5 Best Restaurants in The Seacoast, New Hampshire

Elephantine Bakery

$ Fodor's choice

Master bakers Sherif and Nadine Farag run this cozy, conversation-filled bakery and cafe that's known for its meticulously crafted Middle Eastern and French pastries, sandwiches, and breakfast dishes. Start the day with poached eggs cilbir (over garlic labneh with aleppo butter, parsley gremolata, and toasted sourdough), and make every effort to save room for a slice of cardamom-rosewater cake or a brown-butter brownie.

Red Rover Creamery

$ Fodor's choice

This tiny parlor in historic downtown produces ice cream in big, bold flavors—think black currant tea–caramel, brown sugar–nectarine, and classic cookies-and-cream. They also bake dense and chewy cookies in interesting flavors, which you can enjoy on their own or in an ice-cream sandwich.

Hop + Grind

$
Students and faculty from UNH, whose campus is just a few blocks away, congregate over mammoth burgers with flavorful, original sides (kimchi, fries topped with cilantro-pickled peppers or black-garlic-truffle aioli) and other creative takes on gastropub fare. This is a hot spot for craft-beer aficionados, who appreciate the long list of options, including a rotating cache of rare and seasonal selections.
Burger Dinner Lunch $
17 Madbury Rd., Durham, New Hampshire, 03824, USA
603-397--5564
www.hopandgrind.com
Known For
  • impressive local beer selection
  • fun and lively student crowd
  • malted milk shakes with unusual flavors

Recommended Fodor's Video

Laney & Lu

$
This snug counter service café is a handy option for organic coffees, blended tea elixirs, and creative smoothies and bowls—the blueberry-basil with banana, avocado, spinach, and almond milk is a standout. Or tuck into a salad of locally sourced fruit, veggies, and greens, or try one of the hearty but healthy salads made on locally baked sourdough.

Lexie's Joint

$

What began as a humble downtown burger joint has blossomed into a regional mini empire, thanks to the high-quality ingredients, upbeat service, and groovy "peace, love, and burgers"–themed decor. The burgers are reasonably priced and topped with all sorts of goodies, but there are also hot dogs and a few sandwiches, plus plenty of addictive sides. You'll find additional locations in Dover, Exeter, and Newburyport, MA.

Burger Dessert Dinner Family Lunch $
212 Islington St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
603-815–4181
www.peaceloveburgers.com
Known For
  • milk shakes with Shain's of Maine homemade ice cream
  • fried pickles with chipotle aioli
  • the farmhouse burger, with cheddar, bacon, avocado, and fried egg