8 New Hampshire Steakhouses Hiding in Plain Sight
If I had to choose my last meal, it would be a steak. No question,
One thing that I've learned over the years... I don't judge a steakhouse by its exterior. Some of the best meals could be waiting behind the most unexpected unassuming doors.
You're driving down some back road, pass an old farmhouse, a little roadside tavern, or a building that looks like it hasn't changed since 1978.
And someone says, "Oh, you HAVE to try their steak."
Really? In there?
Eight New Hampshire restaurants. Eight opportunities to find an incredible steak. And hopefully a few surprises along the way.
1. The Woodshed Restaurant - Moultonborough, New Hampshire
128 Lee Rd #3811, Moultonborough, NH 03254
The outside: Picture an old New England barn tucked away along a country road. It's rustic, it's charming, and it looks more like a place you'd stop for a country wedding than a serious steak dinner.
The surprise: Inside, The Woodshed Restaurant, it's an upscale steakhouse with a restored barn dining room, exposed wooden beams, and an atmosphere that makes you want to settle in for the evening. They've got prime rib, filet mignon, ribeye, and New York strip.
Why it makes my list: I love the idea of driving down a quiet road in the Lakes Region and discovering a steakhouse inside an old barn. No flashy signs or big-city appearance. Just a classic New England setting.
What I'm ordering: The 14-ounce grilled ribeye, medium rare, possibly with their wild mushroom bordelaise on the side. And I'm definitely curious about the flowerpot bread they bake in-house.
I don't need a therapist. I need a 14-ounce ribeye and about 45 minutes of uninterrupted silence.
2. Buckley's Great Steaks - Merrimack, New Hampshire
438 Daniel Webster Hwy, Merrimack, NH 03054
The outside: This place looks like an old New England tavern-style building that belongs in a history book. Not exactly what comes to mind when you picture a high-end steakhouse, right?
The surprise: Buckley's Great Steaks has built a reputation around wood-grilled steaks, prime rib, and a more refined dining experience than the exterior might suggest. You can enjoy an upscale dinner or keep things a little more casual in Riddle's Tavern.
Why it makes my list: This is exactly the contrast I'm looking for. A building with historic character, but a menu that takes steak seriously.
What I'm ordering: I'm torn between the filet mignon and the big cowboy ribeye. But if I'm making the trip specifically for steak, I think the cowboy ribeye wins. And I've heard enough about the French onion soup that it might have to be my starter.
3. Murphy's Steakhouse at Bear Tree - Pittsburg, New Hampshire
3329 US-3, Pittsburg, NH 03592
The outside: A rustic inn in Pittsburg, way up in New Hampshire's Great North Woods. This is the kind of place where you expect to see snowmobiles, fishing gear, and people swapping stories about their adventures.
The surprise: Murphey's Steakhouse Inside the Inn at Bear Tree is an actual fine-dining steakhouse, complete with a cozy fireplace, views of First Connecticut Lake, and an amazing menu.
Why it makes my list: The location alone makes this one interesting. You don't necessarily expect to find a special-occasion steakhouse this far north. I love the idea of spending a day exploring the North Country and finishing it with a really good dinner.
What I'm ordering: The 16-ounce ribeye with demi-glace, cooked medium rare. Although the pepper-crusted New York strip with au poivre sauce sounds pretty tempting, too. I just needed to say that so that I felt fancy.
4. Red Parka Pub - Glen, New Hampshire
3 Station St, Glen, NH 03838, United States
The outside: A bright yellow building with a casual mountain-town personality. Honestly, it looks like the kind of place you'd stop after skiing, grab a beer, and listen to a band.
The surprise: The Red Parka Pub has a long history as a steakhouse and pub, with a separate dining room and a lively bar that regularly features live music. That's part of the appeal here.
Why it makes my list: I love restaurants with personality. And I especially love the idea of a place where you can have dinner and then stick around for live music. That's a pretty good night in my book.
What I'm ordering: I'd start by checking which steaks are on the current menu, since the offerings can change. Steak tips would be my first choice if they're available. Otherwise, I'm happy to explore the menu and see what the locals recommend.
