Nestled in the heart of the breathtaking Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is one of New York’s most charming getaway destinations. Whether you’re visiting for outdoor adventures, Olympic history, or simply to relax, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of places to enjoy some of the best meals without worrying about gluten. From cozy cafés to upscale restaurants with knowledgeable staff who understand gluten-free dining, finding the best and safe gluten-free food in Lake Placid is easier than you might expect.
Lake Placid is a great place to visit no matter what season it is. We personally love it in the winter for the skiing and snowboarding! But no matter the time of year you will truly love the welcoming atmosphere, the local pride, and the charming spot that is Lake Placid! This guide will help you find all the best places to eat gluten-free in Lake Placid as well as tips on where to stay and what to enjoy. Now let’s get into the guide!
Where to Stay in Lake Placid, NY
When traveling gluten-free, I always recommend booking an accommodation with a full kitchen. That way if you’re ever hungry, and there are no safe, gluten-free food options readily available you can pop something in the oven or microwave!
Always make sure you read the reviews before booking any place to stay. I usually do not book an accommodation unless it has at least a 4.4-star rating with over 12 reviews.
When my husband last went years ago with his family they all stayed out the charming _______________. It’s beautiful setting overlooking Main Street made it an excellent choice for him and his family.
The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is right in the heart of Lake Placid. Try to book somewhere within a few-minute walk of there, and you’ll be good to go!
Getting Around Lake Placid, NY
Lake Placid is a beautiful town with so much to see and enjoy all within walking distance of each other! That’s why I recommend finding a place to stay close to the Olympic Museum. You’ll prefer walking over driving, especially if you’re traveling in the winter.
If you are traveling in the winter, you will need a car with 4-wheel drive to get around. Lake Placid gets a lot of snow, so you need to be prepared for that! In my opinion, they also were not the best at salting and plowing their roads. So proceed with caution in the winter!
Eating Gluten-Free in Lake Placid, NY
1. Smoke Signals
Smoke Signals BBQ is one of the most loved restaurants in Lake Placid and, fortunately for us, is very gluten-free friendly! Just make sure you make a reservation; otherwise, you will not be able to get in because it is a local favorite as well!
Smoke Signals has an incredibly impressive rating on Find Me Gluten Free! Very rarely do you see that a non-dedicated gluten-free restaurant has a perfect rating! After seeing that, we knew we had to check it out in 2022 and see if their great food lived up to the hype.
Fortunately for us they had plenty of gluten-free options for us to choose from. Their food may not make for the best Instagram-worthy meal, but I promise you the ribs, the nachos, and the curry are absolutely delicious!
We sat at the bar because they were not accepting any more table walk-ins. The bartender was knowledgeable about gluten and cross contamination. She told me what I was able to eat safely and what could possibly be cross-contaminated. I’m a highly sensitive celiac so I appreciated her dedication
As I said before, I safely ate the ribs, the nachos, and the curry! All were made without gluten and were not cross-contaminated. However, with any restaurant that is not 100%, dedicated gluten-free there is always the risk of cross-contamination so celiacs proceed with caution.
We will definitely be eating there again on our next trip to Lake Placid!
The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club was one of our favorite places to eat at in Lake Placid! The food was good, while the inviting atmosphere and the service had that pleasant charm that you want from the Adirondacks! It’s a hit in town and can get VERY busy! They don’t take reservations, so plan to eat here at an off time.
It doesn’t have as good of a FMGF rating as Smoke Signals does, however, I felt very confident eating here! The server was knowledgable about gluten and when she wasn’t sure if something contained gluten she went back to the kitchen to double-check for me. They took extra precautions to make sure I felt safe eating here.
Unfortunately, I believe everything on the Griddle is off-limits for those of us who are gluten-free. However, all of the Röstis are safe! I had the Apple, Sausage, and Brie Röstis. (röstis are on a bed of seasoned home-fried potatoes, topped with two eggs to order). The Rostis were fantastic and I definitely will be getting one when I go back! This place is an absolute hidden gem.
Click here to view their menu.
We loved The Breakfast Club and will definitely be returning!
