New Hampshire’s food scene is a hidden treasure trove waiting to be discovered. From quaint roadside diners serving comfort food to upscale tapas bars pushing culinary boundaries, the Granite State offers flavors for every palate.
Pack your appetite and explore these 19 must-visit food destinations that showcase New Hampshire’s delicious diversity.
1. Red Arrow Diner, Manchester
Presidential candidates and hungry locals have rubbed elbows at this 24-hour institution since 1922. The walls tell stories of famous visitors while the griddle sizzles with perfect pancakes.
Grab the famous Dinah Moe Humm sandwich or their signature meatloaf.
2. Moxy, Portsmouth
Farm-to-fork philosophy meets creative genius at this James Beard-nominated hotspot. Chef Matt Louis transforms local ingredients into mind-blowing tapas that tell New England’s culinary story.
Order multiple small plates to share. The Johnny cake community and short rib marmalade showcase New Hampshire’s bounty with innovative twists.
3. Polly’s Pancake Parlor, Sugar Hill
Nestled in the White Mountains since 1938, breakfast here feels like a warm hug. They grind their own flour right before your eyes!
Six pancake varieties await your maple syrup drizzle. My personal obsession? The buckwheat cakes with pure NH maple syrup.
4. The Common Man, Multiple Locations
Yankee hospitality isn’t just a catchphrase at this NH institution – it’s baked into their famous sticky buns. Converted historic buildings house their restaurants, each with unique charm.
Their Yankee pot roast might change your life. Slow-cooked perfection served with sides that remind you of grandma’s kitchen.
5. Black Trumpet, Portsmouth
Housed in a 1700s harbor-side building, this bistro screams romance. Chef Evan Mallett’s ever-changing menu celebrates what’s fresh from land and sea.
Candlelight dances across brick walls while you savor foraged mushroom dishes that taste like the forest floor (in the best possible way).
6. Puritan Backroom, Manchester
Chicken tenders were INVENTED here, folks! This Manchester landmark has been feeding politicians and locals since 1917, and their secret recipe keeps everyone coming back.
Beyond the legendary tenders, their mudslides will knock your socks off. Family-style portions mean nobody leaves hungry.
7. The Friendly Toast, Portsmouth
Walking into this eclectic breakfast joint feels like diving headfirst into a psychedelic 1970s kitchen. Vintage toasters line the walls while mismatched furniture creates organized chaos.
Breakfast served all day means pancakes for dinner is perfectly acceptable! Their Sklarmageddon omelet packs enough flavor to wake you up faster than their strong coffee.
8. Republic Café, Manchester
Farm-to-table isn’t just trendy here – it’s religion. The ever-changing chalkboard menu lists farms so local you could practically wave to the chickens that laid your breakfast eggs.
Mediterranean influences shine through classic New England ingredients. Their shakshuka makes Sunday brunch worth getting out of bed for.
9. Moat Mountain Smokehouse, North Conway
Hikers stumble in with mountain dust still on their boots, drawn by the siren song of house-smoked meats and craft beer. This converted farmhouse pumps out brisket that would make Texans jealous.
Pork sandwich and Iron Mike’s Pale Ale – trust me on this one.
10. Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Café, Portsmouth
Fresh catches arrive daily at this seafood haven where the chalkboard menu changes faster than New England weather. The raw bar showcases oysters harvested just hours before they hit your plate.
Splurge on the seafood cioppino.Aa tomato-based symphony of local fish and shellfish.
11. Lala’s Hungarian Pastry, New London
Hidden in a charming colonial building, this European bakery transports you straight to Budapest. Authentic recipes passed down through generations create pastries that defy gravity and logic.
The Dobos torte features seven perfect cake layers separated by chocolate buttercream and topped with caramel.
12. The Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery, Raymond
Part gourmet butcher shop, part rustic tavern – wholly amazing. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, this carnivore’s paradise lets you pick your cut from the case before they cook it.
The Butcher’s Burger requires two hands and zero shame as juices run down your arms. Don’t miss their bourbon selection.
13. La Maison Navarre, Portsmouth
Step into Paris without the airfare at this authentic French patisserie. The macaron display alone causes spontaneous gasps from first-time visitors – rainbow rows of perfect meringue sandwiches.
Sip espresso from tiny cups while people-watching through arched windows.
14. Throwback Brewery, North Hampton
Female-owned and fiercely local, this farm-brewery sources ingredients from within a 200-mile radius. The restored 1860s barn houses brewing equipment alongside farm animals who contribute to the sustainable cycle.
Their spent grain feeds the pigs whose pork appears in your farm tacos. Pair any meal with Donkey-Hote Double IPA!
15. The Saffron Bistro, Nashua
Chef Joe Drift’s culinary playground combines French techniques with global flavors in downtown Nashua. White tablecloths signal fine dining, but the atmosphere stays refreshingly unpretentious.
Their signature saffron-infused seafood risotto justifies the restaurant’s name. Splurge on the chef’s tasting menu!
16. Flatbread Company, North Conway
Wood-fired ovens built from clay create pizza magic in this eco-conscious eatery. Through the open kitchen, watch flames lick handcrafted pies topped with ingredients from farms just down the road. The Coevolution combines nitrate-free pepperoni with organic mushrooms and caramelized onions. Bring the kids – they can play with pizza dough!
17. Cure, Portsmouth
Charcuterie elevated to art form – this intimate spot specializes in house-cured meats that hang like delicious curtains behind glass. Chef Julie Cutting’s meat-centric menu respects traditional preservation methods while adding modern twists.
The chef’s board presents a geography lesson of flavors from across Europe and New England.
18. Pickity Place, Mason
Fairytales come alive at this 1786 cottage that inspired illustrations for Little Red Riding Hood. Five-course lunches feature herbs grown in their extensive gardens surrounding the tiny red house.
Monthly-changing menus highlight whatever’s bursting from their gardens. Between courses, wander herb-lined paths or browse the gift shop filled with culinary souvenirs.
19. Cafe Nostimo, Portsmouth
“Opa!” echoes through this family-owned Greek haven where blue and white décor transports you straight to Santorini. Generations-old recipes create authentic Mediterranean magic that’s earned a cult following.
Their moussaka layers eggplant, potatoes and seasoned beef under a cloud of béchamel that’s worth breaking any diet for.