These are my favorites! From southwest, clockwise:
The Common Man, Ashland
The upstairs bar in winter is warm and cozy and full of climbers and skiers. Plop down on a couch with a bowl of hot soup and the challenge is to get up when it's time to leave. In the summer, go upstairs and out on the deck with a cold one. Free cheese and crackers while you wait.
The Common Man Express, Ashland (Mobil Station just off I-93)
This little gem serves up terrific cold and hot sandwiches. Take a menu so you can call ahead and pick it up ready to go.
Mad River Roasters, Campton
Just moments off I-93, this spot has my second-favorite coffee ever. Why go to DD's across the street when you can get real craft-roasted, expertly-brewed java? Okay, I confess, I've thrown some pre-hike favorites in here.
Woodstock Inn / Station Brew Pub, Woodstock
We all know this one. Their own
brewery beer, good food, great big crowds if you don't get there early. Several different dining rooms as well as the big bar area. Be careful you don't find yourself in the fancy restaurant up front. It's good, but pricy and overkill for post-hike food.
Truants Taverne, Woodstock
When the Woodstock is too full, this place usually has a shorter line and equally good burgers. Mainstream beer, good if you don't care for the Woodstock's own brew, but more of a bar atmosphere, I feel.
Peg's, Woodstock
Okay, it's a breakfast place, not post-hike dinner, but they open ultra-early at 5am and have all the classic diner-style breakfasts for rock-bottom prices.
White Mountain Bagel, Lincoln
Also not a post-hike dinner place, but I really like the bagels and coffee. Yummy egg sandwiches and panini, too. Open at 6:30am for the early starter.
Half-Baked & Fully Brewed, Lincoln
Hot coffee or cocoa are tasty, and the soups are out of this world. Try the chicken enchilada soup after a cold winter hike or ski. They also have a huge assortment of ready-to-heat handmade frozen meals to bring back to your condo or camper.
Munroe's, Twin Mountain
A sit-down breakfast/lunch gem, they open for a reputably delicious dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.
Mr. Pizza, Gorham
A *lot* more than just pizza, with cold Tuckerman Ale on tap, this is a perennial favorite good for all.
White Mountain Café, Gorham
Another pre-hike breakfast favorite, with excellent grilled bagel sandwiches. Home of the iced coffee ice cube. Not necessarily expedient, but tasty.
You better know where 'cuz I'm not telling
We keep this one quiet because it's the best sit-down breakfast around. Weather turn bad or too hung over? This eclectic spot has the food for you. Shh. We don't want hourlong waits there!
Moat Mountain Smokehouse and Brewing Company, N Conway
Craft brewed beer and bbq, plus a full menu of everything else for your companions. Extremely family friendly - I always see lots of kids in there and one of the dining room TV's was on Sponge Bog last time I was there. I always stop there when I can.
White Mountain Cider Company, Bartlett
Okay, I confess I haven't been there yet, but look at the online menu and the reviews. This is a high-end place for sure, but it looks oh so incredibly good. I plan to try out the cider doughnuts today.
Café Noche, Conway
My favorite Mexican in New Hampshire. The chimichanga (basically a deep-friend burrito) goes down so nicely after a long hike, especially with a margarita chaser. The link is currently broken, but it's the big purple house on the east side of 16, can't miss it.
Met Coffee House, N Conway
One of the longest lines we've ever stood in, but they use Carrabassett Coffee, my #1 favorite, made up extremely well. The only place that has Carrabassett that does it better is the
Orange Cat Cafe in Kingfield, ME, across from the roasters themselves.
Yankee Smokehouse, Ossipee
It's not my favorite, but it's decent BBQ, and it goes down nicely after a day of hiking.
Outside NH:
The Real BBQ Bob, Bethel, ME
Best BBQ I've had in New England. It's the scary-looking orange trailer in the Good Food Store parking lot on the side of Rte 2, just west of Sunday River Road. Don't worry about the sauces, the meat is smoked to perfection as it is. Ribs and pulled pork, oh my, and the baked beans are loaded with as much meat as bean.
Sunday River Brewing, Bethel, ME
Good beer, decent food. A few years ago they reduced their menu to more of a pub list than a full family dinner selection, but it's still worth a stop if the weather's lousy or you just want a sit-down experience instead of BBQ Bob's.
The Rack, Carrabassett, ME
At the head of the Sugarloaf Access Road is meat and beer. Not a pub atmosphere, more of rustic dining. Can be a bit drafty in winter so bring your coat to the table. Food is very, very good and will warm you up for the drive home any time of year.
Orange Cat Cafe, Kingfield, ME
Some of the best fresh, healthy, sandwiches and soups we've ever had, plus that #1 Carrabassett Coffee. You must stop here. Closes midafternoon so get your hike done early or stop for breakfast on your way home.
The Garlic, Killington, VT
On the access road, open year-round, this spot lives up to its name. You can smell the garlic from the parking lot. Every meal starts with hot bread out of the oven with a full bulb of roasted garlic and a decanter of oil for your spreading and dipping pleasure. The lamb chops in garlic butter are a treat.
Up for Breakfast, Manchester, VT
Stop here for the best breakfast anywhere. Blueberry venison sausage with enormous pancakes? The lightest, fluffiest fresh egg omelets stuffed with cheeses and veggies without compare? You might wait for a seat in this tiny establishment, but it's worth every minute. You might have to digest a bit before you hike afterward.
