Best Authentic Restaurants in Gilford

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchPizzeria

Regions

Northern NHPortsmouth and Merrimack ValleySouthern CoastWestern NH

Neighborhoods

Cape NeddickDoverDurhamHanoverKennebunkportManchester

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

14 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Toscana Chop House restaurant

1. Toscana Chop House

4.5

Awesome(1841)

$$$$

• Steakhouse • Portsmouth

Booked 26 times today

Toscana Chop House is an authentic Italian restaurant, offering a unique blend of Italian favorites and steakhouse options. Customers consistently praise the 'lively ambiance', 'delicious food' and 'friendly service'. The restaurant's unique building, open kitchen, and the history of the place add to the authenticity.

2. Wolfe's Tavern

3.8

Excellent(268)

$$$$

• Contemporary American • Wolfeboro

Booked 5 times today

Join us at The Wolfeboro Inn/Wolfe's Tavern for the perfect Dinner. We’re serving up delicious meals and drinks made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, ensuring an authentic experience every time. Come and taste the difference local makes!

A photo of Ristorante Massimo restaurant

3. Ristorante Massimo

4.9

Exceptional(3100)

$$$$

• Italian • Portsmouth

Booked 21 times today

Ristorante Massimo is the real deal when it comes to Italian cuisine. The authenticity of their dishes is commended in multiple reviews, with guests praising the 'excellent food and wonderful staff.' The ambiance is described as cozy and elegant, reminiscent of Italy. The executive chef puts a unique, refined touch to each dish. It's the perfect place to experience the rich Italian heritage in a charming, elegant setting.

A photo of The Tiller Restaurant at Cliff House restaurant

4. The Tiller Restaurant at Cliff House

4.7

Exceptional(1453)

$$$$

• Contemporary American • Cape Neddick

Booked 68 times today

Native ingredients honor Maine’s indelible heritage. By partnering with local fisherman, farmers, distillers, and ranchers, The Tiller Restaurant combines the region’s distinctive culture and tradition with culinary innovation and sustainable practices for authentic and nuanced dining experiences. Upscale contemporary design meets with charming rustic elements, combined with a bright and inviting dining destination surrounded by ocean views suspended over the cliffs. Seasonal breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are prepared with farm-fresh local produce, line-caught fish, hand cut meats, and homemade recipes passed down from generation to generation.*Please note: We do not accept parties larger than 8 in our main dining room (nor larger than 16 in our private dining rooms).The Tiller winter hours are Thursday 5pm through Monday at 12pm, outside of December 18th through January 4th, in which we are open for all services.

A photo of Nubb's Lobster Shack restaurant

5. Nubb's Lobster Shack

3.9

Excellent(18)

$$$$

• American • Cape Neddick

Booked 13 times today

Join us at Cliff House Maine at our casual, traditional Maine eatery, Nubb's Lobster Shack. Nubb's is a must-visit while in the area and for locals year-round. Enjoy a quintessentially Maine experience with unparalleled coastal + ocean views. Nosh on whole steamed Maine lobsters or our famous lobster rolls (noted on Food + Wine's shortlist of "Stand-out Rolls" in Maine), crab rolls or try one of the signature Nubb’s specialties such as Lobster Totchos or a juicy burger, along with local craft brews and handcrafted cocktails.NUBB'S DINING OPTIONS:Table + Bar seating indoors (+ outdoors in summer). Reservations not required, but available.SeaGlobes + Captain's Table: Reservations Required. SeaGlobes are outdoor globes for up to 6; panoramic views, bluetooth speakers, dedicated server. Captain's Table Private Dining space is your own private lobster shack! Family-style options for 8 guests. Please indicate your preference in OpenTable and check-in with Nubb's crew upon arrival.

A photo of Murphys On The Green restaurant

6. Murphys On The Green

3.8

Excellent(349)

$$$$

• American • Hanover

Booked 6 times today

Welcome to Murphy's on the Green - a Hanover institution since 1992.Located in the heart of downtown Hanover, Murphy's began as a classic neighborhood pub and has grown into a polished casual restaurant known for elevated comfort food, craft cocktails, and a lively, welcoming atmosphere.Our menu blends pub roots with seasonal ingredients and updates, offering everything from approachable favorites to thoughtfully prepared entrees. The bar features a rotating selection of local beers and creative cocktails.The main dining room offers a warm, energetic setting ideal for date nights, celebrations, and gatherings. Our lounge seating features high-top tables and full access to our menu - perfect for cocktails, small plates, or a relaxed dinner.Whether you're visiting Dartmouth, catching up with friends, or enjoying a night out in the Upper Valley, Murphy's on the Green delivers a vibrant, consistently memorable experience that has kept guests coming back for over three decades.

