I have lived in the area for 13+ years and hands down this is the best restaurant around. There are a few seating areas and the one to the left is a bit geriatric in its feel and decour. But that is the extent of the negative and a matter of taste. But where it matters, Ariana's delivers! The food is consistently wonderful: fresh, flavorful and masterfully prepared. There is clearly attention to detail and a personal pride in the food. Every time we have come, the chef has briefly topped by to say hello and ask about the food. Nice touch! We eat all over the area and there are several descent choices, but often inconsistent. The seafood stew is exceptional. read more

Excellent food and service High end elegant. Great wines. Superb customer service Best in my book

The best food I've had thus far in the Upper Valley during the past four years..ABSOLUTELY! And everything we ordered was VERY tasty! Presentation was excellent! It is a drive to get there yet Oh so worth the effort! read more

Excellent food and a bright, cheerful dining room. Prompt, attentive service. This old inn has found a winner.

Excellent service and such delicious food! I'm so glad that we have Ariana's in the Upper Valley. For us, it's definitely a place for special occasions, and worth every penny. Will definitely come back! read more

This is the best restaurant for 30 miles around and a true find for nh/vt. Fantastic food, even better service. Charming place. Lighting could use a little help but that's not the worst thing. Highly recommended. read more

*****Funny how the restaurant(or friends of the restaurant) keeps adding more and more fake reviews to counter the mediocre real reviews it receives! True real Yelpers know how to read between the lines! I was a little suspicious of the reviews for Ariana's because the majority of the reviews are obviously fake, written by Yelpers with just a couple of reviews under their belt more than likely employees or friends of the restaurant owners(note for example the review written by Janet S. on June 6th, Walter H. on June 14th, and Lyle R.). We decided to give Ariana's a try to see for ourselves and I think the review written by AB H. says it best "Ariana's is sort of what you expect from a nice restaurant in Vermont: good food, but not great". We were not blown away in any way, the food was just alright; we tried the Duck Confit and the Artic Char. For the price we weren't impressed with the presentation, it was just basic; both dishes were cooked and seasoned alright but nothing really stood out. The service was friendly and relatively fast but the restaurant had just opened, I could see just due to the congested layout it be uncomfortable dining if it were to be crowded. If you are not close by, it's not worth the time or the money. read more

Visiting from San Francisco area of California - An area known for excellent restaurants. Ariana's was as good as any of the latest "it" restaurants in San Francisco and far more friendly and accommodating than most. I have celiacs and eating out can be a challenge. The chef was more than happy to help make my meal delicious and safe. The prawn small plate was my favorite - would have enjoyed it as a large plate for my meal. My meal - the scallops were perfectly seared and paired well with the risotto. My BIL has a reputation for being quite picky about his food - he had the lamb small plate and pork loin entree and only had good things to say about his entire meal - this is highly unusual and high praise for Ariana's indeed ;-) We had a wonderful evening - three siblings and our spouses - in charming surroundings enjoying the food and each others company. read more

This place was recommended to us by some friends. We've now been twice, and our meals both times were fantastic. The scallops and seared tuna appetizers are amazing - perfectly cooked! The food is excellent, and the staff is attentive and friendly. Chef Martin even checked in to see how things are going. It's on the pricier side, but we feel it is worth the price. Sitting at the chef's bar was great - we felt like we were almost in the kitchen, and could watch every one in action - it was a fun experience! They also have a good selection of vegan and gluten free options, and source a lot of ingredients locally. read more

What a surprise to find such quality inside what looked to be a shack behind a farmhouse. We had no reservations and had to sit at the bar which turned out to be a special treat because the kitchen is on the other side of the bar. We had a great meal and a cooking show too. Chef Martin and his staff interacted with us now and then and even gave us a taste of a few additional items. I had the linguini with white clam sauce and it was delicate with perfectly done clams. The orange infused creme brulee was the perfect end to my meal. I am so glad I decided to leave the Lake Morey resort for tonight's dinner. read more

I was with a large group this time - including several small children. Everything about this restaurant is excellent: service, ambience, wine list and most of all the food. This is farm to table dining at its best. read more

Blown away! Amazing flavors and high quality fresh ingredients made my dining experience one to remember. The menu varies from traditional American to daring culinary art. The wine list is large and the prices are reasonable. I started with the lobster dumpling with lime ginger sauce. Bright flavors that blended well. The waitress also recommended the local tomato and goat cheese appetizer. It sounded wonderful. My entree was shrimp scampi. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the sauce was light and not overpowering. This chef is a master of the delicate balance of all the flavors. I was so full that I had to pass on dessert. They looked wonderful. I suggest calling ahead for a reservation due to limited seating but the staff is very helpful and eager to please. This place would be a perfect date spot. I don't normally rave but the food was perfection. Bravo. read more

Wow, we're really happy to have Ariana's even closer to us - a wonderful chef, good service, and relaxed atmosphere.

