The Seacoast Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Seacoast - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

Sort by: 15 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. Botanica

    $$$

    This swanky spot in a gorgeous old brick brewery building in Portsmouth's up-and-coming West End is a magnet for fans of artisan gin, which figures in about a dozen intriguing cocktails, but the exquisite French-accented cuisine appeals to all. Highlights from the seasonal menu include classic steak frites with brandy jus, and grilled monkfish in a squash bisque with corn and lobster. There's a nice list of wines by the glass and craft beers, too.

    110 Brewery La., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
    603-373–0979

    Known For

    • Attractive side patio
    • Imaginative gin-centric cocktails
    • Chocolate soufflé

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Mon. No lunch
  • 2. Cava

    $$$

    Having a meal at this sophisticated little wine and tapas bar down a tiny alley near the downtown riverfront can feel like going to a special dinner party. It has a small exhibition kitchen and bar, and just a handful of tables and chairs, where guests can enjoy a selection of stellar bocadillos, tapas, and pintxos—from piquillo peppers with goat cheese and artichokes to char-grilled baby octopus—plus a few larger plates, such as paella.

    10 Commercial Alley, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
    603-319–1575

    Known For

    • A superb wine list
    • Authentic Spanish tapas
    • Churros with hot chocolate

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
  • 3. Cure

    $$$

    As its name hints, this buzzy neighborhood bistro in a lively dining room with redbrick walls, beam ceilings, and hardwood floors specializes in cured, brined, and slow-cooked meats, which you can sample through beautifully presented charcuterie boards, smoked ribs, and slow-roasted Moroccan lamb shank. But take heart if you're less disposed toward red meat—you'll find plenty of creative seafood and veggie dishes on the menu, including gooey lobster mac and cheese.

    189 State St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
    603-427–8258

    Known For

    • Locally sourced ingredients
    • Well-chosen wine list
    • Lively but romantic dining room

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • 4. Il Cornicello

    $$$

    At this intimate, romantic downtown restaurant overlooking the Exeter River, artfully prepared dishes like gemelli with chestnut mushrooms and smoked ham in a leek-taleggio-mustard sauce, and classic shrimp linguine with a garlicky scampi sauce take center stage. There's also a long and impressively curated list of Italian wines.

    11 Water St., Exeter, New Hampshire, 03833, USA
    603-580–4604

    Known For

    • Fresh, hand-cut pasta
    • Seasonally inspired antipasti
    • Lovely views of the downtown riverfront

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. No lunch
  • 5. Otis

    $$$$

    This romantic, urbane restaurant set inside the early-19th-century Inn by the Bandstand offers exceptional five-course tasting menus featuring farm-to-table fare that changes often to reflect what's in season. Typical offering include sea scallops with orange and fennel, and lamb with Brussels sprouts, shallots, and a sherry sauce, and everything is always plated beautifully. Lighter but still quite creative fare is served at the inn's other restaurant, Ambrose.

    4 Front St., Exeter, New Hampshire, 03833, USA
    603-580–1705

    Known For

    • Market-fresh, seasonal ingredients
    • Views of charming village center
    • Sticky toffee pudding with a bourbon caramel sauce

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Wed. No lunch
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Stages at One Washington

    $$$$

    Offering stunning, reservation-only prix-fixe dinners featuring 8 to 10 small courses, this intimate open-kitchen space occupies the third floor of a converted redbrick mill building in Dover. The daily menu is based on what the talented culinary team here has sourced from farms and fishing boats—perhaps cured monkfish with green pea dashi and ramps, or lobster mushrooms with coffee, razor clams, and hazelnuts. Expect the unexpected.

    1 Washington St., Dover, New Hampshire, 03820, USA
    603-842–4077

    Known For

    • Artfully presented food
    • Lavish multicourse dinners
    • Optional wine pairings

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. No lunch
  • 7. Black Trumpet Bistro

    $$$

    This romantic harbor-view restaurant brings the bold flavors of Latin America and the Mediterranean to bear on such eclectic fare as smoked corn–and–brandade–crusted halibut, lobster and grits, and lamb tagine with preserved lemon over couscous. The chef belongs to the Heirloom Harvest Project and brings unusual vegetables—sometimes in surprising colors—to the table.

    29 Ceres St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
    603-431–0887

    Known For

    • Creative vegetarian options
    • A lively upstairs wine bar
    • Flourless dark-chocolate cake

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
  • 8. Hop + Grind

    $

    Students and faculty from UNH, whose campus is just a few blocks away, congregate over mammoth burgers with flavorful, original sides (kimchi, fries topped with cilantro-pickled peppers or black-garlic-truffle aioli) and other creative takes on gastropub fare. This is a hot spot for craft-beer aficionados, who appreciate the long list of options, including a rotating cache of rare and seasonal selections.

