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Lake House Cafe (Andover)

Breakfast and brunch inside a grist mill with Revolutionary War roots.

Lake House Cafe (Andover) — Andover, NJ

At a glance

  • Housed in the historic Andover Furnace grist mill, tied to ironworks that armed the Revolution
  • The stone fireplace and original stonework make it one of the coziest breakfast rooms in the county
  • Daytime only (roughly 8 am to 4 pm, closed Mondays), and an easy pairing with Andover's antique shops

Lake House Cafe Opened in Andover in January 2023

The Parisella family opened Lake House Cafe’s Andover location in January 2023, in the small plaza beside the Gristmill building on Lenape Road. Albie Parisella chose the spot for the room itself: hand-laid stonework, hardwood floors, and an original stone fireplace the buildout left exactly where it was. An antique photo of the building hangs on one wall, and a wooden American flag Albie made himself hangs on the other. The dining room seats somewhere in the mid-thirties. On a cold Saturday, the two chairs pulled up to the hearth go first.

It is a family business in the literal sense. Albie’s brother-in-law and partner, Terry Clarke, handles most of the day-to-day, and the history lesson that sometimes arrives with your coffee is usually his. Albie’s wife Ailbhe cooks, his sisters JoAnn and Louise prep and greet, and the flower in the logo is a nod to their daughter, Abigail. The original Lake House Cafe still runs over in Sparta in the White Deer Plaza.

What to Eat and Drink

The kitchen roasts and slices its own meats, which is the difference you taste in the sandwiches. The Boardwalk stacks roast beef with fresh mozzarella, gravy, and caramelized onions. The tarragon chicken salad has its own following, and so does the mushroom soup.

Breakfast

Eggs Benedict, blueberry pancakes, short rib hash, breakfast burritos, and croissant sandwiches, plus a full espresso bar, fresh-baked breads, and pastries. The raspberry crumb cake disappears early. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are on the menu; strict vegan choices are thin.

Where It Sits

Lenape Road meets Main Street a few steps away, which puts the cafe across from Andover Borough’s antique shops and the vintage market weekends that draw people up Route 206. Andover Borough is walkable end to end, and Kittatinny Valley State Park is a short drive for anyone turning breakfast into a trail day. Parking is in the plaza lot. Takeout and delivery are available, and there is seasonal outdoor seating when the weather cooperates. For more Sussex County breakfast and coffee spots, the county has a good run of them, but few in a room this old.

FAQ

What time does Lake House Cafe in Andover open?

Lake House Cafe in Andover opens at 8 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on Mondays. The kitchen winds down mid-afternoon, generally between 3 and 4 p.m. depending on the day, so it is a breakfast and lunch spot rather than a dinner one.

Is Lake House Cafe in Andover the same as the one in Sparta?

Yes, they are the same family business with two locations. The original Lake House Cafe is at 8 White Deer Plaza in Sparta, and the Andover location at 5 Lenape Road opened in January 2023. Menus overlap but hours differ, so check the one you are visiting.

What should I order at Lake House Cafe in Andover?

Order something built on the house-roasted meat, since the kitchen roasts and slices it in-house. The Boardwalk sandwich, the tarragon chicken salad, and the eggs Benedict come up most often in reviews, and the mushroom soup has a real following in winter.

Does Lake House Cafe do takeout?

Yes, Lake House Cafe offers takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery in addition to dine-in seating. You can order ahead through their website at lh.cafe, which is useful given how small the dining room is on weekend mornings.

Does Lake House Cafe in Andover have outdoor seating?

Yes, there is seasonal outdoor seating in warmer months alongside the indoor dining room. Indoors seats roughly 35 people, so the patio makes a real difference on a busy Saturday. Outdoor tables are weather dependent and not set out year-round.

More to explore in Andover

Places to stay nearby