Restaurants in Portsmouth

“We went to Surf last night with our neighbors and it was my first visit. Our waiter was attentive and provided great service. For dinner, I had the scallops and they were really good! Cooked just right and great tasting. We'll definitely make a return trip for dinner again!”

“The Bibimbap is amazing, I've had it here several times, it's absolutely delicious, I usually get it with the Korean beef (which I also highly recommend). Overall a fantastic menu.”

“Dave’s is always a phenomenal experience. The service when you order is insane. They treat you like family. Always my go to destination now whenever me or my family is hungry. The quality is super good too, makes me question the meats that other fast food spots are using!”

“Fine pastries made by chef Sharif and his team… great espresso with a French vibe all the way down to the bistro chairs and marble top tables situated in a picturesque cobblestone alley overhung by ivy and beautiful trees. Portsmouth’s greatest hidden gem that everyone seems to know about.”

“oh wow... what a find! We were looking for a seafood restaurant when passing thru the area and the name caught our attention. We had an amazing dinner! We both chose the seafood fettuccine, which was heavenly - incredible pasta and sauce topped with succulent seafood. Desserts were lavender creme brulee and white chocolate cake...Holy cow! Dinner and service were both top-notch.. and we can't wait to return!”

“Levi and Josh are awesome! It was our first time at Cheese Luise and Levi described the menu and made everything sound delicious. It was such a family friend environment with coloring and board games for the kids. By the end of our meal it felt like Levi and Josh were part of the family. Oh, and the food was as delicious as he made it sound. Josh sure knows how to cook! I could have gone home with a gallon of tomato soup if that was an option on the menu!”

“Exactly what you should look for in a steakhouse. Elegant, classy but not pretentious, great food and service. A special treat for a romantic dinner.”

“Great service, cold food for my husband but they made it right! Love this place!”

“We love the inviting atmosphere, wonderful staff, personal greetings by Massimo and of course the divine food and cocktails! Best restaurant in Portsmouth!”

“Enjoyed dinner for a son's birthday and had an excellent evening, from start to finish. We were seated upstairs which had a nice view of the downstairs and fireplace. Next time, we will request one of the U-shaped tables. They looked really comfy. Brittany was our server and she was great; very attentive and made the evening go smoothly. The food was thoroughly enjoyed by all. From the cheese board and chowders, to the entrees, and the delicious desserts. Everything was well presented and was as delicious as it looked. This was a 2nd visit for us and we very highly recommend!!”

“We did pick up but the southwest bowl with chicken!!! So so good!! Had for lunch and dinner (got the large). We also got the steak southwest sub, half of it was enough for two meals too!! The staff was super nice and also had a great sense of humor.”

“I’m from the Boston area and was meeting a friend in Portsmouth for dinner. We picked Durbar Square and we’re definitely not disappointed. We had an absolutely fabulous meal there. The chicken chili was a delicious, and a different approach than any chili I’ve had before. The chicken was perfect cooked. The sauce was full of flavor. They also ask you to pick yours spice range from 1-10 so you can choose what suits you best. The owner, John, is totally engaged with his customers and if you want, can even demonstrate a yoga pose or 2 (which he is very good at). Just overall a great place to eat.”

“Quiet for a Thursday night but not entirely sure why. Exceptional environment and friendly service. We tried a good portion of the menu and left very satisfied. We’ll be back!”

“We had dinner at Behind the Plate tonight and enjoyed it. We ordered The Rattler, the cauliflower with secret sauce, The Fields of Camden, and two kids Mac n cheeses. The meals were all great and the service was just as great. We will definitely be back when in the area again.”

“As a vegetarian, amazed to find such great options for vegetarian

Loved the place, nice and easy

Vegetarian options: Great vegetarian options for burgers”

“fantastic atmosphere and phenomenal food ♡”

“I love coming here. The entire staff is so friendly and awesome. You'll enjoy your time the atmosphere is amazing, the waiter's are always helpful and in good spirits greeting you with a smile and make you feel right at home. The drinks are bomb and don't even get me started on the food. PERFECTION! You know when you come in even on a busy night you will have an amazing time. Your staff will make sure you have an amazing time and stay safe. I highly recommend coming here. When you get here see Kelly and Cecily.”

