The Definitive LL Guide to New Paltz
Compiled by our staff with lots of commentary by me, Lagusta!
Food in New Paltz
Huckleberry: So many vegan options, the best spot in town to people watch with your pup and a great drink.
Krishna Kitchen: Vegetarian Indian! Super quick, a real gem.
Jar’d Wine Pub: Best place to watch the sunset, friendly and cozy.
Pho Tibet: Vegan pho, dumplings, lovely owners.
Karma Road: Super healthy old school vegan joint! Excellent juices.
Apizza: Great vegan pizza and a lovely vegan caesar salad
Crazy Bowlz: The best boba tea!
Main St Bistro: Some decent vegan options, old-school diner vibes.
Main Course: The build your own salad situation is a lifesaver on busy workdays.
Runa Bistro: Beautiful and cozy.
Hokkaido: Some nice vegan options.
La Charla: Lovely authentic Mexican.
Mountain Brauhaus: Always has great vegan specials, even if the rest of the menu is mega meaty.
Rabble Rise: Vegan doughnuts every day!
Farm Stands/ Grocery
Health & Nutrition: Everything you could ever want from a health food store.
Jenkins-Lueken Orchards: The best PYO (pick your own), great varieties of apples, fruit, and more.
Taliaferro Farmstand: Organic, family-run farm with unbelievable produce (and views).
Twin Star Orchards aka Brooklyn Cider House aka Ugly Apples Taste Better: The pizza is very good! Excellent cider and beer with nice housemade kombucha too, great to watch the sunset with your dog. Or friends, whatever.
Shops in New Paltz
Salix Intimates: Melissa is a bomb bra-fitter and sells all the best, sexiest/comfiest/most ethical lingerie, plus sex toys and so many treats.
Crust & Magic: The unofficial uniform of New Paltz, our homegrown fashion label, Alexa is a local treasure.
Ritualist: So good! All your witchy wares plus plants, I always find special things I didn’t know I needed here, Dana is a force!!
All of the bookstores on Church St: Inquiring Minds (mostly new) and Barner (mostly used) -- so grateful for them, please support em!
Nettle & Violet: Shalom sources the BEST vintage clothes around.
Rock Candy Vintage: Great finds!
Manny’s: Queer-owned, friendliest/best art store on the actual planet. A must-visit.
Rhinebeck Artist’s Shop: Two amazing art shops in one small town? Welcome to New Paltz.
Rock & Show: Anarchist-ish outdoorsy shop, I have no reason to shop there but still go in all the time to browse and pretend I climb (no one is fooled).
Heady Teddy’s: Queer-owned head shop, so good!!
The Awareness Shop: Do you know House of Intuition? This is our version. Super duper fun, they call themselves “New York’s Oldest and Most Trusted Metaphysical store.”
Beck's Home & Hardware: Locally-owned super duper helpful hardware store.
Chroma Hair Salon: Queer-inclusive, texture-inclusive chop shop!
Water St Market: Surprisingly reasonable antiquing at two big rambly shops, a world-class theater, and lots more shopping, including:
Paws of Distinction: At Water St Market. Such sweethearts, always ready with treats and pets for your BFFs.
In the woods
Historic Huguenot Street: Best walks in town, glorious on a fall day. I walk my dog here every single day because it’s 30 seconds from our chocolate shop.
The Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary: I walk my dog here every *other* day, it’s...maybe our [me + my dog’s] favorite place on earth? My fiancé proposed to me here? Locals will be mad I’m telling you about it?
River to Ridge trail: Not really a trail, more of a walk, yet another great dog walk.
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail: I also walk here every day, also because the chocolate shop is two steps away. Perfect for walking, biking, venting + speedwalking while on the phone with your BFF, etc.
Minnewaska: All the hikes and swimming you can stand.
Mohonk Preserve: Classic New Paltz outdoorsiness. Including:
The Mohonk Preserve Testimonial Gateway: YET ANOTHER WONDERFUL DOG WALK! Truly. Pricey if you’re not a member but we usually have guest passes to give to customers! HMU: lagusta@lagustasluscious.com.
Mohonk Mountain House: A CASTLE in the SKY. Where Oprah stays when she visits, which tells you all you need to know. The pool plays music underwater.
Shaupeneak Ridge: Wonderful dog walks / hikes on the edge of town.
Neighboring Towns
Sweet Maresa’s: obviously!! Our sister business, the prettiest place in Kingston, and best tasting too.
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary: Beautiful, a must-visit! Even though (for obvious reasons) your dog isn’t allowed. Become a member and get 10% off your purchases at our cafe.
Catskill Animal Sanctuary: So serene and wonderful -- same 10% off deal as above!
Harana Market: Wonderful homestyle Filipino food & Asian groceries.
Whitecliff Vineyard: All vegan lovely local wine.