Where to Eat in the Lakes Region: A Dining Roundup

Lake Winnipesaukee is about 21 miles long and covers roughly 69 square miles, and the towns around it have a dining scene to match. We have already covered waterfront restaurants and the Laconia cafe scene. This roundup goes around the lake instead, with one stop in each of six spots: Laconia, Center Harbor, two in Meredith, Alton and Moultonborough. If you are looking for restaurants in the Lakes Region NH that work after the boats come out of the water, start here.

The lake at a glance

Winnipesaukee reaches about 180 feet at its deepest, and its wide central area is known as The Broads. The towns ringing it vary a lot in size:

• Laconia, the region's city, had 16,871 residents at the 2020 census. It includes Lakeport and Weirs Beach.
• Meredith counted 6,662.
• Alton had 5,894.
• Moultonborough had 4,918.
• Center Harbor, which sits between Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake, had 1,040.

Distances around the lake are short, but the roads curve with the shoreline, so it helps to plan meals by area.

Laconia: 405 Pub & Grill

405 Pub & Grill is a Laconia pub with a broad menu: wings, burgers, lobster and craft beer. It has live music Thursday through Saturday and shows sports, so it is a good place to catch a game. For groups, there is a private room that holds up to 65 people. The pub's online ordering is for pickup only. It is a good alternative if you have already worked through our Laconia restaurants and cafes guide.

Center Harbor: The Taphouse

The Taphouse is at 18 Main Street in Center Harbor. Its pitch is simple: good brews and comfort fare, fine wine and spirits, and lake and mountain views. It runs as two parts, a beer garden and a restaurant, with separate hours.

Hours posted on its website show the beer garden open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The restaurant serves Monday and Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. Outdoor hours in particular can change with the season, so check before you go. The Taphouse takes reservations, keeps a waitlist, offers online ordering and catering, and has private dining for groups.

Meredith: hibachi and sushi at Ensō

Ensō Japanese Steak House is at 2 Pleasant Street in Meredith. It serves hibachi and sushi, with separate hibachi and food, sushi and drink menus. Posted hours are noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Online ordering is available through its website.

Meredith: Camp at Mill Falls

Camp is inside the Chase House at Mill Falls in Meredith. The idea is the nostalgic feeling and food of summer camp, served in a rustic room. The resort calls out the signature Camp Crackers, a shareable cheddar and gorgonzola flatbread that arrives at the table in a boat, and elevated camp food like lobster corn dogs. Other favorites include pot roast, buttermilk fried chicken and s'mores for dessert.

The menu leans on comfort food that suits a family dinner. Mill Falls has also recently finished renovating the Chase House and Palmer Inn.

Alton: Foster's Tavern

Foster's Tavern in Alton calls itself a place rooted in the spirit of family and friendship, with live music, good food and good times. It posts an events calendar, shows big games like the World Series and the NBA, and offers online ordering and reservations. It also caters birthdays, holiday parties, corporate events and weddings, and it hosts private parties and rehearsal dinners. With live music on the calendar, it is a lively place for dinner.

Moultonborough: Anika's Pizza

Anika's Pizza is a family-owned, 1980s-themed restaurant and gift shop near Lake Winnipesaukee in Moultonborough. It serves New York-style hand-tossed pizza, with pies named for 80s favorites like the Spicoli, the Groundhog's Day and the Ghostbusters, along with hoagies, subs, wraps, burgers, hot dogs, salads and desserts. It also lists vegetarian options. Its website lists New York pizza starting at $10.89 and hoagies starting at $9.80, which makes it one of the easier meals on a budget in this roundup. Its website notes it is open Friday and Saturday, so plan a weekend visit, and check its site for current hours.

Eating around the lake in the off-season

Late October is a good time to test these places. Summer crowds are gone, and every restaurant in this roundup was posting current hours, menus or events on its website at the time of writing.

• Game nights. Foster's Tavern was promoting the World Series and the return of the NBA, and 405 Pub & Grill shows sports alongside its live music.
• Halloween. Foster's Tavern was inviting guests to come in costume for Halloween.
• Holiday parties. Foster's and 405 Pub & Grill both book private events, and The Taphouse offers private dining and catering.
• Shorter outdoor hours. The Taphouse lists separate beer garden and restaurant hours, so check which side is open before you drive.
• Call ahead on weeknights. Restaurant schedules can change once the summer season ends, so a quick call or a look at the restaurant's own website before you head out can save you a wasted drive around the lake.

How to choose

• For a group or a game: 405 Pub & Grill in Laconia, with its private room, or Foster's Tavern in Alton.
• For views and drinks: The Taphouse in Center Harbor.
• For hibachi or sushi: Ensō in Meredith.
• For families: Camp at Mill Falls or Anika's Pizza.

A loop around the lake

1. Start in Laconia for lunch at 405 Pub & Grill.

2. Drive north to Meredith and pick Ensō or Camp for dinner.

3. Next day, head to Center Harbor for afternoon drinks at The Taphouse, then on to Moultonborough for pizza at Anika's on a Friday or Saturday.

4. Finish in Alton with dinner and live music at Foster's Tavern in Alton.

Practical tips

• Confirm hours. Posted hours can change, especially for outdoor seating. Each restaurant's website has its current schedule.
• Check open days. The Taphouse beer garden is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, and Anika's is open Friday and Saturday.
• Takeout is easy. 405 Pub & Grill (pickup only), The Taphouse, Ensō and Foster's all offer online ordering.
• Groups should call ahead. 405 Pub & Grill, The Taphouse and Foster's all have options for private parties.

FAQ

What are the best restaurants in the Lakes Region NH?

Good picks around Lake Winnipesaukee include 405 Pub & Grill in Laconia, The Taphouse in Center Harbor, Ensō and Camp in Meredith, Foster's Tavern in Alton and Anika's Pizza in Moultonborough.

Where can I get sushi in Meredith NH?

Ensō Japanese Steak House on Pleasant Street serves sushi and hibachi.

Is there a family-friendly restaurant at Mill Falls?

Yes. Camp, in the Chase House, serves summer-camp-style comfort food such as lobster corn dogs and s'mores.

Which Lakes Region restaurant has a beer garden?

The Taphouse in Center Harbor has a beer garden with lake and mountain views.

Sources

• Lake Winnipesaukee, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Winnipesaukee
• Laconia, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laconia,_New_Hampshire
• Meredith, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meredith,_New_Hampshire
• Alton, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alton,_New_Hampshire
• Moultonborough, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moultonborough,_New_Hampshire
• Center Harbor, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_Harbor,_New_Hampshire
• 405 Pub & Grill: https://405pubandgrill.com/
• The Taphouse: https://www.thetaphouse.net
• Ensō Japanese Steak House: https://www.ensomeredith.com/
• Camp at Mill Falls: https://www.millfalls.com/eat-drink/camp/
• Foster's Tavern: https://fosterstavernbythebay.com
• Anika's Pizza: https://anikaspizza.com/