(This Lake Placid restaurants post was updated on January 11, 2023.)
I’ve been to the Adirondacks enough times now that we’ve been able to dine in many Lake Placid restaurants. And there are a lot of them considering what a small town it is. The best part is that most of them are walkable if you’re staying on or close to Main Street, which is essentially one short street packed on both sides with hotels, shops, restaurants and more.
I’m including more than just the best restaurants in Lake Placid below because I think it’s important to note spots that missed the mark or have sub-par service. You’re going to spend top dollar in a tourist town and I want to help you spend it well.
Sadly, the restaurant business is a finicky one and Lake Placid isn’t immune. I’ve watched eateries come and go over the years (like my beloved Around the Lake Coffee shop, which was MIA during an early 2020 visit and the amazing Bluesberry Bakery that ceased to exist during our most recent visit). So, much like my Mont-Tremblant restaurants list, this post will be updated every time I have new information about different places to eat in Lake Placid. Feel free to leave a comment if you have updated info before I do!
Lake Placid restaurants
Considering there are only about 2,500 year-round residents in town, there are more restaurants in Lake Placid NY than you may expect. Seasonal traffic swells and during the busiest times, you may actually be hard-pressed to find a restaurant with spare tables. Wherever reservations are available, make them — especially during holidays and school breaks.
Let’s go about this alphabetically, shall we?
BEN & JERRY’S | website
WHERE: 2423 Main St.
HOW MUCH: $
Not the most exciting start to the list because, really, what more do you need to know about mega-chain Ben & Jerry’s? Huge scoops of delicious ice cream made in nearby Vermont with fan favourites (and my personal fave) Cherries Garcia. It’s newer to the Main Street strip and only time will tell if it can compete against local ice cream icon, Emma’s (see below). Note that this seems to be open only during the warmer seasons.
BIG MOUNTAIN DELI & CRÊPERIE | website
WHERE: 2475 Main St
HOW MUCH: $$
Unless you’re getting the daily special (in the $9-14 range), these are gourmet sandwiches with somewhat gourmet prices. That said, they’re a good size and full of lots of stuff, so you won’t be hungry. We tried a few different sammies and they were quite good. Just pay attention to the price at the till when they ring you up; my daily special was supposed to be $9 and it rang in at $14 and it was a surprising pain in the you-know-what to get that $5 refund.
BIG SLIDE BREWERY & PUBLIC HOUSE | website
WHERE: 5686 Cascade Rd.
HOW MUCH: $$
This is one of the best restaurants in Lake Placid and we try to dine there every time we visit, even though it’s not on the main drag and you’ll be pooched if you try to responsible and take an UBER or taxi home. Because Lake Placid has ONE — yes, really just one — taxi driver and about the same number of UBER drivers. So choose a designated driver because the beer and cocktails here are awesome.
Order the pretzel nuggets and goat cheese fritters alongside a home-brewed Big Slide beer, the gorgeous Old Fashioned or creative Spicy Pear Margarita (shaken, not blended) to start. Vegans or dairy-free folks will find plenty of choice on Big Slide’s menu, and be sure to take a moment to appreciate the menu itself. It’s pretty funny.
Although the menu has been a bit different every time we’ve been, they keep some staples — and with good reason. The chicken fried chicken is so awesome, for example, that it continues to make it through menu transitions. You can’t go wrong at Big Slide, unless of course you eat too much and can’t get that taxi home and need to roll yourself back to your hotel.
BLACK BEAR RESTAURANT | website
WHERE: 2409 Main St.
HOW MUCH: $$
Meh, it’s fine. The French onion soup’s cheese was plentiful but not broiled enough for my liking and the soup itself was served only a bit hotter than lukewarm. The good news is that nothing on the menu is expensive and food comes ultra-fast, so if it’s in a convenient location for you and you need to just get food in yer belly, go in expecting it to be fine and you’ll probably leave satisfied enough.
