12 delicious destinations for winter dining

Winter in the Lake Champlain Region is the ideal season to cozy up in local restaurants, from Ticonderoga to Essex and Westport to Elizabethtown. As snow falls on the mountain tops and open farmlands, and the lake's edges freeze, each town offers a warm refuge with hearty dishes and unique, locally sourced flavors. It’s the perfect time to explore welcoming eateries, discover new dining spots, and return to favorite places that bring comfort on frosty days. With the quieter pace of winter, you can relax over a meal, savoring the charm and hospitality that make this region feel like home. Whether you’re craving a cozy diner breakfast in Willsboro or an elevated dinner at the Essex Inn, there’s no better time to embrace the warmth and flavor of the Lake Champlain Region. Here are 12 of the Region’s best sit-down dining experiences and the communities in which they’re located!

Ticonderoga

Burgoyne Grill

After a day of adventuring has you craving some classic American food (think burgers, steaks, ribs, fries), Burgoyne Grill brings warmth to your chilly day. Get cozy in their fireside dining room, or grab drinks in their pub area! The interior is genuinely Adirondack, and if you’re a fan of the open spaces in the Lake Champlain Region, you’ll feel at home here. This is also a great option for families to head to after sledding and skating around the area!

Paper and Pencil

Located right on the La Chute River, Paper and Pencil’s fine-dining menu features food created with local farm ingredients. A winter day is made perfect with their hot soup of the day, exciting entrees, and professionally curated cocktails. The brand new restaurant’s space is warm and welcoming, with some of the building’s original bones showing through in the design, and the wooden floors and ceilings giving patrons a cozy Adirondack atmosphere.

Burleigh’s Luncheonette

If you didn’t know, Burleigh’s is a mainstay in Ticonderoga, right in the heart of town. The 1950’s vibe, with its original lunch counters, round-cushioned dining seats, and black & white checkered floor, will have you feeling nostalgic. If you’re doing some shopping on the main street, Burleigh’s is your go-to option, no matter the time of day. Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? They serve it all. And you never know what they’ll be whipping up for dessert!

Hot Biscuit Diner

Country-style cooking and friendly service, what more could you ask for from a winter pit-stop? A staple of the Ticonderoga community, you’ll find the Hot Biscuit Diner to be a favorite amongst locals and a comfortable option for those visiting the area. With antique decor adorning the walls, cozy nooks and comfortable spaces to enjoy a meal at, and a small-town atmosphere, a warm winter meal here is not to be missed.

Crown Point

War Cannon Spirits

After visiting some of our region’s most famous forts, continue the history tour with War Cannon Spirits! With original portions of this historic building being built in the 1820s, this incredibly-renovated space serves to honor the past while also creatively producing some of the finest whiskey and vodka. Their elevated pub eats, which include everything from smoked mac & cheese to flatbreads and paninis, pair well with professionally crafted cocktails that are sure to warm you up this winter when the snow is falling. 

Moriah

Old Miners Tavern

Moriah’s mining history runs deep, with the mines here and on the Adirondack coast supplying iron for everything from the cables on the Brooklyn Bridge to U.S. Navy ships. The Old Miners Tavern honors this time in Moriah’s history, from the mining photographs and memorabilia to even the names of their menu items (you have to try The Pickaxe breakfast). They’ve got more than just the typical pub fair, and if you’re looking to pair something with one of their seasonal drafts, schedule a visit for when they’ve got some live music and settle in for an evening of fun!

Westport

Mountain Dog Restaurant

Surrounded by public land perfect for snowshoeing and viewpoints of frozen Lake Champlain, Westport is a charming and warm town that welcomes visitors at all times of the year. Mountain Dog Restaurant is no exception to that welcoming feeling. It’s simply wonderful home cooking in an inviting atmosphere, where the owner encourages folks to come in and enjoy a meal, drink, or even just charge up their phones mid-adventure! To add to the charm of this new-to-the-area establishment, you can book a room upstairs at the Gables Inn for a cozy basecamp for more activities in the area.

Essex

Essex Inn

Family-owned and operated, you can tell that the Essex Inn was made with love, care, and passion. The wooden interior is delightfully Adirondack, which pairs well in the winter with dining adjacent to their 19th-century Dutch fireplace. The food is classic. It’s pub fare. It’s filled with seasonal specials. It’s everything you could ask for in an evening sit-down dining spot, especially when that cool winter air has you wanting to head indoors. 

Rivers and Rails Market and Deli

In 2023, Essex welcomed this Market and Deli to the scene. If you’re planning on getting up to some winter birding, or hopping between historic sites, grabbing a sandwich and baked goods at Rivers and Rail is a must. It’s the perfect place to fuel up for a day of exploring. Just fill out a slip with what you’d like, browse for a few snacks, and then head out! Hot tip, don’t hesitate to snag a freshly-baked cinnamon bun, they’re to die for!

Willsboro

Willsboro Diner

Dine like a local! Willsboro Diner has classic breakfast combos, hot sandwiches, and some delicious burgers for you to try. Get cozy after hiking a CATS trail by sipping some hot cocoa here. It’s no frills. It’s quaintly classic with its red 'n white tablecloths. It’s a warm, friendly diner that’ll welcome you in from a sudden snow squall. 

Elizabethtown

Deer's Head Inn

A bit higher up in elevation than the rest of the towns and restaurants in the Lake Champlain Region, the Deer’s Head Inn is nestled on the eastern slopes of the Giant Mountain Wilderness. One wild fact about Deer’s Head; it’s the oldest tavern in the Adirondacks, having originally opened in 1808! It’s now also a farm-to-table restaurant, serving up local and seasonal dishes in a formal, yet approachable, setting. The Deer’s Head has a “high-low” philosophy. You can enjoy a low-cost beer or a carefully crafted cocktail, grab some pub food or sample the chef’s creative features. It’s everything you could ask for in a winter dining experience. And the list of local farms they support is vast.

Keeseville

Taco Temptation

‘Tis the season for a sautéed dish, trio of tacos, or delicious quesadillas from Taco Temptation, a unique spot for Mexican and Latin foods! At the entrance to the Adirondacks, and home of icy Ausable Chasm, Taco Temptation in Keeseville is at the start of so many winter adventures. They’ve got a large menu, filled with authentic dishes like picaditas, huaraches, and chilaquiles, plus a menu for breakfast and lunch. And if you’re in a hurry, or it’s a nice day to eat outside, their online ordering is a breeze. Grab some food for one of those warm, sunny winter days to eat lakeside at Wickham Marsh!

Our winter dining recommendation? String together a few of these restaurants on a trip to the Lake Champlain Region! Staying here means you'll have more time to meander around these mountains, trying all sorts of local cuisine daily.