Fine Dining in the White Mountains: Six Dinners Worth the Drive

A long day on the trails or the slopes deserves a good dinner, and the White Mountains have more of them than many visitors expect. Some are in historic inns with mountain views, some are in small towns that were resort destinations a century ago, and some are casual, chef-driven places in busy North Conway. This guide to fine dining in the White Mountains rounds up six restaurants from our directory, grouped by area so you can match dinner to where you are spending the day.

"Fine dining" here means a dinner worth planning around rather than a strict dress code. Mountain dining is relaxed, and most of these places welcome you in hiking clothes. What they share is care in the kitchen and a setting that feels like the mountains.

Franconia and the Notch

Franconia Notch is the mountain pass between the Kinsman Range and the Franconia Range, and Interstate 93 runs through it for about eight miles inside Franconia Notch State Park. The park takes in Cannon Mountain, Echo and Profile lakes, Lonesome Lake and the Flume Gorge, as well as the Old Man of the Mountain historical site. It is one of the most visited corners of the White Mountains, and the towns at either end are natural places to look for dinner.

The Franconia Inn

The Franconia Inn has welcomed guests since 1863. The inn sits on 65 acres in Franconia, with views of Mount Lafayette, Franconia Notch and the Kinsman Range. Dining at a historic country inn like this is the classic White Mountains evening: a long day outdoors, then a quiet dinner with the mountains outside the window. Check the inn's website for current dining details before you go, since inn restaurants often change their schedules with the seasons.

Bethlehem

Bethlehem is a hillside town in Grafton County with a 2020 population of 2,484. The main village sits at the junction of U.S. Route 302 and Route 142, and the eastern half of the town lies within the White Mountain National Forest. The town was granted in 1774 as "Lloyd's Hills," the last of the provincial grants in New Hampshire, and was incorporated as Bethlehem in 1799, with the name chosen on Christmas Day.

Bethlehem has a lively small Main Street, and two of the restaurants on this list are here, which makes it an easy base for a dinner-focused trip north of the Notch.

Wayside Inn

The Wayside Inn is a bed and breakfast with a restaurant, set beside the Ammonoosuc River in Bethlehem. It is close to the town's Colonial Theatre, which has been operating since 1915, and to WREN, which also has a home in Bethlehem village. A riverside inn dinner is a good match for a night out in town, and staying over means you do not have to drive mountain roads after dark.

Rosa Flamingo's

Rosa Flamingo's is at 2312 Main Street in Bethlehem. It is walk-in only, so plan to arrive with a little flexibility, especially on busy weekends in foliage season. It is the more casual of the two Bethlehem picks, and a good choice when you want a satisfying dinner without the formality of an inn dining room.

Campton and the Pemi Valley

Campton is a town of 3,343 at the 2020 census, in the foothills of the White Mountains just south of the national forest. It includes the villages of Blair, Campton Hollow, Lower Campton and West Campton, and it is home to Blair State Forest and Livermore Falls State Forest. For travelers coming up I-93 from the south, it is one of the first places that feels like the mountains.

Covered Bridge Farm Table

Covered Bridge Farm Table Restaurant and Bar overlooks the Pemigewasset River and the Blair Covered Bridge in Campton. It describes its menu as "Fresh Fusion," with a farm-to-table approach, and it was featured on the television show Restaurant Impossible in 2014. The restaurant does not take reservations, so arrive early if you want a table with a view of the bridge. Pairing dinner here with a stop at the bridge itself makes for an easy, scenic evening on the way north.

North Conway and the Mount Washington Valley

North Conway is a village in the town of Conway, with a 2020 population of 2,116. It is a year-round resort area, with the White Mountain National Forest to the west and north. The area is home to Cathedral Ledge, Echo Lake State Park and Cranmore Mountain Resort, and it is known for its large number of outlet shops. That mix of hikers, skiers and shoppers means North Conway has one of the deepest restaurant scenes in the mountains.

Chef's Bistro

Chef's Bistro is at 2724 White Mountain Highway in North Conway. It describes its cooking as "fresh, casual, local," and it serves year round. Like several mountain restaurants, it is walk-in only. It is a good pick when you want a chef-driven meal without a fuss, after a day climbing at Cathedral Ledge or skiing at Cranmore.

Black Cap Grille

Black Cap Grille is on White Mountain Highway in North Conway, next to REI. It serves Sunday brunch, which makes it useful on the last morning of a weekend trip, before the drive home. It is a convenient stop if your day includes shopping along the highway.

Planning a dinner trip

Reservations and walk-ins

Several of the restaurants here, including Rosa Flamingo's, Covered Bridge Farm Table and Chef's Bistro, are walk-in only. On busy weekends, especially during foliage season and ski holidays, it pays to eat a little early or a little late. For inn restaurants, check the website or call ahead to confirm dining is available on the night you plan to go.

Driving at night

Mountain roads are dark, and the notches can be slow in bad weather. If you plan a long dinner with drinks, consider staying where you eat, or choose a restaurant close to your lodging. Staying at an inn with its own dining room, such as the Franconia Inn or the Wayside Inn, solves the problem neatly.

Combining dinner with the day

The restaurants here line up naturally with popular day plans. Hike or ski in Franconia Notch and eat in Franconia or Bethlehem. Drive up I-93 and stop in Campton by the covered bridge. Climb, ski or shop in North Conway and stay in the valley for dinner. Planning around where you will be when you get hungry is the simplest way to enjoy fine dining in the White Mountains.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to dress up for fine dining in the White Mountains?

Generally no. Mountain dining is relaxed. Check with the restaurant if you are unsure, especially at inn dining rooms.

Which of these restaurants take walk-ins only?

Rosa Flamingo's, Covered Bridge Farm Table and Chef's Bistro say they are walk-in only. Check each restaurant's website for current policies.

Is there a restaurant with a view of a covered bridge?

Yes. Covered Bridge Farm Table in Campton overlooks the Blair Covered Bridge and the Pemigewasset River.

Where can I get Sunday brunch in North Conway?

Black Cap Grille on White Mountain Highway serves Sunday brunch.

Sources

• Franconia Notch State Park, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franconia_Notch_State_Park
• Bethlehem, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethlehem,_New_Hampshire
• Campton, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campton,_New_Hampshire
• North Conway, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Conway,_New_Hampshire
• The Franconia Inn: https://www.franconiainn.com/
• The Wayside Inn: https://thewaysideinn.com
• Rosa Flamingo's: https://rosaflamingosrestaurant.com/
• Covered Bridge Farm Table: https://www.farmtablenh.com/
• Chef's Bistro: https://www.chefsbistronh.com
• Black Cap Grille: https://www.blackcapgrille.com/