This is the best restaurant on the NH Seacoast. Outstanding food, ambiance, and service.

I always feel so much better after visiting Stalk-it's a light in the darkness, when things feel so dark that you feel swallowed up by it. A cook, myself, I've been held prisoner in jobs that make one feel discouraged due to indifference and laxity. Eating here, taking in the pride of craft and respect for the clientele makes me realise that places -and people-do exist that truly care about about the customer and strive to make them forget their lives outside the comforting walls of this restaurant. We shared a couple of apps: a crispy-skin chicken leg, indeed crispy and as usual, perfectly cooked, as usual. there are few greater pleasures in life like chicken that is juicy and cooked with an expert hand. It came with excellent ricotta mashed potatoes so good my daughter-who normally refuses to eat mashed potato-had to be fended off with my fork so Dad could swipe a couple forkfuls! The dark, flavorful sauce complimented both the meat and the potatoes. We also got the charred Halloumi cheese with pork belly with sweet and sour grapes and a whiff of finely chopped sage, again having to fend off my daughter for my portion...I was detecting a trend here... For the main courses, my wife got the Black Cod with nicely browned fingerling potatoes and braised cabbage/asparagus. She rarely ate unbreaded fish until Stalk introduced her to exquisitely cooked and seasoned fish filets. My daughter got the mushroom and eggplant kofta with a superb cashew hummus and grilled pita that was cooked with love-grilled enough to get grill marks, but not so long as to cook the life out it-they were still soft and fluffy, with just enough crisp to make scooping the hummus practicable. I got, against my usual practice of eating through the menu (as much as possible during a recipe cycle) to get the Sweet Potato Cavatelli-this is one of those dishes that I could never get often enough. the pasta dishes here are unfailingly excellent, with little culinary surprises in every one-this one, for me, in a dish with sausage AND pork belly no less, the unifying surprise is the Balsamic black butter! It just made every bite taste,,,right, perfectly complimenting the dish and making a delightfully whole flavour profile that one would not, perhaps, expect at a first blush. Taken with the Almond Romesco, it gave a slightly sweet, acidic depth that woke and gratified my palate. Again, as a cook, I appreciate the care and consideration on display that a dish such as this displays. It makes me happy... Our desserts, sadly a harbinger of the meals' approaching end, left us with a nice parting glow-the Coconut Rice pudding-with a mango compote, ginger candied cashews and flashy cherry crisps was nice, light finisher, as was the, wait for it, English pea Mojito ice cream. This follows the Mad Scientist-esque genius of Stalk's ice creams. The unbridled exuberance on display with the ice cream flavours, always makes me lean towards the ice creams over many other fine and tempting desserts...this was no exception. The peas provided a subtle pea flavor, the chill mellowing the flavor we typically associate with peas, but not losing it, is worth a victory lap on its own. The zest of lime and a nicely chiffonaded mint layered on the finishing touches without overtaking the finish, a sign of the practiced hands at work. I also must make mention of the French Press coffee service, there is truly no better way to take your coffee than via a French Press, it is so very nice to indulge in this simple life pleasure outside of my own kitchen... I would be terribly remiss if I didn't give a shout out to the staff-from the exceedingly professional and courteous staff, to the bartender who was very engaging and free with her smiles all night, the professionals preparing our dinner, who deserve much credit for turning Chefs' vision into delicious and intruiging plates of food for all of us to enjoy, and finally to Chef Nicole, who is everywhere making sure everything is running as smooth as possible, yet taking the time to chat with the patrons whenever possible. Our trips to Stalk are almost a pilgrimage-a reminder that cooking can be a joy, and that striving for that goal of making the diner perhaps, through the care and excellence of the food and its preparation, make them forget the nonsense outside the walls of the restaurant for even just an hour or so. This a lofty and noble goal, and one, for this diner, is always met. I hope it is for you, as well read more

