The Mountain Room in Newry, Maine

The Mountain Room sits next to Peak Lodge in Newry and pulls in skiers, hikers, and locals looking for solid food and drinks in a cozy setting. Owner Sarah runs a tight ship with reservations encouraged on busy days. The menu leans comfort but with enough care that dishes like ricotta toast and tomato soup with goat cheese feel special.

• Deviled eggs and ricotta toast stand out
• Generous portions; one burrito bowl feeds two
• Cozy lodge atmosphere with full bar
• Reservations available

Start with the deviled eggs or ricotta toast. The tomato soup paired with a goat cheese grilled cheese on good bread hits the mark if you want something warm and comforting. The chicken burrito bowl comes heaped and easily splits. Ask what specials they're running.

Warm and cozy with exposed beams and a substantial bar. It gets busy on ski days and weekends, which can make things loud and slow things down, but that's part of the charm.

The cooking strikes a balance between rustic and refined. You'll find deviled eggs that taste homemade, not fussy, alongside dishes with real technique. Portions are generous, and the bread is worth noting. It's the kind of spot that works for a casual dinner or a night out when you want something better than pub food but without pretension.

Guests rave about Sarah's hospitality and the quality of the food relative to the setting. One recent visitor called it "the best mountain food and lodge" they'd had. A few notes: portions are legitimately large, and the space can feel the strain when it's full.