We went here for our fifth anniversary. Unbeknownst to us, it is restaurant week in Portsmouth and a 3 course menu was offered for $52. We each ordered so.ething different each course and shared each dish. Everything we ate was delicious. My husband thought the Bolognese Rigatoni was so-so but I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere upstairs was intimate but a bit noisy. The service from everyone was impeccable. read more

Went for an anniversary dinner, food was delicious. Service was lackluster. Evening started great but spiraled from there. My SO went to the restroom and the bartender asked me if we were celebrating anything and I told her it was our 7 year anniversary, she mentioned bringing something out for us, unexpected but appreciated. Meatball appetizer along with an appetizer size portion of a pasta dish, and the smoked duck small plate. All very good. From there it went downhill. Neither bartender checked in for about 30 minutes while we waited for our main course. Espresso rubbed duck was very flavorful and delicious. After the main nothing was brought out, so at that point I was a little frustrated so we went on our way. Food was great, service started good but then disappeared. Definitely would not return for an occasion. read more

Fantastic food! Fantastic service. Our first time going and we will be going back. I think I have mentioned the smoked duck cicchetti every day since I had it. Wonderful experience. read more

Ristorante Massimo is hands-down one of the best dining experiences I've had anywhere and they have the best Italian food I've had outside of New York. From the moment you walk into the historic, brick-walled dining room, you feel like you've been transported to a cozy grotto in Italy. The atmosphere is intimate and upscale, but still incredibly welcoming. Now, for the food: The Carbonara was absolutely authentic--perfectly creamy with just the right bite from the guanciale and sharp Pecorino. It's hard to find a carbonara this well-balanced outside of Rome. I also had the Filet, which was cooked to a flawless medium and was incredibly tender. You can tell they use top-tier cuts of meat. I finished the night with the Peach Sorbet, and it was the perfect refreshing end to the meal. It tasted like biting into a ripe, fresh peach--light, vibrant, and not overly sweet. The service was impeccable throughout the night. If you're looking for a spot for a special occasion or just want a truly world-class Italian meal, this is it. I'll definitely be back!" read more

Ristorante Massimo - Sorbetto - Italian Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

See all

I've dined at Restaurant Massimo many times, and it never disappoints. The food is consistently excellent, and this evening's service was truly outstanding. Our waitress was exceptionally knowledgeable--not only about the menu, but also the wine list. Service at Massimo is always strong, but she genuinely stood out and elevated the entire dining experience. We started with the corkscrew pasta with wild mushrooms, finished with a delicate touch of shaved truffles. It was absolutely delicious--the sauce was light, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. It works beautifully as either an appetizer or a main course. For entrées, the pan-seared cod was as impressive as it was visually appealing--perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The veal was also excellent. Their veal saltimbocca offers a slightly different and very enjoyable twist; instead of the traditional sherry, it's prepared with Marsala wine, giving the dish a subtly sweeter and richer flavor profile. I also highly recommend the arancini. You receive two per order, and they're outstanding--crispy on the outside and rich and satisfying inside. The atmosphere at Restaurant Massimo is both relaxing and romantic, making it an ideal spot for a special night out or an intimate dinner. Consistently great food, exceptional service, and a warm, inviting ambiance keep me coming back. read more

See all

Came into Portsmouth for the weekend and our Airbnb host highly recommended this spot for a date night and I was so glad we were able to visit. The restaurant was beautiful, feels very intimate and cozy. The staff is super welcoming, friendly, and attentive. We did do a three course meal to get the full experience so I will break it down below. Overall I highly recommend this spot and they do take reservations so I do suggest having them ahead of time just to secure your seating. The prices were very reasonable and portions were great. The owner (or manager) came over to our table a few times to make sure we were all set and thanked us for coming. At the end we saw him before leaving and he thanked us again. I loved the vibe and hospitality of the staff. Would come back again!! App: Kobe Beef Meatballs- the meat just melted in your mouth. Highly recommended. Main Course: Grilled filet mignon- wow. I don't even want to say much. The meat also melted in your mouth. The taste was amazing. Everything in the plate really worked so well together. I will be thinking about this dish for a while LOL Tagliatelle Carbonara di Lazio- so good! Also not much to say but it was such a delicious plate. Dessert: Espresso- can't go wrong. It was perfect Cannoli- one of the best cannolis I've had. Highly recommend. Drinks (forgot to take picture of the menu so I forgot what was in each drink ): Sicilian Cosmo- so smooth and delicious Snowbird- highly recommended!! read more

