Whenever I travel, I love to try and find great local coffee shops with a hometown feel. I enjoy supporting the local community and trying something new. If you're like me and try to avoid chain restaurants, you might enjoy some of the locally owned spots from my list below. (Don't worry! We also have a Starbucks AND a Dunkin' Donuts in the area if that's your cup-of-joe.)
**There are many places in the area that serve coffee. For this list, I'm going with places that offer coffee AND espresso. Many of these places are located in towns outside of Keene. For a list of establishments right in town, please read our Guide to Keene.
Origin Coffee - Saranac Lake, NY (23 Miles from Dartbrook Lodge)
Origin Coffee is the first on my list for so many reasons. It's fairly new to Saranac Lake and has provided the local community with a place to gather and enjoy delicious food, baked goods, and specialty coffee beverages. For the coffee connoisseurs out there, many have commented that this is one of the few places in the area with "real" coffee (they proudly serve Coava Coffee from Portland, Oregon). The atmosphere is trendy, yet cozy, family friendly, and very welcoming to those who wish to sit and enjoy coffee while they work. They have limited outdoor seating during the warmer months, and plenty of seating indoors.
Base Camp Cafe - Lake Placid, NY (15 Miles From Dartbrook Lodge)
The Base Camp Cafe is a small restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, and take-out. If you are looking for speciality lattes, this is the place to go. From their "Barkeater" latte with maple, whipped cream, and granola sprinkles, to (my favorite) the "Firetower" with cinnamon, cayenne, and cinnamon swirl topping, their coffee beverages are a special treat. Because seating is rather limited, I wouldn't recommend the Base Camp Cafe to someone who wants to sit with a coffee for hours while working on a computer. It's more of a sit down dining establishment with the ability to also get coffee, bagels, and more to go.
ADK CAFE & Market - Keene, NY (Two Doors Down from Dartbrook Lodge)
ADK Market offers 99 cent drip coffee from their self-serve coffee bar in the back of their shop. They also make really great lattes and cappuccinos (try their delicious maple latte!). While they don't offer indoor seating, they do have a nice open air patio for the warmer months. This is one of the last stops to get espresso coffee beverages before the highway. You can also get takeout for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Definitely worth a stop during your stay!
Dogwood Bread Company - Wadhams, NY (19.5 Miles from Dartbrook Lodge)
If you plan on taking a drive out to the "Adirondack Coast" (a.k.a. Lake Champlain) you will want to make a pit stop at Dogwood Bread Company in the Essex/Westport area. They serve delicious coffee and espresso beverages, baked goods, and lunch fare, and have ample indoor seating. On Friday nights, try Dogwood's Pizza Night. They serve the best pizza in the area, in my opinion.
Travel Tip: Dogwood is on route to the Essex Ferry. Take a day trip to Vermont and check out the Shelburne Museum, stopping at Dogwood along the way!
The Breakfast Club, ETC. - Lake Placid, NY (15 Miles From Dartbrook Lodge)
The Breakfast Club, ETC. is home to the BC Coffee Co. Enjoy the coffee shop in front of the restaurant or take a seat and enjoy a hearty breakfast in their lakeside dining room. While the Breakfast Club is known for its creative Bloody Marys and boozy brunch, they also have excellent coffee, baked goods and other quick breakfast items that can be enjoyed from the coffee bar or as take-out. Located right on Main Street, The Breakfast Club is a great place to grab a coffee and take a walk around Mirror Lake.
A New Leaf - Lake Placid, NY (15 Miles from Dartbrook Lodge)
A New Leaf is located just a short walk up the hill from Main Street, Lake Placid. Its situated inside the pink house. You can't miss it! It's a traditional coffee house with a cozy atmosphere. They offer a wifi code to customers and welcome those who need a quiet place to work while enjoying a cup of coffee. They also serve limited food and baked goods.
Travel Tip: Avoid paying for parking on Main Street and park in the spaces located beyond the Mirror Lake Inn. You'll be forced to enjoy the views of the High Peaks a bit while you walk the short distance into down!
JAMBS on Main - Westport, NY (21 Miles From Dartbrook Lodge)
JAMBS on Main is a local favorite in downtown Westport, NY along Lake Champlain. They serve delicious mirco-batch home roasted coffee, unique teas, and specialty espresso beverages. They have limited hours year around, so give them a call before heading over to ensure that they are open. When heading to the Westport area, we also recommend visiting The Hub on The Hill, Dogwood Bread Company, Ledge Hill Brewing Co., & Dacy Meadow Farm.
The Well Dressed Food Co. - Tupper Lake, NY (43 Miles From Dartbrook Lodge)
If you happen to be in the town of Tupper Lake (perhaps to visit The Wild Center or to hike the Tupper Lake Triad) you will definitely want to stop at The Well Dressed Food Company. They have great coffee from local roasters and offer a full espresso bar. They also serve excellent breakfast, lunch, and dinner (on select evenings). While they have limited seating that is often full for lunch service during the high season, they do offer free wifi and welcome those who wish to sit an enjoy a coffee while using the internet.