The Best New Hampshire Brunch Spots
A great way to spend a Sunday morning
An updated version of Best Brunches is available here.
Fresh pastries are served at the Bedford Village Inn.
From a casual buffet to an elegant setting to a creative take on modern food, we found the places to get you out of your bathrobe and into a satisfied state Sunday brunch, especially the buffet spread, is getting more difficult to find for the diner and more costly to provide for restaurant owners.
Make the effort to leave the comforts of your easy chair and the Sunday New York Times and find an occasion for this Sunday morning/early afternoon dining ritual. There are plenty of reasons to celebrate: birthdays, anniversaries, bonding time for couples, fine-dining-manners training time for young children — all great excuses to start your day with a feast. Someone even suggested (inelegantly) that it’s the perfect place to dump your one-night stand with a little grace and a satisfied appetite.
So, feast away. After all, the cost is lower than an evening on the town and there is still plenty of the day left to burn off any overindulgence should you so desire. But of course, the Bloody Mary is mandatory. And oysters? Ah, let the celebratory party begin.
Wentworth by the Sea
Where: Wentworth by the Sea Hotel, 88 Wentworth Rd., New Castle
Contact: (603) 373-6566, wentworth.com
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What’s offered: Buffet is $44.95 during the Winter Wine Festival and other special events where higher quality champagne is served.
Jazz and plenty of bubbles (read that as unlimited champagne) make this the premier brunch spot in the state. The mimosas keep flowing while you enjoy the gentle clink of glasses and the murmurs of conversation as a two-piece combo plays light jazz in the background. Held in the ballroom, the elegant setting sparkles with fine china, crystal stemware and glistening ice sculpture to complement the bountiful display of edible delights. Find a raw bar with oysters on the half shell and jumbo shrimp cocktail.
This seaside restaurant usually also includes a nice fresh seafood entrée-type item too. One carving station chef always slices up prime rib while another features ham or pork loin or roasted turkey. Get omelets to order with your favorite blend of fresh veggies, meats and fresh eggs. Also find vegetarian pastas, stuffed French toast, imported cheeses and more. Finally, the dessert station gilds the lining of your stomach with modern takes on desserts like sweet shooters plus elegant cakes and pies. Reservations recommended.
Epoch Restaurant and Bar
Where: Epoch Restaurant and Bar, Located in the Exeter Inn, 2 Pine St., Exeter
Contact: (603) 778-3762, epochrestaurant.com
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What’s offered: À la carte
You can expect to find just the right touch from Executive Chef Benjamin Chesley, who is accustomed to pleasing many a wealthy prep school parent. You can always start with the Cast Iron Belgian Waffle, which consists of malted waffle batter, maple syrup, honey and whipped butter. If your in the mood for something more New England try the Nor’Easter, which has NH ham, peppers, onions, Vermont Cheddar Cheese, home fries and toast. The “lunchier” items tend toward the usual soup, salads and sandwiches, but then, nothing is usual here, so expect the unexpected with nice presentations and a good dash of class.
The Oar House
Where: The Oar House, 55 Ceres St., Portsmouth
Contact: (603) 436-4025, portsmouthoarhouse.com
When: 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What’s offered: À la carte
This historic location is rich in artifacts from the past.
Street 360
Where: Street 360, 801 Islington St., Portsmouth
Contact: (603) 436-0860, streetfood360.com
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What’s offered: À la carte
Here’s your chance to sample breakfast flavors from around the world in a hip, happening spot. The house specialty is the Breakfast Purrito, pita pocket filled with rosti potatoes, local eggs and plenty of cheese with your choice of veggies or sausage
The Old Salt
Where: The Old Salt, 490 Lafayette Rd., Hampton
Contact: (603) 926-8322, oldsaltnh.com
When: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
What’s offered: Buffet
Fresh fruits, imported and domestic cheeses, fruit-filled pancake, croissants, maple sausage, Eggs Benedict, green salad, pasta and smoked salmon. Then there are classic New England entrée selections including stuffed chicken, carved turkey, roast beef plus omelet stations and waffles made to order. If you have room, there is a table filled with dessert and showcased with a 36-inch-tall chocolate fountain bubbling with dark Belgian chocolate. Enjoy the sounds of George Blodgett on the piano. Wow. Perennial Best of New Hampshire readers’ pick.
Lakehouse Grille
Where: Lakehouse Grille, 821 Daniel Webster Hwy., Church Landing, Meredith
Contact: (603) 279-5221, thecman.com
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What’s offered: Buffet
You can find just about everything you need at this bountiful spread at the Lakehouse Grille in Meredith. The room is comfortable, beautifully designed and many tables offer a sweeping view of Lake Winnipesaukee. Every Sunday a two-piece combo plays light jazz at just the right volume, helping to create a very pleasant experience all around.
Chefs are on hand to whip up an omelet and even just a quarter of a section of a Belgium waffle. Then head to the topping section for syrups, sauces and fresh fruit garnish. A carving station offers a roasted pork or ham selection. An attractive seafood display offers cocktail shrimp and house-cured salmon with assorted mustards.
Push on to a number of hot entrées, including roasted potatoes, Eggs Benedict and thick apple-smoked bacon. A wealth of desserts includes a Chocolate Mousse Trifle . You can head back to the waffle station and garnish that with more chocolate and whipped cream. Yes! Mimosas and Bloody Marys can be ordered too, and if you like their spicy Bloody you can purchase a bottle of the mix on the way out.
The Common Man
Where: The Common Man in Windham (88 Range Rd.)
Contact: Windham: (603) 898-0088, thecman.com
When: Windham 10:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m.
What’s offered: Buffet
Bountiful displays of food from crispy bacon to buttered brussels sprouts to a waffle station rife with fresh berries and whipped cream are sure to tempt even the most fussy eater. Children get their own favorite selections — chicken fingers and tater tots. Also find interesting entrée items like roast pork, steamed mussels, chickpea salad and stuffed portobello mushrooms, hot wings and burrito bites. One of the highlights of a Common Man brunch is the Bloody Mary bar where you can make one yourself to your liking with a variety of spices, fresh lemons and garnishes. Use tomato juice, V8 or the Common Man’s own spicy bottled Bloody Mary mix. When you are ready for dessert there is carrot cake and an appealing assortment of pies and cookies.
The Old Court House
Where: The Old Court House, 30 Main St., Newport
Contact: (603) 863-8360, eatatthecourthouse.com
When: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
What’s offered: Buffet Adults – $16.95 Under 12 – $7.95
Mostly traditional breakfast items here with a New England turn such as North Country Smokehouse applewood smoked ham. Potato cakes, scones, pastries, New England baked beans, Belgian waffles with berries and cream and made-to-order French toast. The room is elegant with light flooding in from tall windows in what was a historic court house.
The Restaurant at Burdicks
Where: The Restaurant at Burdicks, 47 Main St., Walpole
Contact: (800) 229-2419, www.47mainwalpole.com
When: Brunch 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What’s offered: À la carte
You can find a nice mix of breakfast and lunch plus a taste of dinner at The Restaurant at Burdick Chocolate. The front window lets sunshine flood in and the cheery yellow walls help brighten the mood too. Go light with a bountiful salad or satisfy with Eggs Benedict on Serrano ham on toasted brioche bread ($13). All the entrée-type meals include a small salad too. Reservations suggested.
Pickity Place
Where: Pickity Place, 248 Nutting Hill Rd., Mason
Contact: (603) 878-1151, pickityplace.com
When: 11:30 a.m., 12:45 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
What’s offered: Fixed-price five-course meal; Other options for kids 12 and younger.
The daytime offering here is really a five-course luncheon inspired by the herbs grown on the grounds. If you can live with only the lunch part of brunch, it is a nice outing. Each month the chef creates a new menu based on the seasons. This is the perfect place to take visitors and impress them with our New England mystique or have a quiet chat with the girls. Reservations necessary.
Red Fox Bar and Grille
Where: Red Fox Bar and Grille, 49 Rte. 16, Jackson
Contact: (603) 383-4949, redfoxpub.com
When: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What’s offered: Breakfast buffet $8.99
A real bargain at $7.95 this family-friendly spot serves up breakfast in a buffet with traditional offerings of omelets, baked ham, French toast, fresh fruit and more. Enjoy your food with a nice warm cup of Baileys and Coffee or an Absolute Mandrin Screwdriver.
Ledges Dining Room at the White Mountain Hotel
Where: Ledges Dining Room at the White Mountain Hotel, 2560 West Side Rd., Hale’s Location
Contact: (603) 356-7100, whitemountainhotel.com
When: Brunch 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What’s offered: Buffet for $18
White table linens, piano and a breathtaking view of the North Conway Ledges through the panoramic windows makes Sunday all the more sumptuous. The brunch features chef-attended omelet and carving stations, maple sausage, homemade corned beef hash, home fries, Belgian waffles with a variety of fresh fruit toppings you can pile high with whipped cream and drown in homemade maple butter. Also find entrée specials, homemade soups and Eggs Benedict made to order. Yes, because this is one dish that suffers from service out of a chafing dish. Top that all off with a selection of cakes, pastries and cookies from the dessert table.
CR’s the Restaurant
Where: CR’s the Restaurant, 287 Exeter Road, Hampton
Contact: (603) 929-7972, crstherestaurant.com
When: Brunch 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
What’s offered: A la carte menu
Items include Lobster Omelet, Brioche French Toast, Short Rib Hash & Eggs, Seared Salmon & Eggs, Crab Cake Benedict, Asparagus Salad, Bloody Mary, Mimosas, and Keoke Coffee.
The Black Forest Café
Where: The Black Forest Cafe, 212 Route 101, Amherst
Contact: (603) 672-0500, theblackforestcafe.com
When: Brunch 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
What’s offered: A la carte menu
Items include: Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, gruyere, anadama bread grilled, two eggs sunny side up, mornay sauce; crabcake Benedict, seafood crêpes and a daily quiche.