Luna Restaurant
Luna Restaurant had another perfect Find Me Gluten Free rating in 2022 so we knew we had to check it out. I had no issues eating here and did not get sick at all, however, it did not warrant a 5-heart safety rating from me.
I think my mistake was eating at the bar. I did not have full confidence in the bartender in understanding the importance of making sure the cook knew my food needed to be gluten-free.
Next time we come, we will make sure to sit at a table.
I ordered Gluten-Free Penne Vodka, and I asked to add grilled chicken on. The meal came with a salad to start, which was a typical house salad with balsamic vinaigrette. The Penne Vodka was DELICIOUS. The sauce was fantastic and homemade. Unfortunately, it didn’t come with my grilled chicken so I had to ask to have it made. We finished the meal with gluten-free creme brulee. This was one of the few places I was able to find gluten-free dessert in Lake Placid.
Overall, we will come back, but most likely we will ask to sit at a table and not the bar. Their gluten-free pasta is a great option for finishing off your day on the mountain!
Redneck Bisto
Redneck Bistro also had a very impressive perfect score on Find Me Gluten Free so we knew we had to check it out. This was the only restaurant that was a bit of a walk from our apartment, across from the Olympic Museum. We ate here on our last night in Lake Placid because we knew it would fill us while not breaking the budget.
Unfortunately, this Lake Placid restaurant did not live up to the hype, in my opinion. The food was pretty good, and I did feel pretty safe. However, the service was slow, and our food came out a bit cold. In addition, they messed up our order.
The wings were incredible. We even ordered a 2nd order of them because they were so good! If we were to go back to Lake Placid, I would eat here again just so I can get the wings.
I also got the barbeque platter and it was good as well. They have several different delicious sauces you can add to it. The platter is great after a long day of skiing, snowboarding, or hiking to fill you up! It’s also a great deal. We paid $28 for all that meat!
While it was not my favorite meal in Lake Placid, we probably will eat here again because of how filling the food is for so cheap!
Although these restaurants weren’t open when we last visited Lake Placid, they’ve quickly earned fantastic reputations within the gluten-free community. Based on consistently high ratings and reviews on Find Me Gluten Free, they’re definitely worth adding to your itinerary if you’re planning a trip. It’s always exciting to see more restaurants embracing gluten-free dining, especially in a vacation destination where having safe options can make all the difference. If you’re looking for a quick breakfast or lunch, Green Goddess Natural Foods is a great place to start your day. This local favorite offers gluten-free buns, breakfast sandwiches, and wraps, making it easy to grab a satisfying meal before heading out to explore the Adirondacks. If you’re looking for a healthy meal to bring to the mountain this is a great spot for it! For something a little more substantial, Lisa G’s Restaurant has become a popular stop for gluten-free diners thanks to its variety of options, including fresh salads, gluten-free pizza on a gluten-free crust, and burgers. It’s a great choice when you’re traveling with family or friends who aren’t gluten-free since there’s something for everyone on the menu. When you’re craving classic comfort food, The Dack Shack is another standout, offering gluten-free buns, burgers, and fries so you don’t have to miss out on a classic Adirondack meal. As always, if you have celiac disease, let your server know about your need to avoid cross-contact so the kitchen can take the appropriate precautions – especially because they have a dedicated fryer for gluten-free diners! It’s always a relief when you can enjoy fried foods without worrying about shared fryers! It’s wonderful to see Lake Placid’s gluten-free dining scene continue to grow, giving visitors even more safe and delicious choices than ever before. We know our next trip will have even more options for gluten-free items than our first time there!
Things to Do In Lake Placid
If you’re looking for fun activities in Lake Placid besides skiing and snowboarding you have to check out the Olympic Museum as well as The Peak’s Paint Bar Paint and Sip classes!
Even though I was not alive when the Olympics took place in Lake Placid, it filled me with so much pride and enthusiasm reliving the memories of the Olympics at Lake Placid.
We then took a wine and sip class at The Peak’s Paint Bar and LOVED IT! The owner and instructor, Ismael has such an infectiously happy personality and truly loves what he does. We will gladly take another class with him any time we are up in Lake Placid.
You can find out more about The Peak’s Paint Bar by visiting their website by clicking here.
