From Rare To Well-Done: 15 Steakhouses You Have To Visit In New Hampshire

New Hampshire might be small, but our steak scene is mighty impressive!

I’ve spent years hunting down the juiciest cuts and most mouthwatering ribeyes across the Granite State.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just craving a perfectly seared sirloin, these spots deliver big flavors and unforgettable dining experiences.

Grab your steak knife and join me on this meaty adventure through New Hampshire’s finest steakhouses.

1. Buckley’s Great Steaks: Where History Meets Flavor

Buckley's Great Steaks: Where History Meets Flavor
© OpenTable

The moment I walked into Buckley’s, housed in a restored 1800s barn in Merrimack, I knew this wasn’t just dinner—it was time travel with excellent meat! The wooden beams above and crackling fireplace create an atmosphere that’s both rustic and refined.

Their dry-aged prime rib practically melted in my mouth last anniversary, while their tableside Caesar preparation adds delightful theatrics to your meal. My brother-in-law still talks about their bourbon-glazed ribeye from three years ago!

What sets Buckley’s apart is their commitment to aging techniques—some cuts are aged up to 60 days. The wine list perfectly complements their steaks, with options for every budget. Don’t skip their homemade ice cream for dessert—trust me on this one.

2. Gauchos Churrascaria: Brazilian Flavor Explosion

Gauchos Churrascaria: Brazilian Flavor Explosion
© Yelp

Holy protein paradise! My first visit to Gauchos in Manchester left me speechless—and absolutely stuffed. The rodizio-style service means sword-wielding servers continuously bring skewers of various meats right to your table until you surrender by flipping your card to red.

Last summer, I counted fifteen different cuts during my feast, from garlic-infused sirloin to bacon-wrapped chicken. The meat quality rivals steakhouses charging twice the price! Their picanha (top sirloin cap) remains the crown jewel—seasoned simply with rock salt and cooked to perfection.

Beyond meat, their salad bar features over 30 items including authentic Brazilian sides. The tropical cocktails pack a punch, especially their caipirinha that transported me straight to Rio. Come hungry—this is a marathon, not a sprint!

3. Jesse’s Steaks Seafood & Tavern: Lakeside Luxury

Jesse's Steaks Seafood & Tavern: Lakeside Luxury
© Tripadvisor

Nestled along Lake Winnipesaukee in Hanover, Jesse’s stole my heart faster than I could say “medium-rare.” The waterfront views create a magical backdrop for what might be the best filet mignon in the state. My wife still reminds me how I practically purred while eating here last summer.

Unlike stuffy steakhouses, Jesse’s maintains a welcoming tavern vibe while delivering sophisticated flavors. Their signature 35-day aged New York strip develops a nutty complexity that haunts my dreams. Seafood lovers rejoice too—I’ve witnessed the lobster-topped filet bring tears of joy to my mother-in-law’s eyes!

The bartenders craft exceptional old fashioneds with house-infused cherries. Arrive early to snag a spot on their seasonal deck where the sunset views compete with the steaks for star of the show.

4. Hanover Street Chophouse: Downtown Elegance

Hanover Street Chophouse: Downtown Elegance
© www.hanoverstreetchophouse.com

Confession time: I once spent half my paycheck at Hanover Street Chophouse in Manchester—and I’d do it again in a heartbeat! This downtown gem exudes old-school steakhouse luxury with its mahogany panels and white tablecloths, yet somehow avoids feeling pretentious.

Their bone-in ribeye arrives with a spectacular crust that should be illegal, while the tender interior remains perfectly pink. Last anniversary, our server decanted our wine with such ceremony that my wife joked he was performing a sacred ritual. The truffle mac and cheese side dish nearly upstaged my USDA Prime porterhouse—almost!

Celebrity sightings aren’t uncommon here during primary season. The professional service strikes that perfect balance between attentive and intrusive. Save room for their legendary chocolate soufflé that requires ordering 25 minutes in advance.

5. Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery: From Counter To Table

Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery: From Counter To Table
© www.tuckaway.com

“You want me to pick my steak from the butcher case?” I asked incredulously during my first Tuckaway visit. This Raymond institution has revolutionized farm-to-table by letting you select your cut from their award-winning butcher shop before they cook it! Guy Fieri himself featured them on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives—and for good reason.

Their Tomahawk steak (which I’ve nicknamed “The Caveman”) comes out sizzling with herb butter cascading down its magnificent sides. My teenage son still talks about how the staff presented it standing upright—like meat architecture! The casual atmosphere makes high-end beef approachable.