Stalk - New American Near Me - Dover, New Hampshire

Stalk has been on my radar for some time, and so when friends suggested it for dinner, we jumped! The dining room is warm and cozy and smaller than I would have expected. We had had a great server who paced our dishes perfectly. There are multiple ways to approach dinner here as they offer a variety of small and large plates. We chose a couple of small plates to start and sample, followed by an entree each. Plenty of food as the portions were generous. We ended up taking home part of each entree for lunch the next day. I tried the Huli Huli chicken buns, hoping for a little bit of Hawaii flavor, and these were delicious. They are priced individually so you can order as many as you like. I thought one was a reasonable appetizer portion. Unfortunately, the Cavatelli was sold out, but they offered another delicious pasta in it's place. I had the Plum Char Sui Pork, again a generous portion of melt in your mouth pork. Lots of that delicious five spice flavor, which hit all the right notes. Perhaps a bit too much of the sauce for me, but this was a delicious plate and I thought reasonably priced as compared to many other restaurants lately. I can see why this chef has gotten a James Beard nod, and a great spot to enjoy when in Dover read more

Stalk - Char Sui Pork - New American Near Me - Dover, New Hampshire

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Always a great experience. The staff is so friendly and engaging. Love it when they describe the specials. So passionate and you can almost visualize the plate as they are describing it. Very intimate space but not too crowded. They pace the meal out well with apps. Then you order your meal. No rush feeling but you are not there for hours. Just a calming dinner experience. Split an app or two and order your meal and enjoy. The tacos with salmon were very yummy. Just a great evening in Dover! read more

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The ambiance is charming and rustic. The service was attentive and responsive. The food was good but a bit hit or miss. The octopus appetizer was phenomenal. My fish was high quality but overly salty. Would try again but maybe not the fish. read more

Definitely a hidden gem! Unassuming on the outside, but such a culinary experience on the inside. I wanted to order the whole menu, it was all so unique! My favorites were the ceviche, the chair siu pork, and the lemon chiffon cake (you _cannot_ skip dessert here). The service was great- they recommended dishes that turned out to be amazing. Also the cocktails were perfectly balanced and very tasty, I would come back here again! read more

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Food was amazing and reservations are recommended. Cute little restaurant with limited table seating which compensates with bar seating. Food was flavorful and so were the drinks. NYC quality restaurant hidden in Dover NH. Definitely a must try and for me definitely a return again and again read more

Incredible food, service and would highly recommend! It was completely worth driving out of the way to go to. Haven't had food this good since our trip to Barcelona. read more

I took my boyfriend here for a birthday dinner (just the two of us! Super romantic!) and it was a nice dinner! On Wednesdays they do date night AKA, bottles of wine (select few) are 1/2 off with the purchase of two entrees. So naturally, this was perfect! We ended up getting a delicious bottle of Sauvignon Blanc for $25 which felt like the perfect way to celebrate his birthday! The food was good and the only reason I'm giving this 4 (4.5 overall imo) stars is because of the chicken dish. The chicken breast was extremely dry and I could not eat it because it was just so overcooked in the middle. The dark meat was great, but the other part... it was also a very fall forward menu which i thought was interesting (I know it's technically fall but still), but i can't complain because i love fall flavors!! The veal was delicious and the lamb chop lollipops were so flavorful! The ice cream was also very different but insanely delicious! Our server was amazing and I wish I could remember her name, but she honestly made our experience even more special and was so kind! The food came out quick too! If I'm back in the area, I'd come back. But it was pretty good!! read more

Stalk - Milk Veal pasta - New American Near Me - Dover, New Hampshire

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An excellent dinner but I can assure you that Chef Owner Nicole Nocella will not be winning the James Beard award for 2025. Maybe next year. The Stalk Caesar salad did not taste good. The greens were fresh but the dressing immediately manifested a problem. I shouldn't have eaten the whole thing if you know what I mean. The Vegan Manicotti was good as was the Halibut which was as white as the driven snow and perfectly flaky. The Shrimp and Scallop plate was good albeit unbalanced as you get 2 shrimp and 5 scallops. I don't get why the presentation is off to one side. It looks like a dollop of rice should be added. Ambience is nothing to scream about with patrons packed in this bustling eatery. I'm stretching to give this four stars but may give it another try in the not-too-distant future. read more

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Yummy food.... Beet salad was amazing as was the tuna tartar .... Fun wine selection a beautiful red from Croatia. The entrees were delicious ... Salmon and Wild Boar... oh and lest I forget the the cranberry tart...definitely highly recommend... and the staff and ambiance was lovely which rounds out a great dining experience. Thank you! read more

