We spent about four months at our house in Lake Placid this year, with trips in January, April-May and August-October. As always, we visited some of our favorite restaurants and tried new ones. Here’s a run-down of memorable meals in and around Lake Placid, and a few that weren’t so great.

• Cloudsplitter Bar. If you’re looking for a beer with a view … and the weather is nice … head to the newly opened Cloudsplitter rooftop bar at the Grand Adirondack Hotel on Main Street. There’s not much of a menu, but the view of Mirror Lake and the mountains can’t be beat. We had a regional beer and a serving of the rosemary almonds as a late afternoon snack. I wish they would improve their local beer offerings, but I’ll still go back. The outdoor bar is open seasonally when the weather is welcoming.

• Capisce Coffee. Capisce is another new spot in town, and I loved this little gem of a coffee shop. Located on Cascade Road, it’s not in walking distance for us, but totally worth a stop if you’re out and about. Such a cute place. We had a very good spice Masala chai tea latte and I took home a bag of coffee beans that made delicious coffee.

• Blue Line Bakery. Not far from Capisce Coffee is a Blue Line Bakery, a self-serve cookie lean-to. Also brand new. Primarily open on weekends, this little cookie stand has amazing cookies and brownies — all individually wrapped and sealed and ready to enjoy. I had a s’mores cookie, but the flavors change weekly. Check the website and her Instagram for the location, open hours and flavors.

• Enuf Pastry & Cheese. I adore this shop. I love the couple that runs it and their baked goods. At some point in the last year they started serving sandwiches at lunch time. We tried their grilled cheese — local cheese melted on homemade bread. I mean, what could be better on a cold day? Well, maybe their homemade soft pretzels, which are truly incredible. Really, everything in there is amazing.

• West Shore BBQ. Being from Texas, we’re somewhat picky about our bar-b-que. I know Smoke Signals is popular, but I have a hard time paying their prices. This summer we really enjoyed West Shore BBQ on Saranac Avenue. They have the real-deal smokers from Texas and make delicious brisket, pulled pork and ribs, as well as top notch sides. We loved their brisket sandwiches and their “soul slaw.” Unfortunately, they’re only open seasonally.

• Lake Placid Pub & Brewery. When my brother and sister-in-law visited, we took them to the Lake Placid Pub for our favorite fish and chips and local beer. All four of us ordered fish and chips, and everyone enjoyed it immensely. Be sure to hop on their website to check the wait time (and sign up for a table if there is a wait) before you go. Our other favorite locals pubs which remain consistently good include Big Slide, Ray Brook Brewhouse and Blue Line Brewery.

• Cafe Rustica. I personally think Caffe Rustica has the highest quality food in town. For an excellent meal, this is our number one recommendation. Eric and I have dined there several times with friends, and it is always our best meal. We’ve had various seafood and pasta dishes, and it’s all delicious. They also have a solid wine menu if you enjoy wine. Reservations are usually a smart bet. The only downside is the location in a strip center.

• Salt of the Earth. For celebrating our anniversary, we went to Salt of the Earth bistro on Sentinel Road. We shared the Indonesian bison and potato fritters as our starter, and our entrees were the pan seared Magret duck breast and Portuguese style baked cod loin. Everything was very good. With a limited number of tables, be sure to make a reservation in advance. But truth be told, if you’re going to splurge, I think Cafe Rustica has better food.

• Simply Gourmet and Big Mountain Deli. One location (Simply Gourmet) is on Saranac Ave. about 2 blocks from our house, and the other is on Main Street. We ate so many sandwiches and salads from here, it’s crazy. Although we’ve probably tried close to half of their different sandwiches, our usual order is the no. 1 Marcy on a caramelized onion roll. The sliced apple makes it. But you can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches, soups or salads. I also like their breakfast burritos.

• Soulshine Bagels. There aren’t a lot of places that still make their own bagels from scratch in house, but Soulshine Bagels does. We love them! One of our favorite rituals is to get the Polaris bagel sandwich with lox and head over to the lawn behind the Lake Placid Library to eat at their picnic tables beside Mirror Lake.

• Players. There are lots of places to get a good burger in Lake Placid, but Players is our favorite. Honestly, I’ve tried a few other items on their menu and haven’t really loved their other offerings. But their burgers are excellent. Also, if you happen to be dining alone, their bar is super friendly. It just has this vibe where people sit at the bar and pretty much everyone participates in one big group conversation. We usually sit at their bar, but it’s especially great when one of us is flying solo.

• Roamers Cafe. Speaking of hamburgers, we had a surprisingly good smash burger at Roamers Cafe in the Olympic Center. We were there for a women’s collegiate hockey game, and it was quick and easy with a stunning view of the mountains from their balcony. If you’re heading over to the Olympic Center, don’t hesitate to eat there.

• Maggie’s Pub. We hadn’t been to Maggie’s Pub at the Lake Placid Lodge since before the pandemic. For the last few years it was only open to their own hotel guests, due to staffing shortages. Now it’s back open, but you have to make a reservation (again, because of staffing shortages). We took my brother and sister-in-law there on their last night. Of the orders around our table, I think the pan roasted chicken was the clear winner. It’s definitely a memorable experience eating out on their balcony with the view of Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain in the distance. Be sure to make reservations, and go for an early dinner before it gets to dark. It’s worth it.

• Moose Lodge Boathouse. This was our first time eating at the Moose Lodge Boathouse, which is right on Lake Placid and part of Whiteface Lodge. Our waiter recommended the salmon to us, which we both ordered. The food was good and the view was beautiful. But frankly, I’d rather go to Maggie’s.

• Downtown Diner. Upstairs Grill. Generations Tap and Grill. The Boat Tasting Room. We tried all these restaurants this year, and they were all … meh. Not worth a return visit, IMO.