Lake Placid Restaurants Reviews Winter 2025
We spend about 4 months a year in Lake Placid — typically a month in the late winter or early spring, and a longer stretch in the summer and fall for 3-4 months. So we get plenty of opportunity to try new restaurants, visit long-time favorites, and give some places a second try even if we didn’t enjoy it the first time around. This recap is based on the restaurants where we ate in winter 2025 (February and March).
Noon Mark Burger & Pie: We love the Noon Mark Diner in Keene Valley, so we were thrilled to see them open Noon Mark Burger & Pie on Main Street in Lake Placid! This is a teeny-tiny location with a small bar and about 6 stools, but well worth the stop. Their limited menu includes smash burgers, french fries and pie … that’s it. First off, the burgers are delicious! Seriously good with thin patties and crispy edges. You can get one, two or three patties, with cheese, grilled onions and pickles. (Don’t ask for lettuce and tomato, they don’t offer it.) The single patty is just $8, which is the absolute best deal around. It makes for a great place for a family. And DO NOT SKIP the PIE!! They make all their pies daily at the diner in Keene Valley. So, so good.
Cafe Rustica: This is our top pick for a nice meal in Lake Placid. Most recently we went with another couple and had a great evening. Two of us ordered the Salsiccia Orchiette, Eric had the Veal Spezzatino, and our fourth person got the Cavatelli Bolognese. Everything was delicious, but Eric’s veal dish was outstanding. We’ve had great fish dishes in the past. The one time I ordered the duck I was a little disappointed, but you cannot go wrong with any of their pasta dishes. Chef’s kiss.
Lake Placid Pub: Always good and nearly always busy. Get on their Yelp waitlist before you head over there! We always get a beer and Fish & Chips. Delicious.
Soulshine Bagels: Um, yes please!! We get the Polaris (with lox) on an everything bagel at least once or twice every trip. In fact, the girl who works there recognizes us and already knows our order when we walk in the door! Ha ha ha! They make their bagels fresh daily from scratch and they’re excellent. Yum. Always consistently good.
Capisce Coffee & Espresso Bar: Since this cute spot opened, it’s become my favorite coffee shop around. Unfortunately it isn’t in walking distance, but still worth the trip.
Simply Gourmet: Another favorite sandwich spot and I almost always order the Marcy. Except when I’m getting a breakfast burrito. We frequent the location on Saranac Avenue, although their Main Street shop has the same sandwich menu.
Dack Shack: Sharing a kitchen with Simply Gourmet, the Dack Shack is more of a locals joint. Nothing fancy but decent burgers, salads and soups. They also have great fish and chips for the best price around. Located just a short hop from our house, we go and sit at the bar a lot. In nice weather you can grab some Adirondack chairs on the front lawn.
Rivertrail Beerworks: We’ve returned to Rivertrail Beerworks in Saranac Lake several times since their opening in fall 2024, and it’s consistently great — especially with a group sitting at their picnic tables out back. It’s owned by the same guys who own and run the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery and Big Slide, so the quality is very comparable. Beer was great. Fish and chips were excellent. And it accommodates large groups well.
Mr. Mike’s Garage Pizza: It’s unfortunate but pizza is not a standout in Lake Placid. Most is mediocre at best. Once you get past the fact that you’re not going to find any amazing pizza, our favorite local spot is Mr. Mike’s Garage. Super nice and friendly owners and staff, and good pizza. This is where we go when we get the craving.
Heritage Indian Grill: We returned to the new-ish Indian restaurant in town, which opened summer 2024. Another tasty meal for when you’re in the mood for something other than pub food. Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Rogan Josh and Garlic Naan — yum! The location (down from Hannaford’s and the laundromat) leaves something to be desired, but the interior space was freshly decorated and nice.
Nori’s: I had a few stops to make in Saranac Lake one morning and stopped by Nori’s for a latte and small breakfast burrito. Also picked up a biscotti, which they make daily in add different flavors. Simply Gourmet makes a better breakfast burrito, but the coffee bar and seating at Nori’s is quite nice.
Our Plates: We tried Our Plates in Saranac Lake for the first time. It’s Cuban and Dominican comfort food - lots of rice and beans with shredded stewed chicken, pulled roasted pork, etc. I ordered a small combination plate with roast pork and it was very tasty and a huge portion for only $10. I also got an empanada on the side just to try it, but wasn’t entirely impressed. Eric had The Hank, which is southern fried chicken. He was expecting bone-in fried chicken, but it was just a fried chicken breast. Still good. And his collard greens were insanely good.
Blue Line Brewery: The Blue Line Brewery in Saranac Lake is very low key, but a good stop for a thin crust personal-size pizza, and they have good microbrew beer.
Players: Because Players on Main Street is such a short walk from our house, we eat there somewhat regularly. Earlier this year we ended up there on Super Bowl Sunday and watched the game. We both ordered the Waterfront Cod and it was very tasty! Burgers are good too, but very pricey. However, I must admit I’m getting a little bored with Players and think their quality may be slipping. I definitely prefer Noon Mark Burgers which are such a bargain.
RIP Barley Sandwich: Oh how I miss Barley Sandwich and the guy who ran it. Such a loss. He closed his shop and we can only hope he starts a new venture.
