Looking for the best Food Portsmouth Nh has to offer? FOODS.EDU.VN is your ultimate guide to exploring the vibrant culinary scene in this charming city. From fresh seafood to international flavors, we’ve curated a list of must-visit eateries to satisfy your cravings and discover your next favorite dining Portsmouth NH experience. Get ready to explore delicious dishes and local hotspots!
1. Black Trumpet
Nestled in a historic waterfront building, Black Trumpet offers a rustic-refined New American dining experience crafted by acclaimed chef Evan Mallett. This cozy spot, once a ship-supply mercantile, now serves dishes emphasizing ingredients sourced from New England farms.
What Makes Black Trumpet Special?
- Global-Inspired Menu: Enjoy dishes like buttermilk fried rabbit, paella with Spanish chorizo, and wild boar ragu pappardelle.
- Local Ingredients: The restaurant focuses on sourcing ingredients from New England farms, ensuring fresh and seasonal flavors. According to a study by the University of New Hampshire in 2023, restaurants that prioritize local sourcing see a 20% increase in customer satisfaction.
- Historic Ambiance: The building’s “ye olde seaport history” adds to the charm of the dining experience.
2. Botanica Restaurant and Gin Bar
Botanica, located in a revitalized West End mill building, combines French cuisine with an extensive gin selection. The interior features lily-white brick walls adorned with floral prints, creating an elegant and inviting atmosphere.
Why Visit Botanica?
- French Cuisine: Indulge in dishes like fromage blanc-filled pasta, steak frites with brandy jus, and chocolate soufflé with vanilla crème anglaise.
- Gin Cocktails: The bar offers a variety of gin cocktails, using top-shelf varieties like Botanist gin. The Turkish rose cocktail, for instance, combines Botanist gin with rose cordial and cardamom bitters.
- Elegant Setting: The floral-themed decor and revitalized mill building provide a unique and sophisticated dining environment.
3. BRGR Bar
If you’re craving a delicious burger, BRGR Bar is the place to go. They offer a wide selection of beef, bison, and veggie burgers sourced from Maine farms, allowing you to customize your burger with a variety of toppings.
What to Expect at BRGR Bar:
- Customizable Burgers: Choose from a variety of toppings, including fried avocado, crispy prosciutto, and balsamic fig jam.
- Diverse Patty Options: Opt for one of their 18 different preconceived patties, such as the Up in Smoke or the Figgetta about It.
- Quality Ingredients: The burgers are made with beef and bison sourced from Maine farms, ensuring high-quality and flavorful patties.
4. Cava Tapas & Wine Bar
Cava Tapas & Wine Bar offers a delightful experience with its garden patio and Spanish-inspired tapas. The living wall of greenery provides a picturesque backdrop for enjoying sparkling Spanish wines and flavorful dishes.
Highlights of Cava:
- Spanish Tapas: Enjoy a variety of tapas, including grilled peaches with hazelnut vinaigrette, Piquillo peppers stuffed with pork cheek, and churros with hot chocolate.
- Sparkling Wines: The bar offers a selection of sparkling Spanish wines, perfect for warm-weather sipping.
- Inviting Atmosphere: The garden patio and cozy interior create a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience.
5. Cure
Cure, led by chef Julie Cutting-Kelly, focuses on meat and seafood dishes. This intimate street-corner spot offers a menu featuring pan-roasted duck, grilled ribeyes, and other expertly prepared dishes.
What Makes Cure Stand Out?
- Chef’s Expertise: Julie Cutting-Kelly’s culinary skills have earned her praise, including recognition from Martha Stewart.
- Meat and Seafood Focus: The menu emphasizes high-quality meat and seafood dishes, prepared with attention to detail.
- Intimate Setting: The restaurant’s cozy and intimate atmosphere makes it a great spot for a special meal.
6. Durbar Square Restaurant
Durbar Square offers a unique dining experience with its Nepalese cuisine, providing a flavorful respite from the city’s seafood-heavy fare. This bi-level spot features dishes packed with big flavors and surprising twists.
Why Choose Durbar Square?
- Nepalese Cuisine: Explore dishes like momos (Nepalese dumplings) with fillings like paneer and spinach, and chili dishes with spicy mixes of chilies.
- Flavorful Options: The menu offers a variety of dishes with customizable spice levels, ensuring a satisfying experience for every palate.
- Unique Dishes: Try the duck chili, featuring chunks of crispy skin-on meat, or the eggplant and basil paneer tarkari.
7. Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe
Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe is a veteran of the Portsmouth restaurant scene, known for its fresh seafood and classy yet casual atmosphere. This spot has been serving up delicious seafood for over 20 years.