See all

There r no words awesomeness is about as good as it gets,The best Cabanaro ever.went for our Anniversary will definitely be back, oh, did mention the Expresso Martini the picture says it all!!! read more

Ristorante Massimo - Italian Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Staff were friendly. Overall the food was delicious. I tried the fig and prosciutto sausage, grilled octopus, halibut, torta, and the Wicked Cherry cocktail. The fig and prosciutto felt disproportionately small. The grilled octopus was delicious and tender, but the ends were a bit too burnt. It came with bread, a spicy chili sauce, and sauerkraut. The halibut was perfectly crispy and the butter wine sauce was great. The torta was deliciously melty. My partner said the espresso duck was cooked a bit too rare for his liking. read more

See all

We walked into Massimo at 9:16pm to grab dessert and coffee. The front door was wide open, the "OPEN" sign was still lit, and there was nothing indicating they were closed or no longer seating guests. Instead of a polite explanation, we were abruptly told they stopped seating at 9:15 -- one minute earlier. Not "sorry," not "kitchen's closing," just an attitude that made it feel like we were inconveniencing them by walking into a restaurant that appeared completely open for business. If your policy is that rigid, maybe lock the door, turn off the sign, or post clear hours instead of treating potential customers like they're not worthy for arriving one minute late. Restaurants survive on hospitality, and this was the exact opposite of that. Extremely disappointing experience, especially for a place that tries to present itself as upscale. read more

We came here about two weeks ago for a late dinner and it was wonderful from start to finish. We loved the ambiance and can see they take a lot of pride in the food they serve. All of the wait staff were very attentive and friendly. Sometimes when you visit a restaurant near closing they can seem in a rush to get you in and out, but not here, it was really relaxing to be able to have a nice meal after a long day of travel. read more

While I have occasionally tried the duck and the steak at Massimo, the stand-out dish that keeps me coming back is the Carbonara. Massimo's Carbonara is special because they sprinkle it with truffle, which adds a rich and complex flavor to what would otherwise be a simple dish. Perhaps a few years ago I would have given Massimos four stars, but recently I have not been finding the Carbonara as flavorful. We also visited this weekend and waited very long to be seated and then to be served, despite having a reservation. Besides that, the ambiance does feel lacking. The main dining space is in a basement with no windows. The decorations are cute inside and give classic Italian, but lately I noticed it looking a little drab. It was also very cold down there as our party was seated right under the air conditioning unit that was set to full blast. read more

Sat upstairs at the bar and had a great meal! The bar tender was very friendly and the atmosphere was very old school Italian. We split a bottle of red and it was great. Overall prices were decent for the meals you got. The two dishes were great but I might have chose wrong cause it wasn't amazing. I would come back but try a different meal! read more

See all

Had a lovely meal, some things were amazing and some fell short. One thing that was disappointing was the bread- it was stale and I don't think any fine dining restaurant so serve old bread. The wagyu meatballs were delicious, along with the stuffed squash flower, and an excellent carbonara. The duck was OK, a bit tough for duck breast and very chewy. The ambiance is old school Italian restaurant and romantic. The service was good, but not totally high end in regards to how the plates were cleared and removing crumbs between courses. Our waiter was very sweet and I would say it was more about training and standard set by the restaurant. There was a rather curt woman who seemed a little aggressive when we asked for more of our bottle of water, which was set away from the table in a ice bucket. She snapped "I was just about to refill it." Our water glasses were empty for a hot minute or I wouldn't have said something. Absolutely excellent mocktails that are actually priced for not having alcohol. Good mocktails in New England are a rarity. All in all I would do apps and pasta and skip the protein. read more

