Best Restaurants in Manchester

Obviously this is not an overly extensive list. If you have more to add please let me know and I can add it in, or you can add it in the comments!!

Best restaurants in Manchester:

CHAINS:

Texas Roadhouse: 1525 South Willow Street (Hobby Lobby plaza), 624-7427. There is not a bad thing that I can say about this place other than perhaps the wait. Even then they have call ahead seating which cuts your wait SIGNIFICANTLY on busy nights. You can pick your own steak cuts if you would like or choose from tons of different menu items. You get free warm rolls with cinnamon honey butter (holy crap amazing), a bucket of peanuts (shells go on the floor people!) and even get to enjoy a little line dancing while you eat (don’t worry, you don’t have to dance, the waiters and waitresses do). If you go there take a look on the back wall, they have a special painting just for Manchester. Prices are really decent ($8-$19 per plate depending on what you get) and the atmosphere is fun.

British Beer Company: 1701 South Willow Street, 232-0677. If you are a beer connoisseur you will love this place. There is a huge list of locally brewed beers and imported beers. They even offer a sample tray with three different kinds to try (you get to pick which to sample). The food is good pub style food. The prices are modest (average $10-15 per plate). Nice and relaxed atmosphere.

Friendly’s: 1229 South Willow Street, 668-0542. Friendly’s is a great family restaurant. The kids have an extensive menu with tons of different options and fun desserts. The adult options are just as plentiful with meal deals available almost all the time. If you aren’t up for a big meal just go for the ice cream! They have tons of unique flavors (my personal favorite is the cotton candy with the Pop Rocks in it). The waitresses are always friendly and very attentive. Wednesday nights they have $1.99 kids meals which is a fantastic deal.

PRIVATELY OWNED:

Red Arrow:  61 Lowell Street, 626-1118. There is no way that you can live in Manchester or visit Manchester and not go to the Red Arrow Diner. It is a city favorite and has been featured on the Phantom Gourmet as well as winning numerous “BEST IN NH” awards from the Hippo Press. The food is typical diner food: hot, fresh, and oh so tasty. They are open 24/7/365. The prices are fair and the portions are generous. If you manage to have room for dessert try a slice of their pies, they are delicious. If you don’t have room, take a piece (or an entire pie) home! Many famous people have eaten at the Red Arrow including Manchester native Adam Sandler, Bedford native Seth Meyers, and a few of the Presidents as well! You never know who you are going to meet. The atmosphere is light-hearted. The only suggestion I would have is that you avoid going after the bars let out late at night. The wait is extensive and there are a lot of intoxicated people (although the food is amazing hangover cure food).

Puritan Backroom: 245 Hooksett Road, 669-6890. The Backroom is the place to be if you are looking for a more upscale but still casual dinner. The prices are a little higher than chain restaurant prices, but the food is completely worth it. Their chicken tenders are a town favorite. In the summer you will find the parking lot packed with cars and a line weaving through the spaces for the ice cream window as they have some of the best ice cream in town. They have a great function hall where you can hold weddings and anniversary parties. If you are into strong drinks grab a mudslide…you will NOT be disappointed.

Goldenrod: 1681 Candia Road, 623-9469. This place is hopping in the summer! They have cruise nights every week where you can see all kinds of classic cars. Their ice cream is all homemade and the list of flavors is long. It is hard to pick! They have regular food as well such as burgers and other dishes but they are best known for their ice cream. Their onion rings are a personal favorite of mine (especially when you find the little onion nuggets!). Prices are great and they give you a ton of ice cream. If you aren’t that hungry, get a small!

Mangia: 33A Elm Street, 647-0788. If you are looking for a quiet and intimate dinner look no further. This restaurant may look like a hole-in-the-wall eatery but it is so much more. They have authentic Italian food that will make your mouth water. They atmosphere is quiet, intimate, and romantic. They are a reservation only restaurant. But you haven’t heard the best part yet. Mangia is BYOB. What could be better than that?

DESSERTS:

Queen City Cupcakes: 790 Elm Street (right next to Portland Pie), 624-4999. Queen City Cupcakes offers delicious cupcakes that are baked fresh every single day. They open at the same time every morning (11:30am) and close whenever they sell out of cupcakes for the day. You can call ahead and they will set aside your order for you to come pick up later if you want a certain flavor but don’t want it to sell out. They have new flavors every day and post which menu items they will be offering daily on their Facebook page. The cupcakes are super moist and the frosting is sweet, but not too sweet. (I am not a cupcake person but I will eat theirs no problem!)

Baked Café: 1015 Elm Street, 606-1969. Baked Café is a great place to stop in for lunch as they have regular food items, but they are best known for their amazing desserts. They offer cakes, pies, cookies, and all kinds of delicious baked goods. They have tables out of the sidewalk that you can sit at on a nice day. They are more of an upscale bakery and prices are a little high, but you will forget all about it once you take a bite of your food. If you are a Manchester Monarchs fan you can save your tickets from the games as they have 20% off Baked Café coupons on the back!

Sweet Kiwi: 581 Second Street, 782-5378. If you are looking for a healthier dessert option, how about some frozen yogurt? Sweet Kiwi offers 10 different flavors every day and they are always changing. They have a ton of great toppings that you can put on ranging from sweet treats, to cereal, to fresh fruits that are sliced daily. The possibilities are absolutely endless. (One of my favorites is banana and chocolate peanut butter froyo mixed together with walnuts, yogurt chips, chia seeds, and toasted coconut). They have very comfortable seats and a quirky atmosphere with bright colors. They also have punch cards so that you can earn free frozen yogurt! Prices are $0.50 per ounce (watch your toppings, it adds up quickly!).