Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Upstate New York

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Upstate New York? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

New Vida Preserve Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (123)

$30 and under

Global, International

Lake Placid

About the restaurant

New Vida Preserve Restaurant is located in the re-imagined former Paleface Ski Mountain Lodge and now the largest resort in the Adirondacks at 2000 acres. It offers stunning views of Whiteface Mountain. Enjoy a creative menu that includes American Classics with a twist combined with bold globally-inspired flavors. You can dine in our Grand Dining Room, our Craft Bar area with live music or our more casual Billiards Lounge, all with stunning view and beautiful architecture. The expansive & diverse menu, the sensible pricing and feel-good vibes make NewVida a place where you can gather in with friends and family regularly for a memorable Adirondack experience. The restaurant is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm to 9pm. Come in early and enjoy a drink at our handmade craft bar, lined with skis from the Preserve’s former life as a ski resort or take a stroll after dinner around our romantic pond & dock. Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are always welcome.

Top review

TomVIP

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

Excellent meal, music, and service from Sadie and Sam.

Motus

4.9

4.9 (669)

$31 to $50

American

Utica

About the restaurant

mōtus (Latin); movement, progress, passion, revolt

A tradesman's gastropub with an undeniable message of purpose.

Top review

PeterVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Superb meal for all of our group, lamb shank was amazing with sauce to die for. Beef Tartare was beautifully presented with lovely garnishes , great cocktails that update periodically, impeccable service and thoughtful options for gluten free diners including an amazing focaccia bread option and most items on menu could be adjusted (aside from a few sauces) This is my favorite restaurant in the area

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Experience

Summer Sunday dinner Series

1833 Kitchen & Bar at the Aurora Inn

4.9

4.9 (1674)

$50 and over

American

Finger Lakes

About the restaurant

Award-winning, refined seasonal cuisine created by Chef Elsa Jorgensen is inspired by the diverse and fresh regional offerings. Using as many New York State products as possible to create a thoughtful and delicious culinary experience. Our seasonal a la carte menu is paired perfectly with the many Finger Lakes and Old World wines from our Wine Spectator award-winning wine and beverage list.
The Aurora Inn is warm and welcoming with exquisite décor. From intimate anniversary dinners to parties for up to 25 guests, we are prepared to make yours an event to remember. Whatever the occasion, it will be remembered for fine cuisine, warm service, and beautiful surroundings.

Top review

Debra

Dined 2 days ago

Beautiful on the lake atmosphere! The food is outstanding, flavors are perfectly balanced. Staff is friendly and professional.

The Stewart House

4.9

4.9 (126)

$30 and under

American

Catskill

About the restaurant

Please note reservations are for the 1883 Tavern Only.
For large parties please call to reserve the private dining room. 518-444-8317

1883 Tavern features an Art Deco bar and dining room. Farm-sourced dishes comprise an ever-evolving menu. Enjoy dinner in a historical setting on the banks of the Hudson River with weekly specials, an inventive cocktail, fine wine or local craft beer. Happy first hour each day we’re open (half price drinks), live music on Thursday nights and a burger & beer special, Friday martini & mussels special (every martini comes with a side of mussels), Sunday Bloody Mary menu and special Sunday Roast dinner with all the fixings.

River Garden open Memorial Day to Labor Day, outdoor bar and live music. Featuring Tommy Boy food cart.

Top review

Chester

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Friday night mussels and martinis is an excellent buy and delicious! The special soft shell crab was great too!

Casola Dining Room - Schenectady County Community College

4.8

4.8 (206)

$30 and under

International

Schenectady

About the restaurant

The Casola Dining Room is a student operated dining facility located on the first floor of Elston Hall at Schenectady County Community College. The Casola Dining Room provides our students in the Department of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism the opportunity to learn the necessary cooking, service, and managerial skills required for a la carte service. The Casola Dining Room is first and foremost an educational experience for our students.

Top review

Ronald

Dined on Apr 22, 2025

Lunches are served Tuesdays and Thursdays at the culinary school t Schenectady Community College. Dinner is served Wednesdays. There are Regional USA menus in the Fall and International ones in the Spring. Today was Asian and it was one of the best experiences of the year. The appetizers were curry udon soup with chicken katsu or Pork belly buns. We both ordered the soup. It was spicy, but not too spicy with slices of crisp chicken cutlet. I wouldn't have thought of putting fried chicken in a soup, but it was delicious. There were three entrees, Beef Bulgogi, Garam Marsala scented red snapper and ginger scallion noodles. I ordered the bulgogi and it was the best I ever tasted. It was extremely tender with wonderful seasoning. It was accompanied by picked vegetables and white rice. My partner ordered the noodle dish which came with crispy fried tofu. He said it was very good. Desserts were stickr rice with mango, Japanese roll cake, Japanese cheese cake and matcha icecream with mocha cookies. We both ordered the cheesecake which was lighter than I am used to but very good. Highly recommend you try this restaurant if you are willing to try new things. We tried it around 12 times in the past year and were rarely disappointed.

