Hidden Gems: Unexpected Eateries Delight Visitors in New Hampshire

From a museum cafe to a hospital bakery, these local spots offer delicious surprises.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

New Hampshire is home to a variety of unexpected and delightful eateries that are delighting visitors and locals alike. The Tidewater Cafe inside the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester offers "food art" alongside world-class artwork, while Crosby's Bakery has expanded from its longtime downtown Nashua location to open a cafe inside St. Joseph Hospital. In Lebanon, The Fort Restaurant at the Exit 18 truck stop serves up hearty, homestyle meals and baked goods to a mix of truckers, students, and hospital visitors.

Why it matters

These hidden gem eateries showcase the vibrant food scene in New Hampshire, offering unique dining experiences that go beyond the typical restaurant. They demonstrate how local businesses can thrive by catering to the needs and interests of their communities, whether that's providing a cafe oasis for museum-goers, a familiar comfort food option for hospital patients and staff, or a filling meal for weary travelers.

The details

The Tidewater Cafe inside the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester offers breakfast, lunch, and specialty coffee drinks inspired by the museum's artwork and exhibits. Owner Keri Laman aims to "tell a story through the art of food and beverage." In Nashua, Crosby's Bakery has expanded from its longtime downtown location to open a cafe inside St. Joseph Hospital, serving the same beloved baked goods and adding an elevated coffee program. And in Lebanon, The Fort Restaurant at the Exit 18 truck stop provides hearty, homestyle meals and baked goods to a mix of truckers, locals, students, and hospital visitors.

  • The Currier Museum of Art has attracted art lovers for almost 100 years.
  • Crosby's Bakery and Cafe inside St. Joseph Hospital opened in 2025.
  • The Fort Restaurant at the Exit 18 truck stop has been serving the Lebanon area for years.

The players

Keri Laman

Owner of the Tidewater Cafe inside the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester.

Jennifer Stone-Grimaldi and Jeremy Grimaldi

Owners of Crosby's Bakery, which has expanded to open a cafe inside St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua.

Stephanie Allard and Dan Hazlett

Owners of The Fort Restaurant at the Exit 18 truck stop in Lebanon.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As my staff like to say, 'What better place can you get half a sandwich, homemade soup, latte and surround yourself with beauty,'”

— Keri Laman, Owner, Tidewater Cafe (wmur.com)

“It's not just opening a business in a hospital, its like a new life, a new family. A new group of people you get to know!”

— Jeremy Grimaldi, Owner, Crosby's Bakery and Cafe (wmur.com)

“No, our portions are huge! Yes, we are known for our big portions.”

— Stephanie Allard, Co-owner, The Fort Restaurant (wmur.com)

The takeaway

These hidden gem eateries in New Hampshire showcase the state's vibrant and diverse food scene, offering unique dining experiences that cater to the needs and interests of their local communities. From museum-goers to hospital patients and staff to weary travelers, these unexpected spots provide delicious surprises that go beyond the typical restaurant.