Concord Dining Guide: Main Street and Beyond

Concord's food scene punches above its size. As the state capital, it draws visitors to the State House all year, and it has a wider range of restaurants than you might expect from a city of about 44,000 people. This guide to restaurants in Concord NH starts on Main Street, near the State House, and then heads out to Loudon Road and the Heights for barbecue and a classic diner.

Late summer is a good time to explore. Local farm stands are full, and kitchens that cook with local ingredients have the most to work with.

Concord at a glance

Concord is the capital of New Hampshire and the seat of Merrimack County. The 2020 census counted 43,976 residents, making it the state's third most populous city after Manchester and Nashua. The State House, completed in 1819, sits at the center of downtown and is the oldest state capitol in the country whose legislature still meets in its original chambers.

The city is centered on the Merrimack River, and alongside its downtown neighborhoods it includes the villages of Penacook, Concord Heights, East Concord and West Concord.

For diners, this guide covers two areas. Downtown, along Main Street and the nearby side streets, is walkable and is home to several of the city's best-known sit-down restaurants. Loudon Road, in the Concord Heights area, has more casual spots, including barbecue and a diner. The two areas are a short drive apart, so it is easy to visit both in one trip.

Downtown fine dining

Revival Kitchen and Bar

Revival Kitchen and Bar is Concord's best-known farm-to-table restaurant. It is the restaurant of chef and owner Corey Fletcher, and it describes itself as a place "where fine dining meets an approachable atmosphere in the heart of historic Concord."

The restaurant's focus is local and sustainable cooking. It says its menu features produce, meats and dairy from local farms, foragers and producers, and that the menu changes with the seasons. That makes late summer an especially good time to go, when local farms are at their most productive.

Reservations are recommended. The restaurant takes them online or by phone.

Angelina's Ristorante Italiano

Angelina's Ristorante Italiano on Depot Street is a small Italian restaurant where, in its own words, "the food is made to order." It is a classic choice for a quiet dinner or a special occasion.

Plan ahead. Angelina's says reservations are highly recommended and can only be made by calling the restaurant during business hours, so this is not a place for online booking. Check the restaurant's site for its current schedule before you go, since small restaurants often keep limited days.

Near the State House

The Barley House

The Barley House is a Main Street fixture steps from the State House. It serves modern American bistro food, burgers, craft beer and cocktails, and its location makes it a natural gathering place for the people who work in and around the capitol.

Downstairs, the B-Lounge is a function room that can host private events, which is useful if you are planning a work gathering or a party downtown. For everyday visits, it is a good bet for a casual lunch or dinner when you want something central.

Yamas Greek Eatery

Yamas Greek Eatery brings Greek cooking to downtown Concord. The restaurant is veteran owned and operated, and it has locations in Plymouth and Nashua as well as Concord. The restaurant says its name "isn't just our name" but "a cheer for the community we serve."

The menu leans on classics. Highlights listed on its site include spanakopita, the spinach pie in golden phyllo pastry with barrel-aged feta; arnaki, marinated lamb chops grilled over high heat; and moussaka, layered with eggplant, spiced beef and bechamel. There is also a full cocktail program with house-made cordials and fresh juices.

Casual spots on Loudon Road

603 Bar-B-Q

603 Bar-B-Q serves Texas-style barbecue on Loudon Road. Its founder writes on the restaurant's site that he has always loved to cook and that he worked in Texas at Zavala's Barbecue. The business started out as a food truck in Concord and later moved to a larger location on Loudon Road. Its tagline sums up the approach: "Texas craft. New Hampshire heart."

Reviews quoted on the restaurant's own site mention Carolina pulled pork, Texas brisket and Kansas City burnt ends, so expect a mix of American barbecue styles rather than a single tradition. The restaurant also offers catering and online ordering, which makes it a practical choice for feeding a group.

Red Arrow Diner

The Red Arrow Diner is a well-known New Hampshire diner with locations in Concord, Londonderry, Manchester and Nashua. The Concord location is at 112 Loudon Road in the Heights neighborhood. It opened on July 14, 2017, and has 92 seats.

The draw here is flexibility. The diner offers its full menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner all day long, so you can order pancakes at dinnertime or a burger in the morning. There is also a kids menu, blue plate specials and a dessert menu, and the Concord location offers curbside pickup for takeout orders.

Eating with the seasons

Concord has working farms within city limits, such as the pick-your-own orchard at Apple Hill Farm, and the restaurants in this guide show it in different ways. Revival builds its menu around local farms and changes it with the seasons. In late summer, that means the kitchen has the widest range of local produce of the year. Other restaurants lean on long-running classics: Greek plates at Yamas, Italian dishes cooked to order at Angelina's, and slow-smoked barbecue at 603 Bar-B-Q. Whatever you choose, ask your server what is new on the menu, since many kitchens add specials as ingredients come in.

How to plan a dining day in Concord

Concord is easy to eat your way through in a day or a weekend. Here are a few ideas:

• Breakfast: Start at the Red Arrow Diner in the Heights, where breakfast is on the menu all day.
• Lunch: Walk Main Street and stop at the Barley House or Yamas, both close to the State House.
• Dinner: Book ahead at Revival for a farm-to-table meal, or call Angelina's for a quiet Italian dinner.
• Feeding a crowd: Look to 603 Bar-B-Q for catering or a takeout order.

A few practical tips:

• Make reservations for dinner. Small downtown restaurants can fill up on weekends.
• Check current schedules. Many independent restaurants keep limited days, and schedules can change by season.
• Park once downtown. Main Street is walkable, so you can park once and stroll between restaurants and shops.
• Combine with sightseeing. Pair a meal with a walk past the State House or a visit to a downtown shop.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area for restaurants in Concord?

Main Street and the surrounding downtown blocks have the greatest concentration of sit-down restaurants. Loudon Road, east of the river, has casual spots including barbecue and a diner.

Where can I find farm-to-table food in Concord?

Revival Kitchen and Bar focuses on locally sourced, sustainable ingredients from area farms and producers, on a seasonal menu.

Do I need reservations at Angelina's?

The restaurant says reservations are highly recommended and can only be made by phone during business hours.

Is there a diner in Concord with breakfast all day?

The Red Arrow Diner on Loudon Road offers its full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu all day long.

Sources

• Concord, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concord,_New_Hampshire
• Revival Kitchen and Bar official site: https://www.revivalkitchennh.com/
• Angelina's Ristorante Italiano official site: https://www.angelinasrestaurant.com/
• The Barley House official site: https://www.thebarleyhouse.com/
• Yamas Greek Eatery official site: https://www.cheersyamas.com/
• 603 Bar-B-Q official site: https://bbqnh.com/
• 603 Bar-B-Q, Our Story: https://bbqnh.com/our-story
• Apple Hill Farm official site: https://www.applehillfarmnh.com/
• Red Arrow Diner, Concord location page: https://www.redarrowdiner.com/concord