New Hampshire is home to a multitude of restaurants, but these 6 have some of the best views in the Granite State.
Living in, or visiting, New Hampshire gives you the best of everything. You’re close to mountains, woods, and the ocean, making for any number of scenic drives you can take during the summer or leafpeeping season. Or, if you’re anything like me, during the springtime when everything is equally beautiful but slightly less busy than those other, more popular seasons. Regardless of the time of year, there’s always one consistency here no matter which part of the Granite State you’re in: The restaurants serve up mouthwatering meals and sweeping views all at the same time.
It was hard to narrow down this list to just six spots, but I went with the ones I was most familiar with or ones that were the best reviewed by locals and tourists. Think you know a better restaurant than the ones I’m shouting out here? Drop us a line and tell us where we should sit down for our next picturesque meal. We’re always taking suggestions!
1. The Little Red Schoolhouse—Campton
Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted a treehouse. I’m still waiting for that particular dream to come true, but in the meantime, I can live out a version of it in Campton thanks to the Little Red Schoolhouse. This family-run restaurant is nestled among the treetops, and much of its structure is built using real tree limbs. There’s picnic tables laid out on an open air observation deck providing you with the most breathtaking views while you eat your food. You’ll feel like you’ve somehow shapeshifted into a bird with the way you’re perched above the treetops here. It’s an experience unlike any other.
The Little Red Schoolhouse is a counter service joint, meaning that you order your food at a counter and then carry it on a tray yourself to your seat. Popular menu items include lobster rolls, New England clam chowder, cheeseburgers, fried clams, fish and chips, and chicken tenders. It’s currently closed for the season, but is set to reopen on May 22, 2026. Trust us, once everything is in bloom and the breeze starts to blow warm air, you’ll want to spend an afternoon here…or several.
2. Lakehouse Grille—Meredith
If the trees and mountains aren’t your thing and you’re more of a water-based person, look no further than Lakehouse Grille in Meredith. Located inside Mill Falls’s Church Landing, Lakehouse is part of the Common Man chain of restaurants. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, Lakehouse serves a la carte brunch from 9 am to 4 pm, after which time its dinner service takes over. Menu items range from omelets and veggie burgers to steak tips and mushroom risotto. The restaurant’s website features full menus for each of the meals it serves, which you can browse here, along with its hours of operation.
In terms of the view, Lakehouse looks out over Lake Winnipesaukee’s Meredith Bay. Gorgeous windows encompass the interior dining room, so there really isn’t a bad seat in the whole place. Outdoor seating is available in the warmer months as well.
3. Polly’s Pancake Parlor—Sugar Hill
Located in Sugar Hill, Polly’s Pancake Parlor has been a popular destination for over 85 years. It is, of course, primarily known for its plain and specialty pancakes (like blueberry, cornmeal coconut, and gingerbread walnut) but it serves up an array of items for everyone to enjoy. There’s steak and eggs, breakfast burgers, French toast, and eggs benedict, plus grilled reubens and quiche. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to browse the menu in advance to figure out what you want when you get there. Click here to take a look.
The best part of Polly’s is the quintessential New Hampshire mountain views it provides. Whether it’s a cloudy, gloomy day or there’s an abundance of sunshine, the proximity to Herbert G. Whipple Nature Park gives you a prolonged moment of peace as you sip your coffee. Polly’s is open Thursday through Monday from 7 am to 2 pm and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
4. River House—Portsmouth
Portsmouth is one of my favorite places to visit. From the restaurants to the stores to the sweeping views of the Piscataqua River, it feels like a home away from home whenever I’m there. River House is a great spot to grab a casual lunch or dinner while you’re on vacation or if you happen to live in the city itself. Serving up lobster rolls, oysters, salads, baked haddock, and a host of items in between, River House will keep you full and satisfied as you walk and shop after your meal. (Personally, I’m a fan of the smash burger served here, if you’re looking for a recommendation).
Located on Bow Street, River House is, well, on the river. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, both of which grant you gorgeous views of the water. Take a moment to enjoy the light rippling of waves as you tuck into your food—both will be better than you could have possibly imagined.
5. Walter’s Basin—Holderness
Walter’s Basin in Holderness is situated near Little Squam Lake, and the sweeping views from the dining room are stunning. The restaurant’s website says it’s committed to providing a memorable dining experience, and they deliver on this tenfold. Popular dishes include poutine, sticky ribs, chicken caesar wraps, and the unique fried chicken tikka masala sandwich. Oh, and did I mention dessert? The peanut butter cup truffle, Crème Brûlée, and white chocolate bread pudding are delicious, but you can’t go wrong with any of the available options.
Most people drive to Walter’s Basin, but there are boat docks near the property as well for those who want to scoot over after a fun day on the water.
6. Carriage House Restaurant, Castle In the Clouds—Moultonborough
Moultonborough’s Castle In the Clouds looks like something out of a dream (not the same dream my treehouse resides in, but one that’s equally worth exploring). The mountaintop estate is made even more appealing by the fact that the Carriage House Restaurant serves up a fantastic lunch menu for travelers and locals alike to enjoy. There’s Bavarian pretzels, flatbread, a buffalo fish wrap, and a falafel gyro, to name a few. Indoor and outdoor seating are available when the restaurant opens for the season.
As if that wasn’t enough to sell you on this spot, Yankee Magazine named The Carriage House its 2021 Editor’s Pick for Mountain View Dining. Don’t just take their, or my, word for it though—seeing is believing, you know.
