Cafe Mutton

Hudson is full of cute restaurants that would feel right at home in the parts of Brooklyn inhabited largely by stroller-wielding parents and children with highly-developed palates. Cafe Mutton falls into that category, but there’s something else going on here. This restaurant feels like it was made for a rapidly-disappearing version of Hudson—one that remains eccentric, affordable, and connected to the natural world around it. 

Things like sausages and head cheese are made in house with the kind of care and attention you couldn’t manage in New York City without charging at least three times as much. The country pâté, served in sandwich form, is the kind of dish to go out of your way to eat again and again. Other things, like the potato chip and french onion dip omelet, are masterfully done, but will leave you feeling like you’ve just stood in front of your parents’ fridge, door open, eating french onion dip with a spoon and contemplating your lost youth. 

As the name suggests, this is a cafe, and the atmosphere is casual. It’s best to check the restaurant’s Instagram for the most up-to-date hours and menu, since both seem to be in a general state of flux. The space is small and home-like, with cute vintage dishes and a handful of seat-yourself tables. On weekends, expect crowds and a wait at almost any time of day. On weekdays, the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed.