Reviews of Sawyer's Dairy Bar (Restaurant)

Jim Fallon

My family has been going to Sawyer's for the past 16 years. It is rare in the restaurant business to see such consistency over that long. It is not fine dining and they do not serve alcohol, but if you are looking for a good meal quickly …

Fagan Forhan

Holy buckets. This is the motherload of seafood clam shacks in the area. Fresh, light fry, so you know it's super clean. Run by this amazing old couple, who were totally in the kitchen working the line when we visited. Locals told us to get …

Eric Regner

Very expensive tourist trap! I got a box of clams, small chowder and an iced tea and paid $35! Food was really good and the staff was friendly and accommodating, but I doubt I will go back unless I win the lottery or something.

william morgan

Just had a frappe and clam strips with onion rings. Everything was great except the rings we're old and dried out. Bummer !

Jeannette Moulton

Love their ice cream girls at the counter were very pleasant great job

Keith Murphy

My wife and I have never been here before so we figured we would give it a try. So we ordered some food which was certainly overpriced. After waiting about a half hour I went up to ask about my food it turns out the owner had been calling the wrong number and our food was sitting ready for about 20 minutes. When I realized this I asked for the fried food to be replaced as fried fish is never as good after sitting for 20 minutes. The owner then decided to tell me that it had been under a warmer and that it was fine. I then said ok Ill just take a refund. At this time the owner tried to refuse a refund and began telling me I should have came up when she called the wrong number. I have never been treated this poorly in any restaurant and will certainly never return. Although the owner did give me my refund she has lost us as customers and I would imagine anyone who witnessed the scene she caused will probably not return as well. I do not believe requesting the fried food being replaced was unreasonable considering it was the owners fault that our $32 lunch was sitting in their window for 20 minutes. Fyi we ordered a fish sandwich, cheese burger, cup of chowder, and 1 drink and yes the total was over $32. I strongly suggest going anywhere but here, there are too many restaurants in this area that actually appreciate their customers!

Brian Hughes

Their seafood exceeded my expectations! Everything tasted fresh and cooked to perfection!

Jeff Ahrent

Fisherman's platter was exceptional

William (JR) Lacey IV

Always a great place to get ice cream. My daughter loves that they remember her and know her order when she walks up

J Jonathan Mickelboro

The ice cream was good but you can't buy a drink from the ice cream window?.....weird

Alex Hill

Classic Americana food with delicious ice cream made there.

Carl P.

GREAT Ice Cream. Plenty of flavors to choose from. I came here today with my wife after many years. My parents used to bring us (my sister & I) up to the Lakes Region every year when we were kids. We stayed at places close by and always stopped by here, sometimes within walking distance. It is just as I remembered it. Same nostalgic spinning sign. Keep up the great work!

Dawn Roby-Clark

Rode the bike and as always great clams. We will be back.

Stephen Hurst

We ended up throwing away most of our food. Friend clams were full of sand. I got a clam strip basket that clam strips we're all stuck together with raw batter. All this for $41.00 just terrible. Go to Pops in Alton Bay the food is great there and the portions and prices are much better.

Douglas Funesti

Good ice cream. They need to get more organized.

Ryan Schwartz

Completely mediocre food. *edit* Added a star for quick and honest feedback from the owner. That means a lot. We had a Chicken Ceasar wrap with fried chicken, onion rings, chicken fingers with fries, and mac and cheese bites. The wrap was okay, but, I just can't place my finger on it, it wasn't good. It wasn't bad. Didn't taste like high-quality food. Ceasar dressing maybe applied a bit too heavily, and was nothing special in the flavor department. The onion rings had no flavor in the batter. The chicken fingers were, like the wrap, unimpressive. My wife ordered only two and didn't finish them. The fries were fine, if not a little soggy. Mac and cheese bites were actually pretty good, got a little taste of mustard in there. I guess another issue is when your slogan is "worth a drive from anywhere", your food has got to be amazing. Based on my experience (and I eat out all over this fine country, up to twice a day, 14 days a month), it really isn't. With warm regards, Ryan

Christopher Brodeur

Great ice cream in the Lakes Region. Haven't had the food in many years, but it looks good. They do not, however, have soft serve, to my wife's chagrin. That said, the salted caramel in a waffle cone was terrific.

