A Town With More Cows Than People Is Now Upstate NY’s Most Unexpected Foodie Destination

We’ve been spilling our secrets on all kinds of Upstate New York getaways in the past couple of weeks—from historical baseball towns to natural wonderland towns with fly-fishing and swimming holes. But this one is for all you foodies, and no we’re not talking about Oneonta, NY this time (and if you’ve haven’t even heard that one, check it out here). We’re talking about a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it hamlet where there’s a mere population of about 600 people , and the nearest grocery store is miles away . It’s called Bovina, New York , and it’s quietly transforming into one of Upstate New York’s most surprising culinary destinations —earning a recent *Vogue* feature that called out its “impossibly charming” dinner parties and growing roster of chef-driven pop-ups. At the center of it all is Bovina Farm & Fermentory , a rustic tavern-style spot where Saturday night dinners feel more like a scene from a fairytale than a restaurant. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Jacob Sackett and Elizabeth Stark, the spot channels the energy of a Czech countryside inn with handwritten menus, cast-iron pots of seasonal fare, beer brewed on-site, and antique-filled interiors that look like they’ve been there for centuries—despite only being built in 2020. Now, the duo is upping the ante with the addition of Shaker-inspired overnight accommodations above the tavern . The idea? Come for the dinner party, stay for the sunrise over the sheep pasture . It’s the full Bovina experience. Of course, Bovina’s food scene doesn’t end there. A few doors down, Brushland Eating House is another anchor of the town’s culinary rise. Opened by Sohail and Sara Zandi in a former tavern, the cozy restaurant serves seasonal menus and hosts frequent “Persian Feast” nights that are as flavorful as they are festive. With rental apartments upstairs, it’s easy to turn dinner into a weekend-long retreat. And the area keeps attracting names you may already know. Cookbook author Alison Roman fell in love with Bovina while writing her books above Brushland—and has since opened First Bloom Corner Store , a charming all-day café and provisions shop in nearby South Kortright. It’s quickly become a go-to community hub for coffee, conversation, and curated pantry goods. Add to that spots like Solinsky’s Meats in Stamford, where chef Michael Solyn crafts artisanal charcuterie with a European agritourism flair, and the soon-to-open Magpies on Pink Street pie shop in Delancey, and you’ve got yourself an unexpected Catskills food scene that rivals any you’d find in more well-known weekend towns. With no stoplights, no cell service, and more cows than people , Bovina might seem off the radar—but that’s exactly what makes it one of Upstate New York’s most delicious hidden gems . 📍 Bovina, NY (Delaware County, about 3.5 hours from NYC) Source: https://secretnyc.co/bovina-ny-foodie-small-town/