Here are seven restaurants around Central Mass. that will spice up dinner plans this fall
There is no need to travel all the way to the metro Boston area to get a high-quality dinner; there are dozens of notable restaurants in and around Central Massachusetts worth checking out.
Greater Gardner residents can get a unique dining experience right in surrounding communities between 30 to 45 minutes away from Gardner. The Central Mass. region is known for its many small farms that grow fresh produce and have partnerships with several restaurants in the area. Most of the restaurants on the list below are farm-to-table restaurants.
Here are seven restaurants that can spice up dinner plans with friends, family or for a special occasion.
East of Gardner
Looking for a new place to fine dine during a special occasion or a date night? Then Forge & Vine in Groton is worth the 36-minute drive from Gardner. Restaurant dinner hours are Monday to Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Forge & Vine is inspired by the history and natural environment of Groton and surrounding communities. In the center of the restaurant, a trademark 8-foot wood-fired grill is displayed. The kitchen is an open-floor style so customers can interact with the chefs while eating dinner. There is also a bar, a deck and patio equipped for outdoor dining, and dining rooms for private parties.
South of Gardner
Family-owned and operated restaurant Black & White Grille in Spencer is a place for casual fine dining. The restaurant menu is filled with well thought-out pub-themed dishes from hamburgers to marinated steak tips. The bar is filled with seasonal flavors like pumpkin-crafted beers on tap. The family-owned restaurant is at 206 North Spencer Road, which is a 44-minute drive from Gardner.
Restaurants hours are Monday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Looking for a cozy and casual restaurant that offers food made with high-quality ingredients? Try The Barn, located at 174 Worcester Road in Princeton, a 23-minute drive. The menu is inspired by seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers.
The Barn is a first-come, first-served, walk-ins only restaurant. No reservations can be made. The restaurant is open Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 4 to 9 p.m.
Just a drive down Route 2
A favorite of Greater Gardner residents is Brady's in the heart of downtown Leominster. Bill Brady is an award-winning chef and culinary expert, and has over 20 years of experience in the industry. While Brady is in the kitchen with his team of chefs, his wife Kim Brady is managing the hosting staff in the front of the house.
Currently, reservations are mandatory for any party size to get a table at Brady's. Reservations can be made online or call 978-537-7111. The restaurant is only a 22-minute drive from Gardner.
West of Gardner
Hope & Olive in Greenfield is a small restaurant with a menu filled with unique flavors and hand-crafted dishes. The dessert and brunch menu changes weekly. The restaurant, located at 44 Hope St., is a 47-minute drive from Gardner.
The small restaurant has limited hours for brunch, lunch and dinner. Between Wednesday to Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m., the restaurant serves dinner. Lunch is served on Thursday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Brunch is served only on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Places in NH
Open six days a week, Lucca's Mediterranean Café in Keene, New Hampshire, is a cozy and welcoming restaurant that offers high-quality Mediterranean dishes. The café is open for lunch and dinner, serving dishes inspired by American and Mediterranean cuisine, such as a Lamb Gyro sandwich for lunch.
Lucca's Café is open Monday to Saturday between 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 8 p.m. for dinner.
Want to dine along a gorgeous riverside? The Waterhouse in Peterborough, New Hampshire, is 40 minutes away from Gardner and features outdoor seating in the garden patio that faces the Nubanusit River, as well as indoor dining.
The Waterhouse handcrafts all menu items with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients to create unique flavor combinations for all tastes. The aim is to give a premier culinary experience for casual fine dining to every customer. The restaurant is open every Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Restaurants less than an hour from Gardner: Brady's, Waterhouse
