Everything Local Lakes' Top 5 Picks for Outdoor Dining in the Lakes Region
Great food, lake views and that unmistakable summer-in-New-Hampshire feeling. These five spots belong on your Lakes Region outdoor dining list.
Summer in the Lakes Region is meant to be spent outside—and that includes mealtime.
There’s something about dinner overlooking the water, lunch with your toes practically in the sand or arriving by boat that makes a meal feel a little more like an experience. With summer winding down, now is the time to grab a table outside and soak up every last bit of lake season.
From Meredith to Wolfeboro and Alton Bay, here are Everything Local Lakes' Top 5 picks for outdoor dining in the Lakes Region.
1. Town Docks | Meredith
If there’s one spot that captures the quintessential Lake Winnipesaukee summer vibe, Town Docks is tough to beat.
Located directly on the water in Meredith, this seasonal favorite is casual, colorful and made for summer. Grab a picnic table, dig your toes into the sand and settle in for lobster rolls, fried seafood, burgers, cold drinks and ice cream—all with Lake Winnipesaukee as the backdrop. You can even arrive by boat.
Everything Local Pick: Go for a late lunch or early dinner, then walk the Meredith waterfront afterward.
2. Back Bay Boathouse | Wolfeboro
For a more laid-back Wolfeboro waterfront experience, Back Bay Boathouse combines outdoor dining, water views and a casual local vibe.
Located on Back Bay just off downtown Wolfeboro, the seasonal deck and patio make it an easy stop for lunch, happy hour or a relaxed dinner. The menu offers plenty of crowd-pleasers, from burgers and wings to tacos, salads and seafood, making it a good choice whether you're dining as a couple, with friends or bringing the family.
Best of all, you can pair it with an afternoon exploring downtown Wolfeboro and the waterfront.
Everything Local Pick: Spend a few hours shopping and exploring Wolfeboro, then head to the Boathouse for dinner outside by the water.
3. Lago | Meredith
Looking for something a little more elevated? Lago offers waterfront Italian dining at Bay Point in Meredith with one of the prettiest settings around.
Its seasonal outdoor dining overlooks Lake Winnipesaukee, making it an especially good choice for date night, a celebration or simply an excuse to linger over dinner while the sun goes down.
The combination of Italian-inspired food, wine, cocktails and lake views offers a completely different outdoor dining experience from the casual dockside spots on our list.
Everything Local Pick: Time your dinner around sunset. This is one of those nights when the view is part of the meal.
4. Shibley's at the Pier | Alton Bay
Head to the southern end of Lake Winnipesaukee for waterfront dining right in the heart of Alton Bay.
Shibley's at the Pier offers a relaxed Lakes Region experience with an outdoor deck overlooking the water. The menu ranges from seafood and lobster rolls to burgers, wraps, pizza and plenty of shareable options.
It's the kind of place that works equally well for a casual lunch after a day on the lake or dinner and drinks as the evening settles in.
Everything Local Pick: Grab an outdoor table and make the view part of the experience. This is classic Alton Bay summer.
5. O Steaks & Seafood | Laconia
For an outdoor dining experience that leans more date night than flip-flops-and-fried-clams, O Steaks & Seafood in Laconia earns our final spot.
Located at the Lake Opechee Inn and Spa, O combines steakhouse favorites, fresh seafood, cocktails and water views in a more upscale setting. It’s a great choice when you want to enjoy the Lakes Region outdoors but are looking for something a little more polished.
Think anniversary dinner, date night, celebration—or simply a summer evening that deserves a great meal and a view.
Everything Local Pick: Arrive early enough to enjoy a cocktail and take in the Lake Opechee setting before dinner.
One More Meal Outside
There are plenty of great places to eat throughout the Lakes Region, which means narrowing the list to five isn't easy.
And that’s exactly the point.
Whether you're looking for toes-in-the-sand casual, a dockside lunch, a lively outdoor deck or an elevated waterfront dinner, the Lakes Region has a spot for just about every summer mood.
Our advice? Don't wait for the weekend.
Pick a warm evening, grab a table outside and enjoy one more dinner by the lake before summer slips away.
Did we miss your favorite? Tell Everything Local Lakes where you think the best outdoor dining spot in the Lakes Region is—and stay tuned for more of our Everything Local Top 5 picks.