Food presentation excellent, rustic and quaint corner bar eatery. The mussels appetizer with blue cheese, chorizo, kale, was outstanding! My wife's salmon was great. My lobster was very tasty, I expected more lobster in the bowl. The staff laughed among themselves but didn't smile or welcome us to the restaurant and bar. Mussels & salmon 5 stars, sazarac, Mac n cheese & service 3 stars. read more

Cure - Lobster Mac & Cheese - New American Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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We have been making a pilgrimage to Cure yearly until Covid. We were so happy to be back. They had provided beautiful partitions between each steering area that actually enhanced the dining area and provided a bit more privacy than they had in the past. The service was spectacular. Kait has a fine knowledge of the menu and wines and always makes great recommendations. The food was absolute perfection. Cooked perfectly and delicious to every bite. Very happy to have been able to experience this amazing meal. read more

This was the best meal both my wife and I have had in a long time. My wife had the Zucchini Boat and I had the New York Strip. Both was outstanding. Even better my wife was thrilled to have a Dax Shepard look-a-like for a server! I would highly recommend Cure to all! read more

Fell in love with this place when it first opened. And yet, it's still impeccable. There's food, and there's food. This is the latter. Don't be naive and think many in Portsmouth, or even Boston are this caliber of food. Because they are not. Mushroom / toasted point appetizer, the Duck entree, the Vegetarian special were excellent. Perfection. The New Fashioned drink, tasty. Dear Cure, if only restaurants were half as good as you. Will be back. read more

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We had dinner here tonight and it was amazing! Cozy atmosphere, great music, fantastic cocktails and the food was delicious. Love the creative flavor combinations in all the dishes. We tried the French onion soup, short ribs, and cheesecake. All I would highly recommend. Ben was our server and he was awesome! read more

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We came here for a visit and it just happened to be restaurant week. We tried the French onion soup which was fantastic, the broth was so meaty and rich it was almost black. I loved it. My steak was MW instead of MR but husbands sea bass was great. The toffee cake was delicious and the goat cheese cheesecake was so light and tasty. We would go back. Ps, if you like to sit at the bar, get there when they open cause it's TINY. read more

Food was great and as excited based on previous reviews Service put it over the top. Manager, waitress, and hostess all checked in on our experience. Good food, good drinks, good service. Quaint atmosphere. read more

The food was amazing. We had bread, pbj ribs, zucchini boats, short rib, and cheesecake. Everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly! We loved the options on the menu and were very pleased with the service. They didn't rush you by bringing food too quickly but you didn't spend too long waiting either. They also hold your to-go boxes in the back until it's time for you to leave which is a nice touch. The seating is pretty close to other tables so if that isn't your vibe this restaurant might not be for you. Overall we loved the food, service, and atmosphere! Can't wait to go back! read more

So it was a cold night in New Hampshire. We walked a few blocks from the hotel and passed many empty restaurants. We show up to Cure and it is packed (it was Wednesday). There happened to be one table and we got sat, even without a reservation. There were alot of after work business people there. The drinks were great, the food was perfect. I even barely mentioned that the wine I ordered wasn't my fav, and they comped it! I love great service. I highly recommend Cure. Make a reservation. Go here! read more

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We had an outstanding dinner at Cure tonight. Our waiter Matthew was always on top of serving us from cocktails, appetizer, entree, wine and dessert! People on either side of our table chatted with us about each other's dishes and everyone was in a great mood! The restaurant has a great vibe to it- classy but comfortable! I had French Onion soup and Breast of Duck and my husband had mussels and braised short rib and we shared a vanilla crème brûlée. I would love to come back to Portsmouth again (from No. California) and will surely make reservations to come eat at Cure again! read more

You're touring around in Portsmouth and looking for food. If you trust yelp, at some point you'll end up at Cure. The ambiance is comfortably casual but the menu prices are not. At between $20-$40 per entree, I'm not sure how this place got assigned only "$$." The much hyped up lobster bisque was very good. At $16 a bowl though you're definitely paying for it. We shared a charcuterie board but maybe because I've been spoiled by Europe, the spread was not so impressive. The toasted bread pieces were good though. They also gave out a basket of crackers with a delicious pink spread that was a big hit. For entree we shared a braised short rib and the lamb porterhouse which was strongly recommended by the server. The braised short rib was delicious, tender, and lived up to the hype. The lamb porterhouse was disappointing, it was two blobs of very hard and chewy meat that was mostly bone and very difficult to cut. After cutting off the bit of meat from the large bone there was hardly anything left to eat. Maybe I won't ask for recommendations in the future. Overall it's a nice place to eat but their menu has changed and prices definitely has gone up. Come here if you're looking to splurge. read more

I have recently moved to Portsmouth and am trying out as many restaurants as I can. Cure was the first place I tried and I've gone back three times more in my first month. Everything is exquisite on the menu and I mean everything. The drinks are superb. The bartenders, the wait staff, the hostess, the managers are all welcoming and friendly. Cure is by far and away the best restaurant I have been to in Portsmouth and all of New England. read more

The food here is so good!!! We started with the PB&J Pork Ribs and Mussels & Frites; both were delicious the black garlic aioli is to die for. For entrees we ordered the rib-eye, lamb shank, and short ribs. All the meat was so tender and cooked perfectly! I also suggest a side of corn bread. We also had good drinks and an amazing server!! Kate gave us great menu suggestions and some local suggestions for bars after. Great food, drinks, and service!! Cure is a must try! 2/22/19 just went back again! Amazing food I HIGHLY recommend the buffalo duck app and French onion soup. For our meal we got the tenderloin and short rib. AMAZING! Fabulous food, drinks, and service read more

Cure - Mussels & Frites and PB&J Pork Ribs - New American Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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The service was great. From the hostess to the bartender. We ate at the bar. Cozy bar. Bar tender made appetizer and dinner suggestions. All were delicious! read more

I had high expectations even before my first visit to Cure because of the many glowing reviews, and I have to say that I was not disappointed at all. My friend had the chicken dish and the raved about it, along with the mashed potato-like cauliflower side dish. I had the roasted duck breast, and it was delicious and so tender. I also wanted to try the corn muffin based on the reviews I read, but I was full, so I will have to try it the next time. I will definitely be coming back to Cure! read more

Always great food and service and atmosphere. We got to Portsmouth annually and it's our favorite restaurant to return to.

I had never been to Cure until last night. My beautiful girlfriend, Jennifer, brought me and as usual, changed my life!!! We were sat by the owner who is also the executive chef. The menu had all great choices. Got stuffed dates and ribs to start. Dates were well balanced and just delicious. The ribs were perfect. Perfectly cooked. The jelly came out subtly and the Peanut Butter dip added depth. The lamb was tender and perfect. I had the pork chop which just had so much flavor. The polenta cake was so good!!! Every bite was an explosion of flavor. The cornbread was fabulous. Then the dessert, the cheesecake was Heaven on a plate. I could write a very long description of the greatest dining experience I have ever had in my life. Maybe it was the company I was with, the food and meeting the owner with amazing vision. Whatever it was, the evening was amazing. Go explore Cure!!! I did and I am Cured!!!! -Mike & Jen read more

I have recently returned from a social distancing driven "vacation" to a fellow "safe state" and have a lot to say about several restaurants and venues. This review will be specific to Cure in Portsmouth New Hampshire. One of the great things about have adult children vacationing with the family is the built-in baby sitting and that means Date Night! My wife and I decided on Cure in Portsmouth based on the website and the menu. We almost didn't get in having left that decision to the last minute which meant we were one of the last seating's around 7:30 at night. I must say that Cure is also a cure for the Covid-19 Blues as we were treated to top notch service, food, and cocktails during our visit. Let's start with the ambiance. This place had limited seating before Covid-19, now it is just this side of exclusive private dining. We were given a small table for two in an enclosed courtyard, very cute, very romantic, and most importantly to my wife, open to the outside air. Restrooms were a short walk from the tables, clean, well maintained, and smelling of sanitizer. I really miss seeing the faces of waitstaff as everyone is hunkered down behind a mask, but at least they took it seriously, none of this nose coming up for air from behind a scarf stuff. The service. Excellent. To be honest almost every dining experience we had in Portsmouth had above and beyond level service. Great in the moment, hard on my tipping wallet. We were taken care of by our lead waitress and a very attentive table runner. We also spent some time chatting with the young man who created some of their signature cocktails. The cocktails are based on the ask and ye shall receive mentality. They were perfectly crafted by people whose knowledge goes far beyond tonics and mixers and who cringe at the thought of shaking a Manhattan or putting more than a tsp of soda water in an old fashioned. My wife enjoyed a nice pinot noir which was recommended to balance her main course, it did. I finished the night with a ten-year-old port. Bigger glasses please :) We started with blue cheese stuffed dates wrapped in bacon OMG, and a baked artichoke dip. Yeah I know, everybody does that one, but Cure does it very, very, well. On to the Pan Roasted duck breast, perfectly medium rare on a generous bed of rice mushroom risotto and wilted spinach. My wife had the signature braised short ribs which she thought were perfect and with a large enough potion I got to eat the leftovers for breakfast! We finished by sharing something chocolate and delectable. Though this was our first visit to Cure it won't be our last. read more

Took a restaurant road trip based on a piece shown on The Phantom Gourmet that depicted the restaurant and staff /owner as welcoming, friendly, and energetic . So excited, made my reservation three weeks in advance and made plans for a night in Portsmouth. Found exactly the opposite. VERY big disappointment. So much for fun times at table three. Think twice. read more

We went for restaurant week and ordered the duck. It was so rare that we were hesitant to eat it. Very rubbery. Wait time for service was super long and waitress seemed harried. Drinks were good but pricey. Tables are situated close together which afforded us the opportunity to commiserate with our neighbors who had a similarly underwhelming experience. read more

The staff and food here is 100% top notch. Small enough to be cozy with truly unique takes on traditional comfort food with the best ingredients. Even the chicken statler is to die for. Chicken, I kid you not. read more

I don't give 5 stars very often. When I do, it's because I was completely blown away by the food, service, and the overall experience. We had a fantastic time here! Rustic decor and cozy ambience, perfect place to stumble upon on a rainy night. We sat at the bar and ordered drinks with the friendly bartender. I was having a hard time deciding what I wanted to eat so I took my friend's suggestion (who has been here a couple times) and ordered the "Crispy Skinned Duck Breast" and the French Onion soup. BEST DUCK I've ever had! Crispy layer of duck skin, thin layer of juicy fat, and tender flavorful meat. The French Onion soup was also yummy. The broth was savory and the bread was the perfect texture - not too mushy. We also got Creme Brûlée for dessert but I wasn't a big fan cause it had a weird salty taste. But my friend enjoyed it. Look forward to going back again soon! read more

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The staff was pleasant. The food was good. The atmosphere is cozy. Its a tad pricey but so is much of Portsmouth. It was a solid good. We had ravioli and pork chops. Both were tasty. read more

You know when you walk into a restaurant and you just know it's going to be good? That's Cure. Friendly service and the owner/chef actually was playing hostess when went. Enjoyed the new fashion cocktail and a blood orange cosmo. The mussels were teeny but the flavor was spot on. Enjoyed the steak and crispy chicken entrees thoroughly. Wish we could back tonight. Our server was also great. Love the cozy atmosphere as well. read more

Ribeye and short rib with cocktails o'my. L.O.V.E.D this dining experience at Cure tonight. The food is absolutely spectacular! We had the dates wrapped in bacon to start-yum!!!!, and cleaned our entree plates with no evidence. Although I wanted to toss my short rib down my throat - so delicious- the atmosphere allowed me to slow down and enjoy the meal. The staff is so kind and friendly, we had Brian- he's awesome- there is no rush from the wait staff and a genuine sense of care for your experience. The cocktails are perfection, made strong but still tasty. Highly recommend but please rememberer to make a reservation as this seems to be a local favorite and fills up quickly. I felt COVID precautions were adequate and outdoor spacing comfortable. read more

Perfect spot for an anniversary dinner. The duck drumlettes were perfectly cooked and paired with house made sauces. The salmon dish was flavorful and well crafted. The lamb was a large portion and served over a creamy polenta that was incredible. They are a very busy establishment so it requires some patience, that is well worth and deserved. read more

We've heard so much about Cure. We dined this evening with good friends. The atmosphere was very loud. There was a 4 top behind us that were heavy into their adult beverages, and got louder as the evening wore on. The table we had was small and tight in the middle of the serving counter. Our waitperson was very nice. Now, the food. Crab cakes were fairly ordinary. Little seasoning. But also little breadcrumbs, so that was ok. I had the lobster mac n cheese. This was really a pot of cavatappi drowned in a lobster bisque soup/sauce. While there were some good pieces of lobster meat, the whole dish was drowned in truffle oil. My lips are still oily. Overall a very overly rich pot of poor tasting pasta. Truffle oil is something that should be left out of such a dish. Our other entree was halibut. It was ok. The bed of spinach was a nice compliment. There was some kind of a white, thick drizzle over it all. Not sure it helped the fish at all. Our friends said they enjoyed their entrees of lamb shank( very tender) and short ribs ( looked a bit greasy to me, be they liked it). Overall, I'm able to cross this off our list, but wouldn't go back again. At almost $200 for two, I'd find somewhere less noisy with a bit less of a heavy hand on the dishes. read more

I haven't actually eaten there, this is a review for their reservations system. You have to call to book for more than 4, and it tells you to leave a voicemail so we did. A little while later we got an automated call back offering a time. Replied 30 minutes later confirming, leaving voicemail, which is the only way to confirm. Just got a call over a day later saying they've given our reservation away, very sorry, and nothing else available near that time. Anyone have any other recommendations for family groups in Portsmouth? read more

In town for a conference, got in without a reservation at 5:30 on a thursday. mushroom forrester appetizer and braised lamb shank over polenta. Really outstanding meal, one of the better meals i've eaten for a while. Highly recommend. read more

The sign of a great restaurant is one where the food is so good, you can't decide what to order. That is Cure. The seared tuna lettuce cups combined perfect flavors, none too overpowering, each enhancing the other. Julie is not just a chef; she is an artist. I have never had less than an excellent meal there. The service is perfect. Just the right amount of genuine engagement. Ask for Kate! She will make your night. If you want the perfect place for a cozy night with excellent food, Cure is the place for you. read more

I had to give compliments to the chef/owner on the way out, it was THAT good! I called on Friday to make reservations for Saturday dinner and they were booked until 9:30 (Kitchen closes at 10pm) I went ahead and took those reservations because of all the good things I've heard about this restaurant. The lobster bisque was hands down the best lobster bisque I've ever tasted in my whole entire life (not even an exaggeration!!) We ordered Lobstah Mac&Cheese, the pan roasted duck breast, and the pork chop meal. All tasted phenomenal! Would definitely recommend everyone who comes to Portsmouth to come here for dinner! 2 Thumbs Up! read more

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We found Cure on Yelp and decided to give it a shot. Walking in at after 7pm on a Saturday night, we were sure we'd be in for a wait, but were seated immediately. We were overly impressed with every bite and every sip. The attention made to each of their drinks was noticeable, but their bursts of flavor in their dishes were out of this world. With the mussels, we drank every last drop of the broth. The blend between the spice of the chorizo balanced with the sharpness of the blue cheese was delightful. Our main courses were just as delicious with sparkling flavors on each bite. We will definitely be back again! read more

Cure is our go-to restaurant on the seacoast. Never had a bad experience here, everything is always made perfectly. The corn bread is a must - we've never had better. Also, the French Onion soup is made to perfection every time. read more

This is by far my favorite restaurant in Portsmouth! Never a disappointing meal and the short ribs are amazing. Highly recommend the cornbread, NY strip, and of course the short ribs in any season! The cocktails are also amazing and if you're lucky, you may be able to snag one of the few spots at the bar! read more

I have eaten here three times, and every time, the service is excellent, the food is amazing, if you're in the area, check this place out!!!

Fantastic service and awesome food. I ate here while traveling alone and immediately felt welcomed by the warm & cozy atmosphere. You can tell that they have the communication between back of house & front of house down pat! Really happy with everything about this place -- Highly recommend! read more

Cure - Red Wine - Tomato Braised Lamb Shank - New American Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Great food, drink, and ambiance. Small dining life for a quiet meal. Service with a smile.

Everything about this restaurant was wonderful! The duck , muscles, and the French onion soup were all amazing! Seth was on top of the orders and the timing of the food was perfect! read more

This was my first visit to Cure. I was able to sit at the small bar out front with out a reservation. I would highly recommend making a reservation if you are going with a party of 2 or more. I had the grilled bread which seams simple but had a nice char to it. I also had the duck breast which was fantastic. The front of house is extremely attentive to all the customers making sure everyone had a drink but never to overbearing. Speaking of drinks they are generous to say the least. Can't wait to go back. read more

This place rocks! Great gem of Portsmouth!! Chef Kurt and the rest of the crew knocked it out of the park for my wife's birthday.