Portsmouth, NH, is a historic city with some truly exceptional restaurants. The food here is so good that we often drive up from the Boston area just to have a meal. These chefs are highly esteemed and a few have even been nominated for James Beard awards. Read on to learn about the best restaurants in Portsmouth, NH!
Moxy
Moxy is definitely my favorite spot in this adorable city.
Chef Matt Louis is from New Hampshire and renowned for his modern American tapas with a nod to New England culinary traditions. We have been here many times, and the vibe is lively, casual, and fun.
The drinks often change, but most recently my husband got the Head of the Shop (mezcal, vermouth, ras al hanout, grapefruit, and lemon), and I got white peach sangria.
For our first round of tapas, we got patatas bravas, corn muffins with jalapeño cream cheese, and duck lentil fritters.
For our second round of tapas, we got short rib marmalade with grilled bread and pickled onions, gnocchi with fennel, zucchini, tomato, and lemon yogurt, and brisket with crispy potatoes, napa cabbage, pickled vegetables, and mustard aioli.
For dessert, we got fried brioche with brown butter, cinnamon sugar, and maple crème anglaise. Like always, everything was delicious!
Price: $$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (603) 319-8178
Vida Cantina
Vida Cantina is one of the best restaurants in Portsmouth, NH, and serves up incredible Mexican fare. Here, the bright, daring flavors are made with local ingredients by widely celebrated Chef Dave Vargas.
For drinks, they have dozens of tequilas as well as classics like margaritas and palomas. You can add seasonal fruit purees or go the nonalcoholic route with agua frescas.
For snacks, they have items like shrimp gazpacho, street corn, or a salsa flight.
For something more substantial, they have tortas like fish with guacamole, baja slaw, and pickled onions or tacos like chicken with salsa verde, queso aioli, and cilantro. They also have enchiladas like carne asada with chili sauce and even use heirloom corn to make each tortilla!
Price: $$ to $$$
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (603) 501-0648
Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe
Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe is the place to get seafood in this seaport.
At the Raw Bar, you can order oysters or a ceviche that changes weekly. For starters, you can order dishes like a crab cake with tomato-cucumber salsa, mixed greens, and mango coulis or bang-bang shrimp with kimchi salad and toasted peanut-sesame crunch.
The entrées are seafood-forward as well, like clams with linguine in cream sauce or jerk-glazed swordfish with curry aioli, while the catch of the day might be salmon from Canada, halibut from Maine, or tuna from the Atlantic Ocean.
Dessert is also a must, with dishes like strawberry prosecco tiramisu, dark chocolate espresso cake, and key lime pie.
If you happen to visit during the colder months, they even have Shuck-a-Buck nights on Tuesdays with $1 oysters!
Price: $$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (603) 766-3474
Lexie’s Joint
Lexie’s Joint serves up burgers in many forms, using beef, chicken, or black beans for the patties. I love diner-style food, and they do it very well here.
Last time we came, my husband got the Big Mouth, a burger with american, bacon, tomato, melted onions, fried pickles, and herb aioli, and I got the Instant Classic, a burger with cheddar, lettuce, grilled onions, regular pickles, and hush sauce.
We also got plain fries and onion rings, but the Hot Fries (with jalapeños, siracha ketchup, and siracha aioli) and the Bistro Fries (with parmesan, bacon, and herb aioli) looked good as well. For dessert, we got black-and-white milkshakes.
I think Lexie’s Joint is definitely one of the best restaurants in Portsmouth, NH, and everything we had hit the spot!
Price: $
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: No but definitely crowded at peak hours!
Phone number: (603) 815-4181
Cure
At Cure, Chef Julie Cutting prepares elevated American fare from scratch (she was even on an episode of Chopped with Martha Stewart)! The atmosphere here is cozy and rustic, suitable for a place where they brine and slow-cook most of the meat.
For appetizers, they have items like dates stuffed with bleu cheese and wrapped in bacon, sweet and spicy mussels with curry, or an incredible french onion soup.
For entrées, they have items like a grilled pork chop with a polenta cake, smoked peach compote, and pomegranate molasses or red wine-braised short ribs with a gorgonzola-caramelized-onions-rosemary tart and black pepper cream.
For dessert, they have classics like crème brûlée and cheesecake. This neighborhood spot is especially charming in the warmer months, when you can use the patio outside.
Price: $$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (603) 427-8258
Black Trumpet
Black Trumpet is housed in an absolutely gorgeous historic waterfront building with exposed brick and wood beams. Here, Chef Evan Mallett serves globally inspired cuisine made with local, seasonal ingredients.
We recently brought my parents and experienced the late fall menu. For appetizers, we got fried almonds, olives, and garlic (a highlight) and bay scallops poached in miso dashi with sea-chi.
For entrées, my husband got short rib stroganoff with pumpkin kerchief noodles and brussels sprouts, my father and I both got the special, an Iberico pork loin with polenta and fried celeriac, and my mother got a salad with mixed greens, squash, apples, and cranberries tossed in a cider vinaigrette over bleu cheese dressing.
For dessert, we all split a poached pear stuffed with honey lavender mascarpone and vanilla caramel. Each dish was unique and delicious.
