How to eat & drink your way through the Poconos this summer

Pocono Mountain views are better when paired with delicious food and drink.

You may be traveling to the Pocono Mountains—the beautiful region in northeastern Pennsylvania—for outdoor fun and cute small towns. But don’t sleep on the area’s food and drink! The Pocono Mountain region may be mostly rural, but it is also home to many local restaurants and mom-and-pop cafes that will make your summer vacation even better. From stick-to-your-ribs breakfast food to the only sake brewery in Pennsylvania, we’ve highlighted 10 local gems to fuel a Pocono Mountain getaway this summer.

Jubilee Restaurant – Pocono Pines

Jubilee Restaurant in Monroe County’s Pocono Pines is a favorite among tourists and locals alike. The rustic American restaurant has been serving hearty breakfast meals to write home about for more than 50 years, claiming “the most unique and delicious breakfast menu in all of the Poconos.” You can’t go wrong with ordering an omelet, Benedict, French toast, or “The Favorite”—a classic breakfast plate with eggs, your choice of meat, home fries, and toast. While the restaurant is famous for breakfast, Jubilee also offers lunch and dinner menus filled with comfort food.

Stone Row Pub & Eatery – Jim Thorpe

Stone Row Pub & Eatery in the charming Carbon County town of Jim Thorpe is housed in a historic building dating from the 1880s. Beyond the cozy vibes, the restaurant offers unique comfort food to suit any palette—think deconstructed samosas or a BLT on a homemade biscuit, with the menu constantly changing to reflect the season and what’s available. (Check the website for the most up-to-date menu.) And as with its food options, the restaurant’s cocktail menu is both classic and fun (e.g., a turmeric lemon gin and tonic). Stone Row is also committed to working with allergies and dietary preferences—so gluten-free folks and vegans need not think their only option in the Pocono Mountains is a sad salad!

Wallenpaupack Brewing Company – Hawley 

Wallenpaupack Brewing Company, located near the shores of Wayne and Pike Counties’ Lake Wallenpaupack, brews several award-winning beers that you can try at its brewpub, restaurant, or beer garden. Lake life inspires many of the drafts, like the flagship Largemouth Hazy IPA or the No Wake Zone lager. For food to pair with your drinks, the brewpub serves classic pub fare with a twist: many entrees are created with Wallenpaupack Brewing beer! Try fries with beer cheese made with Haus Rauch Helles or a beer brat cheesesteak infused with Paupack Cream Ale.

Interested in visiting more Pocono breweries, as well as distilleries and wineries? The Pocono Beverage Trail features more than 20 craft beverage businesses (including Wallenpaupack Brewing) where you can try the best drinks made in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Moka Origins – Honesdale

Coffee and chocolate lovers (so, everyone, right?) should head to Moka Origins on the beautiful grounds of the Himalayan Institute in Wayne County’s Honesdale. The coffee roastery boasts fair trade beans, which you can buy to brew at home or taste by ordering your favorite coffee beverage at the cafe. You can also pick up the company’s small-batch chocolate, in flavors from classic dark chocolate to chocolate featuring lemon and ginger. Saturdays host free guided tours of the factory—samples included!

Pocono Organics – Blakeslee

Pocono Organics is a Blakeslee market selling farm-fresh produce that also features a cafe. We think the Monroe County spot is the perfect place to grab lunch before a mountain hike. You can fuel up with sandwiches made with smoked maitake mushrooms or salads brimming with fresh produce. You will also find grab-and-go options—like a wrap with a side of chips or fruit—if you’d prefer to enjoy your lunch via picnic in the woods. Besides lunch, the cafe also offers breakfast each day it’s open (Thursday through Monday) as well as dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. And on weekends, you can even book a tour of the organic farm!

Sango Kura – Delaware Water Gap 

Sango Kura is Pennsylvania’s first and only sake brewery, and it’s tucked away in the small town of Delaware Water Gap! A Japanese alcoholic beverage, sake is brewed with fermented rice. Sango Kura offers eight house sakes that it brews on-site, from traditional brews to more unique creations like its “bourbon barrel” or “dry hopped” varieties. You can order a flight to try several sakes at once! The sake brewery also offers a full izakaya (Japanese pub) menu with options such as homemade ramen, yakisoba, and Japanese appetizers like gyoza and shrimp tempura.

Native – Honesdale

As the name suggests, Native is a restaurant that focuses on local, native foods and flavors, featuring goods from area farms and other local businesses. The upscale restaurant may be in Wayne County’s tiny Honesdale, but the flavors are anything but small—and they’re an excellent foray into the bounty of the Pocono Mountains. The menu changes with the seasons, but current offerings include house-made rye pasta with pesto, short rib mac and cheese, entrees with ramp butter, and a charred Caesar salad.

Waterwheel Cafe – Milford

The Waterwheel Cafe is a warm and inviting cafe, bakery, and bar in the small town of Milford, one of the entry points to the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. So named for the grist mill and working waterwheel you can see through the cafe’s glass windows, the restaurant has a unique menu with American classics alongside Vietnamese favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You might, for instance, order a starter of Vietnamese soup with lemongrass and rice noodles and finish with a plate of fresh walleye.

Mi Casa Restaurant – Mount Pocono

Mi Casa Restaurant serves some of the best traditional Latin American food in northeastern Pennsylvania. You can order your favorite Mexican meals, like fajitas or enchiladas, for Mi Casa’s excellent take on them. Or, if you’re feeling more indulgent, you can try the restaurant’s tilapia filet or even its “bandeja”—that’s a big tray with several meats and sides, perfect for those who struggle with making decisions. And if you can’t imagine eating tacos without a margarita, you’ll be pleased to know Mi Casa also has a full bar.

Sarah Street Grill – Stroudsburg

A gem in downtown Stroudsburg, the Sarah Street Grill doesn’t just offer a menu running the gamut from sushi to burgers—it’s also a late-night favorite for live music. Grab traditional pub fare like nachos, classic Italian pastas like lasagna, or, of course, sushi from the restaurant’s full sushi bar, before settling in on the outdoor deck to enjoy the talents of local musicians. You could also order a cocktail and head to the Sarah Street Grill’s game room to play pool or darts.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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