5 stars on the Goffstown curved scale. 3 stars in the real world. I spent a few days up here and it appeared that Putnam's is THE restaurant in G-Town. It felt kind of like a rural family restaurant I may have eaten at as a kid in VA. Very friendly service, with a down home atmosphere. Except in New Hampshire this type of place has lobster rolls. I was trying to go authentic the whole time and this place had a very New England centric menu so I convinced the GF to go here instead of Vikster's Pizza. Note, this is the only time in my entire life I have ever argued against pizza. And it won't happen again. The pizza cravings continued for days and ended with a grumpy day meandering the North End of Boston for the perfect 'za. We never found it. End of tangent... The food here was pretty good if not a little simple. I had the fried haddock sandwich with fries. Pretty good three star food. The haddock was fresh and the portions were huge. I had a beer, my GF tried ordering one but they wanted her ID. Unfortunately TSA lost her ID at the rape/pat down/underwear vision station in Baltimore. Decent amount of beer and wine here if you're of age and not pillaged by the TSA. I was full of food and beer, ready for the frigid .5 mile New Hampshire winter walk that awaited after our meal. Good if you want a no-frills sit down meal in Goffstown, if you want more then make the drive to Manchester. read more

See all

Have only been to Putnams once before and gave that visit a 5 star rating Went for lunch today and was totally disappointed. 45 minutes to get food at a restaurant that was not busy is ridiculous.I think my waitress was knew because it took 15 minutes just to get a drink order Had planned to have dessert but after a 45 minute wait-- it was not I the cards this time read more

We went here during COVID and ate outside. The outside dining is right of the street and your view is the street.. not the water. The entrance/exit for the parking lot is a little tight with the utility pole in the way, there weren't any parking spaces in the back. Lunch and breakfast are served all day so that was nice, we got burgers and a sandwich at 4 PM, not really lunch time and not dinner time yet. The dinner entree prices aren't bad but they really weren't what i wanted to pay for lunch. The soup special was split pea and ham it was really good and much needed. The beer options on tap were a little lame but luckily they had one that i could stand.. I really dont understand having things like bud and bud light on tap personal. They seems to be really strong with apps and sandwiches, most of their specials are seafood dishes. Getting a seat for outside was a little weird, we went through the area outside into the inside, waited at the front and then went back to the front... read more

Go for the ONION-Oniony Onion Rings HOT! CRISPY! Golden brown...Yummo! x 3. Super good. Great wait staff, as well. read more

My wife & I drove up from Grafton, MA to take my sister, who lives in Goffstown, out for dinner. Usually we go to The Backroom, which is a very good restaurant. I wanted to try someplace different and found Putnams online with very good reviews. After having one of the best meals I have had in a ling time, Buffalo Chicken Raviolis, and getting the most friendliest and attentive service (our server's name was Patty) Putnam's has now become my most favorite NH restaurant. I can hardly wait to go back to try their steak tips, which my sister said were the best she has ever had. read more

I came with my son, and my friend and her son early for lunch on Saturday. Putnams reminds me of what the Puritan Backroom could be if it stayed a small, family-owned establishment. The decor inside is casual. The menu has a very decent selection and the kids menu has a lot of great options. I dont find the menu to be as overpriced as the Backroom for comparable food options. This is not fine dining, but it is good food in a relaxed atmosphere. Our waitress was very friendly and service was great. We had active toddlers and they were extremely accommodating. We both had the chicken tortilla soup special, which was delicious. It came with some nachos and was spot on for flavor and texture. I got the house salad with grilled chicken. Their salads are very large and fresh. It also wasn't all just iceberg lettuce which is good. My friend got a side Greek salad that looked like what would be considered a normal salad portion. My son got the chicken tenders, homemade fresh with breast of chicken, not from frozen. All in all, we were satisfied with lunch and would certainly return! read more

We arrived this restaurant with a large group of people on a busy Saturday afternoon. Plenty of parking for us, since we were all on motorcycle. There were two other coupes in the restaurant when we arrived so they put is on the big side, which has a water view. The staff were immediately attentive and quick to take orders and serve. The food was plentiful for all that I saw. Would certainly consider coming back again. read more

Stopped in here on Sunday evening after flying in for vacation on the coast and ate inside during Covid and tables were well spaced. They were busy but we were quickly seated. Onion rings as an appetizer for 6 of us were huge but should have skipped because the entrees were large as well. Two Mac n cheese dishes were great, one regular and one buffalo. Parking was no issue and it's a great little spot. read more

