40 Restaurants Where You Can See Dazzling Fall Foliage

Leaf-peeping season is just around the corner, a time that inspires nature lovers to hit the road in search of the season's vibrant displays of color in picturesque and bucolic settings. While driving along famed foliage routes is one way to experience nature's last hurrah before winter, there are also dozens of restaurants across the country that offer spectacular views, combining a memorable or perhaps even romantic meal with the brilliant colors of American yellowwoods, European beeches, sugar maples, red maples, and more. These restaurants around the country are known for their unforgettable views as much as their top-notch meals.

Related: 38 Spots for a Cheap Fall Weekend Getaway

Jackson, Wyoming

Wyoming locals say fall is the best season to visit the state. In addition to there being fewer tourists, wildlife can be seen roaming and of course the foliage makes the landscape a site to behold. One of the best places to see the display is at The Mural Room at Jackson Lake Lodge. The restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the Tetons in the distance and Willow Flats in the foreground, which is typically shimmering in the fall with a range of yellows, greens, and golds.

New York

Opened in 2017, the Yellow Magnolia Café is a celebration of its garden setting. The restaurant was built in a greenhouse that was erected in 1917. The greenhouse setting provides views overlooking the urban botanical garden, allowing guests to enjoy bright fall foliage while dining on the sustainable cuisine featured by the cafe.

Lexington, Kentucky

Surrounded by picturesque hills and horse farms with white picket fences, Wallace Station is a country café just outside Lexington. Guests can sit on the back patio or at picnic tables in the pasture to enjoy the café's signature ham and pimento cheese sandwiches, savory sides, biscuits, and fresh pastries.

Snoqualmie, Washington

Salish Lodge offers the memorable combination of picturesque waterfalls and seasonal foliage. The restaurant is perched atop Snoqualmie Falls along the Snoqualmie River. When not gazing out the windows at the view, guests enjoy local and sustainable Pacific Northwest cuisine.

Wethersfield, Connecticut

It's hard to beat the views provided by the floor-to-ceiling windows at River, a restaurant along the Connecticut River. Guests can observe the foliage from nearly every seat in the house. For still more views, there's a multilevel deck outside. As for the cuisine, River is known for its modern take on traditional Italian dishes and prepares meals using locally sourced meats, seafood, and produce.

Cross Village, Michigan

The ideal place for fall dining in northern Michigan, Legs Inn is on what's known as the famous Tunnel of Trees drive. Come fall, the route is ablaze with a yellow and gold canopy and dazzling blue views of Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay, making it a favorite leaf-peeper route. The historic Polish restaurant is noted for its craft beer, interesting architecture (it's stone outside and hand-crafted wood inside), and its picturesque garden dining. But many say the drive alone is worth the trip.

Reno, Nevada

Dine on French classics such as escargot, goat cheese tartine or cassoulet while enjoying the views at Reno's Beaujolais Bistro. The restaurant has large front windows that overlook the colorful landscape beyond.

Boalsburg, Pennsylvania

At a beautiful country club on the edge of a PGA-rated golf course, The View Restaurant & Bar provides views of fall colors as far as the eye can see. The restaurant is known for its fresh and locally sourced cuisine, such as a caprese salad with Pennsylvania-made mozzarella (and Berkey Creamery ice cream for dessert). The fresh food comes in second only in the fall, when it's outdone by the restaurant's breathtaking views of Tussey Mountain and Mount Nittany during Pennsylvania's most beautiful season.

Lake Placid, New York

The Moose Lodge at the Whiteface Club is perched on the edge of Lake Placid, offering stunning views of Whiteface Mountain in all its fall glory. The resort is one of only two public properties on Lake Placid and offers a wrap-around deck and dock where guests can enjoy the majestic mountain view.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Virginia's Shenandoah Valley is widely known as a leaf-peeper's paradise. One of the best places to take it all in is at Pollock Dining Room, in the middle of Shenandoah National Park. The restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Shenandoah Valley and serves a rotating seasonal menu inspired by local produce and regional favorites.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

When it comes to views, it's hard to go wrong with a restaurant named for its perch along a lakeshore. This locally owned Chattanooga restaurant is above Lakeshore Marina on the Chickamauga Lake. The restaurant features an outdoor patio that provides an unobstructed view of the vibrant changing colors of the season. The restaurant's menu includes variations of American favorites such as seafood, steak, and pasta.

Rockford, Illinois

Situated on the banks of the Rock River, the oldest brewery in Illinois is a sight to behold. The brewery, founded in 1849, features a striking red brick exterior that's offset by the natural scenery surrounding it. Beattie Park, across the river, creates a backdrop of colorful fall foliage that can be viewed through generous windows. In addition to craft beer, Prairie Street serves a seasonal menu featuring classic dishes such as burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads.

