As summer season is approaching, odds are you’re willing to pack up the whole family and explore even more of what New England has to offer.
For me and my family, that always meant exploring the White Mountains and Northern New Hampshire.
The Jackson area has always been a favorite of ours.
There’s tons of year round entertainment, from ski mountains to swimming holes to keep everyone occupied and having fun.
That area in particular is home to so many of the classic New Hampshire favorites, including Story Land, Diana’s Baths, North Conway center, the Saco river, and more.
Even now, we always make sure to head up at least once a year to hike one of New Hampshire’s 4000 footers and support the local community.
And how do we support the local community you may ask?
Two words:
Local. Restaurants.
In my opinion, Jackson is home to some of the best restaurants in all of New Hampshire, and honestly even all of New England.
No hiking trip is complete without a visit to one of these great places, and if you hit them on the right nights, you might even be able to catch some live entertainment as well.
Here are all of my favorite restaurants and places to eat, in and around Jackson, NH.
Red Fox Bar & Grille
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This is always my first stop on any trip to the Jackson area.
I’m not kidding, ever since I was a kid, this has been probably my favorite restaurant of all time.
This great spot features a top notch dining area and classic American fare, including amazing steak tips, ribs, pizza, and more.
A personal favorite of mine are their gouda mashed potatoes, which are always a crowd favorite.
Cozy up to one of their inventive takes on everyone’s favorite classics, all while sipping on a local beer. This place is truly a Jackson classic.
Red Parka Pub
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Though this excellent restaurant isn’t located right in Jackson, it’s close enough.
Close enough to enjoy great food and an overall great experience.
The Red Parka Pub is an area classic for your heartiest burgers, entrees, and overall high quality ingredients.
I remember my dad coming here and ordering the largest burger I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
Live music can be found here on many occasions, especially on weekends.
This place usually comes with a wait, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Grab a seat at a bar, make new friends with the wait staff, and enjoy.
You’ll be glad you did.
Delaney’s Hole in the Wall
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It’s not every day that a restaurant can give it all to you:
Pasta.
American classics.
Sushi.
But when you go to Delaney’s Hole in the Wall, anything is a possibility.
I recently rediscovered this great place last year, after not eating there since I was around 6 years old.
It came highly recommended, and is in the nearby town of North Conway.
I ordered one of their massive (and delicious) salads, while my fiancé took a stab at one of their pasta entrees.
All while we ate sushi as an appetizer.
I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant to go about this odd combo at first.
But in all seriousness, it was some of the best sushi that I have ever had.
And the entrees were just as delicious.
This place is also an extremely popular one, you might find yourself putting your name in and venturing off to explore the local attractions in the nearby area.
But it’s so incredibly worth it, the food is just that good.
Tuckerman’s Restaurant and Tavern
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We actually visited this one for the very first time last year.
It was on our way out, and we needed something to eat quickly before we headed back.
What we found was excellent food, fresh ingredients, one of the best waiters we have ever had, and a great restaurant to recommend to everyone visiting the area.
They are famous for their extensive draft beer selection, top rated chophouse menu, and jaw dropping burgers and sandwiches.
We split an Inferno Burger, which actually comes on grilled Naan bread (game changer) and Brew Burger.
I honestly think that their beer cheese deserves some kind of award, but that’s just me.
With the great view nearby and great easy access to the Mt. Washington Valley, this place should be on everyone’s list.
The Sunrise Shack
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We had driven by this place a lot, hearing from many that it has the best breakfast in the area.
Which to me, was debatable. Because if you’ve ever been to Peaches right on Main Street in North Conway, you know that few and far between can beat their lobster benedict.
Plus, anything can beat the breakfast buffet at the hotels we stay at. So we decided to venture out one morning and see what all of the hype was about.
But what we found when we went to the Sunrise Shack was something I was never expecting in the area:
Some of the best breakfast I’ve ever eaten in my life.
What we found here was both a throng of locals and visitors, all lining up to try some of the best breakfast offerings in the area.
And now, this place is a staple for us.
