4 Best Restaurants in The Seacoast, New Hampshire

Elephantine Bakery

$ Fodor's choice

Master bakers Sherif and Nadine Farag run this cozy, conversation-filled bakery and cafe that's known for its meticulously crafted Middle Eastern and French pastries, sandwiches, and breakfast dishes. Start the day with poached eggs cilbir (over garlic labneh with aleppo butter, parsley gremolata, and toasted sourdough), and make every effort to save room for a slice of cardamom-rosewater cake or a brown-butter brownie.

Row 34

$$$
Set in a gleaming, industrial-chic dining room with tall windows, exposed air ducts, and metal tables and chairs, this contemporary and slightly fancy take on a classic seafood house is the sort of place that's equally appropriate for special celebrations and casual beer-and-oysters happy hours with friends. From tuna tartare to scallop ceviche, you can't go wrong with anything from the raw bar, but also check out the extensive variety of steamed and grilled fare, such as roasted monkfish and grilled salmon collar.

The Wilder

$$$

Have a seat at the bar or at one of the banquette seats along the wall at this convivial, upscale gastropub with offbeat artwork and a diverse crowd. The kitchen serves up well-executed takes on comfort classics like Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches with maple-cayenne sauce; poutine smothered in roasted-bone gravy and glazed pork belly; and braised beef short rib with mushroom-onion jam and crispy shallots.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Vida Cantina

$$

In a state sorely lacking in notable Latin restaurants, this airy contemporary space south of downtown stands out for the ambitious modern Mexican cuisine of chef-owner and James Beard award--nominated chef David Vargas. Several kinds of street-food-style tacos are offered, including barbacoa and pork belly, along with a tangy goat cheese version of queso fundido and sous vide short rib with pistachio salsa macha.