The Hudson Valley has a way of softening time. Maybe it’s the filtered light draped over the Catskills at golden hour, or the way Route 212 winds with just enough grace to feel deliberate—like a secret meant only for those paying attention. Follow that curve far enough into Saugerties, and you’ll spot it: a red lantern glowing gently beside a low stone wall, casting a quiet welcome as the day exhales into dusk. Beyond the glow, surrounded by tall trees and quiet charm, waits The Red Onion—a restaurant that doesn’t beg for notice but earns your affection with every thoughtful plate, every flicker of candlelight, and every sip that reminds you what it means to simply be.
Savoring Saugerties: A Culinary Escape at The Red Onion – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Adventure Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
I hadn’t planned on going out. I was staying nearby at a modern rustic farmhouse by Alluvion Vacations—a hideaway of wood grain and clean design, with a private deck that opens up to trees so still, you wonder if they’re listening. I booked it to get away from everything: the noise, the scroll, the pull of a world that never lets you just sit. And then, the hunger came—not just for food, but for something unspoken. Something you find in places like this.
A Table, A Drink, A Story
The Red Onion wears its history lightly. The building is old—handsome in the way only age and confidence can be. Rumors say it’s been many things: a mayor’s home, a country inn, maybe more. You can feel that layered past in the floorboards. But tonight, it’s a restaurant, and it welcomes me like an old friend.
Handcrafted Cocktails with Hudson Valley Soul
The drinks at The Red Onion aren’t just cocktails—they’re stories in a glass, each one handcrafted with freshly squeezed juices and thoughtful restraint. I started with The Ruby Red, a brilliant blend of Isolation Proof Gin, fresh grapefruit, Giffard Pamplemousse, and a kiss of Campari. It was bright and botanical, like sipping the sunset through citrus-tinted glass. I followed it with the house-special Red Onion Grapefruit Margarita, where lime and fresh grapefruit juice met tequila’s earthy heat in a dance of sweet, salt, and bite.
But the cocktail menu reads like a travelogue through flavor: the Oaxacan Burner smolders with mezcal, Tabasco, and lime for those who like their drinks to arrive with attitude. The Amber Grove offers bourbon warmth rounded by blood orange and lemon—deep, sultry, and complex. If you’re feeling tropical, the Jungle Bird brings pineapple, lime, and dark rum together with Campari’s edge for something bold and lush. And if you want elegance in a coupe, there’s Ray’s Manhattan, made with Pierre Ferrand and kissed with orange peel, a nod to New York’s timeless swagger.
Whether you’re lounging on the patio in late summer or cozying up by candlelight in winter, this cocktail list anchors The Red Onion as one of the best spots for elevated cocktails in the Catskills. Each sip feels like it belongs to the land—locally inspired, seasonally balanced, and just adventurous enough to remind you: yes, you’re definitely not in the city anymore.
The Starter That Stopped Me
The House Cured Sardines appetizer arrived like a painting. Not just a pretty plate, but a composition—layered with baby artichokes, pickled beets, olives, shaved celery, and delicate slivers of jalapeño, all glistening under a veil of olive oil. The grilled bread, golden and intentional, caught each flavor like a verse catches breath. If you think sardines can’t be elegant, you’ve never had them like this.
A Main That Lingers
Then came the dish that made me pause. The Wild Alaskan Black Cod was crusted and blackened, its skin a masterstroke of char, the inside flaking in hushed, pearlescent layers. Beneath it—a ragout of creamy corn, shiitake mushrooms, and bacon, with roasted sunchokes and grilled asparagus making quiet, earthy cameos. A pale green sweep of avocado mousse brought it all together, unexpected and somehow exactly right. This is what farm-to-table aspires to be: honest, decadent, restrained, luxurious.
A Sweet Goodbye
For dessert, tiramisu—because sometimes, you don’t want to be surprised. You want comfort, done well. And here, it is. Creamy, dusted with cocoa, balanced and brightened with just enough espresso bite. A sprig of mint stood like punctuation. It was the perfect ending, full stop.
The Afterglow
Dining at The Red Onion isn’t just a meal. It’s a reminder that places still exist where food is made by hand, drinks are crafted with care, and time slows just enough for you to notice the person across the table—or the silence you brought with you.
If you find yourself in Saugerties, come hungry. Come curious. Book your stay at the modern country home by Alluvion Vacations, and then make your way to dinner. Let The Red Onion meet you where you are, then gently, deliciously, carry you somewhere else.
Discover More of the Hudson Valley’s Culinary Vibes
The Red Onion isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a living postcard from the heart of the Saugerties foodie scene, where every dish tells a story and every cocktail feels like a work of art. If you’re craving more of the Hudson Valley farm-to-table experience, from modern rustic dining rooms to chef-driven restaurants tucked into mountain towns, this is only the beginning.
We’re constantly exploring the Catskills food culture—the places where seasonal menus in upstate NY meet small town fine dining, and where chic upstate restaurants like this one surprise you with bold flavors and heartfelt hospitality. Pair that with an upscale Airbnb dining experience—like the luxury Airbnb stay I found in Saugerties—and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect weekend foodie getaway.
Looking for the next hidden gem? Planning your next Saugerties date night? Or just want to soak up more Hudson Valley culinary vibes?
Sign up for our Hudson Valley Style Magazine newsletter and be the first to discover the freshest destinations, recipes, and design-forward travel ideas the region has to offer.
Your next favorite bite is waiting.
