Featured Photo by Wolfeboro Dockside Grill and Dairy Bar on Facebook
As the summer is approaching, I’d be willing to bet that you have tons of weekend trips and excursions planned.
And as a New Englander, I just know that you’re going up to New Hampshire at least once.
Come on, who wouldn’t love the beautiful white mountains? With their many theme parks and tons of family events and entertainment?
But there’s one spot that often gets lost on people, or at least it did in my family as I was growing up:
The New Hampshire Lakes Region
I visited Lake Winnipesaukee for the first time when I was about 13, and have gone there every year, ever since.
To me, summer hasn’t begun unless I have dragged my fiance to Weirs Beach and played in their arcade or visited the Tanger Outlets, but that’s a different story for a different day.
But what’s so amazing about this region is the accessibility.
You pretty much pass right through it on your way to the White Mountains, and it serves as the gateway to the best and most beautiful part of New England.
And with any great lake town, there’s always a slew of amazing local restaurants and great food.
So the next time you’re driving up north, or hitting the beach for the weekend, consider stopping at one of these iconic local spots right in the lakes region of New Hampshire.
You will not regret it!
Canoe Restaurant & Tavern
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Nestled in the heart of Center Harbor, Canoe Restaurant & Tavern is one of the best restaurants in the area, offering some of the best food around with surreal views of Lake Winnipesaukee.
Their menu items include seafood, steak, and classic New England dishes like lobster stew.
If you were looking for the quintessential summertime New England experience, this is hands down the place for you.
The Common Man
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If this name sounds familiar to you, you’re most definitely onto something!
This humble, family-friendly restaurant chain is a staple of New Hampshire dining, and is world renown for their homemade staples and classic concoctions.
At their Lakes Region location, they offer house made comfort food on their lunch and dinner menu using only the freshest local ingredients, including a famous maple sugar cured ham, which you need to RUN to try.
Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristorante
Serving authentic Italian dishes and gourmet pizza made with natural ingredients, Giuseppe’s is a family-owned restaurant with a comfortable atmosphere located in Meredith bay.
Located in the historic Mill Falls Marketplace, the customers that visit this casual Italian-American restaurant rave about their seafood dishes, pasta, and desserts.
This popular local eatery also features live entertainment nightly, which is perfect for those weeknights where you just want to wind down and relax after a long hard day of work.
Stop by for a dish, you won’t be disappointed!
Water Street Cafe & Grille
This casual, friendly spot, which is known by many in the area, is serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with stellar views of Wolfeboro Bay.
Located right in Laconia, they are praised for their sandwiches, chicken tenders, soups, and vegan dishes.
Aside from all of those amazing options, they also feature a full bar.
Need I say more?
Check out this great place on your next visit to the lakes region.
The Barn & Grille at Pheasant Ridge Golf Club
Who knew that the stunning 18-hole golf course at Pheasant Ridge Golf Club also featured a delicious restaurant?
Their menu is exactly what you’d expect from a quintessential New England golf course, including everything from burgers to lobster rolls.
In the mood for some cold drinks or a cocktail? They also have a cozy fireplace lounge area.
You’re certain to fall in love with this beautiful, amazing local spot.
O Bistro, The Inn on Main Street
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You may recognize this iconic inn that’s nestled right in the heart of Wolfeboro.
This historic bed and breakfast right in the middle of NH’s lakes region offers fine dining with fresh ingredients in a cozy setting, right on the premises of their famously polished inn.
Their menu includes a variety of fresh seafood, pasta, and steak dishes, which are always as fresh as can be, and make for an incredible dinner.
Additionally, this spot features an extensive wine list.
Come and see for yourself!
Garwoods Restaurant & Pub
One of the first restaurants that I visited in the area, Garwoods keeps impressing me time and time again, and I guarantee it’ll have the same effect on you.
This waterfront restaurant offers breathtaking views of the lake, while serving up classic tavern fare and vibes.
A lot of the time, restaurants by the lakes region tend to gloss over the concept of the classic New England pub & grill or tavern, and divert right to coastal vibes and a fine dining experience or two.
Which is fine, but sometimes you just want the vibes of a tavern.
And lucky for you, Garwoods has the perfect buzzy atmosphere for you.
For delicious seafood, pizza, American fare, and good people, this is the spot for you.
Cider Bellies Doughnuts
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Okay, so this one doesn’t technically fit the theme of “my favorite restaurants,” it’s a breakfast spot.
But who cares?
The breakfast is delicious, and you people deserve to know about it.
This local bakery specializes in handmade doughnuts and serves up unique flavors like apple cider and maple bacon.
When your kids are begging and begging you for some breakfast time treats and quick bites, this is the spot you want to visit.
They’ll be thanking you for a loooong time.
Downtown Grille Cafe
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While this great spot is a seasonal location, and not open year-round, I promise, it’s worth the year long wait.
This cozy cafe, located right in the heart of Wolfeboro near the town docks, offers a menu of comfort food favorites like mac and cheese, cheeseburgers, and homemade soups.
Whether you’re enjoying your food inside the dining room at a table, or relaxing on the lakefront deck, dining here is sure to be a great experience.
Rosie’s Restaurant
For 37 years, this old-school diner has been serving up classic American breakfast and lunch staples.
At Rosies, it’s common to find tons of happy customers eating plenty of classics and delicious food like pancakes, eggs Benedict, burgers, and milkshakes.
But they also feature their own unique creative modern cuisine offerings, like their homemade hash or jalapeño popper omelet.
There’s a reason that this place is the highest ranked restaurant on Google that I have ever seen, with a 4.8 star ranking across 1.2K great reviews.
Which means that they know what they’re doing.
Come and see for yourself what the hype is all about!
Wolfeboro Dockside Grille and Dairy Bar
In 2019, my mom drove 2.5 hours away from her house in southern MA for their delicious hamburger, twice in one week.
Now I could honestly leave my restaurant review at that, and we would be done.
But the food at this casual dining spot is so good, I could talk about it forever.
Located pretty much in the water, this is the best casual spot for classic comfort food; like burgers, dogs, chicken fingers, chowder, ice cream, onion rings, waffle fries—you name it.
If there was one place that I would tell you to visit, even if you were just passing through, it would be here.
But careful, you might love it too much, and do exactly as my mother did.
The choice is yours.
