This is my husband, and I first day in Portsmouth, after moving here. This was probably the best option to get a taste of Portsmouth. John was our waiter and he was phenomenal. His communication was on point, he knew about everything on the menu, and all of his recommendations we took into consideration, tried the food, and absolutely loved every single dish that you see attached to my photos. The best thing definitely was the lemon tres leches with raspberry drizzle!! Our waiter, he recommended this, and it was to die for, he also recommended the tiki cart, and my husband loved his alcoholic beverage. The bathrooms are clean, this place had tons of people in it, I love the set up, I love the decorations, there's even outdoor seating as well. We will definitely be back to try different items on the menu anyone new to Portsmouth, or haven't tried this restaurant yet, you are missing out, go check it out now!
Brandi H.
I am writing to bring to attention to a concerning misconception regarding the uniform policy for military personnel at Gosport Tavern. It has come to my attention that some members of the military have been led to believe that they must be in uniform in order to receive service at the restaurant, despite this not being a requirement. The restaurant's menu states, We offer a 10% discount to uniformed military and emergency service members. However, it is important to clarify that military personnel are not required to be in uniform to avail themselves of this discount. Military uniform are not liberty uniforms. This misconception has caused confusion and inconvenience for military members who may not always be in uniform while off duty. It is crucial that the restaurant clarifies its policy to ensure that all eligible individuals, regardless of their attire, can benefit from the discount offered. I urge the General Manager Aaron Brickner to investigate this matter and work with the restaurant to ensure that their policies are clearly communicated and aligned with fair and inclusive practices for all military personnel. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Patti S.
Food is amazing; recommend the chicken fried meatloaf! It's served with garlic mash potatoes and garlic green beans...delicious
Kayden G.
I went to the Tavern last night and the food,service,and ambiance was amazing! My waiter was Daniell he was a amazing,funny,and very professional waiter. It did not take to long I recommend the truffle fries with wings they are very good. Our overall experience was amazing I definitely recommend and if Daniel is not busy I recommend you ask for him!
Heather M.
Our experience was very pleasant. We really enjoyed our food, our waiter, and the ambiance. Our waiters name was Daniel, he was very nice, polite, and prompt. The food was great, I recommend getting the truffle fries. Every employee was very professional. Overall we had a great experience. Next time you go to Portsmouth, Virginia, go to Gosport Tavern.
Sonya D.
Horrible service. The lady bartender is very rude and she clearly hates her job. Depending who sits at that bar, she hates you too.
Kaitlin A.
I loved the interior, was nicely lit and very cozy. Our bartender for the night was nice and quite polite. He was answering our questions and was a knowledgable mixologist. Our cocktails were wonderful. I liked the cherry sprite cocktail the best. We only ordered the fried green tomatoes, but the menu sounded so good, we'll definitely be back! Only thing I can critique is that I wish the tomatoes were a little more tender, but other than that everything was great! All the cocktails we ordered didn't taste like liqueur and that is something I look forward to and love most about a place. I definitely recommend trying them out!
Yoonie L.
Gosport Tavern is located on High Street in Portsmouth. As you walk up, look up and take in the history of this building. It was constructed in 1912, first as a dry goods store and was named after Gosport Shipyard that was built just down the road in 1767 (now known as present day Norfolk Naval Shipyard). For 100+ years, the building has gone from department store, auto parts store, a furniture store and Gosport Tavern as we know it now. - Parking - Street parking. It wasn't hard for me to find parking at all during my visit. - Vibe - The building has the old charm and it still bears the ads in the past at the top of the building "Radios Refrigerators Washers". There is a small patio to enjoy your meal on a warmer day with a nice amount of sunshine shining down. Insided, you will find the typical decor of a tavern, although a bit aged, it has been kept well. They have a nice bar as a centerpiece to the tavern, as well as nautical pictures on the wall. I came by during lunch hour during a weekday and fortunately, it wasn't busy yet. We were immediately greeted and offered a drink and a menu. I think it was our waitress' first few days on the job, because when I asked about the history about the building, she wasn't quite sure. - Noms - Tavern mac & cheese with fried chicken add-on - The mac & cheese is made with corkscrew pasta and was nice and creamy. We opted to add on the fried chicken as I had read in the reviews that their fried chicken was good. The add-on however is the boneless kind, so it's a nice piece of meat. I would have preferred the chicken bone-in since that's what I think of when I see the word "fried chicken". This was more of a wide chicken tender. It was great. Steak frite - the steak was cooked to my preference and came sliced already. It was served with a nice pile of thinly cut fries, topped with parmesan cheese. I'm not really a fry person, but theirs was tasty and I think the aioli that it came with helped! The only thing I didn't care for is their chimichurri topping on the steak. Traditionally, I like my chimichurri fresh, but their seemed to have been cooked down, so not only did it lose its freshness, the color of the herb was an army green and not very pleasant to the eye. They definitely don't skimp on the portions. Both dishes came on large plates and they were fully loaded with generous portions of food. Gosport Tavern was slowly starting to fill up with what seemed like regulars, as we were leaving. Never stop exploring and enjoy, Friends!
Stephen King
They don't make them like this anymore - literally. The building housing this small tavern in tiny Gosport was built in 1835. It's definitely not fancy, and much of the decor looks original. It does feature a very nice old wooden bar. The bar food was simple but very well prepared.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
C B.
Great local spot. We docked our boat at the marina and this local spot was recommended. We were there on burger night. You had lots of burger options (toppings, cheese types, etc) and a variety of sides. We all ordered burgers and they hit the spot. My house Cosmo was so yummy, I had two!!! The service was excellent. Our waiter was attentive, engaging, and just nice.
I want so badly to give this establishment a four-five star review. And unfortunately, after our last couple of visits, I'd probably be most honest by giving it a 2. We love supporting Portsmouth restaurants and for quite a while, this was one of our fave go-tos. It seems to be going down hill, and that bums me out! Our last visit was completely disappointing. We brought some friends that had never been and prior to our arrival we were raving about the food. However, the staff was much more focused on their conversations at the bar, and enjoying their own beers than tending to the very few customers in their practically empty dining room. Our server seemed to be annoyed with having to take our order and bring it to our table; our drinks sat on the bar for 7 minutes; we literally only had one round of drinks because she never came back to ask us if we'd like something else; our food came out one dish at a time (to the point that each of us was practically done before the other would receive their dish. I'm hopeful things can turn around for the better...I would hate to lose this High Street staple!!
Jeremiah James
Very patron friendly, small town bar. Nobody feels like a stranger here and even when it gets busy the bartenders are quick and accurate. I am the KJ there and the place has great acoustics as well and I pay for my software so I have every available song. Come visit, it worth the drive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Megan Suckles
owner is ridiculously rude & has no customer service skills. the menu on google does not match what the establishment sells whatsoever. will not be back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Casey McCluer
Good food and prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Mark Peters
Google Maps said the place was open. No one there at 1 pm on a Tuesday. Called no answer after we got there. Please call ahead before you make the drive. Still interested in trying the place out. Wiil called next time.
This is my husband, and I first day in Portsmouth, after moving here. This was probably the best option to get a taste of Portsmouth. John was our waiter and he was phenomenal. His communication was on point, he knew about everything on the menu, and all of his recommendations we took into consideration, tried the food, and absolutely loved every single dish that you see attached to my photos. The best thing definitely was the lemon tres leches with raspberry drizzle!! Our waiter, he recommended this, and it was to die for, he also recommended the tiki cart, and my husband loved his alcoholic beverage. The bathrooms are clean, this place had tons of people in it, I love the set up, I love the decorations, there's even outdoor seating as well. We will definitely be back to try different items on the menu anyone new to Portsmouth, or haven't tried this restaurant yet, you are missing out, go check it out now!
I am writing to bring to attention to a concerning misconception regarding the uniform policy for military personnel at Gosport Tavern. It has come to my attention that some members of the military have been led to believe that they must be in uniform in order to receive service at the restaurant, despite this not being a requirement. The restaurant's menu states, We offer a 10% discount to uniformed military and emergency service members. However, it is important to clarify that military personnel are not required to be in uniform to avail themselves of this discount. Military uniform are not liberty uniforms. This misconception has caused confusion and inconvenience for military members who may not always be in uniform while off duty. It is crucial that the restaurant clarifies its policy to ensure that all eligible individuals, regardless of their attire, can benefit from the discount offered. I urge the General Manager Aaron Brickner to investigate this matter and work with the restaurant to ensure that their policies are clearly communicated and aligned with fair and inclusive practices for all military personnel. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Food is amazing; recommend the chicken fried meatloaf! It's served with garlic mash potatoes and garlic green beans...delicious
I went to the Tavern last night and the food,service,and ambiance was amazing! My waiter was Daniell he was a amazing,funny,and very professional waiter. It did not take to long I recommend the truffle fries with wings they are very good. Our overall experience was amazing I definitely recommend and if Daniel is not busy I recommend you ask for him!
Our experience was very pleasant. We really enjoyed our food, our waiter, and the ambiance. Our waiters name was Daniel, he was very nice, polite, and prompt. The food was great, I recommend getting the truffle fries. Every employee was very professional. Overall we had a great experience. Next time you go to Portsmouth, Virginia, go to Gosport Tavern.
