Dover Dining Guide: Where to Eat Downtown

Dover does not always get the attention that Portsmouth does, but food lovers on the Seacoast know better. The city's downtown, built around the old mills on the Cochecho River, has grown into one of the region's most satisfying places to eat, with historic buildings, a walkable main street and a mix of pubs, cafes and chef-driven kitchens. This guide covers restaurants in Dover NH, all from our directory, along with a little history to enjoy between meals.

Dover at a glance

Dover is the most populous city on the New Hampshire Seacoast, with 32,741 residents at the 2020 census, and the county seat of Strafford County. Its history runs deep. In 1623, brothers William and Edward Hilton settled at Dover Point, making Dover the oldest permanent settlement in New Hampshire. The city's nickname, "The Garrison City," recalls the fortified garrison houses built by early settlers.

Downtown grew around the falls of the Cochecho River, whose name comes from an Abenaki word often translated as "the rapid foaming water." The Cocheco Manufacturing Company built textile mills here in the 1820s, and in 1828 its mill was the site of the first women's strike in the United States. Today, the restored mill buildings are known as the Cocheco Falls Millworks.

Dinner downtown

• Ember Wood Fired Grill is set in a historic 1865 firehouse on Orchard Street. It serves a locally inspired menu with a casual upscale feel, and the old firehouse gives dinner a sense of occasion. It is a good choice for a celebration or a special night out.
• Chapel + Main on Main Street is a restaurant and brewery that cooks with local ingredients and brews its own beer. It is a natural fit for groups that want food and craft beer under one roof.
• Topolino on River Street accepts reservations, offers takeout and hosts private events. Book ahead on busy nights.
• Sonny's Tavern on Central Avenue describes itself as crafted, classic and local. It is a relaxed downtown spot for an evening meal and a drink, and it takes reservations.

Pubs and gatherings

• Cara Irish Pub and Restaurant on Fourth Street takes its name from the Irish word for "friend," which sets the tone. It is a warm, sociable pub, and it has a function room, the Chameleon, for parties and private events.

Breakfast, coffee and pastries

• Two Bees Cafe and Patisserie on First Street is a French-inspired cafe with a fresh, seasonally driven French and Mediterranean menu. Expect sandwiches and salads, handcrafted pastries and desserts, coffee and espresso, and a thoughtful beer and wine list.
• Breakaway Cafe on Central Avenue is a community-minded cafe known for award-winning espresso and quick food inspired by fine dining, in a laid-back setting.
• Juniper Kitchen on Central Avenue is a local cafe and restaurant serving espresso, plant-based food, smoothies and gluten-free baked goods.

Plant-based sweets

• Cake Vegan Bakery is a fully plant-based bakery that makes custom cakes. If you are planning a birthday or celebration for someone who eats vegan, it is worth ordering ahead.

Planning a food day in Dover

1. Morning: espresso at Breakaway Cafe or a pastry at Two Bees, then a walk to see the falls and the mills.

2. Midday: lunch at Juniper Kitchen, then a stop at one of the city's museums.

3. Afternoon: a drive up Garrison Hill to its lookout tower for views over the city.

4. Evening: dinner at Ember in the old firehouse, or food and house beer at Chapel + Main, then a nightcap at Cara.

Beyond the plate

Dover makes an easy, rewarding stop between meals.

• Cocheco Falls Millworks: the restored mill complex along the river is the heart of downtown, and the falls themselves drop about 34 feet.
• Garrison Hill: a park with a lookout tower above the city.
• Children's Museum of New Hampshire: a hands-on museum downtown, a good stop for families.
• Woodman Museum: the Woodman Institute Museum, one of the city's longtime cultural institutions.
• Dover Point: where the Hilton brothers settled in 1623, near the confluence of the Bellamy and Piscataqua rivers, now home to Hilton Park.

Choosing by occasion

Date night. Ember's historic firehouse setting and Topolino's reservations make either a good pick for a special dinner. Follow with a walk along the river past the mills.

Groups and friends. Chapel + Main pairs food with its own beer, which keeps everyone happy, and Cara's pub atmosphere suits a sociable evening. For a bigger party, ask about Cara's Chameleon function room.

Families. A morning at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire pairs well with a casual lunch downtown. Cafes such as Juniper Kitchen and Breakaway Cafe are easy, relaxed stops.

Plant-based and gluten-free diners. Dover is unusually well served here. Juniper Kitchen leans plant-based and offers gluten-free baked goods, and Cake Vegan Bakery is fully plant-based. Two Bees is a good stop for anyone who simply loves pastry.

Coffee lovers. Start with espresso at Breakaway Cafe, then compare it with the coffee at Two Bees and Juniper Kitchen over a slow morning downtown.

Spring in Dover

May is a lovely time to eat your way through Dover. The weather warms enough to stroll between stops, the river runs high below the mills, and downtown is lively without the summer crowds of the beach towns. It is also a good time to book a private room for spring celebrations such as graduations, showers and birthdays. Several restaurants in this guide, including Cara and Topolino, host private events.

Tips for dining in Dover

• Reserve for dinner. Popular spots fill on weekends, so book ahead where reservations are offered.
• Check hours before you go. Many cafes close in the afternoon, and some restaurants are closed certain days.
• Go early or late. Weekend brunch and Friday dinner are the busiest times. A weekday lunch or an early dinner is usually calmer and easier to plan around.
• Park once. Downtown is compact. Park and walk between Central Avenue, Main Street and the mills.
• Ask about dietary needs. Dover has strong plant-based and gluten-free options. Ask each restaurant about allergens directly.
• Take the train. Dover is on the Amtrak Downeaster line, which makes it an easy car-free trip.

FAQ

What are good restaurants in Dover, NH?

Options include Ember Wood Fired Grill in a historic firehouse, Chapel + Main for food and house-brewed beer, Cara Irish Pub and Restaurant, Topolino, Sonny's Tavern, and cafes such as Two Bees, Breakaway Cafe and Juniper Kitchen.

Where can I get vegan food in Dover?

Juniper Kitchen has a plant-based focus, and Cake Vegan Bakery makes fully plant-based custom cakes.

Is downtown Dover walkable?

Yes. Central Avenue, Main Street and the mill district are close together and easy to explore on foot.

Which Dover restaurants host private events?

Cara has its Chameleon function room, and Topolino offers private events. Contact each directly for details.

Sources

• Dover, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census; county seat; 1623 settlement; Garrison City; Cochecho Falls; 1828 strike; Millworks; Garrison Hill; museums; Amtrak Downeaster): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dover,_New_Hampshire
• Restaurant websites: emberwfg.com, chapelandmain.com, topolinonh.com, sonnystaverndover.com, carairishpub.com, twobeespatisserie.com, breakawaydover.com, juniperdover.com, cakeveganbakery.com