The best burgers in New Hampshire are spread across every corner of the state, from the Seacoast to the Great North Woods. Top picks include Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery in Raymond, The Barley House in Concord, Wild Willy's Burgers in Rochester and Black Mtn. Burger Co. in Lincoln. Each one won a regional Best Burger title in New Hampshire Magazine's Best of NH 2025 awards.
Below, we've grouped the winners by region, so you can find a good burger wherever you are. Hours change, especially in ski and lake towns, so check before you drive.
What makes a New Hampshire burger?
New Hampshire doesn't have one signature burger style. Instead, it has a strong pub and brewery culture, and a lot of its best burgers come from taverns, brewpubs and butcher-restaurants. Expect:
- Brewpub burgers: thick, juicy patties built to go with a local beer.
- Butcher-shop beef: some restaurants grind their own blends, which you can taste. Our best ground beef for burgers guide explains why grind and fat matter.
- Road-trip stops: many of the best spots sit near ski areas, lakes and highways, so they're easy to fit into a weekend drive.
Seacoast and Manchester area
- Wild Willy's Burgers (Rochester): a burger-focused restaurant and the Seacoast Region winner. It also has a location just over the border in York, Maine.
- Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery (Raymond): a tavern with its own butcher shop, which won the Manchester Area burger title. It also took Best of NH 2025 honors for wings, lobster roll and steakhouse, so it's a good stop for a group that wants options.
Southern New Hampshire
- Copper Door (Salem): a restaurant near the Massachusetts line and the Salem Area winner.
- Buckley's Great Steaks (Merrimack): a steakhouse that won the Nashua Area burger category. A steakhouse burger is a good bet when you want a thicker patty.
- Papa Joe's Humble Kitchen (Milford): a casual spot and the Monadnock Region winner. It has been picked as a top hole-in-the-wall burger in the state in the past, too.
Concord and the Lakes Region
- The Barley House Restaurant & Tavern (Concord): a downtown tavern and the Concord Area winner. It's a natural lunch stop if you're in the capital.
- Patrick's (Gilford): a pub near Lake Winnipesaukee and the Lakes Region winner. It works well after a day on the water.
The North Country and western New Hampshire
- Black Mtn. Burger Co. (Lincoln): a burger restaurant and the White Mountains Region winner. It's a good refuel after a day of hiking or skiing.
- Copper Pig Brewery (Lancaster): a brewery and the Great North Woods winner, a welcome find in the state's most remote region.
- Flying Goose Brew Pub (New London): a brewpub near Lake Sunapee and the Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region winner.
How the Best of NH winners are chosen
New Hampshire Magazine runs its Best of NH awards every year and names winners by region, which is why one roundup can cover the whole state. That regional setup is useful for travelers: wherever you are in New Hampshire, there's a recent winner within a reasonable drive. Winners can change from year to year, so treat this list as a strong starting point rather than a permanent ranking.
What to order
- At a brewpub like Flying Goose or Copper Pig, order the house burger and a local beer from the same place.
- At a steakhouse or butcher-restaurant like Buckley's or Tuckaway, go for a thicker patty cooked the way you like it.
- At a burger specialist like Wild Willy's or Black Mtn. Burger Co., try a signature build rather than a plain cheeseburger.
Not sure how you like it? Our burger temperature guide explains each level of doneness and the USDA guidance.
How to plan a New Hampshire burger road trip
- Pick a corridor. I-93 links Salem, Concord, the Lakes Region and Lincoln, so you can hit four winners on one drive north.
- Add the Seacoast. Rochester and Raymond are close to Portsmouth and the coast.
- Check seasonal hours. Ski and lake towns can change hours between seasons.
- Combine with Boston. Southern New Hampshire is an easy drive from Boston. See our Boston burger guide.
Want to compare with other states? Browse all our city and state picks on the burger map.
Make a New Hampshire pub burger at home
Start with our pub-style burger recipe. Use a thick patty, don't press it while it cooks and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. If you're grilling, our how to grill burgers guide walks you through it. Cook ground beef to 160°F for USDA-recommended doneness.
Want to build your own beef blend at home? Try our burger blend calculator.
Know a New Hampshire burger we're missing? Suggest a spot.
FAQ
Who has the best burger in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire Magazine's Best of NH 2025 named a winner in each region, including Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery in Raymond, The Barley House in Concord, Wild Willy's in Rochester and Black Mtn. Burger Co. in Lincoln.
Where should I eat a burger near the White Mountains?
Black Mtn. Burger Co. in Lincoln is the regional winner and an easy stop off I-93. Copper Pig Brewery in Lancaster covers the far north.
Is there a good burger near Lake Winnipesaukee?
Patrick's in Gilford won the Lakes Region burger category in 2025.
Where can I get a good burger on the New Hampshire Seacoast?
Wild Willy's Burgers in Rochester won the Seacoast Region title, and Tuckaway Tavern in Raymond is a short drive inland.
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