This is what dining out should be. While not inexpensive, we enjoyed a delicious meal, served by professionals, with wonderfully quiet ambiance. I am SO OVER restaurants (chains) that blast music to make their business sound "bustling". Conversation was easy to make in this austere and spread out dining room. Lots of space (and privacy). I can't wait to return and try the bar area. That looks as nice as this hidden gem of a restaurant! read more

We dined at Epoch many years ago, and found the experience to be unremarkable. We noticed that it was relaunched as Epoch Gastropub in the last year or so, and decided to give it a shot. Overall we had an enjoyable meal. They have a really nice outdoor patio which we hoped to enjoy, but it seems to be raining every weekend this summer, and so we had to sit inside. It was a Friday night, and the dining room was not very busy. Hostess and our server were incredibly friendly and made sure we were comfortable (there were some very cold AC vents near our table). We started with a fried cauliflower appetizer, which was good. Certainly not the best I've enjoyed, but tasty. Portion size was enough for a party of 4 or more! The cauliflower was a tempura batter style with a general gao's like sweet/sour sauce. It was served piping hot! Lobster roll was massive, cold mayo style and served with fried shallots, rather than onion rings. A nice twist and something I've never had before. Unfortunately, the fries served with this dish were limp. I'm pretty fussy about my fries and I just don't understand why some restaurants don't fry them to order. If you don't, you end up with luke warm, soggy fries that honestly are not worth eating. For me, that ruins the entire dish and I have to wonder what the kitchen is thinking sending out coldish limp fries. Another entree we tried were the Gnocchi with wild mushrooms. This was a nice dish and the gnocchi were light and fluffy, with plenty of mushrooms. A nice plate overall. We finished dinner with an orange granita dessert which came with plenty of carmelized orange peels on top, one of my favorites! In fact, I enjoyed the candied orange more than the Granita itself! Exeter is really having a moment with a number of great dining options. With just a tad more attention to the dishes, I think in time Epoch could be among those option restaurants. Give them a try read more

Epoch Gastropub - Mushroom Gnocchi - Bars Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

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Great, clean, crisp decor in an historic Inn. We had a wonderful time with a variety of menu offerings and perfect service.

Epoch deserves a mention. It had a great atmosphere. Featuring a stylish bar a comfortable dining room and garden seating. Service was attentive and friendly. Everyone was very helpful. All we had was a side of fries at the bar, but they were good. The dishes being served to other patrons looked appetizing and the reactions from their diners was positive. Wine, beer and cocktails list was good. read more

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Everyone was very nice. But the fact is the service was very slow. No, it was very very slow. The consensus was the food was just fine. We had been there a couple months ago. It seem to have gone downhill a little bit since then. We made the decision that we would just never go back. read more

An Epic burger from epoch. What a great spot. Love the ambiance. Very club like feeling. Dark wood. Bar set up is lively as well. Back to the burger. This was the offering during the burger tour sponsored by Exeter chamber of commerce. Great service as well serving up this Georgie Burger. read more

Epoch Gastropub - Georgie Burger. - Bars Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

We were staying at the Exeter Inn for a few days and decided to order room service from Epoch Restaurant and Bar, and we were very impressed with the quality of food that we received from the restaurant. The order didn't take too long and it was done on a Saturday night when the restaurant was busy so that was great. We ordered a lot too, Cheese Plate, Soup, Arancini, Brown Bread, Grilled Cheese, and a Salad. Had our own bottle of wine in the room and the restaurant gave us 2 glasses too which were nice. Foods were also plated like we were eating in the restaurant, which was a nice touch as well. Soup- A (fresh and delicious) Cheese Plate- A (great assortment and quantity) Brown Bread- A (Sweet and Buttery) Arancini- B (Filling but not flavorful) Grilled Cheese- B (Bland, needs sauce) Salad- D (No dressing and old) So overall it was a good experience, and we do recommend to eat here if staying in Exeter! read more

The food was good, and the ambiance was nice, but it was pricey for the experience that it was. The server was great, even though we were there on Valentine's Day, and they were overwhelmed. I won't ding them for their slow service that night. But, the drinks were expensive for what I got. read more

3.5 for food. 4 for ambience. 4 for service. I was in town for business and stayed at the Exeter Inn, so since this place is inside the hotel, I ate here for dinner and breakfast. The restaurant seemed understaffed, but the servers did impressively well for being short-staffed. The place is very spacious with over 15 tables and a separate bar area seating over 20. The place has a vintage look but is well kept. It fits perfectly in Exeter's historic district. It is a really nice ambience for a work event, family dinner or date. For dinner I ordered the iron steak with fingerling potatoes and asparagus. I asked for the meat to be cooked medium rare. It came within 15 minutes, which is not bad at all. Unfortunately, it was cooked very rare. The meat was purple inside. But it actually tasted great, and the rareness worked well with the blue cheese topping. So I kept it and enjoyed it. The seasoning was pretty good. The asparagus was OK, nothing special. The potatoes were also quite basic. But overall, it was a decent meal. I came back for breakfast. I ordered coffee and the new england scrambler, which was scrambled eggs with local ham and Vermont cheddar. It came with crunchy home fries and toast. The scramble was ok. The local ingredients were awesome but there was virtually no seasoning. The star of the dish was the home fries. They had a paprika pepper sauce in them, and they were fried to perfection. read more

Epoch Gastropub - New England Scrambler. Needs more seasoning. - Bars Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

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The food was outstanding! The best crab cakes I've ever had and delicious scallops over barley risotto in a light cream sauce. Dessert was excellent, too--peppermint crème brûlée with a perfect sugar crust. The only thing that marred the evening was excessive rowdiness in the bar, which communicates with the dining room. I'm all for people having a good time, but there were bar patrons who had obviously had more alcohol than they could handle, and it appeared that no one on the staff was attempting to bring them into line. Sadly, this behavior really lowered the tone of the place. read more

Great ambiance and vibe. I spent some time at the bar and the bartender Erin was great. She was so personable, attentive and made a great Martini. Service was excellent and I look forward to stopping in again. read more

Epoch Gastropub - Martini - Bars Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

Have been a regular customer coming to Epoch for quite some time now ( 4 to 6 ) times a year . Sadly must say that things have gone down hill . Bland and no taste to the Mushroom Gnocchi , tiny amount of Broccolini with the Gnocchi , under cooked fries with the fish and chips . We're really bummed as Epoch is only a short drive for us . Must also add that the menu is getting stale , needs a revamp . Menu seems as though it's more limited than before . Service is fine . Fix the food . read more

This review is based on the Sunday Brunch Buffet. I've been meaning to write a Yelp on Epoch Restaurant & Bar for quite a while. I've enjoyed their food at the Best of NH 2009 party. I am constantly reminded of Epoch during my commute to/from work since I see the big "Epoch" Homes (modular) sign along Route 106 in Pembroke and the Epoch Restaurant & Bar at the Exeter Inn immediately comes to mind each time. Those two "Epoch" businesses (39 miles apart) are not related, hehe. Recently, I decided to have Sunday Brunch at Epoch Restaurant & Bar. I made a reservation online at opentable.com, which was quick and easy. I arrived here around 1PM and the place did not seem crazy busy. I could sit anywhere I like. The atmosphere here is pretty nice and relaxed with hardwood floors, brick walls, table (linen covered) and booth seating and lighted steps to the bar area. The Sunday Brunch Buffet is served from 11AM to 2PM ($19.99 plus tax) and includes coffee, tea, and juice. They also offer make your own Bloody Mary. The buffet area is in the adjacent room. The Sunday Brunch Buffet offerings included cinnamon bun French toast, maple sausage links, applewood smoked bacon, eggs benedict on English muffins, homefries, penne with meat sauce, steamed broccoli with almond butter, smoked salmon with capers, rutabaga bisque, omelette station, carving station (sirloin and roasted suckling pig), artisan cheese & fresh fruit station, green salad & dressings, raw bar (shrimp, oysters, crab claws), muffins, pastries, croissants, and desserts (blueberry pie, cheesecake squares, and layer cake). Other than the French toast being on the cold side, the food I had was very enjoyable and tasty. The omelette (I had the works with 9 ingredients) was very good. The baked penne had a hearty meatsauce, very filling to eat. The shrimp was already peeled with tails left on and the crab claws were cracked just enough so the crabmeat was easily accessible. The seasoned pig meat was very good, as well as the smoked salmon (cold) with capers & eggs and mini cinnamon rolls (rolled in puff pastry). The sirloin was very rare, but not bloody. The bisque was rich and creamy. The service was decent and I was left alone much of the time since this was a buffet. The waitress brought out drinks and cleared used plates. I found it comical that every time I was stuffing my face, mouth full of food, the waitress would come over to ask how I was doing or needed "The food is gooood (muffled) and could I please get more coffee and a tall glass of orange juice (muffled)?" I know some servers who do this on purpose, hehe. Anyways, I felt stuffed, but not bloated though and left happy. WEBSITE: http://www.epochrestaurant.com read more

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Pricey and definitely not worth it. The only positive was the atmosphere. We started with tempura vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. There was very little taste and no dipping sauce to enhance the flavor. We each ate a piece of broccoli that was way too greasy and made us feel nauseous. Then we split the fish and chips. They only gave us 1 5 oz piece of fish on a bed of mediocre fries and one mouthful of coleslaw. I have never had an order of fish and chips that was so stingy. The service was very poor as well and the waiter was slimy. We said we wanted water and he asked still or sparkling. We thought by still he meant tap but instead we had to pay $8 each for a 50 cent glass of water. He tricked the table next to us as well. He never came to ask how we were doing nor how the food was. He was very inattentive. We sat for 20 minutes with no water and had to catch him to ask for some TAP water. I will NEVER go back as there are so many other average to terrific restaurants in town. If you are staying at the inn, go down the street to any other restaurant in town. read more

Oof. Night and day from a year ago. The food is NOT GOOD. Some things are literally inedible. Not sure what happened here...

Nice spot for upscale dining in Exeter. Discount for hotel guests on some nights. Little slow on food coming out. Pricey. Nice selection of gourmet entrees. Nice little bar with TVs. read more

Epoch Gastropub - Bars Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

Sean is the best!!!! yummy drinks and the food was delish. we had the crab cakes for an appetizer and I had the Coulette Steak and my husband has the pasta primavera with a yummy pesto sauce. we would highly recommend Epoch for dinner!! read more

We had an amazing birthday celebration at Epoch as first time guests. Sean was our server and he was exceptional!!! Dining out is something to be enjoyed and Sean did just that; he was attentive, personable, and eager to make our experience as enjoyable as possible. The atmosphere is so unique - dark word with brick and bright pops of red create for a beautiful and memorable dining experience. The food was delicious!! Curated and so flavorful, I would absolutely come again and specifically ask for Sean!! read more

I had a great experience at Epoch last night. The ambiance was Very cozy. I love the big round booths. Our server, Sean was very professional and personable. He was attentive to our table while helping at least three other tables of guests. I enjoyed the smash burger with fries. The fries were salty, just the way I like them. Sean recommended a Sangria cocktail and it was terrific! I'll definitely be going back again soon. read more

It was our first time at Epoch, and our meal was out of this world. Our server, Sean, was friendly and funny and added to our experience perfectly! He was professional and new one to check in. the food was remarkable. my partner had the steak and it waterd in her mouth. I tired the Burger Bowl burger at SEANs suggestion and it was wonderful!!!! read more

I met a friend for dinner and we had a lovely experience. The server was polite and nice and our food was delicious. I was very pleased to see that they had mock tail and non alcoholic beer selection on their menu. My friend also enjoyed their cocktail selection. Not many restaurants offer a mock tail list. Thank you, I will definitely be back. read more

The restaurant is located inside The Exeter Inn. The service is attentive, kind, and helpful. We started with the charcuterie board which was amazing! The pesto farro salad with steak was divine. The steak was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The grilled salmon with barley risotto and Brussels sprouts we made delish! We finished with Stickey toffee pudding cake which was delightful. We will definitely be back! read more

I get what they are trying to do.....but they haven't achieved it. All of the food was sub par, by any standards. Actually it was a weird combination of tastes. The appetizers were small, over priced, just ok - edible but not really good. Entrees were so, so. They only people happy were the ones who got sandwiches - chicken and burger. Stick with those if want to pay for overpriced sandwiches. The bartender was not so talented either. I like the Inn but regret my meal. Please hire a chef that could do a better menu and can cook it. Oh ya, please put salt and pepper on tables. We felt bad asking but we needed something to improve that meal. read more