Don’t skip their house-made beef jerky while waiting for a table. The craft beer selection showcases New Hampshire’s best breweries. I’ve driven 90 minutes just for their burger—and that’s saying something for a steakhouse review!

6. Granite Steak & Grill: Family-Friendly Feasting

Granite Steak & Grill: Family-Friendly Feasting
© Tripadvisor

Granite Steak & Grill in Rochester saved my family dinner when my picky 7-year-old nephew visited! While I savored a perfectly cooked ribeye, he demolished their famous Granite Burger without complaints—a miracle worthy of documentation. The relaxed atmosphere welcomes families without sacrificing quality.

Their sirloin tips marinated in a secret blend have developed something of a cult following. My father-in-law, who claims to hate restaurant steak, now requests Granite for his birthday every year. The portions here could feed a small army—I’ve never left without a to-go container.

Weekend prime rib specials draw crowds from three counties over. Their homemade steak sauce contains 17 ingredients (I tried unsuccessfully to bribe the recipe from our server). The reasonable prices make this a spot where you can enjoy premium beef without the premium markup.

7. The Library Restaurant: Literary-Themed Luxury

The Library Restaurant: Literary-Themed Luxury
© Clio

Housed in Portsmouth’s historic Rockingham House (built 1785!), The Library Restaurant surrounds you with thousands of antique books while serving steaks that would make Hemingway weep with joy. My first bite of their peppercorn-crusted strip instantly transported me to carnivore heaven!

The building’s history as a gentleman’s club and library creates an atmosphere of distinguished indulgence. Dining in the former card room, surrounded by leather-bound volumes, I felt like I’d stepped into a period drama—but with much better food. Their martinis arrive ice-cold and potent enough to inspire your own novel.

Presidential candidates frequently dine here during primary season. The escargot appetizer converted my garlic-hating sister into a believer. Their bone marrow butter enhancement option should be mandatory—I’ve considered drinking it straight when no one’s looking!

8. O Steaks & Seafood: Modern Twist On Tradition

O Steaks & Seafood: Modern Twist On Tradition
© www.hanoverstreetchophouse.com

Chef/Owner Scott Ouellette doesn’t just cook steaks at O Steaks & Seafood—he elevates them to art forms! With locations in Concord and Laconia, I’ve happily made the drive to both. Their signature bone-in filet (a rare find) combines the tenderness of filet mignon with the enhanced flavor that comes from cooking on the bone.

The contemporary space feels worlds away from dark, stuffy steakhouses of yesteryear. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light during day service. My vegetarian friend even found plenty to love here—their roasted vegetable napoleon has converted many a carnivore temporarily!

Their steak flight option lets you sample three different cuts with various sauces. The tableside preparation of Steak Diane creates a delicious spectacle of flames and aromas. Don’t miss their lobster mac and cheese that haunts my dreams weekly.

9. Proper Chophouse: Refined British Influence

Proper Chophouse: Refined British Influence
© OpenTable

My British grandmother would have adored Proper Chophouse in Portsmouth! This relative newcomer blends UK chophouse traditions with New England ingredients, creating a dining experience that feels simultaneously familiar and fresh. Their Wellington-style filet wrapped in mushroom duxelles and puff pastry nearly made me propose to our server.

The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between casual and special occasion. Exposed brick walls contrast with crisp white linens while vintage meat charts add character. Their house-made steak sauce incorporates locally brewed porter beer—I’ve shamelessly requested extra containers to take home.

Sunday roast specials feature massive Yorkshire puddings that would make Mary Berry proud. The gin selection rivals London’s finest bars with local New Hampshire distilleries featured prominently. Their sticky toffee pudding provides the perfect sweet ending to a savory feast.

10. Prime At Sky Meadow: Elevated Dining Experience

Prime At Sky Meadow: Elevated Dining Experience
© Issuu

Perched atop a hill in Nashua, Prime at Sky Meadow offers panoramic views that almost—almost—upstage their extraordinary steaks. My 10th anniversary dinner here featured a dry-aged porterhouse that my wife and I still reference as “The Steak by Which All Others Are Judged.”

The renovated farmhouse creates intimate dining spaces across multiple rooms, each with unique character. Their aging room showcases prized cuts like a meat museum. The sommelier suggested a bold Argentinian Malbec that paired so perfectly with my ribeye that I bought two bottles to take home!

Their foie gras butter enhancement should be mandatory for every steak ordered. The seasonal menu incorporates local produce from farms within 20 miles. Despite the upscale nature, I’ve never felt underdressed or unwelcome—the service staff prioritizes comfort over pretension.