Jackson County, North Carolina

This restaurant's name comes from its unique location between Cow Rock Mountain and Laurel Knob in North Carolina's Lonesome Valley, the largest box canyon east of the Rockies. Canyon Kitchen offers open-air dining that allows guests to take in all the stunning hues of fall that overtake the area. The property is surrounded by rolling meadows and includes gardens that guests are invited to explore. As for the menu, it features items that rely on ingredients sourced from local and regional farms.

Hot Springs, Virginia

At Jefferson's, there are sweeping views of the region's rolling green hills from inside the restaurant and out. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the dramatic outdoor display, but for those who want to get even closer to nature, there's an outdoor terrace. The elegant yet casual restaurant serves farm-to-table food featuring a hand-picked selection of the best regional and prime meats.

San Juan Island, Washington

From its position on picturesque San Juan Island, Friday Harbor House maximizes the views of the San Juan Channel by offering guests the option of dining outdoors with space heaters and fire features for warmth. The island can be reached via a short seaplane ride or a ferry from Seattle. It's worth the journey; Friday Harbor House is known for seasonal specialties featuring the freshest fare from local waters and farms.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Housed in a renovated Colonial Revival mansion, guests at Back Inn Café can enjoy dining in two romantic sunrooms or outside on a terrace that overlooks the Tennessee River and provides views of the foliage on Maclellan Island and Coolidge Park. An upscale restaurant, Back Inn features a menu that changes seasonally to provide fresh dishes and an extensive wine list.

Warren, Connecticut

Located on property that overlooks scenic Lake Waramaug, the Hopkins Inn and Restaurant offers guests panoramic views of vibrantly colored trees from picture windows — or, for warmer days, a flagstone dining terrace under a grand horse chestnut tree. An award-winning restaurant, Hopkins Inn features contemporary Austrian cuisine with an American influence.

Big Horn, Wyoming

Located on the top floor of the Brinton Museum, the Brinton Bistro features 180-degree views of northern Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains. The museum itself is on the 620-acre Quarter Circle A Ranch, adding even more charm to the restaurant's visually stunning setting. Before, or after, enjoying a meal, visitors can explore the museum's display of 19th, 20th, and 21st century Western and Native American art.

McGaheysville, Virginia

A mountainside indoor-outdoor dining venue amid 6,000 acres in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Campfire Grill offers scenic views and a menu inspired by the great outdoors. The restaurant's outdoor seating area features cozy seats and fire pits and provides sweeping views of the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains. Menu highlights include camp stove chili, chicken dumplings, and s'mores skillets.

Lake Placid, New York

Located on the edge of Mirror Lake, the Cottage Restaurant and Café features views of the Adirondack Mountains Great Range. A casual restaurant known for offering a twist on pub-style favorites, the Cottage has a large deck outside with a wood-burning fireplace where guests can cozy up, enjoy a meal, and soak up the view.

Clarksburg, Massachusetts

One of many notable pit stops along the famous 63-Mile Mohawk Trail, one of New England's top foliage routes, the Golden Eagle is famous for its unbeatable views. To make the most of the view, be sure to ask for a seat on the restaurant's outdoor patio. You'll find Golden Eagle at the route's legendary Hairpin Turn.

Utopia, Texas

What better way to enjoy the foliage than sitting in a tree? The Laurel Tree is a private dining room actually nestled in a 150-year-old oak tree. Laurel Waters, a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, serves a French-inspired menu to diners in this unique space furnished with antiques and artwork. After the meal, there's a porch to relax on while taking in the scenery. Not only is the foliage so close you can touch it, the leaf colors in Utopia are said to rival those on the East Coast.

Bowling Green, Kentucky

Don't be fooled by the name: Boyce General Store is a restaurant, one that specializes in Southern comfort and hospitality. It's at the end of a picturesque country road and surrounded by acres of beautiful trees. As visitors dig into home-cooked meals, they can take in views of the Kentucky countryside. One of the most popular places to sit is the deck where guests are treated to bluegrass tunes amid blue skies and the shifting colors of the surrounding trees.

Bar Harbor, Maine

A repeated winner of Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence and also a winner of "Best Breakfast with a View" for the entire state of Maine, the Looking Glass provides panoramic views of its Bar Harbor setting from its dining room. The restaurant's deck, which sits high above town, is yet another dining option and has a fire pit to keep guests warm on autumn nights.

Lake Delton, Wisconsin

The journey to Ishnala Restaurant takes you through hundreds of acres of meadow and forest to this lakeshore restaurant, providing breathtaking views of the surroundings —but the trees aren't just outside: Giant Norway pines grow right through the roof. The restaurant is fond of saying that fine dining joins with nature to create a truly memorable experience.