The food for lunch was decent - I had an excellent autumn club sandwich with turkey and cranberries with some decadent Parmesan fries. Others at the table really enjoyed their food too. However, the service was absolutely awful. Our waiter was pleasant enough, but incredibly slow and mostly absent. We had to find him to get refills on water, again to get out check (at least 20 minutes after the plates were cleared and we had indicated that we would not be having dessert) and then had to find him again to pay the bill! We weren't in any rush, but this was excessively slow. read more

Had dinner with Chef Robert Sat at bar New menus Seems like new owners or management Poor pour at bar! Over all good not good App was tasty Corn chowder not good Mussels the same not good Burger which was a main stay, ordered rare think frozen No taste $18 Better at BK Service matched the food Candy bar tender poor attitude till end when presented check Cousin Ernie would not recommend Too bad, should have known, not busy for Thursday read more

I enjoy going to Epoch, and keep returning for several reasons: 1) I have dinner in the bar area. The bar seating is very cozy and sits higher than the restaurant. I loike getting the tables right up against the fence. The chairs are really comfy. 2) The service is excellent. We normally have Jamison wait on us and there aren't enough stars for him. 3) The wine list changes. They offer wine by the 3 oz or 6 oz size. This lets me taste 3 or 4 different wines in one evening. There is typically a sommelier on site or at least somebody that sounds like they know what they're talking about. 3 oz prices range from 4 - 8 bucks 4) They have a new chef that has tattoos of chef's knives on his arm. I guess he has settled in his vocation! He has introduced some fantastic new dishes. I had his seared tuna on sushi rice and kimchi. It was quite unique...in fact there was no wasabi and i didn't miss it. 5) They make the best lobster rolls on the seacoast. The buy real lobsters, chop it up (including the tail) and serve it in three pieces, each topped with an onion ring. They're popular so it is always fresh. $14 6) In the 5+ times I've eaten here there have been a coupleof minor complaints. The waiter/chef was excellent about addressing the issue. The pork bolgnese has way too much pork and not enough pasta. The chef sent out some more pasta immediately. 7) Giant size coffee and amazing dessert. The rhubarb shortcake is to die for They also have nice seating in the restaurant if you're on a first date. You can sit 3 feet from each other or cozy next to each other. For the price, I feel they are as good as it gets in this area. read more

Just back from Thanksgiving buffet at Epoch restaurant at the Exeter inn. My boyfriend and I made a reservation for 5pm, which was all that was available one week before Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving event was a buffet at $50 a head so I thought it should be pretty good. It started off well. The appetizers and salads were tasty and there was a good selection. The waitresses were attentive and the cocktails were good. The issue was when we came to get our main meal. I don't eat meat so had been happy to see two fish dishes on the menu. Unfortunately there were just congealed scrapings left of the two fish dishes. When I asked if more was coming I was told they had done making those dishes but would separately make me a piece of salmon instead. I accepted however the salmon that came was undercooked and swimming in a tasteless sauce. I could've sent it back but how many times can you complain without spoiling the whole occasion. The sides were no better - the promised squash ravioli was all gone, there were a handful of green beans floating around in a watery sauce and the mashed potatoes were cold. My boyfriend had some of the carved turkey and beef and said they were really good. The desserts looked uninspiring and did not taste any better than they looked. All in all it was disappointing. If a restaurant offers a 5pm sitting they should be prepared to provide the full selection of food as plentiful and as freshly cooked as for the 1pm sitting. read more

Their food menu frequently changes, usually with their frequent change of chefs. The items are typically on the rich side but can be custom ordered. I usually go for the bar. It's very cozy and civil. The bartenders are usually very knowledgeable and friendly. They have a nice selection of local beers on tap and they offer flights. They also have wine flights! If you get there early, say "hi" to Russell who is a fixture at the bar. He is a swell guy with amusing stories. read more

The Exeter Inn gave us two free drink coupons when we checked in. So, we went down to the Epoch Bar to enjoy our drinks. We had a Southern Comfort Old Fashioned and a Rye Manhattan - both properly executed. They were delicious. The service was great. read more

The mini lobster rolls here are so delicious and such a steal at $11 clams, that I almost ordered a batch to go... The salmon with diced beets and dill cream gnochi were perfect-- after I added a few squeezes of lemon and cracked pepper. The watermelon mojitos are slammin' and huge, as was the Sapphire martini. One tip though, Epoch-- get yourself a bartender that's willing to stuff an olive with blue cheese for a new customer (especially when its dead and the drink costs you $15) Overall...Superb. read more

Epoch Gastropub - Salmon - Bars Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

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My favorite little hide away!! This is our go to date night restaurant. We will always be back for more!

