There is a roadside restaurant in Concord, New Hampshire, where the parking lot fills up fast, the smell of fresh seafood drifts through the air, and people drive from hours away just to get a table. What keeps them coming back is not just the food, though the lobster alone is worth the trip.
This place has a history that stretches back over a century, a menu that swings from whole steamed lobsters to hand-cut prime rib, and a vibe that somehow feels like a local secret even though nearly 2,000 people have reviewed it online. By the time you finish reading, you will know exactly what to order, when to go, and why this spot has become one of the most talked-about dining destinations in the Granite State.
A Century of Roots on Sheep Davis Road
Some restaurants open and close before anyone notices. Makris Lobster and Steak House is the opposite of that.
The Makris family’s connection to the Concord food scene traces back to the early 1900s, making this one of the longest-running culinary legacies in the state.
Today, the restaurant sits at 354 Sheep Davis Rd, Concord, NH 03301, right in the heart of New Hampshire. The address might sound like a back road, but the steady stream of cars pulling in tells a different story entirely.
That kind of longevity does not happen by accident. It takes consistent quality, a loyal customer base, and a family willing to keep showing up and putting in the work across generations.
The Makris name has become synonymous with fresh seafood and honest cooking in this corner of New England, and that reputation has only grown stronger over time.
What the Menu Actually Looks Like
The name says lobster and steak, but the menu at Makris goes well beyond those two headliners. Fresh seafood platters, fried clams, sea scallops, baked haddock, swordfish, mussels, shrimp scampi, and clam chowder all show up on the regular rotation.
On the land side of things, the kitchen handles Montreal steak tips, prime rib in multiple sizes, and steak cooked to order. A 30 oz prime rib with a baked potato is the kind of order that turns a Wednesday night into an event.
Appetizers like stuffed mushrooms and fried feta bites give you something fun to snack on while you wait. The menu leans heavily into New England classics done right, with enough variety that even the pickiest person at the table will find something worth ordering.
And yes, the lobster roll is very much on the menu, and very much worth ordering.
The Lobster That Keeps People Coming Back
Lobster is the word that comes up most often when people talk about this place, and for good reason. The whole steamed lobsters are a centerpiece dish that regulars plan their visits around, and the kitchen takes that responsibility seriously.
Fresh, not frozen, is the standard here. The difference shows up on the plate in a way that is hard to miss.
A lobster that has been handled properly from tank to table has a sweetness and firmness that pre-frozen versions simply cannot match.
The lobster roll also earns its share of attention, though some guests wish the portion were a little more generous for the price. That said, the quality of the lobster meat itself consistently gets high marks.
If you have never had a proper New England lobster dinner, this is the kind of place where that experience should happen for the first time. Plan accordingly and bring your appetite.
Hand-Cut Steaks and Prime Rib Worth the Drive
Not every seafood restaurant can pull off a great steak, but Makris manages both sides of that equation with confidence. The Montreal steak tips with Cajun fries have become a favorite order for guests who want something hearty and a little bold.
Prime rib is the real showstopper on the meat side of the menu. A 30 oz cut, cooked to a juicy, tender finish and paired with a baked potato, is the kind of meal that makes you loosen your belt and lean back with satisfaction.
The meats arrive tender and cooked with care.
One practical tip worth knowing: prime rib availability can vary by day, so calling ahead to confirm is a smart move before making a special trip. The kitchen puts real effort into the steak program, and on a good night, the results are hard to beat anywhere else in the Concord area.
Fried Seafood Platters Done the Right Way
Fried seafood is one of those dishes that sounds simple but is surprisingly easy to get wrong. At Makris, the fried platters are a serious business, with whole belly clams, sea scallops, haddock, and oysters all available in their crispy, golden form.
The kitchen offers two size options on most fried platters, which is a smart move for anyone who is not sure how hungry they actually are. The large size is genuinely large, the kind where finishing it feels like a personal achievement.
One important detail for takeout fans: fried food is always best eaten at the restaurant while it is hot and fresh. The kitchen uses moisture-absorbing containers rather than standard foam, which helps, but nothing beats eating fried clams straight from the fryer.
The clam chowder makes a perfect starter before a fried platter, and together they form one of the most satisfying seafood combos on the menu.
The Outdoor Patio and Tiki Bar Setup
When the weather cooperates, the outdoor patio at Makris becomes one of the best seats in the house. The setup includes a tiki bar, which adds a relaxed, vacation-like energy to what is otherwise a classic New England roadside restaurant.
Outdoor seating gets mentioned frequently by guests who appreciate having a fresh-air option during the warmer months. The patio area works well for casual group dinners and gives the whole experience a slightly festive feel without being over the top.
One small note from guests: the designated smoking area near the entrance has been a point of feedback, with some visitors wishing it were located further from the main door. It is worth keeping in mind if you are sensitive to smoke.