David D. Best

Your boy dB here on tour in the northeast. The marquee under the rotating sign read "wicked good ice cream." Of course i stopped. Very Happy Days vibe. You can order ice cream from windows outside, or dine in where you'll find counter service a la any McD, but a different menu: fried favorites (fries, mozzarella sticks, pickles, etc. ...think i saw someone with tots, but it might've been popcorn shrimp); sea stuff (lobster rolls, etc.), and "everything else" (burgers & veggie burgers in caps styles). Wanted to grab 2nd dinner, but only got ice cream. Say at the picnic tables in back and everyone else's stuff looked good. Heard no complaints. Ice cream was typical for a scooped place.

Christine Scharpf

My family stops here every summer. Usually multiple times. Our favorites are the clam strips and cookie monster ice cream.

william shanley

Major disappointment!!! Look forward to going to Sawyer's every year. First visit this year and was very disappointed. Ordered a creamsicle drink.. the drink was only half of the cup.I watched the young lady fill the rest of the cup with water. Not good for $6.00. Returned for refund,no apologies given.

Kerry West

awesome food awesome service great prices

MajorGamer MC

Good food, good ice cream .There fries were delicious and homemade.

Forrest Morris Jr

Not bad considering it's a tourist stop, scallops are the best, but everything else is good as well, fresh seafood, clean facilities. A little pricey, but you get a decent meal. Recommended, just be warned come summer the place gets packed with, tourist...

Charles Howland

We have stopped by here a couple of times and have been satisfied with the service and the food. We will be going back soon.

Janine Moro

Service was soo slow, had to go to the window and ask where my food was after 20 min. I had the fish sandwich no that good. Won't go there again.

Dawn Vaillancourt

Pistachio Ice Cream ~ yum!!

Cathy Burnham Martin

Good service. Love the lobster rolls and seafood. Some ice cream flavor include creepy food coloring, so beware! Also, their ice cream is posted as not being gluten free. Having made ice cream on far more than one occasion, this seemed odd, especially since they are making their own.

Christine Day

Stopped in when I was in the area. I was surprised at how busy it was but how quickly our food was delivered. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The food was delicious. The kids meals are a good sized portion. Prices were average.

chris guimond

Great food. Worth the price and was reasonable.

Bob Smith

Pretty good seafood. We stop here every year during Laconia Bike Week. A tad expensive for what you get.

Marie Kirk

The seafood is NOT that tasty..Clam strips ate mostly batter. Fried green beans are the only item I will buy

Joe Johnson

Very consistent

dave struthers

Overpriced, underportioned and worst of all, everything was definitely frozen. Not recommended at all. One and done here.

Tony Estes

Great food and great location!

Annette Gagne

Great seafood❤❤❤

Carmeta French

Best clam strips

J

Terrible unfulfilling BLT...especially for the price.

David DeVries

Great Place. The essence of summer.

Goob

Extremely good ice cream and frappes food is decent, service is pretty fast but not super fast.

Chris Bynoe

Super muggy inside on only an 80 degree day, also something leaked from ceiling on to table where my child was seated. And can only order ice cream from outside windows.

Robert Eddy

Verry good food and ive cream ......verr nice there ice cream is awsome that are close now

Sherry Brown

After the fish fry at the soda shop in Laconia my kind friend took me out to Sawyer's and I had there yogurt black raspberry chocolate chip yummy. Thanks Jim right from my lips straight to my hips

galina kalvatchev

Great place to visit in the summertime.

Leona Vocino

A yearly go to place for us when we are in the area.

Laura Blackadar

Great local ice cream

tom oakley

Greatest burger, hands down, in the area. Do yourself a favor and upgrade to rings. Now if only they would stay open late on concert nights....

A.J. Purcell

Love this place. Food has always been fresh!

Misty Macdonald

Love the Ice cream, they have the best Black Raspberry truffle.

Anthony Picarello

Good ice cream. Hours are not that good during summer.

Melissa Castango

Very tasty and friendly

niall horgan

Great food, service and ice cream.

Stan&Diane Friesen

Hot day, sunny skies, holiday weekend - so it was busy. Still had a helpful and friendly server! Good size scoops and tasty waffle cones. We finished them too fast to get pics!

