Michelle's On Market Square Restaurant - Portsmouth, NH

Michelle's On Market Square

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Address:
10 Market Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801

Neighborhood:
Portsmouth

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Cuisine:
Provencal

Price: $30 and under

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Michelle's On Market Square Details

Dining Style: Casual Dining
Website: http://michellesonmarketsquare.com
Phone: (603) 427-8253
Hours of Operation: Dinner: Wednesday - Sunday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Provencal, European
Executive Chef: Scott Massidda
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Full Bar, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Getting there

Parking: Public Lot

A word from Michelle's On Market Square

Closed Monday and Tuesday. Open for dinner Wednesday-Sunday. Open for brunch Friday-Sunday 9-2pm. Please call us if you have any questions.

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerGreat for Brunch

Diner Reviews

"First experience but a lasting one!!!!Excellent service an food choices for brunch...something for everyone!!!! Will return for late night fun.... I'm advising all my associates of the great place to have good food and fun. Thank You"
Dined on 3/2/2014
"We has two seafood mains. Well executed, perfectly as described and right in Market Square. We were two full for extras but appetizers looked very appealing. Most of dining is upstairs in this charming town."
Dined on 3/1/2014
"I took a friend for her birthday last week - we had a great time! Both the food and the service were outstanding. A little jewel in the middle of Downtown Portsmouth! I had the cured salmon with goat cheese - yum - and she had the seafood crepes - double yum! I can't wait to go back!"
Dined on 2/23/2014
"Michelle's rivals if not exceeds some of the best eateries in Boston! The depth of flavor, nuance and consistent execution in every meal we have had here makes Michelle's our go to destination. Fabulous menu selection - knowledgable, friendly and accomodating staff - Michelle's has it all!"
Dined on 2/23/2014
"Went to Michelle's for brunch this Saturday. Had a Bloody Mary that was a meal in itself and sooooo good! Also had to have the grits - creamy, cheesy, grits! We were a party of four and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal. Can't wait to return!"
Dined on 2/15/2014
"Loved the ambiance here! What a great restaurant! The food was delicious and the service was even better."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"from start to finish this is atop restaurant. I plan to return. The server was outstanding."
Dined on 2/8/2014
"This place NEVER disappoints. Every time we come here we are so very pleased with the service and the wonderful meal. Best thing to get is the French onion soup. Best I've ever had."
Dined on 2/7/2014
"Quaint small city venue with friendly service and good food. Window table upstairs was a little tight and although they didn't have my brand of vodka, everything else was nice with the possible exception of some political loud talkers. Why is it that the least interesting people in the world have the loudest voices?"
Dined on 2/8/2014
"No matter when we go to Michelle's dinner or brunch on weekends we experience nothing less than great service, great food and an upbeat & warm attitude from bus staff to the owners. 4 Star!!!!! An absolute GEM in Portsmouth - a city know for exceptional dining!!!"
Dined on 1/24/2014
"We went to Michelle's for brunch. The food was very good. The service was a little slow, but we did have a large party. The staff was friendly & helpful. I would return & would recommend this restaurant."
Dined on 1/19/2014
"This was my first time there. My wife and I went with a couple. We were very impressed. The food is creatively done. Everything tasted great. There was a nice selection of cocktails, beer, and wine. The desserts were some of the best I've had in a long time. The waiter was conversational and helpful. The ambience was top-notch. We will definitely be back."
Dined on 1/10/2014
"We have been to Michelle's several times over the last couple of years and have always been happy. But they haven't changed their menu in a long time (two years), there was literally no one there (but it was extraordinarily cold out and a Friday night), we didn't have proper wait service and the food just wasn't that good. We want outstanding when we go out - after babysitter expenses and dinner costs, we'd like our experience to be more memorable."
Dined on 1/3/2014
"Best Sunday brunch in a town with lots of competition. Not the routine breakfast menu. Some real special items."
Dined on 12/28/2013
"Cassoulet was dry and had way too much bread on top. Cheese plate was boring and offered only one type of cracker."
Dined on 12/31/2013
