while there are plenty of more common entrées such as Rigatoni Bolognese, Lobster Frai Diablo, Cacio e Pepe, Eggplant Milanese, Chicken Scarpariello, and veal chop, I’ve so far been impressed with the more out-of-the-box options. Keep an eye on this one, folks. It’s definitely worth your consideration. 6 South Broadway, 914-591-2033, cifones.com.
Pappous Greek Kitchen, Yorktown Heights
To be selected as a USA TODAY “Restaurant of the Year” means offering consistently great service, a nice ambiance, and food that never fails to delight. It’s also has to be the kind of place you come back to time and again and frequently recommend. Which is the very definition of this family-owned Greek place.
The food is always solid — think zucchini cakes, taramosalata (Greek style caviar spread), salads, stuffed feta rolls, Shrimp Santorini, falafel, lentil soup, hummus and more — and the service is top-notch. Rui Cunha, his wife Bessie, and his oldest son Andrew, are all about doing whatever it takes to make customers happy. So there’s never a problem making substitutions to accommodate any dietary needs. Items are even tagged on the menu notifying customers what’s gluten-sensitive, gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free and modifiable (they offer a delish gluten-free pita bread).
They’ll also “Opa any sandwich” which means you can get your meal “Pappous Style,” with feta and French fries inside of a sandwich, or “Zoulis Style,” with blended spicy feta and French fries. They also make their own sangria, which is sold in red and white versions. 1983 Commerce St., Yorktown Heights, 914-455-2111, pappousgreekkitchen.com.
Basso by PXK, Chappaqua
I’ll admit it: I’m a fan of whatever chef Peter X. Kelly does and this Italian spot, which rebranded last January under his direction, includes Italian traditions with Kelly’s modern perspectives. That means relying on fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced locally from Hudson Valley farms and artisan producers. It also means adding more adventurous items like Sweetbreads with Mushrooms and Fennel Pollen and a new “From the Grill” section featuring a New York sirloin “Florentina” with sage and rosemary; a 14-ounce Ossabaw pork chop with Calabrian chili and apricot glaze and an Atlantic swordfish with black olives, zucchini and roasted onion. This being an Italian spot, pastas are made in house but have since been refined.
And then there’s Kelly’s Sunday “Pots, Pans & Pasta” brunch, a continuous feast of items presented table side, including a bountiful selection of pastas, seasonal fruits and salads, frittatas, a variety of meats and fishes, and flavorful grains and risottos. Plus how can you say no to $5 Harry’s Bar Bellini’s? 11 King St., Chappaqua, 914-861-2322, bassobypxk.com.
The Hudson House of Nyack, Nyack
Whatever you do, save room for dessert at this longstanding Rockland staple where owner/chef Matt Hudson turns out the most gorgeous (and decadent) triple layer Devil’s Food chocolate cake, a moist, fudgy and surprisingly light classic that takes the taste of childhood up a notch.
I’m also a huge fan of the gingersnap-crusted and oh-so-creamy Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie, which is listed on the menu as “the original gangster” as it’s been on the restaurant menu since day one, which incidentally was 35 years ago. Other top contenders include the Crack Pie, an exact replication from pastry chef Christina Tosi’s Momofuku Milk Bar in New York City, the Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake with toffee sauce, candied ginger, and whipped cream and the gluten free chocolate cake.
But it’s more than dessert that makes Hudson House a restaurant I wish could have been on USA TODAY’s “Best” list. It’s the fact that, in its three decades of operation, it’s consistently delicious with a killer steak au poivre, Hudson Valley duck breast, Berkshire pork chop and inventive pastas such as gnocchi with forest mushroom Bolognese and spaghetti with DPNB chitarra, lemon, bottarga, parsley and chili flake. The fact that it’s situated in the former village hall and jailhouse only ups its charm. 134 Main St., 845-353-1355, hudsonhousenyack.com.
Vida, Thornwood
Chef Marc Taxiera and his wife, Brianne Myers, owners of Augustine’s Salumeria in Mamaroneck (last year’s Restaurant of the Year pick) are behind this venture, which opened in October 2024. This time the two tackle Spanish cuisine (their other restaurant is Italian). Diners can expect the same devotion, the same meticulous attention to detail and the same stellar food, albeit amidst a sexier, sultrier vibe. The first floor has the cozy air of a supper club while the upstairs channels the refined charm of a European parlor. There’s also a rooftop deck.
But while the interior wows — and it’s definitely a scene stealer — it’s Taxiera’s food that will steal your heart. Think serious, playful creations like lots of tapas such as papas brava (smashed crispy potato bites); cheesy croquettes with Serrano ham; chocolate-rubbed lamb belly with purple mustard; albóndigas (aka Spanish meatballs); and olive oil-fried duck egg with sea urchin hollandaise and caviar. Other entrée highlights include heirloom corn tacos and a Parilla section with grass-fed beef and Iberico pork served with a variety of accoutrements (think mojo verde, mojo rojo, and chimichurri) as well as Basque beans and field greens. There are also three kinds of paella including one with chicken, rabbit, escargot, sofrito, and saffron.
Diners can also expect signature cocktails crafted with artistry and passion, as well as a wine list that leans heavily on Spanish vineyards. 14 Marble Ave., Thornwood, 914-825-8020, vidarestaurantny.com.
Louie’s Next Door, Nyack
Technically this is a wine bar but since chef/owner Tony Scotto, of next door’s DPNB Pasta & Provisions is at the helm, there’s food too, with items meant to pair with the drinks. Like DPNB, that means sourcing from small producers and relying on local when possible. The bread on the hearty Panusso sandwich, for example, comes from Erick Carrasco, a Valley Cottage resident who owns the Mostly Dough food truck. Diners can expect what looks like pizza crust wrapped around heritage turkey breast with tonnato sauce and arugula. Carrasco’s sourdough is also served with butter and/or house-cured sardines.
Other menu items include Red Endive with oranges, Bottarga with a Moscatel vinegar; oysters with Captain Roger’s cioppino; sweet soppressata with Guindilla peppers; and squid with fried rosemary, almonds and lemon.
As much as the food is a standout, it’s the wines that deserve a standing ovation. The aim is to pour accessible, approachable bottles from all over the world — and the way the selection keeps rotating just amps up the fun.
I’m not the only one who’s a fan. In September, the wine-focused spot, which opened last May, was named one of the “Top 50 New Restaurants in America” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Great minds (and food writers) think alike, I guess. 19 N. Broadway, Nyack, 845-358-1042, louiesnextdoor.com.
Fatt Root, Pleasantville
Much of what lands on your plate at Fatt Root takes a flavorful trip plane ride to Malaysia and Thailand and the childhood kitchen of founding chef Mogan Anthony — with a playful twist to suit local tastes. Noodles steal the show, from slurp-worthy, big brothy ramen to a bright avocado tofu poke bowl. There’s also the spicy kick of Gun Powder shrimp noodles and a plant-based spin on Impossible Dan Dan noodles, packed with Szechuan chili oil, scallions, peanuts, and a hit of Chinese black vinegar.
There’s also a “snack all day” portion of the menu devoted to bao buns, dumplings, spring rolls, tuna tostada and Thai veggie empanadas. The list of deliciousness goes on with Korean skirt steak, Thai salmon, Vietnamese pork chop and Balinese mango shrimp. Bottom line: it’s elevated Asian street food that’s bold, whimsical, unapologetic and adventurous. 11 Wheeler Ave., Pleasantville, 914-579-2552, fattroot.com.
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Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: 11 Lower Hudson Valley restaurants we wish made USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