11. Tomahawk Butchery And Tavern: Carnivore’s Paradise

Tomahawk Butchery And Tavern: Carnivore's Paradise
© Yelp

“That’s not a steak, THAT’S a steak!” I exclaimed when the server brought out the namesake Tomahawk at this Merrimack hotspot. The 32-ounce behemoth with its long bone handle looked like something Fred Flintstone would order! My buddy and I still couldn’t finish it, despite our most valiant efforts.

The open kitchen concept lets you watch the meat masters work their magic over wood-fired grills. Flames leap dramatically as marbled cuts hit the intense heat. Their house specialty rub contains coffee grounds which create an incredible crust while enhancing the beef’s natural flavors.

The attached butcher shop means you can recreate the experience at home—though without their custom aging room, it’s never quite the same. Their bourbon selection features over 60 options from mainstream to obscure small-batch finds. Weekend brunch includes a steak and eggs dish that cured my worst hangover last summer.

12. Sear Lounge: Urban Sophistication

Sear Lounge: Urban Sophistication
© Tripadvisor

Tucked away in downtown Manchester, Sear Lounge brings big-city steakhouse vibes without the pretension or price tag! The dramatic presentation of their whiskey-infused ribeye—literally set aflame tableside—had nearby diners whipping out phones to capture the spectacle. My date was suitably impressed, mission accomplished!

The modern lounge atmosphere with its low lighting and contemporary art creates a sexy vibe perfect for date night. Their innovative steak flight lets you sample three different cuts with various rubs and sauces. My personal favorite combines their coffee-chili rub with a blackberry demi-glace—sounds weird, tastes magnificent!

Creative cocktails incorporate house-infused spirits and local ingredients. The bartender created a custom Old Fashioned based on my preferred flavor profile that I still dream about. Their late-night menu means you can satisfy steak cravings until midnight on weekends.

13. Marty’s Steakhouse: Old-School Excellence

Marty's Steakhouse: Old-School Excellence
© Yelp

Walking into Marty’s in Nashua feels like stepping back to the 1960s—in the absolute best way possible! Red leather booths, dim lighting, and tuxedoed servers create that classic steakhouse ambiance that’s increasingly rare. My grandfather insisted we celebrate his 80th birthday here, claiming “they’re the only ones who still know how to cook a proper steak.”

Their signature bone-in New York strip gets a 45-day dry aging treatment that develops flavors you simply can’t find elsewhere. The martinis come ice-cold with blue cheese-stuffed olives big enough to count as an appetizer. Their tableside Caesar preparation remains one of the great steakhouse traditions worth preserving.

Marty himself still visits tables most nights despite being well into his 80s. The creamed spinach recipe hasn’t changed in 50 years—and shouldn’t! Their dessert cart features towering slices of cake that require a team effort to finish.

14. O’s: Upscale Chophouse Experience

O's: Upscale Chophouse Experience
© Yelp

O’s in Dover occupies a beautifully restored mill building where industrial chic meets steakhouse luxury. Exposed brick walls and original wooden beams frame a dining room where I’ve celebrated multiple promotions with perfectly cooked ribeyes. Their signature steak arrives with a bourbon-peppercorn sauce that I’ve unsuccessfully tried to recreate at home seventeen times!

The aging process here deserves special mention—each prime cut spends at least 28 days developing flavor before ever seeing fire. My father, a notorious steak snob, admitted their New York strip was “acceptable”—which translates to extraordinary praise in his language. The sommelier’s wine pairings have introduced me to several new favorite bottles.

Their raw bar features the freshest oysters in the seacoast region. The seasonal menu incorporates local ingredients from farms within 30 miles. Despite the upscale experience, the atmosphere remains refreshingly unpretentious.

15. Ledgewater Steakhouse: Lakeside Luxury

Ledgewater Steakhouse: Lakeside Luxury
© Tripadvisor

Perched on Lake Winnipesaukee’s shore in Meredith, Ledgewater Steakhouse offers what might be New Hampshire’s most spectacular dining view. My summer evening meal featured a sunset so gorgeous it almost distracted me from my perfect medium-rare filet—almost! The seasonal deck puts you practically on top of the water.

Beyond the view, their dry-aged porterhouse deserves serious recognition. The tableside carving service separates the strip and tenderloin portions with theatrical flair. Their signature butter—infused with bone marrow and herbs—creates a luxurious finishing touch that elevates already premium beef.

Local fish shares menu space with premium steaks, honoring the lakeside location. My wife’s pan-seared lake trout rivaled my ribeye in execution. The craft cocktail program features creative concoctions using New Hampshire-distilled spirits. Summer reservations require booking weeks in advance—trust me, it’s worth planning ahead!