Wondering where to eat near Lake Harmony with a big group? Food can make or break a group trip, and when you’re feeding 16, 20 or even 30 people, a little planning goes a long way. Here’s how our guests eat well during their stay, whether they’re heading out or eating in.
Where to eat near Lake Harmony: dining out
The Lake Harmony and Blakeslee area has a good mix of casual taverns, pizza spots and après-ski bars where a big table after a day on the slopes feels right at home. For a bigger night out, the Victorian town of Jim Thorpe is around 30 minutes away and its historic streets are full of restaurants, cafés and pubs worth exploring. The Pocono Mountains visitor bureau keeps an up-to-date list of local dining.
A few tips for dining out with a crowd:
- Call ahead. Most local spots can take a group of 15 or more, but rarely as walk-ins, especially on ski weekends and holidays.
- Split up. Two tables of eight at different restaurants are often easier than one table of 16, and you get two sets of stories at breakfast.
- Ask Eric. He knows the area well and is happy to point you to places that handle groups well.
Eating in: the real secret
Honestly, many of our guests’ favorite meals happen at home. At the Mountain Getaway, the dining table seats 20, so the whole group can sit down together. That’s something no restaurant reservation can match. Plan a few big sit-down dinners and you’ll save money and create the moments everyone remembers.
Ideas that work well for large groups:
- A pancake breakfast before the first lift. Fuel for skiers, and a slow start for everyone else.
- Taco or pasta night. Easy to scale, easy to please picky eaters.
- A cookout in summer, followed by s’mores at the fire pit.
- A potluck rota. Assign each family or couple one night to cook. Everyone gets nights off.
Stock up on the way in
Do a big grocery run on your drive to Lake Harmony, or have one person handle the shopping once you arrive. Write a shared list in the group chat before you leave so nothing gets forgotten (coffee is always the first thing to run out).
Planning a celebration dinner? Tell Eric what you have in mind and he’ll help you make it special.
A sample menu plan for a long weekend
Here’s a simple plan that works for most groups of 16 or more over three nights:
- Friday: Arrive and keep it easy with pizza or a big pot of chili while everyone trickles in.
- Saturday: Pancakes in the morning, packed lunches for the slopes or the lake, then a sit-down dinner out or a showpiece meal at home.
- Sunday: Brunch together, then a cookout or taco night. Finish with s’mores at the fire pit.
- Monday: Clear out the fridge with a leftovers breakfast before checkout.
Mixing nights out with nights in keeps costs down and gives everyone a break from the kitchen. Choosing where to eat near Lake Harmony is easier when you only need one or two reservations, not four.
Dietary needs
With a big group, someone is always vegetarian, gluten-free or a fussy eater. Ask about dietary needs in the group chat before you shop, and label a shelf in the fridge for special items so they don’t disappear on day one.
Groceries and supplies
For a group of 16 or more, a big shop on the way in saves a lot of back and forth. Bring cooler bags for the drive, and pick up extras like paper plates, foil and trash bags so cleanup after big dinners is easy. Coffee, milk, eggs and bread go fastest, so buy more than you think you need.
Questions? Call or text Eric on (215) 932-8300 or email managment@staylakeharmony.com.