New Hampshire Restaurants and Food
The Granite State as its known, is a cross section of countryside villages, ocean beaches, granite mountains, and beautiful lakes. We created this page to provide additional information that our clients often ask about such as healthcare, shopping, taxes, recreation, transportation, food, and cost of living.
Find New Hampshire Homes For Sale
NH Real Estate Monthly Indicators
The New Hampshire real estate market continues to experience strong demand, limited inventory, and rising prices. Like many parts of the United States, New Hampshire has seen increased interest in suburban and rural areas, driven by factors such as remote work opportunities and lifestyle changes which accelerated during Covid-19. This heightened demand has led to a competitive market, with multiple offers common for desirable properties although the multiple offer scenarios are showing some signs of moderation. Despite rising prices, New Hampshire's real estate market demand remains high. Homebuyers are seeking more space, natural beauty, and a high quality of life. However, limited inventory continues to pose challenges for buyers, and experts anticipate that the market will remain competitive in the near term.
For a full analysis on the current NH market from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, click HERE.
If you desire further information about a specific property please request a consultation.
HISTORY
People lived in what’s now New Hampshire at least 12,000 years ago. Thousands of years later Native American tribes, including the Abenaki and the Pennacook, lived on the land.
French and English explorers began to arrive in the 1500s, and the English established the first permanent European settlement in 1623. The French and English fought during the late 1600s and early 1700s, and at first the Native American tribes tried to stay out of the wars. But eventually they sided with the French, and as the British won more battles, the Native Americans were forced out of the region.
In 1776, during the American Revolution, New Hampshire became the first colony to create a constitution and declare its independence from Great Britain. In 1788 it was named the ninth U.S. state.
WHY’S IT CALLED THAT?
Englishman John Mason named New Hampshire after Hampshire county in England where he’d lived as a boy. He invested in building on the land, but never left England to see it. New Hampshire is nicknamed the Granite State because it has a history of granite mining.
A Selection of Some Popular Food Choices in New Hampshire
Here are some top restaurants and eateries in New Hampshire that locals and food critics alike highly recommend:
- Republic Café – Manchester: A farm-to-table Mediterranean restaurant focused on locally sourced ingredients. Website
- Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery – Raymond: Rustic tavern known for creative pub fare and fresh meats from their own butchery. Website
- The Carriage House – Rye: Elegant oceanfront dining offering fresh seafood and house-made pasta. Website
- Stages at One Washington – Dover: An intimate restaurant with an 8-10 course prix fixe menu of Progressive New England cuisine. Website
- Moxy – Portsmouth: Modern American tapas featuring New England ingredients by an acclaimed chef. Website
- Polly’s Pancake Parlor – Sugar Hill: A rustic spot for classic New England breakfasts. Website
- Cotton – Manchester: Known for its comfort food and inventive cocktails in a cozy setting. Website
- Surf Seafood – Nashua: A top spot for fresh seafood and sushi, working closely with local fishermen. Website
- Woodstock Inn Brewery – Woodstock: Casual dining at a brewery offering hearty pub food and award-winning beers. Website
- Wentworth By The Sea– New Castle: Waterfront dining with classic seafood and scenic views. Website
- The Copper Door - Bedford: Enjoy a wide ranging, exciting and inventive combination of tastes featuring local sources, New England seafood, classic yet inspired stone oven creations, hand-cut Reserve Premium Steaks, unique salads, and House specialties. Website
These are just a few of the best dining experiences across the state, with more hidden gems scattered throughout the region. Enjoy exploring New Hampshire's vibrant food scene!
The Best Ice Cream in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is renowned for its delicious ice cream offerings, with numerous parlors and creameries scattered throughout the state. Many of these however are open seasonally, so check first. Here are some of the best places for ice cream in New Hampshire:
Hayward's Ice Cream Located in Nashua and Milford, Hayward's Ice Cream is a local favorite known for its homemade, small-batch ice cream made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Memories Ice Cream Situated in Kingston, Memories Ice Cream offers a wide variety of flavors, including classic favorites and unique creations, served in generous portions with friendly service.
Annabelle's Natural Ice Cream With locations in Portsmouth and Exeter, Annabelle's Natural Ice Cream specializes in handcrafted ice cream made with all-natural ingredients, featuring a rotating selection of flavors inspired by seasonal produce.
Lago's Ice Cream Positioned in Rye, Lago's Ice Cream has been serving up homemade ice cream since 1971, offering a delicious assortment of flavors, sundaes, and frozen treats to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Jordan's Ice Creamery Located in Belmont, Jordan's Ice Creamery is a family-owned and operated establishment known for its creamy, old-fashioned ice cream served in a variety of flavors and creative sundaes.
Moo's Place Homemade Ice Cream Situated in Derry, Moo's Place Homemade Ice Cream offers a wide selection of flavors made with fresh, local ingredients, along with specialty sundaes, shakes, and ice cream cakes.
