The 15 best waterfront restaurants in New Hampshire, according to Yelp

What’s better than good food and even better views? Learn all about the 15 best waterfront restaurants in New Hampshire, according to Yelpers. 

With our many lakes, rivers, and seacoast, finding a place to eat near the water isn’t hard in New Hampshire. In this seafood-loving state, it’s not hard to find a restaurant where you can have your lobster roll and steamed clams while looking at the ocean the seafood came from. We also have fine dining on the shores of small and large lakes and ethnic cuisine within earshot of rushing rivers. And that’s just what has made these restaurants so popular with Yelp reviewers.

15. Ernie’s Seaside Restaurant (Seabrook) – 3.5 stars

Address: 209 Ocean Blvd., Seabrook

Price: $$

Why Yelpers love it: Ernie’s Seaside Restaurant has indoor seating as well as large bayside decks with firepits. They serve fresh, cleverly named seafood, as well as vegetarian and meat dishes. Among diners’ choices are squid games fried calamari, flexed mussels, hook-line-and-sinker fried haddock sandwiches, and harpoon swordfish skewers. “We tried Ernie’s for the first time for a late lunch today,” wrote one reviewer. “It was a slightly cool but sunny day and we sat on the outdoor patio, which was uncrowded and just beautiful. The view of the harbor is stunning. We can’t wait to go back at sunset.”

14. Waterhouse Restaurant (Peterborough) – 3.6 stars

Address: 18 Depot Square, Peterborough

Price: $$$

Why Yelpers love it: While the New American cuisine is a definite draw, the view of the rushing Nubanusit Brook, whether from the flower-decked patio or the wall-sized windows in the dining room is a fan favorite. The Waterhouse has a varied menu of locally sourced dishes including fried green tomato BLTs, eggplant rollatini, and New England-raised wagyu tacos. A Yelper visiting said it all; “Beautiful restaurant along the river. Delightful staff and great beef stew.”

13. The Foundry Restaurant (Manchester) – 3.6 stars

Address: 50 Commercial St., Manchester

Price: $$$

Why Yelpers love it: The Foundry, in the Queen City’s historic mill yard on the Merrimack River, is a farm-to-table eatery with a creative cocktail offering, a large menu, and gallons of Industrial-Age ambiance. Fan favorites include crab-stuffed trout, hot honey duck breast, and poutine – a nod to our Canadian neighbors to the north. The restaurant is also known for its massive Sunday brunch buffet which one reviewer wrote was, “worth the one-hour drive!”

12. The Peddler’s Daughter (Nashua) – 3.7 stars

Address: 48 Main St., Nashua (Nashua River)

Price: $$

Why Yelpers love it: This is as authentic of an Irish pub/restaurant as you’re going to find this far from the Emerald Isle. The Peddler’s Daughter hovers above the Nashua River which diners can view from inside windows or wrap-around outdoor seating. Needless to say, there’s Guinness on tap and corned beef on the menu. Fans of Irish cuisine have a lot to choose from here including Scotch egg appetizers, bangers, and mash and cottage pie. And while the food and drink bring customers in, it’s the warm, neighborhood feeling that keeps them coming back. “Great Irish pub,” said one reviewer. “Walked in and felt like I was back in Ireland. They had Irish music playing. We sat at the bar. I ordered a Maine lunch and my friend, a Guinness.”

11. Lakehouse Grille (Meredith) – 3.7 stars

Address: 281 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith

Price: $$

Why Yelpers love it: Lakehouse Grille is part of New Hampshire’s own Common Man family of restaurants serving creative New England cuisine with world fusion in unique settings – in this case, an Adirondack-cottage atmosphere with a knockout view of Meredith Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee. Visitors love the lobster avocado toast, cranberry chicken wings, and short rib nachos. One Yelper wrote, “This place is great for lunch or dinner! Awesome view of the lake. The food is always good, and it’s really cute inside, like a cabin. This is our go-to restaurant when guests come to visit in Meredith, consistently excellent. Try to get a spot by the windows overlooking the lake.”

10. Old Ferry Landing (Portsmouth) – 3.7 stars

Address: 10 Ceres St., Portsmouth

Price: $$

Why Yelpers love it: This is a classic New Hampshire fresh lobster and seafood spot with a dock hovering over the water in the center of Portsmouth. At nearly 50 years old, Old Ferry Landing is one of the oldest eateries in town and has that authentic seafood-shack feeling. As Yelpers write in reviews, it has “great food with great people. The scenery is awesome. Being able to look out into the water while feasting on lobster. This is something you don’t do every day… try out everything on the menu.” That includes clam chowder, lobster rolls, and bake-stuffed haddock.

9. The Big Catch (Bristol) 3.9 stars

Address: 150 Shore Rd., Bristol

$$

Why Yelpers love it: The fact that you can get to this Newfound Lake mainstay by boat or car tells you all you need to know about its great view. The restaurant serves fresh New England seafood, fresh salads, sandwiches, ice cream, and cocktails. “This is a staple if you are going to Newfound Lake,” wrote one Yelper. “Cheap eats, great view, and tasty frozen drinks. You can boat, walk, drive, or bike there and sit on the covered deck, staring at the mountains or the crystal waters. It’s incredibly casual. Show up in your swimsuit and sandy feet and sip frozen daiquiris out of plastic cups while you admire the eclectic sea-themed décor.” Food selections include lobster rolls, fried clams, haddock strips, buffalo popcorn shrimp, and Jamaican chicken salad.

