Where to Dine
Salt and Kitchen Bar
It’s all about the Bubbles and Jazz Sunday brunch at this Portsmouth area favorite, which overlooks the Pisqataqua River. Serving only the finest in locally-inspired food and craft cocktails, the Sunday brunch experience wouldn't be complete without a visit to their Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar. Available every Saturday and Sunday, you can create your own custom concoction from a selection of over 40 artisan components.
Shio
A Japanese restaurant with full lunch and dinner menus featuring authentic sushi, sashimi, and a wide variety of rolls.
Spring Hill Tavern
Housed in the tavern portion of the Dolphin Striker restaurant, this intimate space offers a variety of mostly acoustic music in a traditional tavern setting.
Row 34Buzz-Worthy
Fresh off its success in Boston's Seaport, Row 34’s newest outpost is a variation on the same theme. Situated just a few blocks off the waterfront, this locally-inspired oyster and beer bar highlights New England seafood and microbrews. Visitors to both locations will notice that the Portsmouth menu shares some similarities with its southern sister, but also some delicious differences.
River House
Classic seafood favorites complemented by contemporary dishes are served overlooking the Piscataqua River.
Radici
Brunch at Radici means a combination of breakfast and lunch with an Italian twist. In a small bistro setting, Radici offers five different savory frittatas and a make-your-own Bloody Mary Bar, with 20+ fixings to kick it up a notch.
Ristorante Massimo
Nestled in historic downtown Portsmouth, Ristorante Massimo’s world-class Italian cuisine and quaint brick and stone ambiance transports guests to Florence, Rome, and Venice.
Street 360
An eclectic, casual restaurant and cocktail lounge that satisfies both your hunger and your wanderlust. From falafel to pho, burgers to bánh mì, Street 360 serves the world’s most flavorful street food in one lively place. Also one of the hottest evening destinations in Portsmouth.
Surf Restaurant
Located on the waterfront, Surf Restaurant offer fresh seafood with a view of the harbor at Surf Restaurant. The variety of oysters and clams on the half shell rotates daily, and seafood towers add a luxurious touch. Mix up your oyster experience with some shooters. Surf has four styles from spicy Bloody Mary with vodka to jalapeno tequila with fresh lime juice, cilantro, parsley, and chive.
The Wellington Room
An intimate dining room where all guests enjoy the spectacular view of the Piscataqua River. Features handmade food from hand-selected local meats, produce and products of the highest quality. Special requests are welcome.
Warren's Lobster House
Warren's is not only huge, but has been a mainstay southern Maine destination lobster joint since 1940. Built on pilings over the river, the 350-seat restaurant houses a bakery, a lobster pound capable of holding 28 tons of lobsters, a gift shop, 40-foot boat dock, and an open-air deck this is a seacoast mainstay.
When Pigs Fly Pizzeria
Don't dismiss When Pigs Fly in nearby Kittery, Maine as another ho-hum pizzeria—with menu items like Thai curry mussels, tempura squash with tamari caramel, and falafel with hot pepper jam, this family-friendly joint is not run-of-the-mill. Wood-fired pizza rounds out the crowd-pleasing offerings.
The Wallingford Dram
It's worth the 10-minute walk over the bridge to this wee speakeasy in Kittery. With its British-style pub vibe and long cocktail list, you'll never want to leave. Their Mai Tai is one of the best around and The Duke of Earl, with bourbon, Earl Grey tea syrup, citrus oil, bitters is perfect for a cold winter's night.
The Oar House
With items like Salmon Cake Benedict, Steak & Eggs, and Monte Cristo this is a top choice for brunch-goers. Situated along historic Ceres Street in Portsmouth’s Olde Harbour area, a stroll among all the boutique shops and art galleries in downtown Portsmouth will help you digest all that deliciousness.
Surf Seafood
So you’ve come to the seacoast and you want seafood? Surf is the place. Fresh, exquisitely prepared seafood. Waterfront views from most tables.
The Friendly Toast
Funky 50′s vinyl vibe and classic high-end diner breakfasts. Huge servings of the stuff you want to start your day — pancakes, French toast, scrambles, etc.
