Breakfast Spots of the White Mountains

A day in the White Mountains starts best with a real breakfast. Whether you are heading up a trail, out to a climbing crag, onto a scenic train or just into a day of shopping and driving, a good meal first makes everything easier. This guide covers where to eat breakfast in North Conway and Littleton, the two busiest towns on opposite sides of the mountains, with local spots from our directory and tips for planning your morning.

Why breakfast matters here

The White Mountains are an early-morning region. Hikers like to be on the trail before the parking lots fill. Climbers head for the cliffs. Skiers want to be at the lifts. Even sightseers find the light and the roads are best early in the day. That means the region's breakfast places do a lot of their business when much of the world is still waking up, and the good ones have built loyal followings over many years.

North Conway: the Mount Washington Valley

North Conway is the commercial center of the Mount Washington Valley and one of the busiest bases for visitors to the White Mountains. The area is home to Cathedral Ledge, Echo Lake State Park and Cranmore Mountain Resort. Cathedral Ledge is a 500-foot cliff that overlooks Echo Lake and North Conway from the west, and the area is a major rock climbing destination in the northeastern United States. North Conway is also known as "the birthplace of American skiing": in 1932, "snow trains" began carrying enthusiasts to the valley.

With that much going on, North Conway has a strong breakfast scene. Two places from our directory stand out.

Peach's Restaurant

Peach's Restaurant is a family-owned and operated restaurant in North Conway dedicated to creative, quality dishes for breakfast and lunch. It describes itself as casual and family friendly, and it serves breakfast all day long, which is good news if your hike runs late or you simply sleep in. Gluten-free options are available, and the restaurant serves locally roasted coffee in light and dark roasts.

Why go: a sit-down breakfast with a homey feel and options for gluten-free diners. Peach's is open only some days of the week, so check its website before you plan around it.

Big Dave's Bagels & Deli

Big Dave's Bagels & Deli is the quick-breakfast pick in North Conway. It serves fresh bagels, baked goods, sandwiches, wraps and burritos, along with its signature Kweenies, and it offers catering and online ordering. Owner Dave Hausman started in food service with a part-time job at 14, and Big Dave's has been in business for over 30 years. The shop emphasizes home-style food and customer service and stays active in the community, supporting organizations from veterans' groups to domestic violence support. It has also appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Why go: a fast, filling breakfast to take with you to the trailhead or the crag. Order ahead on busy mornings. Big Dave's posts seasonal closures on its website, so check before you go.

Littleton: the western gateway

On the western side of the mountains, Littleton is a classic North Country town. Littleton is drained by the Connecticut River and its tributary, the Ammonoosuc River. Along the banks of the Ammonoosuc stands the Littleton Grist Mill, which first opened in 1798 and has been restored to its original appearance. The town has kept a traditional, walkable Main Street, which the Littleton Diner itself celebrates as part of what makes the community special. It is a pleasant place to start a day before heading into the mountains to the east.

Littleton Diner

Littleton Diner is a true landmark. The original diner was built in Merrimack, Massachusetts, in 1928 and transported to Littleton, where it opened in 1930. In 1940 a new Sterling Diner was constructed on the original site, and the Littleton Diner has been part of the community ever since.

The diner describes itself as "not fast food." Its menu offers traditional home-cooked New England meals, each made to order, with food prepared fresh on site rather than pre-packaged. Its homemade corned beef hash is, in the diner's own word, legendary, and soups and desserts are made in house. Daily specials are written for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The diner also takes take-out orders and now serves beer and wine.

Why go: history, generous portions and a classic diner breakfast. If you only have time for one breakfast stop in Littleton, make it this one, and order the hash.

The Little Grille

The Little Grille has a Littleton location and a sister location in Bradford, Vermont, and it takes orders online from both. It is another local option in town when the diner is busy. Check its website for the current menu and ordering details.

Planning your White Mountains breakfast

Match breakfast to your plans:

• Early trailhead start: grab bagels and sandwiches to go from Big Dave's in North Conway.
• Slow morning: sit down at Peach's for breakfast that runs all day.
• Western mountains day: start at the Littleton Diner before driving into the mountains.
• A busy weekend: if one spot has a long wait, The Little Grille is another Littleton option.

General tips:

• Go early on weekends. Summer and foliage-season weekends are the busiest times, and breakfast places can have waits.
• Check days and hours. Smaller restaurants often close one or two days a week or take seasonal breaks. Confirm before you drive.
• Order ahead when you can. Several of these places offer online or take-out ordering.
• Pack snacks for the day. A big breakfast helps, but mountain days are long. Take extra food and water with you.
• Mention dietary needs. Peach's notes its gluten-free options; ask at other restaurants about what they can accommodate.

Pairing breakfast with a day out

In North Conway, breakfast pairs well with a drive up Cathedral Ledge for views of the Saco River Valley, a swim or walk at Echo Lake State Park, or a day at Cranmore. Breakfast also pairs naturally with the Conway Scenic Railroad, a heritage railroad whose main terminal is in historic downtown North Conway. Its station complex has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, and the railroad runs passenger trains from North Conway Village, including the Mountaineer, which travels through Crawford Notch to Fabyan. A morning train ride is a relaxing way to see the mountains, and a good breakfast first means you will not be hungry halfway through. In Littleton, after breakfast you can walk Main Street, see the grist mill on the Ammonoosuc River, and then continue east into the mountains.

FAQ

Where can I get breakfast all day in North Conway?

Peach's Restaurant serves breakfast all day long.

Where can I get a quick breakfast to go in North Conway?

Big Dave's Bagels & Deli serves bagels, sandwiches, wraps and burritos, with online ordering.

Is the Littleton Diner historic?

Yes. The original diner opened in Littleton in 1930, and the current Sterling Diner was built on the same site in 1940.

What is the Littleton Diner known for?

Its homemade corned beef hash, along with traditional home-cooked New England meals.

Are there gluten-free breakfast options in North Conway?

Peach's Restaurant offers gluten-free options.

Sources

• North Conway, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Cathedral Ledge, Echo Lake, Cranmore, birthplace of American skiing): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Conway,_New_Hampshire
• Littleton, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Ammonoosuc River, Littleton Grist Mill): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littleton,_New_Hampshire
• Conway Scenic Railroad, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway_Scenic_Railroad
• Peach's Restaurant official site: https://peachesnorthconway.com/
• Big Dave's Bagels & Deli official site: https://bigdavesbagels.com
• Littleton Diner official site: https://www.littletondiner.com/
• The Little Grille official site: https://www.thelittlegrille.com/