The Inside Scoop Positioned in Northwood, The Inside Scoop is a quaint ice cream parlor known for its delicious homemade ice cream and friendly service, offering a cozy atmosphere perfect for enjoying a sweet treat.
Kellerhaus Located in Weirs Beach, Kellerhaus is a historic ice cream parlor and candy shop known for its wide selection of ice cream flavors, homemade chocolates, and nostalgic charm.
Stillwell's Ice Cream. Located on Main Street in Fremont NH. They are a local favorite with large servings! Being the family! They also have a shop in Exeter, NH. https://www.stillwellsicecream.com/locations/fremont
Johnson's Dairy Bar Situated in New Durham, Johnson's Dairy Bar offers a rustic farm-to-table experience, serving up homemade ice cream made with fresh milk from their own dairy farm, along with farm-fresh produce and other locally sourced ingredients.
Walpole Creamery With locations in Walpole and Keene, Walpole Creamery crafts small-batch, artisanal ice cream using fresh cream from local farms, offering a delicious array of flavors made with high-quality ingredients.
Center Scoop Located at the crossroads of route 121 and 102 this quaint country ice cream stand is unknown to many but favored by all those who know it exists. Definitely worth the trip!
RESTAURANTS!
In New Hampshire, food enthusiasts can indulge in a diverse culinary scene that reflects the state's rich history and vibrant culture. From quaint diners and cozy cafes to upscale restaurants and farm-to-table eateries, there's something to satisfy every palate. Seafood lovers can delight in fresh catches from the Atlantic Ocean, including lobster rolls, clam chowder, and seafood platters, while those craving comfort food can enjoy hearty dishes like maple-glazed ham, apple cider donuts, and savory meat pies. The state also boasts an array of craft breweries, cideries, and wineries, offering locally brewed beers, artisanal ciders, and award-winning wines to complement any meal. Whether dining in bustling cities like Manchester and Portsmouth or exploring charming towns nestled in the mountains or along the coast, New Hampshire's popular food places serve up a delectable culinary experience that celebrates the state's unique flavors and culinary traditions. There are so many food establishments we could not possibly list them and give them all fair accolade. Therefore these websites should help you choose.
https://www.visitnh.gov/things-to-do/food-drink/restaurants
https://www.timeout.com/new-hampshire/restaurants/the-best-restaurants-in-new-hampshire
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g28950-New_Hampshire.html
But, we will say these are some of our personal favorites!
The Common Man in Windham - https://www.thecman.com/common-man-windham/
Three Chimneys Inn in Durham - https://www.threechimneysinn.com/dining
Tuckaway Taven in Raymond https://tuckinggood.com/
Fratellos Italian Grille in Manchester - https://fratellos.com
Hanover Street Chophouse in Manchester - https://hanoverstreetchophouse.com
Martingale Wharf in Portsmouth - https://www.martingalewharf.com
Foods You Probably Won't Find Anywhere Else
Steak Tips - If you go to a butchery or the meat counter at most any grocery store and ask for "steak tips" they know exactly what you want. But ask for steak tips in Alabama and they'll probably say..."What?"
Fried Dough - Fried dough is a North American food associated with outdoor food stands in carnivals, amusement parks, fairs, rodeos, and seaside resorts. "Fried dough" is the specific name for a particular variety of fried bread made of a yeast dough. Visit most any beach along the New England seacoast and you'll find fried dough. You will also find a long list of toppings!
Boiled Dinner - Essentially, a boiled dinner consists of corned beef brisket or ham hemmed in by a variety of root vegetables along with a couple of thick slices of cabbage – all boiled together in a pot. Definitely a New England favorite!
Stonyfield Yogurt - Stonyfield, the national distributor of organic yogurts, is located in Londonderry, NH. Founded in 1983, Stonyfield has grown to become one of the largest organic yogurt brands in the country, producing a wide range of yogurt products, including plain yogurt, flavored yogurt, Greek yogurt, and kids’ yogurt, among others.
Mead - Among the foods New Hampshire is known for is mead wine, also known as honey wine. The wine is made by fermenting honey and water with yeast over several months or even years.
Mead
Poutine - One dish New Hampshirites have acquired from their northern neighbor, Canada, is poutine. This savory dish is made with crispy french fries, smothered in cheese curds, and generously drizzled with hot gravy. It’s not unusual to find poutine on the menu in restaurants and food trucks throughout New Hampshire.
Poutine
Apple Cider Donuts - These New England favorites are a delicious treat for anyone in New Hampshire. Plain or with a cinnamon-sugar glaze, these old-fashioned treats will never go out of style. They're often associated with apple picking in the fall because most farms stock them, but you can enjoy these sweet treats year round, no labor required. These are one of our favorite New Hampshire treats!
Cider Donuts
There are many other foods that you may find elsewhere but here in New Hampshire or the New England region we think they're the best. Here are a few suggestions you should try: Chocolate Mice at the Walpole Chocolatier, Apple Pie, Maple Syrup, Clam Chowder, Steakbombs (steak sandwich with cheese, salami/ pepperoni, veggies), and Corned Beef with Vegetables.