For a coffee shop license in New Hampshire, you must secure a Food Service Establishment License, pass plan review and inspection, and register to collect the Meals & Rentals Tax before you pour a single espresso. Register your entity/DBA with NH QuickStart, obtain an EIN, confirm zoning for “restaurant/food service,” and complete building, plumbing, and sign permits, fire inspection and Certificate of Occupancy. For licensing, apply through your local health officer (or NH DHHS Food Protection if your town has no local program) with menu, floor plan, equipment specs (NSF-listed), hand/three-compartment sinks, ventilation, grease interceptor capacity, cold holding at 41°F or below, hot holding at 135°F or above, water source and sewer, and finish schedule. Designate at least one ANSI-CFP certified Food Protection Manager and maintain employee illness and cleaning logs. Schedule the pre-opening inspection once utilities are on and equipment calibrated; bring thermometers, sanitizer test strips, and pest service records. If you roast beans on-site or bottle RTD coffee, obtain a food processor license and consult NH DES on air emissions; private wells require bacteriological/nitrate tests. Outdoor seating or sidewalk service needs permits; alcohol service requires NH Liquor Commission approval. Expect 2–8 weeks, with fees set by each jurisdiction.