"I love Michelle's. You are treated like a guest of the family as soon as you walk in. Food is always great. Travis the bartender/ server is a gem. Owners check in and chat. We love it!"
Dined on 12/31/2013
"Steak and seafood were beautifully cooked and presented. Excellent wine, quiet and romantic. Friendly staff."
Dined on 12/28/2013
"We requested a table for two at the window overlooking the square. Very enjoyable ambience, service was pleasant and food was very good! We'll be back."
Dined on 12/28/2013
"Good service is often the linchpin of a good dining experience, and the service at Michelle's was top notch. I was dining alone, which often means the staff gives you little or no attention. Not true here where the server was attentive and helpful with everything from menu suggestions to shopping tips. The intimate dining spaces facilitated table to bar conversation (the server was also the bartender) and the second floor view onto the square meant there was plenty to look at, Coffee was good and served in a huge cup, obviating the need for frequent refills. A bloody mary was spicy, but nice and seafood crepes tasty, although the texture of the lobster meat was a bit spongy. Overall, a veryngood choice for brunch in Portsmouth."
Dined on 12/21/2013
"Charming addition to downtown Portsmouth. We had the good fortune to dine during a lovely snowstorm seated in the bar upstairs with a view of the swirling snowflakes in the street lights. Friendly service; lovely ambiance; good drinks; good French-Mediterranean food. It's cozy and classy--a great place for a special meal or just to drop in for a cocktail. Highly recommended."
Dined on 12/14/2013
"The food was very good. We had the beet salad and a special soup, followed by the Chevre Salmon and the Seafood Provencal. A bit heavy on the Chevre for the two dishes that had it, though. Service and seating were a bit weak. We were seated at a window table in the brightly lit bar, when a more appropriate window table was available in the main upstairs dining room. The bartender was watching some entertainment show - Honey Boo Boo? - with the volume up relatively loud, so that meant we were watching, too. There were no proper wine glasses, so when we ordered a bottle of wine it was initially served in a goblet. The bartender complained they were leaving all the glasses on unused tables when they were running short."
Dined on 12/6/2013
"We made a last minute reservation and they were able to accommodate us. The food was great as usual and the staff was friendly and personable. Our waiter was new and very personable. Service was a little slow, but we didn't mind because he was so nice. We always have a great experience at Michelle's and would recommend it for a nice dinner and the price is just right...not too expensive."
Dined on 12/7/2013
"Michelle's is ideally located at Market Sq. in downtown Portsmouth. French bistro style with fairly diverse menu featuring several classics. Warm and casual vibe. Great food, gracious and attentive staff. Wine list is limited but very creditable and appropriate for menu. Prices reasonable. We will definitely returnI"
Dined on 12/4/2013
"We had been to this restaurant before and had a pleasant experience but this time was not so great. We ended up with the worst table in the restaurant despite booking early. A very small table right next to the entrance door where the entire restaurant staff congregated, chatted and new guests waited right in front of us. We ordered the Bouillabaisse and the Lamb&Wild Boar Cassoulet. The Bouillabaisse was good but the Cassoulet disappointed for several reasons. It was covered with fat soaked croutons that had turned completely soggy on the underside. The meat was tender but very plain tasting without seasoning. The dish was served in a hot cast iron bowl that kept it so hot that I had to wait about 10 minutes before I could start eating."
Dined on 11/16/2013
"We were very early for our brunch reservation, but they were able to get a seat at the bar while we waited for our table to be ready. The bartender was prompt and courteous and made a great Bloody Mary. Not long after, our table came available. Our server got us coffee and beverages quickly. I ordered the shrimp and grits, which I highly recommend for a cool, fall day. The shrimp were tender (not rubbery) and the grits were creamy and seasoned perfectly. My wife and mother-in-law got the truffle eggs, which were also delicious and cooked to perfection! If you're looking for a quintessential New England restaurant with great service, food, and drinks, definitely try Michelle's!"
Dined on 11/10/2013
"Michelle's was recommended to us for an anniversary dinner, I hadn't heard of it but we tried it anyway. We were pleasantly surprised at how delicious the was and enjoyed sitting on the first floor amid the hustle and bustle of the kitchen and the fun staff. Reminded me of dining in Europe."
Dined on 11/16/2013
