Eat Now at the Best New Restaurants in New Hampshire

Napkins down — New Hampshire foodies have voted with their forks. New restaurants are evoking a casual-yet-hip atmosphere and are embracing the current trends of healthy options, unique items that recognize a variety of dietary restrictions, traditional flavors from far-flung regions and ever-popular pizza and out-of-the-box-style cuisine.

Chefs at both pubs and cautiously upscale eateries are exuding a passion for local sourcing and honest, from-scratch cooking. (Not to mention artistic and comfortable dining environments to match.) Their bars are well-stocked with craft beers on draft, while cocktails, and even mocktails, are elevated to an art form. There is truly something for every eater this year. Live Free and dine out — often.

Photo by Marian Siljeholm

Five81NE

581 Lafayette Road, Unit 3, Portsmouth
(603) 956-5665

Travel to northeastern Thailand without having to leave the state. At Five81NE, bold flavors and bright colors whisk you away to northeastern Thailand. Their culinary specialty is Isan cuisine, which is a rural region in Thailand that’s best known for its farmlands and rice paddies. The agrarian-inspired dishes combat the region’s intense heat and are influenced by neighboring countries, Laos and Cambodia. From flavorful shellfish, like lobster coconut curry noodles, to elevated bites like the Isan beef tartare, Five81NE is a culinary adventure that will appeal to adventurous eaters and those with more discerning palates.

Lost Cowboy Restaurant & Brewery

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546 Amherst St., Nashua
(603) 600-6800

Woah there, partner. You don’t have to travel west to find a place to hang your cowboy-loving hat — you just have to head to Nashua. Chef and owner Michael Buckley and Vice President Ian Buckley are bringing the flavors and atmosphere of the west home to New England via the Lost Cowboy Restaurant & Brewery. Between the game room, the patio and the lounge, there’s a lot to do, so you may want to plan to stay a while. While you’re there, you’ll enjoy barbecue, steaks and burgers that are being cooked up by a team of award-winning chefs. Wash it down with one of their unique lagers and ales at what may be the longest bar in the state.

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Curry Leaf

6 Pleasant St., Concord
(603) 715-5746

Curry Leaf in Concord offers authentic Indian cuisine that blends contemporary American ingredients with the diverse aromas and spices of India. Curry Leaf chefs rely on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients to create bright and colorful dishes that are delicious and visually stunning, from Aloo Tiki Chaat to vegetable samosas and goat korma.

The Good Place

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28 Lowell Road, Hudson
(603) 889-6482

The motto at The Good Place is simple: good food and good friends. The Hudson restaurant has such an extensive menu you could spend a full day here. For breakfast, enjoy a variety of eggs or shake things up with a Cap’n Crunch or Coco Pebbles French toast, or a red, white and blue waffle. Their lunch menu has subs, sandwiches and burgers, and for dinner their big boy burger and kebab menus reign supreme. Their kids’ menu is guaranteed to have something for even the pickiest of eaters.

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O’Shea’s Caife & Tae

135 NH-101A, Amherst
(603) 231-4099

O’Shea’s Caife & Tae embodies the spirit of Irish culture right here in the Granite State. Londonderry, NH, was founded in 1722 by Scottish and Irish immigrants, many of whom immigrated from Londonderry, Ireland. The Caife & Tae spot is meant to serve as a place for people to gather and converse in a friendly, homey environment in their original Londonderry location, and now their new spot in Amherst. Their goal? For customers to enter as strangers and leave as friends.

Watershed

Photo by Jenn Bakos

55 Main St., Suite 216, Newmarket
(603) 292-5118

The appropriately named Watershed Restaurant draws its inspiration from the tidal Lamprey River, which travels 47 miles until it reaches the stated Great Bay. The Watershed Restaurant aims to highlight the bounty of the watershed region through food that is distinctly regional, seasonal, authentic and simple. Their menu is ripe with local oysters and shellfish, along with bright and fresh fruits and vegetables, and handhelds like their Watershed burger and their black bean poblano.

Fat Belly Diner

1624 Main St., Pittsburg

(603) 331-2134

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After a full day hiking and biking, there’s little else better than sitting down to a hearty diner meal. Fat Belly Diner in Pittsburg features a rotating specials menu, so there’s always something different and delicious to try. With hearty breakfasts and refreshing lunches, Fat Belly Diner is ready to curb your appetite. (While you’re there, you can even select and shop for your rental property for your next stay in Pittsburg.)

B. Bakes Deli and Cakes

28 Washington St., Keene

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(603) 499-8089

Is there anything better than a sandwich from a bona fide deli? B. Bakes Deli and Cakes is serving fresh and delicious deli classics. Sandwiches can be served on six bread types, including two gluten-free options. With breakfast sandwiches, salads and build-your-own options, there’s something for everyone. B. Bakes Deli and Cakes seriously shines with their dessert menu, crafting baked goods to complement each season. Keep an eye out on their rotating menu to stay up-to-date on the latest cookies, cakes and pies.

The Catch

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339 Meadow St., Littleton
(603) 991-5510

You don’t have to travel all the way to the Seacoast for fresh seafood — The Catch is bringing fresh fish and seafood to the White Mountains. This modern seafood restaurant is reimagining traditional coastal dishes and invites you to indulge in the rich flavors of the sea. Their carefully curated wine and drink menu includes exquisite mocktails. With selections like their modern take on lobster thermidor and their grilled duck breast cherry orange compote, The Catch’s menu offers exciting new flavors that remain familiar for seafood lovers.

Stella’s Café

50 Pointe Place #33, Dover
(603) 842-4402

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The Lil’s family just got a ’lil bigger. For the lovers of Lil’s Café in Kittery, Maine, and the Islander Café in New Castle, it’s time to welcome the newest sister café, Stella’s Café. The Dover café is serving up all of your favorite pastries, sandwiches and (of course) crullers. This culinary delight centers around community and tradition. This isn’t a grab-and-go coffee spot; this is a place to sit and enjoy every warm bite and sip while you catch up with your friends, or dive into your latest read. At Stella’s, it’s time to sit down, unplug and unwind.

Unwined

1 Nashua St., Milford
(603) 213-6703

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Sit down and unwind at Milford’s newest wine bar, Unwined. From the mind of sommelier Emma Round, Unwined aims to take you on a journey through the world of wine, where you can enjoy your favorite varieties with delicious pairings, or uncork and uncover something new and exciting. Whether you’re already a seasoned wine lover, or a soon-to-be one, Unwined has something for every taste and palate.

Fold’d Community Diner

69 High St., Somersworth
(603) 405-0027

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At Fold’d Community Diner, compassion is king. The diner is a social enterprise project that is part of SOS Recovery Community Organization. In their words, SOS is a “peer-based nonprofit that provides workforce opportunities for individuals in recovery and criminal justice involvement.” Fold’d’s menu offers classic diner breakfast and lunch staples. For breakfast, you can enjoy their farmers breakfast or pancakes, or switch things up with a crepe or their orange almond French toast. At lunch, you can enjoy a full menu of soups, salads and sandwiches and wash it down with a milkshake or float.

Also New on the Scene

Oak Room
853 Pleasant St., New London
603-873-4833

A classic chophouse featuring delectable prime cuts, a well-tailored wine list and remarkable views of Pleasant Lake.

Enso Japanese Steak House
2 Pleasant St., Meredith
603-677-7017

Specializing in flavors from the other side of the globe, this steak house is the ultimate culinary exploration destination.

Buba Kitchen
148 N Main St., Concord
603-219-0064

An extension of Buba Noodle Bar in Concord serving anything from pho to ramen.

Charlie’s Italian Pizzeria & Restaurant
8 Raymond Road, Unit 4, Deerfield
603-463-5755

Offering a variety of Italian specialty pizzas and Italian, American and seafood dishes in a casual dine-in and takeout environment.

Tori’s Place
3 Pleasant St., Colebrook
603-915-6354

A delight-filled bakery offering a variety of well-known favorites like maple bacon donuts to more portable, munchkin-sized treats and goodies.

Zhang’s Asian Buffet
197 Main St., Gorham
603-915-9333

Featuring different authentic dishes each with their own special flavor and influence, complete with a lively dining environment to match.

Stash Box
866 Elm St., Manchester
603-606-8109

Serving up unique dishes in a chic environment that’s “classy and cool” just as customers like it.

The June Cork Pub
66 Third St., Dover
603-343-1181

A modern pub modeled after British pubs complete with delectable food, engaging conversation, live sports and the finest beer on tap.

Fotia Greek Taverna
401 S. Willow St., Manchester
603-461-3007

Serving authentic Greek cuisine and delicious American recipes in a friendly, family-style atmosphere sure to make guests long for a vacation in Greece.

El Reparo
12 US-302, Glen
603-383-3104

Find a full range of handhelds and entrees along with nachos, salads, tacos and more.

La Familia Mexican Bar & Grill
588 Tenney Mountain Hwy., Plymouth
603-238-9264

Serving delicious home-cooked Mexican dishes with a side of fun for the whole family.

Hydro Tavern
102 Main St., Berlin
603-215-6266

Specializing in good eats, good treats and good fun with comfort food classics and globally inspired dishes. Breakfast menu and 12 beers on tap are also available.

Mia Bar & Lounge
156 Main St., Newmarket
603-292-5705

Bringing speakeasy vibes to the Seacoast where contemporary design meets relaxation with craft cocktails in a sleek setting.

What the Pho!
836 Elm St., Manchester
603-606-8769

This Asian noodle bar — which promises “positive tiki vibes & very cool food” — features fusion cuisine, including pho, noodle bowls, rice bowls and banh mi sandwiches. Its Bamboo Tiki Bar serves up tiki drinks, specialty craft cocktails, wine and local craft beer.