Coffee Shops in NH

Once a week, I go out and work at a coffee shop nearby. Since I work from home, it gets me out and helps to break up the week. I think working in a different setting can help give you a new perspective and hopefully stimulate some creativity.

Now I know not everyone reading this is from New Hampshire like me, but I thought I’d list out and highlight some of the local coffee shops I’ve been to and some pros and cons and more. Click the links to go to the corresponding websites.

Casa Java Cafe – Derry, NH

Overview

Love it. A latino flair and soothing music make working at this shop desirable. The building and location is great and they do have decent food.

• Food – Yes, fairly thorough menu
• Seating – Indoor and some outdoor
• Location – Old building/house near a small city downtown area

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Atmosphere, music, interior environment. This is one of my go to places and I keep going back for a reason.

Cons

• Honestly nothing. Not as close to me as I would like.

Recommend? – Yes, 9/10

Revelstoke Coffee – Concord, NH

Overview

This is another one of my top candidates. It’s a fairly new shop with an awesome location.

• Food – Yes, breakfast
• Seating – Indoor, small
• Location – Downtown Main Street in one of NH’s larger towns, right across from the capitol building. Urban. Very cool.

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Love the compactness of the inside and the minimalistic styling. Honestly the setting of the place is probably the biggest drawing point.

Cons

• Minimal seating, so if the place is full, it may be tricky to set up and work.

Recommend? – Yes, 9/10

School Street Cafe – Dunbarton, NH

Overview

Super unique and another go to. Rural and the only real option in that specific area. Also I believe it is a Christian business which is cool.

• Food – Yes, breakfast/lunch
• Seating – Indoor and grass area outdoor
• Location – Old house, center of small town, rural, not too much around it

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Bright and cheery atmosphere. They play Christian music and the inside is historic and homy since it’s an old house.

Cons

• Not a con necessarily, but it is off the beaten path and on it’s own, so depending on your situation, it may seem inconvenient to get to.

Recommend? – Yes, 8/10

Apotheca – Goffstown, NH

Overview

A local small business in the center of Goffstown that also is a flower shop.

• Food – Yes, minimal (baked goods, etc.)
• Seating – Indoor and outdoor
• Setting – Old train station, center of small town

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Outdoor seating. When the weather is nice, you can sit and soak in the sun in the quaint atmosphere of Goffstown.
• The flower shop is great.

Cons

• Not my favorite business overall. I don’t love some of the decor and products they sell.

Recommend? – If you’re in the area and need a quick coffee or place to sit and work briefly, then it’s not a bad spot. I wouldn’t go out of your way to visit, but Goffstown is neat.

Flight Coffee – Bedford, NH

Overview

I’ve only been once, and it didn’t do anything for me. Maybe because I went in the mid afternoon.

• Food – Yes, minimal (baked goods, etc.)
• Seating – Indoor
• Location – Commercial complex, suburban

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• It’s fine…

Cons

• Didn’t love the setting. Nothing overly bad, just nothing overly appealing.

Recommend? – No

Restoration Cafe – Manchester, NH

Overview

I really enjoyed this place on occasion. In the heart of Manchester, it offers a nice relaxing area to work with plenty of space

• Food – Yes, full menu.
• Seating – Indoor primarily and I believe some outdoor
• Location – Old brick building, downtown and urban

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Good option if you like an urban setting. Quaint inside and plenty of food options. Assortment of seating options like couches, high tables and low tables.

Cons

• The staff treats it like a hybrid between a coffee shop and restaurant. If you stay there too long, they check on you and I almost felt bad only getting a coffee.

Recommend? – Yes, 7/10

The Inside Scoop – Bedford, NH

Overview

Really an ice cream shop that serves coffee.

• Food – Ice cream
• Seating – Indoor and a lawn
• Location – Standalone old building in suburban setting

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Not a bad option to sit and work and if you want ice cream then even better!

Cons

• It’s not a typical coffee shop setting, which is why it’s not my favorite.

