You could eat at a regular restaurant anywhere.
But if you’re taking a road trip through New Hampshire with kids, why not make the meal part of the memory?
New Hampshire is quietly home to some of the quirkiest places to eat in the Northeast…
Enjoy a five-course dinner on a moving train through the White Mountains, lunch in the actual Little Red Riding Hood cottage, or tacos inside a real jail cell with a ghost problem.
These are the kinds of restaurants kids talk about on the drive home.
Here are 11 genuinely unique New Hampshire restaurants worth building your trip around.
The Library Restaurant
The cozy lounge at The Library Restaurant (Photo Credit: The Library Restaurant)
The Library Restaurant in Portsmouth is quirky in a different way… you’re eating in a building where seven actual U.S. presidents have sat down for dinner.
That’s a pretty cool flex for a Thursday night out.
The Library sits inside the historic Rockingham House (rebuilt after an 1884 fire) and has served presidents, dignitaries, and people who just really wanted a great steak in a room that feels like it means something.
The vibe skews special occasion, and the menu delivers: lobster bisque, USDA steaks, black truffle risotto. Best for families with older kids who can appreciate a slower, more elegant dinner.
Location: 401 State Street, Portsmouth, NH
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday, 4 pm – 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday, 4 pm – 10 pm
Reservations: Book on The Library Website
Make a whole day out of checking out New Hampshires Restaurants by visiting one of the best Aquariums in New Hampshire or stop by a Trampoline Park in NH to give the kids some pre- or post-dinner fun.
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
Dining in real jail cells at Margaritas Mexican Restaurant in Concord, NH
This one needs a little context before you walk into Margaritas Mexican Restaurant… you’re eating inside an actual former jail.
The Concord Police Department operated here for 85 years starting in the late 1800s, and the original cells are now dining rooms.
The menu is exactly what you want from a Mexican restaurant in New Hampshire… tacos, burritos, enchiladas, plus a full bar for the adults.
Fun detail… paranormal researchers have explored this place for its ghostly activity, particularly a spirit named George who seems to be a regular.
Location: 1 Bicentennial Square, Concord, NH
Hours: Opens at 3pm Monday to Friday and 11:30am on Saturday and Sunday
Reservations: Call (603) 224-2821 or check out the menu on Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Website
Pickity Place
To Grandmother’s House, you go…
The cottage that inspired the illustrations in the 1948 Little Golden Book version of Little Red Riding Hood is now one of the coolest restaurants in New Hampshire… and yes, it looks exactly like you think it does.
Set on a working property surrounded by herb and butterfly gardens, Pickity Place serves a 5-course farm-to-table lunch ($35.94) that changes monthly.
There are three daily seatings: 11:30am, 12:45pm, and 2pm. Kids 12 and under can order from the regular menu or choose “Grandmother’s Basket” … a sandwich, fruit, homemade cookie, and drink.
There’s also a gift shop and a lending library tucked into the gardens for post-lunch exploring.
Need a post-meal activity? Check out these places to visit farm animals in Southern NH for an unforgettable day.
Location: 248 Nutting Hill Rd, Mason, NH
Hours: Open daily year round
- 10 am – 5 pm (April to December)
- 10 am – 4 pm (January to March)
Reservations: Reservations are ONLY accepted over the phone (603) 878-1151
The Airfield Café
Outdoor seating with a runway view at The Airfield Cafe. (Photo Credit: Airfield Cafe)
Sit down to a delicious breakfast and lunch, 150 feet from an active runway at The Airfield Cafe in North Hampton, NH.
Small planes take off and land while you eat… it’s the kind of thing that sounds gimmicky until you’re actually sitting there watching a Cessna clear the tree line mid-pancake.
The aviation theme extends inside, and the menu has earned it a Best Breakfast in NH 2024 nod from New Hampshire Magazine.
Oreo pancakes, the Jumbo Jet Breakfast Special, seasonal crepe specials. No reservations, so get there early on weekends.
While in the North Hampton area, don’t miss checking out the Explore the Ocean World Oceanarium… it’s just a short drive away!
Check out our Article on Aquariums in New Hampshire to learn more.
Location: 9A Lafayette Rd, North Hampton, NH
Hours: Open 7 am – 2 pm Daily
Reservations: Reservations are not accepted at the Airfield Cafe
The Little Red Schoolhouse
Treehouse dining with White Mountain views! (Photo Credit: The Little Red Schoolhouse)
From the outside, The Little Red Schoolhouse is a cute little schoolhouse from 1878, tucked into the White Mountains.
From the inside you’ll enter an elevated porch tucked into the trees with views that make you forget you came for the food.
This seasonal restaurant in New Hampshire is open Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous People’s Day, and has been voted best lobster rolls in NH… serving up all the New England classics you’d expect.
No reservations, and dogs are welcome at the outdoor picnic tables.
Location: 1994 Daniel Webster Highway, Campton, NH
Season: Memorial Day Weekend through Indigenous People’s Day
Reservations: Reservations are not accepted.
Holy Grail Restaurant and Pub
Transport your family to Ireland without leaving New Hampshire! (Photo Credit: Holy Grail Restaurant and Pub)
A former 1895 church with stained glass windows still intact is now home to The Holy Grail Restaurant & Pub, one of the most memorable restaurants in New Hampshire.
Inside, you’ll sit in old church pews while ordering Irish comfort food like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and Irish nachos.
The setting is just quirky enough that kids love it, while the full Irish beer list keeps the grown-ups happy.
