Whether you are heading to Sunday River mountain in Maine for some winter skiing or hiking in the summer there are lots of places to grab a bite to eat. No matter what outdoor adventure you are into, these top 6 places to eat won’t leave you hungry but will definitely keep you coming back.
The Matterhorn
Just a short bus ride from Sunday River mountain is one of the coolest ski bum restaurants around. After a visit to a local ski bar in Switzerland the founder of the Matterhorn decided that he wanted something similar.
A place with amazing pizza, which Matterhorn owners learned how to make in the pizza heart of the world, Naples, Italy. Their dream was to bring beer, movies, and good food to the après ski scene in Sunday River and boy did they do it in a big way.
This bar has the coolest vibe, laid back and inviting. You can listen to local singers belt out fun songs and watch movies and shows on a big projector, while munching on your own personal pie. Try the gluten free crust, I promise you won’t regret it.
Camp
Located in the Grand Summit hotel Camp is decorated just as the name would suggest. With canoes hanging from the ceiling and faux firelight its as though you stepped out of the hotel and into an upscale backwoods.
It’s a bit pricey but it’s the only restaurant in the lodge, so if you don’t want to leave the hotel for a meal, this is your only option.
The best part about it though, is the breakfast. Make sure to have breakfast included in your stay because the spread is awesome. Fresh made smoothies, various meats and cheese, hot foods, cereal, an omelet bar, they even have lox.
Though it’s pricey, and what you would expect at a ski resort, the food is good and the ambiance makes you feel like your glamping.
Sunday River Brewing Company
Better known for their beer and not their food, Sunday River Brewing Company is a great place to grab some craft beers after a long day on the slopes.
This is also on the main shuttle route, not the resort shuttle but the other one. The bar area is a big open expanse with booths and tables with the bar nestled right in the middle in a square with seats all around.
Find your favorite style or grab a flight and taste them all. We met some great people while sitting around the bar having a beer, fellow snowboarders and mountain junkies. It is a great place to unwind after a big day at Sunday River mountain.
Roosters Roadhouse
A bit more of a drive, Roosters is closer to downtown Bethel. But it’s totally worth it. This fun, old-time restaurant is a hot spot for locals and just feels comfortable, like snuggling under a blanket in front of a woodstove cozy.
Their loaded nachos are amazing and I highly recommend them. If you sit upstairs in more of the bar area there are also games littered along the shelves to pass the time while you wait for your food and have a surprisingly well priced beer.
Sliders
Located in the Jordan Hotel at the base of Jordan’s bowl at Sunday River mountain is Sliders. The hotel itself has multiple places to eat but Sliders was my favorite. It had great views of the mountain with the option to sit outside around a roaring firepit or grab a table for full-service dining.
It tries to be upscale, with its well-trained waiters and fancy decorations but it gets packed to the brim with sweaty, snow-covered, slightly disheveled ski and snowboarders looking for a break at lunchtime.
The food is delicious but once again pricey (as would be expected of any resort restaurant) but it had the best beer I have ever had, the Hazelnut Coffee Elwood Brown Ale by Orono Brewing Company. I loved it so much I started comparing other beers from other places to it and managed to buy a couple 4 packs before heading home.
Shipyard White Cap Lodge Brew Haus
This place is not officially affiliated with the mountain but is located at the very bottom from White Heat, next to the Grand Summit hotel. The beauty of this place not being affiliated is the prices are much more reasonable.
They didn’t overprice the beer or the food and though it’s nothing fancy, it’s a nice place to grab a quick bite and a beer. On the busy nights you can come over and listen to a band or partake in some trivia.
But make sure you bring a dose of patience with you, when we ate there only one guy was on duty and the poor guy was completely overwhelmed. The food still came out in a timely manner and he tried really hard but he wasn’t dawdling around your table or checking up on your frequently.
Foggy Goggle
Last, but not least, is the Foggy Goggle. Located in the South Ridge Lodge, this little bar with big windows overlooking the mountain has a cool and friendly vibe. The food is typical bar style, though not cheap, but it’s fun and happening spot to check out during your stay.
Concluding Thoughts
Not everyone likes to stop at lunch while out on the mountain. So many of us just stuff some water and beef jerky in our pockets and go for as long as our legs will allow.
I have discovered that stopping for food and beer makes the experience much sweeter. You can slow down and get to know the people and see the mountain from a different perspective.
Though it tends to take me a few runs down the groomers to get back into the groove, taking a break midday helps me appreciate and enjoy the trip that much more.