“There's only one trustworthy and reliable forex trader I can only recommend for anyone interested in investment. Mr Ralph Carico is the best account manager I can ever recommend here, if anyone here is interested you can kindly reach him out for more information and also start making profits for yourself”

“Our server was excellent- friendly, knowledgeable, helpful. Didn't rush us at all. The food was delicious- maple salmon with grilled bread, hake, scallops were all great, topped off with the warm chocolate chip cookie and ice cream. We will return next time we're in Portsmouth.”

“My absolute favorite in Portsmouth!”

“One of the top places I’ve been in a long time!! Service was great, food was AMAZING. So happy we found this place made my birthday that much better!!! Will definitely be back!”

“Unbelievable! Spices were very balanced, no lingering one spice or the other, hotness won’t linger as well. Love there is a minimal carbs or almost none. Very healthy food, splendid, and delicious ?! It is a must comeback!!!”

“AMAZING FOOD!!! SERVICE WAS GREAT”

“Excellent quick delivery, fresh croissants with egg and cheese”

“Absolutely phenomenal service! Excellent meal! Quality, made from scratch food at reasonable prices! Allergy-friendly, up front questions about allergies from server, and explanations of ingredients for any dish. Quick and professional service. I can’t say enough about this place! We will be back! Thank you for a most excellent experience! We loved Lydia! - IKEA trip teacher group from Maine ❤️”

“This is one my favorite spots in Portsmouth. They have onsite parking which is a determinant at times. I frequent here and have never been disappointed.. The menu changes with the seasons, which keeps the choices fresh and exciting. The craft cocktails are clever and delicious. Try the Cloister! Sometimes I stop in just for a drink and a snack, but I live getting a many courses and going all out. The agnolotti seems to be a constant, and it’s a must order every visit. During the winter months, my all time favorite is the cassoulet. This has one of the best flavor profiles I’ve ever tasted. I’m not kidding. Don’t forget to order the soufflé in advance for a delectable and interactive experience. Great service, food and atmosphere. You can’t go wrong here.”

“We live in the area and have not tried this restaurant that has been open nearly 1 year and oh, the pleasant surprise! The atmosphere is quaint, 17 comfortable bar stools and many cozy booths. We sat at the bar and enjoyed some lovely craft cocktails created and made by a very friendly bartender - Danny. We sat at the bar and enjoyed the Summer Breeze mocktail but added vodka and a Cosmo with fresh lime. The cocktail ingredients had fresh purées juices, dried fruits and were thoughtfully served. For an appetizer we had the BAHN KHOT Vietnamese Mini Crispy Pancake and LAAB MUSHROOMS salad. Both were unique and wonderful. For our entree we enjoyed Shrimp Curry, Chicken Wings and the MOO PING SKEWER with sticky rice. The flavors were spectacular. No room for dessert but the menu was enticing. We look forward to returning soon!”

“Friendly and fun atmosphere! Cocktails were one of a kind and delicious!”

“First time for hot pot, my 11yr kept asking do it so it became a birthday thing . Staff took us though it all, checked on us the right amount of times and really like sharing their know how. Food was above expected and they have a full menu also. Dinner for 3 with 2 drinks, 3 apps and 2 entrees with extra side just climbed over $100. Go there and be happy!”

“My wife and I had a wonderful time here the 1st week of June. Our waitress (Cassie/Casey?) from WA was awesome and accommodating. We thought the food was really good and went with the maize plate and Duck which we shared. While the portions were maybe on the smaller side we left full at 6pm so no problem. The duck and the maize dishes were thoughtful and beautiful. The space itself is amazing and we could have stayed all night because it felt so cozy. We loved this place and our friends and our family will be visiting in July and Sept and they have all booked reservations. Great job guys!”

“If I could give a place 6 stars, this would be it. I don’t think you’ll find better coffee in NH, period. There’s a good reason they’ve been in business for 30 years and counting.For a real treat, try the mocha frappe or the Turkish candy bar latte. I promise you won’t be disappointed!”

“Love the new place. And the food is ALWAYS awesome! Owner and workers are very friendly and work hard.”

“Great staff too! The food is good too!”

“Quirky place with amazing food! Will definitely come when in town. Highly recommend! The Chicken Cordon Bleu Benny was excellent!”

