Ordering soup usually means committing to one bowl and hoping it was the right choice. One tavern in New Hampshire has solved that problem entirely.
The kitchen offers soup flights, small cups of several varieties served side by side on a board. You can taste a creamy chowder, a spicy chili, a vegetable bisque, and a seasonal special all in the same sitting.
The portions are small enough that nothing goes to waste, and the presentation makes the whole thing feel like a tasting rather than a meal. The tavern itself is casual, with wooden tables, a long bar, and a crowd that leans local.
Nothing about it feels trendy or overthought. The soup flights are simply a smart idea executed well.
This New Hampshire spot has turned a simple comfort food into something worth planning around. And once you try one flight, ordering a single bowl starts to feel like a missed opportunity.
Soup Flights Steal the Spotlight
Indecision finally has a delicious cure. At Tavern 27, the soup flight lets you sample several varieties instead of committing to just one bowl.
Think of it as a tasting tour you can eat with a spoon. Each small serving brings its own personality, so you get variety without the stress of picking a single winner.
It turns an ordinary starter into a mini event at the table.
The kitchen has a reputation for creative soups. Past offerings have included a hearty cheeseburger soup, a classic clam chowder, and a plant-based kale and chickpea option.
Rotating choices mean the lineup can look different every time you stop by.
Sharing is half the fun here. Pass the bowls around, compare notes, and argue playfully about which one deserves the crown.
Friendly debates taste better with something warm in front of you.
A flight also works beautifully on a chilly New Hampshire evening. The cold outside makes every spoonful feel like a small hug from the inside.
Smart move? Order the flight first, then decide on the rest of your meal.
Your taste buds will guide you toward the next adventure, and you may discover a new favorite you never would have chosen on your own.
A Farmhouse That Refuses to Be Boring
Pull into the lot and your first reaction might be a confused blink. The property looks like a rustic carnival crossed with a country farmhouse, and that is exactly the charm.
Quirky decor pops up everywhere you look. Odd signs, playful touches, and seasonal flair give the grounds a personality that no chain restaurant could ever copy.
Some first impressions lean toward puzzled, yet curiosity always wins.
Around the main building, you will find farmland stretching out with grape vines and blueberry bushes. A small nine-hole golf course also sits on the property, which makes this far more than a simple dinner stop.
Honestly, the setting is part of the meal. Wandering the grounds before you sit down helps you shake off the drive and slip into a slower, easier mood.
Photographers will love the oddball details. Snap a few pictures of the rustic structures and colorful corners, because friends back home will absolutely ask where on earth you went.
Tip for newcomers is simple. Keep an open mind as you arrive, since the outside only hints at the cozy warmth waiting indoors.
The surprise is half the reason this place sticks in your memory long after dinner ends.
Fireplace Glow and Timber Beams
Snow piling up outside? Good news, because the best seat in the house sits right beside a crackling fireplace.
Inside, exposed wood beams stretch overhead and give the room a cabin-in-the-woods feel. The lighting stays warm and low, so conversations feel relaxed rather than rushed.
You almost expect a friendly bear to wander in and ask for a menu.
Space is limited, and that works in your favor. Fewer tables mean the room feels intimate, like dining at a friend’s country home instead of a busy restaurant.
Winter is when this room truly shines. Frosty New Hampshire nights make the fire feel downright magical, and thawing out with something warm becomes the main event.
Arriving early is a clever strategy. Seats fill quickly, and the tables closest to the flames tend to be the most popular.
Reservations are a wise idea when you can make them.
Bring layers, though. The cold bites on the way in, yet the room heats up fast once the fire gets going.
Peeling off your scarf while settling into a wooden chair might be one of the coziest small pleasures you experience all season.
Small Plates With Big Personality
Sharing is the whole game plan here. The menu at Tavern 27 leans into American tapas, which means plates built for passing around and trying a bit of everything.
Do not let the word tapas fool you into expecting tiny portions. Servings are generous, so a few plates can easily become a full feast for a small group.
Favorites on the menu have included scotch eggs, tavern fries, Parmesan truffle fries, bacon mac and cheese, and homemade chips. Desserts deserve attention too, especially the bread pudding, which has earned a loyal following.
Farm-fresh ingredients drive the cooking. The kitchen focuses on local, seasonal flavors, giving familiar comfort dishes a fresher twist.
Planning your order like a strategy game helps. Start with a soup flight, add two or three small plates, then leave just enough room for something sweet.
Pacing yourself is the secret to tasting more without needing a nap at the table.
Groups have the biggest advantage. More people means more plates, and more plates means more chances to find that one dish everyone fights over.
Bring friends who share well, or at least ones who are willing to negotiate politely for the last bite.
Allergy Friendly Without the Fuss
Food allergies can turn dining out into a stressful puzzle. Here, the kitchen takes that worry seriously, and it shows in how the menu is built.
Gluten-free choices are plentiful, and the team has a strong reputation for celiac-safe cooking. Even dishes like baked haddock can be prepared gluten free, often so well that nobody at the table notices the difference.
Vegetarians and vegans get real options too. Chickpea fries, roasted vegetable sandwiches, plant-based soups, and even vegan desserts have appeared on the menu over time.
