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Caffe Rustica

4.0 (191 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

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Business Info

CAFFE RUSTICA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Caffe Rustica

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Salmon w/risotto
V G.

During a weekend stay in lake placid a local bartender recommended Caffe Rustica for dinner. It's tucked away in the corner of a grocery store parking lot. Very unassuming. Walking in you'll find that it's a very intimate setting with fewer than 15 tables split between the bar and the main dining area. We had reservations for 6:30 and were given a choice of dining in the bar or the main dining room. We opted for the dining which had just a few diners but quickly filled up. Our waiter was friendly and very attentive. We were served a basket of warm bread that was delicious and our drinks were delivered quickly. As we saw waiters chatting with various tables it was easy to tell that several of the diners were locals or regulars. We ordered a salmon and risotto and a shrimp and risotto entree. The portion size was perfect and both dishes were beautifully presented. The risotto was wonderful! In my experience I've found that not many restaurants do a great job with preparing and serving risotto. That was not the case here! It was perfect. The food, the service and the ambience were very enjoyable. We will definitely make a repeat visit next time we're in the area

Salad
John W.

Not an Italian background so the menu wasn't clear to me and the waiter was limited help. No "traditional Italian options not even lasagna. Salmon was good but only 7 green beans. Could have spared 6 more. Service was mediocre and they weren't busy. I won't be back.

Tuscan Risotto
Jackson S.

Wonderful food and experience. Joe waited on us and his cocktail and food recommendations all hit the mark. I'm a bourbon guy and Joe recommended the Chef's Kiss. It was delicious. We split a Caesar Salad - with anchovies, of course. Followed it with the Sweet Thai Chili Scrimp on Linguini. Dynamite. The shrimp were tasty and the blend of Thai and Italian was bang on. My wife had the Tuscan Risotto which was excellent with plentiful shrimp and scallops. Truly appreciate the Caffe accommodating us. Great service and ambience overall!

Cavatelli Bolognese
Elisa F.

Just OK. We are staying nearby and got takeout. They are pretty pricey for the quality. 2 pizzas at $19 each and they're about 12" and the cavatelli bolognese was $33!! No prices online which should have been a giveaway. The pizza was good, nothing special. The cavatelli was a good sized portion but the pasta didn't taste homemade to me. Definitely more money than we expected for just OK food.

Insalata
Keith S.

Just when I thought I found all the gems in Lake Placid, I am so happy to eat at this wonderful restaurant just slightly off the beaten path. I started with a special appetizer - Prosciutto and Mozerella Spiedini! I grew up with always having Spiedini at Christmas time but it was always made with veal. Turns out any kabob/cheese dish can be considered a Spiedini. I loved this appetizer for multiple reasons - creative twist on a classic, melty cheese, the arugula, and perfectly executed. Yum! I went next with the Insalata - organic greens (), almonds, pickled blueberries (holy crap!), Gorgonzola, roasted onions, and a raspberry vinaigrette. It was even better than it sounds and the pickled blueberries are the secret weapon... The finale - Chicken Parm with linguine. The linguine normally comes with a marinara but they kindly let me substitute the marinara with an olive oil/garlic thing on the linguine. So... I am always in search of a great chicken parm and this was seriously one of the best I've ever had. Chicken cooked perfect, a great marinara sauce (tasted like tomatoes and not too sweet), and a perfect (read generous but not too much) amount of mozzarella. Add the linguini and a perfect match. I'd give it a 9.5 out of 10! Note - I sat at the bar and Eden (owner/partner) was just super attentive and so friendly. This is the best restaurant in Lake Placid when you add it all up - high quality ingredients, creative homey food, a local vibe and flavor, and probably the best service you'll experience in the wonderful town!

Pork chop
Emily A.

Great service and food. Best pork chop I ever had. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his Thai shrimp pasta dish. Will be back!

Burrata and watermelon salad...a great combination of flavors and textures.

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4 months ago

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2 months ago

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7 months ago

This place never disappoints! The swordfish was succulent and the flourless chocolate torte decadent!

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2 months ago

Was a gem! We asked locals for recommendation. Was excellent food and service! Will be a reason to return to Lake Placid.

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2 months ago

Always excellent. Service amazing. Ambiance lovely. Staff 100%. Location great with plenty of parking. Easy access.

