The Top Restaurants In Hampton, New Hampshire

Composed of an old-fashioned tavern, an elegant wine bar and a down to earth sports bar, the 401 Tavern has something to suit everyone’s tastes. The main tavern is set in a historic building built in the 1600s, and is filled with nostalgic touches and knick knacks, each telling a story about the history of the tavern and the people who visit it. The wine bar offers a selection of over a hundred wines, with bottle lining the walls and soft lighting and music creating an intimate, relaxed atmosphere. The eclectic menu complements all three settings, with a delicious range of tapas, burgers and desserts perfect for the most laid back or sophisticated dinner.

Established by the successful New Hampshire restaurateur Chuck Rolecek, CR’s The Restaurant is one of the most popular spots in the Hampton area. The restaurant has an upscale, sophisticated atmosphere, while still retaining a unique, warm charm, with quirky light fixtures, monochrome checked tablecloths, wooden beams and a stone fireplace creating the perfect balance between contemporary and rustic. The food is equally pleasing, with beautifully presented dishes that are twists on American classics. Try the pork tenderloin rubbed with chilli and served with Vermont cheddar mac and cheese, spinach and apple chutney, or the grilled salmon burger flavoured with red peppers and fresh ginger and served with grilled zucchini.

The Flatbread Company uses an authentic clay pizza oven to create delicious, crisp-based pizzas loaded with mouthwatering toppings. The dough is made fresh daily, while the ingredients for the pizzas are sourced locally and organically when possible, which makes these pizzas good for the conscience as well as the tastebuds. The pizza options are eclectic and unique; try the home made maple-fennel sausage with organic mushrooms and caramelized onions, or the Punctuated Equilibrium pizza, served with olives, fresh rosemary, goat’s cheese, fire roasted peppers, mozzarella and a dash of handmade garlic oil.

A Hampton institution since it was first opened in 1970, Galley Hatch is a family owned, local restaurant specializing in classic American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. Specialities include the marinated steak tips rubbed with chilli, cumin and garlic for a delicious, melt-in-the-mouth combination of flavours, and the herb crusted chicken served with a lemon and leek couscous. The restaurant features several dining rooms, including a central dining area featuring a hand painted mural and elegant, dark wood booths, and a bar area decorated in the style of a traditional British pub, complete with a pine bar, brass fixtures and stained glass windows.

The exterior of Hagan’s Grill has the charm of an old, beloved bistro, with sparkling fairy lights and flower boxes at the windows. The interior has a more contemporary, yet still cozy feel, making it perfect for an intimate date night or a fun, relaxed dinner with friends. The cuisine is mainly American, with touches of French and Italian to create a varied, unique menu full of flavour. Highlights from the menu include the seafood bisque and the saffron bouillabaisse made with fresh lobster, spicy Italian sausage, shrimp, mussels and scallops, and served with a herb garlic bread.

For an authentic seafood dining experience, head to Little Jack’s Seafood Restaurant & Lobster Pool, a small, casual spot located on the Hampton ocean front. The establishment is undeniably charming; food is ordered through a small wooden hatch at the front of the restaurant, and can be eaten inside, where timber walls and roof and nautical themed knickknacks add to the quirky décor, or on the upper deck, which boasts spectacular views of the sea. The restaurant offers all the classic seafood options anyone could wish to order, from baked or grilled fish to lobster rolls and shellfish, all freshly caught and prepared. Little Jack’s is open seasonally from late Spring to late Summer.

Millie’s Tavern‘s motto, ‘come as a stranger, leave as a friend’ tells you all you need to know about the restaurant’s warm, friendly approach. A classic local neighbourhood bar, Millie’s Tavern has a vibrant, busy atmosphere filled with locals and regulars, who come to relax, socialize with friends, and grab a drink or a bite to eat. The bar has a large number of beers both on tap and bottled, as well as a selection of other drinks to suit all tastes. The menu features typical American-style comfort food with extra emphasis on seafood. Try the fried clam roll, the lobster mac and cheese, or the fried haddock sandwich for something both fresh and satisfying.

Attached to a historic New England inn built in 1760, The Old Salt Restaurant provides both overnight visitors and passing guests delicious food in a quaint, charming environment. The exterior of the restaurant is inviting and homely, with old-fashioned shutters at the windows and a green front door, while the interior is warm and rustic with unique touches, such as a working fireplace and beautiful chandeliers. The menu is outstanding, specializing in fresh seafood, and offers an award winning clam chowder, fresh lobster and a catch of the day supplied by local fishermen, as well as a range of steaks, pastas and salads for those who prefer turf to surf.

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