9 Best Restaurants in Portsmouth, NH: A Foodie’s Seacoast Guide
Whether you’re a local foodie or a traveler looking for the perfect coastal meal, the Greater Portsmouth area is a gold mine of culinary talent and historic charm. From James Beard- recognized bistros to legendary diners and hidden tapas bars, the city’s dining scene strikes a perfect balance between high-end innovation and cozy tradition.
Many of these local gems are staples of Restaurant Week Portsmouth & the Seacoast. If you are planning your next culinary adventure, here is a curated guide to the best restaurants in Portsmouth, NH, and the surrounding region.
Fine Dining and Historic Romance in Downtown Portsmouth
Ristorante Massimo
Massimo Morgia opened this restaurant in 1994 with the vision of serving dishes from his hometown of Pontecorvo, Italy. His main mission is still to provide authentic, five-star Italian cuisine by serving handmade pasta and traditional dishes. A local favorite is the osso buco, a slow-braised veal shank that captures the heart of a traditional Italian meal. OpenTable has also named this restaurant one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America.
Black Trumpet
Located near the harbor, this cozy bistro offers farm-to-table meals in a space filled with nautical-style lanterns and exposed brick. The restaurant is housed in a historic waterfront warehouse built in 1803. Today, the original wooden beams give the dining room an authentic New England character.
Chef Evan Mallett, who is also the owner, is a multi-year James Beard semifinalist known for his focus on local sourcing. While the menu changes seasonally, it always features their well-known warm appetizer of fried almonds, olives and garlic. A popular choice for many guests is the Mountain Paella, which includes a rotating selection of local meats and foraged mushrooms.
Library Restaurant
Built in 1887, this restaurant is in the historic Rockingham Hotel. With its original vaulted mahogany ceilings and three fireplaces, guests will feel warm even in the cold New England winters.
True to its name, there is a collection of over 2,000 books for guests to browse while dining. Adrienne and Paul Waterman became the owners in 2023 and have kept the tradition of live jazz on Wednesday nights. A popular dish here is Wagyu sirloin, which many guests pair with their signature Caesar salad, prepared tableside.
Award-Winning Global Flavors and Tapas
Vida Cantina
Chef and owner David Vargas is a multiple-time James Beard semifinalist who grew up in his family’s taqueria, where he first learned to honor his Mexican heritage through food.
Boston Magazine has recognized his cooking as some of the best Mexican food on the East Coast. A popular choice among visitors is the pig’s head carnitas platter. This decadent dish comes with 20 of his signature purple corn tortillas.
Cava
Tucked away in Commercial Alley, Cava offers a menu of modern interpretations of Spanish tapas. The warm, dimly lit interior provides the perfect backdrop for a long evening of sharing small plates and lingering over a glass of wine. If you go, Phantom Gourmet suggests trying the patatas bravas and their unique churro desserts.
Cure
Chef and owner Julie Cutting, whom you might recognize from Food Network’s Chopped, is serving up elevated American comfort food at Cure. While the menu changes seasonally, a popular dish for many guests is the espresso-stout-braised short ribs, and no meal is complete without their famous warm cornbread topped with honey.
Historic Diners, Pubs and Legendary Portsmouth Nightlife
The Press Room
Offering live music, craft beer and innovative pub cuisine, this restaurant has been a go-to place for friends to gather for nearly 50 years. Opened in 1976 by journalist and musician Jay Smith, the venue was created to provide a dedicated space for artists to perform. A current staff food favorite is the Window Munchies, a large, shared platter of regular fries, waffle fries, popcorn chicken and tortilla chips, all topped with queso.
Gilley’s Diner
Built in 1940 as a Gilley’s Lunch cart in Worcester, Massachusetts, this is the only one of the original five diners ever produced that still remains. It was moved in 1974 to its current location on Fleet Street. Named after Ralph “Gilley” Gilbert, a longtime employee who famously greeted his customers by name, the historic diner is a great place to grab chili cheese fries and a classic cheeseburger.
Dwyer’s Pub
This spot offers a typical New England Irish pub experience, serving classic dishes like fish and chips, Guinness stew and a Reuben made with homemade corned beef. A favorite among locals is the free jukebox.
Looking to discover even more incredible places to eat? You can explore additional regional dining options and plan your trip at goportsmouthnh.com/where-to-eat.
Get to Know Greater Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Want to learn more about living and working in the Greater Portsmouth, NH, area? Check out the latest edition of Livability Greater Portsmouth, New Hampshire.