How many new restaurants did you visit in '23? Here's the (long) list for Lower Hudson
What restaurants opened this year? I almost want to say — what didn't? This year felt like a hamster wheel with one spot opening after another, often in close succession. I counted 132 throughout the Lower Hudson Valley, 51 more than last year's 81 (and no doubt I missed a few). Plus, more will squeeze in openings before the end of the year that are not counted here.
Italian restaurants and coffee shops topped the list of new offerings though there were certainly a fair amount of Mediterranean spots, breweries and bakeries. Also high on the list: husband-and-wife owned places.
What kept the momentum going? Restaurant owners cite opportunity and demand.
Adem Brija, who scouts franchise locations for Patsy's Pizzeria, opening one in Harrison this year with plans for a White Plains spot in 2024, said the volume of business he's seen in Westchester has been "absolutely tremendous." That extends past New York, as he's also looking at potential locales in Florida, Massachusetts, Texas and California.
Jeevan Pullan — who's on a restaurant roll of openings with NH 44 in Hartsdale, TAKO Mexican in Harrison, and Jaipore Express in Ridgefield, Connecticut, last year and Jaipore Express in Briarcliff Manor and LeMark Malaysian in Scarsdale this year (on top of TAKO Mexican in Yonkers and Vega Mexican in Hartsdale) — said he's always looking at new spots. "It's all about right time, right place," he said.
Ditto for celebrity Chef David Burke who opened Red Horse by David Burke in White Plains in February, along with multiple other eateries, including his just opened Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke in Manhattan. "Did I set out to open six restaurants this year?" he said. "No! Would I change the fact we did? No! Part of the reason we did is because we can take advantage of unanticipated opportunity, because we’re willing to put in the work and we have the expertise.”
More: Late-year restaurant openings: 12 new eateries debut in Lower Hudson (with more to come)
He, like Pullan, also admitted to being ambitious and aggressive. "You have to be in the restaurant business," he said. "And if you want to continue to grow, as we do, you always have to have projects in the pipeline, so you can maintain your infrastructure and attract top notch people."
Of course there were closures, too (see my "What Closed in 2023" story), but they were on par with natural industry attrition rates and far fewer than what opened (think 50 closures to more than 100 openings). From Asian fusion to fast casual sandwiches to tacos and always more Italian, here are the new spots where diners flocked in 2023. Know of a place not on the list? Email updates to [email protected].
Westchester
Aki Asian Fusion, White Plains
Alessia’s Trattoria, Mamaroneck
Allegria, West Harrison
Alondra's Restaurant, Larchmont
Anasa Greek Kitchen, White Plains
Asopao, White Plains
Benny's Brown Bag, Peekskill
Beer Garden, Yonkers
Better Burger, Peekskill
Bistro de Ville, Scarsdale
Bistro House, Hastings-on-Hudson
BobbyPop, Rye
Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken, White Plains
Br'ers BBQ, Bedford Hills
Buleria Tapas & Wine Bar, Tuckahoe
Café Deux, Harrison
Cafe Europa, Mount Vernon
Captain Lawrence Food Truck
Casa Fuego, Yonkers
Casaroma, New Rochelle
Chatterbox, Hawthorne (this is their second location; the first is in Pleasantville)
Cocoa Tree Chocolates, Dobbs Ferry
Coffee Lab Roasters, Eastchester/Bronxville border (second location; first in Tarrytown)
Common Grounds Cafe Lounge, Jefferson Valley
Constantino's, Hartsdale
Constantino’s Ice Cream & Dessert Bar, Hartsdale