This farm to table establishment is the most charming place one could hope for in the area. We reserved a table for 6 and ordered a four course tasting menu with paired wines. For the quality of the food, the skill of preparation and the wine expertise, I feel that we got the best deal on the East Coast. There was food literally right out of the garden, and everything was so delicious. Chef Martin Murphy was very welcoming and extremely accommodating with our party and has a wonderful hospitable outlook. Our party had the chance to dine in a private room inside the farm house, very homey. I would strongly recommend Ariana's as a foodie destination, it is worth the drive from NYC for sure. read more

Superb! I went here last weekend with my entire extended family. We were staying at a nearby resort and someone suggested we try it. I was blown away. Ariana's is sort of 'experience' dining. Great food in an amazing setting, which is a farmhouse on a breathtaking piece of property. I had a melon and veg salad, followed by a special: chicken with a rich Marsala sauce, garlic mashed and a corn succotash (sp?). Everything was spot on. My only complaint is that the server didn't put enough ice in my glass! I rarely take the time to write reviews, but this place is special. Can't wait to go back next year. read more

A little gold nugget in the heart of Orford. It is well worth the drive from Hanover. The food was served with professionalism and the quality was outstanding. Local beef, local dairy, local vegetables. Well priced without busting your budget. Make a reservation and don't wait another minute. read more

Don't be fooled by my lack of reviews on yelp. Although I am new to the yelp review world, I am by no means a novice when it comes to recognizing great food. Ariana's Restaurant serves good food, but not great food. If 3.5 stars was an option, that would be my choice. Definitely higher than a 3 but not quite a 4. The atmosphere is as expected, old farmhouse style with lots of open space including an open kitchen. For smaller parties, you can sit at the chef's table and get a first hand kitchen experience. Being a larger party, we sat at a large round table. We were waiting about 15 min for our reservation because the previous reservation was lingering. The staff was more than accommodating, taking out drink orders while we were waiting. Beer list as expected, usual list of NH/VT craft beers that were reasonably priced. Wine list also fairly priced, enough variety to keep any party happy. Bread and basil/olive oil served for the table. Everyone ordered appetizers. I had the caprese salad, all fresh ingredients, very tasty (although difficult to mess up). Others at the table ordered the monkfish cheek (perfectly flavored with ginger, chili and lime), beef tamales (winner in the appetizer category by far), mussels, and pork dumplings. Everyone was satisfied. As for the entrees, I had the herb encrusted swordfish with heirloom tomatoes and potatoes. This was my biggest disappointment by far. Only a few heirloom tomatoes with the swordfish being overpowered by a mediocre sauce that tasted overly of canned tomato paste. Other entrees were raved about including the filet medallions with mashed potatoes and short ribs. Coconut shrimp was also enjoyed by other party members. Finally onto dessert, a nice selection of gelato and sorbet (only dessert not made on site). Lemon curd with blueberries was good. Another party member felt that the blueberry crumble was mostly cooked blueberries and less crumble then expected. Orange creme brûlée was enjoyed. Service was attentive throughout the dinner and others commented on friendliness of staff members. The entire experience was enjoyable, although I would not recommend the swordfish. I would go back if in the area at a future date. read more

Superb food, beautiful restaurant, and incredibly helpful staff. Simply one of the best dining experiences in the Upper Valley - can't recommend them enough. read more

This place is a peach. I decided to go more than once before a review. I dine all over the country and don't give a good review because a place is great for the community it is located in. With that said, I love this place. The menu changes with what is fresh and available. Food is sourced locally when available. If fish is not local, it is sourced from sustainable sources. Special requests are not a problem. Freshness is the mates here. Duck was incredible, fish stew was great and the short ribs were delicious and massive. The chef is a gem. I don't see how anyone cold be disappointed without a chip on your shoulder. Peyton place used to be my go to place if I wanted to be good to my family and friends but it has been solidly displaced by ariannas . read more

My wife and I dined here with my parents recently and it was fantastic. Very quiet setting. Very polite service. Hot and tasty food brought to our table in a timely manner. A bit pricey for my liking but other than that it's spectacular. read more

We were invited with friends to the "pre opening" night and the food was incredible. WE all tried something different and we were all pleased with our meal. I had the scallops with risotto and it was delicious! Worth the scenic drive! read more

