The Lake Sunapee region in west-central New Hampshire has a dining scene that is small but surprisingly varied for a rural area. Restaurants cluster in the towns around the lake — Sunapee Harbor, Newbury, New London, Newport, and a few surrounding communities like Grantham and Bradford. Options range from lakeside casual spots to fine dining at historic inns, with a strong emphasis on local ingredients, craft beer, and New England comfort food. Below are the restaurants in the area that are actually worth seeking out, organized by category.
Lakeside and Sunapee Harbor
The Anchorage
A longtime lakeside restaurant in the heart of Sunapee Harbor with deck seating overlooking the lake. The Anchorage has been a summer gathering spot for over 100 years — live music, cold drinks, and a casual menu. The restaurant closed for renovations in early 2024; check current status before planning a visit, as it may be reopening under updated branding. Free dockside parking for boaters. 71 Main Street, Sunapee.
Wildwood Smokehouse
A wood-fired BBQ restaurant near Sunapee Harbor serving pulled pork, beef brisket, baby back ribs, and sides. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. A good casual option for a hearty post-lake meal. Sunapee Harbor area.
Sunapee Harbor Lobster Co.
A casual seafood shack in Sunapee Harbor known for fresh lobster rolls, fried clams, and chowder. Outdoor seating with harbor views. Seasonal hours — primarily a summer operation.
Fenton’s Landing
A lakeside spot with waterfront seating, serving breakfast through dinner. A solid choice for a scenic meal right on the water. Seasonal hours. Sunapee area.
Brew Pubs and Casual Dining
Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille
A family-owned and family-friendly pub in New London with house-brewed beers, a fireplace, and mountain views. The menu is pub fare — burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips, nachos — done well. The beer list rotates seasonally and the brewery is visible from the dining area. Outdoor seating in warm months. A local favorite and one of the most reliable dining options in the region. 40 Andover Road (Routes 11 & 114), New London.
Salt Hill Pub
Irish-American pub food and a strong craft beer selection. Salt Hill has multiple locations across New Hampshire; the Sunapee-region outpost is at the base of Mount Sunapee. Live music on weekends. Casual, lively atmosphere — a good après-ski or après-hike stop. 1407 Route 103, Newbury.
Bubba’s Bar & Grille
A casual restaurant on Route 103 in Newbury known for large portions, brick-oven pizzas, filling sandwiches, salads, and an award-winning seafood chowder. Jolly Molly’s ice cream window operates alongside. Family-friendly. 976 Route 103, Newbury.
Suna Restaurant
A relatively newer addition to the Sunapee region, serving comfort food staples — nachos, smoked gouda tater tots, lobster mac and cheese, ahi tuna, house chips — plus nightly specials. Roomy bar and relaxed dining area with no dress code. Sunapee area.
Fine Dining and Upscale
Oak & Grain at the Inn at Pleasant Lake
The dining room at the historic Inn at Pleasant Lake in New London, serving a five-course prix fixe dinner that changes nightly, built around locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. The inn’s own herb garden and on-site maple sugar stand supply some of the menu. Views of Pleasant Lake and Mount Kearsarge. Open to the public (not just inn guests) Wednesday through Sunday. Reservations required. This is the most refined dining option in the immediate Sunapee area. 853 Pleasant Street, New London.
The Old Courthouse
Housed in a building that served as the Newport district courthouse since 1826, this restaurant has a formal dining room and full-service bar. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner through Sunday. Located behind the Newport Opera House. 30 Main Street, Newport.
New London Inn / Coach House Restaurant
Upscale casual farm-to-table New England dining in a historic inn on New London’s main street. Contemporary American comfort food, craft cocktails, local beers, and a curated wine list. The bar area has a more relaxed vibe than the dining room. 353 Main Street, New London.
Cafés, Bakeries, and Breakfast
Blue Loon Bakery
A bakery in the Sunapee area making bread and pastries from scratch on-site. The scent alone is worth the visit. A good breakfast and light lunch option. Check current hours, as they may vary seasonally.
Tucker’s
A breakfast and lunch spot in New London, part of a small New Hampshire chain, open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Known for using regional ingredients and for daily specials that draw regulars. Busy on weekend mornings. 207 Main Street, New London.
Schoodac’s Coffee and Tea
A small café in downtown Warner offering coffee, espresso drinks, brunch, lunch, smoothies, and soft-serve ice cream in summer. Free Wi-Fi. Open mic sessions on Sundays. A quiet, relaxed stop. 1 East Main Street, Warner. (Warner is about 25 miles from the lake — a stop on the way in from I-89, not lakeside dining.)
Grounds
A café in New London serving coffee, light breakfast, and lunch. Open Monday through Saturday mornings and afternoons, Sunday brunch. 374 Main Street, New London.
Other Nearby Options
The Millstone at 74 Main
A restaurant in New London with a varied menu — from burgers to filet mignon — plus daily chef’s specials. Formerly known as 74 Main. 74 Newport Road, New London.
Peter Christian’s Tavern
A New London tavern institution serving sandwiches, soups, burgers, and pub fare in a cozy, traditional setting. A solid mid-range dinner option. 195 Main Street, New London.
Farmer’s Table Café
A café in Grantham (about 20 minutes from the lake) with farm-fresh and local food, a wood-fired brick oven, excellent pizza, and a small wine and beer selection. Warm atmosphere and good service. 249 Route 10 North, Grantham.
Appleseed Restaurant
A family-run restaurant near Bradford, about 15 miles east of the lake, serving home-style American food. Occasional live music. A drive from the lake but worth knowing about for a change of pace. 63 High Street, Bradford.
Bistro Nouveau
Located at the Center at Eastman in Grantham, this bistro offers a menu that changes seasonally, built from scratch using fresh, local ingredients. Standout dishes include the Coconut Curry Shrimp Lo Mein and the Maple Mustard Tofu. Catering available. 6 Clubhouse Lane, Grantham.
Ziggy’s Pizza
A local pizza shop in Sunapee serving pies, calzones, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and wings. Good kids’ menu. Takeout and dine-in. A reliable, affordable option — especially for families with picky eaters. Sunapee.
MV Kearsarge Dinner Cruise
For a different kind of dining experience, the MV Kearsarge offers dinner cruises on Lake Sunapee itself. Scenic lake views, a meal on the water, and narrated history of the lake and shoreline. Departs from Sunapee Harbor. Seasonal. Reservations recommended.
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