“amazing food and atmosphere. staff is friendly and very attentive. have been 2x now and will definitely be back. highly recommend”

“DO NOT RECOMMEND (not sure why it says I do) After my last experience today. I ordered a smoke stack and specifically told the owner who was taking my order that I wanted regular Mayo and provolone cheese NO Swiss. I cannot eat swiss at all. When I arrived the young man ringing me out read back my order exactly how I ordered it so I thought I was in the clear. Got all the way back to work to find that there was Swiss cheese and no provolone. If there was no cheese I wouldn’t have cared but they placed swiss on it that has a potent flavor and smell that personally makes me want to throw up. I bit right into my sandwich and spit it out. I called them to tell them it was not correct they argued with me saying I said no such thing, only said regular Mayo. I told him I how they read it back to me AND I had the slip they wrote the order on to show them to prove it. (See attached) He then proceeded to say that they can’t keep giving me a free sandwich. Don’t get me wrong I get people complaining just to complain but the only times I have ever called was when they themselves have screwed up the order or when the lettuce was bad one day I ordered. When you consistently make the wrong order and don’t take accountability then point the finger at your loyal customer of about 3 years that’s when you lose business. I will no longer be going here. I don’t need to pay $11 for a sandwich plus tip people who can’t make a simple sandwich and be apologetic when they mess up or accuse me of always complaining like I’m trying to scam them. I understand how hard it is running a business. I also understand it’s important to have loyal customers.”

“Best lobster rolls and chowder!”

“Their scones and coffee are some of the best around. The scones don't seem store bought like a lot of other places and they're true scones rather than being overly biscuit-y.
Also the interior has a nice seating area with plenty of natural light.

Whether you're trying various cafes or are just in the area and want coffee a visit here will be worth your while.

There's *some* parking which is more than a lot of local cafes have.

Parking: There're a few parking spots next to the cafe, barring that you can likely park across the street.”

“Coffee is great. Every couple months I order online. Highly recommend”

“Great locally brewed beer, great crew, and a very fun open mic!”

“Excellent food! We had the BBQ ribs and the pad Thai. Both were excellent! Definitely try the Thai coffee and the mango juice, absolutely delicious! We've had a lot of Thai food. This is very good, the pad Thai does not have a spice level option but the base is so good I forgive all! Enjoy eating here!”

“Stopped at Ceres Bakery on our way from Falmouth to Portland on the recommendation of a friend. My husband got the Roasted Turkey sandwich with garlic aioli and I ordered the Kale Salad as a wrap with added Tofu. Easy and quick to-go lunch. Bakery was cute, employees were friendly, food was good, bathroom was not great…”

“Love it here, always a great experience! Comforting to see Arlene!! My pickiest eater loves bobs chicken nuggies!! Can't wait to go back<3”

“A huge shout out to our waitress Nicole. she was amazing. service and food was out of this world. Thank you for your patience, service and cup of coffee!”

“I went into 5 guys for the first time today, mad..... the man behind the counter, ALEX, even tho I was really actually kinda hateful, just... blew my mind yall! I was ready to hate it! And he turned my whole day around. PERFECT RECOMMENDATION! PERFECT PROFESSIONALISM MIXED WITH KINDNESS AND CONCERN! I WILL ALWAYS BE A 5 GUYS KINDA GIRL! THANK YOU ALEX!!!”

“Local hang! Very convenient to work. Many of my students have worked there as well. Community supported!”

“I love the coffee and they always go above and beyond for their customers. when the manager knows what you like and how you take your coffee. and upgrades you at no extra cost. ❤️”

“This was my first time trying starbucks, and due to the recent mixed reviews i was worried that it was going to be bad. But this nice man that took my order was unbelievably friendly 10/10 customer service, I’d recommend for all to come and try this location.”

“Good workers and amazing management Food cooked perfect an fast service very impressed”

“this is by far the best dunks in New England! Everyone there is helpful, kind, & sweet! Always brightens my day with all of the cheer!”

“I always go here whenever I feel like buying pricey coffee. Service is very good. I’ve been going here since 2012. Starbucks is a fast paced environment so give them a break during peak hours if the beverage is taking a while to get to you. Most of the time their service is good and sometimes you’re waiting for a few minutes. They do communicate but can get messy during peak hours. Worse, if their label printer goes out then expect drinks that weren’t yours. This is a first world problem so be patient and the pricey coffee we all paid for will come to you :) Overall, great staff and good service!”

“The lady working at 630 on friday night I believe she has brown hair . Best service ever this lady deserves a whole 10$ raise for how nice and knew exactly what to say and made my boyfriend’s coffee amazing if she was the one to make it. God bless her and the whole staff.”