Our server Gabriel was awesome- attentive and friendly. Our food was excellent- from Apps to desserts everything was delicious. I highly recommend going if you're looking for a relaxing time with great food and service!! read more

The staff are outstanding and we are always impressed with your food, the amazing flavors and creations. You are incredibly talented and creative...so impressive. My husband always seems to be disappointed at restaurants by what sounds wonderful and then end up bland. Well, everytime we dine at Stalk, he is so satisfied. We always went to Portmouth for an outstanding experience in dining...now the gemstone is in our neighborhood, your cozy delightful Stalk. Thank you! read more

We've been a couple times and really enjoy this restaurant. Everything is fresh and flavorful. My favorite app is the steamed buns. Both options are great but the chicken is my favorite. I've tried a couple different things here and mine have disappointed. Grilled flank steak is amazing, and my husband loves the halibut. Chicken potpie is a unique version. Served in a bowl but the creamy sauce is amazing and this is a nice comfort dish. Cinnamon vanilla bean cake is a wonderful dessert and will definitely get that again. I've tried a couple of their "specialty" ice creams and those aren't always great lol. The flavors can be amazing or really odd but if you like to try unique blends give this a go! Best restaurant in Dover in my opinion! read more

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Once again, Stalk was fabulous. Gave my daughter and her partner this dinner for a birthday gift and it was just perfect. They just LOVED everything. My husband and I cannot wait to come back and enjoy another wonderful dinner either. Stalk never disappoints!!! read more

Great service, nice space, food was interesting. It didn't blow me away so I'm not sure I'll make the 40min drive again but I'm glad I tried it. read more

The food here was absolutely amazing. Service was on point and it made for a great date night. Compared to some other restaurants the price you pay for the quality of food was great. This is definitely elevated cuisine overall and we will certainly be back again. read more

The greater Seacoast area has several outstanding restaurants, and Stalk is one of the best. We've been there several times, and it's always a great experience with friendly service, great food, and a cozy atmosphere. The Eve's Orchard cocktail was a refreshing start. The Huli Huli steamed buns with chicken thigh are a favorite appetizer. For the entree, I had the braised boar. You won't fund that on the online menu because the entrees change periodically. Anyhow, it was an incredible combination of flavors and textures. The pork chop was also good -- like a pork steak, very generous, not exotic, but the flavor was outstanding. I don't usually order ice cream for dessert when eating at a restaurant, but their house-made ice cream was worth it! We'll be back -- again! read more

I know I've already written multiple reviews but I just have to write another for the stalk burger!!! OMG! It was honestly the BEST burger I've had in a very long time. Maybe other locals will remember a food truck called Juice Burger, they had one of the best burgers ever. The Stalk burger reminds me a lot of the juice burger, except it's even better. It's so juicy and flavorful, and very fresh. Truly a perfect burger. I also love that it comes with green beans that are perfectly cooked tender. Can't wait to get it again! Lastly I want to highlight the squash- it's almost like a barbecue flavor with crisp pickled celery, nuts and Gorgonzola. Incredible. I could eat an entire portion myself but had to share! We love Stalk so much. It's such a treasure in Dover. read more

This has become our new go-to restaurant for date night. The food is wonderfully prepared and presented. The atmosphere is pleasant. Staff is always nice and attentive. They have a great cocktail menu and several great vegetarian options. Last night we had their crunchy beet salad, a vegetarian huli huli steamed bun (you can get them with portobello mushrooms or chicken) and a vegan manicotti dish that was to die for. The manicotti included locally sourced mushrooms. Reservations recommended - they are always busy! read more

Stalk - Crunchy beet salad - Yum! - New American Near Me - Dover, New Hampshire

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Nicole and staff create a great dining experience. New twists on old standbys and creative interpretations of new dishes. Pampered service is provided from all workers not just one person. The small venue provides opportunities for dining patrons to interact with each other or to simply enjoy your meal in peace. Stalk is in our top 3 rotations of restaurants that we regularly go to. Thank you for being there. Stacy Eaton read more

