At the most “wursty” time ever, one of the Hudson Valley’s most popular German restaurants will be closing its doors just before the start of Oktoberfest season.
Fall in the Hudson Valley just wouldn’t be the same without German beer, sausages and that cozy Bavarian feeling known as “Gemütlichkeit.” The region comes alive in September and October with local festivities at Bear Mountain, the Poughkeepsie Germania Club and, of course, the Hudson River Craft Beer Festival.
There are also several legendary German restaurants in the Hudson Valley that welcome German food and beer lovers with brass music and the smell of sauerkraut this time of year. Some, like Gus’ in Newburgh and Mountain Brauhaus in Gardiner, have been around for generations, while others, like Jaeger Haus in Tivoli, are just starting to make a name for themselves.
Sadly, one of the Hudson Valley’s most popular German restaurants recently announced the permanent closure of its doors.
Coldwell Banker Prime Properties OneKey MLS
German restaurant in Hudson Valley says goodbye
This weekend, the owners of Gunk Haus in Highland, New York, announced that the restaurant would be closing for good. The news was met with disappointed customers who were devastated to learn that their favorite restaurant was closing. Many lamented the loss of Gunk Haus’s delicious goulash, spaetzle and award-winning burgers.
Over the years, the German restaurant has faced some challenges. In 2020, a car crashed into the building, setting it on fire and forcing the business to close until a year later. Soon after, the business was put up for sale and after a year of negotiations, the building was finally purchased.
Although there has been no official announcement from the new owners yet, they seem to plan to run the restaurant as a completely different brand than Gunk Haus with a whole new menu and theme.
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We contacted the new owners, but they declined to comment. However, local business owners said there will be an announcement soon. We will update this story as more information is released.
For now, you can still plan one last visit to the Gunk Haus. The restaurant will remain open until September 1st.
Where can you find the best German food in the Hudson Valley?
The best German restaurants in the Hudson Valley
Gallery credit: Robyn Taylor
The Gunk House in Highland, NY, could be yours
A restaurant popular with tourists and locals alike is for sale and is looking for one or more people to take over the kitchen in 2023. Close to everything but off the beaten track, Gunk Haus is a well-known restaurant and has recently been renovated to be taken over by the next German foodie.
Gallery credit: Paty Quyn
