Where to Eat in the Merrimack Valley: A Dining Roundup

The Merrimack Valley holds New Hampshire's three largest cities, and its restaurant scene follows the river south from the state capital to the Massachusetts line. Most food guides stop at a single downtown. This roundup takes the whole corridor instead: two Concord dining rooms, two Manchester picks off the usual Elm Street path, a Merrimack steakhouse and a small Italian restaurant in Nashua. If you are looking for restaurants in the Merrimack Valley NH that are worth a short drive, start here.

The valley at a glance

The Merrimack River runs 117 miles. It begins at the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee rivers in Franklin, flows south into Massachusetts, and then turns northeast to reach the Gulf of Maine at Newburyport. On the New Hampshire side, the valley is the state's population center.

• Manchester is the most populous city in the state, with 115,644 residents at the 2020 census.
• Nashua is second, with 91,322.
• Concord, the state capital and seat of Merrimack County, is third, with 43,976.
• Merrimack, the town between Manchester and Nashua, counted 26,632.

For diners, that means short drives between very different kinds of meals. Concord to Nashua is a straight run down the river corridor, and you can plan a dinner in each city over a weekend without much time in the car.

If you have already read our Manchester dining guide, which covers the Puritan Backroom, Cotton, Fratello's, Hanover Street Chophouse and others, treat this as the companion piece. Every restaurant below is a different stop.

Concord: farm to table and a neighborhood gastropub

Revival Kitchen & Bar is on Depot Street in historic downtown Concord. It describes itself as a place where fine dining meets an approachable atmosphere, under an award-winning chef-owner. The core idea is local and sustainable sourcing: produce, meat and dairy from area farms, foragers and producers, on a seasonal menu that changes with what those suppliers bring in. The restaurant recommends reservations, which you can make online or by phone. It is a natural choice for a special dinner after a day at the State House or the shops on Main Street.

Haley & Bear takes a different approach. It calls itself an American gastropub and a neighborhood staple for occasions big or small. Its menus draw on the regional range of American cooking, with iconic dishes and comfort food that nod to local influences and time-honored recipes. It takes reservations, and it suits a relaxed group dinner or a weeknight meal better than a formal evening.

Between the two, Concord covers both ends of a night out: the farm-to-table dinner at Revival and the easygoing pub at Haley & Bear.

Manchester: beyond downtown

Raices serves authentic Mexican dishes on Brown Avenue in Manchester, in what it calls a modern oasis. The bar program is a large part of the draw. It pours tequila and mezcal, explaining the difference between tequila's smoothness from blue agave and mezcal's bold, smoky flavor from other agave varieties. It also offers craft cocktails, domestic and imported beer, a full bar and non-alcoholic options. Online ordering and gift cards are available through its website.

Goldenrod Restaurant Drive-In is the valley's long-running classic. On Candia Road in Manchester, it has been serving seafood and ice cream since 1951. The menu covers family staples, from hot dogs and burgers to chicken fingers and seafood. The restaurant notes that it is open all year round. It also offers catering with party trays and platters, which is handy if you are feeding a crowd. If your travel group includes kids, or you just want fried seafood and a cone, this is the stop.

Merrimack: a steakhouse on Route 3

Buckley's Great Steaks sits on Daniel Webster Highway, which is Route 3, in Merrimack. It presents itself as a distinguished setting for an occasion, with expertly prepared cuisine and professional service. There is a more casual side as well: Riddles Tavern serves lighter fare, and the restaurant has seasonal outdoor dining and a taproom when the weather allows. Outdoor seats are walk-in only, while reservations, by phone or online, are for indoor dining. Private dining is available for groups. Buckley's is part of the Michael Timothy's Dining Group.

Merrimack's location between Manchester and Nashua makes Buckley's an easy meeting point for a dinner that draws people from both cities.

Nashua: a small Italian dining room

Cucina Toscana is an Italian restaurant on Amherst Street in Nashua. It describes itself as a cozy restaurant that seats 56, and it says every meal is made to order with fresh ingredients. A few house details stand out: Caesar salads that can be prepared at your table, and meatballs, sausages and sauces made in-house. The restaurant also offers catering and gift cards, and delivers to Nashua residents through online orders. With only 56 seats, it is worth calling ahead for weekend dinners.

How to choose

The restaurants in this roundup fall into three rough groups, so start with the kind of evening you want.

• A special occasion. Revival Kitchen & Bar and Buckley's Great Steaks both pitch themselves at memorable evenings, one built around local farms and the other around steak and professional service.
• A relaxed group meal. Haley & Bear and Raices both work for friends who want good food, a full drink list.
• Families and quick stops. Goldenrod's drive-in menu and year-round schedule make it the easiest choice with kids, and Cucina Toscana's made-to-order Italian suits a family dinner in Nashua.

Building a valley food weekend

A simple plan that covers the corridor:

1. Friday in Concord. Book dinner at Revival Kitchen & Bar, or keep it casual at Haley & Bear.

2. Saturday lunch in Manchester. Stop at Goldenrod for seafood and ice cream, then explore the city.

3. Saturday dinner. Go to Raices for Mexican food and a tequila or mezcal cocktail, or drive south to Buckley's in Merrimack for steak.

4. Sunday. Finish in Nashua with dinner at Cucina Toscana before heading home.

Our Merrimack Valley weekend guide and Manchester town guide have ideas for what to do between meals.

Practical tips

• Reserve for dinner. Revival recommends reservations, and Buckley's and Haley & Bear both take them. For a 56-seat room like Cucina Toscana, calling ahead is wise.
• Check hours before you drive. Some, like Buckley's, close one day a week, and hours can change by season. Each website has its current schedule.
• Outdoor seating depends on the weather. Buckley's patio and taproom open only when conditions allow.
• Takeout is an option. Raices, Buckley's and Cucina Toscana all offer online ordering through their websites.

FAQ

What are the best restaurants in the Merrimack Valley NH?

For a special night, Revival Kitchen & Bar in Concord or Buckley's Great Steaks in Merrimack. For something casual, Haley & Bear in Concord, Raices in Manchester or Goldenrod Drive-In. For Italian, Cucina Toscana in Nashua.

Which Merrimack Valley restaurant is open all year?

Goldenrod Drive-In in Manchester says it is open year-round and has served seafood and ice cream since 1951.

Where can I find farm-to-table dining near Concord?

Revival Kitchen & Bar on Depot Street builds its seasonal menu around local farms, foragers and producers.

Is there a good stop between Manchester and Nashua?

Yes. Buckley's Great Steaks is on Route 3 in Merrimack, between the two cities.

Sources

• Merrimack River, Wikipedia (length, course): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrimack_River
• Manchester, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester,_New_Hampshire
• Nashua, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashua,_New_Hampshire
• Concord, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census, capital, county seat): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concord,_New_Hampshire
• Merrimack, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrimack,_New_Hampshire
• Revival Kitchen & Bar: https://www.revivalkitchennh.com/
• Haley & Bear: https://www.haley-bear.com/
• Raices Authentic Mexican Cuisine: https://www.raicesnh.com/
• Goldenrod Restaurant Drive-In: https://www.goldenrodrestaurant.com/
• Buckley's Great Steaks: https://www.buckleysgreatsteaks.com
• Cucina Toscana: https://cucinatoscananashua.com/