Cuppett & Weeks

Pros

• The turkey sandwich is described as the very best.
• The cheese burgers are great and among the best the reviewer has had in a long time.
• The takeout was prepared quickly and was delicious.
• The pastrami sandwich comes highly recommended.
• Guests rave about the friendly staff and the lovely atmosphere.
• The large French toast and hot dog were absolutely phenomenal.
• The staff's generosity and hospitality left guests feeling special.
• The bistro is a super cute hidden gem with amazing craft cocktails and from-scratch cooking.
• Alder Bistro is praised as a top lunch spot with fresh, local ingredients.
• The service is impeccable and the atmosphere is inviting.
• The beet soup with coconut milk is described as the most amazing soup.
• The Cream of Mushroom Soup is praised as delicious.
• Visitors would happily return and recommend the restaurant to others.

Cons

• The menu was limited, with many sandwiches basically the same and very few vegetarian options.
• It was way too expensive for what it offered.
• The interior was cute, but the seating space was limited.
• The drink did not resemble the advertised image, and the missing flower made it feel overpriced.

Review

Testing the limits of a small-town bistro in the Deep Creek and Oakland area, 206 Alder Bistro has earned a loyal following that shows up in droves for its warm atmosphere, thoughtful cooking, and a menu that somehow covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a consistently comforting feel. Across a string of visits, diners repeatedly describe not just good food, but good vibes: a place where the staff feel like family, the decor feels charmingly cozy, and the food arrives with a sense that someone cared enough to put in extra effort.

The food runs the gamut from hearty comforts to lighter, fresher plates, and it seems to land well in almost any mood or hunger level. Takeout is praised for quick, satisfying prep, with a pastrami sandwich or a large French toast standing out as memorable picks. Breakfast and lunch shine with items like stuffed peppers soup, Cuban flatbread, hot ham and cheese, and a variety of burgers and sandwiches, including a Swiss-muehrer mushroom burger option and a BLT that's described as seasonal and flavorful. The kitchen's strength across the board appears to be a blend of from-scratch cooking and a menu that offers enough variety to please groups with different tastes, all served with a homemade touch - from special soups to handcrafted dressings that use EVOO and farm-fresh ingredients.

A strong throughline in these reviews is the atmosphere and service. Visitors repeatedly highlight the welcoming vibe - staff who treat guests like old friends, a hostess team that makes everyone feel at home, and owners who stop by tables to check on guests. One guest's wedding celebration near Deep Creek was remembered not only for the ceremony but for the kindness shown by the staff, who offered a small gift to the couple as they headed out. From the moment you walk in, there's a sense of warmth, a cozy aesthetic with epoxy-topped, sparkly tables and charming wall art, and an environment that invites lingered conversations as you sip a craft cocktail or a house-made beverage. The staff's attentiveness, even on busy days when a server is "in the weeds," remains consistently polite, helpful, and engaging, which clearly leaves a lasting impression.

The drink program stands out as a notable feature for many guests. Reviews describe craft cocktails that are thoughtful and well-balanced, often paired with a side of casual, tropical flair. Some guests specifically mention drinks that reminded them of home with nutmeg and bright, seasonal garnishes, while others point to the overall quality of beverages as a highlight of their visit. There are occasional caveats about seasonal garnishes not matching promotional photos, but even those are couched as fair notes alongside praise for the drinks' taste and the restaurant's overall hospitality. The food and drink pairing, the sense of craft, and the neighborhood vibe combine to elevate a casual meal into a memorable outing.

A strong emphasis on local sourcing and culinary craft threads through many diners' experiences. Guests frequently remark on ingredients sourced from local farms and markets, with attention paid to everything from the bread and vegetables to the meat and dressings. The kitchen's approach yields dishes that feel both fresh and thoughtfully composed - whether it's a gazpacho that tastes bright and lively or a turkey Rachel that blends flavors with a satisfying finish. One guest on a multi-state road trip singled out Maryland's best quiche and a fresh bagel with cream cheese and fruit, praising the attention to detail and a clean bathroom that underscored the thoughtful, well-rounded dining experience. The emphasis on local sourcing isn't merely a marketing line; it's a culinary philosophy that guests repeatedly acknowledge as making the meals feel clean, bright, and well-made.