Putnam's Waterview Restaurant - Onion rings - American Near Me - Goffstown, New Hampshire

Why have an outdoor eating area you can enter from the street, but not allow dogs? I've been here before over the past year with my dog, but apparently there's a new no dog rule. Such a bummer... The food is okay, not many options if you're a vegetarian. But it's in a nice location so that's why I've been before. I will not be going back. read more

Great family restaurant. Locally owned and operated. Staff is always accommodating to the patrons needs. Food is excellent, try the onion rings they are the best. read more

Good family dining for local Goffstown NH area. Clean restaurant and friendly staff. New addition on building gives adequate seating area. Good fried, baked, or broiled food including sea food which is quite good. Nice place to meet friends or go as a couple. read more

interesting spot at the end of downtown goffstown, it doe have some waterview but apparently we were using the front room the day we visited....beer and wine only....service was very pleasant...food was very good, it is small with 2 dining rooms and a klot of views of goffstown and the river over a parking lot read more

John and Patti Putnam has created such a wonderful restaurant. Their food is delicious and their staff is always offer a warm welcoming and is very friendly. They even have live music during the Summer time. We highly recommend you try their restaurant. read more

Don't waste your time with this place. It is over priced, and the food is mediocre at its best. The wait staff is very unfriendly and not at all eager to please the needs and requests of the customers. Our meat was dry, the rest was flavorless and over all a waste of 20 dollars. read more

Portions were huge and loved the food a lot! Had the mac and cheese and it was delicious

Went to Putnam's after shooting some pregnancy photos for a friend. They wanted to take my girlfriend and I out in appreciation for taking the photos. We had never been, so we figured why not. Ambiance was not lacking. New England is home to me and the restaurant was small town New England through and through. We were seated promptly. It took a bit for a waitress to get to our table. Apparently the hostess didn't let the waitress know she had seated her another table. Stuff happens. We put in our order along with an app or two (it's been a while) and waited. Food was solid for Goffstown. Nothing was wrong with it, but it wasn't anything memorable either. It was just solid family restaurant / diner style food. We haven't been back since, but that's mainly since we live in New Boston and if we are heading over that way, we just keep going to Manchester. read more

Our go-to lunch and dinner spot - this is our most-often visited restaurant. It just does not fail, it's always enjoyable. Seafood is always good here, and I have not found anything I don't like. A guilty pleasure is the onion rings - they are fresh, hot, light, and the portion is huge (easily enough for two). Desserts are good and there's always a good selection of beer and wine as well. The dining room is comfortable, and if the weather is nice, outside is good too, although there can be a lot of traffic going by. read more

Love coming here! Great environment with Friendly staff. Love that they post their specials board on facebook and do very well with keeping it updated. Live in town and usually order from here at least once every other week. Never had s problem and food is always delicious. read more

Small town charm with big town taste. No, it's not a high-class establishment. No, it's not served with swirly sauces and colorful garnish.. It's basic and good. The atmosphere is VERY casual which I find to be welcoming and pleasant. The clam chowder is excellent ( I am a clam chowder lover and self proclaimed judge haha) .. Overall we had a great experience at this comfy, casual , warm and inviting place :] I would recommend it for anyone looking for a quiet meal --- I will note: it's a tad overpriced.. But not enough to deter me! I will return! read more

Putnam's Waterview Restaurant - Fish sandwich $9.99 .. VALUE! - American Near Me - Goffstown, New Hampshire

Putnam's is a great local restaurant with a good atmosphere, great waitstaff, and excellent food. My family goes at least once a month. Their clam chowder is the best around! They have a great selection of food items for a reasonable price and always have great "specials." The desserts are spectacular! Never unhappy with my meal at Putnam's. The owners are active in the Goffstown community as well and do a lot to give back and help our town. read more

This place is a great place to eat. Food is always hot and tasty. Atmosphere is rustic, really comfortable and has cutesy nick knacks that you would find in a small New England town. You can bring the kids, the in-laws or a work colleague. They only serve breakfast and lunch. read more

Very friendly staff. Soup is always very unique and the best around. Never disappointed with food or service.

First ever visit last week. Service was good. Salad was very fresh and delicious. Alfredo sauce was very watery and not very flavorful. Garlic toast was so so. Only ate half my meal, which is VERY unusual. My wife's entry was "just ok". Neither of us took home doggie bags. read more

Great food, large portions and a friendly wait staff. Fried clams are some of the best I have had. Not greasy or tough.

