Updated June 7, 2026
New England has a plethora of amazing restaurants with so much variety. Traveling around New England we have visited some pretty amazing and delectable restaurants. Below is my family and I’s top 10 favorite restaurants in New England in no particular category or order.
Since writing this blog post in 2023 Greenleaf and Smoking Trout Restaurants have closed. Therefore I have removed those restaurants and added other establishments that have made it into my top ten.
Apponaug Brewing Company Warwick RI Located in an old mill building along the Pawtuxet River is an amazing brewery. With great seating inside and out this brewery offers a wide variety of beers and eclectic food. Their loaded fries are amazing and our favorite. We just love a great brewery restaurant and this is one of our favorites.
Barley and Salt Tap House in North Conway, NH provides a large selection of craft beers and a seasonal menu with local ingredients. Located near the outlets they have indoor and outdoor seating. We loved the large pretzel, burger and steak. The falafel, pictured below, was created a little different then I am use to, but was delicious.
El Rincon Zacatecano Taqueria Manchester, NH This restaurant was initially recommended by a co-worker. It is located across from the SNHU Arena in the downtown area of Manchester. This hole in the wall Mexican restaurant served the best Mexican food we have ever had. It is a small establishment that can fill up quickly on busy nights. Their chips and salsa are delish. Let's talk about the margaritas, these were so smooth and refreshing. My husband had enchiladas, my daughter a quesadilla. They both had rice and raved about their meals. I had a chicken burrito, it was so flavorful. I am picky about my Mexican Food as I do not like hot plate food and this is my all time favorite Mexican Restaurant.
Gibbett Hill Grill Groton MA This restaurant has been our special occasion restaurant for many years. This farm to table restaurant that grows a lot of its food onsite provides a wonderful dining experience. My husband and daughter love their steaks and I love their variety of garden vegetables. The drinks are always creative and refreshing. The views over the rolling hills is beautiful. Fun fact the newer Little Woman movie filmed a scene on those hills. After dinner bring a pair of walking shoes and walk up to Bancroft Castle.
Hilltop Cafe in Wilton, NH is an organic restaurant that takes pride in the quality of food they serve. This is our go to breakfast place, my husband loves their breakfast biscuit, my daughter their crapes and me their Lapingachos. I could lick the peanut sauce off the plate. Most days they are only open for breakfast and lunch. They have recently added Burger Nights and other specialty food nights to weekend nights. After breakfast take a drive over to Andres Institute of Art and explore the sculptures.
Hungry Diner Walpole, NH This farm to table restaurant, is located in Southwestern New Hampshire. Their food is sourced by local farms which is evident in their burgers and chicken dishes. The star of the show is their milkshakes. With milk from local dairy farms we sometimes just stop to get milkshakes. The maple shake is our favorite as it’s made with local maple syrup.
The Kettle: Wilton, NH. Located in downtown Wilton is a causal restaurant where the menu changes monthly. The menu is limited, but we always have difficulty deciding on what we want as there are so many good choice. The bartender is also amazing. I have had some great alcoholic drinks and more recently some amazing mocktails. In the warmer months there is a small seating area over looking a river.
New American Grill Londonderry VT This hole in the wall restaurant in a strip mall in a small Vermont town doesn’t look like much on the outside, but the creative new aged restaurant has an amazing menu. We love the Ahi Tuna Nachos and my husband would lick his plate clean of the Seared Ahi Tuna Steak with a Miso Wasabi Reduction. My teenager loves their burgers. The staff are always friendly and helpful. While your in the area check out Bromly Mountain for some year round fun.
Revolution Taproom and Grill Rochester, NH Located on Main Street is one of our favorite tap rooms. We have been to Revolution several times and have never been disappointment. From their refreshing beer and drinks, to amazing tasting food and selections to the friendly staff anytime we are in the area we stop for food. Their pizza is pretty popular, but we have also enjoyed their salads, sandwiches and specials.
Vulgar Brewing Franklin, NH is such a fun brewery located in downtown Franklin. I have eaten a lot of pizza in my lifetime and their Thai Chicken pizza is the best I’ve ever had. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
We have not even touched the surface of the amazing cruise New England has to offer, but these are our favorites in our travels so far. As you can probably tell breweries and farm to table restaurants are our go to, but we are always looking to expand our horizon regarding our food choses. I would love to hear your favorite New England restaurants.
