22 Unique Restaurants in New Hampshire: Explore Taverns, Speakeasies, and Train Car Cafes

314

Eager to discover New Hampshire’s most unique restaurants? Let me take you from dining in a historic church to enjoying pancakes with mountain views. Together, we’ll uncover some of the coolest spots in this beautiful spot in New England.

Start with the ambiance at The Foundry, where locally sourced dishes meet stunning river views. Or, head to Polly’s Pancake Parlor for fresh flapjacks drizzled with syrup tapped right on site. Craving something quirky? Check out The Barley House in Concord for its famous Dublin-style burgers or visit CodeX in Nashua, a secret speakeasy hidden behind a bookcase.

From speakeasies that transport you to another era to charming taverns, these spots are must-tries in the Granite State. Let’s dive into New Hampshire’s most memorable dining adventures!

👉 Pro Tip: The Meet the Winemakers Winery Tour is a total vibe! You’ll sip some amazing local wines, hear cool stories from the winemakers, and take in the gorgeous White Mountains views. Come ready to chill, taste, and maybe grab a bottle (or two) of your new fave wine. It’s such a fun way to spend the day!

Unusual places to eat in NH

Ready to explore New Hampshire’s best eateries? We’ve got everything from pancakes in historic grist mills to tacos in vibrant Mexican settings. Join me on a tour of the quirkiest places to eat in New Hampshire.

Ever thought about savoring traditional New England dishes in a church-turned-restaurant or uncovering hidden speakeasies in Manchester? New Hampshire’s dining scene has it all, ready for you to discover. Let’s dive into the most unique restaurants in NH.

1. Holy Grail Restaurant and Pub

• 📍 Location: Epping
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $35 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Irish Pub Fare
• 🔥 Standout Features: Historic church setting, stained glass windows, classic pub fare.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Architecture lovers, casual pub meals, and unique atmospheres.

Dining at the Holy Grail Restaurant and Pub in Epping feels truly special – you’re eating in a stunningly converted old church. The high ceilings and original stained glass windows create a cool, atmospheric setting. The air smells of old wood and hearty pub food.

You should try their classic shepherd’s pie, a comforting mix of ground meat and vegetables topped with mashed potatoes. Their fish and chips are crispy and golden, and the “Holy Grail Burger” is also a popular choice. It’s a heavenly spot for a pint

2. Stark Brewing Company

If you’re craving house-brewed beers and hearty pub food in Manchester, Stark Brewing Company is absolute gold. This spot lives in a former mill, so the vibe is industrial-yet-cozy, with exposed brick, steel beams, and a massive bar that looks made for lively group hangs. Their oatmeal stout is local legend, but don’t sleep on the maple porter or the signature mac & cheese laced with their own beer bacon. Bonus: they’re dog-friendly, and you might catch trivia night paired with live acoustic sets. I loved snagging a table by the riverside windows – perfect spot for people-watching after your third flight. The Millyard Museum is just a quick stroll away if you’re looking to soak up some history post-lunch.

3. Pickity Place

• 📍 Location: Mason
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $50 per person (Fixed price multi-course lunch)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Herb-Infused New American / Farm-to-Table
• 🔥 Standout Features: Storybook cottage, five-course herbal lunch, garden setting.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Garden strolls, themed dining, and leisurely day trips.

Pickity Place is like stepping into a fairytale. This charming little red cottage in Mason was the inspiration for “Little Red Riding Hood,” surrounded by beautiful herb gardens. They offer a set five-course herbal tasting menu that changes monthly, using ingredients grown on-site.

The menu is a delightful surprise, but expect dishes like a lavender-infused scone, a delicate herbal soup, or a main course featuring garden vegetables and local proteins. The whole experience feels magical. Definitely make reservations.

• Read Next: 12 Best Free Things to Do in New Hampshire for an Unforgettable Adventure

4. Otis Restaurant

Main Street vibe meets upscale comfort at Otis in Exeter. The space is intimate but never stuffy, set in a historic building right in the heart of downtown. You’ll feel like you’re getting away with something from the first bite of their duck confit poutine or silky scallops—these plates bring the fancy, but the service is all hometown charm. The cocktails are on point (try the smoked maple old fashioned), and the exposed brick gives an old-school speakeasy feel. Tip: Reserve ahead, weekends fill up, and definitely check out Water Street shops and the picturesque Swasey Parkway on your way out. Their butterscotch pudding was honestly a revelation after dinner.

