Dining in the Rangeley Lakes Region

The Red Onion Restaurant restaurant on Maine Street in Rangeley has been serving it’s famous pizza since 1970.

Seafood, particularly Maine lobster, holds a special place in the hearts and taste buds of most residents and visitors of the Rangeley Lakes Region. Outlets like the Oquossoc Grocery and Scotty’s Lobstah Pound in neighboring Oquossoc offer lobster to go. But when you are in the mood for a little pampering, full service restaurants in the area can wine and dine with the best of them. Casual cafes, diners, snack shacks and convenience stores all contribute to your dining experience in this New England flavored lakeside town.

Types of Cuisine Available in Rangeley Lakes

In addition to seafood and continental American eateries, Rangeley offers a touch of the exotic. Sample spicy Thai fare at the Thai Blossom or Mexican dishes at the Farmhouse Inn. The restaurant at the White Wolf Inn, less than a 30-minute drive from Rangeley via Route 16, serves regional specialties such as “Wolf” burgers, turkey pot pie, venison, buffalo and quail. And of course the desserts include an apple crisp dripping with its own Maple Crème Carmel sauce. Moosely Bagels serves up homemade bagels and Carrabassett Coffee, while Scoops Ice Cream offers cool, sweet treats. In addition to seafood and continental American eateries, Rangeley offers a touch of the exotic. Sample spicy Thai fare at the Thai Blossom or Mexican dishes at the Farmhouse Inn. The restaurant at the White Wolf Inn, less than a 30-minute drive from Rangeley via Route 16, serves regional specialties such as “Wolf” burgers, turkey pot pie, venison, buffalo and quail. And of course the desserts include an apple crisp dripping with its own Maple Crème Carmel sauce. Moosely Bagels serves up homemade bagels and Carrabassett Coffee, while Scoops Ice Cream offers cool, sweet treats. The Red Onion Restaurant is famed for its pizza with handmade dough and sauces.

Rangeley Lakes Dining With a Water View

Loon Lodge Inn off Route 4, south of the town core, has a casual, intimate dining room fronting Rangeley Lake. Farmhouse Inn offers lakeview dining on their deck. The Country Club Inn, next to the Mingo Springs Golf Course fronts the northern part of Rangeley Lake while the Parkside & Main restaurant overlooks the Town Cove in the east. Bald Mountain Resort offers views of Mooselookmeguntic Lake and Grant’s Kennebago Camps fronts Kennebago Lake.

Dining in Rangeley’s Historic Ambiance

The Farmhouse Inn is just one of the restaurants in town that has a historic past. This property started out in 1899 as Lake View, or Ellis Farm. In the 1920s a few tourist cottages were built and meals were served in the Big House, originally one of the barns. Throughout the years much of the original façade has remained intact, giving you the chance to dine in historic elegance.

The Loon Lodge was built in 1909 by the Ludeke family as a vacation camp. It too has seen a number of renovations but still retains its rustic, log cabin look. The Rangeley Inn looks every bit the historic country estate. It started out as the Rangeley House in 1877 and got a favorable mention in Harper’s News Monthly that same year.

The Gingerbread House in Oquossoc, started out as a post office and sporting goods store before becoming a restaurant and ice cream shop in the 1950s. Grant’s Kennebago Camps started as a remote fishing camp, providing shelter for those after legendary sized lake trout. Bald Mountain Resort evolved from another sport fishing camp from the 1800s. The dining area with its dark polished, rustically styled woods overlooks the sunsets at Mooselookmeguntic Lake.

Finding Dining Options in the Rangeley Lakes Region

The town of Rangeley is home to most of the area’s eateries, many of these clustered on or around Main Street. Options outside of town include the Gingerbread House, Tall Tales Tavern and Four Season’s Café all in Oquossoc. Grant’s Kennebago Camps is roughly eight miles west of town on Kennebago Lake. Bald Mountain Resort sits nine miles west on the edge of Mooselookmeguntic Lake. The White Wolf Inn is almost 20 miles northeast via Route 16, a favored roadway for spotting moose. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready. Click here for the Summer 2012 Rangeley Restaurant Schedule

Maine’s Rangeley Lakes Region & Franklin County Directory Listings: