​Six New England Farm-to-Table Restaurants Worth the Trip

New England is a foodie's paradise. And restaurateurs throughout the region pride themselves on providing locally grown and raised ingredients to ensure their food is as fresh and healthy as can be. Not to mention, it helps the local farms to thrive. We've worked hard — salivating over menus and close-up food photography — to put together a six-state tour of must-visit, farm-to-table restaurants in New England. Each of them is known for fresh ingredients and a commitment to excellence, and any one alone would be enough to justify a trip. So read on and find something to tempt yourself on your next New England vacation, just try not to drool on your keyboard.

                                                Indulge With These Culinary Offers

Maine A huge menu, a cozy atmosphere, and a fantastic chef make Cafe Miranda in Rockland one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in New England. This bistro-like restaurant has won numerous awards and accolades, including Harvest on the Harbor's award for Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant, and the 2012 award for Maine Lobster Chef of the Year from the Portland Press Herald. Cafe Miranda is also known for its generous portion sizes, so don't be surprised when you have to roll away from your table. As luck would have it, the Berry Manor Inn is just a 12-minute walk.

New Hampshire

One of the original farm-to-table restaurants in New Hampshire, Cotton Restaurant has earned rave reviews from a number of sources. Bon Appétit called it “one of the 10 best neighborhood restaurants in the Northeast,” and New Hampshire Magazine awarded Cotton with “Best Chef, Best Restaurant, and Best Martinis.” Cotton gets its ingredients from local farms in the Manchester area, using them to create inspired seasonal dishes and local favorites. Definitely worth a look.

Vermont

The only restaurant on our list actually recommended by a state governor, Roots the Restaurant has made it their mission to provide local, sustainable food to the people of (and visitors to) Rutland. The restaurant has undertaken a huge number of green initiatives and partners with farms around the region to bring the freshest, tastiest ingredients right to your table. Keep an eye out for the Governor and if you spot him across the dining room, be sure to thank him for the recommendation. Warn out and satisfied, you can sleep off your dinner at the Red Clover Inn, only a few miles away.

Connecticut

When you look at the Yelp page for The Schoolhouse at Cannondale, the first review starts, “Anything less than a stellar review is pure silliness.” We inclined to agree with that assessment — The Schoolhouse is nothing, if not stellar. Chef Tim LeBant, a native of Wilton, uses local ingredients and tasteful imagination to create food you can scarcely believe. Featured on Martha Stewart, and recipient of rave reviews by Zagat... really, what more could you ask for?                 Massachusetts

Though it's the most expensive restaurant on our list, L'Espalier returns on its financial demands with some of the best food not just in New England, but the whole country. Combining farm-to-table sensibility with traditional French elegance, L'Espalier chef Frank McClelland delivers nothing short of the best. By operating his own farm — Apple Street Farm in Essex, MA — he ensures quality control and brings some of the most fantastic food available anywhere in New England. If you truly want to treat yourself, or impress your date, dinner at L'Espalier is a no-brainer. Just make sure to save enough for a room at the Boston Harbor Hotel and complete your night of luxury.

Rhode Island

Rounding out our tour of great New England farm-to-table restaurants is Nicks on Broadway, a true gem of the Providence food scene. Serving contemporary American dishes using locally-sourced ingredients, Nicks has made a name for itself in the Providence foodie scene with its fantastic meat and vegetable dishes. Of particular note is the tasting menu, designed personally for each table by the chef. This is one restaurant you won't want to pass by. Looking for more restaurants and other attractions, New England inns and resorts are your best resource for dining and touring like a local. Photos courtesy of L'Espalier restaurant.