That aside, the outdoor space adds real appeal to the overall visit, especially on a clear summer evening when the vibe is relaxed and the food is fresh. The tiki bar detail alone is worth the trip outside.
Live Music Nights That Change the Energy
Live music at a seafood restaurant might sound like an unusual pairing, but it works surprisingly well at Makris. Local musicians, often solo singer-guitarists, perform regularly and add a layer of energy to the dining room that sets the place apart from quieter spots in the area.
The music skews toward soft rock and alternative, creating a background that feels lively without being intrusive. That said, some guests have noted the dining room can get quite loud on music nights, making conversation across the table a bit of a challenge.
If you are sensitive to noise, a weekend evening might not be the best time to visit.
For those who enjoy a buzzing, social atmosphere with their meal, live music nights are genuinely fun. The combination of fresh seafood, a packed dining room, and a guitarist working through crowd favorites creates a dining experience that feels more like an event than just another dinner out.
Keep an eye on their schedule before you go.
Private Events and Party Hosting at Its Best
Makris has quietly built a reputation as one of the better private event venues in the Concord area. The restaurant offers dedicated indoor dining spaces that can be reserved for birthdays, anniversaries, and other group celebrations.
The management team has earned praise for being flexible and accommodating when it comes to customizing events. Details like coordinating table decorations, setting up gift tables, and adjusting the menu to fit the group’s preferences are handled with care.
The result is a party experience that feels personal rather than generic.
The attentive service on event nights makes a real difference. Guests at private functions have noted that the food arrives quickly, the staff stays on top of every detail, and the atmosphere feels warm and celebratory throughout the evening.
For anyone planning a milestone dinner or a surprise party in the Concord area, Makris is worth a serious look. The combination of good food, flexible staff, and private space is genuinely hard to find in one place.
The On-Site Seafood and Specialty Steaks Market
In 2010, Makris expanded beyond the dining room by adding a Specialty Steaks and Seafood Market right on the premises. The market lets guests take home the same fresh seafood and quality cuts of meat that the kitchen uses in its own dishes.
This is a genuinely useful addition for anyone who loves cooking at home but struggles to find truly fresh New England seafood at a local grocery store. Picking up a lobster or a premium steak cut on the way out after dinner is the kind of bonus that elevates the whole visit.
The market also makes Makris a destination for non-diners who simply want access to quality ingredients without sitting down for a full meal. It adds another layer to what the restaurant offers and reflects the family’s commitment to making fresh, high-quality products available to the broader community.
It is one of those small touches that shows real thought about what customers actually want beyond the dining experience itself.
Hours, Practical Tips, and What to Know Before You Go
Makris is open Wednesday through Monday, with Tuesday being the one day the kitchen goes dark. Wednesday through Thursday and Sunday hours run from 11 AM to 9 PM, while Friday and Saturday stretch to 10 PM, giving you a little extra time on the weekend.
The restaurant does not accept credit cards without a small surcharge, currently around 2.25 to 2.5 percent added to the final bill. Bringing cash is the smarter move if you want to avoid that extra cost, and it is a detail worth remembering before you arrive.
Parking is plentiful, which is a genuine relief at a busy restaurant. The phone number is 603-225-7665 if you want to call ahead to check on specials or confirm availability for a specific dish.
The restaurant holds a 4.2-star rating across nearly 2,000 reviews on Google, which reflects a long track record of satisfied guests and a kitchen that consistently delivers on its core promises.
The Atmosphere That Makes First-Timers Feel Like Regulars
The dining room at Makris has a casual, pub-style energy that puts you at ease the moment you sit down. There is nothing pretentious about the place, which is a big part of why people keep returning.
You can show up in jeans and a flannel and feel completely at home.
The staff plays a huge role in setting that tone. Servers who are attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and genuinely warm make the difference between a forgettable meal and one you talk about on the drive home.
Multiple guests have noted that the service feels personal, not scripted.
The noise level on busy nights can climb, especially when live music is playing, so managing expectations on that front is helpful. But the overall atmosphere, from the relaxed coastal decor to the smell of fresh seafood coming out of the kitchen, adds up to something that feels distinctly New England.
It is the kind of place that turns first-time visitors into people who plan their next trip back before the check arrives.
Why This Place Has Stayed Relevant for Generations
Restaurants come and go, but the ones that survive for generations share a common thread: they stay connected to what their community actually wants. Makris has done that by keeping its menu grounded in honest, fresh ingredients while slowly expanding its offerings over the decades.
The addition of the seafood market, the private event spaces, the outdoor patio, and the live music program are all examples of a family business that pays attention and evolves without abandoning its identity. That balance is harder to strike than it looks.
At its core, Makris Lobster and Steak House is a place where a family can celebrate a birthday, a couple can enjoy a quiet seafood dinner, and a solo traveler passing through Concord can sit at the bar and get a genuinely good meal without any fuss. That kind of broad, consistent appeal is what keeps the parking lot full and the reviews rolling in.
Some places just get it right, and this is one of them.
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