“I’ve been coming to Wendy’s every night after work cause I’m tired of eating food I work with but every time I go there I get cold fries which are one of my favorite foods. I’m tired of getting cold food and wish they would take pride in their work cause at my establishment cold food would be unacceptable and I would hope to be able to better my customers experience as a manager at my fast casual restaurant. I believe they should be throwing food out when shelf life is up and making new food to keep up with their quality”

“Oh my god! I wasn't expecting this, I hadn't been in years and it was my girlfriends first time and we loved it. the combo box meal i took and the big bowl meal she had we can't wait to go back. the taste of everything was good, and please do yourself a favor for desert try those round balls they are cutsy and demure”

“Firstime here. Everything and everyone was perfect! DELICIOSO!”

“Best pizza I’ve had in Maine so far! Worth to stop by, brownie is also excellent. The service is great, fast and even if the server forgot to bring a coffee that we asked for with desert, the whole experience was great. We will be coming back for sure.

Vegetarian options: Vegetarian pizzas available

Dietary restrictions: They offer GF crust and also vegan options.”

“I have never been here before. I was staying at the hotel nearby and went to check it out for brunch. The eggs Benedict with hash was amazing. The bartender was great.”

“Great food and service. Anyone would enjoy a meal here, but if you like cars, history, or anything to do with motorsports it is a home run.”

“Probably the best ice cream around!! The high buttercream content makes this a premium product. So much flavor and texture without the sugary, grainy you get in so many inferior products.”

“Holy bowly! What a bowl! This thing was huge and cool and delicious. Perfect lunch on a hot day. I could not eat the whole thing in one sitting. It was a very generous size.”

“Have been buying their pizza slices for years, and it's always been the best pizza I've ever had from anywhere! Delicious, great variety, hot, and always ready to eat on the spot or take home. The service is wonderful. Always with a great smile! Keep up the good work. It's hard to find food and service this good!”

“Our first visit - recommended by a local - described as a “dive” bar - it was far from a dive bar - comfortable - good service - TVs - we were there on a weeknight late afternoon so it wasn’t overly crowded - son returned at night and it was much more crowded”

“Michelle and the staff are on point at what they do. My Veggie bowl was almost Too filling to finish , but I managed Because I could not.
Get enough of the flavors!”

“Absolutely WORTH your time to stop in here. Food is AMAZING and the service is so warm and you’re treated like family. Definitely ask to be served by Jennifer. She takes care of you! We are from Canada and we were blown away by the hospitality and awesome prices.”

“Not many pizza places in the area serve slices anymore. Gigi's is the exception. I ordered two massive, crispy slices for under $10. They hit the spot after a long work week. I can't wait to custom order a delicious pie in the future.”

“A delicious different kind of beverage worth the trip.”

“While the new cafe only opened today, I already know I have a problem. Staff is friendly, snacks are delicious, and the cafe is adorable! What a great addition to 75 Portsmouth Ave!”

“Coffee here was great! Good beans, great cappuccino, and tasty mocha. Any place that has good latte art in NH is already 90% guaranteed to have good tasting coffee, and NOA doesn’t disappoint. Extraction was good, and the baristas take their time making coffee, which is important - don’t rush a good thing! Wonderful atmosphere too. Looking forward to taking friends and family there again in the near future.”

“We were very impressed the locals seemed to know each other and the staff knew them,despite that we felt comfortable welcomed waited on quickly the food was great. Looking forward to return than,s”

“Have been buying their pizza slices for years, and it's always been the best pizza I've ever had from anywhere! Delicious, great variety, hot, and always ready to eat on the spot or take home. The service is wonderful. Always with a great smile! Keep up the good work. It's hard to find food and service this good!”

“Love the new place. And the food is ALWAYS awesome! Owner and workers are very friendly and work hard.”

“Kim Lai is our favorite Chinese restaurant. We have been going there, often with friends, about once a week for years and just love the place. The food is delicious and the portions are very generous. The staff is great and we have such a good time with them. We utilize their take-out service for large family gatherings during the holidays. We strongly recommend Kim Lai and in fact will be going again tonight. The boneless spareribs and hot and sour soup are Daane's favorite appetizers, followed up by exploring the many different dishes on the menu. We think you will enjoy Kim Lai!”

“I’m from the Boston area and was meeting a friend in Portsmouth for dinner. We picked Durbar Square and we’re definitely not disappointed. We had an absolutely fabulous meal there. The chicken chili was a delicious, and a different approach than any chili I’ve had before. The chicken was perfect cooked. The sauce was full of flavor. They also ask you to pick yours spice range from 1-10 so you can choose what suits you best. The owner, John, is totally engaged with his customers and if you want, can even demonstrate a yoga pose or 2 (which he is very good at). Just overall a great place to eat.”

