Sadly we did not discover this fine restaurant sooner. What a wonderful experience. First, I was able to make my reservations online in real time via Urban Spoon, how cool is that! Then, upon arrival I was made to feel special, our table took about 10 minutes to prepare (this was noted as a possibility when I made my reservation). Several people checked on us while we waited and had a drink at the bar. The Martini I ordered was outstanding and large! The wine the bartender recommended for my wife was spot on. Service at our table was everything I would expect, the atmosphere was warm and friendly. The restaurant was full yet we could easily talk over dinner. The menu choices were creative and everything we ordered was outstanding and served in a timely manner. You will not be disappointed with this experience, I am sure! read more

Amazing!!!! Lobster BLT & a dark & stormy- perfection! Very expensive- a special treat for sure but we plan on it a few times during the summer. Too good and wonderful staff! Love the store as well! read more

My husband and I stayed at the Inn for four nights on our honeymoon trip to NH. We have no words to express how much we enjoyed our stay. The staff was amazing and they went above and beyond to make our stay very special. The staff was welcoming, treating us like family. They booked our boat tour on Squam Lake, recommended sites for us to visit and took care of us to make sure we enjoyed our time in the Lakes Region of NH. The food was out of this world! Breakfast , lunch and dinner were able to be made gluten free for my dietary concerns and were all fabulous. Everythingwas fresh and delicious!! There's no need to eat anywhere else. We stayed in the Eagle Nest room which has a fabulous claw foot bath tub, wonderfully comfortable bed and a very serene and quiet atmosphere. The complimentary shampoo, conditioner and lotion are wonderful and are also sold in the Red Barn. We loved it all! We have a five star hotel in our city that we have stayed at before, and we have to say the Squam Lake Inn surpassed that hotel, by far! The service, food, room, staff and atmosphere deserve more stars than we can award. If you are considering staying at the Inn, please book your stay NOW. You will not be disappointed. I wish there was more we could say to describe how special our time was at the Inn, but we will let you book your stay and experience the Inn for yourself. Enjoy! read more

This is a review for the restaurant portion of the Inn only. Six of us had dinner on an August Friday night. The place was bustling, but the service was impeccable. The ambiance was lakeside casual, and food - from halibut to filet mignon to scallops - was excellent. Desserts were great - lots of unique twists on old favorites. Wine list was short, but impressive given the area. If you are looking for a solid place to dine in this area, Squam Lake Inn is it! read more

The food was excellent and the service was even better. We had the artichoke and soft shell crab appetizers and portobello mushroom entree. It was all perfectly done and put a smile on our faces. The food is fresh, flavorful, and local. Also try the ice cream sandwich dessert. read more

Food and service here is clearly top shelf - compared to ANYWHERE, city snobs notwithstanding. But I think I know how they get a fabulous chef working in a tiny little rural spot like this. It's the same reason my daughter and I walked in without a reservation on a packed Friday evening and were promptly seated after a quick check by a most gracious host - good people who seem to really enjoy what they are doing! read more

I have had a lot of sandwiches in my life, and the Turkey club was one of the best I have ever had. It goes to show that you don't need ten things on your sandwich, just use the best ingredients. It started with the very fresh, thick cut bread, great tomatoes, avocado and turkey. A few great slices of thick cut, smoky bacon with a blanket of chopped lettuce on top and bottom. My son enjoyed a great lobster roll and my wife's chicken caesar salad was also excellent with a slightly different dressing. The homemade ice-cream sandwich topped it off. You expect nice service in New Hampshire, but we had a genuine and pleasant server who made the lunch perfect. read more

The food is farm fresh here and cooked to perfection. The entrees are wonderful and interesting. The service is lovel and the inn is just a perfect place to retire after a day on the lake read more

My family was lucky enough to attend the beautiful Squam Lake Inn for my older brothers wedding this past weekend. 5 stars is not enough when rating this beautiful Inn! The staff were attentive, welcoming and engaged with our guests. It was a beautiful setup outside for the dinner following their ceremony on beautiful Church Island. Our meal was delicious from the salad, rolls, main course (I got the swordfish and my fiance got the steak - both of which were fantastic) and ice cream sandwiches after! The breakfast at the inn is also spectacular and it is such a nice perk that breakfast is included in your stay as I find this rare nowadays. Our room was beautiful with a large upgraded bathroom. We are so looking forward to coming back to Squam Lake Inn for a weekend away! How wonderful it was to visit a place very close to my now sister in laws family's (and our family's) hearts. Thank you so much to everyone at the Squam Lake Inn for a wonderful stay and an amazing wedding weekend for R&R! :) We made memories here that will last a lifetime! read more