8. Geno’s Chowder and Sandwich Shop (Portsmouth) – 3.8 stars

Address: 177 Mechanic St., Portsmouth

Price: $$

Why Yelpers love it: Geno’s isn’t just near the water. This tiny treasure with homemade chowder, lobster rolls, and seafood stews, is suspended over it. Geno’s has been a seacoast fave for nearly 50 years and prides itself on its casual atmosphere and authentic New England, seafood fare.“Freshest, most flavorful and most generous lobster rolls I’ve ever had!!.” said one reviewer. “ Omg they were amazing…and their fish chowder and homemade desserts are awesome too. We loved it so much we came back twice during our trip. Great family-owned atmosphere with killer views right on the Piscataqua River … Geno’s has gone onto my permanent list of must-visit places when I visit New England!!”  

7. The Breeze (Gilford) – 3.8 stars

Address: 25 Dock Rd., Gilford

Price: $$

Why Yelpers love it: The Breeze has a casual atmosphere with upscale dining choices and a fantastic view of Lake Winnipesaukee. There are tons of creative vegetarian, meat, and seafood offerings like lobster and roasted tomato alfredo, poke wonton nachos, and veggie rice bowls. “One of the best meals I’ve had in the Lakes Region,” wrote one reviewer. “The setting is lovely – with views out to the lake.”

6. Tuna Striker at Eastman Docks (Seabrook) – 4.1 stars

Address:  5 River Road, Seabrook

Price: $$

Why Yelpers love it:  When you find the Tuna Striker, you feel like you’ve happened on a little-known gem of a casual-yet-stellar seafood restaurant and bar. This unpretentious little eatery is tucked behind the busiest part of beach traffic right on a fishing port. One reviewer suggested that while you can sit indoors or at the bar, “sit outside under the covered porch to enjoy the beautiful view of the Blackwater River, fishermen on the docks, and boats moving about in the water.” The fresh seafood is as good as the view with offerings such as bleu cheese mussels, Thai green coconut seafood curry, and New England clam bake with lobster, steamers, potatoes, and corn on the cob.

5. Surf (Portsmouth) – 4.2 stars

Address: 99 Bow St., Ste. 100, Portsmouth

Price: $$

Why Yelpers love it:  Surf, in the center of the Port City, specializes in fresh and creative seafood dishes, raw bar offerings, and sushi with water-view seating, indoors and out. Crowd favorites include a pastrami-smoked BLT, Korean barbecue scallops, and Portuguese seafood stew to name just a few. This is the place for seafood-obsessed diners like one Yelper who asked, “delicious food, amazing views, proper drinks and friendly service. What more could you want?”

4. Cotton (Manchester) – 4.2 stars

Address: 75 Arms St., Manchester

Price: $$

Why Yelpers love it:  Cotton has been a Manchester mainstay since Chef Jeffrey Paige opened the doors on the Merrimack River 24 years ago. The restaurant, which was named one of the top 10 neighborhood restaurants in the Northeast by “Bon Appétit Magazine,” was one of the first in the state to embrace the locavore movement. Regulars love the atmosphere which one Yelper described as “elegant but not pretentious” with “food and service which are always impeccable.” Some favorite dishes include retro meatloaf with mashed potatoes, grilled fresh all-natural New England sea scallops, and lamb frites, to name a few. 

3. Northeast Café (New Boston) – 4.3 stars

Address: 8 Mill St., New Boston

Price: $

Why Yelpers love it: While this down-home American breakfast and lunch spot is a local favorite, it’s worth a trip for brunch-loving visitors from all over the state. The Northeast Café is located in an 18th-century building that overlooks the rushing Piscataquog River with indoor and outdoor seating and one of the state’s best water views you can have while enjoying barbecue brisket omelet, blueberry pancakes, or a juicy slaw burger. “Sitting by the river with a cup of hot coffee is also a very relaxing way to spend breakfast,” wrote one Yelper. “It’s well worth the half-hour drive from home. I’m sure many people have driven by without even knowing it’s in the center of New Boston but then we kind of like this little gem and want to keep it our secret.”

2. The Carriage House (Rye) – 4.4 stars

Address: 2263 Ocean Blvd., Rye

Price: $$$

Why Yelpers love it: The Carriage House is a modern seaside, New England restaurant and raw bar right on Rye Beach with a menu inspired by the four seasons. The summer entrees, highlighting locally sourced food, include pollock piccata, Gulf of Maine halibut with whole-grain polenta, and Chickering Farm pork with Anson Mills grits.“Charming setting on the coast and even lovelier inside,” wrote one reviewer. “All the staff friendly and helpful. The food! The food! Every single dish was a piece of art and tasted phenomenal… We had a feast.”

1. Rye Harbor Lobster Pound (Rye) – 4.5 stars

Address: 1870 Ocean Blvd., Rye

Price: $$

Why Yelpers love it: This family-owned hometown favorite has been serving up lobsters, steamers, and award-winning chowders right on the ocean for the past 27 years. A huge fan favorite is the Rye Harbor Lobster Pound’s fluffy clam chowder, an annual winner at the Hampton Seafood Festival It’s a creamy chowder topped with lobster in a butter sherry sauce. “This is now my favorite place for a lobster roll and chowder,” wrote one Yelper. “I love hot lobster rolls and this is hands down the best one I ever had. I’m having dreams about it haha. But it’s a great place if you wanna grab food, grab a table, and watch some boats. The fluffy chowder was 100000/10. I could bathe in it. Bury me with a hot lobster roll and their fluffy chowder.”

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.