We’ve lived just 20 minutes from Portsmouth for the past five years, which has given us plenty of opportunities to explore its restaurants. Whether we’re celebrating a special occasion, meeting friends for dinner, or just looking for a fun date night, Portsmouth is one of our favorite places to spend an evening.
While there are dozens of great restaurants throughout the city, these are the places we find ourselves returning to again and again.
Rooftop at the Envio
Back patio at the Gas Light Co.Quick Guide
| Looking for… | We Recommend |
| Best Burger | The Kitchen |
| Thai Food | 5 Thai Bistro |
| Sushi | Surf |
| Steak | Cure |
| Pizza | Flatbread Company |
| Desserts | La Maison Navarre |
| Cocktails | Rooftop at The Envio |
| Live Music | Gas Light Co. |
The Kitchen
If we could only recommend one restaurant in Portsmouth, this would probably be it.
The Kitchen is known for putting creative twists on classic comfort food, and we’ve never had a bad meal here. Their menu changes often, but there’s one item we hope never disappears: the Apu Nahasapeemapetilon burger.
This Indian-inspired lamb burger is topped with feta cheese and packed with incredible flavor. It might sound like an unusual combination, but it’s easily one of our favorite burgers anywhere.
5 Thai Bistro
Whenever we’re craving Thai food, this is where we go.
Everything we’ve tried has been excellent, but we almost always end up ordering the Deluxe Pad Thai with chicken, shrimp, and fried tofu. The combination of proteins gives the dish a lot of variety, and the flavors are consistently fantastic.
If you’re looking for the best Thai restaurants in Portsmouth, this is our pick.
Moxy
Moxy is perfect for date nights or dinner with friends.
Instead of ordering individual entrées, the menu is built around globally inspired small plates designed for sharing. It’s a fun way to try several different dishes, and we’ve always enjoyed everything we’ve ordered.
If you like trying new flavors and don’t mind sharing, Moxy is one of our favorite dining experiences in Portsmouth.
Flatbread Company
Sometimes you just want really good pizza.
Flatbread Company is one of our favorite casual restaurants in Portsmouth. Their wood-fired pizzas are always delicious, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it an easy choice for lunch or a laid-back dinner.
Cure
For birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion, Cure is one of our favorite splurge restaurants.
Known for its high-quality steaks and elevated American cuisine, it’s the kind of place where every dish feels thoughtfully prepared. If you’re planning a nice night out, Cure is hard to beat.
Bao 155
Bao 155 is one of Portsmouth’s newer additions, and it has quickly become one of our go-to spots.
The menu features a variety of Asian-inspired dishes, but the steamed bao buns are the highlight. It’s a great spot if you’re craving casual Asian comfort food.
Surf Restaurant
If you’re in the mood for seafood or sushi, Surf is a great choice.
The sushi is consistently fresh, and the menu offers plenty of options whether you’re craving seafood, steak, or something in between. Its location along the waterfront also makes it a great stop while exploring downtown Portsmouth.
La Maison Navarre
No dinner in Portsmouth is complete without dessert.
La Maison Navarre is our favorite place in town for pastries, macarons, and coffee. Everything in the display case looks incredible, making it almost impossible to choose just one treat.
It’s the perfect place to stop for breakfast, an afternoon coffee break, or dessert after dinner.
Where to Grab a Drink
The Gas Light Co.
If the weather is nice, we almost always recommend heading to the back patio at Gas Light.
The outdoor space often features live music during the warmer months and has a fun, relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for ending the evening with a drink.
Rooftop at The Envio
For some of the best views in Portsmouth, head to Rooftop at The Envio.
Overlooking the Piscataqua River, it’s one of our favorite places to grab a cocktail while watching the sunset. The drinks are great, but the views are what keep us coming back.
Final Thoughts
One of the reasons we love living so close to Portsmouth is that there’s always somewhere new to try, but we still find ourselves returning to these favorites over and over.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend, planning a date night, or just passing through the Seacoast, you really can’t go wrong with any of these restaurants.
We’ll continue updating this guide as we discover new favorites, but if you’re looking for a great meal in Portsmouth today, we’d happily recommend any of the places on this list.