Dining in the Adirondacks

Welcome to the Adirondacks – eat, drink and enjoy the culinary adventure sure to dazzle your taste buds! Discover the freshest seasonal ingredients, most scrumptious treats, and more.

Home to agricultural and culinary traditions deeply rooted in the soil and soul of the Adirondacks, regional chefs take inspiration from nature's bounty, creating menus that pair the flavors of the forest with the local harvests for unique Adirondack dining experiences.

diners eating at Left Bank Cafe in the Adirondacks

Sample the Adirondack Park's Seasonal Flavors

Journey through the region and find Adirondack restaurants reinventing American cuisine with a rustic flair that elevates the dining experience beyond the ordinary into something memorable. Find gastro pubs focused on seasonal flavors and enjoy a variety of family-friendly fine dining options, or pack a picnic and take a hike on any one of the Adirondack's 2,000 miles of hiking trails.

Find restaurants offering menu options that change with the season, incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as Adirondack game and livestock from farms located within the region.

Waterside Dining Options

Raquette Lake Navigation Co. in Raquette Lake. Take a boat tour with onboard dining options available throughout the year. Tour the lake; enjoy lunch, champagne brunch or dinner. "The views, the commentary, the friendliness of the staff and the best part...the food!"
The Cottage Café in Lake Placid. Located on Mirror Lake, enjoy fine dining for lunch and dinner. Full bar with excellent craft beer selection. "The view was delightful as I enjoyed a delicious salad and Orange Ginger Beer."
Dana's Rusty Anchor in Plattsburgh. Located right on Lake Champlain, enjoy a casual atmosphere and incredible views of the Lake and Vermont's Green Mountains. "We had a wonderful meal in an amazing setting!"
The Left Bank Café in Saranac Lake. French-style café located on the Saranac River with outside seating available. Classic French-style fare, decent wine list. "... a slice of Paris in the Adirondacks."

Adirondack Diners

Lone Bull Pancake & Steak House in Lake George. Classic diner fare, home of the "big breakfast." Takes credit cards and is great for families. "I had the blueberry pancakes which were the best I've ever had."
Pitkin's Restaurant in Schroon Lake. Casual restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Great for kids and groups. "This is a wonderful, down-home, old-fashioned, home-cooking restaurant."
Downtown Diner in Lake Placid. Casual, open for breakfast and lunch. The menu offers unique variety. "A great little diner, and for me, the biggest recommendation can be seen each morning – the place is packed with locals."
Lumberjack Inn in Tupper Lake. This diner's lumberjack theme is a nod to Tupper Lake's history and bakes homemade bread that's not to miss. "Great atmosphere with picks, axes, saws, and chainsaws hanging on the walls."
Gary's Restaurant in Lowville. A no-frills, affordable diner serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. "Best place to eat in Lowville. Awesome down-home diner food, great service and friendly atmosphere."

Adirondack Fine Dining

The Owl at Twilight in Olmstedville. Open April through November, the menu is described as a Latin and Southwest take on elegant dining. "Outstanding food restaurant, certainly the best we've visited in the Adirondacks over 20 years of coming up."
The View Restaurant at Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid. Local cheeses, meat, and vegetables combine in elegant comfort foods complemented with an extensive wine list. "The staff was amazing and extremely welcoming. We still talk about it to this day."
Latitude 44 in Plattsburgh. American cuisine with beer, wine and spirits menus. Comfortable atmosphere popular with couples and families. "Great good, imaginatively prepared and well presented by the owner/chef."
1844 House in Potsdam. American cuisine with a French flair served in an intimate setting. Enjoy dinner and professional service. "Chef Brian uses locally sourced products to create delicious meals. His wife Jenny is a trained pastry chef."

