The Seacoast Restaurants

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

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  • 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. Elephantine Bakery

    $

    Master bakers Sherif and Nadine Farag run this cozy, conversation-filled bakery and cafe that's known for its meticulously crafted Middle Eastern and French pastries, sandwiches, and breakfast dishes. Start the day with poached eggs cilbir (over garlic labneh with aleppo butter, parsley gremolata, and toasted sourdough), and make every effort to save room for a slice of cardamom-rosewater cake or a brown-butter brownie.

    10 Commercial Alley, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
    603-319–6189

    Known For

    • Outdoor seating on a redbrick sidewalk
    • Egyptian bread pudding with coconut milk
    • Perfectly poured espresso drinks

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 5. Red Rover Creamery

    $

    This tiny parlor in historic downtown produces ice cream in big, bold flavors—think black currant tea–caramel, brown sugar–nectarine, and classic cookies-and-cream. They also bake dense and chewy cookies in interesting flavors, which you can enjoy on their own or in an ice-cream sandwich.

    150 State St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801, USA
    603-427–8172

    Known For

    • Steps from Strawbery Banke Museum
    • Decadent ice-cream sandwiches
    • Fresh-baked cookies

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. 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
  • 7. 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
  • 8. 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
  • 9. 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.
  • 10. 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
  • 11. 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

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