Where to Eat in Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee: A Dining Roundup

The Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region runs from the college town of Hanover on the Connecticut River down to the shores of Lake Sunapee, with Lebanon, Lyme, New London and Sunapee in between. It is a region of small towns, but it eats well. Anyone searching for restaurants in the Lake Sunapee NH area will find that the best approach is to think in clusters: a few places around the Dartmouth green, a couple in West Lebanon, an inn dining room up the river in Lyme, and a tavern and a lakeside restaurant near the lake itself.

Late spring is a good time to plan a food-focused trip here, with long evenings for a drive between towns. This roundup groups eight restaurants by town so you can match a meal to the rest of your day.

Getting Oriented

Hanover is home to Dartmouth College and had a population of 11,870 at the 2020 census. Just south, Lebanon is the only city in Grafton County and is home to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Lyme sits along the Connecticut River north of Hanover, and the Dartmouth Skiway is in the eastern part of that town.

Lake Sunapee is the fifth-largest lake located entirely in New Hampshire, with about 70 miles of shoreline. A drive around the lake is roughly 25 miles. New London, home of Colby-Sawyer College, is close to the lake, and the town of Sunapee holds part of the lake and the village of Georges Mills.

Hanover: Dining Around the Green

Hanover's restaurants cluster on and near Main Street, steps from the Dartmouth campus. That makes it easy to combine a meal with a walk across the green.

PINE Restaurant overlooks the historic Dartmouth College Green. Its menu is described as ever-evolving, with dishes from around the world that never forget their New England roots, and the kitchen works with its purveyors to find fresh ingredients. PINE serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with brunch on weekends, which makes it one of the more flexible options in town. Reservations are taken through Resy, and the restaurant also offers private dining.

Murphy's on the Green is at 11 South Main Street. It has a dining room and a bar that stays open late, and it posts daily specials and takes reservations. Murphy's also offers catering and online ordering, which is handy if you are staying nearby and want to eat in.

Molly's Restaurant and Bar is at 43 South Main Street. The restaurant describes itself as an energetic spot well matched to bustling downtown Hanover, and its menu runs from burgers and wood-fired pizza to original taco creations, fresh seafood, salads, pasta and dinner entrees. That range makes it a safe bet for a group with different appetites, including families. Molly's offers takeout and a call-ahead seating option.

West Lebanon: A Diner and a Brewery

West Lebanon is a short drive south of Hanover and a practical stop for anyone traveling on the interstates.

4 Aces Diner bills itself as the home of the All American Retro Brunch, a 1950s-style diner serving classic diner food made fresh daily. It calls itself the Upper Valley's favorite breakfast and lunch spot and has been a West Lebanon staple for years. Breakfast and lunch are the focus, so plan this one for the morning or midday. The diner also offers catering and online ordering.

Bright Side Brewing was founded in the spring of 2021. It took over the brewing system once used by the Seven Barrel Brewery, an original brewpub in the region, and uses it to make ales, IPAs, stouts and other styles. The brewery says it is conveniently located near the intersection of I-89 and I-91, and it invites guests to come watch the planes while they have a beer. Its draft list changes, and food can be ordered online for dine-in or carryout.

Lyme: Dinner at the Inn

Ariana's Restaurant is the dining room at the Lyme Inn, at 1 Market Street. The restaurant has been known in the Upper Valley for many years and has had a few incarnations, from a farm in Orford to its current home at the inn. Today it encourages walk-ins and describes an easy atmosphere and a friendly staff.

The menu is built around small plates and large plates, and it names local farm sources, such as Cedar Circle Farm. The restaurant notes that menu items may change. Ariana's serves dinner on a limited schedule, so check its website before you drive up. A dinner here pairs well with an afternoon on the Connecticut River or a scenic drive north from Hanover.

New London: A Classic Tavern

Peter Christian's Tavern has been carrying on the tavern tradition at 195 Main Street in New London since 1973. The menu is classic tavern fare with the restaurant's own creative flair, and it serves lunch and dinner, plus a Sunday brunch. The same business runs the Edgewood Inn, which offers suites, so it is possible to dine and stay in one place.