With almost a 5 star review from over one thousand Google reviews, it’s impossible to get a bad meal here.
I am a sucker for a good breakfast scramble.
So when I saw that they not only had a menu filled with these, but were known for these, I honestly got a bit giddy.
We tried a few of their scrambles, and every single one of them was delicious.
But I’ve yet to find another southwestern style scramble than their los Huevos Rancheros, and I doubt I ever will.
You need to try this spot.
Wildcat Inn and Tavern
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Nestled right into the heart of downtown Jackson, NH, the Wildcat Inn and Tavern is everything that you would expect when thinking about the quintessential New England Inn.
The tavern menu features cozy and chic New England bites, all from the site of their New Hampshire inn.
Here, you can find grilled flatbreads, unique appetizer offerings like goat cheese pillows, a lobster quesadilla (which I HIGHLY recommend you try), and more.
Their extensive menu offerings pack a great deal of flavor, which is why the locals keep coming back for more.
This is somewhere I am dying to visit again, so if you have any ideas of what else I should be eating, let me know in the comments section!
Other Places To Try
So, I’ll be honest: I haven’t visited the places below.
But I have lots of friends who have, and these places keep getting recommended to me time and time again.
When I go up again this year, I’ll be sure to try them all out and update this article.
But for now, if you were looking for something other than what I mentioned above, I recommend trying these places out.
Because they seem delicious and came HIGHLY recommended by friends and family of mine, and well, that’s how I get all of my recommendations for you guys in the first place.
So look below for more restaurant inspo for your next trip to Jackson, New Hampshire!
The Shannon Door Pub and Restaurant
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Located in the heart of Jackson, NH, The Shannon Door Pub and Restaurant offers a cozy and comfortable atmosphere perfect for enjoying traditional Irish-American fare.
With live music and a full bar, this neighborhood pub is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
It’s always jam packed whenever we drive by, which honestly is part of the reason as to why we’ve never been. But if I’ve learned that anything is a good indicator of how great the food at a restaurant is, the line to get inside would be it.
Moat Mountain Smokehouse
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A favorite among BBQ lovers, Moat Mountain Smokehouse serves up authentic Southern-style smoked meats in a rustic mountain setting.
This place keeps getting recommended to us. I honestly couldn’t tell you why we haven’t been yet, but it’s been on our list for years.
From brisket to pulled pork, the menu is filled with savory options that are sure to satisfy any carnivore (me).
Firefly American Bistro
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For a fine dining experience in Jackson, NH, head to Firefly American Bistro.
Listen, sometimes you have to get all regal and take in the breathtaking views around you.
This elegant restaurant features creative, farm-to-table cuisine and an extensive wine list.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a popular spot for romantic dinners and special occasions (if you’re planning a proposal, well, hint hint).
The Wentworth Inn
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Nestled in the heart of the White Mountains, The Wentworth Inn is a historic inn and restaurant that exudes charm and elegance.
Part of what I love about the Jackson area so much is the quintessential New England vibe of everything.
And the area’s inns are no exception.
The cozy dining room serves up elegant, contemporary cuisine with a New England vibe.
It’s the perfect place to enjoy a romantic evening or intimate gathering with family and friends.
Thompson House Eatery
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With a focus on farm-to-table cuisine, Thompson House Eatery is a cozy and casual restaurant in Jackson, NH.
The menu features fresh, local ingredients and creative takes on classic dishes.
The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, making it a great spot for families and groups of friends.
This is one of the most recommended places by my family and friends. They always tell me to go here, you really can’t ever go wrong with farm to table.
The Notchland Inn
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Set in a charming 1860s farmhouse, The Notchland Inn is a cozy and romantic restaurant with an incredibly scenic location.
The menu features locally-sourced ingredients and classic New England dishes with a modern twist.
For a special occasion or romantic getaway, this historic inn is a perfect choice.
White Mountain Cider Company
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Located in a restored 1890s farmhouse, White Mountain Cider Co offers rustic New England cuisine featuring locally-sourced ingredients paired with an impressive selection of cider and wine.
The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, making it a great place to unwind after a day of outdoor adventures.