Lovely spot just off the beaten path near the lake. Outdoor patio was perfect on a late afternoon in summer. Split the mussels appetizer, very nicely done in a wine sauce and just right to share. Crostinis to sop up the sauce, even replenished the basket when requested. Split a turkey avocado sandwich, fresh ingredients, nice size. Recommend any of the combos. Looked great all around. Split a dark beer that was recommended by the waitress and we were very happy. Lovely interior rooms also should the weather not cooperate. One of the nicest places in the area........we will be back! Visit the gift shop/barn on the property while there. read more

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME! My husband got the veggie burger and it's is vegalicious and I got the swordfish and it was AMAZING!! Service awesome, atmosphere cool and drinks were rocking! read more

The best restaurant in the Lakes Region, hands down. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful and the quality of ingredients and variety of food on the menu is unparalleled to any other restaurant in the area. The company that I work for uses the Inn for post event dinners and to house guests and all have had a great experience. They are perfectly willing to accommodate large parties, but always make sure to reserve ahead even for a table of two as they are typically full on weekends through the summer. The food is amazing and always cooked perfectly (really not exaggerating) and the bar stocks a unique and interesting selection of quality liquors with mixed drinks that the bartender crafts using items from the herb garden behind the restaurant. Visit for lunch or dinner and you will definitely have a great experience! read more

Great place and if you don't have a reservation sit at the bar. It's the same menu and you get to watch Sara make cocktails like an alchemist. I got the potbelly stack and it was superb. It was loaded with fresh mushrooms and greens. The clam chowder was also very very good, creamy and buttery. On my next visit I hope to stay at the Inn so I can get breakfast there too. read more

Squam Lake Inn - Saint germain, delish. - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Holderness, New Hampshire

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We dined here last Sunday. It was soooooo good!! The oysters from three different places where plump, crisp and fresh. The grilled artichoke was the best!! We also had a mushroom dish that was made with exotic mushrooms from a local grower. The wine pour was good. The service was great if you're not in a rush. Well catered to!! We will be back! read more

Absolutely perfect stay in this very comfortable and beautiful inn. Located in the north western corner of the Lake Winnipesaukee region, this place is very close to another amazing place to visit known as the "Castle in the Clouds". Very much worth checking out. The inn has a bar/restaurant and had one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in. I would stay here again in a heart beat. If you like a slightly rustic look and feel, yet all of the comfort you could ask for, then stay here. read more

Not only did I have dinner here, but I also stayed at their B&B. As soon as I arrived to check in, I was warmly welcomed. It's a very comfortable and warm place. The owners obviously take a lot of pride in running a wonderful B&B. The room was super clean with great bath products. The sheets were super soft. I can highly recommend staying here. The restaurant. ... very well run. Plenty of staff. Very professionally managed. Friendly service. The food was excellent. Fresh. Creatively prepared. If I lived in the area I would eat here often. It's only about 40 min. To get to the white Mountains. Highly recommended. read more

The staff at Squam Lake Inn are AMAZING! They always make you feel special. The rooms are immaculate, the breakfasts are phenomenal, and the decor makes you feel at home. Also, make sure you get a reservation for dinner! Their food is fresh, local, and incredibly tasty! Thank you to everyone there for making our anniversary the best one ever! read more

I had dinner there several times this summer. The ambience is pure New England country and the food never disappointed. Everything from the oysters to the prime rib were expertly prepared and served. Great wine list and even better specialty cocktails. The "salty pear" was a gem! Additionally the staff is professional, courteous and cheerful. I think it's the best restaurant in the Lakes Region! read more

I've eaten at the Squam Lake Inn restaurant many times. The ice cream sandwiches are wonderful, the wine selection interesting, and the cocktails very good. I do like the food, with one large caveat -- never once, in all of my visits here, has the food been hot enough. The plates themselves are never hot, which tells me that the chef is putting good food on cold plates. This is basic, restaurant 101 stuff. The plates should be piping hot before the food is served. I've even had to send food back at this restaurant because it was too cold. Last night my scallops were barely lukewarm while everything else on the dish was hot. My husband's salmon was not only lukewarm, but completely flavorless, not a problem we usually have at the Squam Lake Inn. Salt and pepper did nothing to help a dish without enough spice or imagination. One other issue is that service can be scattered even on slower nights. Many times I've ordered a second glass of wine when the main course was served, only to have it arrive when I was half finished with the meal. More than once we've waited forty minutes between appetizer and entree. They often seem short-staffed, and we usually have to wait at least fifteen minutes after being seated for our drinks to arrive. That said, it is the best restaurant in the area. If they would only improve the service a bit and serve their food hot (and weed out the few dishes that aren't up to snuff), I could recommend this restaurant without reservation. read more