Crawdaddy's Creole Kitchen, Pleasantville
Crumbl Cookies, Hartsdale
Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese, Scarsdale (this is their second location; the first is in Bronxville)
Doggology, Cortlandt Manor
El Artesano, White Plains
El Callejon, Port Chester
Empire Bagels, Larchmont (also has other locations)
Enbu Asian Fusion, Yonkers
Fat Stu's, Harrison
Fuel Hub, Tarrytown
Golfzon Social, Scarsdale
Harpoon Hanna's, New Rochelle
Hermosa, Mount Kisco
Horseman Bagels, Sleepy Hollow
Invito Restaurant, Elmsford
Jaipore Xpress, Briarcliff Manor
K & P Lounge, Cortlandt
Kung Fu Tea, New Rochelle
La Casa, Mamaroneck
La Casa de Nina, Hawthorne
Las Americas, Mount Kisco
Lefteris Gyro, Hartsdale
Little Star Pastry, Croton-on-Hudson
Líkha Art Cafe, Hawthorne
Mamaroneck Social Bar & Lounge, Mamaroneck
Mamajuana Cafe Prime, Hartsdale
Matanzas Cuban Cafe, Hartsdale
Mario's Metro Pizza & Pasta, New Rochelle
Medi Bistro, White Plains
Melike Turkish Cuisine, Mount Kisco
Mexcellent Deli, Chappaqua
Micheline, Scarsdale
Miles, the Prince, North White Plains
Milladoro, Elmsford
Mimi`s by Martine's, Scarsdale
Mister Chen's Seafood & Bar, Scarsdale
Morris Park Pizza Express, Shrub Oak
Mr. Nick's, Tarrytown
Mandy Bean Specialty Coffee, Yonkers
Marcellino's, Yonkers
Molcajete, Dobbs Ferry
New York Craft Coalition, Mamaroneck
Noble Pies Bakery & Cafe, Tarrytown (they also moved their Rye location and may have another Westchester spot in the works)
Ofori's World Cuisine, Peekskill
One Rare Steakhouse, Scarsdale
Paris Baguette, Hartsdale
Penny Lick Ice Cream, Mamaroneck (this is their second location; the first is in Hastings-on-Hudson)
Piccola Trattoria, Dobbs Ferry
Picardia Burgers, Port Chester
Playa Bowls, White Plains
Pokémoto, Tarrytown, White Plains
Richie's Kitchen, Ossining
Red Horse by David Burke, White Plains
Redd's Soul Food, Croton-on-Hudson
Rosa’s Italiana Cucina, Mamaroneck
Rosarito Tacos and Tequila, Croton-on-Hudson
Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill, Thornwood
Shah's Halal, Yonkers
Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar, White Plains
Simple Motive Brewing Company, Yonkers
Shawarma & More, Yonkers
Smokehouse Tailgate Grill, Somers (new location at DeCicco & Sons)
Susuru Ramen, Tarrytown
Sweet Temptations and OMC, White Plains
Table 13 Pizzeria, Harrison
Tee Bar & Grill, Shrub Oak
The Hudson Oven, Croton-on-Hudson
The Meadows Social Kitchen and Bar, Harrison
The Producer Coffee Studio, Port Chester
The Sail House, Tarrytown
Tipsy Taco Bar, Scarsdale
Tous Les Jours, Bronxville
T-Swirl, Yonkers (second location; first is in White Plains)
The Tav'ery, Bronxville
Tumbao Bar and Lounge, Sleepy Hollow
Tutto Cream, Hawthorne
Via Veroli, Yonkers
Venchi Chocolate & Gelato, White Plains
Wanna Empanada, Ossining
Wildcraft Baking Company, Irvington
X-Golf Scarsdale, Scarsdale (opening soon)
Rockland
Bangkok Station, Nyack
Baily's Smokehouse, New City
Bella's Kitchen, Pearl River
Chomped Food Truck
Cooper's Restaurant, Pearl River
Corner of Ukraine, Nyack
Deli on the Hudson Cafe, Nyack
Dom To Go, New City
El Toro Steakhouse, Congers
Flours Pasta & Bakeshop, Haverstraw
Himalya Tibet Momo, Nyack
Lynch's on the Green, Thiells
La Casa de las Pupusas, Tappan
Lanni's Cucina Verace Italiana, Sparkill
Nyack Social, Nyack
Mille Luci Pizza, New City
Philly Pretzel Factory, New City
Pizzetiello, Pearl River
Red Barn Cidery, Congers
Round Table Brewery, Garnerville
Six23 Social, Sparkill
The Best Diner, Suffern
The Rail Trail Blauvelt
Putnam
Uncle Cheef, Brewster
Rye Republic
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: New restaurants in Westchester, Rockland NY that opened in 2023