Best Breakfast Stops En Route to Sugarloaf

There’s little else than can compare to the feeling of driving to Sugarloaf to ski or ride first-thing in the morning, whether coming from near or far—both long-time locals and first-time vacation visitors alike can appreciate the incredible excitement, the same kind that takes me back to being a kid on the morning of a field trip—and with all that anticipation, comes an appetite.

The winding roads of Route 27 that lead to our magical mountain resort are also home to several small town eateries serving top-notch, take-it-to-go breakfast; here are the best places to stop for food first-thing in mountains of Western Maine.

The Kingfield Woodsman (372 Main Street, Kingfield) is a local hotspot for hunters, snowmobilers, and Kingfield townies as well as passing-through skiers, riders, and trucker; fast, friendly, and guaranteed to fill you up, this place is pure Maine: an authentic, no fuss and no frills kind of restaurant serving heaping portions of good, homecooked food at great prices. Order at the counter and opt take-it-to-go, or find a table and eat it there.

Hours of operation:

Mondays-Fridays, 6am-2pm

Saturdays, 7am-2pm

Sundays, 7am-noon (breakfast only)

The Orange Cat Café (329 Main Street, Kingfield) operates out of the first floor of the Old Brick Palace, built way back when in 1829; however, this cute, cozy café in the western mountains of Maine is making its own history, establishing itself as a shining star in the Sugarloaf area dining scene and paving a legacy of serving local and responsibly-raised, top-quality ingredients to craft signature dishes made with love.

The Orange Cat is currently open for drive-thru service only, serving breakfast until 11ish daily; their small, but nonetheless comprehensive and divinely delicious, breakfast menu is comprised of bagels, breakfast burritos, savory sandwiches, homemade baked goods, quiche, and organic oats. The OC’s chai, hot chocolate, and smoothies are made from scratch, plus they proudly serve Carrabassett Coffee. I won’t lie, I myself frequent the Orange Cat—so much so that I think I fall into the “regular” category.

Hours of operation:

Mondays-Saturdays, 7ish to 3ish

Sundays, 8ish to 3ish

The Looney Moose Café (9 Main Street, Stratton) is an unforgettable stop on the way to Sugarloaf if you’re coming through Stratton-Eustis—and if you’re not, it’s well-worth venturing left of the Access Road for; this mom and pop restaurant is a comfy, cozy. and quaint place to gather with friends or family to share first-rate homestyle fare.

Photo from the Looney Moose Cafe's Facebook page.

Ask for: Their homemade donuts, which are the talk of the town and sold daily!

Hours of operation:

Wednesdays-Fridays, 7am-11am (breakfast)

Saturdays, 7am-8pm

Sundays, 7am-noon (breakfast only)

Photos provided by Flagstaff General Store/Maine Point Marketing.

Also on the Stratton-Eustis side of the Access Road is the Flagstaff General Store (108 Main Street, Stratton), a locally-owned, family-operated business offering a selection of convenience items as well as a full-kitchen. Located right off the snowmobile and 4-wheeler trail system with close proximity to both the Appalachian trail and Canadian border, Flagstaff General is a great place to stop for food, fuel, and everything in-between. Owners Ryan and Mallory work hard to keel this small business both authentic and personal. They purchased the business in November 2019, just before the start of the pandemic; while pioneering through tough times, they stuck to their goals without compromising customer service or quality.

What's more, Flagstaff General now has an online ordering system to further customer convenience.

Photos provided by Flagstaff General Store/Maine Point Marketing.

Hours of operation:

Breakfast served 8am-10:30am daily

45 North, located in the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, hosts a fabulous breakfast buffet seven days a week from 7-10am.

Enjoy on-mountain convenience and casual grab-and-go dining when you eat at the Narrow Gauge Food Court, located in the Sugarloaf Base Lodge; breakfast offerings include 2 eggs any style, an egg sandwich, and French toast sticks. Head here for fuel sure to keep you full for your on-hill adventures.

Hours of operation:

Mondays-Fridays, 8am-2pm

Saturdays-Sundays, 8am-4pm

Since 1988, D’Ellies (5 Village West, Carrabassett) has been serving freshly-prepared, generously-portioned, and healthy made-from-scratch desserts, pastries, signature sandwiches, and simmering soups 362 days per year. Whether you dine in or take it to the lift line, D’Ellies is cooking up stick-to-your-ribs-good sustenance to start your day on the slopes; breakfast is served daily until 11:00am. Pair their quality food with exceptional service and a comfortable, warm atmosphere, enticing not only for the regulars they’ve come to know but the visitors they have yet to meet.

Hours of operation:

Closed Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving

Sundays-Fridays, 8am-3pm

Saturdays, 8am-4pm 

Craving a sweet start to your day? Look no further than The Eighty 8 Donut Café (Base Lodge, Sugarloaf Mountain), which specializes in serving hot and fresh bite-sized gourmet donuts; head here for an ever-changing rotation of divinely delicious baked goods and pastries—and don’t forget the coffee, proudly pouring Tandem Coffee Roasters. Want more information on the menu? Read our review on the Official Sugarloaf blog, “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This: Trying Eighty-8 Donut Café.”

Hours of operation:

Thursdays through Sundays, 9:00am to 4:00pm

Open 7 days a week during vacation times
 

Located off the Sawduster lift inside the Sugarloaf Inn, the Shipyard Brew Haus (5000 Commons Circle, Carrabassett) is a slopeside eatery committed to fueling your fun, now serving breakfast 7 days a week. This family-friendly, spacious restaurant specializes in being a favorite ski-season hangout, serving local craft beers and quality-made food before, after, or in-between your runs! 

Photo from the Shipyard Brew Haus's Facebook page.

Hours of operation:

Open for breakfast from 7:00am to 10:00am daily

They say breakfast is the most important important meal of the day; I say this is especially true if you're planning to shred the slopes from first chair to last call, and whether you stop on 27 or take a detour up the Access Road, now you know there's a bounty of breakfast places to choose from. The only question now is which will you visit first? 

And if you're reading this from the chairlift, thinking to yourself "Shoot," don't worry: we thought of everything so you don't have to. Fuel up without leaving the higher elevations at Bullwinkle's Bistro with their All-Day Breakfast Sandwich, sustenance sure to keep you sending it for as long as the lifts are spinning all the way to après.