As a Holderness local, I've been dining at the Inn Kitchen and Bar for many years now, and I'm long overdue in posting a review. I go nearly weekly in the shoulder season and at least once or twice a month in the high season, and the food is consistently amazing, with very creative flavor combinations on the regular menu and particularly featured in daily specials. The meats and pastas are locally sourced and fresh, and you won't find better bacon anywhere in NH. Just try the 50-50 burger for yourself. They've just added a soft baked pretzel as a side to their mussels dish, and it's to-die- for good. I just had the lobster BLT for the first time this past weekend, and can't believe it's taken me so long to discover it - they do not skimp on the lobster, and it's the perfect combination of lobster, mayo, and bacon. Did I mention their bacon is amazing? While everyone loves the ice cream sandwiches, which are a signature dessert for them without question, I'd take Cindy's fresh-baked lime zest cookies (just on their own) or their chocolate pudding over the sandwiches any day. The peanutbutter and key lime pies are also winners, but seem to hover in the shadow of the ice cream sandwiches. The bartenders were frontrunners in introducing St. Germain cocktails to the Lakes Region a few years ago, but the Salty Pear (made with St. Germain) is truly a refreshing summer concoction that I haven't seen offered on any other menu around. Top-notch food and drinks, a wonderful staff, and patio dining - a great evening out for vacationers and locals alike. read more

As a San Francisco food snob, I really appreciated what they were going for with the cuisine here, even if they did miss the mark a bit. But judged on a New Hampshire standard, we did enjoy our meal here. Very friendly service, some great white wines on a hot summer day, helpful and friendly service, and an old, attractive building. read more

Had company from out of state, made reservations for 7 pm on a Thursday nite, arrived and seated at 7 pm. Promptly ordered dinner, 1 hour 15 minutes later of no further service, or explanations, we got up and left. asked for a manager, got the water man, and a waitress to say,finally,sorry, asked for manager,,,, none avail ? Had a problem in kitchen ???? No parking, un safe walk on dark streets, worse than poor management, no management at all. Do Not Recommend this place!!!!! read more

Was very excited to see a restaurant while on vacation that boasted not only sourcing local ingredients, but a menu that excited us! So we made a reservation. No one asked us if we wanted inside or outside seating. when we arrived, we were seated outside in a far corner table with no light whatsoever. We had to read the menus by cellphone light. Our apps were: fried chicken livers, oysters, and the squid linguini. I don't want to get into how terribly prepared the livers were. Oysters were great. Presentation awful. Ice everywhere... And when it began to melt... Water everywhere. Squid was ok but some of the flavor combinations were a bit off to me. Entrees included: duck, scallops and salmon. The meals came out an hour and 15 min after ordering them. Duck was severely over cooked, Scallops were over cooked, and salmon was burnt. I rarely send anything back but I could not choke down the scallops. The server did not offer me a choice, (I honestly did not want them) she told me they will make me a new plate, completely ignoring my objections. When the new plate arrived, I received 3 scallops, some terribly prepared grits, bitter Swiss Chard, some celery medley, and a GREEN rock hard tomato. (NOT an heirloom tomato, not a special tomato an unripe, sour tomato I would have pickled). What a waste of $210 - in a nutshell, unimaginative bar drinks, very poor craft beer selection, rude service, and poor food preparation. This could have the potential to have been a "go to" for our yearly vacation as well as our other family members that summer on Squam Lake, but now, I will tell anyone that listens that this place is not worth the frustration or the money. Very sad. read more

Dining at the Squam Lake Inn has so much going for it - the ambiance, especially eating outside on the patio; quality of the food; and a great wine selection. However, one could starve before getting your meal! We waited well over an hour for our dinner. Since we were paying top dollar for the food, we expected that it would arrive in a reasonable time. I see that another reviewer had the same experience. What a shame, because with changes to the kitchen management, I would give this restaurant 5 stars. As it is, we won't be returning for quite a while. read more

Sunday brunch was out of this world! We arrived around 11:30am, so we had a choice of either the brunch or lunch menu - we chose both. I started with a cup of tomatillo gazpacho which was as fresh and yummy as it could be. My husband had the lobster bisque and felt the same. For an entree I chose the S.L.I house salad with seared scallops from the brunch menu. Everything about it was fabulous: the scallops were very fresh, huge and seared to perfection; the greens were fresh, feta cheese and dried blueberries added a fun flavor and the poppy seed dressing was excellent. My husband had the LBLT from the lunch menu - lobster salad, thick-cut pepper bacon lettuce and tomato on toasted sourdough with a basil aioli, he loved every bite. The service was great too. Can't wait to go back. I recommend this place a thousand times over. read more

