Southern NH Vibe › Restaurants › Portsmouth
Where to eat in Portsmouth, NH
5 local favorites in Portsmouth, NH, picked from best-of lists, local press and reviews. Updated Fri, Oct 9.
Local favorites in Portsmouth
Farm-to-table · $$$
Black Trumpet
29 Ceres St, PortsmouthWebsite(603) 431-0887
Chef Evan Mallett's bistro in an 1803 waterfront warehouse, cooking with local ingredients; known for its paella and fried almonds.
Known for seasonal bistro dishes
Burgers · $
Lexie's Joint
212 Islington St, PortsmouthWebsite(603) 815-4181
A small burger joint known for griddled burgers, fries, and shakes; voted the Seacoast's best burger in Best of NH 2026.
Known for smash-style burgers
Mexican · $$
Vida Cantina
2456 Lafayette Rd, PortsmouthWebsite(603) 501-0648
Chef David Vargas's Mexican restaurant on Route 1, known for house-made tortillas and its carnitas platter.
Known for pig's head carnitas
Diner · $
Gilley's Diner
175 Fleet St, Portsmouth(603) 431-6343
A 1940 lunch-cart diner parked on Fleet Street, serving hot dogs, burgers, and chili cheese fries late into the night.
Known for late-night burgers and chili cheese fries
Pub · $$
The Press Room
77 Daniel St, PortsmouthWebsite(603) 431-5186
A downtown pub open since 1976 with live music, craft beer, and pub food like its shareable munchies platter.
Known for pub fare and live music
Our local-favorite lists are free and picked by us from best-of lists, local press and reviews. Nobody pays to be on them. Hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Know a place we missed, or see one that closed? Tell us.
Nearby favorites
New American · $$$ · New Castle · 2 mi away
SALT Kitchen & Bar
588 Wentworth Rd, New CastleWebsite(603) 373-6566
The restaurant at the Wentworth by the Sea resort, serving seafood-forward dinners and weekend brunch with views of the harbor.
Known for ocean-view brunch
Seafood · $$ · Rye · 4 mi away
Petey's Summertime SeafoodOpen year-round with shorter off-season hours; check ahead
1323 Ocean Blvd, RyeWebsite(603) 433-1937
A roadside seafood restaurant across from the ocean, voted the Seacoast's favorite restaurant in Best of NH 2026 and known for its chowder.
Known for clam chowder and lobster rolls
Breakfast & lunch · $ · Greenland · 4 mi away
The Country View Restaurant
692 Portsmouth Ave, GreenlandWebsite(603) 431-7426
A Route 33 breakfast and lunch spot with a woodstove and counter, known for Benedicts, an Irish breakfast, and homestyle comfort food.
Known for Irish Benedict and big breakfasts
Diner · $ · North Hampton · 8 mi away
The Airfield Cafe
9A Lafayette Rd, North Hampton(603) 964-1654
A breakfast and lunch diner at the Hampton Airfield where you can watch small planes; voted the Seacoast's best breakfast and diner in Best of NH 2026.
Known for breakfast by the runway
American tavern · $$ · Newmarket · 9 mi away
The Riverworks
164 Main St, NewmarketWebsite(603) 659-6119
A Main Street restaurant and tavern by the river with a creative American menu and live local music some nights.
Known for tuna tostadas and pulled pork
Burgers · $ · Durham · 9 mi away
Hop + Grind
17 Madbury Rd, DurhamWebsite(603) 397-5564
A downtown burger bar near UNH known for creative burgers, hand-cut fries, Nashville hot chicken, shakes, and local craft beer.
Known for burgers and milkshakes