12 New York Upstate Lodges Serving Fireside Comfort Plates
There’s a magic to eating in a lodge after miles of forest trails or a cold paddle across a lake, when the air smells faintly of pine and woodsmoke, and the first bite feels like reward as much as meal.
Upstate New York is rich with these places, from Adirondack hideaways to Catskill inns and Hudson Valley retreats.
I’ve lingered over stews, trout pulled from nearby waters, game roasted slow, and bread baked hearthside. These twelve lodges prove that fireside dining isn’t only sustenance, but a memory woven into every plate.
1. The Point, Saranac Lake
Twilight settles in the Great Hall: firelight flickers, windows catch lake shadows, and the air feels hushed, almost ceremonial.
The Point, a Relais & Châteaux lodge, hosts communal dining where guests gather at one table. Menus lean into venison, trout, and Adirondack produce, shifting with the seasons.
I once sat down a stranger and left with new friends. The venison stew, paired with candlelight and laughter, felt less like dinner and more like a memory stitched into place.
2. Lake Placid Lodge, Lake Placid
Stone fireplaces crackle while timber beams glow under soft light. The mood inside balances rustic architecture with mountain elegance.
At Artisans, the lodge’s restaurant, menus feature regional meats and vegetables from nearby farms. Plates often echo Adirondack seasons, presented with careful detail.
Tip: go for the tasting menu. The progression mirrors the changing landscape outside, one course nodding to spring, another rich with autumn flavors.
3. Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid
Wooden beams stretch high overhead, lanterns glowing against pine-scented air. Guests settle in as the lodge hums with warmth.
Kanu, Whiteface Lodge’s signature restaurant, highlights Adirondack inspiration in its cuisine, built around seasonal rotation and regional sourcing. Diners often linger beside stone fireplaces long after plates are cleared.
I booked early for a weekend table and lucked into a fireside seat. Watching flames curl while eating mushroom risotto turned an ordinary dinner into an experience.
4. Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid
Windows glow across the water, reflecting the lake’s calm surface at dusk. Inside, the atmosphere leans toward intimate, wood panels, soft lighting, and low voices.
The View, the Inn’s signature dining room, pairs Adirondack surroundings with refined plates. Seasonal menus highlight local fish, game, and produce, served in a space that blends lodge warmth with fine dining.
My suggestion is to aim for a winter reservation. Watching snow spiral onto the frozen lake while spooning soup here is as close to eating inside a snow globe as it gets.
5. Garnet Hill Lodge, North River
On rainy evenings, the lodge feels tucked away, lanterns glowing against stone walls while wood smoke curls into the rafters. A sense of shelter settles over the room.
Garnet Hill serves hearty lodge fare, locally sourced dinners that lean into roasted meats, fresh trout, and Adirondack vegetables. Guests often gather in the great room before meals.
Best habit: ask for a spot near the fireplace. The combination of food and flickering fire turns a simple dinner into the highlight of the night.
6. Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz
The approach itself feels like a reveal: gardens, cliffs, and then a vast stone lodge standing above the lake. Once inside, dining rooms echo that grandeur with carved wood and chandeliers.
Mohonk has been serving guests since 1869, and its meals reflect that history. Breads, roasts, and multiple courses feel like a modern echo of Victorian retreats.
I dined here in late fall, leaves still clinging to branches outside. Each bowl of soup felt fuller because the chill outside sharpened every flavor indoors.
7. Scribner’s Catskill Lodge, Hunter
High windows frame mountain ridges, while the interior hums with fire crackle and the buzz of a bar that feels half-lounge, half-cabin.
Scribner’s restaurant leans on Catskill produce: trout, foraged mushrooms, and local greens crafted into seasonal plates. The menu changes with the landscape, keeping guests curious.
Arrive before sunset if you can. Watching the last light fade over Hunter Mountain while dinner begins gives the evening a rhythm no dining room alone could supply.
8. Deer Mountain Inn, Tannersville
Lanterns glow amber across dark beams, while the porch creaks in the night wind. The atmosphere leans private, almost conspiratorial.
This lodge’s dining room is small but purposeful, pairing mountain views with thoughtful plates of lamb, duck, and regionally sourced vegetables. Fewer seats mean more attention from staff.
Reserve early if weekends are your window, the intimacy is part of the draw, and tables fill quickly when the Catskills crowd heads north.
9. The DeBruce, Livingston Manor
You catch the scent of mushrooms sautéing before the room reveals itself, and the feeling is close, rooted in the land.
The DeBruce is known for its locavore menus, highlighting Catskill trout, heirloom vegetables, and wild herbs. Chefs build around what’s foraged, caught, or grown nearby.
I ordered trout here and I still think about it. It tasted like the forest and river had collaborated, restrained but deeply expressive, the way a place can live on a plate.
10. The Arnold House, Livingston Manor
Farm tables glow under hanging lanterns, and the hum of conversation feels more like a gathering than a formal dinner. The space is intimate, yet relaxed.
This small lodge blends boutique charm with seasonal menus that highlight Catskill farms. Dishes lean into roasted meats, garden vegetables, and simple desserts that emphasize comfort.
If the weather’s fair, ask for outdoor seating. The mix of forest air and lodge cooking creates a setting where the food tastes doubly alive.
11. Emerson Resort & Spa, Mount Tremper
The scent of woodsmoke greets you before the dining room even comes into view, blending with forest air seeping through open doors.
Emerson’s dining spaces reflect the Catskills: hearty yet refined plates of game, fish, and farm produce served beside stone fireplaces or glass that looks out to wooded slopes.
Evening timing matters here. Arrive just before dusk, the shifting light over the forest turns a simple entrée into part of the surrounding drama.
12. The Sagamore Resort, Bolton Landing
Stone arches frame the dining room, and beyond the windows, Lake George spreads out in layers of silver and blue. Chandeliers flicker gently overhead.
The Sagamore, dating to the 1880s, balances resort grandeur with Adirondack flavor. Menus often feature trout, venison, and herbs drawn from the region, styled with a touch of elegance.
I ate trout here as dusk fell across the lake. Watching the horizon shift while savoring each bite tied the plate to the place so strongly it felt unforgettable.