By far the best food and best service in the area. Amazing menu. Fantastic staff. Charming atmosphere. Special touches everywhere you look. Dinner's served Wednesday-Sunday during the summer season. Make your reservations early so you can enjoy your meal al fresco on the deck. If you stay at the Inn, you feel like family. The rooms are immaculately clean, well appointed, and perfectly decorated for that special getaway experience. Breakfast is oh-so-delicious and is included in your stay. The front porch offers a quiet, cozy spot to read or relax. Perfectly located within a few minutes walking distance to "downtown" Holderness (boat livery, Science Center, Marketplace, etc.). This is our fifth stay at the Inn (one week/five summers). We wouldn't stay anywhere else because nowhere else could possibly compare. read more

The food was delicious here. We highly recommend the swordfish as well as their hamburgers. I had a special pasta dish and it was great. We went here a couple of times and no matter what you order you won't be disappointed. Their prices aren't cheap but the quality and atmosphere is there to justify the price. Would highly recommend! read more

I have been coming to the Lakes Region of NH for nearly 40 years, and the restaurants in the area have never failed to disappoint...until now. The food, service, and atmosphere at the Squam Lake Inn restaurant are not only worlds better than the other offerings in the area, but hold their own with my home foodie city of Providence. No pretension, no snobbery, just outstanding food and cocktails made by people who are make you feel instantly as though you are welcome and at home. We were particularly impressed by the young woman who seems to be the main bartender (whose name, I am sorry to say, escapes me) -- her obvious delight in making and inventing cocktails was apparent, and the drinks were all outstanding. We will return -- often. read more

Try to visit this restaurant once each summer but think we have made our last one. Made a reservation the week before and indicated we wanted a table inside for dinner. On arrival we were shown to a seat outside. I indicated we had reserved inside and was told there was nothing available. I said our party of three would leave unless we were seated outside as it was too cold for one of our group. We were put at a small and crowded table. Our server came over almost immediately with bread and took our drink order and suggested we put in a appetizer order right away as they were so busy. He then told us several items they had already "run out of" in spite of it only being 6:30PM. Ordered a bottle of wine and a glass of prosecco. Waited and waited and waited. Ultimately the appetizer came out and still no drinks. Server came back and told us they ran out of the bottle we selected. Suggested a more expensive one but we requested a different choice since the bottle he suggested was priced at nearly three times retail. Two of our main course selections were fine but my husband's steak frites entree was cold. I suggested he return it but he was so frustrated by all the delays and poor service he said he didn't want to endure the place longer than necessary. Our server was working at a feverish pace but he had too many tables to provide even half way decent service. When he brought us our bill he asked how we enjoyed our meal and my husband told him about his cold meal. The server said he would have replaced it if he had known but my husband explained we had already spent far too much time waiting. They should have comped his meal in our opinion but the server offered to give him an ice cream sandwich. Hmmm. Not very sensitive when we had already explained the meal had dragged out too long already. They charge like they are in NYC but don't have the service to back it up. read more

We found this gem last summer and returned for a family gathering. The service and meal were outstanding. Don't be so consumed with your own meal choice. We shared everything! Can't wait to return next summer. read more

Excellent food but over priced because the portions are small. We have been about six times now and always find the food creative and wonderful but the portions a bit meager for the price. Pretty atmosphere and good service. read more

I love the Squam Lake Inn atmosphere and food. Both outstanding. What I did not like was the, I'm assuming manger, the way he greeted us, very short and very unfriendly. I noticed he was super flustered and busy so I thought the night must be going badly. Where the restaurant is so small I noticed he really wasn't nice to any of the girls working around him. Very condescending and rude. Which I never really would of noticed but again he was so flustered and it being such a small restaurant it was hard not to notice. He seemed very over his ability to manage. It just was not a relaxing atmosphere for the food quality and the quaintness of the overall the restaurant as a whole. read more

The Squam Lake Inn is now serving dinner....this we had to try. Their lunch menu has been such a fabulous, special treat over the years, we could not wait for the evening to arrive. Two friends and I went to dinner their opening weekend. After much indecision, because everything sounded so good, we ordered the Chicken Quesadilla, Pulled Pork and one of the really special delights, Pork Tenderloin. I did not know how "good" Chicken Quesadilla could actually taste when made with fresh, homemade Salsa! My friend might have enjoyed the Pulled Pork better, had they not filled up on the "bowl" portion of New England clam chowder, which was thick as real NE Chowda should be. Now, as for the Pork Tenderloin....this creation was served with Polenta and Asparagus...what a combination! Totally complemented each other. The menu prices were fair and reasonable for our items. I truly did not think it possible that you can actually taste "freshness". According to the Hostess and one of the owners, everything is made fresh and items (ingredients) are seasonal and local when possible. The Squam Lake Inn should be on your list as a choice destination when in the Lakes Region of NH. Eat lunch, dinner, sleep...it's all good! read more