David Varney

Fast and efficient, old-style roadside food and ice cream stand. Great seafood!

Todd Willson

Little pricey on ice cream but good.

Troy Robinson

Almost inedible.

Bob Ehrenberg

Great service, great food

David Bourque

Great seasonal food. Always look forward to our 1st visit to Sawyer's each summer. Love the outside seating as well as the screened in porch area. Usually get the fried clamp strips which are awesome but on our latest visit I got the haddock sandwich. It was huge! Very tasty - a little messy and the tartar sauce was a little odd, but overall great. Shakes/frappes are great as well.

Freddie starkweather jr

Excellent place to eat good seafood always clean one of the best places I found in the area anything i get there is always been good I highly recommend this place been in business for many years always seems to do well sometimes on the weekends little busy but it's well worth the wait

Larry Keegan

Best scallops I have had

Kate Linnett

Fish & Chips, Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken, portions were skimpy, chicken was dry...not worth the high price.

robin ball-grant

Didn't find the food as good as we had hoped

May Day

Long line and when I got my ice cream it was the wrong flavor. Won't be going back.

Robert Swain

Buyer beware... Their $30 seafood platter is more like a seafood basket . A 4oz piece of haddock, 4 shrimp 6 scallops and 6 tiny whole clams. Literally 4 onion rings, and a small handful of french fries. ***Edit*** the owner reached out to me after this experience and confirmed that the new help was giving the wrong portions. He made it right by giving me a generous gift card. Thank you!

Martin Jablonski

The best I've cream in the area

laurel c

Every generous scoop I have ever had at Sawyer's has been sublime. They have a long list of home-made flavors, and lots of ways to enjoy them! But what I love the most here is their burgers. They're juicy and flavorful, and they go the extra mile with things like shredded lettuce and thick slices of gorgeous tomato. I'm usually a seafood person - and they have seafood!- but I've never tried it because the burgers are SO freakin great!! Delicious fries, and super-thick perfectly malted frappes/milkshakes with their own amazing ice cream. They've made every effort to streamline things (lots of indoor & outdoor seating, outdoor "quick order" trailer, take-out windows) but you can count on spending a few minutes waiting for your turn. Trust me, it's absolutely worth it.

Meredith Briggs

Great food, decent prices, large portion sizes and friendly staff.

Brenda Thompson

I have been going here for many years. I always get the sea scallops. 90% of the time, they are excellent. Although on a couple of occasions I have been disappointed but I keep going back because they are the best in the area.

Tim Merrill

Their ice cream is amazing. I had no plans on stopping here, but I’m so glad I did. It’s a seasonal dairy bar, so the prices are expensive, but the cost is well worth the treat.

Bobbijo Ricker

The cashier was rude, acted like we were bothering her. We felt very uncomfortable!!!!

Mark Larocque

best ice cream in area - tied with Jordans....great haddock sandwiches - highly recommended....to the owners no apologies needed to the 1 stars - they are likely from MA or NY....if they do not like it do not come up here period

carolyn fletcher

Wonderful lobster rolls

Jay Baker

Very tasty burgers. Staff is super friendly.

Ruth R Larrabee

Good food. I got a haddock sandwich, my husband got a veggie burger, the people we were with got salads.

Leo Pond

Good but pricey

Robert Ballantyne

Excellent food and good quality and service

Carl Lantz

Awesome ice cream... great flavors, big scoops and cool 50s flair! We love a visit to Sawyer's Dairy bar!

Gary mine

Ice cream was fantastic.

Jennifer Morgan

Ice cream is horrible. Got a kiddie size that was bigger than a small and the small had frozen pieces in it, it was like eating chunks of ice.

Dennis Redline

Definitely not worth the money. $14 for a small burger and a side of gross cold onion rings plus iced tea. 5 of us were here, not one of us were satisfied. Very dissatisfying. Save your money- for $14 you could do way better elsewhere.

david hayes

Kiddy Sunday and kiddy cones are pleanty big enough, and very good.

shantanu wagh

The lady at the counter was very warm and accommodating. We came in after the restaurant had just closed and she still helped us get our food. Clam chowder is the best nearby. Lobster roll was good too.

Rachel Templar

Delicious ice cream & huge portions.

Jolie P.