"Friends raved about Portsmouth's restaurants so we looked forward to having good food in stylish settings as we relocated from Washington D.C. to the Seacoast area. On Saturday, November 9, 1014, we visited Michelle's on Market Square for the 2nd time. We were sat without menus (had to take them off another table ourselves), ignored for over 15 minutes before being approached for drink orders, & left feeling shunned by the aggressive and unpleasant nature of the owner Michelle who passed by our table many times without any eye contact. I guess in Portsmouth location helps restaurants stay in business. Unfortunately, this restaurant's prices do not fit their uninviting local."
Dined on 11/9/2013
"This has to be one of the quaintest restaurants in Portsmouth. We got a seat on the 2nd floor overlooking Market Square which was great. This is also one of the few places in all of New Hampshire that serve French food at a reasonable price. Our appetizers and meals were fantastic and I can't believe we didn't try this restaurant sooner. We'll definitely be back very soon. One of the most underrated restaurants in town!"
Dined on 11/9/2013
"Excellent food but poor service this evening. Have been there before with great service. Will definitely go again in hopes that the service will be better."
Dined on 11/9/2013
"Love brunch at Michelle's. The food is delicious, the ambiance is wonderful and the staff is so friendly. Can't wait to go back!"
Dined on 11/3/2013
"I have been to this restaurant several times. Each time was a wonderful experience. With the exception of this passed weekend. The waiter, an older gentleman which was was sweating so much his entire shirt was soaked with sweat. (How nice) During dinner, the owner of the restaurant, was escorting/showing her friends the view outside the window that we were sitting at and proceeded to talk with her hands almost hitting our food and my wife in the face with her hands while talking. Shortly after that I see the owner again come over to the bar give the bartender a kiss. She was acting so weird/obnoxious that we had privately talked to each other when we left if she was actually drinking. Because she obviously wanted people to notice her."
Dined on 11/2/2013
"This was my 2nd visit and it was just as good as the first! The staff are so entusiastic and clearly love what they do. We loved it and will definitely be back!"
Dined on 11/2/2013
"The food was fantastic, the view for the Halloween parade was perfect. They should maybe add one or two more wait staff, but overall it was a great dining experience."
Dined on 11/1/2013
"Excellent brunch! Best cheese grits north of Charleston. Yummmmmm!"
Dined on 10/19/2013
"Located at the heart of things, Michelle's is a fine restaurant. Unfortunately on the night we visited, they had one server absent and since the restaurant was full, service suffered, but they had a great attitude and terrific food. The atmosphere is lovely."
Dined on 10/20/2013
"Went here today for brunch. I had the Lobster Eggs Benedict and it was fabulous! The service staff were attentive and helpful. Coffee was plentiful. Menu was diverse with great breakfast and lunch offerings. Everything that went by looked delicious! Will definitely return : )"
Dined on 10/20/2013
"Lovely time at this French bistro. We sat upstairs overlooking Market Square. The food was delicious, the salad du jour, apple, cheese, warm walnuts, grape tomatoes, cucumbers and a balsamic reduction dressing. For entrees: The seafood provencal was delish, but fairly simple, pasta, leeks, tomatoes, parsley & various shellfish bathed in a butter/garlic/ white wine sauce. The lamb & wild boar cassoulet was very flavorful. Several pieces of the boar were on the tough side. I had hoped for super tender. Apple tart for dessert. The service was fine and prompt, though allowing us time to languish. Overall food, service and atmosphere were great, but the prices (especially the non-entrees), reflected the presumably high rent of the location."
Dined on 10/18/2013
"Have eaten in Portsmouth before but had never eaten at Michelle's. We arrived STARVING on Columbus Day Weekend and would have expected a longer wait. We were seated in their upstairs area immediately, and within 5 minutes we were contentedly sipping excellent (spicy!) Bloody Marys and shortly after our food arrived. I had a country breakfast, and the sausage was the best I've ever eaten. It was served with a half portion of French Toast and was the perfect amount of food and flavors. I don't remember what my dining partner ate as I was engrossed with my own yummy plate. Excellent food and excellent experience!"
Dined on 10/12/2013
"Server was a little self-conscious. The space is awkward and a little noisy, but I don't know how you could fix it - it's a kind of weird, twisty space. But the food is absolutely incredibly good and well-worth it."
Dined on 10/13/2013
"The food was outstanding and the owner was very friendly and welcoming. Can't wait to return!"
Dined on 9/21/2013

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