Las Camelias

Las Camelias is a wonderful little Oaxacan gem sitting at 342 Broadway in Midtown Kingston, and it has a genuinely heartwarming backstory. The restaurant is the brainchild of Verónica Martínez, a beloved fixture at the Kingston and Phoenicia Farmers’ Markets, where she spent over a decade winning over Hudson Valley hearts with her homemade tamales. On May 5, 2025, she finally gave her food a permanent home, opening Las Camelias in the space formerly occupied by Sabor Latino — and the grand opening was such a big deal that the Kingston mayor, the Ulster County Executive, and the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce all showed up to celebrate!
The menu is a love letter to traditional Oaxacan cooking, made mostly from scratch. Tortillas and salsas are all house-made, and the tamales — her signature — come both classic and with fun twists like cheese, crema, pico de gallo, or egg. Tacos run just five bucks and come loaded with creative fillings like cauliflower, achiote pork, or chapulines (yes, that means grasshoppers — very authentically Oaxacan!). Breakfast lovers will swoon over the chilaquiles and huevos rancheros, while lunch brings memelitas, tacos de nopal, and rajas con crema to the table. There are also solid vegetarian and vegan options throughout.
The vibe is casual, warm, and counter-service style — simple and inviting, much like the farmers’ market stalls that made Verónica famous in the first place. It’s a family business through and through, with her son and partner involved in bringing the whole project to life. Las Camelias is open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 7am, making it a fantastic spot to kick off your morning with some seriously authentic Mexican breakfast before exploring Kingston.