New London's Main Street is a pleasant place to stretch your legs before or after a meal, and the town makes a natural base for exploring the east side of Lake Sunapee.

Sunapee: Dining by the Lake

Suna is a Sunapee restaurant offering what it calls elevated American dining in the heart of Sunapee. It describes a relaxed, lakeside comfort and a memorable dining experience by the lake, with dishes made from fresh ingredients. Suna takes online reservations and recommends booking ahead, and it can host large parties.

A dinner at Suna is a good way to end a day on or around the lake. Pair it with the drive around Lake Sunapee for a full day that does not require much planning.

Building a Food Day

A few ideas for putting these restaurants together:

• A Hanover day. Breakfast at PINE, a walk around the Dartmouth green and campus, and dinner at Molly's or Murphy's on the Green.
• An Upper Valley loop. Breakfast at 4 Aces Diner in West Lebanon, an afternoon pint at Bright Side Brewing, and dinner at Ariana's in Lyme.
• A lake day. Lunch at Peter Christian's Tavern in New London, an afternoon drive around Lake Sunapee, and dinner at Suna.

Whatever you choose, check each restaurant's website for current hours and reservation policies before you go. Several of these places are small, and schedules can change with the season.

FAQ

What are the best restaurants near Lake Sunapee?

Suna in Sunapee offers elevated American dining by the lake, and Peter Christian's Tavern in New London has served classic tavern fare since 1973.

Where can I eat near Dartmouth College?

PINE Restaurant overlooks the Dartmouth College Green, and Murphy's on the Green and Molly's Restaurant and Bar are both on South Main Street in Hanover.

Is there a good breakfast spot in the Upper Valley?

4 Aces Diner in West Lebanon is a 1950s-style diner focused on breakfast and lunch. PINE in Hanover also serves breakfast.

Is there a brewery near Lebanon NH?

Bright Side Brewing in West Lebanon, founded in 2021, is near the intersection of I-89 and I-91 and serves food alongside its beer.

Do I need reservations?

It depends on the restaurant. PINE takes reservations through Resy, Suna recommends booking ahead, and Ariana's encourages walk-ins. Check each restaurant's website before you go.

Sources

• Hanover, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Dartmouth College; 2020 population 11,870): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanover,_New_Hampshire
• Lebanon, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (only city in Grafton County; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon,_New_Hampshire
• Lyme, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (on the Connecticut River; Dartmouth Skiway): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme,_New_Hampshire
• New London, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Colby-Sawyer College): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_London,_New_Hampshire
• Sunapee, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (part of Lake Sunapee; Georges Mills): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunapee,_New_Hampshire
• Lake Sunapee, Wikipedia (fifth-largest lake entirely in NH; about 70 miles of shoreline; about 25-mile drive around): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Sunapee
• PINE Restaurant (overlooks Dartmouth College Green; menu description; breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch; Resy; private dining): https://www.pineathanoverinn.com/
• Murphy's on the Green (11 South Main Street; bar; daily specials; reservations; catering; online ordering): https://murphysonthegreen.com/
• Molly's Restaurant and Bar (43 South Main Street; menu range; takeout; call-ahead seating): https://www.mollysrestaurant.com/
• 4 Aces Diner (West Lebanon; retro 1950s diner; breakfast and lunch; catering; online ordering): https://4acesdiner.com/
• Bright Side Brewing (founded spring 2021; Seven Barrel Brewery system; near I-89 and I-91; watch the planes; online food ordering): https://bsbnh.com/
• Ariana's Restaurant (Lyme Inn, 1 Market Street; history from Orford farm; walk-ins; small and large plates; Cedar Circle Farm): https://arianasrestaurant.com/
• Peter Christian's Tavern (195 Main Street, New London; since 1973; tavern fare; lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch; Edgewood Inn): https://www.peterchristiansnh.com/
• Suna (Sunapee; elevated American dining; lakeside; reservations recommended; large parties): https://sunarestaurantnh.com/