Not every note is a perfect symphony, and there are a few candid critiques that round out the picture. Some reviewers found the menu a bit limited, especially for vegetarians, with many sandwiches banked behind the same core builds and not enough clearly marked vegetarian options. A few guests also felt the prices ran a touch high for what was offered, noting that while the atmosphere and quality justified much of the experience, there were moments when flexibility in value would have helped. Still, even those who raised concerns about price or variety tended to leave with praise for the kitchen's care, the friendly service, and the overall sense that this bistro is a welcome anchor in a charming town.

Overall, 206 Alder Bistro presents itself as a versatile, well-loved spot that can feel like a local landmark or a pleasant surprise for travelers. It's a place where you can bring the kids for breakfast, meet friends for a casual lunch, or savor a thoughtfully prepared dinner after a day of geocaching, shopping, or exploring the scenic local stops. The consistent thread across all the reviews is a genuine enthusiasm for the place: the food is delicious, the hospitality is warm, and the ambiance - cozy, homey, and a touch artisanal - invites you to settle in and stay a while. If you're in the Oakland or Deep Creek area and you're weighing where to eat, this is a spot that often rewards a little extra time and a willingness to discover a local gem that feels both special and welcoming.

Places of Worship

• Oakland Church of the Nazarene (0.1 miles)
• St Peters Cthlc (0.2 miles)
• St Mark's Lutheran Church (0.4 miles)
• Oakland Church of Christ (1 miles)
• Redhouse Saint John Lutheran Church (7.2 miles)
• Saint Edward the Confessor Mission (7.4 miles)
• Camp Galilee (8.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Little Caesars Pizza (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• Englanders-Restaurant (0.4 miles)
• Englander's Antiques/Grill and Soda Fountain (0.4 miles)
• Bubba's Wings (0.4 miles)
• Arby's (0.6 miles)
• Denny's (0.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Gregg's Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Gregg's Pharmacy (7.8 miles)
• The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy (7.8 miles)
• Deep Creek Pharmacy (10.9 miles)

Transportation

• B&O Depot (0.4 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (7.5 miles)
• Garrett County Airport (12.6 miles)
• EJ's Taxidermy & Meat Processing (15.7 miles)

Parks

• Rotary Park (0.4 miles)
• Oakland Town Parking Lot (0.5 miles)
• Herrington Manor State Park (4.2 miles)
• Swallow Falls State Park (6.5 miles)
• Swallow Falls State Park (6.5 miles)
• Deep Creek Lake State Park (9 miles)
• Fairfax Stone Historical Monument (15.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Garrett Regional Medical Center (0.5 miles)
• Garrett County Memorial Hospital - Deborah R Magid MD (0.5 miles)
• Garrett County Memorial Hospital (0.5 miles)
• Garrett Co Memorial Hospital (0.5 miles)
• Mountain Laurel Medical Center (0.9 miles)
• Hopemont State Hospital (6.6 miles)
• Preston Memorial Hospital (15.8 miles)

Physicians

• Oakland Mri Center (0.5 miles)
• Cornerstone Family Medicine (0.5 miles)
• Wellspring Family Medicine, PC (0.5 miles)
• Garrett Medical Group (0.5 miles)
• Garrett County Orthopaedics (0.5 miles)
• Garrett Surgical Group PA (0.6 miles)
• Tuel Orthopedics (0.7 miles)

Cafes

• 3rd Street Diner (0.5 miles)
• Heidi's Bakery & Cafe (5.1 miles)
• Trader's Coffee House (8.8 miles)
• The Back Door Cafe (17.7 miles)

Theaters

• Garrett 8 Cinemas (7.8 miles)