Why settle for subpar java when the Hudson Valley is home to roasters who know how to make the best of every bean? These 12 shops are worth a stop whenever you need a pick-me-up.
Bear Mountain Coffee Roasters
Mahopac
Online shop, subscriptions, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: They don’t have a physical location, but fans of Bear Mountain Coffee Roasters can order their blends online or pick up a bag at farmers’ markets and retail locations throughout the Hudson Valley. Coffee can also be ordered online to be picked up at a farmers’ market. Monthly subscribers have the option to opt for non-flavored coffee, flavored coffee, or a mixed bag.
Brew this: Wake up call, Bear’s roast, and chocolate raspberry are perfect for springtime.
Courtesy of Big Mouth Coffee Roasters
Big Mouth Coffee Roasters
Beacon, Newburgh
Café, Wi-Fi, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Elevated house blends that are top-quality and producer-centric single origin and micro-lot coffees. In other words: something for everyone. All of BMC Roasters’ blends are made from a process called “seed to cup,” meaning that the coffee is planted, grown, harvested, and stored sustainably.
Brew this: The Big Blend is a smooth, medium roast offering mild citrus acidity and notes of sweet milk chocolate.
Courtesy of Big Mouth Coffee Roasters
Coffee Labs Roasters
Eastchester, Tarrytown
Café, Wi-Fi, online shop, rewards program, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Some of the tastiest beans in the world, which owners Alicia and Mike Love are proud to offer what they call “relationship coffees.” They personally source from origin countries (coffee-growing nations) and form real friendships with sustainable farmers. A variety of coffees are available online to be shipped or picked up instore.
Brew this: Pick up a bag of the Rockit Dawg espresso for a full-bodied and sweet Colombian coffee. For an on-the-go option, the canned cold brew offers a flavorful, smooth, and clean taste.
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Dry Fly Coffee Co.
New Paltz
Café, Wi-Fi, online shop, baked goods
This recently opened location brings house-roasted coffee and baked goods to New Paltz. The team strives to brew the best cup of coffee, meticulously sourcing ethically sourced coffees from skillful coffee farmers. All coffees are sustainable and roasted on a state-of-the-art, zero emissions roaster.
Brew this: Pink Lady, a modern blend made up of coffees from Africa and South America, with flavors of dark chocolate, dried berries, and delicate florals.
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Hudson Roastery
Hudson
Café, Wi-Fi, online shop, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Eight different blends made from single origin beans that are roasted weekly and available both in the shop and online. Hudson Roastery is also a wine bar, so if you stay long enough, you can start with a cup and a pastry and then segue into locally sourced wine and beer. Or, book a coffee-roasting experience to roast fresh beans and enjoy an exclusive coffee tasting.
Brew this: Catchy, Hudson Valley-inspired blends, such as “Catskill Campfire” and “The Rip Van Winkle” varieties.
Courtesy of Hudson Roastery
Irving Farm
Millerton
Multiple locations, café, Wi-Fi, online shop, subscriptions, rewards program, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: The coffee—all sourced from small producers—is prepared in a roasting/cold brewing facility near the Millerton location. Known for their balance and sweetness, the house blends offer approachable, delicious roast profiles. Irving Farm dates to 1996, when its first location opened on Irving Place in New York City, and it has been a leader in the small-batch, sustainable coffee movement.
Brew this: We’re fans of the dark roast named after the majestic Hudson River. It’s packed with flavors of black cherry, licorice, and clove and is delicious as drip coffee or espresso.
Courtesy of Irving Farm
J.B. Peel Coffee & Tea
Red Hook
Retail Store, online shop, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
Green coffees are sourced from around the world and roasted in small batches everyday. Thirty years in the making, the roastery is currently owned by William and Alexandria Jamieson. In 1991, namesake Jeremy Peel, a Kenyan-born Englishman, originally left the business to Gil Klein, who generally pioneered house-roasted coffee at a time when it was not common on the East Coast.
Brew this: Kona Prime Blend, known for a smooth, rich taste with flavors of caramel, chocolate, and tropical fruit, perfect for the warm months ahead.
Monkey Joe Roasting Company
Kingston
Café, Wi-Fi, online shop, rewards program, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Owners Melissa Brown and Brittany Morton focus on single-origin roasts rather than blends, and their process involves a fully manual Dietrich roaster, meaning that there is “nothing digital to guide our roasts, simply the skill, talent, and years of practice by our head roaster, Tom,” says Brown.
Brew this: Customers rave about the hazelnut cream, Jazzy Joe, or fan-favorite Morning Howler Blend (which was created for the Radio Woodstock show “Acoustic Breakfast”).
Courtesy of Monkey Joe Roasting Company
North River Roasters
Poughkeepsie
Online shop, subscriptions, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: North River uses a process called fluid bed roasting, which they say is more environmentally friendly then traditional drum roasting. The roasters are electric, powered by 100-percent renewable energy sources through the CCA in the City of Poughkeepsie. In 2022, the business was donated to Mid-Hudson Works, a local nonprofit that offers job training to veterans and the disabled.
Brew this: North River only uses beans that have one or more of these certifications: organic, fair trade, rain forest alliance, and bird-friendly. Check out the Summit Blends series, with beans named after peaks like Storm King, Mount Beacon, and Bear Mountain.
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Ready Coffee
Wappingers Falls, Newburgh, LaGrange, Hyde Park
Multiple locations, rewards programs, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Small batches are hand-roasted in the Wappingers Falls location. While most Ready outposts are more of an upscale grab-and-go setup (with a drive-thru), the LaGrange spot includes a café and food sourced from Hudson Valley retailers. Ready Coffee is for people who want a fast cup—but a truly great cup—on the go.
Brew this: The signature blend, Headliner, has a deep, rich, and round flavor—without the bitterness.
Courtesy of Ready Coffee
Trax Coffee Roasters
Beacon
Cafe, Wi-Fi, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Dubbed “the Hudson Valley’s premier coffee roaster,” Trax Coffee roasts up impressive blends in the heart of Beacon. In partnership with sister shop Bank Square Coffeehouse, Trax has been roasting full-time since 2017 and is dedicated to bringing the best coffee to Hudson Valley natives. In addition to bags of grounds, the Beacon hotspot also packages its blends into convenient K-cups for you to take home and brew up in your own machine.
Brew this: The No Sleep ‘Til Beacon is a dark and light roasted blend that is both bold and smooth as a tribute to the city in which the brand was born. For something with seasonal flair, Bunny Droppings is a delicious dark and light roast blend perfect for pairing with decorated eggs or chocolates.
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Valkyrie Coffee Roasters
Chester
Café, Wi-Fi, online shop, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: All coffee is roasted in house and comes from single-farm, single-origin beans. The result is the best of each crop, which translates to unique flavor. Owner Dakota Rudolph has over a decade of experience roasting and sourcing coffee.
Brew this: Are you a bourbon fan? The Kenyan Bourbon Barrel-Aged blend is considered a cult favorite. Its tasting notes include green apple, cookie dough, French vanilla, and maple syrup.
Related: 7 Places to Find Savory Bone Broth in the Hudson Valley