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5 months ago

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1 year ago

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5 months ago

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3 months ago

This is the best place for dinner in Lake Placid. The staff is excellent and the food is delicious. You will not be disappointed.

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2 years ago

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9 months ago

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8 months ago

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3 years ago

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10 months ago

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9 months ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

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6 months ago

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7 months ago

Outstanding as always. Whenever we are in lake placid this restaurant is a must. Food is superb, service as well. Thank you

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9 months ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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11 months ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Great staff, great food and generally the best place in Lake Placid with reasonable prices. Highly recommended

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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Generations - Poutine

Generations

(290 reviews)

$$

Very comfortable and casual restaurant ambience. Scrumptious…read moreappetizers and delicious entrees. Bar drinks were also outstanding.

The place was very empty at 9am and still waited to get sat for almost 10 minutes. Got my table and…read morewas poured water and was asked if I wanted any other beverage. Took me off guard as by the lack of introduction or interaction I didn't realize this was the server. I thought it might be a food runner. When he came back with coffee he asked if I needed more time. I said no and ordered Adirondak eggs. It took a very long time to come out. When it did the plate was messy with sauce dripping off the edge so I whipped that off. Then when I went to cracked open the poached eggs (the first thing I always do) they were fully cooked. I pushed my plate to the edge of the table without taking one bite and turned in my chair and just kept looking at the server. The server took a table of 5/6 people's orders and then disappeared. I waited and waited and he never came back out. I finally had to get up and go to the front to find someone after over 30 minutes there. I went to the front desk and no one was there and the. Went and stood at the service station for a couple minutes before I got someone's attention. I explained the situation. They offered a new meal and that the server was new and training (being on your own left to make major mistakes is not training). My food most likely sat in the window and overcooked because he can't time manage, he never checked back on me, no one on the floor observing to ensure poor service is not happening. At this point they were even busier and I had no faith they could get me food out in a timely manner, cooked right and not rushed. I told them if you're charging $20 for 2 poached eggs they better be right. They agreed but I didn't feel like they truly cared. It was the "I'm not going to chase you down to stay" comment that did it. I was shaking from low blood sugar and 2 coffees and just wanted the food that I came there specifically for after looking at the menu on line. Such a shame. Great views of the lake and mountains but food and service unacceptable for what they are charging. I can't recommend.

Lake Placid Pub & Brewery

Lake Placid Pub & Brewery

(957 reviews)

$$

Best food in town. This is my 3rd restaurant this week and I'm going back again cause the food is…read morejust better than the rest. Service was great. We made waitlist reservations and they were pretty close so seating was an issue but they are really, really busy at peak times. For the place itself, I believe it's an old church? The beer is great and they have one of those dome hockey games that I'm addicted to themed to the 1980 Olympic Game of USSR vs USA. LOVE IT! . Best food and atmosphere in town!

Conveniently located near hotels in Lake Placid. If you don't have a reservation you'll be waiting…read moreup to two hours or more as it is not a big restaurant. They do have a second floor dining area for large parties. English pub style. Food is relatively good. We are here 3 out of the 5 days we were in Lake Placid, mostly out of convenience. Service is okay, depending on who you get. They are super busy all the time and if your server isn't on point they will forget things. Their Ubu beer is the best beer there. The cranberry cider is pretty good as well. Shepards pie had very little meat/filling with a larger mashed potato ratio. Apple pie sounds great on paper but had little filling, leaving it super dry because it's baked as an individual personal pie. The whipped crème fraiche was delicious. Wings were nicely fried, crispy on outside and tender inside. Sourdough grilled cheese could've been better by using any other cheese besides Kraft singles. Clam chowder is superb. Beet salad was okay. Turkey burnt ends did not impress me and it's suppose to be their most popular dish. Chicken tenders were delicious. Fried fish was amazing! Huge piece of fish, served with tartar sauce and a side of incredible fries. Detroit style pizza is lackluster. The dough could've been cooked longer as it was underdone.

Top of the Park

Top of the Park

(441 reviews)

$$$

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.

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.

Lisa G's - Beef lettuce wraps

Lisa G's

(450 reviews)

$$

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

Good experience at Lisa G's. My Moroccan burrito was excellent. The fried chicken sandwich was…read moregood. However, the children's pizza was not very good. Also, an additional $4 to switch from chips to French fries is highway robbery. We understand an up charge but $4 felt excessive.

Caffe Rustica - italian - Updated May 2026

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