Just note: they don’t take reservations on Fridays or Saturdays after 4 pm, so weekends can fill up quickly.
Location: 64 Main St, Epping, NH
Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:30 am – 8 pm
- Thursday to Saturday, 11:30 am – 9 pm
- Sunday, 11:30 am – 8 pm
Reservations: Reservations can be made by calling (603) 679-9559. (No reservations are accepted on Fridays and Saturdays after 4 pm.)
Café Lafayette Dinner Train
Choose from a variety of dining cars on the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train (Photo Credit: Cafe Lafayette)
If you’re looking for one of the most memorable dining experiences in the White Mountains, the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train in North Woodstock, NH delivers.
You’ll spend two hours riding through the White Mountains in beautifully restored vintage train cars while enjoying a five-course gourmet meal.
Panoramic windows give you views of rivers, forests, and historic bridges, including three trestle crossings over the Pemigewasset River… the kind of experience kids talk about long after the trip is over.
Good to know: children must be at least six years old to ride.
Location: 3 Crossing at River Place, North Woodstock, NH
Seasonal: The train runs on select days, mid-May through October.
Pricing: $125 per person (all ages) or $150 per person for the 2nd floor “Dome Car.” Price does not include gratuity or bar service.
Reservations: Reservations can be made directly on the Café Lafayette Dinner Train Website. (reservations open for the year on January 1st)
Looking for a fun, kid-friendly spot after your meal? These indoor play cafés are perfect for little ones.
Carriage House Restaurant
Miles of views at the Carriage House Restaurant in NH. (Photo Credit: Castle in the Clouds)
If you’re visiting Castle in the Clouds, plan to stop for lunch at The Carriage House Restaurant.
Set high above Lake Winnipesaukee, it offers some of the most impressive lake views you’ll find at any of the restaurants in New Hampshire.
You can sit outside on the terrace or inside the historic horse stalls from the original carriage house, which adds a unique touch to the experience.
The menu includes lobster rolls, wraps, salads, sandwiches, New England clam chowder, and seasonal flatbreads.
The restaurant is open May through October. While you’re there, it’s worth exploring the Lucknow Mansion… the estate’s 1914 home that’s open for tours.
Location: 455 Old Mountain Rd, Moultonborough, NH 03254
Hours: Daily, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
Seasonal: Open mid-May through mid-October
Reservations: Reservations are not accepted.
The Old Courthouse
The Old Courthouse in downtown Newport, NH.
The Old Courthouse in Newport, NH is a federal-style, 1826 courthouse on the National Register of Historic Places that serves lunch, dinner, and a Sunday buffet brunch to families who enjoy their meals with a side of architectural history.
The atmosphere is warm and lived-in rather than stiff… it feels more like dining in someone’s elegant historic home than a formal restaurant.
The Sunday brunch buffet is the move for families. Rack of Lamb and the Courthouse Club are dinner highlights, along with a rotating list of daily specials.
Location: 30 Main Street, Newport, NH
Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday, 11:30 am – 2 pm (lunch) and 5 pm – 8 pm (dinner)
- Sunday Buffet Brunch, 9 am – 1:30 pm.
Reservations: Reservations can be made on The Old Courthouse Website.
The Dive
Enjoy a day on the water at The Dive. (Photo Credit: The Dive)
You’ll find one of the most unique restaurants in New Hampshire… in the middle of Lake Winnipesaukee.
The Dive is a 2,400-square-foot floating bar and restaurant that families flock to in the summer.
During the day The Dive anchors at nearby sandbars where boaters can pull up directly, then in the evening it docks at the Winnipesaukee Pier so guests can access it from shore.
Kids and dogs are both welcome, there’s a dedicated kids’ menu, and the top-deck lounge is the best seat on the water.
Expect burgers, fresh seafood, and cocktails on the menu
Location: Lake Winnipesaukee, docked at Winnipesaukee Pier, 263 Lakeside Avenue, Laconia, NH
Reservations: No reservations accepted
Covered Bridge Farm Table
Views of the Pemigewasset River and the Blair Covered Bridge (Photo Credit: Covered Bridge Farm Table)
Sit riverside or on the large outdoor deck at Covered Bridge Farm Table and watch the Pemigewasset River flow past while the historic Blair Covered Bridge stands just a few steps away.
It’s one of those restaurants in New Hampshire where the setting quietly does a lot of the work.
The menu leans into hearty New England favorites like the seafood bake, pickled red onion rings, and Mike’s deep-dish key lime pie.
There’s also a kids’ menu and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it an easy stop for families exploring the White Mountains.
The restaurant was once featured on Restaurant: Impossible, which hints at the story behind the place.
Location: 57 Blair Rd, Campton, NH
Hours: Open daily 11:30 am – 9 pm, Closed Sunday & Tuesday
Reservations: No reservations are accepted
Visit these Quirky
New Hampshire
Restaurants Today!
From dining in a cozy library to having a meal inside a jail cell, New Hampshire’s dining scene is full of surprises that will leave you saying, “Dining where?? That’s a restaurant?!”
Imagine enjoying a sandwich while taking in views of the White Mountains from a historic mountaintop estate, or indulging in a hearty meal in a whimsical treehouse.
Each of these unique spots serves up delicious food and unforgettable experiences that the whole family will love.
So, when it’s time to eat, skip the ordinary and discover these extraordinary New Hampshire restaurants that turn every meal into a one-of-a-kind adventure!