5. Boards & Brews

• 📍 Location: Manchester
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person (plus game fees)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Cafe / Board Game Bar / Light Bites & Drinks
• 🔥 Standout Features: Huge board game library, game gurus, casual cafe menu.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Game nights, group hangouts, and casual eats with entertainment.

If you love board games, Boards & Brews in Manchester is your happy place. It’s a cafe with hundreds of board games lining the walls. You can grab a local craft beer or coffee, some tasty cafe snacks, and settle in for hours of gaming.

Consider their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, like “The Big Cheese” with multiple cheeses and bacon. Their loaded tater tots or a simple pretzel with beer cheese are also great choices. They even have “game gurus” to help you learn new games.

6. The Crust and Crumb Baking Co.

This little gem in Concord is one of the best places for scratch-made pastries and pure, carby joy. You’ll walk in and immediately spot their seasonal fruit galettes, pillowy morning buns, and inventive savory breads decorating the counters. Seating is snug but perfect for a lazy breakfast or lingering over espresso. Don’t miss the maple cinnamon rolls or the cheddar-jalapeno sourdough – they’re Instagram-level pretty and absolutely worth the hype. On a nice day, snag an outside seat and watch the bustle of Main Street. It’s across from a stunning old church and steps from the Capitol dome, so there’s plenty to explore after you load up on calories.

7. Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

• 📍 Location: North Woodstock
• 💲 Price range: $80 – $120+ per person (Dinner & Train Ride)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Fine Dining American / Classic European
• 🔥 Standout Features: Vintage train cars, scenic mountain views, gourmet meals.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic dinners, train enthusiasts, and special occasions.

All aboard the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train for an evening of vintage charm and fine dining! Travel in beautifully restored Pullman dining cars while enjoying a multi-course gourmet meal as the scenic White Mountains roll by. The clink of silverware creates a nostalgic atmosphere.

The menu changes seasonally, but expect dishes like a perfectly cooked Filet Mignon with a rich demi-glace. Pan-seared salmon with seasonal vegetables, or a classic chicken Française, are also excellent selections. For a unique adventure, this is a memorable journey.

• Read Next: Top 12 Spots in White Mountains (NH) for the Ultimate Local Experience

8. Green Elephant

Plant-based food gets a serious upgrade at Green Elephant in Portsmouth. Every dish is packed with flavor, from the roasted vegetable curry noodles to the famous mango duck curry made with house tofu. The crowd is a fun mix of veg heads and omnivores, set against sleek, earthy wood decor and a mural that makes your meal feel a little zen. Order the crispy peanut tempeh rolls and pair with a Thai basil mojito if you want to feel good and eat good at the same time. The Press Room (music venue) is practically next door if you want to end the night with some live tunes – plus, Portsmouth’s waterfront is right around the corner. My verdict: even meat-lovers will leave raving.

9. Margaritas Mexican Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Concord (historic jailhouse location) & others
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mexican / Tex-Mex
• 🔥 Standout Features: Historic jailhouse location, colorful decor, margarita selection.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Mexican food fans, margarita lovers, and quirky dining spots.

While Margaritas Mexican Restaurant has several locations, the one in Concord is unique, housed in a historic former jailhouse – you can even dine in old cells! The decor is vibrant and festive, with colorful Mexican art. They’re known for their wide variety of margaritas.

Sharing some sizzling chicken or beef fajitas is a good plan. Their original margarita (or a flavored one like strawberry or mango), and a plate of their popular enchiladas suizas, make for a fun, casual Mexican meal with a quirky twist.

10. Flight Coffee Company

For anyone nerdy about coffee, Flight in Dover is a borderline obsession. Everything’s roasted in-house (you can smell it the second you open the door), and the staff actually seems excited to customize your pour-over or geek out about single-origin options. They offer great plant-based milks, killer house pastries, and a constantly rotating lineup of small-batch beans. The seating has an artsy, community vibe with mismatched chairs, greenery, and tons of natural light – ideal for laptop warriors and coffee-dates alike. Their honey-cinnamon latte was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Tip: There’s a tiny park nearby, so take your cold brew to go if it’s sunny.

11. Camp

• 📍 Location: Meredith
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Comfort Food / Rustic Lodge
• 🔥 Standout Features: Summer camp theme, rustic lodge decor, comfort food.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Family meals, nostalgia seekers, and hearty American dishes.

Camp in Meredith captures the nostalgic fun of an adult summer camp in a rustic lodge setting, complete with a massive fieldstone fireplace and kitschy camp decor. The menu is all about elevated comfort food. The atmosphere is lively and family-friendly.