Ristorante Massimo - Duck Breast - Italian Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

This place is beautiful inside. It's warm and inviting and done perfectly. As you are escorted to your table you think, Wow, this is going to be amazing. Party of 6, sat down and started with cocktails. I have never had a drink this good, it was the Sweet Disposition martini. It was a little sweet, but boy.....I tried my wife's Hocus Pocus cocktail and it was even more delicious! During all the "yum" and " wow" comments, we ordered our food. Apps and entrees. Our server was great. He was knowledgeable with a hint of comic relief. I wish I could say the food was amazing. I really wanted it to be. It was good, but my expectations were very high. No one in my party were impressed with their apps or meals. The broccolini app was so salty it was near impossible to eat. The zucchini flower was as big as my thumb. Just one, and lacked any flavor. The only dish I heard was good was the Carbonara. So, for my money, I'd go to the bar and have a great cocktail, but I'd go elsewhere if you're looking for an amazing meal. read more

YUM! this place is great! the decor was beautiful and felt very warm and inviting. the service is perfect. our server was Fish (i think that's how you spell it, if not i apologize), and they were amazing. so attentive and friendly, definitely deserves some recognition- they did not miss a beat. they helped me pick out the perfect wine when i was unsure, which i appreciated. the food was great. we started off with the appetizer size pastas, pretty cool that they offer that option. the pasta is house made and i couldn't pass that up! my favorite thing was the bolognese- literally the best pasta i've had in a long time. so flavorful and perfectly cooked. the carbonara was absolutely delicious too. so much flavor and pasta cooked beautifully. the filet was good but not great. it was cooked perfectly for me, but just could have used more flavor. the demi glaze was sort of flat for me, it was missing something. my husband got the the veal shank and said it was very good. cooked a perfect medium with lots of flavor. i will definitely be back here to order a full portion of the bolognese!!! read more

See all

Fantastic!! Attended a wedding dinner party here and it was wonderful. We sat in the back private room that seats 20. The atmosphere was great, very intimate and romantic with soft lighting; I can see why it holds rep for one of the best romantic/date night spots. It is an upscale but not snobby kind of nice Italian restaurant. The staff are very professional, informed, friendly, and attentive. The couple selected a pre-set, take your pick from options, three course meal + charcuterie. Everything was phenomenal - from presentation and portions, to ingredients and flavor! For apps: selection of meatballs, sausage, or zucchini flowers. I got (along with a lot of others) the meatballs and it was amazing - came in a tomato and ricotta sauce with pesto. Drool kind of good. Next was salad: insalata con mais or baratta. I got the insalata and it was very refreshing with crisp lettuce, sweet corn which was a nice touch, and a caesar like vinaigrette dressing. Then it was the entree: filet, bolognese, carbonara, or halibut. We went with the filet and bolognese. The pasta and sauce is made fresh and you can definitely tell and boy do they do it right!! Everything came with generous portions and packed with flavor. Finished with a cappuccino and the wedding cake (cake not from restaurant) and it was a perfect end to the meal. The cappuccino comes with a rock candy sugar stick which was neat and the coffee was bold and tasty. I would definitely come back here for a regular dinner and recommend if you're looking for great food and nice ambiance. read more

See all

Haven't been there in years, but this was the perfect dining experience in every way. Fantastic food and impeccable service. Couldn't imagine a better dining experience! read more

Loved the food and the atmosphere. Great building! Service was awesome. Highly recommend read more