Krebs 1899

4.7

4.7 (1953)

$50 and over

American

Syracuse

About the restaurant

The Krebs is an historic restaurant founded in 1899 by Fred and Cora Krebs. The restaurant has been a popular landmark in Skaneateles for over a century, serving presidents, dignitaries and celebrities. The Krebs was re-opened after undergoing a complete renovation while carefully preserving the history and ambiance that visitors have grown accustomed to. The restaurant is a farm to table concept that utilizes the freshest hand selected local ingredients and the highest quality meats and seafood. All profits from the restaurant are donated to local women and children's charities of Central New York.

Top review

KimberlyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Our server, Katarina, was great! Her descriptions of the menu items was Write On and she helped us make wonderful selections. Everyone was very happy with the dishes !

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Popular dish

Wedge Salad

Lizzie Keays Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (121)

$31 to $50

American

Warrensburg

About the restaurant

Under new ownership, local celebrity chef Billy Trudsoe a native to the Adirondacks who you saw on Hells Kitchen “battle of the ages,” season 21 on the Fox network has taken over this historic restaurant. You can try Chef’s world famous, “black forest chicken” his signature dish he presented to Gordon Ramsay. Also, his divers scallops which helped seal a big win for the blue team during a challenge. Chef Billy's team has developed an upscale casual dining concept right here, in the heart of Warrensburg , New York. Building his brand “BTrue’s Mad Flava,” our restaurant will offer creative dishes for everyone. Chef Billy is an award-winning chef, that has been cooking up delightful meals for his patrons throughout the Adirondacks for over 25+ years. Born and raised in Chestertown, New York he is overly excited for the opportunity to serve this community. Live music on Tuesdays & do not miss our new remodeled Dinning room.

Top review

karim

Dined 6 days ago

First time at Lizzie Keays after hearing a lot of good things. Our waitress was attentive and knew the menu quite well which really helped narrow down some choices as the menu has quite a lot of good options. Everything we ordered was excellent, even the side salad was perfect, with fresh greens and a nice choice of dressings. The Black Forest chicken and mushroom ravioli were probably the standout orders but as I said, everything we ordered was delicious. Lizzie Keays is a great new addition to the culinary scene and we are all excited to go back!

TS Steakhouse at Turning Stone

4.8

4.8 (3798)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Verona

About the restaurant

Located atop the Tower, TS Steakhouse features panoramic views and craft cocktails in our penthouse bar and sky-view balcony, plus an exquisite selection of steakhouse favorites created with seasonal accents. The restaurant and bar are smoke-free, but for those who like to linger over a cigar after dinner, there’s an intimate smoking parlor with its own spectacular views. TS Steakhouse has received the Casino Player Magazine Best View and Best Romantic Restaurant in New York awards including the Forbes Travel Guide Four Star Award.

Top review

Justin

Dined 2 days ago

The food was amazing and John was a fantastic server. We were in the area for an event so we’re not from around here but we’ll definitely be back if we’re in town again!

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4.5

4.5 (522)

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Medina

About the restaurant

At Harvest, we are dedicated to crafting an unforgettable dining experience by artfully combining locally sourced and seasonal ingredients from our neighboring farms in our surrounding counties. Using house-made seasonings and with the help of our local farmers, our chefs are able to create Nouvelle and fusion style dishes sure to leave you feeling inspired and eager to return.

Embracing a relaxed approach, there is no dress code. Diners are encouraged to wear whatever makes them feel most comfortable.

Top review

Wendy

Dined on May 23, 2025

Fantastic food. Pricy but I was prepared given it's locally sourced, farm to table. All 7 in my party were very happy and left full. Definitely will be back!

Cristo's Wood Fired Pizza and Pasta

4.9

4.9 (536)

$30 and under

Italian

Rochester

About the restaurant

CRISTO'S WOOD FIRED PIZZA and PASTA. Come enjoy our rustic charm and open kitchen. Featuring Appetizers, Salads, Wood Fired Pizza, Pasta, Chicken Dishes and Nightly Features including homemade Desserts. Live Music Wednesdays 5-8.

Top review

Jason

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Great food great service! We will be be back soon!

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