Step inside one of Portsmouth’s most striking buildings and you’ll find the Library Restaurant—an elegant steakhouse set in the city’s former public library. With golden lions flanking the entrance and patriotic bunting dressing up the façade, it’s hard to miss this historic gem.
Inside, the space still feels like a grand reading room, but the menu is all about fine dining—prime steaks, seafood, and classic cocktails served with polish and charm. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just in the mood for a memorable meal, this is one of Portsmouth’s most unique dinner spots.
Jason Perkins
Everything was great for me and my wife’s first time going even gave us complementary champagne for our anniversary (which we didn’t expect) over all great place was little price but it was well worth it food was delicious
Stephen Colello
We had a great time for our 60th wedding anniversary dinner. Everything was perfect.
bokbok
Ate here for an anniversary with my boyfriend, food was lowkey mid-tier and the atmosphere was very obviously out of my tax bracket 😭
Natalie V
I love the atmosphere here. It was an excellent meal in a great setting. I can't wait to come back.
Kevin MacKenzie
Exceptionally friendly server that went above and beyond to guarantee a great meal. Nice ambiance and quality dishes.
Conni VandeBunte
Top notch food, great atmosphere, our server wasn't very attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Debbie Gibbs
Everyone enjoyed the filet mignon. The waiter was fabulous, Andrew! The prices are a little steep but we will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Au Gratin Potato
Devon Wasson
Fantastic food with amazing service in the perfect setting. We'll absolutely be coming back here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
Brian Wazlaw
Hi folks, A super time for our 40th wedding anniversary. The food was great and the service fantastic
Never eat at a restaurant that charges you for a cancellation, pretentious clowns. It’s not about the food it’s about the money. I’m telling everyone I know to stay away from this elitist cess pool of a restaurant.
This response is so pathetic. Take some responsibility, I will be making sure to spread the word and sharing screen shots of this pathetic response. You are a tool bag, get over yourself.
Joshua Simonds
Perhaps one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. The food was top notch, the atmosphere impeccable, but our server?? Christian was amazing! Attentive, kind, charming, and made us feel like old friends. Highly HIGHLY recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JEANNE GRIMES
Our anniversary dinner was phenomenal! The service was impeccable and the food was off the charts! So very delicious. The ambiance was beautiful and unique. Thank you Jennifer K. for being so amazing and super friendly. ...oh, and don't forget to order the dessert. The peanut butter pie was to die for. Delicious!!! Thank you for everything!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Richard Greland
Fantastic all around. Our waiter was outstanding!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
Jon Laplante
The atmosphere was great! Loved the rustic and detail oriented nature. I was greeted with a smile and was promptly seated. The server wasnt bad, she made a wine recommendation that paired very well with the meal. But...
They first sent out 4 baguette slices drenched in garlic butter. It wasn't bad. I suppose I expected a sourdough? with some seasoned dipping oil over something you can get at Walmart in the bakery section.
I probably misread the menu, but I ordered "crab cakes" not crabcake. $18 at other restaurants would allot customers the plural form of their own word.
I ordered a filet mignon with garlic mashed and roasted brussel sprouts. Everything came out on its own plate so it felt like I was at a buffet where I had to build my own plate. Completely unnecessary and ultimately lead to an overcrowded table with wasted food as the side dishes had 2 portions each. A different server brought out the wrong side dish that I wasn't able to finish until after I ate everything else. (Which I was comped for) The mash was tepid and the brussel sprouts I had a hard time cutting with a steak knife let alone chewing. The steak itself was undercooked, yet somehow still dry but was very much tender.
They could've been more attentive. After 14 minutes of eating in the dark, they replaced a battery powered table light. Perhaps if they did that sooner, they would've realized that they broke a rule that should NEVER happen. Allowing ones glass to run dry.
All in all, not going back and definitely not worth the $100+.
Step inside one of Portsmouth’s most striking buildings and you’ll find the Library Restaurant—an elegant steakhouse set in the city’s former public library. With golden lions flanking the entrance and patriotic bunting dressing up the façade, it’s hard to miss this historic gem.
Inside, the space still feels like a grand reading room, but the menu is all about fine dining—prime steaks, seafood, and classic cocktails served with polish and charm. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just in the mood for a memorable meal, this is one of Portsmouth’s most unique dinner spots.
Everything was great for me and my wife’s first time going even gave us complementary champagne for our anniversary (which we didn’t expect) over all great place was little price but it was well worth it food was delicious
We had a great time for our 60th wedding anniversary dinner. Everything was perfect.
Ate here for an anniversary with my boyfriend, food was lowkey mid-tier and the atmosphere was very obviously out of my tax bracket 😭
I love the atmosphere here. It was an excellent meal in a great setting. I can't wait to come back.
Exceptionally friendly server that went above and beyond to guarantee a great meal. Nice ambiance and quality dishes.
Top notch food, great atmosphere, our server wasn't very attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Everyone enjoyed the filet mignon. The waiter was fabulous, Andrew! The prices are a little steep but we will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Au Gratin Potato
Fantastic food with amazing service in the perfect setting. We'll absolutely be coming back here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
Hi folks,
A super time for our 40th wedding anniversary.
The food was great and the service fantastic
Restaurantji Recommends
Never eat at a restaurant that charges you for a cancellation, pretentious clowns. It’s not about the food it’s about the money. I’m telling everyone I know to stay away from this elitist cess pool of a restaurant.
This response is so pathetic. Take some responsibility, I will be making sure to spread the word and sharing screen shots of this pathetic response. You are a tool bag, get over yourself.
Perhaps one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. The food was top notch, the atmosphere impeccable, but our server?? Christian was amazing! Attentive, kind, charming, and made us feel like old friends. Highly HIGHLY recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our anniversary dinner was phenomenal! The service was impeccable and the food was off the charts! So very delicious. The ambiance was beautiful and unique. Thank you Jennifer K. for being so amazing and super friendly. ...oh, and don't forget to order the dessert. The peanut butter pie was to die for. Delicious!!! Thank you for everything!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic all around. Our waiter was outstanding!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
The atmosphere was great! Loved the rustic and detail oriented nature. I was greeted with a smile and was promptly seated. The server wasnt bad, she made a wine recommendation that paired very well with the meal. But...
They first sent out 4 baguette slices drenched in garlic butter. It wasn't bad. I suppose I expected a sourdough? with some seasoned dipping oil over something you can get at Walmart in the bakery section.
I probably misread the menu, but I ordered "crab cakes" not crabcake. $18 at other restaurants would allot customers the plural form of their own word.
I ordered a filet mignon with garlic mashed and roasted brussel sprouts. Everything came out on its own plate so it felt like I was at a buffet where I had to build my own plate. Completely unnecessary and ultimately lead to an overcrowded table with wasted food as the side dishes had 2 portions each. A different server brought out the wrong side dish that I wasn't able to finish until after I ate everything else. (Which I was comped for) The mash was tepid and the brussel sprouts I had a hard time cutting with a steak knife let alone chewing. The steak itself was undercooked, yet somehow still dry but was very much tender.
They could've been more attentive. After 14 minutes of eating in the dark, they replaced a battery powered table light. Perhaps if they did that sooner, they would've realized that they broke a rule that should NEVER happen. Allowing ones glass to run dry.
All in all, not going back and definitely not worth the $100+.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
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