Restaurants in Haverhill

Ball Square Café prides itself on a casual hang-outable atmosphere, accented by a staff that's warm and friendly without asking a lot of intrusive questions about your apartment layout. And though the café's servers are no longer shirtless and its bus staff no longer sleeping dogs, their hospitality will take care of all the details so that you're free to lounge and people watch as you like. Ball Square is best known for its bountiful breakfast menu of omelets, Belgian waffles, pancakes, breakfast plates, and beyond—all of which are available at any time of day. Gird yourself for the day's or night's adventures with delightful diurnal delicacies such as the Tunisian omelet ($8.95), stuffed with green olives, scallions, tomatoes, and feta, or the toothsome tower of caramelized-apple and cinnamon Belgian waffles ($8.50). And if you're drawing undue attention because you accidentally wore the same outfit as Lady Gaga that day, a macchiato ($3.25) will disguise you with a cream mustache so that you can finish your mango-banana pancakes ($7.95) in peace.

Like Mr. Rogers dressed in a banana-yellow zoot suit, American Craft's menu gives comfy American fare a tasty artisanal twist. Each of its appetizers ($8–$11) conceals a variety of inspired tastes, from the butternut-squash risotto to the pulled-duck hash with root veggies. Fresh salads and a trifecta of soups (du jour, oven-roasted tomato, and onion) will appease dainty diners, though they also go really well with a build-your-own burger of beef, turkey, or veggie served on a hi-rise challah roll with hand-cut fries or mixed greens. Once all the palate's previews have played, it's time for the main movie: American Craft's heartier plates include a grilled flat-iron steak au poivre with grilled asparagus and gorgonzola mashed potatoes, a veggie-friendly grilled tofu steak with broccoli rabe, and stout-braised short ribs with whipped potatoes. Entrees range between $14 and $24, and sandwiches are $9 to $12.

The brainchild of gastromind chef Gregg Brackman, G Bar and Kitchen's dishes marry creative recipes with quality ingredients. Start with the beet salad, a blend of golden beets, goat cheese, and watercress bathed in lemon-olive oil emulsion ($9). Noodle-centric dishes, including classic gnocchi with tomato-romano pomodoro ($17), satiate comfort-food seekers. For a main course, try the crispy-skinned chicken with mashed russets and tequila-lime buerre blanc ($24) or the eggplant with pomodoro and parmesan ($22). Side selections include the parmesan au gratin potatoes ($6) and creamed shallots and spinach ($5). View the complete menu here.

High-backed booths, flickering candles, and minimalist red and black accents lend a sleek style to Osushi's intimate setting tucked inside the Westin Hotel. Chefs slice fresh fish to rest atop or inside sushi rice waiting to be plucked up by chopsticks. Their specialty makimono rolls draw from world cuisines with spicy aioli to add a dash of heat or prosciutto to lend an aria from the chef's favorite opera. Diners wash down bites of sashimi or tempura with selections from an extensive sake list, which includes specialty drinks made with seasonal fruit.

Rock Sugar's dinner menu combines creative and healthy Thai dishes made fresh to order before patrons' peepers, from pineapple fried rice to papaya curry. Prior to diving into a main dish, you and your date can stretch jaw muscles with one appetizer each, with options ranging from crispy vegetarian spring rolls (a $5.95 value for four) to a platter of seven spicy wings (a $6.95 value). Both members of your twosome may select one of Rock Sugar's creative takes on noodle dishes (an $8.95 value) or fried-rice dishes (an $8.95 value). Intriguing rice dishes include the crab-meat fried rice and the pik pow fried rice, and noodles curry introduces diners to yellow egg noodles simmering in a mild curry sauce.

Family owned and operated since 1969, Johnny D's has hosted some of the music industry's biggest names in its intimate, 300-person venue, with past performers such as the Dixie Chicks, Levon Helm, Widespread Panic, and Wilco gracing the stage. Upcoming performers include Fab Four tribute band Beatlejuice on July 17, and a Real School of Music student showcase on July 1, featuring keyboardist Greg Hawkes of The Cars performing a set of the band's classic tunes. Each concert has a cash cover charge at the door, and advanced tickets are available for some shows. With this deal's door-fee card, you'll get access to $50 worth of Johnny D's shows, allowing you to draw inspiration from seasoned musicians for your long-in-the-works Wade Boggs rock opera.