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    The Cottage

    3.9 (322 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    The Cottage Photos

    THE COTTAGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Cottage

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    Reviews With Photos

    Ponzu Chicken Tacos
    Leena S.

    We took a day trip to Lake Placid and after filtering through the Yelp reviews, I arrived at The Cottage for lunch. Primarily based on the location and views for the restaurant. We weren't expecting much on the food, given the mixed reviews. However, we were pleasantly surprised. I went with the Ponzu Chicken Tacos and they were flavorful and delicious. My husband ordered the BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich, which he enjoyed. The interior is small and cozy and the amazing views of Mirror Lake instantly make your food taste better. The outdoor seating option is really nice, but on the stifling day we visited, we chose to sit inside. The menu has plenty of options, so each person in our party of 6 found something they liked. Our server was friendly. NOTE: They don't do separate checks, but allow you to pay via separate credit cards.

    Upper porch
    Alane D.

    Such a delightful place! Sat outside on the deck over Mirror lake. I had an open faced Reuben with Cole slaw and chips. Delicious and the coleslaw added a bit more zip. Not sure Icy, though.My friends had the pulled pork. Delish. It does have a bit spicy sauce on it, if you didn't want that, ask for it on the side. Our waitress was so pleasant. Thanks for a great evening. Two regrets: my husband was under the weather and couldn't join us, and it would be gorgeous at sunset.

    Our dog enjoying the gondola
    Erin F.

    I have been visiting The Cottage for several years, and it is a must stop whenever I am in Lake Placid. The inside is cozy and has fantastic views of mirror lake. They offer great beer and wine lists as well as a nice variety of cocktails. The food is good as well, with plenty of options to suit what you're looking for. Two standouts from my recent visit were the Warm Brussels Sprout Salad and the Mushroom Soup. If their soup of the day is Chicken Poblano, I'd highly recommend it. On my most recent visit, we were thrilled to find that their outdoor gondolas were heated and dog friendly. Each gondola has climate control and music playing, and the waitstaff will come out to your gondola. I'd add an extra star for this if I could!

    Indoor seating
    Jody W.

    Awesome outdoor patio seating! Beautiful views of the lake! Friendly, attentive service and pretty good food. We kept it simple...shared the Thai shrimp appetizer and some nachos. I had the chicken apricot salad sandwich and one of my colleagues had the same chicken salad on actual salad to bypass the bread. I was like... "Bring on the bread!" Another colleague had a bowl of chili and others at the table had pizza, nachos with chili, and a hummus/pita appetizer. It's really about the location,, views and atmosphere. Would definitely go again in the future.

    Exterior
    Linda O.

    Came back for a visit after a 40 year hiatus. I am sure it's not the same ownership and the decor has changed but the epic view is as spectacular as I remembered. I only had time for a cocktail unfortunately. The exterior is still as quaint as ever. I noticed 2 gondolas in the patio area that can be rented/reserved . Very cute idea. Lots of outdoor seating for when the weather improves. Drink menu lacked imagination and inspiration for the prices they are charging. I was very disappointed in my selection. Ambiance is not as romantic and intimate as it use to be. Now more of a sports and outdoorsy theme. None of it blended or flowed. Sometimes great experiences need to be left to the memories. Service was friendly which is always a plus

    Spicy Black Bean Burger
    Chalita P.

    Can't complain at all with a dinner, a view, and good food. It might have been the intense all day hike but this meal is the most delicious one out of my stay in the area. Not a big menu, but that must mean all their food should be good right?! Our two entrees were both hits! For apps we got the shrimp cocktail. The sauce had a hint of wasabi taste to me. The two mains we got the spicy black bean veggie burger and the pulled pork on a pretzel bun. Both burgers were delicious. I inhaled that. I would definitely recommend the pulled pork burger. The flavor, texture, and breading goes so well. You get a side of chips and a pickle with both. Lastly for dessert, I went with the white and chocolate mousse cake. Nothing to rave home about. Maybe if they top it with icecream I would have spiraled into sweetness overload. It was still a good dessert. If you're not a big fan of too sweet desserts, you may not be able to finish it. Also what is the deal with all restaurants in the area being closed Monday, Tuesday and sometimes Wednesday? Then opening late evening or closing early? This wasn't my first choice of restaurants but I'm glad it worked out this way!

    Apricot Chicken Salad Sandwich

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    20 days ago

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    11 months ago

    The view is spectacular. The food less so and the service was atrocious. Bored, disinterested and neglectful.

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    The food was alright, nice view, but the service was incredibly slow, took over an hour to get our food.

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    2 years ago

    The food is good in comparison to other choices in lake placid. The ambience is and view is great. Staff were warm and friendly.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - The Cottage

    Are the heated gondolas there this winter? Do they take reservations?

    The heated gondolas were there in December, before Christmas. I have no idea about reservations.

    View All 2 Questions

    Lisa G's

    Lisa G's

    4.2
    (456 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Have been coming here for over a decade and absolutely adore it every time. Fun specialty drinks,…read moregreat variety for meals, kind staff, and good vibes all around! My absolute favorites are the cheese treat, Greek wings, calamari, Moroccan burrito and the garlic fries with the fish + chips are incredible And if you're lucky to get Lindsey, she is always a blast!

