The Poconos aren't all wings and brewpubs. For an anniversary, a proposal or just a grown-up night away from the kids, these are the dining rooms people dress up for: a chef-owned chophouse, a French manor with candlelight and fireplaces, and resort dining rooms with lake and waterfall views.
Most of them book up on weekends, so reserve ahead, and check hours before you go: several close early in the week.
Our picks
- The Frogtown Chophouse, 472 Red Rock Road, Cresco (570-895-4460): a chef-owned steakhouse inside Woodfield Manor serving new American cuisine, with an award-winning wine list. Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner; reservations highly recommended (parties of 9+ call).
- The French Manor, 50 Huntingdon Drive, Newfoundland (570-676-3244): French dinners by candlelight in a dining room with a 40-foot vaulted ceiling and two fireplaces. Reservations required; jackets requested for gentlemen; not suitable for children under 12.
- Windsor at Skytop Lodge, One Skytop Lodge Road, Skytop: traditional farm-to-table dinners, 5 to 9 PM. Dinner reservations required ((855) 345-7759); resort casual, with dark denim allowed and jackets optional.
- Glass wine.bar.kitchen at The Ledges Hotel, 119 Falls Avenue, Hawley (570-226-1337): inventive small plates and curated spirits overlooking Paupack High Falls. Reservations on Resy.
- The Settlers Inn, 4 Main Avenue, Hawley (570-226-2993): farm-to-table dining with an award-winning wine list. Dinner nightly; reservations on Resy. The private Ruskin Room seats up to 8 for a six-course tasting menu (call for details).
- The River Room at The Shawnee Inn, Shawnee on Delaware: Italian-inspired resort dining with ShawneeCraft beers. Reservations recommended on weekends and holidays; casual resort attire.
- The Overlook at The Springs at Woodloch, Hawley: a clubhouse dining room above the 18th hole with a wraparound deck. Call 570-685-8327 to confirm hours; reservations recommended.
- Hotel Fauchère, 401 Broad Street, Milford: the 1852 hotel's Delmonico Room is now best known for Sunday brunch (11 to 3); check the hotel's site for dinner at Bar Louis and the heated porch.
Sources: Frogtown Chophouse · The French Manor · Skytop: Windsor · Glass at The Ledges · The Settlers Inn · Shawnee Inn restaurants · Woodloch dining · Hotel Fauchère
Tips for a special night out
- Book ahead for Friday and Saturday, and call about holidays: The French Manor, for example, takes Thanksgiving reservations for 1 to 5 PM seatings.
- Check the day: Frogtown is closed Sundays and Mondays, and resort dining rooms change hours by season.
- Many of these are a 30- to 60-minute drive apart. Hawley and Newfoundland are in the northern Poconos; Cresco and Skytop are central; Shawnee is near the Delaware Water Gap.
- Want to cook something special at your rental instead? Ask your host about the kitchen, and see our restaurants guide for casual local favorites.