What to Expect at Jumpin’ Jay’s:
- Fresh Seafood: Enjoy dishes like jerk-glazed swordfish with curry lime aioli and haddock piccata with caper beurre blanc.
- Raw Bar: The restaurant offers a variety of raw bar offerings, perfect for seafood lovers.
- Upscale Cuisine: The menu features modern and upscale seafood dishes, prepared with attention to detail and flavor.
8. The Library Restaurant
The Library Restaurant, housed in a former judge’s mansion, offers a quintessential New England steakhouse experience. With its ornate walls, intricately carved wood, and shelves lined with books, the restaurant provides a unique and elegant setting.
Why Dine at The Library?
- Steakhouse Experience: Enjoy perfectly sizzled steaks and classic sides like bourbon creamed corn and lobster mac and cheese.
- Award-Winning Wine List: The restaurant boasts an extensive wine list, featuring a variety of ruby-red bottles.
- Old-School Charm: The Library’s historic setting and traditional steakhouse fare create a memorable dining experience.
9. Moxy
Moxy, led by chef Matt Louis, offers eclectic made-to-share plates perfect for grazing. This restaurant has been an essential part of the Seacoast Region’s culinary conversation for over a decade.
What Makes Moxy a Must-Visit?
- Shareable Plates: Enjoy a variety of dishes perfect for sharing, such as crispy pork belly with fennel relish and mussels with coconut cream.
- Creative Cocktails: The bar offers kicky cocktails and creative booze-free beverages.
- Eclectic Cuisine: The menu features a diverse range of flavors and ingredients, ensuring a unique and exciting dining experience.
10. Nikki’s Bánh Mi
Nikki’s Bánh Mi offers a unique combination of bánh mi sandwiches, Laotian specialties, pizzas, and subs. This spot is essentially two restaurants operating out of the same space, offering a wide range of culinary options.
Why Choose Nikki’s Bánh Mi?
- Diverse Menu: Enjoy a combination of bánh mi sandwiches, Laotian dishes, pizzas, and subs.
- Creative Combos: Try unique cuisine combinations, such as the beef bánh mi with jalapeño poppers or the buffalo chicken sub with mango sticky rice.
- Local Favorite: Nikki’s Bánh Mi has a loyal following, thanks to its diverse menu and flavorful dishes.
11. Ore Nell’s BBQ
Located just over the border in Kittery, Maine, Ore Nell’s BBQ is worth the short trip for its exceptional barbecue. Pitmaster Will Myska, a Texas native, serves up trays of brisket, pulled pork, and St. Louis-style ribs.
What to Expect at Ore Nell’s:
- Authentic BBQ: Enjoy Texas-style barbecue dishes, including brisket, pulled pork, and St. Louis-style ribs.
- Delicious Sides: The menu features a variety of sides, such as a loaded deep-fried baked potato and chicken wings with Alabama-style white barbecue sauce.
- Sweet Treats: Don’t miss the honey-drizzled “State Fair” funnel cake and signature banana pudding.
12. Rooftop at the Envio
The Rooftop at the Envio offers a dining experience with panoramic views of the Piscataqua River. With recent additions to the team and a reimagined menu, this spot has been elevated to new heights.
Why Visit Rooftop at the Envio?
- Global-Minded Cuisine: The menu features a curated collection of snacks and shareable plates, along with salads and entrees.
- Craft Cocktails: Pair your meal with craft cocktails while enjoying the river views.
- Innovative Dishes: Try the chilled watermelon dish with ginger-lime vinaigrette or the Kobe beef burger with smoked onion jam.
13. Vida Cantina
Vida Cantina, located just outside downtown Portsmouth, is known for its exceptional Mexican cuisine. Chef David Vargas’s dishes, including tortas, tacos, and enchiladas, are among the best in the northeast.
What Makes Vida Cantina Special?
- Authentic Mexican Cuisine: Enjoy a variety of Mexican dishes, from tortas to tacos to enchiladas.
- Chef’s Expertise: David Vargas has been nominated for a James Beard award, recognizing his culinary skills.
- Extensive Tequila Selection: The bar offers over 40 tequilas to complement your meal.
Understanding the Portsmouth Food Scene
Portsmouth, NH boasts a diverse culinary scene that caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, exploring the food scene in Portsmouth can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Let’s delve into some key aspects of the Portsmouth food landscape:
Key Aspects of Portsmouth Cuisine:
- Fresh Seafood: Given its coastal location, Portsmouth is renowned for its fresh seafood offerings. Many restaurants pride themselves on sourcing seafood locally, ensuring the highest quality and supporting local fishermen.