5 of us came here and we were disappointed with not just the food, but the prices as well. I got a chicken burger (which literally was just like a McChicken from Mcdonalds, only I paid 7 dollars for it). When i order a chicken burger i expect ground chicken, instead it was processed meat and fried... thats a chicken patty and theyre two different things. I also got their "Signature Frappe " (about $7 for a small!) which the lady told me is like a milkshake but their own blend. I took one sip and thought I was drinking chocolate milk, only with very little chocolate taste. It was like they poured half the cup with water and threw a scoop of ice cream in. Very watered down and NOT like a milkshake. My friend paid an extra dollar for bacon on his sandwich and literally got half a piece on his burger. He told the cashier but he didn't care. Another friend got a lobster meat salad (paid $20 for lobster meat plus another $6 for the salad). Seemed pricey considering the salad was just romaine and some veggies. At least the salad had a decent amount of lobster on it, but that's a lot of money. In all we will not he coming back. Very disappointed considering it's always busy so we thought it would be good.

Jon Land

Long standing go to for us in the summer. Good food. Good ice cream.

Misha Kharitonov

The ceiling leaked on me, but the ice cream was great

Jeff Levesque

Got to love the ice cream. Had a sundae and I was happy with it and the service. Prices are a little higher than average and the flavor selection could have been bigger but this place is still top shelf after all these years. Keeping on the Sawyer family name and quality this is still a crowd pleaser.

Steve Wellmann

Over priced. Food is average. They ice cream is good and they have some outside seating, but it is on a fairly busy road.

Edwin V

Amazing! Favours galore. Wish I could eat more without gaining weight.

Leslie Waycott

Seasonal restaurant & dairy bar. There are plenty of seats inside as well as outside benches near the take out window and some tables under canopy too. Ice cream is home made and excellent, the seafood is some of the best in the area!

Mecca0x 03

Very good lobster bisque. Juicy burgers. And homemade creamy icecream!!!

Chris Johnson

Food was delicious, but portions were on the smaller side and the seating was horribly uncomfortable for anyone on the larger size.

mike skiinghousedad

Careful, regular cone is about 2 and 1/2 scoops!

kelly b

A true slice of Americana in a beautiful area! The food was very good and the ice cream was even better. Their rotating neon sign is amazing. Visiting here is a must if you're ever in the Lakes Region of NH.

Roberta Breen

Ice cream was good and food was good.

Joan Pushee

Great food!

Tim Thompson

We stopped for a quick lunch. Had the haddock sandwich and haddock bites. Both were hot and tasty. Definitely would stop here again.

Gus Dillon

very nice food. nothing but the best and friendly staff

Dennis Wilson

Great local ice cream place. Most of the food is fried though.

Nitish Dhaubhadel

Food was just OK. Didn't taste the ice-cream as there were many people on the line.

Nicole Snow

They are expensive!! and do not know how to make a sandwich. I got a Rueben sandwich. It had corn beef on rye bread. No cheese or anything that comes on a rueben. Will never return.

Cameron Grant

Delicious ice cream; some of the best in the Lakes Region. Their peppermint stick remains one of their very best. Been great since my childhood - still great now.

Hannah Conners-Townsend

Great service and good food but way over-priced, alas.

paul Duquette

Very good food still after all these years, brings back some great memories!

Zac Hennessey

Very kind staff. The food was good. Cooked fresh. A classic NH Dinner/dairy spot. Wouldn’t mind coming here again.

Brian Polleys

Been here the for as long as I can remember. Excellent food and Homemade Ice Cream. Always a 'must visit' during bike week!!

Courtney

Ordered a hot dog and it had no flavor, it was so bland we took it back and they didn't offer a refund or anything.

Marta Gaines

What a great place! Everything tastes good!

Thompson Mullen

Awesome ice cream

Mere Briggs

Delicious food, friendly staff and great prices

Richard Tasker

Good ice cream. Servings are large. Seafood is good, although prices for fried clams are a bit high.

Elaine Clark

Expensive and small portions.

