Remember the days when finding a restaurant open around the clock was no big deal? If you were craving pancakes at 3 AM, you had choices. College towns, with their unique student schedules, were always havens for 24/7 diners. I fondly recall my time at UMass Amherst, where Route 9 was the go-to spot after late-night study sessions or, let’s be honest, parties. There was something amazing about ordering a full pasta dinner with soup and salad in the wee hours of the morning.
But times have changed. Twenty-four-hour restaurants are becoming increasingly rare. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the restaurant industry. Staffing shortages have become a major hurdle; restaurants struggle to find enough employees for daytime shifts, let alone overnight ones. This shift has made the search for “24 Hour Food Near Me” a much more challenging endeavor.
In New Hampshire, my research indicates that beyond the usual 24-hour McDonald’s, Dunkin’, and gas stations, your options are incredibly limited. It seems the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester stands out as the primary, if not only, traditional restaurant offering 24/7 service in the state. (Their other locations operate with more conventional hours).
If anyone knows of another 24-hour gem in New Hampshire, please share the secret!
My first visit to the Red Arrow Diner back in 2017 is a memorable experience. As a newbie, I was greeted with a bell ring and a special “first-timer” sticker – it was quite the welcoming ritual!
Kira Lew
Kira Lewloading…
Naturally, I had to order something appropriately indulgent. I chose the meatball sub with spaghetti on the sandwich, accompanied by a side of mac and cheese, just because I could. A nap was definitely in order after that feast.
Fun fact: There’s even a booth at the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester dedicated to me! It’s a surprisingly cool honor, and definitely a conversation starter.
If New Hampshire is down to just one true 24-hour restaurant, I’m glad it’s the Red Arrow Diner. It’s a truly iconic place.
