The 9 Remote Adirondack, New York Pizzerias Most Travelers Struggle To Find
Finding them takes a little planning, a full tank of gas, and maybe a paper map. The reward is a hot pie in a spot most travelers drive right past.
I love that. Each one sits along a quiet two-lane road deep in the Adirondack Park of upstate New York, where cell signal can feel optional. A couple even share the same main street, just a short stroll apart.
One pizza shop on this list opens at 6 in the morning, runs a drive-through, and decorates around a fire tower theme. Another bakes New York style sourdough pies in a town with fewer than 800 year-round residents.
Some keep short hours. A few open only four days a week. One serves sweet potato fries with raspberry sauce, and I honestly can’t stop thinking about it.
1. Wild ADK whisk, Long Lake, NY
Small bakery dreams and big pizza energy share one roof in a town with fewer than 800 year-round residents. That is how this Long Lake spot describes itself, and the honesty is charming.
The specialty here is New York style pizza built on sourdough. That means a crust with a slow, tangy backbone, folded into a style most people link with city sidewalks.
Long Lake sits deep in the central Adirondack wilderness. You won’t stumble onto it by accident, so plan your route before the signal fades.
The shop lives in Building 3 on Newcomb Road. Keep an eye out for that building number, because rural addresses can play hide and seek.
Timing matters too. The doors stay closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so a midweek craving needs a backup plan.
Saturday is the early bird day, with a 10 AM start. The other open days kick off at 11 AM and run until 9 PM.
Since bakery dreams are part of the mission, save room for dessert. A sweet finish after a sourdough slice feels like the right way to close out a lake day.
Service is takeout, with no delivery out here. Grab your box, find a lakeside view, and let the loons handle the dinner music.
Kids are welcome, and free parking is easy to find in the lot or on the street. That makes it a smooth stop for families rolling through on a road trip.
Address: 8590 Newcomb Rd Bldg 3, Long Lake, NY 12847
2. Firetower Pizza, Speculator, NY
Pizza with a drive-through and a 6 AM opening time? Speculator plays by its own rules, and you might end up loving them.
Firetower Pizza leans hard into its name with a fire tower theme. That’s a fun nod to the old lookout towers scattered across Adirondack summits.
The crust is the crispy, thin kind. Toppings land on the hearty side, so a couple of slices can carry you through a long afternoon.
Sides go beyond the usual basics. Wings show up, and so do fried pickles, which might be the best salty snack after a paddle.
Inside, the room is bright and colorful. A jukebox and arcade games give kids, and grown-ups who pretend they’re not interested, something to do while they wait.
Morning hours make this a rare breakfast-and-coffee stop too. Weekday doors open at 6 AM, which is handy if you’re heading out early.
Hours do shift through the week, so check before you go. Firetower Pizza also offers weekend service, including Sundays, although its published opening hours vary between sources, so calling ahead is recommended.
Speculator sits in Hamilton County, the least populated county in New York. Around 300 people live in this mountain hamlet, so a busy pizza counter feels like town hall.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome outside. Free wi-fi helps if you need to check your hiking map.
Address: 105 Stanyon Park Dr, Speculator, NY 12164
3. Tony Harper’s Pizza & Clam Shack, Old Forge, NY
Clams on a pizza in the middle of the mountains sounds like a dare. In Old Forge, it’s a signature move.
Tony Harper’s mixes two worlds that rarely share a menu. You get a pizza shop and a seafood shack, all under one roof in the western Adirondacks.
The White Clam Pizza is the headline act. It sits on a thin crust, which keeps the toppings front and center.
Not feeling brave? The classic thin crust pies hold their own, and the clam chowder makes a great sidekick on a chilly evening.
Seafood fans can also chase a Lobster Roll or a Fish Fry. The Buffalo Wing Fling covers the wing crowd, and the house salad keeps things balanced.
Rooftop seating gives this place real personality. Eating pizza up high with mountain air around you beats a parking lot picnic any day.
