By: Kaila Champoux
That mid-morning “Lunch?” text from a co-worker hits my phone, and suddenly my well-intentioned packed lunch is tomorrow’s problem. After all, what’s mid-day for if not to explore the culinary landscape that makes the Mohawk Valley a true foodie destination?
Lunch is the perfect pause: a time to solve the world’s problems over a soup-and-salad combo, catch up with friends, or simply revel in a moment for yourself, leaving you full in both heart and belly… and maybe ready for a nap!
Close your laptop. Forget your sad desk salad. These local lunch destinations are worth leaving your office for.
Aqua Vino
8655 Clinton Street, New Hartford, 315-732-0116
Lunch: Monday through Friday from 11 AM, Open 7 Days a week
Aqua Vino is a well-established spot for a leisurely lunch. Step into the refined dining room and you’ll be greeted by kind team members, some of whom have been dedicated to the restaurant since it opened in 2007, creating a family-like atmosphere for diners.
At your mid-day meal, you certainly won’t be starved for options. Aqua Vino’s dedicated lunch menu has something for everyone. Burgers, soups, handhelds and signature dishes, like my standard order; the haddock oreganata, share the spotlight with salads like the Fresh Fruit and Mixed Green Salad, topped with candied almonds, feta crumbles, and your choice of protein: chicken, salmon, shrimp, or steak. Another fan-favorite is the soul-satisfying pan-roasted filet-mignon steak sandwich topped with peppers and melted provolone on garlic bread.
Monthly lunch specials start at just $10.99, making Aqua Vino a great spot for regulars who love to mix it up, and anyone looking for a refined dining experience at an accessible price point.
The Lucky Dog Bistro
11 West Park Row, Clinton, 315-557-5200
Lunch: Monday through Friday 11:00AM – 4:00PM , Saturday 12:00PM – 4:00PM
In the charming village of Clinton sits The Lucky Dog Bistro, where owner Alyssa Williams brings her creativity to the table.
The menu has 11 sandwiches to choose from, like the best-selling Chipotle deli sandwich, made with turkey, cheddar cheese, bacon, avocado, tomato, red onion, arugula, and chipotle mayo on ciabatta. Another is the Crispy Chicken artisan sandwich, breaded and fried, and then finished with lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a brioche roll. Each sandwich is plated with kettle chips, fries, or a side salad.
I ordered the Ham & Fig sandwich and it arrived layered with cheddar cheese, fig jam, arugula, red onion, and was dressed with Dijon mustard on ciabatta. I savored every bite.
Gluten-free options like homemade bread and the Friday fish fry, breaded in house and fried until golden and crisp, are also available.
The Lucky Dog is learning new tricks. Their offerings recently expanded, specials are coming soon, and soon there will be a wine and bar lounge. Step inside, get cozy, and enjoy an elevated but approachable mid-day meal experience.
Doubleday Café
93 Main Street, Cooperstown, 607-547-5468
Lunch: Sunday and Monday, 11:30AM -3:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30AM – 4:00PM
Since its establishment in 1991, generations of lunch-goers, celebrities, and Baseball Hall of Fame inductees have enjoyed The Doubleday Café. As the owner Barb said, “You never know who you’ll sit next to!”
When you stop in, take a seat in the dining room adorned with baseball memorabilia and prepare to feast. Try a daily special or the Reuben Sandwich, made with corned beef cooked in-house, or the turkey avocado BLT sandwich, roasted in-house. Other crowd-pleasers include the Chili, Steak Frite, Chick Pea Croquettes, Veggie Burgers, and quiche, all of which are made from scratch. Their Clam Chowder is so delectable that patrons have made the drive all the way from Massachusetts to Cooperstown just to seek it out.
To hit a home run, conclude your meal with a slice of hand-crafted ice cream pie, cheesecake, or Apple Crisp.
Spressos Coffeehouse
160 Brooks Road, Rome, 315-356-7106
Lunch: Weekdays 6:00AM – 3:30PM, Saturday, 7:00AM – 2:00 PM
Coffee is one of many finds at Spressos Coffeehouse, in business since 2005. Eat inside or outside (weather permitting) and enjoy a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
For a robust, healthy lunch, check out their daily specials or try customer favorites like the Southwest Chicken Panini, featuring roasted chicken, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato, with a drizzle of chipotle pesto or the Turkey Club Wrap with bacon, ranch, lettuce, and tomato. If you’re looking for something lighter, try the Kicked Up Caesar Salad with chicken, eggs, and bacon. After trying it, I vowed to ensure my Caesar salads always have bacon. It truly brings it to the next level.
A must-try is one of the seasonal coffees. If you can’t decide which you would like, order the deliciously rich drip coffee or ask one of the creative baristas to surprise you. I have also ordered their London Fogg, made with Earl Grey tea and steamed milk, ideal for warming up on a chilly day. Finish off your meal with one of many homemade desserts like the creamy Peanut Butter Bar, brownies, cinnamon buns, scones, muffins of all flavors, or a buttery, flaky, croissant.
The Lifted Cup Cafe
8151 NY-12, Barneveld, 315-749-4558
Lunch: Tuesday through Friday, 11AM – 2PM
The Lifted Cup Café, a name that nods to Psalm 116 (12:13), is owned by Tim Corelli and his wife, Melaine. For the past five years, they have served heart-warming meals to customers who enter as strangers, but always leave as friends.
My friend Ashley and I took a seat in the restaurant’s homey dining room. Other times, we enjoyed watching the cooking firsthand in the open concept kitchen, where new lunch specials are created every Tuesday and Thursday.