    Some places win you over slowly. This one does it all at once. Delicious food, a rushing river, a…read morewaterfall view, and the kindest people you could hope to meet. We spent the week in Lake Placid for Spring Break, and we could not have been more happy to find this place, especially since we had our dog with us. Lisa G's feels like the kind of place you wish you had back home. We sat out on the porch with a perfect view of the water and our golden retriever happily at our feet. That alone would have been enough, but the food made sure we stayed awhile. We started with the wings. These are true buffalo wings. Not breaded, just well sauced and done right. We also ordered the cheese treat and it completely stole the show. Feta, spices, and jalapenos over fresh arugula, scooped onto toasted bread. It is one of those dishes where you keep saying just one more bite until suddenly it is gone. For dinner we tried the shrimp tacos, which have quite a reputation. As Texas people we were a little unsure about the pineapple salsa, but it works. Bright and just sweet enough. The slaw is mellow and tangy and ties everything together in a way that feels thoughtful rather than trendy. The fish and fries surprised us the most. Easily the best fish and chips we have had in years. Real haddock with a light crisp fry and a rich house made tartar sauce that does not play second fiddle. Chance said he usually only likes fish and chips for the fried part, but here he actually liked the fish itself. That tells you everything. The fries are the kind you keep reaching for long after you are full. Our teen ordered the burger and it disappeared before we could negotiate a bite. Former picky eaters do not lie. We tried the Julian cocktail, which drinks like a confident mai tai. The riesling missed the mark a bit. Next time we would go for the sauvignon blanc or the house white. The service felt like the best version of small town hospitality. Warm, easy, and full of good local recommendations. Our pup loved it. We loved it. We will be back. --Chance and Becky All Ahead Slow

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Waffle Sunday - excellent!
    Waffle Sunday - excellent!
    View from the deck

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    View from the deck
    Top of the Park

    Top of the Park

    4.5
    (442 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    I'm thinking I don't have to write a review because it's pretty clear the place is a slam dunk…read morechoice -- lovely staff, delicious food and a Mirror Lake view -- but I will warn that the portions are on the smaller size and if you ask for a bit more bread with the cheese board, they will charge you five dollars without warning. Those aren't complaints, but for any "hungry guys" who like hearty portions, this place will run up your tab.

    Ambiance: 1000/10. Top of the Park is an absolute must on any Lake Placid trip. This rooftop tapas…read morebar, perched above Players Sports Bar and Grille, has jaw-dropping views of Mirror Lake. You can choose from bar seating, indoor tables, or outdoor spots with a perfect breeze. There's even a big street-side table that's ideal for bachelorette groups or larger parties. The whole space feels elevated, cozy, and a little magical. Drinks: The cocktail menu is insanely creative and the pours are generous. Their espresso martini is one of my all-time favorites... I stop in for one every single time I'm in Lake Placid. It's that good. Food: I think about this food at least once a week. The menu is built around shareable small plates, making it the perfect pre-dinner cocktail hour spot for your travel crew. Order a couple of drinks and a few bites while you take in the lake views before your dinner reservation. My personal must-orders: the charcuterie board and the mac and cheese. Unreal. Price: It's on the pricier side, but genuinely worth every penny. For the quality, the atmosphere, and those views? Not overpriced at all.

    Photos
    Top of the Park
    White anchovy
    White anchovy
    Red Wine + Peartini

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    Red Wine + Peartini
    Generations

    Generations

    3.5
    (298 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    I have a bit of a story about Generations. Seven years ago,…read moremy family stopped in while visiting Lake Placid and, unfortunately, it was a pretty rough experience. After waiting over an hour for our food with no updates in sight, we finally left hungry and declared we'd never return. (We've all made dramatic vacation proclamations before!) When we got home, I wrote to the restaurant, and Natasha, the manager, personally responded with a sincere apology. She explained they had been incredibly short-staffed and invited us to come back if we were ever in Lake Placid again, promising a better experience. Well, seven years later, my sons found themselves in Lake Placid with friends and decided to give Generations another chance. They asked if Natasha was still there, and amazingly, she was! Not only that, but she remembered my email from all those years ago. This time, everything was wonderful. Great food, attentive service, a relaxing outdoor table, and happy young men!--which is review enough! To top it all off, when they asked for the check, they were told the meal was on the house. Natasha's kindness, grace, and commitment to making things right left a lasting impression. Thank you for turning a not-so-great memory into a great one. Cheers to Natasha and the team at Generations!

    Location is great, and local beer was good. The food was okay; nothing stood out as being great…read more Additionally, was disappointed by the attempts to pay giraffe to Buffalo and the Bills. The beef on weck was more of a French dip sandwich (cheese on a beef/weck??). The buffalo chicken dip had bacon, which overpowered the dish, unnecessarily. Service was slow. Or appetizers came out after everyone finished their meal... If you're from Buffalo, hoping to have a taste of home, I'd avoid any buffalo dish here, unfortunately.

    Photos
    Generations
    Buds n spuds
    Buds n spuds
    Maple Manhattan and Spicy Margarita

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    Maple Manhattan and Spicy Margarita

    The Cottage - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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