Roadside Ice Cream Stops

Martha's Dandee Crème in Queensbury. A side of the road favorite in Lake George with gluten-free options. "Long history and amazing ice cream this is an experience you should not miss. There is nothing like it!"
Donnelly's Ice Cream in Lake Clear. This local favorite is known for serving up one soft serve flavor that changes daily. Enjoy the views of Whiteface! "When in the area, we try to stop by nearly every day."
The Pine Cone in Ray Brook. A perfect place to go for an ice cream fix, located conveniently between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. "Stop! Oh my, what a place to get ice cream. Big cones of soft ice cream were delicious."
Skyline in Tupper Lake. Eat your favorite flavor in Skyline's oversized red Adirondack chair. Rarely found soft serve flavors. "When we saw the sign for black raspberry soft serve we had to stop. The owner is always smiling."
Good Ol' Wishy's in Croghan. Climb up on a stool in this old-fashioned soda fountain parlor that serves Mercer's ice cream. "The staff was VERY WELCOMING!!! The sizes of their servings are HUGE!"

Best Gastro-Pubs in the Adirondacks

Cooper's Cave Ale Company in Glens Falls. Hand-crafted beers and sodas, great food and ice cream. "I recommend this place to anyone up in the Lake George area."
Adirondack Pub & Brewery in Lake George. Micro-brewery with standard pub menu or burgers and sandwiches. "Arguably the best meal stop of our 5-day trip to the area."
Liquids & Solids at the Handlebar in Lake Placid. Gastropub offering seasonal menu items, unique cuisine, and extensive beer, wine and cocktail list. "Beer list outstanding and the mixed drinks are unusual and delightful."
Sticks & Stones Wood Fired Bistro & Bar in Schroon Lake. Wood-fired Neapolitan Pizzas made with Wheat or Gluten-Free dough. Local drink list. "The smell of wood-burning at the fireplace....absolutely perfect for a cold winter's night."
Smoke Signals in Lake Placid. Southern barbecue, open views of Mirror Lake and great beer and wine list. "Absolutely amazing addition to Lake Placid eateries."

Best Restaurants for Families in the Adirondacks

Little Italy in Tupper Lake. Family-friendly classic Italian fare and pizza. Known for having friendly wait staff and not taking credit cards. "What do they put in this pizza, magic?"
Tamarack Café & Movie House in Inlet. Great breakfast and lunch menus with good coffee and pleasant setting that are popular with locals and visitors. "Great breakfast and homey atmosphere."
Bistro LeRoux in Lake George. Casual yet, classy, family-friendly with fine-dining options, and beautiful presentation. "My husband and I truly enjoyed the experience. Best restaurant in Lake George."
Lake Placid Pub & Brewery in Lake Placid. Casual dining with pub menu and microbrews on tap. Kids playroom located in the third-floor dining area for a family-friendly atmosphere. "A kids' menu with chicken tenders, hot dogs, mac & cheese and other classics."

Top-Rated Delis

Izzy's Market and Deli in North Creek. Great for après ski or lunch after biking in the summer. The menu includes artisan sandwiches, soups, and salads. "This place knows how to combine flavors and textures to make a sandwich like you have never had."
Lakeview Deli in Saranac Lake. Casual, great for take-out for boating or hiking. The menu offers variety, daily specials and homemade soups and chili. "It's a top-notch sandwich place in a small town in the Adirondacks."
Big Mountain Deli & Creperie in Lake Placid. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; enjoy beer and wine at dinner. Casual with an artisan approach to food and 46 sandwiches to make Adirondacks' 46 High Peaks. "Best lunch of our vacation. FANTASTIC sandwiches."
Larkin's Deli & Bakery in Tupper Lake. Casual, open 7 days a week with bakery and variety of unique deli items. "OMG! This place is the miracle of ADK."

Vegetarian & Vegan Options

The Good Bite Kitchen in Lake Placid. Vegetarian breakfast and brunch options located right on Main Street. "Eat at The Good Bite Kitchen – you will love it!"
Green Goddess' Scape Café in Lake Placid. Great vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options in the Adirondacks. Located inside a natural foods store. "Absolutely brilliant."
The Inn on Gore Mountain Restaurant in North Creek. Casual restaurant with vegan options guests rave about! A great stop après-ski or post-hike. "My wife is vegan and there were so many options we were astounded."
Nori's Village Market Inc. in Saranac Lake. Natural foods store with freshly made-to-go deli items including burritos, sandwiches, salads, and soups. "Awesome store, and just about everything you would expect from a health food shop."