Food was perfect as usual -- staff were welcoming and professional without being stuffy. Peter L. read more

Jumped in to stalk for an early bite at the bar..first course was the curried roasted squash soup...a great balance of ginger, lime, squash..fall in new hampshire in a bowl. Followed up with the Georgia banks sea scallops, fresh, cooked perfectly- dont you just hate over cooked scallops - but the sweer potato, snap peas and carrots rocked the dish. Make sure to check out the libations as the mixology is creative and fresh. I did the Holla back girl and the ooh baby and finished off with a Woodford old fashion. Loved them all and left wanting to come back soon. BTW the bar had fun people and the service was fantastic, complete with suggestions and commanding knowledge of the menu, both food and drinks! Thanks for the delightful evening. read more

Excellent atmosphere, location and most of all food! I had the sword fish for dinner and it was amazing. The chef is incredibly talented. Great appetizers and drinks as well. All wait staff were very attentive and genuinely kind. Can't wait to go back and try their pork dish I've heard so much about! read more

This was our second time coming in. Like the first time, it was fantastic. Our party was a mix of carnivores and vegetarians, and everyone loved their meals. The cocktails were great, the wine list is good, and both times we've been, the service was excellent. The staff is incredibly nice, and it was a great experience all around. We don't get out much over the winter, because, you know, Netflix and a fire is hard to leave, and we'd been meaning to try Stalk for a long time. After our first experience, we decided it was our new Dover spot. read more

Excellent food, fabulous cocktails and wine list, relaxing atmosphere, interesting and ever-changing menu. The mushroom tartine was solid. The char entree was perfection. The monkfish dish was flavorful. Excited to to go back to try the pasta, salads, desserts and more cocktails. read more

One of the best spots in dinner for a romantic dinner and a great cocktail. Service and food are always excellent.

It all went well service the food was unbelievable good . We will go back again soon highly recommend

The attention to detail was outstanding -- the service, the plating of the food, the decor. . . . everything had been very carefully thought out and tastefully executed. And the food selections were so interesting and totally delicious! Don't hesitate . . .make a reservation! read more

Good afternoon everyone from the seacoast food blogger visiting stalk Restaurant again just to Check-in on how things are going and let me tell you. I was definitely not disappointed. Most restaurant's overall reviews go down over time. This one continues to go up if there was a way. To provide them more than 5 stars. I would do so in a heartbeathis restaurant is a joy and a pleasure to have in our area VS having to go into a major big city like Boston. For the type of food that they are able to provide the owner and head chef has put together a Unis it land of menu choices and selections that are more than sure. To fancy. Everyone's palate. From unique and specialized appetizers to tastefully blended entrees. I would have to say at this time that this restaurant is the Is best restaurant in the area Hands down. Don't miss your opportunity and check this out as I am sure you will find this restaurant beyond your wildest expectations. read more

Loved this restaurant! Highly recommend. The food was very creative with fresh ingredients and unique tastes. Yummy!! Great service and atmosphere. Wish it was closer, We would make it a weekly visit! read more

We have wanted to try Stalk for quite sometime and it didn't disappoint! The service was outstanding, the food was nicely presented and absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere was lively. Stalk may very well be our new favorite restaurant. read more

My wife and I went in last night to celebrate our anniversary. The food was fantastic. The flavors were great, well balanced. It happened to be Wednesday so the half priced bottle of wine was a fun surprise. Our server Tricia was attentive and upbeat. I would definitely recommend this place to a friend read more

Delicious, creative and cute place in Dover. Always love when vegetables become the star of the show.