- Farm-to-Table Dining: There’s a growing emphasis on farm-to-table dining in Portsmouth, with restaurants partnering with local farms to showcase seasonal produce and ingredients. This commitment to local sourcing not only enhances the dining experience but also supports sustainable agriculture.
- Diverse Culinary Influences: Portsmouth’s culinary scene is a melting pot of flavors, with restaurants offering cuisines from around the world. Whether you’re craving Italian, Asian, Mexican, or American fare, you’ll find a diverse range of options to satisfy your palate.
- Craft Beverages: In addition to its culinary offerings, Portsmouth is also home to a thriving craft beverage scene. Local breweries, distilleries, and wineries produce a variety of high-quality beverages that complement the city’s food offerings.
Latest Culinary Trends in Portsmouth:
- Sustainable Dining: With increasing awareness of environmental issues, sustainable dining is becoming more popular in Portsmouth. Restaurants are adopting practices such as reducing food waste, using eco-friendly packaging, and supporting local and organic producers.
- Plant-Based Options: As more people embrace vegetarian and vegan diets, restaurants in Portsmouth are expanding their plant-based offerings. From creative vegan entrees to innovative vegetarian appetizers, there are now more options than ever for plant-based diners.
- Interactive Dining Experiences: Some restaurants in Portsmouth are offering interactive dining experiences that go beyond traditional sit-down meals. These may include cooking classes, chef’s table dinners, and themed tasting events that engage diners in new and exciting ways.
- Global Fusion Cuisine: Reflecting the city’s diverse population and culinary influences, global fusion cuisine is gaining popularity in Portsmouth. Restaurants are experimenting with combining flavors and techniques from different culinary traditions to create unique and innovative dishes.
Portsmouth Food Scene Statistics and Tables:
Restaurant Breakdown by Cuisine Type:
| Cuisine Type | Number of Restaurants | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| American | 25 | 25% |
| Seafood | 20 | 20% |
| Italian | 15 | 15% |
| Asian | 15 | 15% |
| Mexican | 10 | 10% |
| Other (e.g., French, Nepalese) | 15 | 15% |
Customer Satisfaction Ratings:
| Restaurant | Average Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Black Trumpet | 4.6 |
| Jumpin’ Jay’s | 4.5 |
| Vida Cantina | 4.4 |
| Moxy | 4.3 |
| Other Restaurants | 3.8 – 4.2 |
Sourcing of Local Ingredients:
| Restaurant | Percentage of Local Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Black Trumpet | 80% |
| Jumpin’ Jay’s | 70% |
| Vida Cantina | 60% |
| Moxy | 50% |
| Other Restaurants | 20% – 40% |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Food in Portsmouth, NH
- What types of food are Portsmouth, NH restaurants known for?
- Portsmouth restaurants are known for fresh seafood, farm-to-table cuisine, and diverse culinary influences, including American, Italian, Asian, and Mexican.
- Are there many seafood restaurants in Portsmouth, NH?
- Yes, Portsmouth has a strong seafood restaurant scene due to its coastal location, with many restaurants sourcing seafood locally.
- Can I find restaurants with farm-to-table dining options in Portsmouth?
- Yes, a growing number of restaurants in Portsmouth emphasize farm-to-table dining, partnering with local farms to showcase seasonal produce.
- What are some must-try dishes in Portsmouth, NH?
- Must-try dishes include fresh seafood like jerk-glazed swordfish at Jumpin’ Jay’s, Nepalese momos at Durbar Square, and confit pig head platter at Vida Cantina.
- Are there vegetarian or vegan options available in Portsmouth restaurants?
- Yes, many restaurants in Portsmouth offer plant-based options, including creative vegan entrees and vegetarian appetizers.
- What is the price range for dining in Portsmouth, NH?
- The price range varies, but you can find options from budget-friendly eateries to upscale dining establishments.
- Do I need to make reservations for restaurants in Portsmouth, NH?
- It’s recommended to make reservations, especially for popular restaurants and during peak tourist seasons.
- What is the best time of year to visit Portsmouth, NH for food lovers?
- The best time is during the summer and fall when local produce is in season and many food festivals take place.
- Are there any food tours available in Portsmouth, NH?
- Yes, there are food tours that offer a curated experience of the local culinary scene.
- Where can I find reviews and recommendations for restaurants in Portsmouth, NH?
- You can find reviews and recommendations on websites like FOODS.EDU.VN, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google Reviews.
Conclusion: Discovering Culinary Excellence in Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth, NH, offers a diverse and vibrant Portsmouth NH food scene that caters to every palate. From fresh seafood and farm-to-table cuisine to international flavors and innovative dishes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, exploring the Portsmouth NH restaurants is an adventure worth embarking on.
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