If I ever go missing, check the nearest steakhouse before you call the police.
5. Jesse's Steaks, Seafood and Tavern - Hanover, New Hampshire
7 Blue Sky Drive, Hanover, NH 03755
The outside: A rustic, Adirondack-style building with the feel of an old mountain lodge. It looks welcoming and comfortable, but not necessarily like the kind of place where you're going to find an upscale steakhouse experience.
The surprise: Jesse's Steaks, Seafood and Tavern has been serving the Upper Valley for years, with a menu built around traditional American steakhouse favorites. We're talking prime rib, filet mignon, ribeye, seafood, and the kind of hearty dinner that makes you forget you were supposed to be watching what you eat.
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Why it makes my list: I love an old-school steakhouse. Give me some wood-paneled walls, a comfortable booth, a good drink, and a steak cooked the way I ordered it. I don't need much more than that.
What I'm ordering: I'm leaning toward the filet mignon, medium rare. But if they have prime rib available when I visit, that could completely change my plans.
6. Tomahawk Butchery & Tavern - Merrimack, New Hampshire
454 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, NH 03054
The outside: A relatively ordinary commercial building along Daniel Webster Highway. It doesn't exactly scream, "Come inside for a memorable steak dinner."
The surprise: Tomahawk Butchery & Tavern combines a butcher shop with a restaurant. And personally, I love that concept. A place where the people preparing your dinner understand the cuts of beef they're working with? You've got my attention.
Why it makes my list: I think there's something special about a restaurant with its own butcher shop. It's a different experience than your typical chain steakhouse, and I'm interested in seeing how that translates to what's on the plate.
What I'm ordering: This feels like a ribeye kind of place. I'd want to ask what cuts they're featuring that evening and let the butcher's recommendation help make my decision.
I'm not saying I'd choose a ribeye over a relationship. I'm just saying the ribeye has never disappointed me emotionally.
7. The Oak Room - New London - New Hampshire
853 Pleasant Street, New London , NH 03257
The outside: A beautiful old New England farmhouse that's part of the Inn at Pleasant Lake. From the road, it looks more like a quiet country getaway than a destination for serious steak lovers.
The surprise: Inside The Oak Room is an upscale chophouse that blends the character of a historic farmhouse with contemporary dining. The restaurant focuses on steaks, chops, seafood, and ingredients from the surrounding region.
Why it makes my list: This might be one of the most interesting stops on the entire tour. I love historic buildings, especially when they've been transformed into something special without losing their original charm.
And the idea of having a great steak inside a farmhouse dating back to the 1700s? That's pretty cool.
What I'm ordering: Filet mignon, medium rare, if it's on the menu that evening. This feels like the kind of place where I'd also want to ask about the chef's recommended preparation and maybe step outside my usual order.
9. Granite Steak & Grill - Rochester, New Hampshire
11 Farmington Road, Rochester, NH 03867
The outside: A pretty typical roadside restaurant. Nothing about the building immediately suggests you're about to walk into one of New Hampshire's more interesting steakhouse stops.
The surprise: Granite Steak & Grill has a menu featuring prime rib, steaks, seafood, and other American favorites. It's more of a relaxed, neighborhood-style steakhouse than an upscale dining destination.
Why it makes my list: Not every great steak dinner has to be a special occasion.
Sometimes you just want to walk into a restaurant, sit down, order a good steak, and enjoy your evening without making a big production out of it.
And that's exactly the kind of place I want to include on this tour.
What I'm ordering: Prime rib would be my first choice here, assuming it's available when I visit. There's something about a big slice of prime rib, a baked potato, and a little horseradish that just works.
I don't have expensive taste. I just happen to prefer the most expensive part of the cow.
Now, I haven't eaten at all of these places yet. These are restaurants that have caught my attention, and I plan to visit each one, order a steak, and see if the experience lives up to the reputation.
Eight restaurants. Eight steaks. One man's completely unnecessary but deeply personal commitment to finding the best beef in New Hampshire. My cardiologist has not been consulted. - Garret
Tell me where I need to go next.
Because I've got a feeling there is going to need a Part Two.
And I'm perfectly fine with that.
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