Recommend? – Indifferent

Farmhouse Roasters – Salem, NH

Overview

I’ve only been once, and I really enjoyed it. Plenty of seating and a good egg sandwich.

• Food – Yes, breakfast
• Seating – Indoor
• Location – Commercial building in suburban town

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Plenty of seating, nice environment for a commercial building suburban setting.

Cons

• Nothing bad, just not top of my list.

Recommend? – Yes, 7/10

Union Coffee Company – Milford, NH

Overview

It’s been a little bit since I’ve been here, but always enjoyed it when I go.

• Food – Yes, breakfast
• Seating – Indoor
• Location – Center of small town, old building

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Atmosphere is great. I love the inside and the town is cool as well.

Cons

• Nothing specific, I need to go again to better assess.

Recommend? – Yes, 7/10

Pressed Cafe – Bedford, NH

Overview

This one is unique. It’s a bustling restaurant/coffee shop/bar. It’s massive and always stays busy. A go to for me.

• Food – Yes, full menu (open late)
• Seating – Indoor and outdoor
• Location – Suburban stand alone new building (multiple locations)

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• I love how busy it is. You feel energized and get to people watch! Plenty of seating, even more private areas if you have a virtual meeting. Food is great and you can sit there all day and not feel awkward.

Cons

• If you’re looking for a quaint coffee shop, this is not it, but I still thoroughly enjoy it.

Recommend? – Yes, 8/10

IDENTITY Coffee Lab – Rindge, NH

Overview

Super love this place. It’s kind of out there but a great place to get coffee.

• Food – Yes, minimal (baked goods, etc.)
• Seating – Indoor and maybe some outdoor
• Location – Commercial building, small town, rural

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Aesthetics of the inside are great. Very friendly and a perfect spot for a rural area.

Cons

• Once again, not a real con but it is out there in regards to location.

Recommend? – Yes, 9/10

The Sweet Spot Cafe – Weare, NH

Overview

Definitely more of a mini restaurant and bake shop then just a coffee shop.

• Food – Yes, and they sell pre made food like cakes and more.
• Seating – Indoor
• Location – Feels like a little cabin, rural near a state highway

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Neat little cabin feel and plenty of food options. Rural but not too remote, and ample seating for the setting.

Cons

• I remember not loving the egg burrito I got there, but maybe it was an off day.

Recommend? – No

Brew – Brentwood, NH

Overview

I’ve been once and thought it was fine, nothing special.

• Food – Yes, breakfast
• Seating – Indoor
• Location – Commercial building, somewhat rural

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Nice option for the area, not too many other options.

Cons

• Didn’t wow me

Recommend? – Indifferent

Battle Grounds Coffee – Haverhill, MA

Overview

This place I remember being pretty cool, but it’s been multiple years and I’ve only been once.

• Food – Yes, I think
• Seating – Indoor
• Location – Small town Main Street feel near a river

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• I remember the interior being neat and the location as well. Really liked the branding as well.

Cons

• I remember the inside being dark for some reason.

Recommend? – Yes, 7/10

Dunkin – Hartford, CT and everywhere

Overview

If you’ve been to New England, there seems to be a Dunkin on every corner. Even the smallest little towns in the middle of nowhere seem to have a Dunkin. I’ve been to a million of them, but rarely actually stop to work. I remember for some reason taking a break and working outside at a Dunkin in the downtown Hartford area and it being a nice little scene

• Food – Yes,
• Seating – Depends
• Location – Everywhere

Pros/Cons/Recommendation

Pros

• Always a great option for a pit stop or quick snack/coffee

Cons

• Not an ideal work setting

Recommend? – You have to if you’re from New England

My TOP 5

1. IDENTITY Coffee Lab
2. Casa Java Cafe
3. Revelstoke
4. School Street Cafe
5. Pressed

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I hope you enjoyed this article even if you don’t live in the area. Comment below with your favorite coffee shop!