While we ask our readers to pick the best of the best each year in more than 100 Best of New Hampshire categories, there are many other worthy and outstanding favorites for each category, ranging from pizza to cupcakes and garden centers to home decor shops. New Hampshire Magazine wants to make sure these reader favorites get their own moment in the spotlight and we encourage you to check them out!
Have a craving for a juicy, savory burger but don’t know where to go? Here’s where to go for the best burgers in the Granite State, including local meats, specialty toppings and decadent fries.
The Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery
58 Route 27, Raymond
(603) 244-2431
Tuckaway Tavern has become a Granite State staple for meat lovers craving big burgers and flavorful steaks. In addition to the restaurant, with a kitchen led by Chef Bobby Marcotte, Tuckaway also offers a full-service meat market and craft beer shop featuring over 150 varieties, largely from local brewers.
Their award-winning burgers feature all the best things: all black angus beef that is humanely raised and freshly ground each day. They offer over ten varieties, including “the whole tuckin farm,” which features a burger patty, fried chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese and sauce, or the original “tavern burger,” including sweet barbecue pork, bacon and cheddar cheese. Or, consider a more adventurous option such as the “dip it good,” a tavern burger with caramelized onions, sour cream and onion chips, and multiple cheeses and sauce all on top of a pretzel bun.
Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery is no stranger to the Best of NH readers’ poll list and was not only awarded the Best of NH Overall Burger for 2022 but also received awards for Best Butcher Shop, Favorite Restaurant (Manchester Area), Best Lobster Roll and Best Macaroni and Cheese.
Lexie’s Restaurants
Locations in Dover, Exeter, Portsmouth and Newburyport
The New Hampshire Seacoast area and beyond has been blessed with this delicious spot advocating for “peace. love. Burgers.” Fun names and delicious ingredients are featured with each burger, such as the “Urban Cowboy:” cheddar, bacon, avocado, onion rings, chimichurri and barbecue sauce or the “Burning Down the House:” pepper jack, jalapeños and chipotle aioli. Each burger is available with a beef, chicken or bean patty.
Burgers aren’t your thing? The fish tacos are one of our absolute faves as well. Two soft tortillas hold crispy fried haddock, American cheese, lettuce, house cole slaw, pickled onions and spicy aioli. These are can’t-miss!
Kudos to reader favorite Lexie’s who won the Best of NH Overall Burger for a multi-location restaurant for 2022.
The Barley House
132 North Main Street, Concord
(603) 228-6363
Right near the iconic State House sits the Barley House, serving up craft beer and great food. They offer many seating options, including indoor and patio dining, a downstairs lounge and sports and taproom. Live music and events often complete the ambiance as well. This place is great for foodies and social butterflies alike.
From appetizers such as their Blarney Puffs to premium burgers such as their Turkey Burger Avocado BLT, everyone is sure to find something on the menu to satisfy their taste buds.
Little Brother Burger Company
420 Main St, New London
(603) 877-0196
Have fun, enjoy a delicious burger, and enjoy time with loved ones at Little Brothers. They describe themselves as “local food made with love and served with joy in a fun environment” – what could be better than that?
Try some sliders, or a signature burger like the “Farmhouse,” a patty topped with cheddar, bacon, fried egg, onion and herbed mayo. Not in the mood for a burger? Try their tacos, salads, or other yummy menu items. Be sure to save room for a sweet treat like their deep fried French toast – wow!
Surfside Burger Bar
41 NH Route 25, Meredith
(603) 279-5554
It’s an inspirational story – around 10 years ago, Steve Fields sold his landscaping company to follow his dream of opening a restaurant. Today, Surfside is dishing out delicious eats and fun drinks to the Lakes Region. Feeling wild? Try their Under My Voodoo cocktail featuring vodka, tequila, rum, several liquors and limeade. Fill your belly with one of their many specialty burgers such as the Slightly Stoopid or Red Hot Chili Pepper.
Fields’ dream-turned-reality is open for guests to soak up the sun year round, even when it’s cold. In the summer, grab a seat on their adorable patio.
T-BONES Great American Eatery
Locations in Bedford, Concord, Derry, Hudson, Laconia and Salem
It’s all in the name – there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this Granite State staple. Part of the Great New Hampshire Restaurants family, T-BONES serves American comfort foods and emphasizes family culture. Their burger offerings include the T-BONES Burger, Caprese Burger and even a Jalapeno Pretzel Burger. They offer a full menu of appetizers, entrees, desserts and drinks as well.