Classy and comfy atmosphere. Great cocktails- good selection-wine too. Food is good. Service is great!

Good food and a really swanky atmosphere. I've been here several times and would normally give this place a four star review, however....was there with five friends last week. Six grown-ass women getting caught up over four glasses of wine and two seltzers - TOTAL. Plus three or four food items. Our initial waitperson was the surliest, eye-rollingest, rudest service person we all agreed we had ever encountered. We wondered what we had done to offend her; it quickly became clear you don't have to do anything to get the waitstaff here to be rude to you - appears to be a job requirement, as everyone who followed was equally rude. Three different wait staff, all rude, equals two stars, and an agreement to not go back again. read more

Visiting from out of town and staying at the Exeter Inn. This place is located in the hotel and did not disappoint. The lobster roll was good and came with a fresh salad. read more

Epoch Gastropub - Bars Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

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Made a reservation for a birthday breakfast for 8. We got there - it was packed - one waitress for the whole room - waited 20 min. for coffee and water - didnt eat until an hour after arrival. It was not the servers fault - but terrible management to have one server on instead of 2. It kind of ruined the breakfast. read more

I'll start off by saying this place is cozy and charming. However that's where it ends. Food is mediocre and expensive. Drinks are very expensive. Service is hit or miss...mostly miss. We tried to make this place a regular establishment for us but it just doesn't cut it for the price. Thumbs down. read more

So delicious! Everything was fresh and trendy. A lot of healthy options. I had the petit arugula salad, roasted cauliflower for appetizer and forged mushroom risotto entree. The mushroom risotto was outstanding so many flavors in every bite. The burgers coming out of the kitchen were making my mouth water as they passed by my table. I wish I didn't live 3 hours away. I want to try everything on the menu! read more

Epoch Gastropub - Forged mushroom risotto - Bars Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

Went for dinner. Only two other tables in the restaurant had patrons. We are in our thirties and younger than the patrons at tables or the bar by 20+ years. For some reason we were sat at the smallest table for two in the place. (We had a reservation for two). During our time there, two people moved from the bar to a table that already had their friends at it. No other people came in to dine. Again, not sure why we got such a bad table. We each had steak. Cooked well but bad cuts with lots of gristle. Caesar salad was common. Not sure what the "special sauce" was with the fried pickles. It was not special. Overall a very underwhelming meal. The waiter talked while standing behind me. Perhaps if we had a larger table or one not wedged between others for no reason, he could have stepped so I could hear and see him when either of us spoke. Would not recommend this place. So many superior restaurants to choose from that going to Epoch would be a waste. read more

The Exeter Inn was a comfortable and stately in. In the past. I was shocked to see the restaurant decor. Orange neon steps from bar to dining area. Red plastic table tops on booth tables. There was no sense of design it was like they shopped a yard sale of used restaurant equipment. Plastic panels filled in divider windows. The service was incredibly slow although the restaurant was not busy. 40 minutes from ordering until entrees arrived. We were not approached for refills on drinks. The food was delicious but entrees skimpy. I had salmon. $27 and the piece of salmon was a sliver. 4 bites. It had the feeling a restaurant going out of business. Very disappointing because it could be so much more. read more

This place is hugely under-rated! I have no idea why it doesn't have 5 out of 5 stars. I spent 3 nights at the Exeter Inn and every night I had to eat at this place because the food was simply outstanding. Maybe their service slows down when they are busy, but what restaurant doesn't have that issue. I was served the absolute BEST duck I have ever eaten in my life. The green chili soup was out of this world. The Oysters Rockefeller were the best I have ever eaten. And this is all coming from a NYC foodie that has been to the best restaurants in NYC and some amazing restaurants all over the world. The bartenders and servers were incredibly friendly. I think i might make the 5 hour drive from NY just to visit Exeter and this restaurant again! Both the restaurant and the hotel are highly recommended! read more