She ordered the taco salad, exploding with all of the fixings: ground beef, black beans, corn, bell peppers, tomato, cheddar, onion, cucumber, and topped with Southwest dressing. I ordered the Steak & Blue salad; thinly sliced and grilled London Broil with tomatoes, onion, cucumber, bleu cheese crumbles and blue cheese dressing. The salads were large, so we took our leftovers back to the office to graze on.
The Lifted Cup also has a “Secret Menu” (if you know, you know). This curated selection is built around dishes their regulars love most. The most popular item is The Triple B Burger: a juicy hamburger patty topped with mayo, American cheese, and maple-candied black pepper bacon, served between two halves of an Asiago bagel. It’s the kind of indulgent meal that pairs well with a warm welcome when you arrive and a sincere thank-you when you head out.
Munger’s 1918 Luncheonette
142 North Main Street, Herkimer
Located on the Lower Level of the Mohawk Valley Community Market
Additional parking in large rear lot
315-219-9195
Lunch: Thursday through Saturday, 10:30AM – 4:00PM
Welcome to Munger’s 1918 Luncheonette, a name that pays homage to H.G. Munger, who owned and operated the “Macy’s of the Mohawk Valley” at this site beginning in 1869 and the new building constructed on the same site in 1918. Much like Munger once traveled to New York City to source quality goods for his store, restaurant owner Joe Chilelli continues that tradition by importing ingredients directly from Italy, reflecting the same belief that quality comes first.
Munger’s lunch menu offers a variety of items prepared with an Italian flair, from soups and salads, to hearty sandwiches. Guests can also enjoy specialty personal-sized pizzas (available starting at 11AM) prepared on a stone oven using traditional Italian Methods. Recently featured were the Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza finished with a Balsamic glaze and the Margherita Pizza with fresh mozzarella, marinara, extra virgin olive oil, plus basil and oregano from Joe’s own garden. Dessert options are imported from Italy, with a notable exception: the Cannoli, which are prepared on demand.
A lunch-goer summed up the experience simply, “They put love and passion into what they’re doing.” While Joe described Munger’s as the best kept secret in the Valley, I’m convinced it won’t be a secret for long.
Bring your friends, family, co-workers, sip a cappuccino and stay a while. Some patrons even come to eat and stay to play cards. After lunch, head upstairs to the Mohawk Valley Community Market, where you’ll find everything from local farm produce to artisan vendors.
Phoenician
623 French Road, New Hartford, 315-733-2709
Lunch Buffet: Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, 11:30AM – 2:30PM
George and Theresa Karam, owners of Phoenician, know a thing or two about Lebanese cuisine. Inspired by his mother who taught him to cook, George brought her recipes from Lebanon to New Hartford, opening the restaurant in 1982.
The menu in its entirety, is homemade and offered at lunch. To truly transport yourself to Lebanon, feast on a bit of everything at the lunch buffet for dine-in or takeout. For $19 (adults) and $10 (children), try all three meats: chicken; Souvlaki, marinated pork; and Kafta, a blend of ground beef and lamb with onion, parsley, and spices. The buffet also includes Chicken Stew, Lentil Soup, Kyar Bil-Laban; yogurt and cucumber dip, rice pilaf, Meatless Grape Leaves, Falafel, and salad bar selections.
The buffet continues with my top two picks: Tabuli; a refreshing parsley salad with minced onions, tomatoes, and bulgur wheat tossed with olive oil and lemon juice until tangy and bursting with flavor, and Hummus made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and oh-so-delicious garlic. Both pair well with meat, but can also be enjoyed as light fare with Pita.
If you are savoring your lunch break, stay for a Rakwi Coffee, a strong Lebanese espresso. For dessert, try the rice pudding or Baklawa, a delicate Philo dough pastry layered with nuts and finished with a sweet syrup.
When they aren’t cooking, George and Theresa love to give back to the community.
The Coffee Tree
506 Sherrill Road, Sherrill , 315-606-8733
Lunch and breakfast: Monday through Saturday, 7:30AM – 2:30PM
I was pleasantly spoiled for choice at The Coffee Tree, which meant asking the barista several questions about the menu. She was kind, patient, and answered with a smile. It became clear that this place is about more than food, it’s about being part of the Coffee Tree family. “It’s a community gathering place,” said employee Kristine, and I can see why. The atmosphere puts you at ease, making it a great place for a quiet moment at lunch or to catch up with a friend.
My husband, Zach, and I settled on the same half combo: the Sapsucker Sandwich, made with oven-roasted turkey, apple slices, cheddar cheese, bacon, organic spring mix lettuce, and maple mayo on sourdough – paired with a lush green salad topped with candied walnuts.
If you’re looking for coffee with lunch, they make it any way you’d like. They also have specialty drinks that rotate seasonally, like the “Winnie the Pooh” vanilla latte made with honey and cinnamon, sure to transport you to the Hundred Acre Wood.
A case full of muffins, croissants, cookies, and seasonal items, like the Almond Joy Cupcake (complete with happy Spring sprinkles) stood before me, making a dessert decision equally as impossible. I chose the “Samoa” cookie: chocolate, caramel, and coconut, like a Girl Scout cookie made from scratch. Our meal arrived on a charming mini tray and we took it to a sunlit table. Full from the food and warm hospitality, we left with grateful hearts.
Whether you’re going with a friend or flying solo, enjoying a leisurely lunch or ordering to-go, the Mohawk Valley’s lunch lineup promises to delight your taste buds. Each stop is an adventure for your appetite. Where will you go next?
Additional notable lunch spots:
- Ventura’s – classic Italian restaurant known for generous portions, comforting pasta dishes, and a welcoming neighborhood environment.
- Lafa Mediterranean by Zenia’s – fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant serving fresh wraps, grilled meats, salads, and traditional Middle Eastern flavors.
- City Café – gluten-free, dairy-free, and peanut-free dining.