The Old Forge kitchen opens at 11 AM daily, closing at 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. That makes it one of the few late-night food options around here.
Friday nights and Saturday afternoons get busy. If you’d like a calmer meal, a weeknight visit is your best bet.
Families fit right in, with high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu. Live music and sports on TV add to the lively mood.
Old Forge has fewer than 1,000 permanent residents and lots of forest preserve around it. Dogs can join you at the outdoor tables.
Address: 3062 NY-28, Old Forge, NY 13420
4. Little Italy, Tupper Lake, NY
Garlic knots and a crackling fireplace make a strong first impression in an old logging and railroad town. Little Italy sits right on Park Street, the main drag of Tupper Lake.
The pizza crust bakes up crispy. Cheese and toppings come in generous amounts, so you won’t be hunting for pepperoni.
Both the dough and the sauce are homemade. That kind of effort shows up in the bite, and it’s a good sign in any pizzeria.
Need a quick fix? Pizza by the slice is on the menu, which is perfect when you’re solo or just snacking.
A vegetarian calzone stands out for meat-free eaters. The kitchen also covers classic Italian dishes and some American favorites.
The garlic knots deserve their own spotlight. Pair them with a large garden salad and you’ve built a pretty complete dinner.
Seasonal and daily specials keep the menu fresh. It’s worth asking what’s new before you settle on your usual order.
That fireplace is a real perk on cold Adirondack nights. Families are welcome too, with high chairs and a kids’ menu ready.
Mondays are closed. Tuesday through Saturday the doors open at 10:30 AM, and Sunday starts at 11:30 AM.
Friday and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds. Reservations aren’t taken, so an earlier dinner can save you a wait.
Address: 146 Park St, Tupper Lake, NY 12986
5. Guido’s Pizzeria of Tupper Lake, Tupper Lake, NY
Since 1988, this Park Street shop has been feeding Tupper Lake, which makes it older than a lot of its customers. Guido’s calls itself a long-time pizza fixture, and the title fits.
Just down the block from another pizzeria, it holds its ground with confidence. Competition on one short street? Tupper Lake clearly takes pizza seriously.
The pies come loaded with toppings. You can lean toward a sweet sauce and a thicker crust, which is a nice change from thin-crust country.
Wings come big here. Subs and burgers round out the menu, and the Chicken Fajita Sub is a standout pick.
Delivery is a rare treat this deep in the Adirondacks. Guido’s delivers from opening until closing, so your cabin can stay your dining room.
Hours are generous, too. The doors stay open from 11 AM to 11 PM every day of the week.
Prefer to eat in? The dining room has a fireplace and a quiet feel, which suits a slow meal after a long drive.
Dine-in guests can also play Quick Draw. It’s a small extra that adds some fun while the oven does its work.
Under New York State regulations, only service animals are permitted inside restaurant dining areas, while companion dogs may be allowed in designated outdoor seating areas. High chairs are ready for the littlest diners.
Address: 116 Park St, Tupper Lake, NY 12986
6. DeCesare’s Pizzeria | Italian, Schroon Lake, NY
Gluten-free pizza that people actually crave is harder to find than a moose at noon. DeCesare’s in Schroon Lake has built a following for exactly that.
The gluten-free crust gets real praise for its flavor. If you’ve suffered through cardboard-style crusts before, this one is worth the detour.
Regular pizza eaters are covered too. Portions run huge, and the ingredients lean high quality.
The 8 Cut Meatlovers is a menu highlight for hungry groups. Mozzarella sticks make an easy vegetarian starter while you wait.
Homemade bread is another reason to stop. It comes warm, and you can even take some home for later.
Wings and classic Italian pasta dishes fill out the rest of the menu. It’s a solid place for picky families who can’t agree on one dish.
Now for the tricky part. DeCesare’s Pizzeria is open Thursday through Saturday from 3 to 8 PM and Sunday from 3 to 7 PM, with Monday through Wednesday closed.
