Situated just north of the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border, Nashua is nestled between the Nashua and Merrimack rivers. Though the city is not a seaport, it is only an hour's drive from the Atlantic and many well-known fishing and lobster towns, such as Newburyport, Rockport and Gloucester. Nashua's three seafood restaurants benefit from the easily accessible fresh Altantic seafood.
Clam Haven is much like a clam shack you would find in Kennebunkport or Newburyport, except with one twist: it's not on the water. For over fifty years, the Metts family has served up seafood in their clubhouse. The family keeps up with the times, and runs their website as a blog that announces the daily specials, along with schedule and weather updates. In the summer, you can pull up and park right near the outdoor seating, and order coastal seafood plates without the tourist-induced prices. As of 2010, plated meals with clams, shrimp, calamari or scallops, and french fries, onion rings and cole slaw all cost less than $15, even for a two-way combo. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can call ahead and for take out. The shack is open seasonally, usually from early March to late September, for lunch and dinner. Exact season opening and closing dates are available on the Clam Haven website.
A pricey, dressy restaurant in the midst of town, the Nashua's Surf Restaurant is located on Main Street. The seafood is as fresh as possible, since seafood buyers meet fisherman daily and have the fish shipped to the kitchen mid-afternoon. Named best seafood restaurant in the New Hampshire Magazine Readers' Poll, the restaurant focuses on creative seafood preparations, such as tilapia piccata and lobster Sarah, a lobster flambeed with cognac, chives, cream and butter. Due to its reputation and central location, Surf often has long waiting times for tables. On a Friday or Saturday night, the wait starts around 6 p.m., and since the restaurant is only open until 10 p.m., it is hard to get in after the rush. Reservations are highly recommended, but the restaurant only accepts reservations for parties of seven or more.
Outside of the city center, Weathervane is a reasonably priced, casual dining establishment. Yankee Magazine named it one of the top three seafood restaurants in New England in its 2010 Readers' Choice for Best of New England. Unlike the local family-owned restaurants listed above, Weathervane is a chain that started in Kittery, Maine, an area known for its lobsters. Weathervane's menu focuses on lobsters, chowders and other fresh seafood dishes. The restaurant serves lobster four ways, including fried tails and lobster pie, and offers two types of chowder, fish and clam. There is also a kids' menu with seafood and traditional meals for kids, like grilled cheese, chicken tenders and macaroni, as well as coloring books.
