Top 3 restaurants in New Hampshire for business dining

Ramp processes billions of dollars in business expenses across thousands of companies every month. Our unique position in the payments ecosystem provides visibility into actual spending patterns, including restaurant and dining expenditures across diverse industries and business sizes.

Understanding New Hampshire's restaurant landscape through data-driven insights reveals critical patterns for business dining decisions. With tourism driving $2.6 billion in visitor spending, the state's dining scene reflects both seasonal fluctuations and year-round business entertainment needs. Corporate spending data highlights how businesses leverage New Hampshire's unique culinary offerings—from White Mountain resort dining to Portsmouth's coastal establishments—for client meetings, team gatherings, and professional networking events.

Understanding New Hampshire restaurant industry

New Hampshire's restaurant sector generates $4.9 billion in annual sales across 3,403 establishments, employing 68,100 foodservice workers who represent 10% of the state's workforce. Tourism amplifies dining demand significantly, with $2.3 billion spent during summer 2023 alone. The state's culinary identity blends coastal seafood traditions with mountain resort dining, while French-Canadian influences like tourtière reflect its border heritage. New Hampshire's zero sales tax advantage enhances purchasing power for business entertainment, making dining experiences more cost-effective than neighboring states. The White Mountains drive winter dining demand through ski tourism, while the Seacoast region attracts year-round business travelers to Portsmouth's tech corridor and manufacturing centers.

Top 3 restaurants for business meals and client dining

Based on Ramp's analysis of business expense data, these three New Hampshire establishments consistently rank highest for corporate dining expenditures. This ranking reflects actual business spending patterns rather than individual consumer preferences, highlighting venues that excel at accommodating professional meetings, client entertainment, and corporate events.

Grand Summit Hotel Dining

The Grand Summit Hotel in Bartlett offers multiple dining venues within its White Mountains resort complex, serving as a premier destination for corporate retreats and business meetings. Operating for over two decades near Attitash Mountain ski slopes, the property features Black Diamond Provisions café and The Tap House restaurant, both designed to accommodate diverse business dining needs from quick working lunches to formal client dinners.

Notable facts: The hotel's dining facilities leverage their alpine setting with panoramic mountain views and accommodate groups ranging from intimate business dinners to 200-person corporate events. The property's year-round appeal stems from winter ski access and summer adventure packages, making it ideal for team-building retreats. Executive meetings benefit from the resort's conference facilities paired with upscale-casual dining options that showcase regional ingredients like Vermont cheddar and Maine seafood.

Signature dishes:

• Seasonal theme dinners featuring local ingredients
• Holiday brunches with New England specialties
• Slope-side dining menu with hearty mountain fare
• Fresh seafood selections from Maine suppliers

Best for: Corporate retreats requiring multiple meal options, team-building events combining outdoor activities with dining, and executive meetings seeking a scenic mountain backdrop. The venue excels at multi-day corporate gatherings where attendees can dine without leaving the property, while the varied dining options accommodate different budgets and formality levels throughout a business trip.

The Tap House

The Tap House at Grand Summit Hotel has established itself as Bartlett's premier après-ski business dining destination since the early 2000s. The 12,000-square-foot restaurant features industrial-alpine design with reclaimed wood, steel accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing Mount Washington Valley views, creating an impressive backdrop for client entertainment.

Notable facts: Wine Spectator has recognized The Tap House for its curated beverage program featuring 30+ rotating craft beer taps from New England breweries like Schilling and Tuckerman's. Executive Chef Michael Landry emphasizes hyper-local sourcing, partnering with New Hampshire farms including Roby Farms for beef and Bayside Seafood for daily catches. The restaurant accommodates 200 guests across multiple dining areas, including a heated patio with fire pits ideal for networking events.

Signature dishes:

• Pistachio Crusted Cod with cauliflower puree and fingerling potatoes
• Braised Beef Short Rib with white cheddar polenta
• Locally sourced charcuterie boards
• Seasonal farm-to-table specials

Best for: Impressing out-of-state clients with New Hampshire's farm-to-table movement, hosting relaxed business dinners after outdoor activities, and conducting informal meetings over craft beer selections. The venue's sophisticated yet approachable atmosphere works particularly well for technology and creative industry professionals seeking alternatives to traditional business dining formats.

Thirsty Moose Taphouse

Thirsty Moose Taphouse, founded in Portsmouth in 2012, has expanded to four New Hampshire locations, becoming the state's premier craft beer destination for business gatherings. Owner Joe Kelly brought West Coast beer emporium concepts to New England, creating venues that blend professional networking with casual dining across Portsmouth, Dover, Manchester, and Exeter locations.

Notable facts: The flagship Portsmouth location holds the state record with 166 beer taps, offering extensive variety for business groups with diverse preferences. Each location features industrial-chic design with communal tables encouraging networking and garage-style doors opening to patio seating. The brand's rapid expansion to four locations demonstrates its appeal to New Hampshire's business community, with a fifth Nashua location planned for 2026.

Signature dishes:

• A-1 Prime Rib Bomb pizza with horseradish cream and fried onions
• Award-winning chili
• Smoked wings with 12 sauce options
• Creative pizza selections including the Moose Mac

Best for: Casual business lunches in tech-heavy Portsmouth and Manchester markets, after-work team gatherings with diverse menu options, and networking events leveraging the communal atmosphere. The multiple locations make it convenient for businesses to maintain consistency when entertaining clients across different New Hampshire cities, while the extensive beer selection facilitates relationship-building in relaxed settings.

Tips for business dining in New Hampshire's restaurant scene

New Hampshire's business dining culture reflects its "Live Free or Die" ethos with relaxed dress codes and emphasis on authentic experiences over formality. Make reservations at least 48 hours ahead during peak tourist seasons (July-August and December-February), when out-of-state visitors flood popular establishments. The state's zero sales tax provides budget advantages for corporate cards, but remember to factor in standard 18-20% gratuity for business meals.

Leverage seasonal specialties to impress clients—order maple-glazed dishes in spring, local seafood in summer, apple-based items in fall, and hearty comfort foods in winter. Many New Hampshire restaurants source from local farms and proudly highlight these partnerships on menus, making farm-to-table selections excellent conversation starters. For tech industry meetings in the Portsmouth-Manchester corridor, choose locations with reliable WiFi and quiet corners, as many professionals conduct working lunches.

Consider proximity to outdoor activities when planning extended business meetings. Restaurants near ski resorts offer natural transitions from morning meetings to afternoon slope time, while Seacoast establishments can combine dining with harbor walks. Book private dining rooms early at mountain resorts during conference season (September-October), when corporate retreats compete for premium spaces. Finally, respect New Hampshire's strong craft beverage culture—offering to explore local beer or cider selections shows cultural awareness and often leads to memorable shared experiences with clients.