Global eats in Beacon, NY (Part 1)
Red lentil soup from Nilufer’s Home Kitchen.
Beacon’s nearly mile-long Main Street—comprised of hundreds of beautiful, picturesque brick buildings and backstopped by Mount Beacon—is about as American-looking as any Main Street in the U.S. And while there’s plenty of excellent American fare here, Main Street (and streets just off it) is also filled with fantastic international foods from nearly every corner of the globe. Come to think of it, this diversity is one of the most American things about Beacon! It’s also one aspect of the city that makes living here so interesting.
Because there are so many international cuisine offerings here, we’ve split this feature into two parts, listing the spotlighted restaurants from the west to the east side of the city.
Here we go…
Turkish delight
Nilufer’s Home Kitchen (135 Main Street)
This Turkish breakfast and lunch restaurant was opened in February 2024 by Nilufer Goodson, an executive chef in Turkey who’s worked in some of the top kitchens there. The Turkish breakfast that’s 18 small dishes is one of the most popular on the menu, as are the lamb, chicken, and veggie sandwiches served in warm, chewy pita-like bread. Nilufer’s Home Kitchen also offers a wide variety of Turkish pastries, which pair perfectly with a fragrant pot of Turkish tea. Nilufer herself is currently in Turkey to accept a prestigious Executive Chef award, so the restaurant will be closed until October 10th. It’s worth the wait!
Isamu (240 Main Street)
Can’t decide between Chinese and Japanese food? Then go to Isamu and have both. Isamu’s menu is divided between Japanese specialties such as sushi, sashimi, gyoza dumplings, and udon noodles, and Chinese classics including General Tso’s and Kung Pao chicken, beef with broccoli, spareribs, and eggplant with garlic sauce, to name just a few.
If you like middle eastern food, specifically Palestinian food, Ziatun is a must-visit. Ranging from subtly to strongly spiced, Ziatun’s menu is equally good for meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans. We particularly recommend the red lentil soup (addas) garnished with sweet roasted onion, the delicious shawarmas (beef/lamb, chicken, or vegan), and the wholesome mujaddara, which is made of seasoned brown lentils and rice with onions and tomato-cucumber salad.
Fusion Fare
Falafel pita sandwich from Tara Fusion Cuisine.
Tara Fusion Cuisine (288 Main Street/Hudson Valley Food Hall)
If you like your falafel light and tasty and wrapped in an equally light and tasty pita (made of chickpea flour), then head to the Hudson Valley Food Hall and go directly to the second stall. There you’ll find Tara Fusion Cuisine owner Trina Mazumder, one of the sweetest, friendliest people in Beacon. As the name implies, Tara Fusion Cuisine offers a combination of Indian and middle eastern food. Besides the wonderful falafels, we recommend the chicken and beef gyro sandwiches, the moglai paratha sandwich (Indian paratha flatbread, egg, Indian green chili, red onion, chopped coriander, lettuce, American cheese), the Indian samosas, and the hummus. The falafel and gyros are also served over rice, if you’re not in the mood for a sandwich. And we recommend asking Trina for a sampling of her three hot sauces and relishes that add a flavorful kick to whatever you have.
Nicaraguan specialities
Nicaraguan food from El Nica.
El Nica (288 Main Street/Hudson Valley Food Hall)
UPDATE: El Nica is no longer in HVFH, however we are awaiting news of Armando’s next adventure and will update everyone soon. A few stalls deeper into the Hudson Valley Food Hall, you’ll find Armando Salinas, owner of El Nica, crafting his Nicaraguan food which has made El Nica one of the most popular destinations for hungry Beaconites and visitors. Armando’s offerings include grilled flank steak, chicken, and pork butt served with various combinations of succulent rice and beans, limey mayonnaise-less slaw, perfectly fried tostones and sweet plantains, and some of the best guacamole you’ve ever had! And don’t forget to try some of El Nica’s homemade hot sauce, which can be bought by the bottle. (Can you tell a hot sauce fan wrote this feature?)
A very British affair
A veggie English Breakfast by Moreish.
Moreish (288 Main Street/Hudson Valley Food Hall)
Right next to El Nica in the Hudson Valley Food Hall is the aptly named Moreish. The only establishment in Beacon serving exclusively British food which happens to be quite moreish, as the British say when describing food they’d like more of. Here you can get a full English breakfast featuring eggs, bacon, baked beans, grilled tomato, and toast, bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes), various pastries, pies, scones, sausage roll, and more. We advise any homesick English person in the area to get to Moreish immediately! The same goes for anyone else with an appetite for great British delicacies.
Dulce Cielo (288 Main Street/Hudson Valley Food Hall)
Two stalls down from Moreish, you’ll find Dulce Cielo, which serves some of the best Mexican street food in Beacon. Tacos are the specialty here, and you can get chicken, steak, chorizo, pork, lamb, shrimp, birria, and vegetarian varieties. All are delicious and authentic enough to make you feel as if you’re standing on a street corner in Mexico. No problem if you don’t want tacos because Dulce Cielo also makes fantastic burritos, tortas (Mexican sandwiches), nachos, rice bowls, and burgers.
Quinn’s (330 Main Street)
If someone asked you to meet them at Quinn’s, you might think you’d been invited to an Irish pub. Upon arriving, you’d probably assume Quinn’s is actually a standard American Diner. But once you’ve looked at the menu, you’d realized you’d been wrong. Because Quinn’s—which once was an old-school diner—is now a Japanese restaurant specializing in ramen, the ultimate Japanese comfort food.
But there’s much than just super tasty ramen at Quinn’s. There’s also dumplings, edamame, donburi (rice bowls), and a wide variety of hotdogs (kimchi, curry, nori, etc), believe it or not. All offerings are delicious, although we’re partial to the crispy tofu donburi. Quinn’s also happens to be a music venue that often features great bands.
Because there’s so many great options, we’re not finished exploring Beacon’s international food scene. Part 2 to follow next week. In the meantime, take a peek at our Eat & Drink Directory for all restaurants, bars, and more on and off Main Street.
Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon, NY 🧡