Try a new menu item or stick to an old favorite. Either way you’ll be satisfied and excited to return to a T-BONES location soon.
Check out the Banh Mi Burger at New England’s Tap House Grille in Hooksett.
New England’s Tap House Grille
1292 Hooksett Rd, Hooksett
(603) 782-5137
Get back to basics with this “classic American Grille” inspired eatery boasting from-scratch, locally-sourced options. Kegs decorate one side of the restaurant, with windows to a room holding many more. They have a whopping 48 beers on tap, including their own Tap House No. 48 IPA. The deliciousness doesn’t stop at the beer – they also offer a full menu of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, bowls, flatbreads and desserts.
Looking for something extra special? Try the Tap House’s Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar during Sunday brunch.
Papa Joe’s Humble Kitchen
237 South St, Milford
(603) 672-9130
This family-run business has been preparing delectable, comforting “heat and eat” meals for the past two decades. With a name switch from Humble Pie to Papa Joe’s Humble Kitchen, they’re also moved to offer favorites such as burgers, fries, fried pickles and ice cream. On Fridays, they offer fresh fish and other seafood as part of “Fish Fry Day.”
The “heat and eat” meals are still available, made fresh from scratch each morning to make dinner a breeze. Similarly, the burgers are crafted with beef purchased each morning and grilled with their signature seasonings.
Buckley’s Great Steaks
438 Daniel Webster Highway, Route 3, Merrimack
(603) 424-0995
Decadent, award-winning steaks are the claim to fame at Buckley’s, complemented by many other heavenly menu items and options. Their refined menu includes steakhouse favorites like The Wedge salad and Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, as well as a variety of burgers. Try the “Old School” burger for a childhood favorite or the “Burger 3 Way” for a little taste of everything. Each one is ground from sirloin and tenderloin trimmings each day, ensuring a quality burger.
Granfanallys Pizza Pub
354 N. Broadway, Salem
(603) 898-4412
Enjoy classic New England charm and great comfort food in this welcoming environment. Granfanallys likes to say that they are “not fancy, but gourmet.” They serve authentic New York pizza, mouthwatering burgers, and 33 tap craft beers available to wash it all down.
Try something with their fresh, handmade pizza dough: either an order of golden garlic knots or a cheesy pie, or better yet: both. Also worth mentioning is their wide variety of gourmet burgers, such as the “Red Neck” burger featuring spicy pulled pork, cheddar cheese, and spicy barbecue sauce, or the favorite “Granfanally CB Burger,” an award-winning combo of burger and chicken tenders topped with fried onion strings, lettuce, tomato, cheese and their “secret sauce.”
Hop + Grind
17 Madbury Rd, Durham
(603) 397-5564
What better market for fun, creative burgers than hungry college kids? Hop + Grind serves up from-scratch burgers, fries, shakes and more for the Durham and University of New Hampshire (UNH) community. They also offer a wide variety of local craft beers.
Try the “Basic B” featuring sweet pickles, crispy onions, two cheeses and hop sauce to satisfy your classic burger craving, or switch it up and try a chicken burger such as the “Greece Lightning,” which is a chicken, spinach, garlic and feta patty topped with spinach, garlic, geta, tomato, cucumber and yogurt sauce. They also offer pork, veggie and fried chicken options, as well as topped french fries with toppings like kimchi or truffle vinegar.
Wild Willy’s Burgers
724 Columbus Ave, Rochester
(603) 332-1193
This New England chain began with a love for burgers, and a loyal customer base followed suit. They use fresh, quality ingredients and say that their “secret ingredient is passion.”
Keeping it simple? Go for something from their classic burgers section, such as the “Wicked Good” burger, that includes sauteed onions and mushrooms, topped with both Swiss and cheddar cheeses. Feeling like a little something more? Peruse their deluxe burgers section, weighing options like the “Smoke House” burger, Montreal seasoned with smoked cheese, bacon, sauteed onions and mushrooms, and topped with both a hickory mayo and A1 sauce.
Black Mountain Burger Co.
264 Main St, Lincoln
(603) 745-3444
Eat a burger, sip a delicious brew while sitting in the comfortable atmosphere of Black Mountain Burger Co. This popular North Country has a lengthy menu of starters, soups and salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, and of course, burgers.
Each and every burger on their menu sounds mouth-wateringly delicious, whether an old favorite or a clever flavor combination. Try the “Thai Chili” burger, featuring thai chili pepper glaze and Asian peanut slaw, or the “Brie & Bacon” burger, that also includes arugula and a side of homemade maple mayo. Yum!