Nashua's Culinary Renaissance: 16 Must-Try Restaurants
By Eric Barton
Mrs. Provencher took my entire journalism class to Martha’s Exchange for lunch, way back when Nashua had just one high school. I ordered a burger, wrote my first restaurant review, and—unsurprisingly—thought it was brilliant.
That was the start of my career in food writing, and yes, I still have a soft spot for Martha’s. Back then, it was the only good restaurant downtown.
Now, my hometown has chefs doing creative things, spots with daring menus that would work in far larger cities, and of course old classics like Martha’s that you could dine at every day. Here then are the 16 best restaurants in Nashua, from a native son.
Surf
1. Surf Restaurant
You don’t go to Surf for quiet—it’s boisterous, and you’ll likely be close enough to your neighbor to ask what they’re having. But the seafood? Worth every decibel. The lobster roll comes crammed with buttery claw meat, and the crispy calamari has a tangy lemon aioli that’ll ruin you for marinara forever. It’s the kind of place that makes you glad Nashua’s not on the coast; they know how to bring the ocean to you.
2. Stella Blu
What was once solely a tapas spot, a.k.a. a concept for in the indecisive, Stella Blu has expanded to a full-service menu with both small plates and entrees. The garlic shrimp, which arrive in a sizzling cast-iron pan, are still a standout, as are the martinis. If you’re looking for a more intimate space, head next door for Stella’s lounge, The Pearl.
3. 110 Grill
A regional chain that doesn’t feel like one, 110 Grill nails the balance of comfort food and refinement. The steak tips are tender and juicy, the chimichurri sauce on the salmon is perfection, and the allergy-friendly menu ensures nobody has to sit this one out.
4. Martha’s Exchange
Still going strong decades after that fateful high school field trip, Martha’s Exchange is a brewpub that does everything well. The burgers are perfectly messy, the beers are brewed on-site, and the baklava cheesecake pictured here will make you wonder why you ever bothered with cake.
5. Pressed Café
With a couple locations now, Pressed Café is what happens when you combine healthy food with actual flavor. Their avocado toast is piled high with radishes and sesame seeds, and the smoothies are packed with enough kale to make you feel smug about your life choices. And while this spicy unicorn burger was only a weekly special, maybe if you believe hard enough, they will bring it back?
6. Riverwalk Café
A Main Street staple, Riverwalk does everything from house-roasted coffee to sandwiches you’ll dream about later. The turkey bacon avocado on sourdough is my go-to, though the quiche of the day is almost always a winner.
7. Crosby Bakery
Growing up in Nashua, everybody knew Crosby Bakery as the place with the darn good donuts even if you were a Dunkin’ type. But Crosby isn’t the kind of place to rest on its half-century of laurels. Instead it churns out sourdough breads, baked goods, and sandwiches that look ready for Instagram, from the Fruity Pebble-spiked glazed donut, to the short rib breakfast sandwich. Of course, there’s still custom cakes that taste like your childhood birthday parties. If you grew up here, you’ve probably also had a Crosby pie at Thanksgiving. If not, fix that.
8. Mike’s Italian Kitchen
The artist formerly known as Michael Timothy’s, then MT’s Local Kitchen, has now rebranded itself as simply Mike’s, with a focus on local ingredients and bold flavor pairings. There's flatbreads with creative combinations like fig and cured rosemary ham, house-made pasta like an alfredo with chicken meatballs and artichoke hearts, and a choose-your-own adventure parmesan with chicken or eggplant. The wine list is impressive, though it’s hard to focus on it when the warm bread arrives at the table with salted butter so good it ought to be a crime.
9. Jajabelles Desserts
Locals know Jajabelles best for the house-made pastries like baklava, homemade pop tarts, and brownies. But it’s also a spot for breakfast, lunch, fresh fruit smoothies, mimosas, craft beers, and mind-blowing breakfast sandwiches. The spanakopita you’ll always find on the counter are reason enough to why they’ve passed the 10-year mark on Main Street.
10. Coffee & Kindness
This West Pearl Street café lives up to the name—yes, the coffee’s good, but the real reason people keep coming back is the warmth, and I don’t just mean what’s in the cup. The menu at Coffee & Kindness is mostly breakfast and lunch: toasts, sandwiches, soups, waffles. It’s the kind of place where someone might remember your order or your dog’s name or that weirdly specific way you like your oat milk frothed. It’s good spot to park for a while and pretend you’re working on your novel.
11. Taqueria La Doña
Taqueria La Doña sits quietly on Orange Street, a tiny taco joint with just enough space for the essentials: meat, salsa, tortilla. That’s really all you need. The al pastor has a char like it just came off a street cart in Mexico City, and the carnitas taste like someone’s abuela spent the day tending a pot. There’s nothing fancy here—just tacos so good they might make you rethink your loyalty to your usual Tuesday spot.
12. Cucina Toscana
In a modest strip mall, Cucina Toscana proves you don’t need a flashy address to deliver respectable Italian cuisine. The interior is warm and dimly lit, while the menu leans heavily on authentic recipes. Don’t skip the tiramisu; it’s impossibly light yet decadently rich. Regulars rave about the friendly service, which feels more like dining with family than a night out.
13. Sabor Brasil
At Sabor Brasil on Canal Street, the buffet is the way to go, full of hearty dishes that showcase why Brazilian food ought to be more widely available in this country. It’s loud, casual, and gloriously filling. Bring friends, or at least pants with some forgiveness built in.
14. K'sone's Thai Dining & Lounge
This unassuming spot tucked into a strip mall does Thai food like you’ve never had it before. The drunken noodles at K’sone’s are as bold as the name suggests, and the green curry has just the right kick of heat. There’s a full bar, and I’ll just drop a quick Mai-Tai suggestion.
15. Bonhoeffer’s Café & Espresso
More than just a coffee shop, Bonhoeffer’s serves up house-roasted beans and baked goods that taste like someone’s grandma is back there making magic. The cinnamon buns are sticky, sweet, and large enough to share—though you probably won’t want to. But maybe the best part is that this is a nonprofit operation—all proceeds at Bonhoeffer’s goes to Hope and Life.
16. San Francisco Kitchen
For sushi lovers, this downtown spot delivers fresh rolls and inventive appetizers like lobster rangoons. San Francisco Kitchen’s mango tango roll is a must-try, with its mix of sweet, spicy, and savory all in one bite.
Eric Barton is editor of The Adventurist and a freelance journalist who spits his time between Asheville and Miami. He grew up near the Nashua airport and will sheepishly admit today that Applebees was his favorite restaurant when it arrived in town. Email him here.