This place is over the moon good. The service is attentive but not overly, the ambiance is pleasant, clean, cozy and rustic with a handful of tables. The food is unbelievably fresh and local and prepared to perfection. Chef Martin exhibits a rare talent to meld flavors, balance and pair foods with fantastic wine offerings without all the fluff and over indulgence in presentation. The food is presented beautifully simple, clean and artistically pleasing. More importantly it tastes amazing and the bonus is that it's very reasonably priced. It's so nice to finally have such a gem in the Upper Valley. An absolute must, especially for those seeking something off the beaten track. A wonderful dining experience. read more

My family and I have had the opportunity to eat in many wonderful restaurants in very wonderful places both here and abroad, including Chef Tom's- The French Laundry. While the Fr. L was a awesome experience , we would not go back simply because its one of those hyped up things you have to experience once. In our opinion, the French Laundry has nothing on ARIANA'S Restaurant. ---We know ---big statement but accurate! We put Chef Martin on a level with Chef Tom ( creativity, use of local ingredients, etc) and if we throw in bedside (Table) manner and $$, Chef Martin and ARIANA''S surpasses Chef Tom and the Fr. L !! Growing up in a typical Italian household and neighborhood, I have become spoiled with the absolute best bolognese sauce. I refused to order in a restaurant . If it wasn't 's my mother's, wife's or daughter's , I wouldn't even try it. Well, i just added a 4th to my list --Chef Martin's !!!! Everything is fresh and prepared with love and passion !! --Just like at home !!! You cannot visit New England and not go to Ariana's !! Rich & Gail Scalesse Orford, NH read more

The were good things about this restaurant and bad things. I had shrimp curry that was delicious. However, my house salad appetizer was gritty. My husband had the Shellfish Stew. He said it was quite good though pricey. His appetizer was the Spinach Salad which was much better than mine because it wasn't gritty. For dessert we split the Trio of Creme Brulee: the chocolate expresso was surprisingly flat tasting. The ginger and the grapefruit were much better! The restaurant could use some sprucing up. It seems a little run down and there is not much ambiance.It's like being in someone's old house. I would give it another try if they cleaned it up a bit. read more

I have been there for dinner and brunch now and they were both the best meals I've had in the Upper Valley.

This is my favorite restaurant. I lived in the NYC area for many years and have dined in many many eateries, plenty of them more expensive than this place. But dollar for dollar this is in my opinion the best. Start with the homey unpretentious decor in this converted farm house. Add the personable and friendly wait staff. Then consider the limited but interesting menu ( I don't trust small restaurants with huge selections) Fresh quality local ingredients prepared with the care and skill usually found in much pricier places and you have a terrific restaurant. I come here regularly and when I have guests in town, especially from the city, Boston or NYC, I make sure to bring them here to show off our local gem. I have never brought a guest here who had anything but rave reviews and I hang out with a lot of "foodies". read more

Ariana's was already our favorite restaurant in the Upper Valley and the natural choice for my wife's 50th Birthday celebration. I had arranged the dinner for the weekend and then moved to the actual birthday which fell on a Tuesday. When confirming with the restaurant Martin (Chef/Owner) said that Ariana's was closed on Tuesday's but would honor the request and open just for us. We arrived and there was a table setup for our party of seven and we were throughly pampered by the amazing staff and enjoyed the most amazing food and wine. Martin and the team made my wife's 50th Birthday incredible, I am not sure of any other restaurant who would have followed through on a commitment like that and opened up just for our party of seven. Thank you Martin and team, you are incredible. read more

The duck confit was delicious and the ambiance was fun. Unfortunately, my wife went with the house dish (Ariana's chicken) which left something to be desired. She requested the three stars, but I leaned towards four. read more

This is our go-to special event place. Yes, it's out of the way and you pay for what you get, and in this case we think it's well worth it. We always leave relaxed and happy. Consistently excellent food and both the chef and the service are friendly & personable. (Hint: arrive in the daytime if you like lovely rural drives.) We have not been there since the farm was purchased and they opened the new dining areas. read more

Don't be fooled by the bad ratings. This Chef is one of the best Chefs , even better than Gordan Ramsey as per another review. He uses only local ingredients and no GMO foods. His concept of using local ingredients makes him one of the best Chefs I have ever encountered. So please try his farm to table restaurant and enjoy true hospitality and quality food. He will greet you at your table and he is genuine. Excellent food Martin, keep up the great food you produce. read more

Make a reservation! We showed up Saturday night without a reservation. Ariana's found an extra table for us though, so it all worked out! The best food I've had since arriving in New Hampshire, up till then. Pricing was also pretty decent - two appetizers, two main dishes, and two desserts, all for less than $100! That was pretty surprising. The restaurant's small, but very quaint/cozy. Would definitely eat here again! read more

Excellent menu. Great choices and a wide variety of appetizers, salads, small plates and large plates. Fabulous drink menu. Ordered two apps; scallops with polenta and dumplings were great. Filet with leek and mushroom tart stood out. Duck confit delicious. Wish it was closer; definitely worth the drive. read more