Price: $$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (603) 431-0887
Colby’s Breakfast and Lunch
Colby’s Breakfast and Lunch offers up tasty diner-style American food with a laid-back vibe.
For breakfast, my husband got cinnamon swirl french toast, and I got an omelet with salsa, black beans, peppers, onions, and cheddar jack. They have classics as well, like pancakes (blueberry, chocolate chip, or even granola) and eggs benedict with home fries.
For lunch, they have items like a pastrami sandwich with swiss and spicy brown mustard on marbled rye, a turkey club, and grilled cheese. They also have salads and quesadillas.
I think Colby’s Breakfast and Lunch is definitely one of the best restaurants in Portsmouth, NH, and love that it is just walking distance from everything downtown.
Price: $
Meal: Breakfast or lunch
Reservations: No but definitely crowded at peak hours!
Phone number: (603) 436-3033
Ristorante Massimo
Ristorante Massimo opened in 1994 and serves Italian recipes from a first-generation family. The menu is truly authentic, with bread and pasta made from scratch.
Even the location is historic, with a remarkable building from 1816 (think mahogany, brick, and stone). They also have oil paintings of Italian landscapes.
For Antipasti, you can order dishes like calamari with heirloom tomatoes and focaccia.
For Primi, you can order dishes like tagliatelle carbonara with prosciutto, shaved black truffle, and peas, or bucatini amatriciana with guanciale, basil, and crispy garlic.
For Secondi, you can order dishes like filet mignon with roasted potatoes and sautéed asparagus or pan-seared halibut with chorizo and zucchini ribbons.
For Dolce, you can order classics like tartufo, cannoli, or tiramisu.
The upstairs is more casual and the downstairs is more formal, yet both have an undeniable warmth.
Price: $$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (603) 436-4000
Green Elephant
Green Elephant is one of the best restaurants in Portsmouth, NH, with incredible vegetarian Asian Fusion cuisine that is influenced by places like China, India, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Here, they strive to use fresh, local ingredients whenever possible, and the full bar includes wine, beer, and cocktails.
For appetizers, they have items like curry puffs, spring rolls with tamarind sauce, dumplings with spicy soy sauce, and samosas with cucumber sauce. They also have a wonderful asparagus tempura salad with chili-coconut dressing.
For entrées, they have items like pad thai, hot and sour noodle soup, thai basil fried rice, peanut curry, panang curry, and garlic ginger tofu.
For dessert, they currently have chocolate orange mousse pie.
Price: $$ to $$$
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: No
Phone number: (603) 427-8344
Cava
At Cava, I love both the modern Spanish tapas and the charming location on Commercial Alley (in the summer, you can even dine under a vertical garden).
For drinks last time we came here, my husband got the Coco Picante (ancho chile and jalapeño-infused tequila, coconut cream, and lime), and I got red sangria.
For our first course, we got tomato gazpacho and corn soup. For our second course, we got patatas bravas with fried herbs and dates with manchego cheese and serrano ham.
For our third course, we got paella with chicken and chorizo and gnocchi with porcini-truffle broth, seasonal vegetables, and black garlic. For dessert, we got churros with hot chocolate and almond torta cake. Once again, everything was delicious!
Price: $$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (603) 319-1575
Honorable Mention: La Maisson Navarre
We always stop at La Maisson Navarre for lattes and a treat.
This French bistro serves coffee, espresso, and tea in addition to exceptional food made with high-quality ingredients. You can order pastries like brioche and croissants as well as éclairs, macarons, fruit tarts, and opera cakes.
You can also order crepes, with sweet options like berry jam or Nutella and savory options like the L’Alpine with bacon, goat cheese, honey, and Provence herbs.
There is even a wine bar here, with cheese and charcuterie, brunch, or dinner!
Price: $$
Meal: Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Reservations: No
Phone number: (603) 373-8401
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best casual dining in Portsmouth, NH?
I think the best casual dining in Portsmouth, NH, is at Lexie’s Joint.
Where is the best fine dining in Portsmouth, NH?
I think the best fine dining in Portsmouth, NH, is at Black Trumpet.
Where is the best outdoor dining in Portsmouth, NH?
I think the best outdoor dining in Portsmouth, NH, is at Cava.
Where is the best lunch in Portsmouth, NH?
I think the best lunch in Portsmouth, NH, is at Green Elephant.
What are the best restaurants in downtown Portsmouth, NH?
I think one of the best restaurants in downtown Portsmouth, NH, is Moxy.
What are the best restaurants in Portsmouth, NH, on the water?
I think one of the best restaurants in Portsmouth, NH, on the water is Black Trumpet.
What are the best Italian restaurants in Portsmouth, NH?
I think one of the best Italian restaurants in Portsmouth, NH, is Ristorante Massimo.
What are the best seafood restaurants in Portsmouth, NH?
I think one of the best seafood restaurants in Portsmouth, NH, is Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe.
I hope you enjoyed this post and that it will lead to some great meals at the best restaurants in Portsmouth, NH! If you want to go shopping, then check out the nearby outlets in Kittery, ME.