CLOUDSPIN BAR & GRILL | website
WHERE: Whiteface Mountain, Main Base Lodge (3rd floor)
HOW MUCH: $$
With it’s own onsite smoker, Cloudspin proudly smokes all of the meat featured on its menu — from pulled pork to brisket. It also handcrafts all of its own sauces, even hot sauce. The menu features a heavy BBQ focus as a result and it would be a shame not to indulge in its sampler platter, which comes with two different kinds of meat, coleslaw, sweet potato fries (add the aioli) and a square of cornbread. WARNING: it’s huge and can easily be shared between two (or more) people.
DANCING BEARS RESTAURANT | website
WHERE: 2404 Main St.
HOW MUCH: $$
Honestly, this is the most disappointing of the Lake Placid restaurants we’ve tried. And we’ve tried TWICE just to give it a fair shake. The food is fine, but not good enough to combat the terrible service. We’ve been on a very busy night during and a regular, midweek night and neither time was noteworthy. The hostesses, both times, were scattered and disorganized and unable to provide satisfactory customer service. Management came out during the crazy night (for which we actually had reservations but weren’t being prioritized over those who didn’t) and I didn’t feel like that made much of an improvement either.
We also didn’t have incredible servers either time, sadly. If the food was over-the-top amazing, I could potentially set aside the terrible service from beginning to end, but until I hear that they’ve overhauled their customer service training, we won’t be back.
EMMA’S LAKE PLACID CREAMERY | website
WHERE: 2507 Main St.
HOW MUCH: $
Don’t be alarmed if you see a long lineup here — it moves quickly. And I’ll be so sad for you if you don’t try something at Emma’s. My kids have tried cones and shakes here and speak highly of both, but I’m a sucker for the frozen bananas covered in dark chocolate and nuts. YUM!
And, get this: DOG TREATS! For just a dollar! That’s right, add a lone $1 bill to your order and your fur baby can also enjoy a little taste of Emma’s Creamery:
GENERATIONS TAP & GRILL | website
WHERE: in Golden Arrow (2543 Main St.)
HOW MUCH: $$
You really can’t beat the view of Mirror Lake while dining at Generations. We’ve only been for breakfast and it offers excellent value considering the enormous portions. If you love a pretzel like I do, the pretzel breakfast dish is something to write home about.
GREAT ADIRONDACK BREWING CO. | website
WHERE: 2442 Main St.
HOW MUCH: $$
This is more expensive and more heavily steak- and seafood-based than its pub-like name and vibe initially give off, but the atomosphere can get nice and lively and the food is pretty good. The best dishes we’ve had include the clam chowder, burgers, and fish and chips. One evening, I had the Pan-Seared Maine Day Boat Scallops for dinner and — WOW — they were prepared exactly right. I wish the baked potato didn’t have fake cheese on top, though. Skip dessert unless you’re ordering the peanut butter crunch ice cream sandwich.
GROWLER’S GRILL | website
WHERE: Whiteface Mountain, Bear Den Lodge
HOW MUCH: $$
Sometimes when you eat at a ski resort’s mountainside restaurant, the food is overpriced and nothing special. Growler’s is neither of these. Prices are excellent and the food is outstanding. The tomato bisque is balanced perfectly with just a hint of heat, and the ooey-gooey grilled cheese sandwiches are stuffed to the brim (Pro Tip: dip that sucker in the tomato soup!). The chili is so, so, so good but so, so, so small. Consider it a starter or a snack. I wish it came in two sizes so you could make a full meal out of it.
HUNGRY TROUT RESTAURANT | website & R.F. McDOUGALL’S PUB | website
WHERE: 5239 Route 86 (Wilmington, near Whiteface)
HOW MUCH: $$-$$$
Two floors, two different restaurants. But you can actually order Hungry Trout menu items down at the pub, which is a more kid-friendly space with a casual and less expensive menu. We enjoyed the friendly and lively environment more than the food, but it’s a convenient place to stop after a day of skiing at Whiteface if you’re on your way back into Lake Placid proper.
LAKE PLACID PUB & BREWERY | website
WHERE: 813 Mirror Lake Dr.