Horrible service. The lady bartender is very rude and she clearly hates her job. Depending who sits at that bar, she hates you too.
I loved the interior, was nicely lit and very cozy. Our bartender for the night was nice and quite polite. He was answering our questions and was a knowledgable mixologist. Our cocktails were wonderful. I liked the cherry sprite cocktail the best. We only ordered the fried green tomatoes, but the menu sounded so good, we'll definitely be back! Only thing I can critique is that I wish the tomatoes were a little more tender, but other than that everything was great! All the cocktails we ordered didn't taste like liqueur and that is something I look forward to and love most about a place. I definitely recommend trying them out!
Gosport Tavern is located on High Street in Portsmouth. As you walk up, look up and take in the history of this building. It was constructed in 1912, first as a dry goods store and was named after Gosport Shipyard that was built just down the road in 1767 (now known as present day Norfolk Naval Shipyard). For 100+ years, the building has gone from department store, auto parts store, a furniture store and Gosport Tavern as we know it now. - Parking - Street parking. It wasn't hard for me to find parking at all during my visit. - Vibe - The building has the old charm and it still bears the ads in the past at the top of the building "Radios Refrigerators Washers". There is a small patio to enjoy your meal on a warmer day with a nice amount of sunshine shining down. Insided, you will find the typical decor of a tavern, although a bit aged, it has been kept well. They have a nice bar as a centerpiece to the tavern, as well as nautical pictures on the wall. I came by during lunch hour during a weekday and fortunately, it wasn't busy yet. We were immediately greeted and offered a drink and a menu. I think it was our waitress' first few days on the job, because when I asked about the history about the building, she wasn't quite sure. - Noms - Tavern mac & cheese with fried chicken add-on - The mac & cheese is made with corkscrew pasta and was nice and creamy. We opted to add on the fried chicken as I had read in the reviews that their fried chicken was good. The add-on however is the boneless kind, so it's a nice piece of meat. I would have preferred the chicken bone-in since that's what I think of when I see the word "fried chicken". This was more of a wide chicken tender. It was great. Steak frite - the steak was cooked to my preference and came sliced already. It was served with a nice pile of thinly cut fries, topped with parmesan cheese. I'm not really a fry person, but theirs was tasty and I think the aioli that it came with helped! The only thing I didn't care for is their chimichurri topping on the steak. Traditionally, I like my chimichurri fresh, but their seemed to have been cooked down, so not only did it lose its freshness, the color of the herb was an army green and not very pleasant to the eye. They definitely don't skimp on the portions. Both dishes came on large plates and they were fully loaded with generous portions of food. Gosport Tavern was slowly starting to fill up with what seemed like regulars, as we were leaving. Never stop exploring and enjoy, Friends!
They don't make them like this anymore - literally. The building housing this small tavern in tiny Gosport was built in 1835. It's definitely not fancy, and much of the decor looks original. It does feature a very nice old wooden bar. The bar food was simple but very well prepared.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Great local spot. We docked our boat at the marina and this local spot was recommended. We were there on burger night. You had lots of burger options (toppings, cheese types, etc) and a variety of sides. We all ordered burgers and they hit the spot. My house Cosmo was so yummy, I had two!!! The service was excellent. Our waiter was attentive, engaging, and just nice.
Restaurantji Recommends
I want so badly to give this establishment a four-five star review. And unfortunately, after our last couple of visits, I'd probably be most honest by giving it a 2. We love supporting Portsmouth restaurants and for quite a while, this was one of our fave go-tos. It seems to be going down hill, and that bums me out! Our last visit was completely disappointing. We brought some friends that had never been and prior to our arrival we were raving about the food. However, the staff was much more focused on their conversations at the bar, and enjoying their own beers than tending to the very few customers in their practically empty dining room. Our server seemed to be annoyed with having to take our order and bring it to our table; our drinks sat on the bar for 7 minutes; we literally only had one round of drinks because she never came back to ask us if we'd like something else; our food came out one dish at a time (to the point that each of us was practically done before the other would receive their dish. I'm hopeful things can turn around for the better...I would hate to lose this High Street staple!!
Very patron friendly, small town bar. Nobody feels like a stranger here and even when it gets busy the bartenders are quick and accurate. I am the KJ there and the place has great acoustics as well and I pay for my software so I have every available song. Come visit, it worth the drive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
owner is ridiculously rude & has no customer service skills. the menu on google does not match what the establishment sells whatsoever. will not be back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Good food and prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Google Maps said the place was open. No one there at 1 pm on a Tuesday. Called no answer after we got there. Please call ahead before you make the drive. Still interested in trying the place out. Wiil called next time.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1