My husband and I recently stayed here for a last getaway before our baby arrives. We loved our time here! The staff was very friendly and helpful (and guided us to a lovely swimming hole at the lake), the room clean and comfortable, and the food was amazing (we had burgers for dinner one night, with an ice cream sandwich for dessert - highly recommend both). We hope to come back again sometime! read more

Found this place after a long bike ride around Squam Lake. Great meal to end the day. Fresh, local ingredients in rustic upscale setting. Enjoyed the PEI mussel appetizer. Seared scallops and portobello stack were both delicious. The highlight though was the ice cream sandwich for dessert! read more

The appetizers (mussels, clam chowder, grilled artichoke) were excellent. The warm bread (small crusty rolls) served with sweet butter, and a second serving provided when we asked, was delicious. The main courses (ribs for one, scallops with sesame noodles and sauteed kale for the other two diners) were also delicious. We asked for a wine recommendation and were directed to an Australian Shiraz, which was quite good after it sat for awhile and we added an ice cube to each glass. Ice in wine??? We're from California and have NEVER done that before! But the wine was overly warm - red wine should be stored at about 62 to 64 degrees, and this bottle felt like it had been stored outside on an 80 degree day. The dessert was not good. Two of us ordered the blueberry/apple tart. The tart crust was very cardboardy. There were few blueberries and few apple slices on top. The Sandwich Creamery vanilla ice cream was delicious. But the crust was awful - either make a real pie crust, or make a shortbread crust. I don't know what they did for this crust. And don't advertise it as a fruit tart if you're going to just pass the fruit over it and call it a dessert. We should have ordered the macaroon cookie/coffee ice cream sandwiches instead. I've had those there before and they are really delicious!!! Service was quite good until the very end when it took the server a long time to get back to us to take our payment, but she was outside chatting with other guests (her parents) so it was understandable. read more

Had the SLT burger. My wife and sister had the Scallops and PEI mussels. The peach cobbler desert was excellent. This is a good Common Man alternative. Food was excellent. Location was nice. read more

First dinner of this season at SLI - the experience just gets better and better. When dining here - plan ahead, make a reservation because getting a table can be a challenge! Anyway, dining here is as if you have a "chef" friend who invites you over, and makes you this FABULOUS meal. I travel for a living - going round the world dining at some of the finest restaurants - few come close to the SLI. The lovely ambiance is hard to match - the staff is cheerful, professional, and genuinely interested in making your experience distinct and unique - using good ole' fashioned engagement as the means. But it is the food that truly sets this operation apart AND the owners! They take enormous pride in what and how they deliver food, they are passionate about freshness and flavor - they are kind and available if any issues arise. All in All this is a stand out dining experience - again plan ahead, and sit outside for one genuinely lovely summer dining experience. read more

The Squam Lake Inn menu has something for everyone with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. You can sit outside on the deck, inside the screened porch or in the dining room. Excellent food in a lovely setting. If you are in the Lakes Region then you'll want to stop by for an enjoyable and relaxing meal. read more

We are two couples, originally from Boston, who together own three time share weeks at a resort in Ashland, NH. We have been coming to the Squam Lakes region since 1980 for spring, summer, and fall vacations. We enjoy the restaurants here more than almost anywhere. Squam Lake Inn is one we discovered only a few years ago. We ate there again during our fall 2012 time share week. The regular menu has many favorites, but they had a specials menu that was really intriguing and synergistic. On a whim, I asked the very lovely waitress (Lyndsey) if I could order all five items as small plates. She checked with Chef John and he seemed happy to accommodate. Over the next 2.5 hours we enjoyed a meal that I can only characterize as a work of art. The wonderful meals on the regular menu were nothing next to the complexity and synergy of the various ingredients in these dishes. My favorite was the salad with sweet corn, barley, arugula, smoked Maitake mushrooms, and a poached egg. The egg sounds unusual but brought the other ingredients together in an amazing way. The main fish dish of Hake was similarly complex and sublime. Everything was served by the delightful Lyndsey who made the whole experience twice as pleasant. This ranked up there among the most memorable and enjoyable meals I have eaten ever. My dinner companions agreed! read more