HOW MUCH: $$
Three floors: a pub on the main floor and a restaurant with two different vibes on the second and third floors that share the same menu, the onsite brewery is home to Lake Placid’s well-known UBU ale. (Which, for forever and a day I shall associate with Family Ties. Remember that TV show? At the end, there was always a production message that said, “Sit, Ubu, sit. Good dog.” followed by a single bark.)
The crispy cheese curds are basically a heart attack on a plate, but I take my chances every time because they’re so freaking yummy. I love the candied pork belly bites, even if they could be a bit more candied. I would love to see the beer-battered spicy fried pickles actually be spicy or have “spicy” removed from the menu. Don’t get me wrong, they’re sooooo delish; but they aren’t spicy in the least. The shepherd’s pie and meatloaf are unreal. Consider yourself warned: portions are huge!
If you visit with little kids, be sure to ask to be seated on the third floor where there’s a play room that’ll keep your kids occupied while food is being prepared and after they take their four bites before deciding that the play room is better than eating.
LISA G’s | website
WHERE: 6125 Sentinal Rd.
HOW MUCH: $$
We don’t go back to too many Lake Placid restaurants more than once because there are so many to try, but we make an exception for a few favourites — like Lisa G’s. Man, I love this place! And knowing we can bring our dog with us, even in the winter? HUGE BONUS POINTS.
It’s a great place to get that local flavour and if you happen to be in Lake Placid on a Monday, it’s wing night! At only 60 cents a wing, you can’t beat the price. Try the Chili-Coffee Dry Rub and Butter.Garlic.Parm flavours — the two best ones on the menu as far as I’m concerned.
Other menu musts include:
- Lett-us Raps, yo
- Calamari
- Cheese Treat (OH MY GOD THIS IS TO DIE FOR!)
- GreekZa
- Peach-a-pizza (I’m not usually a fan of fruit on my pizza but this combination is everything)
- The raspberry crumb dessert (whose name I don’t really remember but whose taste will linger in my memory forever; it’s not at all what I expected but HOLY CRAPOLI I would eat it every day if I could!)
And if you like great cocktails, order the Bubbles.
MAIN STREET PIZZA | website
WHERE: 2673 Main St (and delivery by phone)
HOW MUCH: $
We ordered Main Street Pizza for our kids the night we went to Top of the Park alone, and the reports from our kids were mixed. My not-as-picky-kid said her pizza was fine, but she found the crust pretty hard; the other (who is a huge pizza fan) said he would never eat this pizza again…so take from that what you will.
SMOKE SIGNALS | website
WHERE: 2489 Main St.
HOW MUCH: $$
Also one of the best restaurants in Lake Placid, in my experience. Killer barbecue. Actually, killer everything. There’s nothing on this menu I’ve tried that isn’t fantastic. The wings might even be better than Lisa G’s. And the brisket burnt ends make me salivate as I type this.
Smoke Signals also has a superb cocktail menu that’s executed consistently well. The Blackberry Moonshine Margarita and Milagro Old Fashioned get a standing ovation.
Oh, and get the buttermilk cornbread. (More salivating.)
SOULSHINE BAGEL | website
WHERE: 2526 Main St.
HOW MUCH: $
If you love bagels, you MUST MUST MUST get one here. That’s all I’ma say. Just go. Please.
STARBUCKS | website
WHERE: 2490 Main St.
HOW MUCH: $
I mean, it’s Starbucks. With my favourite coffee Lake Placid shop gone, it’s a predictable option. But at least you know what to expect.
THE BREAKFAST CLUB, ETC. | website
WHERE: 2431 Main St.
HOW MUCH: $$
This is my family’s favourite breakfast restaurant in Lake Placid. Go early and expect a lineup if you don’t. Food is plentiful and always done right, and the star of the show (at least for my kids) are the fancy hot chocolates. Miss Q loves the unicorn version, while The K Man orders the S’Mores hot chocolate. Decadent? Yes. Expensive? Yes. But a Lake Placid memory that we gladly pay for? Absolutely.
THE COTTAGE | website
WHERE: 77 Mirror Lake Dr.
