The Black Birch, Kittery

Garrison is pretty good too in Dover

 

One of the best bars and restaurants on the Seacoast, if not New England. As others have mentioned, the wait can be long, but it's totally worth it for the food, beer, vibe (including always excellent music on the turntable) and service.

 

Agree w all -- fantastic place. Tried to go just before New Years and they were closed -- ended up going to a noodle/Asian fusion place down the street called anju (I think). Also outstanding -- food all cooked in a tiny little kitchen at the bar -- and amazing small plates -- had the pork rolls -- a weird but tasty roasted whole cauliflower dish -- a fantastic noodle/broth dish and a very tasty and super fresh pear salad. Tap list small but they had the substance and a foundation beer on tap -- all I really needed for the night. Highly recommend....

 

Black Birch and Anju are pretty much the only places we go....they are on-point in every area of the restaurant experience. The only way they could get better is if they were directly next to my house. BB must have's... the eggs/meatloaf sammie/Donuts. Anju must have's...Pork buns and House Shoyu.

 

I can't believe noone else has mentioned The Wallingford across the street....

 

Love Black Birch. Gavin, Ben and the staff are so nice. Food is top-notch, and excellent taplist.Only get there about twice a year, but have learned to go early, and sit at the bar for fastest service on weekends.

 

Please mention it rather than alluding to it.

 

They have some nice beers on tap but if you visit without ordering a cocktail you're doing yourself a disservice.

 

Agreed! I had a wonderful spin on a Manhattan called "the Leatherman". love the big cubes, Love all the unique little tinctures & bitters they add in. Great flavors. Also, one of the bartenders had great technique with the shake

I invite you to read my first post about it up top, hence my repeat with "noone else"

 

Went tonight. Forget about the food and beer which were incredible --- the turntable was on fire. Over a two and a half hour period heard Bowie's Station to Station , Tres Hombres side 1 or 2 (early ZD top) then INXS KIcK. Killer tunes --- but I did feel a bit bad for the older (mid to possibly late 70s) sitting next to us during a couple of the StoS guitar solos. The old dude seemed pretty hop though as he was drinking cloudy beer all night -- either BB Substance or SoMe Aposrtophe. Awesome night -- outstanding place!!