“We were very impressed the locals seemed to know each other and the staff knew them,despite that we felt comfortable welcomed waited on quickly the food was great. Looking forward to return than,s”

“We LOVE Dave over at TD Garden. He is always efficient, friendly and on time. We always appreciate when he tries to accommodate in list minute needs. The coffee is delicious and he offers a few varities of different seasonal drinks. Highly reccomend!”

“This is my new favorite takeout restaurant in Portsmouth. My husband got the lamb curry and I got the butter chicken. Each meal was especially flavorful and the curries in each dish were different, which is very important to me. Other restaurants in the area seem to use the same curry for every dish. We opted for Hot when ordering our meals. That is the middle spice option. That was the perfect amount of heat to me and I normally add extra heat to everything I cook. We also ordered vegetable samosas which were very crispy and fresh. The Tamarind chutney had a good balance of sweet and tangy. The staff is very friendly, the restaurant is very clean and I highly recommend that people give Taaza a try.”

“Highly suggest the burnt ends, salmon entree & the budino for dessert! Snack mix is a yummy option to munch on while golfing before sitting down for a meal! Approachable country club vibes with top notch food & drink!”

“The Filet Mignon was so tender, and flavorful! Each bite was an experience! Staff was remarkably Pleasant, and attentive! very amazing their ability to set such a relaxing tone definitely a place where you can let your guard down and enjoy company while experiencing amazing food an wine would also be an amazing place for a larger party family and friends could get lost amongst themselves in a place like this their private vault room is beautiful”

“A huge shout out to our waitress Nicole. she was amazing. service and food was out of this world. Thank you for your patience, service and cup of coffee!”

“Dave’s is always a phenomenal experience. The service when you order is insane. They treat you like family. Always my go to destination now whenever me or my family is hungry. The quality is super good too, makes me question the meats that other fast food spots are using!”

“The food was great, I had the Lobster BLT it was delicious I forgot to take a picture before I started eating so I took one after! The atmosphere was fantastic, the water was beautiful and the service was top notch. I can't give them 5 stars because the lobster wasn't as life changing as I thought it was and it was a bit pricey for what you get, but it was still delicious!”

“Amazing food, great wait staff!”

“Never planned for a night like this. Went out to Portsmouth NH for a fun night out and exploring the place and ended up here after hearing the band outside playing music! Great atmosphere and amazing staff.

I ended up going to the third floor club later that night, and my night got even better!??”

“Neat place but they took out a lot of the general comfort seating in favor of dining and or less comfortable seating. This place was awesome when it first opened but fell a notch after redesign. I guess they'd rather have people sit in hard metal chairs and leave quicker than lounge on cool couches. It's too bad, place is still cool though”

“Quirky place with amazing food! Will definitely come when in town. Highly recommend! The Chicken Cordon Bleu Benny was excellent!”

“Excellent quick delivery, fresh croissants with egg and cheese”

“I really wish I ate here as the food looked amazing. We stopped on a Sunday after traveling about 5 hours. We stopped in for some of their many beers on tap. Everything we tried was amazing! We were pleased to try many different beers with their 6 pours flights. We sat at the bar in the back watching all the food from the kitchen go by and everything smelled amazing. We decided to try out other places and regret leaving this amazing establishment as the service was better than other places we stopped at in Portsmouth. Great job all around!”

“We love Cafe Med ♥️ they are amazing and never disappoint”

“We did pick up but the southwest bowl with chicken!!! So so good!! Had for lunch and dinner (got the large). We also got the steak southwest sub, half of it was enough for two meals too!! The staff was super nice and also had a great sense of humor.”

“Great food and service. Highly recommend!!”

“This place is off the charts delicious, and with a James Beard nomination, you’re guaranteed the high quality local ingredients. The charred calamari is one of the most interesting amazing Foods!”

“I love coming here. The entire staff is so friendly and awesome. You'll enjoy your time the atmosphere is amazing, the waiter's are always helpful and in good spirits greeting you with a smile and make you feel right at home. The drinks are bomb and don't even get me started on the food. PERFECTION! You know when you come in even on a busy night you will have an amazing time. Your staff will make sure you have an amazing time and stay safe. I highly recommend coming here. When you get here see Kelly and Cecily.”