HOW MUCH: $$
We love, love, love The Cottage! Whether it’s for Ugly Christmas Sweater parties or weekly Trivia Night, this quaint lounge has Prosecco on tap (yes, really) and a good menu that’s perfect for fireside apres snacking or a three-course dinner. I love the warm Brussels Sprouts Salad, Mushroom Stew served in a warm bread bowl and Raspberry Almond Shortbread for dessert.
Interested in a closer look at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa? Check out my review of the Mirror Lake Inn.
If you ask my kids where to find the most fun hangout at Lake Placid, they’ll both tell you it’s at The Cottage. And I have to agree. One of the coolest additions since our last visit are the two new heated gondola tables on the patio. Yes, actual real gondolas from Whiteface that have been converted to enclosed dining spaces that can accommodate up to six guests (including dogs that can fit!).
There’s a lot happening in Lake Placid during the coolest months — just watch my YouTube video of things to do in Lake Placid this winter for a few ideas.
THE VIEW | website
WHERE: in the Mirror Lake Inn (77 Mirror Lake Dr.)
HOW MUCH: $$ – $$$
Considered the best restaurant in Lake Placid on TripAdvisor, I’ve eaten here enough to understand the high praise. Service is impeccable and paired with warm Adirondack design features, you really feel like you’ve stepped it up when you eat at The View. From freshly squeezed OJ to endless coffee that puts most drip coffees at breakfast restaurants to shame, there are daily specials in addition to its already considerably large menu.
If you’re after a light bite, consider the Chilled Grapefruit, which is half a grapefruit that’s served pre-divided and extra cold. If you’re a touch hungrier, I can’t recommend the housemade granola enough — served with more nuts than you’d expect and created by the Mirror Lake Inn’s pastry chef.
The breakfast sandwich was my favourite breakfast dish of all; you just can’t beat eggs, sausage and cheese between a homemade biscuit served with probably the best roasted potatoes I’ve had in my life. I liked them so much, in fact, that I ordered the Eggs Benny without an English muffin one morning and asked for a bowl of potatoes instead. What I wish I’d known is that there’s actual ham available and not just the “Canadian bacon” (glorified deli ham) that comes with the Benny. I’d absolutely make that substitution next time.
I do wish I’d tried the specialty hot drink that kept calling out to me that blends espresso, hot cocoa and Baileys. Ahhh, regrets.
TOP OF THE PARK | website
WHERE: 2407 Main St.
HOW MUCH: $$$
We left Duchess and the kids at the hotel and ventured to Top of the Park for some adult conversation. The food was good overall — a tad overpriced and somewhat inconsistent from one dish to the next — but the vibe was fun and friendly, and the cocktails were awesome. The best things we ate were the wings, seared tuna and flourless chocolate cake (definitely have that!).
WHITEBROOK DAIRY BAR | website
WHERE: 5660 NY-86 Scenic (near Whiteface)
HOW MUCH: $
If you’re en route to Lake Placid area summer attractions like the Ausable Chasm, this is a really fun lunch stop. It’s all outdoor seating and basically a walk-up diner, but the food is cheap and good and the concept is super fun.
WYATT’S | website
WHERE: in the Alpine Mall (2578 Main St.)
HOW MUCH: $
You need to physically enter the little Alpine Mall on the lakeside of Main St. to find this gem, but don’t look for an actual mall at all. It’s much more non-descript. If you’re familiar with the term “mews,” that’s very much what this is. Honestly, just walk down Main Street with your nostrils on high alert and they’ll lead you there. Seating is super limited so think of this more as a take-out restaurant serving cheap and cheerful Tex Mex eats. The quesadillas are gold!
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Obviously, there are still more places to eat in Lake Placid than I’ve covered here (at least so far…). Stay tuned for more!
Now that you have a good chunk of Lake Placid restaurants nailed down, here are a few posts to add to your reading list to prepare for your next trip:
I’ve also included Lake Placid in a newer series called Road Trip with Dogs, so be sure to check that out, too.
DISCLAIMER: We have been guests of the Adirondacks tourism authority and have also paid for many of our meals during visits to Lake Placid. All opinions are my own, regardless of whether or not we were hosted.
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