Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Carriage House

4.9

4.9 (950)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Rye

About the restaurant

The Carriage House, an oceanfront, modern New England restaurant and raw bar, is open at 2263 Ocean Boulevard on scenic Rye Beach, New Hampshire. Committed to honoring the restaurant’s rich traditions rooted in hospitality. Join us for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, sip a cocktail by our working fireplace, or take in the ocean views!

Top review

Bard

Dined 6 days ago

The food is wonderful and the staff are great, highly recommend

Cotton

4.9

4.9 (4843)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Cotton features the cooking of award-winning chef/author/owner Jeffrey Paige. Located in Manchester's Historic Millyard District, Cotton is known for exceptional farm to table comfort food, friendly yet professional service, and an inviting, casual upscale atmosphere. It's the place the New York Times calls hip, named one of the best neighborhood restaurants in the Northeast by Bon Appetit Magazine and holds the distinct honor of Best Martinis in New Hampshire year after year by NH Magazine and The Union Leader.

RESERVATIONS:
Patio dining is available April through October. To request a patio table please note this when you make your reservation. Weather permitting, we will call early afternoon the day of your reservation to confirm if patio seating is available. We cannot guarantee specific seating at this time but we always do our best.

Top review

Steve

Dined 4 days ago

Always a PERFECT experience in every way at Cotton!!

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4.9

4.9 (1401)

$31 to $50

American

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

Cure is located at the corner of State and Penhallow Streets in historic downtown Portsmouth, NH. We are within walking distance of Prescott Park, Strawberry Bank, Seacoast Repertory Theatre and Portsmouth Music Hall.
Our restaurant offers American Bistro cuisine, in a fine dining environment, at affordable prices. Cure is a great place for friends to meet, business functions, and romantic dining .

Top review

Tracey

Dined 1 day ago

Absolutely outstanding! Will be back for sure! The short rib was excellent and wonderful service!

Local Street Eats

4.8

4.8 (37)

$30 and under

American

Nashua

About the restaurant

LOCAL PROVIDES A TRULY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE. SKIP THE TRUCK AND JOIN US AT THE TABLE! OUR MULTICULTURAL APPROACH TO CLASSIC STREET FOOD AIMS TO UNITE PEOPLE THROUGH THE LOVE OF FOOD. WE STRIVE TO CREATE A COMFORTABLE, ENJOYABLE, STYLISH ENVIRONMENT THAT COMPLEMENTS OUR RICH, WARM, AND HISTORICALLY INSPIRED MENU. FROM THE GYOZA TO THE STREET CORN, FROM THE SMASH BURGER TO THE BAO BUNS, EACH DISH IS A TESTAMENT TO THE VIBRANT LATE-NIGHT STREETS AROUND THE WORLD. DISCOVER AN OASIS FOR ALL YOUR FAVORITE
STREET FOOD CLASSICS AT LOCAL!

#GoLocoForLocal

Top review

Jim

Dined 5 days ago

Consistently great. Food? Cocktails? Service? Vibe? Check, Check, Check, Check. This place is a find.

Ristorante Massimo

4.9

4.9 (2924)

$31 to $50

Italian

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

Please Note:
Online Reservations are for our Main indoor dining room ONLY. Please call us directly for Wine Bar options at 603.436.4000.

We reserve the right to charge $20.00 per person cancelation fee, please call us by 12:00p.m.. the day of your reservation to avoid possible cancelation fees.

**Nestled like a hidden jewel in historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Massimo's warmly lit brick and stone grotto walls, fresh flowers and oil paintings of magnificent Italian landscapes transports guests to Florence, Rome and Venice. Guests relax in a richly appointed atmosphere beneath mahogany-beamed ceilings and private parties unwind in their own intimate dining room. Ristorante Massimo offers authentic dishes from all regions of Italy. From innovative concepts to timeless Italian favorites, our executive chef creates each dish with a distinctive, refined touch as found in some of the world's most celebrated restaurants. **limited dining room availability offered online**

Top review

Pam

Dined 6 days ago

We were there celebrating a birthday and everything from the food to the service was exceptional. We love the hospitality and welcoming feeling of this restaurant.