Ariana's is only doing take out and has made a take out only menu to reflect that. Their prices are still $25-$33 an entree but their items leave much to be desired. I'm sure that some items would be okay in restaurant but they need to tweak their menu to reflect what would taste good as take out. Steamed pork dumplings to go do not taste good after 10 minutes let alone the 25 minute drive back to my house. They were shriveled, cold, and hard. Reheating was not an option. The short rib had more of a gravy and pot roast taste than a wine reduction and the root vegetables it came with had green and yellow peppers in it which seemed odd to me. It also came with two pieces of shriveled broccoli rabe with no flavor. The other entree was rib eye but it appeared they sent us home with filet mignon on mistake. The filet was delicious and cooked well. The side potatoes and shriveled broccoli rabe was also nothing memorable. The scallop side was good. But also didn't travel well. Scallops are not a good to go item as they cool off quite fast. The sauce that came with them were delicious but the scallops themselves were cold. The mussels were still warm. The sauce was a little bland for me but my husband liked it well enough. They food was okay. Not done dining and not at that price for take out. Tweak your menu so the takeout food tastes good reheated or in 20-30 minutes. Some items are just good in house. read more

Office staff went to dinner here last night. The food was excellent and the service was very good! I would recommend it to anyone! Parking was close and easy. The temperature on a cold winter day was just right inside. The portions fit as well. A nice wine list and local beer selection. Give this place a try and you should be happy you did! read more

This is a wonderful gem of a place. I come regularly and the food is always delicious. Chef Martin always takes the time to come out and thank his patrons which is a wonderful touch. I think this has the best food during the summer as it sources all local ingredients from local farms, but it is always scrumptious during the winter months as well. If you enjoy French onion soup, his is to die for. I would recommend this place to anyone local or visiting and for all occasions. read more

I have been to Ariana's several times and it is always wonderful. Both the food and the service make this ( in my opinion) the best restaurant in the Upper Valley!! read more

This is my favorite restaurant in the Upper Valley. The menu was so carefully thought out that I didn't even want to make any adjustments. The pork & shrimp scampi were great, but the desserts had to be the best part. I took down the entire cheesecake and gingerbread upside-down cake and didn't regret one bite. read more

Locals from Vershire, VT brought us to the wonderful restaurant with an open kitchen where the magic happens. It was an amazing experience... The duck Confit, Penne Bolognese, Braised Boneless Short Rib and the Lamb Stew were made to perfection. We are New Yorkers and this place ranks way up there with the best of them - if not better!!!... Local vegetables and meats made the meal..... Thank you Chef Martin... You made our trip to Vermont and unforgettable experience read more

Wonderful, farm-fresh food prepared by a master chef and staff in a welcoming atmosphere. We love eating at the "Chef's Counter" - a bar overlooking the kitchen where we can watch our meals taking shape and catch up with Chef Martin. Our favorites include the warm spinach salad, pork dumplings, mussels... today's entree, the duck confit, was excellent. Very highly recommended. read more

We are Upper Valley locals and were so excited to try out Ariana's for the first time last night. Though we had a reservation, we were made to wait for more than fifteen minutes for the hostess/waitress to seat us. While waiting for our table, we were taking a look at the specials sheet, when the hostess/waitress--without saying a word--grabbed the sheet out of my partner's hands!! Very strange. Another waitress came over right next to us to get something and didn't even say hello or look at us. Then, as we sat down, since our table had not been ready at our reservation time, I politely asked her if we could order our bottle of wine. She remarked that "your waitress generally does that" in a snide tone. Very unprofessional!! When she came back with our bottle of wine, she hacked away at the wine seal, pulling it off in many small pieces and then left the pieces on the table! The red wine was chilled (as cold as any white wine would be when served at a restaurant), which was a huge disappointment. Our actual waitress took almost ten minutes to come greet us and take our order. She proceeded to provide very average service throughout the meal. At the end of the meal, when my partner and I were preparing our payment (which was very obvious by the fact that we were talking and looking over the bill etc), our waitress came over to collect our payment preemptively. So rude! The ambiance of Ariana's was one of the major disappointments of the evening. The lighting is overhead and very bright for dinner service! The photo on the website does not match the reality of the restaurant. Though the space is beautiful, one would hope that a restaurant like this would at least dim the lights and put candles on the tables to make it cozy and dinner-appropriate. The only good thing about our experience was the great food! Chef Martin is very talented and he was nice enough to come check in with us during our meal. He also came out to ask me about a minor substitution I requested when I made my order, which was a very nice, personal touch. All in all, we loved the food but the poor ambiance and low quality of service and professionalism has turned us off from returning to Ariana's. read more