2 Best Restaurants in Western Lakes and Mountains, Maine

Offering sushi and more, dishes here are deeply rooted in Korea and Maine: the chef's Korean mother owns the restaurant, which she founded in 2002, and spices for the kimchi are grown at the family's local homestead. On summer nights, dining on the wide front porch—lit by torches and candles and right above the sidewalk on Main Street in downtown Bethel—is delightful, but the lively storm-blue dining rooms are also inviting, and perfect for a post-ski meal. Sometimes there’s a bit of a wait for food, but as Cho Sun’s website notes, “We take pride in all of our entrees being made to order.” Diners can imbibe cold or hot sake as well as Asian-themed craft cocktails and Maine craft brews.

Built as a summer home, this rustically elegant 1909 log lodge alongside Rangeley Lake on Rangeley village’s outskirts has been a restaurant and inn for much of its life; lovely lake views float beyond midcentury picture windows in dining spaces that were part of a porch. Locally sourced seasonal fine dining thrives with updated classics such as Moroccan-spiced rack of lamb with English mint and Indian curry spices, ginger-crusted tuna with Asian slaw, and desserts like skillet du jour. Reservations are recommended, though guests often enjoy waiting in the nestled-in, log-walled Pickford Pub, on the deck, or in the great room, which has a soaring fieldstone fireplace. In summer there are boat slips for lodging and dining guests and come winter, a ramp for those who snowmobile over on the lake. Guestrooms are well-appointed but lack TVs by design: Loon Lodge is touted as a place to unplug and relax between outdoor adventures.