5 Best Italian Restaurants near Saranac Lake

“This restaurant was such an incredible and unexpected find on the way home from the Bloomingdale Bog! I have traveled widely and the best food I have ever had was in Venice Italy: I kid you not, the food and service here brought me back to Venice and Florence. I had the shrimp special: shrimp cooked with sautéed vegetables: onions, sliced garlic, roasted red peppers, large wands of broccoli, all cooked to perfection. The veggies still had flavor and bite, the large shrimp were perfectly cooked, and all tossed over pasta with delicately flavored sauce and olive oil, which never overpowered the flavor of the main ingredients. My partner had the Chicken special which was perfectly tender chicken breast bathed in a cognac marinara sauce, with mozzarella cheese, roasted red peppers and a side of delicate pasta. For dessert we enjoyed the Tira mi su, my favorite, which I make from scratch myself. The pastry and pastry cream were heavenly, finished with a thin layer of chocolate and a dollop of whipped cream. Stupendous. The lemon cake was also obviously made in house, with cake that was not too sweet, richly textured with a nice thick layer of lemon cream between the two layers. This dinner was a glorious North Country surprise, one that transformed this series of cold, gray days. The service was also absolutely exceptional, professional, friendly, graceful, relaxed and timely. We can't wait to return, and I would highly recommend you treat yourselves...especially now when it's slower! Light up a cold winter evening. THANK YOU!“

“Amazing food and a great “old school” vibe. Sat at the bar and had dinner to celebrate my birthday. Karen took EXCELLENT care of us! We were so excited to stumble upon this gem. If you’re in the area, definitely make a reservation and go. It is WELL worth it.“

“Our favorite place to "fine dine" as a family in Saranac Lake. They incorporate local food into their menu year-round supporting local farmers, growers, and entrepreneurs.“

“Service was as good as the food and reasonably priced.“

“Visiting Cafe Rustica for the first time was a real treat. I called ahead to check if they had seating for two, and they confirmed. I told them we would be there in 10 minutes and sure enough, when we arrived, everything was set up for us. The staff made us feel like part of the family, with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Heather, our server, was fantastic, recommending some truly delicious appetizers and entrées. I can't wait to return! We ordered the prosciutto spedini, meatballs, and ravioli. Definitely come hungry.“