World-Class Culture + Great Food Are Better Together in the Berkshires

Some of the best restaurants in the Berkshires are located near popular cultural spots.

It’s easy to fill your time here at museums or music, dance, and theater performances. And, with so many award-winning farm-to-table restaurants in the Berkshires, it’s also easy to find a delicious meal. So why not plan experiences that include both? To whet your appetite, here’s a short list of restaurants close to Berkshire attractions.

What’s better than unwinding with a delicious meal after exploring cultural attractions in the Berkshires? Our short list of best places to eat near museums and performance venues guides you to tried-and-true spots and new restaurants worth a visit.

NORTH

If you’re looking for a takeout meal or quick cup of coffee in North Adams, Craft Food Barn (from the Freight Yard family of restaurants) is a window-service-only option for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and ice cream. For fiery Mexican fare and a refreshing drink, head for Casita Restaurant & Bar at MASS MoCA. In nearby Cheshire, newcomer Common Table serves up scratch-made American comfort food in a fun, lively atmosphere and their cocktail list will not disappoint.

In Williamstown after a visit to the Clark, Williams College Museum, or Williamstown Theatre Festival? Don’t miss the new Tea & Boba Lounge. For dinner, head to The Barn Kitchen & Bar, located in the Williams Inn for innovative dishes, craft cocktails, and local brews.

CENTRAL

Visiting Jacob’s Pillow for an evening of dance be sure to check out the Dream Away Lodge, a remote 200-year-old farmhouse restaurant in Becket with a storied history studded with names such as Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan, is a unique venue beloved with locals and visitors alike for good food, drinks, and live music. 

Pittsfield’s Upstreet Cultural District is home to a mix of restaurants, bars, and cafés close to theaters, museums, and art exhibitions. For casual fare, head to The Marketplace Café or Hot Harry’s Fresh Burritos. For craft beers, cocktails, and light snacks, go to Hot Plate Brewing Co. or Methuselah Bar and Lounge. Grab a table at District Kitchen & Bar for dinner with a contemporary-American flair.

In historic downtown Lenox, head to Brava for tapas, Pizzeria Boema for Neopolitan-style crafted pizza, Haven Café & Bakery for brunch, or Alta Restaurant & Wine Bar for dinner before a show at Tanglewood or Shakespeare & Company.

Want a sweet treat? Stop at High Lawn Farm in Lee for some of the best ice cream in New England. Visit the cow barns, then head for the on-site store for a scoop (or three, we won’t tell) and enjoy wide-open views of the Berkshire hills from picnic-table seating under the farm’s iconic clock tower.

SOUTH

After strolling galleries and museums in the Stockbridge area, settle into a rocking chair on the Red Lion Inn front porch with a cold drink or head downstairs to the Lion’s Den for cocktails, pub fare, and live music.

Pleasant and Main (named for the streets intersecting its location in the village of Housatonic) offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and a seasonal dinner menu. Eat inside, in the back garden, or grab a takeout and head for your favorite picnic spot. 

Catching a performance at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington? Have dinner at The Prairie Whale or Xicohtencatl Mexican. In addition to creative dishes focused on Berkshire-grown ingredients, these two restaurants are among the most popular outdoor dining spots in the Berkshires.

And finally, if you love slow mornings with good coffee and a leisurely breakfast, head for the Southfield Store. It may be off the beaten path, but this hidden gem is a highlight on any map of must-try eateries in the Berkshires. 

Have we whet your appetite? Find more great places to eat and drink in the Berkshires with our online guide.

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