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!
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👉 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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
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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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Republic Cafe and Bistro
- 📍 Location: Manchester (Elm Street)
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mediterranean / European Bistro
- 🔥 Standout Features: Mediterranean flavors (Greek, Italian, Spanish), fresh ingredients, stylish downtown setting.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Mediterranean food lovers, date nights, downtown explorers, and enjoying European bistro vibes.
Experience a taste of the Mediterranean in the heart of Manchester at Republic Cafe and Bistro. This stylish downtown spot on Elm Street offers a delightful menu inspired by the vibrant cuisines of Greece, Italy, Spain, and beyond, focusing on fresh ingredients and flavorful preparations.
Consider their popular grilled octopus with lemon and herbs. Flavorful pasta dishes, like a classic spaghetti aglio e olio, or their Mediterranean mezze platter with hummus, olives, and feta, are also fantastic. Republic Cafe provides a chic and tasty escape.
11. 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.
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.
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