New England Fair Food Bucket List: What You Have to Try
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Fair food is its own food group in New England. It doesn't follow the rules of regular eating. Calories don't count, vegetables are optional, and everything tastes better when you're eating it on a bench next to a livestock barn.
Every New England state has its own fair food traditions, and if you're hitting the circuit this year, here's what you need to eat — from the can't-miss classics to the regional specialties worth seeking out.
The Non-Negotiables
These are the foods that define the New England fair experience. Skip them at your own risk.
Big E Cream Puffs (West Springfield, MA) — Giant choux pastry shells filled with real whipped cream. The line is always long. It is always, always worth it. This is the single most iconic fair food in New England, and it's only available during the Big E's 17-day run in September. Learn more in our Big E food guide.
Maine Baked Potatoes — Split, buttered, and loaded with whatever toppings you want. A staple at every Maine fair, and somehow more satisfying than a baked potato has any right to be at a fairground.
Vermont Maple Creemees — Soft-serve ice cream made with real maple syrup. Available at fairs across Vermont and parts of Maine and New Hampshire. It's subtly sweet and miles better than regular soft-serve.
Fried Dough — Called "dough boys" in some parts of New England. A flat round of deep-fried dough dusted with powdered sugar, cinnamon, or drizzled with honey. You'll smell it before you see the booth. That's intentional.
State-by-State Specialties
Maine
Lobster rolls — Because you're in Maine. Quality varies by vendor, but the good ones use fresh claw and knuckle meat on a buttered split-top roll.
Whoopie pies — Two rounds of chocolate cake with marshmallow-like filling. Maine's unofficial state treat, and you'll find homemade versions at smaller fairs.
Blueberry everything — Pies, jams, lemonade, and pancakes. The Union Fair's Wild Blueberry Festival is ground zero.
Vermont
Maple cotton candy — Regular cotton candy, but made with maple sugar instead of plain sugar. A Vermont-specific twist on a fair classic.
Cheddar curds — Fresh cheese curds, sometimes deep-fried, from Vermont dairy farms. Squeaky, salty, and addictive.
Apple cider donuts — Warm, cinnamon-dusted donuts made with fresh cider. Peak fall, peak Vermont.
New Hampshire
Apple crisp with ice cream — A warm apple crisp topped with a scoop of local ice cream. Simple, seasonal, and perfect for a fall fair.
Kettle corn — Sweet, salty popcorn made in a giant kettle. Not unique to New Hampshire, but somehow every NH fair seems to have a particularly good kettle corn vendor.
Massachusetts
Topsfield Fair roast beef sandwiches — A North Shore tradition that extends to the fairgrounds. Thinly sliced roast beef on a roll, sometimes with horseradish or BBQ sauce.
Clam cakes and chowder — You'll find these at fairs closer to the coast, and they're exactly what a September afternoon calls for.
Underrated Fair Foods Worth Finding
Hand-pulled taffy — Watch it being made on old-fashioned pulling machines. Sweet and nostalgic.
Grilled corn on the cob — Butter, salt, and a touch of char. The simplest fair food and one of the best.
Homemade fudge — Fair fudge vendors make it in big copper kettles right in front of you. Buy a quarter pound for the walk around, and another quarter pound for the drive home.
Turkey legs — Smoked turkey legs the size of your forearm. They look ridiculous, taste great, and are surprisingly filling.
Fair Food Strategy
Eat with a plan. Do a full loop before buying anything. Scope out all the options, then prioritize.
Go savory first, sweet later. Start with a lobster roll or a baked potato, then circle back for cream puffs and fried dough in the afternoon.
Split portions. Fair servings are enormous. Sharing means you can try more things without burning out.
Bring cash. Card acceptance at fair food booths is improving but still not universal, especially at smaller fairs.
Budget more than you think. Fair food isn't cheap. Budget $15–25 per person for a full day of eating, more if you're at the Big E or Fryeburg.
For the full fair calendar, visit our guide to New England fair season 2026.
More New England Fair Season Guides on Meet Me at the Fair
- New England Fair Season 2026: Your Guide to the Best Fairs, Festivals, and Shows
- How to Plan a New England Fair Season Road Trip
- Craft Fairs vs. Agricultural Fairs in New England: What's the Difference?
- What to Wear to a New England Fair: A Seasonal Guide
- Best New England Fairs for Families with Kids
Last updated: April 2026