Trying their Mac & Cheese with pulled pork is a must; it’s rich, creamy, and incredibly satisfying. Their Camp Meatloaf dinner or a juicy Camp Burger are also excellent choices. It’s a great spot for a hearty meal and playful charm.

12. Table and Tonic

Barnstead’s farm-to-table darling, Table and Tonic, truly nails that earthy, campy, magical forest thing. The building looks like a storybook cottage, and they grow much of what’s served right on their own organic farm. It’s the place to fuel up on breakfast burritos stuffed with local eggs and fresh herbs, or the vegan power bowl topped with edible flowers. They work hard keeping things gluten-free and allergy-friendly. Think mismatched thrift shop tables, string lights, and a mellow playlist – your Instagram feed will thank you. If you’re headed out toward Lake Winnipesaukee, this is a must-stop. I appreciated the staff’s energy – genuinely passionate about every ingredient.

13. Parker’s Maple Barn

• 📍 Location: Mason
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Breakfast / Comfort Food
• 🔥 Standout Features: On-site maple sugaring, log cabin restaurant, hearty breakfasts.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Pancake lovers, maple syrup season, and rustic morning meals.

Parker’s Maple Barn is a quintessential New England experience, especially during maple sugaring season! The restaurant is a cozy log cabin, and the air smells wonderfully of woodsmoke and sweet maple. Their pancakes and waffles, served with their own real maple syrup, are legendary.

A stack of their blueberry pancakes is a fantastic choice, light, fluffy, and perfect for soaking up that delicious syrup. Their Belgian waffles with fresh fruit, or a classic Parker’s Special breakfast with eggs, bacon, and sausage, are also highly recommended.

14. White Mountain Cider Co

What’s cozier than a rustic apple barn turned fine dining spot right in North Conway? White Mountain Cider Co. blends upscale flavors with mountain-lodge comfort. You can’t visit without diving into their hot cider doughnuts, and the cider-caramel pork chop is a menu classic. The open kitchen makes dining feel like dinner theater, and the bar slings craft cocktails with a Vermont-meets-the-White-Mountains spirit. Couples love the candlelit, wood-beam setting, and there’s a friendly, bustling energy on weekends. Cranmore Mountain Resort is nearby if you want to ski off all that cider syrup. I still dream about their warm apple crisp at midnight.

15. The Wild Rover Pub & Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Manchester (Elm Street)
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $35 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Irish Pub Fare / American
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Irish pub atmosphere, extensive Irish whiskey & beer selection, live traditional Irish music sessions, hearty pub food.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Irish pub lovers, live music fans, whiskey/beer enthusiasts, casual group hangs, and classic pub grub.

Find your bit o’ Blarney in Manchester at The Wild Rover Pub & Restaurant! This lively spot on Elm Street delivers an authentic Irish pub experience, complete with dark wood, cozy nooks, a fantastic selection of Irish whiskeys and beers, and frequent live traditional music sessions that’ll have your toes tapping.

You should definitely try their classic fish and chips, crispy and golden. Hearty shepherd’s pie, or satisfying bangers and mash, are also excellent choices. Pair it with a perfectly poured pint of Guinness and soak in the warm, welcoming craic.

16. Revival Kitchen and Bar

Downtown Concord needed something this cool: Revival is where chef-driven American cuisine gets a firecracker twist. Picture duck wings with sassafras sauce, chili-maple brussels, and crispy skin salmon that’s perfectly seared every time. The setting is sleek but approachable, with modern art, reclaimed wood, and a steady stream of locals celebrating birthdays and big wins. Bar staff will whip you up a basil-bourbon smash you won’t soon forget. It’s the perfect pre- or post-show dinner spot, since the Capitol Center for the Arts is an easy walk down the block. I was blown away by how friendly the servers were – it’s Concord at its most creative and welcoming.

17. Polly’s Pancake Parlor

• 📍 Location: Sugar Hill
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $25 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Breakfast / Pancakes
• 🔥 Standout Features: Mountain views, stone-ground flours, homemade pancakes.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Scenic breakfasts, pancake enthusiasts, and classic New England charm.

Polly’s Pancake Parlor is a New England legend, perched on a hill with breathtaking White Mountains views. This family-run spot has been serving pancakes from scratch for generations, using their own stone-ground flours. You choose your batter and add-ins.

A stack of their cornmeal pancakes with blueberries is a fantastic choice, light and flavorful. Their oatmeal buttermilk pancakes or buckwheat pancakes, served with their real maple syrup and a side of local bacon or sausage, are also delicious.