The Bistro at LaBelle Winery Amherst

4.9

4.9 (1673)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Amherst

About the restaurant

We look forward to welcoming you to The Bistro at LaBelle Winery! Our dining environment is relaxing and visually appealing. You will find out why we consistently receive top reviews and the Best of the Best award from TripAdvisor for our cuisine, beverages and atmosphere. If you're in a hurry, we offer our full Bistro menu to-go; order online or by phone. Visit www.LaBelleWinery.com for general information.

*Note: Reservations are strongly suggested, especially on weekends.
*For parties of 7 or more people, please call to make your reservation.

Interested in Private Dining? Feel free to give us a call to discuss availability and details at (603) 672-9898.

Top review

Melinda

Dined 6 days ago

Having been here many times we knew this would be the perfect place to gather for a fair well lunch for a great friend and neighbor….LaBelle was her first choice… service, ambiance and food were perfect! Thank you for providing a venue to enjoy a meal and the company of each other’s company!!

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Hanover Street Chophouse

4.9

4.9 (4123)

$31 to $50

Steak

Manchester

About the restaurant

We are committed to serving food that will be creative, yet “classic,” service that will be impeccable but not intimidating, in an ambiance that will be elegant, yet comfortable and inviting, ensuring a dining experience that will be extraordinary and memorable!

Top review

Mikkenna

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful food and service. We had a great time and have always had a wonderful experience here!

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Limoncello Crème Brûlée

Silver Fountain Inn & Tea Parlor

4.9

4.9 (921)

$31 to $50

Afternoon Tea

Dover

About the restaurant

Serving Luncheon and High Tea, from soups, quiches, sandwiches, and salads to the fancy 3-tiered "Duchess" featuring delectable mini-sandwiches, scones w/Devonshire cream & lemon curd, finished with petite fours - for a full menu please see our website - you can reserve from there as well. Come enjoy our relaxing atmosphere in our beautiful 1871 Victorian Bed & Breakfast in historic Dover, NH. We also sell gift certificates, tea pots & accessories, over 30 flavors of loose leaf tea, tea wallets and cozies plus jewelry and other fine gifts! Reservations are preferred to be able to offer optimum service and availability.

Top review

Wendy

Dined 4 days ago

The Tea Room is so quaint and unusual, it was creatively decorated and had themed rooms. The food and tea were delicious, very fresh and a very nice selection. We will be going back.

The Crown Tavern

4.9

4.9 (932)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Manchester

About the restaurant

The Crown Tavern will be the perfect spot to unwind and savor the end of the day. Located in the heart of Manchester’s central downtown, The Crown is a place where you'll come to relax with friends, grab a drink, share some tasty bites, and enjoy the night as it unfolds.

Top review

Tammy

Dined on Apr 22, 2025

We ate out on the patio. It was beautiful. Food and service were excellent 👍🏻

Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club

4.7

4.7 (122)

$50 and over

American

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

$65 before tax and gratuity, excluding holiday buffets.
Includes entertainment, buffet and all coffee, tea, juice and soft drinks.
Alcoholic beverages are not included in this price.
Children 12 and under are $25 plus tax and gratuity, children under 3 will not be charged.

Open Seating from 10AM – 1:00P

Bop over to Jimmy’s for coffee, cocktails/mimosas and culinary delights – plus generous helpings of culture and great conversation. And when you do, be sure to prepare yourself for a special experience here at 135 Congress Street – a landmark 1905 meeting hall lovingly restored to serve our community as a world-class center for the arts and an intimate space to savor extraordinary sounds & tantalizing flavors.

*Pricing and times are subject to change depending on the concert schedule and holidays.

Top review

Sharon

Dined 3 days ago

Highly recommend Jimmy's Jazz Club restaurant in Portsmouth New Hampshire for everything from service, ambiance, food, entertainment and the arts under one roof in a historically, charming New England seaport city!

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