A Foodie’s Guide to Garrett County
Where to Eat, Sip, and Savor in Western Maryland
By: Derek D. Butler-Jackson, The Accidental Chef
There’s just something special about the food scene in Garrett County, Maryland. Maybe it’s the mountain air. Maybe it’s the way folks here still believe in homemade, hand-crafted, and heartwarming. Or maybe it’s just because this little corner of Western Maryland knows how to eat well.
Whether you’re a local looking to try something new or a visitor exploring Deep Creek Lake and the charming towns that surround it, here’s your guide to the best restaurants, breweries, bakeries, and coffee shops in Garrett County. These are the places I keep coming back to again and again (and again).
FireFly Farms – Accident, MD
Let’s start with cheese. Because honestly, shouldn’t we always?
FireFly Farms is a local legend. They’ve been crafting award-winning goat cheeses right here in Accident since 2002. Walk into their market and you’ll be greeted with the scent of aging cheese, gourmet paninis being toasted, and the soft hum of people happily munching.
Order a cheese board with a wine pairing, grab some crackers and fig spread, or snag a block of their signature chevre to take home. Whatever you do, just go. Your taste buds will thank you.
Bender Branch Cidery – Accident, MD
Nestled on a quiet hill just outside of town, Bender Branch Cidery is what I imagine heaven looks like, if heaven served hard cider in a restored barn surrounded by flower fields.
Their ciders are crisp, clean, and perfectly named (shoutout to Branch Bender Legends, Devil’s Half Acre and Accident). It’s small-batch, farm-to-glass, and a perfect stop for an afternoon flight or a sunset sip.
Bonus: Chester and Trish, the owners, are just about the kindest folks you’ll ever meet.
The Travel Mug – Grantsville, MD
My longtime friend Amy owns this cozy little gem in Grantsville, and let me tell you, this isn’t just a coffee shop, it’s a whole vibe.
The Travel Mug started out as a mobile coffee trailer and now it’s a brick-and-mortar staple with some of the best lattes, teas, and breakfast sandwiches around. I recently helped add something to the menu, a whipped hot honey & cream cheese spread that tastes like heaven with a kick.
Trust me, grab a coffee, chat with Amy, and feel right at home.
Firewater Kitchen & Bar – Deep Creek Lake
Want lunch dinner with a view and a killer cocktail? Firewater has both, and then some.
Located right on Deep Creek Lake, Firewater is the trendiest spot in town with fireplaces, boat dock seating, and cocktails so pretty you’ll pause mid-sip for a photo. The menu has something for everyone: steaks, tacos, flatbreads, and elevated comfort food done right. And the maple bourbon salad dressing. One word…YES!
Sit outside by the giant fireplace, order a drink called one of the best drinks on the lake and soak it all in.
Mountain State Brewing – McHenry, MD
Mountain State Brewing is what happens when great pizza meets great beer and it’s right down the road from Wisp.
This casual brewpub is perfect after a day on the slopes or a long hike. Their wood-fired flatbread pizzas are legendary, the beer is brewed in West Virginia but served fresh here, and the vibe is pure Garrett County chill.
Penn Alps Restaurant – Grantsville, MD
Penn Alps is part restaurant, part museum, part artisan marketplace and 100% worth a visit.
Set in what looks like partly historic 19th-century tavern, this spot serves up country-style comfort food that’ll have you thinking about your grandma’s Sunday dinner. Think roast beef, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, and pie that tastes like it was baked by angels.
After your meal, stroll through the artisan village and craft shop next door. You might walk in for lunch and walk out with a quilt and some homemade jam. No judgment.
Stonecroft Manor – Oakland, MD
Stonecroft Manor feels like stepping into an old-world estate, except instead of lords and ladies, you’re surrounded by locals enjoying steak dinners and seasonal cocktails.
This place is great for date night or anytime you’re feeling fancy-ish. The food is elevated but approachable (bison meatloaf, prime rib, fresh pastas), and the atmosphere is warm and charming. The brunch menu is also chef’s kiss.
Just don’t skip dessert. I mean it.
Ace’s Run – Deep Creek Lake
Right on the lake and full of flavor, Ace’s Run is one of my go-to spots when I want comfort food with a view. I swear I eat here literally every single time I’m home.
They serve up everything from juicy burgers to perfectly seared salmon. The outdoor seating is prime in the summer months, but the cozy inside is just as inviting during ski season.
Oh, and their cocktails? Dangerously good. (That’s not a warning…it’s a promise.)
Brenda’s Pizzeria – Deep Creek Lake
If you don’t stop at Brenda’s while visiting Deep Creek, did you even go?
Brenda’s serves up classic New York-style pizza that’s handmade, hand-tossed, and wildly delicious. Their thin crust is crispy perfection, and their toppings are always fresh and generous.
It’s family-friendly, it’s fast, and it’s so consistently good you’ll find yourself ordering a second pie “just in case.”
Heidi’s Bakery & Cafe – Oakland, MD
This hidden gem out in the countryside is exactly what it sounds like. Homemade food, a peaceful atmosphere, and baked goods that could bring a grown man to tears.
Heidi’s is family-owned and their cinnamon rolls, pies, and breads are all made fresh daily. It’s the kind of place you go for breakfast and end up staying through lunch. Or taking six pastries home. No one will blame you.
The Bottom Line?
Garrett County may be small, but its food scene is mighty. Whether you’re sipping cider in Accident, watching the sunset over Deep Creek with a cocktail in hand, or biting into the flakiest cinnamon roll of your life, this place feeds you well.
So explore. Try something new. Support these local spots that make Garrett County feel like home.
And if you see me out there eating my weight in pizza or cheese… just know, I’m doing it for the blog. 😉
- Derek, The Accidental Chef