Food is way over priced for what it is. I went here thinking I would only spend about 20 dollars...boy was I wrong the service sucked didn't see a waitress for 30 mins after being seated ( and there were only 2 other tables) I got a steak and cheese sub and my son got a grilled cheese. The steak and cheese was anything but good it was dry and lacked any sense of flavor my son's grilled cheese was 2 pieces of burnt toast and a non melted piece of cheese...spent 35 bucks on poor food...and the waitress was wearing yoga pants with holes in all the wrong places never going back to waste my money again read more

The owner took my to-go order (rude) of an overpriced small lobster roll. Seriously, 45 minute wait!!!!! At least if they were polite or nice it may have been more bearable, but, they weren't. I will never ever return! My advice would be to avoid this place & eat PB&J if you have to. read more

OK, Yeah I'm done. We used eat here a lot because it's close to home and the people are lovely, but lately it's been really poor food. We got a smothered prime rib (our mistake ordering on a Monday when you know the prime rib special is on Friday) and it was completely inedible - like shoe leather. The soup was tasty and the service is always polite and attentive, but I'm finished with the recycled food. read more

Yuck. Once was enough. Seriously, who puts cheddar cheese on garlic bread?! Waitresses wear yoga pants and their hair was not pulled up...Um ewww. Overpriced. Total waste of money, time, calories, and effort. read more

This place is your typical small town restaurant. The servers had little patience (we were definitely difficult). I had a bowl of Chili which tasted great and came with cheesy bread. The servings were generous. The fries are made on site. Everyone seemed to finish off their meals. This is the second time I came, before I had gotten the tenders. We had better service last time but also an easier party. We will definitely come back when we're looking for something local. They have a lot of specials and I'd love to try them. read more

Have only gotten take out from here, prices are really cheap and the food is delicious, portions are not too big, but not too small either

Very cozy atmosphere and super friendly waitstaff. Food was good, but not great. I think I had the lobster roll and my friend had a sandwich. I would return, mainly because of the decor and service. read more

The food was very good. Mozzarella sticks and onion rings very good, not greasy. The marinara sauce was delicious! I imagine it would be good on pasta. I got lobster roll. Very fresh but a tad expensive for the amount. The salad was very fresh!' Service was excellent. The only draw back was the old dusty decor. read more

Cute spot overlooking the river, food good service nice.

I had dinner there, small and cozy, very impressed with the service and the food was great. Prices were reasonable as well. HIghly recommend it. read more

Overpriced, inconsistent portions, Cramped seating, mediocre food, inept over sensitive waitstaff. Basically, a restaurant with no real competition in Goffstown! read more

The Grilled Chicken Sub is one of my longtime favorite lunchtime take-out items in the Manchester/Goffstown area. I highly recommend it. Putnam's itself is a very cute, small-town, New Hampshire restaurant. The servers and staff are always very friendly. read more

The food is delicious. I've been here twice and each time the service is great, the food is tasty (I was nervous about fish and chips but the fish was fresh, tasty, and not over-battered or overcooked), and overall it's a good experience. They gave us a takeout menu which I haven't tried yet but I may soon. read more

Great little spot on the river. Good filling food and clean restrooms. We got the seafood platter and chicken tender fish and chip combo, all very good. read more

The new renovations are great, more room, bright and sunny with all the new windows. The new decor is warm and inviting to go along with the great food. Love the specials, something for everyone. The staff is always attentive and helpful. I can say it's one of our go to restaurants as we know we will always get a good meal. Love the flatbread BBQ chicken, husband loves the chicken parmigiana, best clam chowder in the area. read more

This is a restaurant I visit (probably) waay to often. They seem to have a lot of regulars, which I think is a really good sign. I tend to either eat in or take out and the service is excellent, either way. For take-out, it's normally 10-15 minutes (for Lunch) from placing the order until it's ready to be picked up. The staff is very friendly and the service is great. The menu is pretty standard American fare, but the raw materials and food preparation is excellent! Great fish & chips, excellent BLT (on wheat) and the garden salad is spectacular (although there's a ton of it!). As mentioned in another review, they have a specials menu posted in the restaurant (changes weekly, it seems). I tend to view the quality of a restaurant based on their price/performance. In my book, Putnam's has one of the absolutely best price/performances in the Manchester area! read more