Food

Simple, wholesome foods are the kitchen’s focus at Puritan Back Room (245 Hooksett Rd., 603/669-6890, www.puritanbackroom.com [1], 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sun.–Thu.; open until midnight Fri.–Sat., $6–23), a family-friendly spot that caters to groups and makes most of its menu items from scratch.

In a modest-but-soothing bistro setting, Richard’s Bistro (36 Lowell St., 603/644-1180, www.richardsbistro.com [2], lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun., $15–23) offers diners excellent pastas, soups, and mouthwatering fresh-baked breads.

And lovers of diner culture find bliss in the booths of Red Arrow Diner (61 Lowell Ave., 603/626-1118, www.redarrowdiner.com [3], open 24 hours, $6–11), a local institution serving hot burgers, fries, club sandwiches, and thick slices of apple pie to patrons all night long.

Part of a small New Hampshire [4] chain, Fratello’s Ristorante (155 Dow St., 603/624-2022, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., $9–23) serves generous portions of Italian stalwarts like angel-hair fra diavolo, chicken and eggplant parmesan, and chicken carbonara. The often-loud dining room fills up with families and big groups of regulars for the hearty fare.