    17 Madbury Rd., Durham, New Hampshire, 03824, USA
    603-397--5564

    Known For

    • Impressive local beer selection
    • Fun and lively student crowd
    • Malted milk shakes with unusual flavors
  • 9. Lexie's Joint

    $

    What began as a humble downtown burger joint has blossomed into a regional mini empire, thanks to the high-quality ingredients, upbeat service, and groovy "peace, love, and burgers"–themed decor. The burgers are reasonably priced and topped with all sorts of goodies, but there are also hot dogs and a few sandwiches, plus plenty of addictive sides. You'll find additional locations in Dover, Exeter, and Newburyport, MA.

    212 Islington St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
    603-815–4181

    Known For

    • Milk shakes with Shain's of Maine homemade ice cream
    • Fried pickles with chipotle aioli
    • The farmhouse burger, with cheddar, bacon, avocado, and fried egg
  • 10. Row 34

    $$$

    Set in a gleaming, industrial-chic dining room with tall windows, exposed air ducts, and metal tables and chairs, this contemporary and slightly fancy take on a classic seafood house is the sort of place that's equally appropriate for special celebrations and casual beer-and-oysters happy hours with friends. From tuna tartare to scallop ceviche, you can't go wrong with anything from the raw bar, but also check out the extensive variety of steamed and grilled fare, such as roasted monkfish and grilled salmon collar.

    5 Portwalk Pl., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
    603-319–5011

    Known For

    • Fantastic beer selection
    • Good deals on raw oysters at happy hour
    • Sunday brunch
  • 11. Savannah Kitchen

    $$

    Located inside a restored mill building on the Lamprey River in the historic village of Newmarket, this festive tavern and bar with boldly colored walls and timber-beam ceilings specializes in flavorful—if decadent—regional Southern dishes like classic shrimp and grits, braised pork shoulder with Creole spices and red gravy, and grilled New Orleans–style oysters. It's also a fun spot for cocktails and conversation.

    55 Main St., Newmarket, New Hampshire, 03857, USA
    603-292–5158

    Known For

    • Colorful drinks served in tiki-style tumblers
    • $1 oysters on the half shell at happy hour
    • Warm blueberry-peach bread pudding

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • 12. Surf Restaurant

    $$$

    Whether you eat inside the conversation-filled, high-ceilinged dining room or out on the breezy deck, you'll be treated to expansive views of Old Harbour and the Piscataqua River—an apt setting for consistently fresh and tasty seafood. The menu branches into several directions, including lobster rolls, shrimp-pork ramen, sushi, and Tuscan-style shrimp with marinara sauce, but manages everything well, and there's a well-curated wine and cocktail selection to complement your choice.

    99 Bow St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
    603-334–9855

    Known For

    • Raw-bar specialties
    • Water views
    • Creative sushi rolls

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Wed. and Thurs.
  • 13. The Carriage House

    $$$

    Across from Jenness Beach, this elegant cottage serves innovative dishes with an emphasis on local seafood, from raw bar specialties like scallop crudo and littleneck clams on the half shell to roasted cod and tarragon lobster salad. A first-rate hanger steak and lamb stew with eggplant and fry bread round out the menu.

    2263 Ocean Blvd., Rye, New Hampshire, 03870, USA
    603-964–8251

    Known For

    • Classic daily blue-plate specials
    • Breezy, refreshing cocktails
    • Cozy upstairs tavern with ocean views

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
  • 14. The Wilder

    $$$

    Have a seat at the bar or at one of the banquette seats along the wall at this convivial, upscale gastropub with offbeat artwork and a diverse crowd. The kitchen serves up well-executed takes on comfort classics like Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches with maple-cayenne sauce; poutine smothered in roasted-bone gravy and glazed pork belly; and braised beef short rib with mushroom-onion jam and crispy shallots.

    174 Fleet St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
    603-319–6878

    Known For

    • Lively and friendly bar scene
    • Late-night dining
    • Fun weekend brunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
  • 15. Vida Cantina

    $$

    In a state sorely lacking in notable Latin restaurants, this airy contemporary space south of downtown stands out for the ambitious modern Mexican cuisine of chef-owner and James Beard award--nominated chef David Vargas. Several kinds of street-food-style tacos are offered, including barbacoa and pork belly, along with a tangy goat cheese version of queso fundido and sous vide short rib with pistachio salsa macha.

    2456 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
    603-501–0648

    Known For

    • Adobo shrimp mole
    • Interesting sides, like blue cornbread and shishito peppers
    • Boozy weekend brunches

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video