18. KUMO SUSHI & HIBACHI

Right off the main drag in Manchester, KUMO dazzles with its neon-lit hibachi grills and sushi boats big enough to share with a crowd. The hibachi chefs put on a high-energy show (flaming onions included), making this a must for date night or groups. Sushi purists should spring for the Dragon Roll or the chef’s choice platter, but don’t skip the tempura cheesecake for dessert. The vibe is upbeat, sleek, and a bit flashy, with plenty of booths for cozy, private hangs. Reserve ahead if you want a hibachi table for the whole squad. Bonus: You’re within stumbling distance of SNHU Arena for concerts or hockey nights – absolute win if you want to grab dinner before a show.

19. The Friendly Toast

• 📍 Location: Portsmouth
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Diner / All-Day Breakfast / Kitsch
• 🔥 Standout Features: Insane kitschy decor, huge menu, creative cocktails, all-day breakfast.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Brunch lovers, fans of kitsch, and anyone seeking a fun meal.

This isn’t a diner; it’s a wonderful, chaotic explosion of kitsch and color. Walking into The Friendly Toast is a total sensory overload in the best possible way. The walls are covered in vintage pop-culture posters, quirky mannequins, and sci-fi art. The vibe is loud, fun, and completely over-the-top.

The menu is as massive and wild as the decor. They’re famous for their all-day breakfast. You can’t miss the legendary King Cakes, which are fluffy pancakes loaded with bourbon-caramel sauce and bacon. For something truly out there, get the Doughnut Stop Believin’, a breakfast sandwich served on a grilled glazed doughnut.

20. Sweet Maple Cafe

Hidden on a quiet stretch in Conway, Sweet Maple Cafe is brunch paradise. The wall is lined with retro diner signs, and there’s a homey coziness to every mismatched mug on the shelf. I’d go just for their epic cinnamon-swirl French toast or the loaded breakfast burrito, but the huge mugs of local maple latte really seal the deal. Staff are quick with recommendations and always happy to customize for allergies or vegan folks. It’s a laid-back, family-run spot, great for fueling up before a White Mountains adventure. Hemlock Lane is just across the river for a funky antiques browse after you eat. Honestly, I wish I could import their pancakes to my kitchen.

21. Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Meredith
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Traditional / Turkey Dinners
• 🔥 Standout Features: Year-round turkey dinners, classic comfort food, long-standing family ownership.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Thanksgiving-style meals, family dining, and traditional New England fare.

Why wait for Thanksgiving? At Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant in Meredith, you can get a full turkey dinner any day! This family-owned institution has been serving comfort food for generations. The smell of roasting turkey fills the air. It’s a sprawling, bustling place.

Their classic turkey dinner, with tender turkey, savory stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, and rich gravy, is a must. The hot turkey sandwich or their popular turkey pot pie are also fantastic choices. For home-style New England cooking, Hart’s is beloved.

22. Firefly Bistro & Bar

Craving an eclectic spot with cocktails done right? Firefly in Manchester brings a dash of big-city energy with craft cocktails and playful comfort food. Their truffle tater tots are the stuff of late-night legends, and the steak tips in bourbon glaze draw a local fanbase. Expect moody lighting, exposed beams, and a playlist that ranges from Sinatra to The Black Keys. Try grabbing a fireside booth in the winter, and keep an eye out – you might spot live jazz on select nights. Elm Street’s bookstore and theater are both within easy walking distance. One of my top spots for a chill night out with friends or date night that shouldn’t break the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the quirkiest restaurants in New Hampshire

Are you searching for more information about where to eat in New Hampshire? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about New Hampshire’s most unique restaurants.

What food is New Hampshire famous for?

New Hampshire is all about maple syrup and apple cider doughnuts. As soon as the leaves start turning, everyone’s out grabbing these sweet, autumn classics. They perfectly capture that fall in New England vibe.

What is the state fruit of New Hampshire?

The pumpkin takes the crown as New Hampshire’s state fruit. From pies to beers, pumpkins are everywhere come fall, turning the state into a real-life Pumpkin Spice Land.

What are 2 fun facts about New Hampshire?

Here are two fun facts about New Hampshire: it’s the birthplace of Tupperware, invented by Earl Tupper in 1946. So, every time you snap that lid on leftovers, you’ve got NH to thank. Plus, it’s home to the longest candy counter in the world at Chutters in Littleton. It  stretches longer than a bowling lane!

Which city in New Hampshire is best for food?

For the best food in NH, Portsmouth is your spot. It’s got a little bit of everything, from snug coffee shops to fancy restaurants, all set against a backdrop of charming, historic streets and sea views, making it one of the top places to live and visit in New Hampshire.