Jackson Nickerson

A bit slow if there's a line, but the best ice cream in the area so it's worth the wait. Extremely generous portion sizes: a "kiddie" size should be enough for most adults. Lots of flavors and they give samples if you can't decide. All …

Rick O'Brien

Great ice cream and food.......even the fried food is good with fresh grease...onion rings are THE best in the area.....chicken tenders are real chicken and you can't beat their lobster rolls. Owners are real and the staff friendly. It is a MUST for the lakes region

Sarah Burroughs

Yummy fried seafood and ice cream, we got takeout so it wasn't super crispy by the time we ate it. The breading wasn't too thick but I personally prefer it to be thinner. Coleslaw was good. Homemade tartar was OK.

Kenny Lehtonen

Food is decent. Ice cream is okay. They do not allow you to order a baby size ice cream in a cone. They let you put it in a cup with a cone on top. Now your left juggling your own ice cream while trying to scoop your kids ice cream into …

hokypuk1 .

We went to Sawyers tonight, three out of four ordered the seafood platter, and one Rubin. The service was fast and the food awesome! We always go there before a concert. Best seafood ever!

Laurie Cushing

Good food but the ice cream was excellent! They were out of several flavors. Forced us to try something new. Not disappointed! Be prepared to wait on hot busy days. Staff is great. Very friendly!

Sarah Arel

There chocolate ice cream is not thatgood

Lisa

Great food., fast service. And outside tables are a plus.

Linda Hamilton

Food was awesome, plentiful. Staff was cheerful. Clean and busy.

M B

Great place, food and friendly staff.

Ally James

I only ordered a kiddie and they gave me as much ice cream that would be in a medium at other places. Delicious ice cream. Kinda slow service

Katie Ingalls

Service and food was great only complaint is seating inside is not plus size friendly accommodating and outside only a few tables are available for plus size.

Aaron Louis

Expensive hot dogs but awesome food

Tyler Beck

Great ice cream

Anne Smith

Decent size portions, fast service, big variety and very friendly service. Plenty of handicap parking and indoor and outdoor seating.

Kevin Laurent

As always exceptional food.

Sonya Kean

If you’re considering this place just read through the reviews and the owners responses...”Moral of the story. Stay away from seasonal restaurants on opening day!” and “All we can do is offer excuses!” what business owner says that? I’m not explaining my experience just that this is by far not the only seafood restaurant we go to and the plates we got were shameful I don’t want it made right we’re just not coming back...

April Desmarais

Had the Sea scallop basket which comes with fries. Very tasty!

Melissa Colcord

Great seasonal fried seafood place! Haven't had their ice cream, but I'm sure that's good too!

Don Levine

Great food

Joe Barnes

Ice scream is good

Roxann Laycock

Great food, high prices.

jim beal

Great ice cream

RtAV8r

Excellent food, clam strips are a favorite. Ice cream is homemade and it’s the Best!

Alyson Bowler

Ice cream is good, nothing particularly special, but good. Every single clam strip seems to have sand in it, but the flavor of the breading is quite good. The tartar sauce is a mixed bag - I think it's absolutely awful, but my in-laws love it, so it really depends on your taste. In general - good, but doesn't live up to the hype. You can get a much more high quality meal at Patrick's or Country Cook'n, both within a couple minutes of here. I'd skip it. That said, my wife adores the food here, so maybe I'm missing something... (Review based on visits during open season 2013-2018, as restaurant is seasonal and is currently closed for fall/winter.)

Arthur Lapalme

Good food. Decent prices. Clams ,hamburgers, hot dogs,onion rings

JRichard Jaques Sr

Awesome lobster rolls! Any way you want them.

thesmartest manintheworld

We eat here often / live almost across the street / happy day when doors open for the season / we love our clams and sawyers has some of the best / nice crunchy batter but not oily / perfect size and portions / couldn’t tell you the cost …

Susan Feir

Our favorite place for lobster rolls, fried clams, and frappes! Delicious!

Stephane Robichaud

The ice cream is good but service is average.

Paul Patrie

The ice cream is good.

Nancy Cunningham

Great as usual.

lori mason

Ordered food(sandwiches) at counter....fill own drinks and pick up food when #called. Sandwiches were fresh and delicious. Place was clean and staff are helpful. This place also has ice creams made on site that has many Favors that are all Delicious!!

marie laflower

To pricy but good

William Ainsworth

It's the Best!!

Randy and Mickey Vien

Great food. Large portions.

holly galietta

Always excellent service and food.