We are happy to present the winners of the 2019 Merrimack Valley Magazine Awards. This spring, the top picks in all categories were chosen by our readers via our online voting platform. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and congratulations to all the winners.

American
Burtons Grill & Bar
Burton’s Grill is the place to go for cuisine from the traditional to the innovative. Perfect for power lunches, after-work socializing and fine wine, Burton’s offers paleo, vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as classic American cuisine. Takeout is always available and several locations feature seasonal outdoor patios.
North Andover, Peabody, Burlington, Westford and Hingham, Mass.; Nashua, N.H.
BurtonsGrill.com

Asian
Fusion House Restaurant
The emphasis in on fusion at this cozy Methuen eatery. The scope of the dishes is wide: the many choices include sushi, pad thai, and Polynesian-style Chinese favorites. Wash it all down with one of their classic cocktails.
301 Merrimack St.  |  Methuen, Mass.
FusionHouseRestaurant.com

Pastry Shops/Bakery
Purple Carrot Bread Company
In April 2018, Purple Carrot Bread Co. opened its doors as a cafe and eatery on Merrimack Street in downtown Lowell. Every item on the menu is made from scratch, from hearty stews to salad dressings and condiments. Rustic breads are the heart of Purple Carrot’s menu: Country Blonde, Kalamata olive, rosemary and garlic ciabatta are among the more popular offerings.
107 Merrimack St.  |  Lowell, Mass.
PurpleCarrotBreadCo.com

Coffee Shops & Cafes
Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus
With free WiFi, compostable cups, outdoor seating and custom-roasted beans, what more could you ask for in a local coffee shop? Find all this and more at Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus. Offering Equal Exchange fair trade coffees and three in-house roasts, Brew’d Awakening is a great place to do some work, chat with friends or just sit and sip.
61 Market St.  |  Lowell, Mass.
BrewdAwakening.com 

Italian
Tuscan Kitchen
Inspired by owner Joe Faro’s travels throughout Italy, Tuscan Kitchen’s authentic Italian cuisine makes you feel as though you’ve stepped right into the boot. Tuck into a Fichi pizza with figs, rosemary, burrata and prosciutto, or go for the traditional rigatoni alla Bolognese. Want something lighter? They also offer delicious salads and meat dishes.
Burlington, Mass.; Salem, N.H.
TuscanBrands.com/Kitchen

Irish Pub
The Irish Cottage
The Irish Cottage bills itself as Methuen’s first authentic Irish restaurant and pub and features great food, drinks and music, all served up with a heaping of traditional Irish atmosphere. Enjoy watching sporting events on their numerous TVS while you chow down on classics such as corned beef and cabbage, cottage pie and Guinness beef stew. Every Saturday night at 7 p.m., The Irish Cottage features live Irish music.
17 Branch St.  |  Methuen, Mass.
TheIrishCottagePub.com

Mexican
Cafe Azteca
Ready for some authentic Mexican food? Look no further than Cafe Azteca. The restaurant’s owners, the Guerrero family, draw inspiration from their annual trips to visit family in Mexico, bringing back new recipes and colorful Mexican decor. Enjoy their delicious selection of margaritas while awaiting your tamales and tostadas.
180 Common St.  |  Lawrence, Mass.
Cafe-Azteca.com

Middle Eastern
Jocelyn’s Mediterranean Restaurant & Lounge
The lamb, kafta and kibbee dishes make this Salem eatery a carnivore’s paradise. Fear not, herbivores — the vegetarian combo appetizer plate is so packed with freshness and flavor that you’ll forget it’s healthy. Jocelyn’s offers Lebanese and American food, a full-service bar and even a martini lounge.
355 South Broadway  |  Salem, N.H.
JocelynsRestaurant.com

Pizza
Tripoli Bakery
It all started with Italian breads and pastries. Luckily for us, in 1944 the Zappala family started making pizza, and one of the best pizzerias around was born. Now you can enjoy beach pizza and pick up some traditional Italian cookies and cannoli for later. Tripoli also offers specialty cakes and their signature fresh breads.
Lawrence, North Andover, Methuen, Salisbury, Mass.; Seabrook, N.H.
TripoliBakery.com

 

 

 

Stop by next week for the winners in the second half of our ‘Wine & Dine’ category.

The 2019 MVMAs are sponsored by: