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Ristorante Massimo, Portsmouth, NH

Ristorante Massimo

4.9 (2930)
$31 to $50
Italian
59 Penhallow Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 12 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Romantic
  • Charming
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**

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Jethro Loichle
  • Private party facilities
    Please Note: limited seating during the next few month - Ristorante Massimo is the perfect setting for celebrating a special occasion or hosting a corporate event. Here guests can enjoy customized menus, an intimate setting and impeccable service. Our elegant private dining room can accommodate up to 20 guests and special arrangements can be made for larger groups. State-of-the-art audiovisual equipment is available. We look forward to taking personal care of every detail of your entertaining needs.
  • Neighborhood
    Portsmouth
  • Cross street
    State Street
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Entertainment
    Our staff!
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine

What 2,930 people are saying

Ristorante Massimo reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • New Hampshire

    Best Overall

  • New Hampshire

    Best Food

  • New Hampshire

    Best Service

  • New Hampshire

    Best Ambiance

  • New Hampshire

    Best Value

  • New Hampshire

    Great for fine wines

  • New Hampshire

    Romantic

  • New Hampshire

    Good for special occasions

  • New Hampshire

    Italian

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Best Overall

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Best Food

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Best Service

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Best Ambiance

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Best Value

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Great for fine wines

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Romantic

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ristorante Massimo in Portsmouth offers an unforgettable "old world" dining experience with "exceptional" food, service, and ambiance. The "beautifully presented" dishes, including standout options like the "carbonara and bolognese," are crafted with care. The "incredibly attentive" staff and warm hospitality, led by the passionate owner Massimo, make every visit "truly outstanding."

2,930 Reviews
  1. Michelle VIP

    Greater Boston22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved the restaurant and atmosphere. Our server was excellent!!!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Andrew

    Greater Boston1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was a great dining experience, every member of the staff were so welcoming it just amplified the amazing food and wine we enjoyed. We enjoyed a few options from the small plates section and my favorite was the duck, Brie and spiced jam. The meatballs were amazing some of the best ricotta I’ve ever tasted and the meatballs were so tender. We also had the Salsiccia di Fiche e Prosciutto which the sausage had great flavors! Maine course of Tagliatelle Carbonara di Lazio and Orecchiette with Sausage just kept the hits coming. If you are a garlic lover get the carbonara for sure. Very much looking forward to our next visit.

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  3. Ken VIP

    Greater Boston6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    All the waitstaff were super friendly, the food was really good (you got what you paid for) and it was nice that the proprietor came over to check I when we first arrived and checked in with us at the end of the meal; my 8-year son gave him a thumbs up - enough said!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Kyra

    Greater Boston2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Just perfect in every way. Bring your appetite and plan to take your time!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Maureen

    Greater Boston10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I would describe the food as upscale Italian. Portions were perfect and all meals were thoroughly explained. Any changes to the meal were accommodated. Meals were not rushed and we were able to have a relaxed dining experience. The wait staff was amazing and made the experience that much better. Cannot say enough about the staff and how delightful they were. We will definitely go back!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Ken

    Greater Boston15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Reserve well ahead. Not the usual red sauce and pasta fare. We saw some patrons wearing scruffy jeans and outdoor gear clothing which was disappointing, but nowadays I can't imagine them being turned away. Buck the trend and wear at least "office casual." I wore a jacket and tie, and my partner always dresses beautifully.

    Is this helpful?

  7. John

    Philadelphia5 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Good quality food. Beverage prices very high given overall meal prices.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Dave

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A true gem of the Portsmouth dining scene. The ambience, food and service is perfect for a date night or pre-show dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Jonathan

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and atmosphere is exceptional. The woodwork alone is worth it. Superb service as well. Pricy at $26 for one glass of wine but overall worth it. If you need to impress someone, this is the place.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Pam VIP

    Greater Boston12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    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.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Ristorante Massimo is rated 4.9 stars by 2930 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New Hampshire
  4. Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley
  5. Portsmouth

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 12 times today
Google Map for Ristorante Massimo

59 Penhallow Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    State Street
  • Neighborhood
    Portsmouth
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Jethro Loichle
  • Entertainment
    Our staff!
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    Please Note: limited seating during the next few month - Ristorante Massimo is the perfect setting for celebrating a special occasion or hosting a corporate event. Here guests can enjoy customized menus, an intimate setting and impeccable service. Our elegant private dining room can accommodate up to 20 guests and special arrangements can be made for larger groups. State-of-the-art audiovisual equipment is available. We look forward to taking personal care of every detail of your entertaining needs.
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