That kind of care is rare for a small tavern. The owners are known for being dietary conscious, which means mixed groups can finally eat together without someone settling for a sad side salad.
Still, speak up about your needs when you order. Clear communication helps the kitchen do its best work, and the staff are happy to guide you toward safe choices.
Families with picky eaters will also appreciate the variety. With so many styles on the menu, everyone can find something that fits their diet and their mood.
It is comfort food with consideration baked right in, which makes the whole meal feel more welcoming for every single person at the table.
Reserve the Piano Table if You Can
Want the most unusual seat in the Lakes Region? Ask about the piano table, a one-of-a-kind spot that turns dinner into a story worth telling.
It is exactly what it sounds like. You sit at a table connected to a piano, surrounded by the rustic charm of the room.
Few restaurants anywhere offer anything quite like it.
Live piano music has filled the space on certain evenings in the past. Blues tunes have also drifted through the bar area, adding an easygoing soundtrack to the meal.
Music changes the energy of a room. Conversations slow down, laughter comes easier, and suddenly you are lingering over dessert instead of rushing out the door.
Because the spot is unique, it does not stay open long. Booking ahead is your best bet, especially for a date night, a birthday, or any celebration that deserves a little extra flair.
Even if the piano table is taken, the music and mood reach every corner. My favorite piece of advice for this place is simple, really.
Sit back, listen, and let the evening unfold at its own unhurried pace, because that relaxed rhythm is what this tavern does best.
Meet Trolley 27 Out Back
Behind the tavern sits a surprise on wheels. Trolley 27 is a converted trolley that has served food to hungry folks enjoying the outdoor side of the property.
The trolley became especially important when the dining room had to close during the pandemic. Instead of giving up, the owners pivoted outdoors and kept the community fed.
Breakfast has been a big highlight over the years. Waffle breakfast sandwiches, chicken and waffles, smoothies, coffee, and homemade potatoes have all been part of the lineup.
Seating outside includes both covered and open areas. That flexibility means sunny mornings and drizzly afternoons both work just fine.
Dogs have been welcome in the outdoor space too, which makes this a fun stop for pet owners exploring the area. Your furry co-pilot deserves a road trip treat now and then.
Schedules for the trolley can shift with the seasons, so checking the official website before you go is wise. Things change on a small family property, and a quick look online saves you from disappointment.
Visiting both the tavern and the trolley on separate trips gives you two totally different experiences. Same quirky spirit, completely different flavors and settings.
Golf, Vines and Mushroom Festivities
Few dinner spots let you squeeze in a round of golf beforehand. On this property, a small nine-hole course sits right next to the action.
Casual players feel right at home. The course is relaxed and friendly, perfect for an easy evening swing before settling in for soup and small plates.
Farmland surrounds everything with grape vines and blueberry bushes adding color through the warmer months. Walking the grounds feels peaceful, like stepping into a slower version of the world.
Then there is the mushroom festival. Tavern 27 has hosted an annual celebration of all things fungi, a quirky event that fits the personality of the place perfectly.
Events like this give locals a reason to return year after year. For visitors, catching one feels like stumbling onto a secret party in the countryside.
Event dates change, so keep an eye on the official website and social media for updates. Planning around a festival can turn an ordinary trip into a memorable one.
Pack comfortable shoes if you plan to explore. Between the golf course, the farm rows, and the quirky outdoor corners, you might end up wandering much longer than expected.
Know Before You Go
Small places run on their own rhythm. This tavern is family run with a compact team, so patience pays off and rushing simply is not part of the plan.
Hours can change by season, and there have been stretches when the restaurant closed temporarily, including the summer of 2026. Checking the official website before heading out is the smartest thing you can do.
Seating indoors is limited. Arriving early or making a reservation when possible gives you the best chance of grabbing a table, especially on weekends.
Expect prices that feel fair for the quality and portion sizes. Many diners leave surprised that a full feast cost less than they guessed.
Card payments have been accepted, which keeps things simple. Parking is plentiful, since the property sits a bit off the main road with plenty of space.
Overall reputation is strong, with a high rating that reflects consistent quality and genuine hospitality. That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident.
Finally, set your expectations to relaxed. This is not a fast food stop.
Treat it as an evening out, and the slow, cozy pace will reward you every single time.
Point Your GPS Toward Parade Road
Finding the place is half the adventure. Tavern 27 sits at 2075 Parade Rd, Laconia, NH 03246, just off the beaten path in the heart of the Lakes Region.
Laconia makes an excellent base for exploring New Hampshire. Lake Winnipesaukee is close by, so you can pair a scenic lakeside afternoon with a cozy evening of soup and small plates.
Fall might be the most dramatic time to visit. Colorful leaves line the country roads, and the drive feels like a postcard come to life.
Winter brings its own magic with snow-covered fields and that famous fireplace waiting inside. Summer and spring show off the farm, the vines, and the outdoor spaces at their liveliest.
Watch for the sign as you drive. Plenty of first timers zoom past before realizing they need to turn around, so keep your eyes peeled.
Honestly, I think every road trip deserves at least one wonderfully odd stop like this one. So grab your appetite, bring a friend who loves to share, and claim a seat by the fire.
Those soup bowls are not going to taste themselves, and your next favorite meal is waiting down a country road.