7. La Maison Navarre

4.7

Exceptional(265)

$$$$

• French • Portsmouth

Booked 8 times today

Located in the heart of Portsmouth near the Music Hall and Jimmys Jazz Club. MN Wine Bar at the Mezzanine offers a casual chic French experience : drink wine selected with care, cold cuts, pâtés and cheeses from France, and spend a beautiful moment as if you were in the middle of Paris.Our Menu changes with the season and is made with care by our Chef with local and imported product.Dinner Signature dish include make your own boards of cheeses and charcuterie, Steak Frites, Halibut and Ratatouille, Coq au Vin, Duck Confit, Raclette, Tartiflette, Crepe Suzette, Mousse au Chocolat, Profiterole,...Brunch Signature dish include Cocottes, Tartine, Sweet Waffles, Savory Waffles, Omelette, Pain Perdu, Oeuf à la Coque, Panier de Viennoiserie, ....

A photo of The Boathouse Restaurant restaurant

8. The Boathouse Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(381)

$$$$

• Seafood • Kennebunkport

The Boathouse Restaurant is a true gem in Kennebunkport, known for its fresh seafood and chic coastal vibe. It's not just about the food, it's about the atmosphere too. One reviewer said, 'This was a great place, excellent food, great atmosphere'. Another mentioned the 'wonderful setting' and 'well prepared food'. The menu is also commendable, featuring a variety of seafood dishes, including Maine Oysters and Lobster Fried Rice. It's a place where you can enjoy delicious food in a relaxed, coastal setting.

A photo of Three Chimneys Inn restaurant

9. Three Chimneys Inn

4.8

Exceptional(279)

$$$$

• Contemporary American • Durham

Booked 3 times today

The ffrost Sawyer Tavern is located in the beautiful and historic Three Chimneys Inn. The Tavern, with its open hearth Summer Kitchen fireplace, granite walls, and hand-hewn beams, provides a cozy spot for hearty traditional New England fare. The Tavern is a popular dining spot for local guests and travelers. The Maples Dining Room features millwork dating to 1699 and retains the original Indian shutters that protected settlers from Colonial-era attacks. Coppers, the original winter kitchen of the 1649 homestead, provides an elegant and romantic setting. Wide plank floors, the open hearth and original millwork create an authentic old New England dining experience.Our culinary team prepares savory dishes from scratch with exceptional, homegrown flavor. The kitchen works to pick fresh ingredients for creative entrees and innovative cocktails, resulting in exceptional cuisine that showcases the essence of New Hampshire.

10. The Rosa

4.7

Exceptional(73)

$$$$

• Italian • Portsmouth

Booked 34 times today

The Rosa shows that sometimes taking something old and making it new again can come out quite well. The founder opened the family-style Italian gem in 1927 using the family home to do it. For 55 years Ralph Rosa fought all odds, including the Great Depression and Prohibition, and continued to provide Portsmouth great Italian classics. For the past 30+ years, The Rosa has continued under new ownership that remodeled and updated, but kept plenty of familiar dishes. Notable menu items include the house-made herb gnocchi with slow braised espresso pork shoulder and lasagna Bolognese. The vanilla cheesecake with an Oreo crust and strawberry compote makes the perfect ending to a memorable dinner or lunch at The Rosa.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
Denis
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jun 6, 2026
Amazing Food,Amazing Environment, all around the best experience !!!
More info
Toscana Chop House$$$$• Steakhouse• Portsmouth
•
4.5
K
Kathleen
Orlando / Central Florida East •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 30, 2026
For us a reservation was not truly needed but because it was on OpenTable we found it. What a great spot! We loved it. We then walked over to Tillers for an after dinner drink. It was a perfect evening with great friends.
More info
Nubb's Lobster Shack$$$$• American• Cape Neddick
•
3.9
J
JaneGold
Portland / Oregon •15 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 29, 2026
Outstanding food, wine and service! The only negative thing I could say is that some of the kitchen odors (especially fish being fried)waft into the dining area. Maybe adding some type of exhaust hood would help. The place is quite small so that adds to the challenge. Otherwise it’s fabulous! This restaurant will be added to our 5-star list!
More info
La Maison Navarre$$$$• French• Portsmouth
•
4.7
R
Ronald
Greater Boston •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 10, 2026
What a perfect Mother’s Day lunch! We drove up from Massachusetts specifically for this and it did not disappoint for a single second. The spread of seafood we enjoyed was absolutely wonderful — fresh, flavorful and everything you’d hope for from a Maine waterfront experience. A huge shoutout to our waitress Emily who was an absolute gem!
More info
The Boathouse Restaurant$$$$• Seafood• Kennebunkport
•
4.7
B
Barbara
New Hampshire •1 review
4.0
Dined on Apr 5, 2026
We ate there for an Easter Buffet. Plenty of options were available. The roast was amazing. A plethora of vegetables and salads. All scrumptious.
More info
Wolfe's Tavern$$$$• Contemporary American• Wolfeboro
•
3.8

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