12 Cool Upstate New York Restaurants Inside Historic Train Depots
Imagine dining where locomotives once rumbled through!
Upstate New York’s historic train stations have been transformed into amazing restaurants, blending delicious food with fascinating railroad history.
Elegant fine dining and casual family spots alike offer unique atmospheres you won’t find anywhere else. Get ready for a culinary journey through time at these remarkable train station eateries.
1. Trackside Restaurant — Utica, NY
Housed in Utica’s beautifully preserved 1914 train station, Trackside Restaurant serves up hearty Italian-American fare amid original architectural details.
Vintage railway memorabilia adorns brick walls while massive windows frame views of still-active tracks.
Lunch crowds flock for homemade pasta specials while evening patrons enjoy cocktails named after famous train routes that once passed through this historic hub.
2. Ciao Bella — New Paltz, NY
Nestled inside New Paltz’s charming Victorian-era depot, Ciao Bella fuses authentic Italian cuisine with Hudson Valley flavors.
Sunlight streams through arched windows illuminating exposed brick walls and original ticket counters now repurposed as wine bars.
Regulars rave about wood-fired pizzas topped with locally-sourced ingredients while admiring the lovingly preserved station clock that still keeps perfect time after a century.
3. Riley Street Station — East Aurora, NY
Once a bustling 1880s New York Central Railroad depot, Riley Street Station now buzzes with diners enjoying classic American comfort food.
Original wooden beams frame the spacious dining room where railroad lanterns cast warm glows across tables.
Families gather for Sunday brunches while railroad enthusiasts admire the meticulously maintained station master’s office now serving as a cozy private dining nook.
4. The Erie Hotel and Restaurant — Port Jervis, NY
Standing proudly since 1890, Port Jervis’ Erie Hotel captures the golden age of rail travel while serving exceptional steakhouse classics.
Massive stone fireplaces warm the dining room where vintage train schedules and conductor memorabilia line walls of burnished wood.
After dinner, guests often wander to adjacent platforms where ghost stories abound about phantom passengers still waiting for trains long discontinued.
5. Station Bar & Curio — Woodstock, NY
Musicians and artists flock to Station Bar & Curio, a funky gastropub housed in Woodstock’s former Ulster & Delaware Railroad depot.
Vintage concert posters share wall space with railroad artifacts in this eclectic space where craft beers flow alongside inventive small plates.
Weekend evenings feature local bands performing on a stage built from salvaged railroad ties, creating perfect harmony between the building’s past and present.
6. Depot 25 Restaurant — Shortsville, NY
Lovingly restored by local history buffs, Shortsville’s 1870s freight depot now houses a family-friendly restaurant serving up generous portions of American classics.
Kids marvel at model trains circling overhead while parents appreciate the homestyle cooking and relaxed atmosphere.
Old shipping manifests framed on walls tell stories of agricultural bounty once loaded here, mirroring today’s farm-to-table menu featuring produce from neighboring fields.
7. The Central Bistro and Lounge — Peekskill, NY
Sophisticated yet welcoming, Central Bistro occupies Peekskill’s grandest Beaux-Arts station overlooking the Hudson River.
Soaring ceilings and marble floors create dramatic backdrops for seasonal New American cuisine served on tables crafted from reclaimed station benches.
River views captivate diners sampling wine flights in what was once the first-class passenger lounge, now a sleek bar featuring original brass luggage racks.
8. Station 45 American Chop House — Binghamton, NY
Sizzling steaks and railroad history share equal billing at Station 45, housed in Binghamton’s imposing brick depot where multiple rail lines once converged.
Mahogany booths crafted to resemble luxurious Pullman cars offer intimate dining spaces amid larger, livelier areas.
Chefs prepare prime cuts in an open kitchen built where ticket counters once stood, with flames visible through what was formerly the station’s massive arrival board.
9. The Depot Restaurant — Oneonta, NY
Occupying Oneonta’s charming Victorian depot, this beloved local restaurant serves comfort food classics against a backdrop of meticulously preserved railroad architecture.
Handcrafted stained glass windows depicting famous locomotives cast colorful patterns across tables during daytime dining.
Long-time patrons point out where waiting room benches once stood, now replaced by comfortable booths where three generations of families gather for special occasions.
10. Big Moose Station Restaurant — Eagle Bay, NY
Adirondack wilderness surrounds Big Moose Station, a rustic log depot-turned-restaurant serving hearty mountain fare to hungry hikers and lake visitors.
Roaring fireplaces warm diners after outdoor adventures while mounted wildlife and vintage snowshoes decorate rough-hewn walls.
Signature maple-glazed trout honors the station’s history when fresh catches were loaded on ice cars bound for New York City markets over a century ago.
11. D&R Depot Restaurant — Le Roy, NY
Passing through the doors of D&R Depot feels like stepping back to 1876 when this charming station first welcomed travelers to Le Roy.
Homemade pies cool on windowsills while breakfast favorites are served all day in dining rooms named after different train routes.
Regular customers chuckle at restrooms labeled “Gentlemen Passengers” and “Lady Passengers”, just one of many authentic touches preserving this depot’s rich heritage.
12. The Cold Spring Depot Restaurant — Cold Spring, NY
Perched along still-active Metro-North tracks, Cold Spring Depot offers front-row views of trains passing mere feet from outdoor dining tables.
Built in 1893, the handsomely restored station serves elevated pub fare in spaces where commuters once waited.
Visitors frequently pause mid-bite as trains rumble past, creating a dining experience impossible to replicate anywhere else in the Hudson Valley.
