The 7 Best Restaurants in North Conway You Haven't Tried Yet

North Conway's dining scene has quietly transformed over the past two years. While visitors still line up at the well-known spots on Route 16, a new wave of restaurants has opened that rivals anything you'd find in Portland or Burlington. We spent three weeks eating our way through the valley to bring you the spots that deserve your attention — and your appetite.

Top of our list is Granite & Grain, a farm-to-table restaurant that opened last fall in a converted barn just off the Kancamagus Highway. Chef Marcus Rivera, who cooked at two Michelin-starred restaurants in New York before relocating to the mountains, is doing things with local lamb and foraged mushrooms that would make city food critics weep. The tasting menu ($75) is worth every penny, but the burger at the bar ($18) might be the best in the valley. Reservations are essential on weekends.

Don't sleep on Ssam Valley, the Korean-Appalachian fusion spot that took over the old pizzeria space on Kearsarge Street. Owner Ji-won Park grew up in Asheville and spent a decade in Seoul before landing in North Conway. The smoked brisket bibimbap is a revelation — slow-smoked over applewood for 14 hours, then served over crispy rice with gochujang and pickled ramps. The kimchi mac and cheese has become the unofficial late-night staple for local ski instructors. Open Wednesday through Sunday, cash and card accepted, BYOB on Thursdays.