Casual Eats of the White Mountains: Taverns, Pubs and Grilles

After a long day on the trails or the slopes, most people in the White Mountains want the same thing: a hearty meal, a cold drink and no dress code. The region has plenty of places that deliver exactly that. This guide covers casual restaurants in the White Mountains NH, from a pub on North Woodstock's Main Street to a wood-fired grille in Jackson and a railroad-town pub on the Connecticut River. All of them are listed in our directory, and all are good bets for a relaxed lunch or dinner.

How to use this guide

The White Mountains are big, and drive times add up. We have grouped the restaurants by area so you can match a meal to your plans for the day:

• Western White Mountains: North Woodstock, at the western end of the Kancamagus Highway and close to Franconia Notch.
• Mount Washington Valley: Albany, Conway, North Conway, Intervale and Jackson, along Route 16 on the eastern side.
• Connecticut River valley: Woodsville, on the western edge of the region.

The Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire Route 112, runs about 56 miles through the White Mountain National Forest and connects the two sides. Many visitors drive it in a day, so a meal at each end is easy to plan.

Western White Mountains

Pemi Public House, North Woodstock

The Pemi Public House is on Main Street in North Woodstock, the main village of the town of Woodstock. Its website pitches it as a place to come for a bite and a drink after an adventure in the White Mountains, and notes that hiking, skiing and swimming are all minutes away. The pub has its own arcade, which makes it a fun stop with older kids, and a private space for parties.

Plan accordingly: the Pemi does not take reservations or call-aheads. It is a good choice for a spontaneous dinner rather than a timed one.

North Woodstock is a small place, with 739 residents in the 2020 census, but its Main Street is a hub for visitors heading to Lincoln, Loon Mountain and the Kancamagus. A walk down the street before or after dinner is part of the experience.

Mount Washington Valley

Almost There, Albany

Almost There in Albany sits on Route 16, which its website says is 1,000 yards south of the Kancamagus Highway. That makes it a natural stop at the eastern end of the drive. The restaurant is second-generation family owned and operated and serves lunch and dinner seven days a week. The menu covers family favorites, including burgers, salads and steaks, and there is outdoor dining in season.

The Scarecrow Tavern, Intervale

The Scarecrow Tavern is on Route 16 in Intervale, a few minutes from North Conway. It describes itself as a welcoming, family-friendly restaurant in the heart of the Mount Washington Valley, aimed at both locals and visitors heading to Story Land, Attitash, Cranmore and other nearby attractions.

The menu leans toward comfort food. The tavern lists an award-winning smoked brisket chili, hand-crafted burgers, fresh seafood, prime rib, salads, sandwiches and tavern favorites. There is a full bar with local beers and handcrafted cocktails, plus seasonal specials. It is a solid pick after a day of hiking, skiing or shopping in the valley.

Beef and Ski, North Conway

Beef and Ski on White Mountain Highway in North Conway has a menu built around house-roasted top round beef served with James River barbecue sauce. Its website also lists barbecue baby back ribs, homemade onion rings and fresh seafood. Diners can eat in the pub or on a garden patio that overlooks Moat Mountain and the historic Conway Railroad Station. The restaurant also offers takeout and has live music and entertainment in its lounge.

The patio view is the selling point in warm weather. In fall, the colors on Moat Mountain make it one of the more scenic casual meals in North Conway.

Red Fox Bar and Grille, Jackson

The Red Fox Bar and Grille is on Route 16 in Jackson, a small town where the mountains are, as the restaurant puts it, part of the story. It has been family owned and operated since 1990, and it says it makes everything from scratch. The kitchen does wood-fired grilling in a Josper oven.

The Red Fox takes reservations and also offers online ordering and a waitlist, so it works for both planned dinners and last-minute meals. It also hosts private events.

Connecticut River valley

Iron Rail Pub and Grill, Woodsville

The Iron Rail Pub and Grill is on Railroad Street in Woodsville, the largest village in the town of Haverhill. Woodsville sits on the Connecticut River at the mouth of the Ammonoosuc River and had 1,431 residents in the 2020 census.

The Iron Rail offers dine-in and takeout. Its menu is classic pub food, with options that include cheese curds, poutine, salads and steak. If you are exploring the quieter western side of the White Mountains or crossing into Vermont, it is a dependable stop.

Tips for eating out in the White Mountains

• Check hours before you drive. Many restaurants in the region change their schedules with the seasons, and some close one or two days a week. A quick look at a restaurant's website can save a long drive.
• Expect crowds on peak weekends. Foliage season, holiday weekends and ski vacation weeks fill dining rooms fast. Eat early or late, or choose a place that takes reservations.
• Know the reservation policy. Some places, like the Pemi Public House, are walk-in only, while others, like the Red Fox, take bookings.
• Plan around the Kancamagus. If you drive the highway, North Woodstock on the west and the Conway area on the east make easy meal stops at either end.
• Bring the family. Most of the places in this guide describe themselves as family friendly, and casual menus make it easy to feed a group.

A sample day of casual eating

• Morning: Drive the Kancamagus Highway east from Lincoln and North Woodstock, stopping at overlooks along the way.
• Lunch: Burgers and salads at Almost There in Albany, just off the eastern end of the highway.
• Afternoon: Shop or hike in North Conway.
• Dinner: Roast beef on the patio at Beef and Ski, or a wood-fired meal at the Red Fox in Jackson.

FAQ

What are good casual restaurants in the White Mountains?

Popular casual options in our directory include the Pemi Public House in North Woodstock, Almost There in Albany, the Scarecrow Tavern in Intervale, Beef and Ski in North Conway, the Red Fox Bar and Grille in Jackson and the Iron Rail Pub and Grill in Woodsville.

Where can I eat near the Kancamagus Highway?

Almost There in Albany is about 1,000 yards south of the highway's eastern end, according to the restaurant. On the western end, North Woodstock has the Pemi Public House.

Do White Mountains restaurants take reservations?

It varies. The Pemi Public House does not take reservations, while the Red Fox Bar and Grille in Jackson does. Check each restaurant before you go.

Are these restaurants family friendly?

Most describe themselves that way. The Scarecrow Tavern and Almost There both highlight a family-friendly atmosphere, and the Pemi Public House has an arcade.

Sources

• North Woodstock, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Woodstock,_New_Hampshire
• Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire Route 112), Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kancamagus_Highway
• Woodsville, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census, location): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodsville,_New_Hampshire
• Pemi Public House: https://www.pemipublichouse.com/
• Almost There: https://www.almosttherenh.com/
• The Scarecrow Tavern: https://scarecrowtavern.com/
• Beef and Ski: https://nhbeefandski.com/
• Red Fox Bar and Grille: https://www.redfoxbarandgrille.com/
• Iron Rail Pub and Grill: https://ironrailpub.com/