When visiting Portsmouth, New Hampshire, you will be greeted with a plethora of restaurants to choose from.
Whether you have a specific desire, or you are seeking a uniquely adventurous diner, you will undoubtedly find the best restaurant for you in Portsmouth.
For lunchtime options, you can find an array of scenic eateries that will enable you to soak up all of the coastline whilst indulging in a delicious meal.
Whether you are looking for a lighter lunch or more heavier options, Portsmouth has many restaurants that are guaranteed to make you salivate.
The Flatbread Company
The Flatbread Company has numerous restaurants across this state, and provides wood-fired pizzas that are nothing short of jaw-dropping.
If you are seeking some fresh pizza pie with a vast array of toppings, then this is the perfect spot for you. They provide a wide range of meat-based and vegetarian pizzas, flatbreads and salads.
Their desserts are also ti die for! All of the pizza and flatbread options are made with flour that has been freshly ground at the Flatbread Company itself. Be sure to pay one of these restaurants a visit, you will not regret it!
Find them at: 138 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
See them online: http://flatbreadcompany.com/locations/portsmouth-nh/
Portsmouth Brewery
If you are seeking some pub food and a heartier meal, then you should definitely pay a visit to the Portsmouth Brewery.
This brewery serves wholesome craft beers alongside incredible meals. They are renowned for serving some of the best mussels in town also.
However, if you are seeking a meatier option, then their burgers are equally as incredible. There are also salad and fish and chips options available.
Gilley’s Diner
This eatery was founded in 1940, and thus, it has been a favorite restaurant for lunch-lovers (and late night snackers) in Portsmouth for over a long time. You won’t find fancy gourmet dishes at Gilley’s Diner but you will find burgers, hot dogs, french fries and other simple fare.
Pay a visit to this establishment in order to experience authenticity and history alongside the best comfort food in town! You will not regret it.
Find Gilley’s Diner at: 175 Fleet St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
See them online here: https://www.gilleysdiner.com/
Popovers On The Square
If you are a lover of European-style food that is both warm and fresh, then this is the best restaurant for you. I had never had a Popover until I went here for lunch during a conference I was attending in Portsmouth and I loved it! They have an award-winning bakery and make all kinds of great salads and sandwiches there making it a popular lunch spot in Portsmouth.
You can also select from a range of desserts and pastries. If you are looking to indulge in a smaller lunch within a wonderful atmosphere, then definitely head to Popovers.
Find them at: 8 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
See their website here: http://www.popoversonthesquare.com/
Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cake
Whilst in Portsmouth, you definitely need to visit Jumpin’ Jays in order to sample some of the freshest seafood in town.
This is a popular spot for a reason, and you will be able to indulge in a range of fish cakes that satisfy your palate to perfection! They have the freshest seafood, great cocktails (see also ‘The Best Bloody Mary’s In New Hampshire‘), and its in a nice setting you are sure to enjoy!
Find Jumpin Jay’s at: 150 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
See them online here: https://www.jumpinjays.com/
River House
If you are seeking a waterfront lunch, then visiting the River House is the best way to indulge in lunch in Portsmouth. The River House is one of “Portsmouth Decks” right on the water and can deliver some excellent views while you enjoy your lunch. The River House balances a casual ambience with stunning views (I always enjoy seeing the boats go by while enjoying a cold beer and their hot seafood chowder!).
The food here is equally as pleasing as the scenery. This is the perfect spot for a casual, romantic lunch for you and your partner.
Find the River House at: 53 Bow St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
See them online here: http://www.riverhouse53bow.com/
The Oar House
Another brilliant spot that is situated dockside is the Oar House. This is another one of the “Portsmouth Decks” and is the perfect spot for lunch when the weather is nice! This restaurant also balances a relaxed and elegant ambiance within the heart of the Olde Harbour area.
Their lunch menu is undoubtedly astonishing and provides you with a breadth of options to tantalize your taste buds. On a recent visit I enjoyed Lobster Stuffed Avocado and it was excellent!
Find the Oar House in Portsmouth at: 55 Ceres St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
See them online here: http://www.portsmouthoarhouse.com/
Martingale Wharf
Yet another lunch time spot with a waterfront view and Portsmouth Deck is Martingale Wharf. Plenty of great lunch options but I highly recommend their Lobster Roll or any of their many seafood dishes.
They have a wonderful deck with some great waterfront views to enjoy while you eat your lunch.
Find them at: 99 Bow St suite w, Portsmouth, NH 03801
See them online here: http://www.martingalewharf.com/
The Black Trumpet Bistro
This bistro is family-owned and a much favored spot amongst locals.
The menu is continually alternating but remains focused on using local ingredients, making it the best place to sample local delicacies and produce whilst lunching in Portsmouth.
Find them at: 29 Ceres St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
See them online here: http://www.blacktrumpetbistro.com/
The Puddle Dock
Another incredible option that is located in central Portsmouth is The Puddle Dock (located where former Mombo restaurant used to live). You will not find another dining experience quite like this and it is located within the historic Strawberry Banke.
The menu boasts a range of options that incorporate a wide range of international dishes.
The warmth of the hospitality here is also second to none, and you will undoubtedly leave Portsmouth with a smile on your face after lunching here. I highly recommend their Charcuterie Board!
The Puddle Dock doesn’t open until later in the afternoon so this is a later lunch spot in Portsmouth and not an option for early lunch-seekers.
After lunch you can take a river side stroll through Prescott Park and take in their impressive flower garden.
Find them at: 66 Marcy St, Portsmouth, NH 03802
See them online here: https://www.thepuddledock.com/
Cure
Pay a visit to the Cure Restaurant for a fine dining experience that is also distinctly casual. This restaurant also ensures that they slow cook their meat, tenderizing it to the utmost perfection.
If you are looking for superbly prepared homemade food, then you should definitely visit Cure. There are also outdoor dining options available from May until October, which is perfect if you want to have lunch here on a hot day.
You should note Cure is not exactly a lunch spot since they don’t open till late in the afternoon but I really love this restaurant. If you are willing to wait until late afternoon or early evening this is a great option!
Find them at: 189 State Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
See them online here: http://www.curerestaurantportsmouth.com/
Row 34
Row 34 is a favorite lunch spot of mine when I visit Portsmouth NH as I am a seafood lover and they deliver that in ample supply. They have fresh-shucked oysters from New England available as well as a variety of other seafood dishes.
They have a nice indoor dining room and some seating outdoors too to enjoy a nice Summer Day!
You can find Row 34 at: 5 Portwalk Pl, Portsmouth, NH 03801
See them online here: https://www.row34.com/nh/
Final Thoughts on The Best Lunch In Portsmouth New Hampshire
To conclude, the restaurants that I have outlined above are just some of the incredible options to choose from when looking for lunch in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
These restaurants are favored by lunching locals and visitors alike, and thus, you will definitely find the finest foods on offer here.
Whether you are looking to indulge in food alongside a harbor-view, or you just wish to snack on a lighter lunch, you will definitely find the right restaurant to suit you in the list that I have outlined above.
When visiting Portsmouth, NH, you should ensure that you are researching the best restaurants for seafood also. This is because you are guaranteed to taste some of the freshest seafood in the country when lunching in Portsmouth.
While visiting Portsmouth, check out some of these great things to do on your visit. Here’s some great Portsmouth hotels to look at if you’re planning to stay in town.
Enjoy a post-lunch ice cream at one of these spots.