Food was stellar, as was friendliness and service. My issue? The sound. It was so incredibly loud it ruined my experience. I couldn't hear my date, and we had to yell, or just smile and nod and pretend to know what was happening. They really need to figure out how to absorb or break up the flow in the space because we rushed out of there simply due to it being impossible to hear each other. The drinks were delicious, however I'd say light on the pours. Portions were a smidge small, but full of flavor. I enjoyed the lemon pasta, it was rich and decadent. But could have been a bigger portion. read more

Another fantastic dinner at Stalk last night. Attentive service. The restaurant was packed, and yet the waitstaff made us feel like we were the only customers in the room. We never had to ask for anything. All the correct items just magically appeared. Everyone was friendly and attentive. Dare I say it? Perfect service. Apps: I had the Caesar, and my husband had the beet salad. Both were amazing. The beet salad was the more adventurous, but it was beautiful, and all the flavors were a perfect balance. The Ceasar was fresh, crisp, and delicious with a little bit of a kick. The croutons and romaine were sized perfectly. I find it annoying when salads are challenging to eat. This one was perfect. Entree: My husband had the Bone-in Pork Chop Al Pastor. Pan-Seared Tostones. Grilled Pineapple Cilantro Salsa. Baby Spinach. Fried Hominy. It was beautifully presented, cooked perfectly, and had very little fat. Just delicious and an absolute bargain at $24. I had the Hand Rolled Pappardelle with Lemon Mascarpone Cream. Baby Arugula. Walnut Brown Butter. Cured Egg Yolk. It was OMG delicious. The first bite was light and delicious. It melted in my mouth. I am not sure I even had to chew. Despite the delicate flavor and texture, it was rich and satisfying. Try as I might, I could not finish my meal so today it will also be lunch! Dessert: The husband had the Brown Sugar Budino with Scotch. Brownie Truffle. Shortbread. Fudge. Chantilly Cream. I only got a bite, but it was rich and delicious. He gobbled it down before I could steal a second bite. I had the Coconut Cake with Passion Fruit Curd. Pineapple. Hibiscus Lychee. Meringue. Truly the rock star of desserts. With a delicate, warm base of fantastic coconut cake, the passionfruit curd perfectly balanced the sweetness of the cake. The Hibiscus Lychee and Pineapple added a fresh element that pushed the flavors over the top, Portion Sizes: I ended up with half of my entree for lunch today, and breakfast was half of my dessert. Both were just as good as they were last night. The portion sizes are pretty generous. Considering the quality and portion sizes, we think Stalk is quite a bargain for a fun night out. Overall: Everything at Stalk is excellent. Even the Coffee! From imaginative cocktails to desserts that you will dream about, Stalk is simply impressive. Thank you for a fantastic birthday experience. The only negatives might be the noise level and the chairs. Some work on the acoustics would be helpful, and some comfy seating would make the place perfect! read more

Stalk - Extraordinary Pork Chop - New American Near Me - Dover, New Hampshire

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Great food. Small menu but everything tasted fresh. Drinks were good as well. Service was very friendly

We enjoyed our salad and the chicken pot pie- but the kitchen "had a misshap" with our food as the waitress said and we waited 45 minutes for our food to come out. We were not offered anything to compensate for this inconvenience- no complimentary dessert. And The chicken pot pie was a deconstruct one- which the menu does not mention. It features a small triangle of puff pastry. read more

This is one of the few farm to table restaurants in the seacoast area that offer vegan options. The vegan options are not your typical mediocre dishes. They are delicious and flavorful! In addition, the service was exceptional as well! Will definitely be coming back more often! read more

Stalk - Skirt steak entree - New American Near Me - Dover, New Hampshire

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Skip this one. Do yourself a favor-- save your money, stay home and cook yourself a nice salmon fillet with some asparagus and rice. I hate going to a pricier restaurant and eating food that's not as good (or as filling!) as the food I cook at home. When our server came to our table, she immediately informed us that all three fish options and the tuna tartare appetizer were sold out. Disappointing, but ok-- maybe they get their fresh fish on Friday mornings (we were there on a Thursday night). So we got the appetizer special (salmon pâté), I got the pork chop, and my fiancé got the potato cake. The appetizer was ok (nothing to write home about). My fiancé's meal (which is an entree) came with one potato cake and a little bit of edamame slaw. The portion was much too little for an entree and the flavor was nothing special. My pork chop entree was a much more reasonable portion and tasted fine (again, no where near as good as the salmon I just ate!), but a bit of it was completely raw. I eat steak rare. I like rare. But this pork was gooey, pink translucent, raw on the bone end. Water, one appetizer, two entrees, $80 dollars-- and the best thing was the water (with lemon, lime, and cucumber that our very nice server kept refilling for us)-- skip it! read more