New Hampshire's Best Seafood Dives

Newick’s Lobster House, Dover
What to expect: This waterfront establishment serves seafood baked, broiled, steamed, stuffed, boiled, and fried.
Check it out: 431 Dover Point Road; 603/742-3205  or newicks.com

Lupo’s Seafood & Grille, Hampton
What to expect: A retro-feel place skilled at fried seafood. Also serves breakfast.
Check it out: 595 Ocean Boulevard; 603/926-1100 or udine4less.com/lupos

Ceal's Clam Stand, Seabrook
What to expect: A shed across from the beach offering small, sweet clams. Open May to Labor Day.
Check it out: 22 Ocean Boulevard; 603/474-3150

Seabrook Lobster Pound, Seabrook
What to expect: steamer clams, fried clams, haddock (the only fish on the menu). Or pick a lobster from the tanks. Grab a soda or BYOB―locals arrive lugging beer coolers. The restaurant overlooks a quiet salt marsh and the Blackwater River.
Check it out: State 286; 603/474-3331 or brownslobster.com

Markey’s Lobster Pool, Seabrook
What to expect: The best clam chowder. This buttery chowder (milky, in the New England style) uses whole-belly clams—yum! Around you swirls the happy bustle of local families and vacationers chowing down at picnic-style tables. The big, rambling building perches on a broad salt marsh decorated with stately herons posing like lawn ornaments.
Check it out: 420 State Route 286; 603/474-2851 or markeyslobsterpool.com