Popovers on the Square
This centrally-located café has something for every one. They've found creative ways to incorporate their namesake baked good into every day part. Enjoy a popover smothered with maple butter in the morning, alongside a fresh Caesar salad for the lunch, and as a bowl for clam chowder in the evening.
MoxyBuzz-Worthy
Tapas with a New England flair. Moxy is super-creative with unique pairing/tasting menus and snazzy flavors. A fun atmosphere and impressive wine and beer pairings. It holds the title of “buzziest” of all of Portsmouth's buzzed-about restaurants at the moment.
CavaNoteable
Featuring two wine bars, one on street level and one in the Wine Cave, the owners offer a diverse and always changing selection of international wines to be paired with Chef Sessler’s modern and classic Mediterranean cuisine. A notable and always solid dining experience.
Ceres Street Bakery
Colby's
Quaint and charming on a nice neighborhood side street in Portsmouth. Killer eggs benedict and cinnamon swirl French toast.
Bridge Street Bistro & Wine Bar
A small, chef-owned corner cafe serving modest, down to earth food and wine.
Blue Mermaid Island Grill
Independently owned and operated for 20 years serving up Caribbean inspired cuisine like famous guava braised short ribs and homemade fire roasted salsa. Plenty of gluten free options, too. Stop in for lunch or dinner and stay for live music. Happy Hour Monday-Friday 4-6pm.
Black Trumpet
Family-owned bistro and wine bar in the heart of Portsmouth’s historic old port. The menu changes every six weeks to capitalize on the freshest seasonal ingredients. The wine list features a variety of unheralded gems that pair well with the bold flavors of Chef Mallett’s cuisine. If you’re a fan of “Farm-to-table” then this is your place. We prefer to dine upstairs in the Wine Bar.
Block Six at 3S
This buzzy restaurant is located in the 3S Artspace, so it's a great place to eat before seeing some live music, an art show, or a performance. The menu stands on its own though, and a new chef has recently revamped it with entrees like slow-roasted pork shoulder and mushroom pappardelle.
Flatbread Pizza
New England chain featuring hand-tossed flatbread pizzas baked in a wood-fired clay oven. Locally sourced ingredients and great regional beer list. The salads here are a must.
Franklin Oyster House
Franklin's offers the best oyster happy hour in town, with select oysters $1.25 available from 4-6 p.m.seven days a week. Grab a seat at the bar that curves around the raw bar, so you can watch the shucking in action. If raw oysters aren't your thing, try one of the many cooked preparations: wrapped in bacon and grilled, stuffed with chorizo and breadcrumbs, or fried and served with tartar sauce.
Martingale Wharf
Hands down the best waterfront deck in downtown Portsmouth. An upscale American bistro featuring one of the most unique glass topped bars we’ve come across.
Morrison's Lobster
Located in Kittery, Maine on Badger’s Island, Morrison's not only offers spectacular views of the harbor but also has super friendly service. They receive rave reviews for their lobster bisque in addition to lobsters off the boat. Don’t forget to bring cash because they don’t take anything else, and you’re encouraged to BYOB as they don’t serve alcohol.
Louie's
Is there anything cozier than a big bowl of handmade pasta? Louie's delivers on the comfort food with its Italian staples like tagliatelle bolognese and ravioli filled with celery root, leeks, and truffles.
Library Restaurant
Visions of cigars and a neat glass of scotch fill your brain when you enter this classic steakhouse located in a historic 1785 mansion. Great slabs of meat and comfort food, such as French onion soup and shrimp cocktail.
Fresh Press
Just a few short blocks from the inn, this juice and smoothie bar offers fresh and healthy fare fast.
Lexie's Joint
The seacoast’s premiere burger destination features inspired daily specials, refreshing mocktails, frosty shakes, and ice cream floats.
Anneke Jans
Located just over the bridge in Kittery, this acclaimed bistro-style restaurant is a favorite. Old and new friends gather to eat, drink, and be merry. Menu changes often.