Unearth The Voyage
Christmas Eve in New Hampshire feels like stepping into a snow globe, and these inns know exactly how to set the table for magic. Picture twinkling lights, fireplace warmth, and plates that taste like tradition met a chef with big dreams. Whether you want cozy village vibes or mountain views, you will find a table here waiting just for you. Book early, bring your appetite, and let the night sparkle.
1. Christmas Farm Inn and Spa
Settle into Jackson’s storybook hills where the Christmas Farm Inn glows under fresh snow and pine boughs. Candlelight flickers off vintage beams while the fireplace hums, setting a calm, celebratory rhythm. The menu leans classic New England with refined touches you will savor slowly.
Expect velvety bisques, herb crusted prime rib, and maple kissed root vegetables that taste like winter comfort. Pastry turns out cranberry orange tarts and chocolate peppermint finales worth lingering over. Pair it all with local wines and a nightcap in the lounge.
You will leave full, happy, and already planning next year.
2. Bedford Village Inn & Restaurant
Dress up a little and make it a night at Bedford Village Inn, where holiday lights sparkle across the courtyard. The three course Christmas Eve prix fixe feels indulgent without being fussy. Service is polished, warm, and paced for conversation.
Start with a seasonal soup or scallop crudo, move to tender beef or butter poached lobster, then finish with a classic bûche de Noël. The wine list shines, and staff help you find that perfect pairing. Families feel welcome, couples get romance.
Reserve early, arrive hungry, and let this be your December tradition.
3. The Inn at Thorn Hill & Spa
When the White Mountains turn quiet, The Inn at Thorn Hill wraps you in soft light and thoughtful flavors. The dining room frames snow tipped pines like a painted backdrop. Each plate reads festive and bright, yet calm and balanced.
Expect butter roasted game, citrus lifted greens, and truffled root purées that make winter feel luxurious. Desserts lean elegant, perhaps a pear tart with almond cream or dark chocolate mousse. The cellar is deep, emphasizing nuanced pairings.
Book the spa, unwind, then slide into dinner glowing and relaxed. Christmas Eve tastes better when you slow down.
4. The Bernerhof Inn
The Bernerhof feels like your best friend’s mountain lodge, only the kitchen is run by a chef with a playful streak. Settle near the fireplace, sip something spiced, and watch snow paint the windows. Comfort leads, quality follows.
Think braised short rib with mashed potatoes, rosemary chicken, buttery popovers, and a vegetarian special that does not feel like an afterthought. Warm apple crumble may steal the show. Service is upbeat and personal.
You will chat with staff like regulars by dessert. Christmas Eve here is simple, heartfelt, and exactly what you needed.
5. Inn at Pleasant Lake
At Inn at Pleasant Lake, the setting does half the talking. The rest comes from a kitchen that loves New Hampshire ingredients and a dining room that glows with candlelight. The lake view feels like a lullaby for the year.
Expect a thoughtful multi course menu with seasonal soups, delicate seafood, and pasture raised meats. Sauces sing without shouting. Desserts highlight citrus, spice, and chocolate in equal measure.
Knowledgeable staff guide pairings with a gentle touch. It is the kind of evening where you lean back, smile, and taste winter’s best notes.
6. The Greenfield Inn
The Greenfield Inn brings small town charm to Christmas Eve, the kind that feels like you walked into a favorite book. Tables are close enough for a friendly hello yet private enough for toasts. The menu leans classic, generous, and heartfelt.
Roasted turkey, buttery stuffing, and gravy that tastes like time well spent share space with veggie pies and glazed carrots. Save room for maple walnut pie or gingerbread with whipped cream. Coffee is strong, service unhurried.
You will call it cozy, then realize cozy barely covers it. This is comfort at its best.
7. Follansbee Inn
Follansbee Inn sits by Kezar Lake like a postcard, and the dining room mirrors that calm. Expect friendly hellos, clinking glasses, and plates that feel homemade yet polished. The vibe is neighborly, the flavors bright.
Hearty stews, roasted salmon, and herb brushed vegetables carry winter warmth beautifully. Fresh bread arrives steaming, butter melting on contact. Desserts might be citrus cheesecake or a cinnamon apple galette.
You will leave with that satisfied, shoulders down feeling. Book early, especially if you want a window seat to watch snow settle on the lake.
8. Chesterfield Inn
Chesterfield Inn is where understated elegance makes Christmas Eve feel special without trying too hard. White linens, soft music, and windows framing quiet fields create a serene canvas. The menu respects tradition and nudges it forward.
Start with a creamy bisque or winter salad, then move to maple glazed duck or prime rib carved rosy. Sides shine, especially the roasted squash and buttery potatoes. Dessert leans classic with finesse.
Service is gracious and attentive but never fussy. You will savor the stillness as much as the food, then carry it home like a gift.
9. Governor’s Inn & Restaurant
Downtown Rochester turns merry, and Governor’s Inn joins right in with a welcoming glow. The building whispers history while the kitchen serves crowd pleasing holiday classics. Expect good portions, approachable flavors, and a lively hum.
Prime rib with au jus, seared salmon, and vegetarian risotto share the stage with crisp salads and warm rolls. Desserts tilt nostalgic, think peppermint brownies or eggnog crème brûlée. Cocktails carry cinnamon and citrus.
It is a great pick for families and groups who like options. You will feel taken care of from coats to coffee.
10. The Glen House
At The Glen House, Mount Washington looms like a guardian and the dining room keeps things fresh and modern. Big windows, clean lines, and soft lights make the mountains part of dinner. The menu favors local meats, cheeses, and produce.
Expect roasted pork with apple mostarda, seared trout, and hearty grains that feel nourishing in cold air. Craft beers and a tight wine list round things out. Desserts nod to peppermint, chocolate, and citrus.
Come a bit early to watch twilight fade across snow. You will talk about those views long after dessert.
11. Sugar Hill Inn & Hotel Franconia Notch
High above the valley, Sugar Hill Inn pairs sweeping views with an artful kitchen. Plates arrive like small celebrations, polished and precise. The room glows with candles, and conversation falls into a happy hush.
Look for a tasting style progression featuring local cheese, silky soups, perfectly cooked meats, and a seafood highlight. Wine pairings are thoughtful without being overwhelming. Desserts bring balance, usually something bright and something chocolate.
You will linger on the last sip, then step into the crisp night smiling. It feels like luxury without pretense, just right for Christmas Eve.
12. White Mountain Hotel & Resort
White Mountain Hotel & Resort goes big and joyful, perfect for families who want tradition with views. The dining room sparkles, the tree is towering, and the staff keeps everything moving smoothly. Choices abound, so everyone gets a favorite.
Depending on the year, expect a buffet with carving stations or a prix fixe with classic mains. Sides are plentiful, from buttery potatoes to bright green beans. Save room for the dessert spread.
Kids light up, grandparents relax, and you get a night that feels easy. It is Christmas Eve on a grand, happy scale.
13. Franconia Inn
Franconia Inn delivers a polished four course Christmas Eve that feels celebratory from the first greeting. Seatings are well timed, so you can settle in and savor. The room carries history gracefully, and the staff keeps things personable.
Expect soup, salad, a choice of entrée, and dessert with careful attention to seasonal flavors. Portions are satisfying without heavy excess. Prices and timing are clearly posted, making planning easy.
Reserve by phone and lock it in early. You will leave with the glow that only good hospitality and snowy fields can give.