Lansing, West Virginia

Surrounded by West Virginia's lush forests and overlooking the New River Gorge (which is dazzling during the fall), Smokey's Steakhouse offers views and Appalachian-style food. The restaurant features a timber-frame dining pavilion and an open-air deck.

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

The Main Dining Room at Omni Mount Washington Resort, which is open to the public, offers sweeping views of New Hampshire's Presidential Range. A four-diamond restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, the menu features locally and regionally sourced produce, meats, and seafood. There's also live nightly entertainment.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Situated amid 500 acres of Ponderosa pine, the al fresco dining patio at Silver Pine Restaurant & Bar is one of the best places to take in a vibrant view. There are also many hiking trails around the property that take visitors to vistas overlooking the pine forest.

Millersburg, Ohio

Ohio tends to be a much more affordable place to spend time leaf peeping than New England. One of the most notable dining options for foliage views is Tarragon in Amish Country. Guest rave about the high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the surrounding woodlands.

Brattleboro, Vermont

Located between historic downtown Brattleboro and the Connecticut River, Whetstone Station is a traditional pub with outstanding views. There's a roof deck overlooking the river and mountains, but equally notable views can be had from the indoor, firelit dining room. And here's a fun fact: You'll be seeing New Hampshire, not Vermont. The restaurant sits right on the border of the two states, and across the river is New Hampshire's Wantastiquet Mountain.

Atlanta

Sitting on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Canoe offers an Atlantan foliage experience. Each fall, the riverbanks come to life in shades of oranges, reds, and browns, all visible from Canoe's patio. The restaurant, in the city's Vinings neighborhood, was named most romantic in Georgia by Food & Wine. Don't miss strolling in its manicured gardens after dinner.

Cle Elum, Washington

Known for its 360-degree views of the Cascade Mountains, Portals Restaurant is part of the Suncadia Resort. It features an artisanal menu inspired by the Pacific Northwest and seasonal ingredients. Notable options include the restaurant's Dungeness crab cakes and Elk Black & Blue burgers.

Oakland, Maryland

Named after Helmuth "Ace" Heise, who founded Maryland's only ski resort, Ace's offers indoor and outdoor lakefront dining with views of Deep Creek Lake. The restaurant is popular for its Open Kitchen Nights, when guests pick their own dish and ingredients and the chefs prepare it right in front of the diners.

Camden, Maine

Enjoy a small-plates menu while sitting at the sprawling, 2,000-square-foot rooftop bar at 16 Bay View. The rooftop offers views of Camden Harbor and Camden Hills State Park and stays open through September and most of October when the weather allows. To keep guests warm on chillier nights, there are blankets, patio heaters, and glass fire pits. Camden has been named a Tree City for more than 20 years now, making it a popular choice for those in search of fall foliage. In addition to its small-plates menu, 16 Bay View serves brunch on Saturdays.

Waterville Valley, New Hampshire

Chef and owner Sean Stout has developed a following over the past two decades at Coyote Grill thanks to the creativity of the menu and its quality. But come autumn, there's yet another attraction: the restaurant's big windows overlooking the 4,000-foot-mountains that surround the valley, offering an unforgettable seat to witness sunsets over the foliage of the White Mountains National Forest.

Lutsen, Minnesota

Moguls Grille combines views of autumn colors with artisanal dining. Located beside Lutsen's legendary mountains, the restaurant offers outdoor seating (with a warming fire pit) where guests can enjoy unobstructed views of the foliage. On Sundays, Moguls hosts a rotating list of local performers.

Greenville, South Carolina

Passerelle Bistro, on the banks of the Reedy River in Falls Park, offers guests at the French-inspired bistro such dishes as Croque Monsieurs or Charcuterie & Fromage while taking in views of the surrounding 32-acre park. The bistro's al fresco patio dining option provides views of the nearby falls as well as beautiful gardens and trees that, come fall, are a show of yellow and orange foliage.

Portland, Oregon

Overlooking the Willamette River, Rosswood is surrounded by natural beauty, including views of the bursting colors of autumn visible through entire walls of windows. The restaurant, which features modern American cuisine infused with subtle Mediterranean influences, is inside the River's Edge Hotel; the scenic Willamette Greenway Trail runs directly behind the property, in case you want to work off your meal.

Ephraim, Wisconsin

Home-cooked breakfasts and traditional Door County fish boils are among the main attractions at the Old Post Office, a property that dates back to the early 1900s. But the restaurant is also known for offering picturesque waterfront dining, which is even more memorable in autumn.

SeaTac, Washington

Crafting meals using ingredients plucked from an onsite garden, Copper Leaf Bar & Terrace was designed to be an urban oasis. It's amid 18 acres of natural, protected wetlands that come September and October put on quite a fall display. The restaurant offers terrace dining and indoor seating with equally notable views.