The Best Food in the Adirondacks
This year the Adirondacks’ food scene caught me completely off guard. I was up there covering some hiking trails for another piece when I stumbled into this whole farm-to-table movement happening.
Wasn’t expecting much beyond the usual lodge food and diner fare you typically find in mountain towns. But apparently, while I wasn’t paying attention, the region turned into some foodie destination.
Chefs are sourcing everything locally now, craft breweries are opening everywhere, and restaurants actually give a damn about where ingredients come from. Had to go back specifically to eat my way through the area.
Sorry, Vermont. You’re not the only tree-loving hippie destination in the hood anymore.
The Adirondacks in Upstate New York is gaining a reputation as a haven for foodies who want to eat and travel greener. Craft beverages and organic, sustainable, and market-fresh food dominate many of the region’s restaurants and bars. On our recent trip, we scoped out some top farm-to-fork foodie experiences:
Soft Shell Crab at the Turtle Island Cafe (Willsboro)
The Turtle Island Cafe may seem like small potatoes to city folk, but actually, chef and co-owner David Martin is a big deal. He’s been profiled in The New York Times as the best restaurant in the area and has appeared on the Rachel Ray TV Show twice.
After sampling his restaurant’s “eco-gastronomic” dishes, you start to understand why. Aside from being delicious, the cafe thrives on the newfangled idea that “food should be good, clean, and fair.” Everything is locally and ethically sourced, produced with green and fair trade practices, and considers animal and human welfare.
Apparently, “fair and ethical” are appetizing. You’ll need reservations and patience to dine here because things move slowly. But good things come to those who wait. Everything on your plate is made from scratch and is farm-to-table fresh.
“All I care about is when you get your plate, it’s the best you’ve had,” says Chef Martin. “And the only way to do this is to get it fresh.”
If you’re visiting in mid-May, try the soft shell crab, which is available only for four weeks of the year, starting around Memorial Day weekend. The crab is ethically sourced from the Boston Market and fried in-house-made tempura batter until tender. Unless you have an allergy, don’t ask what’s in the sauce – the chef’s response is always the same: “love, care, and dedication.”
Explore More Destinations
The Adirondacks are bursting with unexpected culinary gems. But don’t stop there, explore Ontario’s Stratford food scene for cozy fall feasts, or go global with Singapore’s iconic chicken rice.
Adventurous food lovers might even dine in Ontario’s mysterious Bonnechere Caves. Each destination brings a new flavor to the table.
Burlington Tours
Craft Soda
The locals are nuts about craft soda, homemade fizzy beverages with fresh ingredients and real extracts, but without the artificial flavours in mass-produced soft drinks.
Maine Root produces an organic root beer with intense and distinguishable vanilla, wintergreen, clove, and anise flavors. If herbal drinks aren’t your thing, a Saratoga Springs sparkling water (bottled nearby) with a wedge of lime or splash of juice is a refreshing option.
Craft Beer
The Adirondacks region is known for its craft breweries. Otter Creek Brewing Co. in Middlebury Vermont, a 30-minute drive from the Lake Champlain region, has been in the craft beer market for over 20 years and is a local favourite. Like its name suggests, the Copper Ale has a mild metallic quality. The ale is light, which would appeal to most people, yet is much more distinguishable than a standard ale.
Locals recommend Lake Placid Pub & Brewery; some like it so much that their homes were retrofitted with Lake Placid taps. The Wolf Jaw Wit is a Belgian wheat beer with strong citrus notes and a fruity taste. The Ubu English Strong Ale has a strong, bitter, and boozy flavour. A must-try for beer enthusiasts. This brewery is located right in Lake Placid and is a good choice for a tour and lunch.
Beer/Soda Sampling at the Dogwood Bread Company
For a quick weekend trip, the Dogwood Bread Company is an excellent restaurant and market specializing in locally made food and drink, with much prepared in-house. If you don’t have much time to explore the surrounding breweries, sample the local craft beers and sodas here, or even take some to go.
How to Book
To plan your visit to the Adirondacks, check out the Visit Adirondacks website or the Lake Champlain Region website for information about accommodations, hiking, scenic drives, shopping, restaurants, and the best fishing spots and paddling routes.
The website also has sample itineraries with practical tips on where to go for leisurely exploration or extreme adventure, and where to find celebrated art museums and cultural exhibitions in the Adirondacks.
Genuine & Fresh
How genuine and fresh everything tasted was the really big thing that impressed me about eating through the Adirondacks. No pretentious farm-to-table lectures or Instagram-worthy presentations. Just solid food made by people who care about what they’re doing.
Chef Martin’s crab was legitimately memorable, and those craft breweries rival anything I’ve tried in bigger cities. The region seems to have found its culinary identity without trying too hard to be the next Vermont. Sometimes the best food discoveries happen when you’re not even looking for them.
FAQs: Best food in the Adirondacks
Q: What makes Adirondacks green cuisine different from other farm-to-table regions? A: The Adirondacks focuses on “good, clean, and fair” food without being pretentious about it. Local restaurants emphasize ethical sourcing, sustainable practices, and fresh ingredients while maintaining a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.
Q: When is the best time to visit for Adirondacks green cuisine experiences? A: Mid-May through Memorial Day weekend is ideal for specialty items like soft shell crab at Turtle Island Cafe. However, the region offers great farm-to-table dining year-round with seasonal menu changes.
Q: Do I need reservations at Adirondacks sustainable restaurants? A: Yes, especially at places like Turtle Island Cafe where everything is made from scratch. The slower pace means you’ll need patience, but the quality justifies the wait time.
Q: What craft beverages are the Adirondacks known for? A: The region specializes in craft beer and artisanal sodas. Maine Root organic root beer and Lake Placid Pub & Brewery’s Wolf Jaw Wit are local favorites, plus craft sodas made with real extracts instead of artificial flavors.
Q: Is Adirondacks green cuisine expensive compared to regular restaurants? A: Prices reflect the quality and sourcing practices, but many establishments offer good value for farm-to-table dining. Places like Dogwood Bread Company provide more budget-friendly options for sampling local products.
Q: Can I sample multiple Adirondacks craft beverages without visiting every brewery? A: Yes, Dogwood Bread Company serves as an excellent sampling spot where you can try various local craft beers and sodas in one location, or even take some to go.
Q: What should I know about Chef David Martin at Turtle Island Cafe? A: He’s been featured in The New York Times and appeared on Rachel Ray’s show twice. His philosophy is simple: get the freshest ingredients and make everything from scratch for the best possible plate.
Q: Are there Adirondacks green cuisine options for quick weekend trips? A: Absolutely. Dogwood Bread Company is perfect for shorter visits, offering locally made food and drinks in a market setting where you can sample and purchase items quickly.
Q: How does Adirondacks sustainable dining compare to Vermont’s food scene? A: While Vermont pioneered the farm-to-table movement, the Adirondacks offers a less commercialized, more authentic approach to sustainable dining with equally high quality but less tourist-focused marketing.
Q: What websites should I use to plan an Adirondacks green cuisine trip? A: Visit Adirondacks website and Lake Champlain Region website both offer comprehensive information about restaurants, accommodations, and sample itineraries for foodie-focused trips.
