2024 Top New England Bites
Every year, we compile our top NYC restaurant highlights that truly impressed us. Since Sara moved to Portsmouth in 2024 she hit the ground running to snack at all the best restaurants in New England and find the best bites including the best lobster rolls in Maine, the best ones in New Hampshire, the best burgers in Boston, and even sampled North Shore beefs. It was a fun year, so here are the top 20 bites we had in New England.
Top 20 Things We Ate
#20 Squid ink risotto from Zurito in Boston, MA - Zurito opened from Jamie Bissonnette in November and is inspired by the bars serving tapas in the Basque region in Spain. This creamy dish tasted just like broccoli cheddar soup in the best way possible.
#19 Clam cakes from Iggy’s in Narragansett and Warwick, RI - Sara went to college down the street from Iggy’s and they taste just as good as they did 10 years ago. Crispy and satisfying, they never fail to hit the spot. See our review here.
#18 Donuts from Earth at Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport, ME - While the entire meal was exceptional, the donuts truly wowed us and secured the #18 spot. They would give Krispy Kreme a run for their money. See our trip to Kennebunkport recap here.
Earth at Hidden Pond
Honeypie
#16 Caviar hot dog from Island Creek Oysters in Duxbury, MA - We could spend all day at Island Creek Oysters, but it’s their caviar hot dog that stole our hearts and claimed the #16 spot. See our review here.
Island Creek Oysters
#15 Chocolate chip cookie from The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, ME - Every year, we submit our postcard for a chance to dine at The Lost Kitchen. While we haven’t snagged a reservation yet, we did visit the famous Freedom, Maine restaurant to try their classic chocolate chip cookie. P.S. if you’re postcard gets chosen pleaseeee take us with you.
The Lost Kitchen
#14 Duck yakisoba from Anju in Kittery, ME - This dish’s savory, umami-packed flavors make it unforgettable. We truly love everything on their menu, so it was hard to narrow down. They don’t take reservations, so we typically put our name down, then grab a cocktail at The Dram. See how we’d spend a perfect 24 hours in Kittery here.
Anju
#13 Mac and cheese from Vermont Country Deli in Brattleboro, VT - No New England best bites list is complete without the iconic mac and cheese. This creamy, cheesy comfort food sits at #13. We don’t cross the Vermont border without stopping here! See our review here.
#12 Galette from Carriage House in Rye, NH - Sara moved to New Hampshire this year, and her favorite restaurant quickly became The Carriage House in Rye. Their peach and blueberry galette lands at #12 for its perfectly flaky crust and seasonal flavors. Their desserts rotate, but they are always fire flames. Check out everywhere she took the sisters when they visited here.
Carriage House
#11 Pig Head from Vida Cantina in Portsmouth, NH - The pig head from Vida is one of the juiciest and most flavorful pork dishes we’ve ever had, earning it the #11 spot. Vida gets the pork from our favorite butcher in the area, Maine Meat. Plus, the chef here, David Vargas, has been nominated for multiple James Beard awards. See how we’d spend a perfect 24 hours in Portsmouth here.
Vida Cantina
#10 North Shore Beef 3 way from The Modern Butcher in Danvers, MA - We spent the year searching for the best North Shore beefs in Massachusetts, and our favorite was from The Modern Butcher. This sandwich earns a well-deserved #10. Check out our North Shore beef rankings here.
The Modern Butcher
#9 Pancakes from Palace Diner in Biddeford, ME - At #9 are the pancakes from the adorable Palace Diner. Fluffy and golden, these are a must-try. The wait is often long, so try to go on a weekday if possible. See if we found it iconic or overrated here.
Palace Diner
#8 Popovers from Ledger in Salem, MA - The perfect popovers with beef drippings from Ledger in Salem take the #8 spot. Light, airy, and full of flavor, they’re unforgettable. The butter flavor changes, we went in November and it was pumpkin butter! The restaurant is gorgeous and is located in an old bank. We love to sit at the bar. Here’s where to eat in Salem, MA.
Ledger
#7 Fish and chips from Black Birch in Kittery, ME - Crispy, melt-in-your-mouth fish and chips from Black Birch in Kittery land at #7. This dish is a seafood lover’s dream.
Black Birch
#6 Ragu from Bar Enza in Cambridge, MA - We’re not sure why more people don’t talk about this restaurant in Boston. It’s such a hidden gem. All the pastas at Bar Enza in Cambridge are incredible, but the ragu stood out as our favorite. It earns the #6 spot on our list.
#5 Udon from Yume Ga Arukara in Cambridge, MA - Our top 5 kicks off with the cozy udon from Yume Ga Arukara in Cambridge. This comforting dish is a warm hug in a bowl and lands at #5. This year they also opened up a new Seaport location, but we think the move is the original one! See our review here.
Yume Ga Arukara
#4 Fluffy clam chowder Rye Lobster Pound in Rye, NH - At #4 is the clam chowder from Rye Lobster Pound. Fluffy, rich, and loaded with massive lobster chunks, it’s everything you want in a bowl of chowder. Check out our perfect 24 hours in Rye here.
Rye Harbor Lobster Pound
#3 Burger from Gray’s Hall in Boston, MA - If you saw our top burgers in Boston list, you already know the best one is at Gray’s Hall in Southie. This burger’s juicy perfection secures it the #3 spot. See our top burgers in Boston list here.
Gray’s Hall
#2 Peking duck from Nautilus in Nantucket and Boston, MA - Coming in at #2 is the whole roasted Peking duck from Nautilus in Boston and Nantucket. Tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, it’s a show-stopper. It takes about an hour to make, but the wait is so worth it. Watch our 10 must try spots on Nantucket here.
Nautilus
#1 Lobster roll from McLoons in South Thomaston, ME - And finally, the best bite we had this year in New England was the lobster roll from McLoons in Maine. Our goal this summer was to find the best lobster rolls in Maine, and this topped the list. Packed with fresh lobster meat and just the right amount of mayo, it’s the quintessential New England experience. While waiting in line to order here, you’ll see them pulling fresh lobster right out of the water. See our review here.
McLoons
We’d love to hear if you’d tried any of these and what your favorite bite was this year! Don’t fret if your favorite dish didn’t make the list—be sure to also read our top bites from Connecticut!
