The best restaurants in Portsmouth

56 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 56 places · showing the latest additions first

Relaxed Mexican restaurant dishing out burritos, tacos, and other familiar eats, plus margaritas.

275 Ocean Blvd (Hampton)

Relaxed Mexican restaurant dishing out burritos, tacos, and other familiar eats, plus margaritas.

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Casa Tequila

Restaurants

Unfussy, family-friendly eatery serving typical Mexican standards alongside beers & tequila drinks.

620 Lafayette Rd (Seabrook)

Unfussy, family-friendly eatery serving typical Mexican standards alongside beers & tequila drinks.

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Farmhouse-style American choice with craft draft beer from the adjacent Smuttynose Brewing Company.

105 Towle Farm Rd (Hampton)

Farmhouse-style American choice with craft draft beer from the adjacent Smuttynose Brewing Company.

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Ore Nell's Barbecue brings Central Texas flavor to the Seacoast with meats smoked low and slow over oak, plenty of warm hospitality, and…

2 Badgers Island W (Kittery)

Ore Nell's Barbecue brings Central Texas flavor to the Seacoast with meats smoked low and slow over oak, plenty of warm hospitality, and scratch-made sides and desserts. When you need brisket, ribs, or pulled pork that actually tastes like weekend, this is the move.

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BRGR Bar

Restaurants

BRGR Bar is the loud-ish, laid-back spot locals hit when they crave show-stopping burgers made with Maine family-farm proteins, loaded…

34 Portwalk Pl

BRGR Bar is the loud-ish, laid-back spot locals hit when they crave show-stopping burgers made with Maine family-farm proteins, loaded apps, and boozy milkshakes. Settle in for a whiskey-centric pour, embrace the napkin pile, and make it your midweek move this week.

From the Portsmouth newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Mexican handcrafts decorate this chain serving tacos, enchiladas, margaritas & other classics.

775 Lafayette Rd

Mexican handcrafts decorate this chain serving tacos, enchiladas, margaritas & other classics.

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Hibachi tables, sushi rolls and steakhouse meals are served at this relaxed Japanese restaurant.

2466 Lafayette Rd

Hibachi tables, sushi rolls and steakhouse meals are served at this relaxed Japanese restaurant.

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Daytime spot serving hearty American breakfasts & lunchtime sandwiches in humble, dinerlike digs.

72 Mirona Rd

Daytime spot serving hearty American breakfasts & lunchtime sandwiches in humble, dinerlike digs.

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Convivial hangout for burgers, tacos & ribs, plus beers & TV sports in relaxed, exposed-brick digs.

95 Brewery Ln #2

Convivial hangout for burgers, tacos & ribs, plus beers & TV sports in relaxed, exposed-brick digs.

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Barrio

Restaurants

Local chain serving signature & build-your-own tacos, plus cocktails, in a hip, casual space.

319 Vaughan St

Local chain serving signature & build-your-own tacos, plus cocktails, in a hip, casual space.

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Classic Mexican fare & margaritas fuel a festive atmosphere at this easygoing spot.

36 Walker St (Kittery)

Classic Mexican fare & margaritas fuel a festive atmosphere at this easygoing spot.

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LANEY & LU

Restaurants

Fresh space for smoothies, grain bowls and coffee, as well as lunch options.

360 US-1 BYP

Fresh space for smoothies, grain bowls and coffee, as well as lunch options.

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Upscale indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar serving burgers, plus seafood and steak dishes.

299 Vaughan St

Upscale indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar serving burgers, plus seafood and steak dishes.

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Louie's

Restaurants

Minimalist mainstay with refined Northern Italian entrees, artisanal pasta dishes & craft cocktails.

909 Islington St

Minimalist mainstay with refined Northern Italian entrees, artisanal pasta dishes & craft cocktails.

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Charming restaurant for Neapolitan-style pizza, pasta and coffee.

14 Market Square

Charming restaurant for Neapolitan-style pizza, pasta and coffee.

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River House

Restaurants

Easygoing spot for a broad seafood menu & drinks in harborside digs with a scenic deck on the river.

53 Bow St

Easygoing spot for a broad seafood menu & drinks in harborside digs with a scenic deck on the river.

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This unfussy counter serve offers typical pizzas, sandwiches & pasta dishes, plus salads & burgers.

800 Islington St

This unfussy counter serve offers typical pizzas, sandwiches & pasta dishes, plus salads & burgers.

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Trendy hangout serving all-day breakfasts in quirky surroundings, with vegan options.

113 Congress Street

Trendy hangout serving all-day breakfasts in quirky surroundings, with vegan options.

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Quaint rooms in an upmarket Victorian B&B offering an elegant cafe & a garden, plus free Wi-Fi.

103 Silver St (Dover)

Quaint rooms in an upmarket Victorian B&B offering an elegant cafe & a garden, plus free Wi-Fi.

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Snazzy, updated diner featuring hearty American staples such as breakfast all day & cocktails.

580 Portsmouth Traffic Cir

Snazzy, updated diner featuring hearty American staples such as breakfast all day & cocktails.

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Vida Cantina

Restaurants

Low-key locale providing inventive Mexican cooking & a long tequila list in a playful atmosphere.

2456 Lafayette Rd

Low-key locale providing inventive Mexican cooking & a long tequila list in a playful atmosphere.

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Comfort food, including pizza (thin-crust, Margherita, white options) and Mediterranean fare, served in a laid-back setting.

2800 Lafayette Rd Unit 12A

Comfort food, including pizza (thin-crust, Margherita, white options) and Mediterranean fare, served in a laid-back setting.

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Flo's Hot Dogs

Restaurants

Tiny hot dog stand opened in 1959 serving straightforward wieners with renowned housemade relish.

1359 US-1 (Cape Neddick)

Tiny hot dog stand opened in 1959 serving straightforward wieners with renowned housemade relish.

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The Kitchen

Restaurants

Charming sandwich nook offering elevated comfort food, like burgers & salads, amid a cool vibe.

171 Islington St

Charming sandwich nook offering elevated comfort food, like burgers & salads, amid a cool vibe.

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Quaint breakfast & lunch outpost serving pancakes, burgers & other American comfort food dishes.

692 Portsmouth Ave (Greenland)

Quaint breakfast & lunch outpost serving pancakes, burgers & other American comfort food dishes.

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Moxy

Restaurants

Large, stylish spot offering small sharing plates of contemporary American cuisine & a full bar.

Downtown Portsmouth, 106 Penhallow St

Large, stylish spot offering small sharing plates of contemporary American cuisine & a full bar.

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Casual eatery dishing up spicy chicken tenders, wings, fries and macaroni-and-cheese sides alongside milkshakes.

1600 Woodbury Ave

Casual eatery dishing up spicy chicken tenders, wings, fries and macaroni-and-cheese sides alongside milkshakes.

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Cocktail bar featuring sushi rolls and authentic Chinese cuisine, along with friendly staff.

2454 Lafayette Rd #6

Cocktail bar featuring sushi rolls and authentic Chinese cuisine, along with friendly staff.

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Hopping, historic, multilevel haunt with a tavern, pizzeria, nightclub & a deck with live music.

64 Market St

Hopping, historic, multilevel haunt with a tavern, pizzeria, nightclub & a deck with live music.

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Family-owned Mexican eatery serving an array of classic dishes & margaritas in a casual setting.

446 Central Ave (Dover)

Family-owned Mexican eatery serving an array of classic dishes & margaritas in a casual setting.

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Sprawling Italian haunt serving polished dishes & wine amid rustic-chic surrounds.

3 Pleasant St

Sprawling Italian haunt serving polished dishes & wine amid rustic-chic surrounds.

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Clipper Tavern

Restaurants

Classic eats such as burgers & fries, plus beer, wine & cocktails in an informal venue.

75 Pleasant St

Classic eats such as burgers & fries, plus beer, wine & cocktails in an informal venue.

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Homey, bi-level eatery serving classic Nepalese fare, including curried meat & vegetarian tarkari.

10 Market St

Homey, bi-level eatery serving classic Nepalese fare, including curried meat & vegetarian tarkari.

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Italian market featuring imported and local products, plus a deli serving prepared foods and baked goods.

517 Middle Street

Italian market featuring imported and local products, plus a deli serving prepared foods and baked goods.

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Trendy restaurant and sports bar with a golf simulator, fireplace, and large beer selection.

581 Lafayette Rd

Trendy restaurant and sports bar with a golf simulator, fireplace, and large beer selection.

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Casual pizza restaurant and wine bar at Portsmouth Green dishing up quick bites and cocktails.

2454 Lafayette Rd

Casual pizza restaurant and wine bar at Portsmouth Green dishing up quick bites and cocktails.

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Compact bistro featuring modern French eats and gin-based cocktails, plus a patio.

110 Brewery Ln #105

Compact bistro featuring modern French eats and gin-based cocktails, plus a patio.

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Laid-back restaurant specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches, with vegan options and board games.

76 Congress Street

Laid-back restaurant specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches, with vegan options and board games.

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Large menu eatery dishing up sushi and other Japanese dishes as well as Chinese selections and pho soups.

2800 Lafayette Rd

Large menu eatery dishing up sushi and other Japanese dishes as well as Chinese selections and pho soups.

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Casual, yet stunning eatery serving traditional Thai dishes including a variety of spring rolls, pad thai and curry.

2454 Lafayette Rd Ste 6A

Casual, yet stunning eatery serving traditional Thai dishes including a variety of spring rolls, pad thai and curry.

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Nichinan

Restaurants

Trendy eatery, connected to Hotel Thaxter, for elevated Japanese cuisine such as sushi, ramen and cocktails, with an intimate dining room.

15 Middle Street

Trendy eatery, connected to Hotel Thaxter, for elevated Japanese cuisine such as sushi, ramen and cocktails, with an intimate dining room.

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Wood-fired pizzas with organic ingredients & free-range meats, made in traditional clay ovens.

138 Congress Street

Wood-fired pizzas with organic ingredients & free-range meats, made in traditional clay ovens.

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Chill Catering

Restaurants

Casual catering business dishing up familiar favorites including roasted whole pig, lobster bake and more.

Traffic Circle, 580 US-1 BYP

Casual catering business dishing up familiar favorites including roasted whole pig, lobster bake and more.

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Restaurant open since 1927 & offering classic Italian meals, plus an open kitchen & a long wood bar.

70 State Street

Restaurant open since 1927 & offering classic Italian meals, plus an open kitchen & a long wood bar.

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Laid-back neighborhood joint supplying pizza, salads & steak subs, plus banh mi sandwiches.

801 Islington St

Laid-back neighborhood joint supplying pizza, salads & steak subs, plus banh mi sandwiches.

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Cure

Restaurants

Classic American cuisine in an intimate setting with exposed-brick walls, a small bar & a patio.

189 State Street

Classic American cuisine in an intimate setting with exposed-brick walls, a small bar & a patio.

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Southern-style fare (including pulled pork, brisket and ribs, plus cocktails) served in a casual setting with an outdoor patio.

70 NH-108 (Newfields)

Southern-style fare (including pulled pork, brisket and ribs, plus cocktails) served in a casual setting with an outdoor patio.

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International street food, beer & specialty cocktails served in vibrant, bold-hued surroundings.

801 Islington St Ste 17

International street food, beer & specialty cocktails served in vibrant, bold-hued surroundings.

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Convivial, compact brew pub featuring craft beers & casual grub, plus outdoor seating & live music.

175 High St

Convivial, compact brew pub featuring craft beers & casual grub, plus outdoor seating & live music.

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Creative pies, pasta, sandwiches & beer are served in a relaxed atmosphere with sports on the TV.

980 Lafayette Rd

Creative pies, pasta, sandwiches & beer are served in a relaxed atmosphere with sports on the TV.

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Surf Portsmouth

Restaurants

Creative, coastal cuisine with global accents in a comfortable setting with a patio & a lively vibe.

99 Bow St Ste 200W

Creative, coastal cuisine with global accents in a comfortable setting with a patio & a lively vibe.

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Colonial-era eatery with a patio, serving American fare and cocktails.

66 Marcy St

Colonial-era eatery with a patio, serving American fare and cocktails.

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Lexie's Joint

Restaurants

Cozy joint serving specialty burgers, mocktails & craft beer in relaxed quarters with a flat-screen.

212 Islington St

Cozy joint serving specialty burgers, mocktails & craft beer in relaxed quarters with a flat-screen.

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Long-standing spot known for its burgers & a convivial atmosphere fueled by beer, pub grub & sports.

49 Pleasant St

Long-standing spot known for its burgers & a convivial atmosphere fueled by beer, pub grub & sports.

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Intimate bistro with seafood-centric dishes and cocktails served in a cozy space with a deck.

88 Pepperrell Rd (Kittery Point)

Intimate bistro with seafood-centric dishes and cocktails served in a cozy space with a deck.

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Stalk

Restaurants

Cozy restaurant and bar crafting creative small plates and entrees, plus wines and cocktails.

286 Central Ave (Dover)

Cozy restaurant and bar crafting creative small plates and entrees, plus wines and cocktails.

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