Favorite Ski Town Lunch Spots Around New England
We all know an important part of any day full of skiing or biking is lunch time. New England has plenty of ski towns with amazing lunch spots. Here we dive into some of the best places to stop for lunch while exploring just some of the east coast ski towns.
Von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall – Stowe, VT
Located right at the Trapp Family Lodge, the Von Trapp Brewery and Bierhall is the perfect place to stop after a day of activities. Conveniently located directly on cross-country ski and mountain biking trails, this is the place to gather with friends to enjoy an Austrian style lunch prepared on their wood-fired Parilla grill after a crisp morning on the trails. If your break includes beer, then you are definitely in the right spot with nine delicious beers to pick from, all brewed right on the property. In a festive “Sound of Music” ambiance you’ll be able to find a beer that will satisfy any taste buds with bres that are hoppy, light, sweet, or smooth. The Austrian lager is their specialty and is sold proudly under the Trappe Family name! The brewery is 30,000 sq. feet and is able to produce up to 36,000 barrels of beer annually. Offsetting this footprint, their 200kW Roof Mounted Solar Array produces clean energy for the Stowe Electric Department!
Enjoy the cross country trails at the Trapp Family Lodge along with spectacular backcountry skiing and snowshoeing routes. There are activities for every season and an option for each member of the family. Check out their full list of activities!
If you want to explore all of Stowe you can stop at the Stowe Mountain Resort Cross Country Center. They have 45 kilometers of groomed trails and 30 kilometers of backcountry terrain. They have trails from beginner all the way up to advanced, making so you never run out of places to explore as you improve . Rentals are available for everyone from the age of 3 and up, including snowshoes, touring gear, classic and skate skis, and backcountry gear!
JJ Hapgoods – Peru, VT
JJ Hapgoods General Store & Eatery has everything you could ask for (plus everything you wouldn’t think to ask for) and is located in the historic town of Peru, VT. They sell Vermont produce, meat, local cheese, wood-fired pizza, penny candy, wine, and beer! They are the longest running general store in the state of Vermont and it’s been enjoyed by the community in its current state since its 2013 revival. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner with an outdoor patio and growler filling stations. There is organic fair trade coffee, baked bread, pizza dough, and baked goods made fresh with organic flour.
After a day of exploring the local cross country ski areas and trails and your stomach is growling, try one of their handcrafted sandwiches, baked goods, or a hot coffee. Keep an eye out for their special events including wine and beer dinners, theme nights, and live music from local artists.
Timber Creek Cross Country Ski Area is a local area to explore where the trails guide you through the forested area of Vermont with options for snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or alpine. In the summer it is perfect for hiking! Timber Creek provides plenty of quiet solitude along with long adventures through the woods sure to produce a little bit of sweat.
The Local Grocer – North Conway, NH
You will get a little bit of everything while eating at The Local Grocer, an organic grocery store sourcing local produce, cheese, meats, and specialty products. Inside this store is the cafe, deli, and smoothie bar, the local hot spot for breakfast and lunch! They use as many local products as they can and everything is 100% organic. A recent expansion added table service, outside seating, a full breakfast menu, as well as a lunch and cocktail menu. They have everything from omnivore to vegan options! Enjoy healthy creative sandwiches, organic coffee and espresso, fresh squeezed juice and smoothies!
This refreshing and organic food spot is where you want to stop while in North Conway. You can work up an appetite as you explore the Bretton Woods Nordic Center before heading to the Local Grocer. At the Nordic Center, you have the option for group or individual nordic lessons, lift service to the 5-mile nordic trail at Mount Stickney Cabin, and the kids alpine club. They have 100km skating and tracked groomed trails and everything from novice to expert! See you there!!
Downtown Grille Cafe – Wolfeboro, NH
Wolfeboro, NH is beautiful during all times of the year. Surrounded by the White Mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee you can never run out of things to do. The Downtown Grille Cafe is where you want to stop when you do finally need a break from exploring. Located right on Main Street with beautiful views of the lake and Wolfeboro Bay you have options to sit inside or out on the deck. The first thing you will need to try is their coffee! Their specialty coffee’s are certified organic, fair trade, and kosher. They are committed to purchasing only shade grown coffees that support a healthy environment for the coffee growers and protects bird habitats! The lunch menu will give you a hard time deciding what to order. They offer countless delicious options for chillies, soups, salad, cold sandwiches, hot sandwiches, and burgers. The cute and homey environment is the perfect place to meet friends and take a break from a day of being outside.
In the Winter Wolfeboro turns into, “The XC Ski Village of the Lakes Region.” Take the time to explore The Nordic Skier Wolfeboro XC. The world class nordic trails are located on Lake Winnipesaukee. They are groomed daily and take you through wooded areas, open fields, and you can venture to two cute warming huts along the way. They have trails for everyone from beginner to advanced, with a ski shop offering all the best gear. There is a reason they call it, “Nordic, skiing’s best kept secret.”
Smokin Good BBQ – Bethel, ME
Smokin Good BBQ is a must try while in Bethel! They are a small food truck on the side of Route 2; keep an eye out for their orange trailer. They use only the best and finest fresh meats available that are dry rubbed with secret recipes and spices. The meats are smoked at a low heat for up to 16 hours using local hardwoods. Even their sides are made from scratch and prepared to their standards with local ingredients and more secret recipes! Their menu is full of drool worthy meals that will warm you up after a day on the trails.
Nearby, the Inland Woods + Trails is a great place to ski or bike while in Bethel. They have recreation trails for fat tire bikes, snowshoes, and cross country skiing. If you don’t have the gear, they offer rentals as well. They have 18km of trails for every level and 8 miles of wooded trails. They now connect to Gould Academy’s 12km of trails. You will always have a place to go!
You can also head over to Carter’s Cross Country Ski Center. They have over 55 km of trails for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat bike riding. There are amazing views of Sunday River and the Mahoosuc and Presidential ranges. They also offer lodging in trail side cabins with 100 acres of skiing terrain! Spend a night on the trails and wake up for an early morning ski!
Main Street Market & Cafe -Concord-Carlisle, MA
Main Street Market Cafe is located in the historic downtown of Concord, MA. This is the perfect place to stop to start your day with a cup of coffee and a pastry, but also for a mid-day lunch and refuel. This local favorite has everything you could wish for, including homemade baked goods, breakfast, lobster rolls, burgers, and seafood. It is the New Englanders dream market! This spot feels meaningful and embodies the history of Massachusetts in one cafe.
There is always someone there to have good conversations with, a full bar with beer on tap, a solid wine list, and live music to enjoy at night. Everything is grown locally on their family farm. This charming brick building is lined with gorgeous wood on the inside, which gives it a warm atmosphere and a homey feel. This is the spot to visit, with all the best New England meals from clam chowder to lobster and much more in between.
Just a town over in Carlisle, MA it’s a short drive to the Great Brook Ski Touring Center. There 10-miles of groomed trails allow you to explore the farmland of New England. You will ski past the working dairy farm, ponds, streams, and beautiful landscape. There are different loops for each level of skier. When you need a break or you’re done for the day, be sure to stop at their rustic lodge that is a converted and renovated cow barn, and is heated by wood stoves! If you have never skied at night, you have to try their Tuesday and Thursday night skiing on the lantern lit trails. The experience is tranquil and relaxing.
You can’t go wrong sitting down for a break and a warm delicious meal at any of these local hot spots while out exploring and adventuring through New England. You won’t be disappointed by the friendly people and the good food.