That short window is exactly why travelers miss it. Plan your Schroon Lake stop between Thursday and Sunday, and check the shorter Sunday hours before visiting.
Schroon Lake is a quiet lakeside town in Essex County with around 1,800 residents. Rural roads lead in, so leave a little extra drive time.
Kids get high chairs and their own menu. Reservations aren’t accepted, but parking is usually easy.
Address: 938 US-9, Schroon Lake, NY 12870
7. Alpine Pizza, Schroon Lake, NY
Sweet potato fries dunked in raspberry sauce sound like a dessert dare. At Alpine Pizza, it’s a side dish worth talking about.
This small shop sits along the rural Route 9 corridor in Schroon Lake. It has been serving pies for about 20 years, which counts as serious staying power.
Bring cash, because it’s a cash-only spot. A quick stop at an ATM before you head up the road will save some stress.
The menu keeps it classic. You’ll find regular pizzas, calzones, and an antipasto salad for anyone who wants something fresh.
Gluten-free diners have options too. A gluten-free veggie pie is part of the lineup.
Calzones get stuffed with fillings like ham, onion, and mushroom. It’s a hand-held meal that travels well to a nearby beach.
Hours are short, so pay attention. Alpine opens Thursday through Sunday from 4 to 7:45 PM.
That’s an early dinner kind of place. Show up late and you’ll miss your chance until the next open night.
Service runs through the counter, and it moves fast. Curbside pickup and outdoor seating give you flexible ways to eat.
Dogs can join you outside. Kids get their own menu, which keeps family dinners simple.
Address: 1104 US-9 Apt 1, Schroon Lake, NY 12870
8. Cristiano’s Pizza, Northville, NY
Just outside Northville on Route 30, a little takeout shop quietly handles the pizza needs of the southern Adirondacks. Blink and you might cruise right past it.
Cristiano’s keeps its focus tight. Pizza and wings are the main event, and that simple menu is part of the appeal.
The crust is thick and chewy. It also comes out crispy and well seasoned, which is a satisfying mix.
Wings run large and juicy, with sauce that gets lots of love. They make a great partner for a pie after a day on the water.
Fresh ingredients are a point of pride here. The shop is known for being clean and well run.
Northville is a rural village of about 1,000 people. It sits near the Great Sacandaga Lake, a gateway to the southern Adirondack wilderness.
Plan around the hours. Cristiano’s is closed Monday and Tuesday, then opens at 4 PM the rest of the week.
Friday and Saturday stretch to 9 PM. Other nights wrap up at 8 PM, so don’t cut it too close.
There’s no restroom on site, which is good to know before you arrive. Takeout is the way to go, though delivery and limited dine-in exist.
Parking can be a little tricky to find. A quick call-ahead order makes pickup much easier.
Address: 662 NY-30, Northville, NY 12134
9. Owl’s Nest Pizza Parlor, Saranac Lake, NY
Weekends off for a pizza shop in a vacation town? Owl’s Nest does things its own way, and the weekday crowd seems just fine with that.
The parlor sits on Main Street in Saranac Lake. It’s a compact village in the High Peaks region, ringed by lakes and mountains.
Crust here goes soft and doughy rather than crackly. If you like a pillowy bite, this is your kind of slice.
The sauce strikes a sweet and zesty balance. Good quality cheese finishes things off without overpowering the rest.
Wings also share the spotlight. Small plates and desserts give you a few more ways to round out an order.
Now the key detail for trip planners. Owl’s Nest runs Monday through Friday, from 11 AM to 8 PM.
Saturday and Sunday, the doors stay closed. Weekend visitors to New York’s High Peaks should plan a Friday stop to avoid disappointment.
Tuesday afternoons tend to be the busiest stretch. Mornings and Friday are usually quieter.
Ordering happens at the counter, with no table service. Delivery and takeout are both options, which helps after a long hike.
There’s no restroom on site, so plan ahead. Free parking is usually easy, and a hot pie is a fine reward for climbing a peak.
Address: 51 Main St, Saranac Lake, NY 12983