I never write reviews but this restaurant I HAVE to. This was the best Italian meal I think I've ever had. I wish I lived closer so I could come here all the time. You must order the meatballs, carbonara, and the filet. I'm sure everything is good but those 3 we good were absolutely insane. The service was also absolutely top tier and has set the standard for us. read more

Ristorante Massimo - Maria's Polpette - Italian Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

See all

Classic Italian restaurant with a cool vibe at the bar and a unique experience on the bottom floor. The bar is separate from the main dining rooms, but you can dine at the bar. Wooden bar, old fashioned pulley system fans on the ceiling with light tunes in the background. Grab a nice craft beer or a cocktail. The basement is a catacomb of small spaces and intersting old brick wall cut outs. Wooden exposed beams garnish the ceiling. Fran Sinatra bellows softly below the conversations on hidden speakers. The charcuterie plate was incredible, cheese, figs, cuts of bread. The seared scallops cooked perfectly and seasoned well if not a touch salty. Desserts are not my thing but the table raved. read more

Ristorante Massimo - Exterior sign - Italian Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Ristorante Massimo is a big MassiNO for me. We made a reservation due to a recommendation from a friend. We had issues with both the service and the food. Our server explained to us that all of the food we were ordering would have to be ordered upfront. This would allow for the kitchen to keep pace with orders. I have never experienced something such as this in all of my dining experiences. This place is known for its exceptional service and allowing the diner to have an exceptional experience. However, it was not the case. At the end of our dinner, our server placed two dessert menus in front of us and said "I highly recommend the tiramisu with the cotton candy foam." That was a very bizarre approach as we are used to someone asking us if we would like dessert. We felt rushed in our dining experience and it was not enjoyable. We ordered the meatballs as an appetizer and they were tasty. We also ordered the Buratta and it was served ice cold. It seems it was taken out of the refrigerator and was not allowed to settle to room temperature. My partner went with the Bolognese. There was very little meat and the sauce was so pink that it presented and tasted more like a vodka sauce. It was heavy on the Parmesan cheese and bland. There are too many other fantastic restaurants in the Portsmouth area to even waste another dime or moment going back to this establishment. I'm not sure if it was just an off night, but we had two gentlemen that we also dealt with. One that brought us the food and one that showed us to the bathroom and they would have been better serving our table. Won't be back here. read more

Charming, charming and more charming!!! This historic bank was the perfect backdrop to a fabulous meal with great friends!!! Upstairs bar was worth a small wait!!! read more

We sat in the upstairs part of the restaurant. Very quaint and very drafty when the door opens for people entering and exiting. The quality of the food was absolutely exceptional, and you could tell that the chef takes pride in creating his dishes. The bread that they brought over and a little metal vessel was delicious and did not require any butter to enjoy. The carbonara, which I had was very good, although it didn't need to have a little bit of salt added to it, which is typically not something that I do when a dish is brought out to the table. Otherwise, it was an exceptional meal. read more

Just can't say enough about how good this restaurant is in regards to the food, service, and ambiance. The dining room is a cozy downstairs that transports you to Italy with white table cloths and amazing art. The food is outstanding and has been on a high level for many many years. We started with the meatballs, burrata salad, and tuna crudo special. The meatballs are tender and full of flavor and the burrata salad is light and fresh. The tuna crudo was something new and had a great balance of heat, saltiness, and sweetness. For mains we ordered the half portions or carbonara, bolognese, and lobster agnolotti. The carbonara is a staple menu item and it is rich and packed with truffle flavor. It is one of my favorites on the menu and is definitely something to try. The bolognese and agnolotti were also fantastic and great options. To finish the meal we got the cookie box and carrot cake. The cookie box comes with butterscotch cotton candy and a wide assortment of cookies/sweets. The carrot cake came topped with pineapple and had a great balance of flavor. But what really makes the meal is Massimo. He is such a genuine person and truly cares about everyone he meets. He wants to make your meal the best it can be and will go to great lengths to accomplish that. He is one of a kind and is one of the big reasons this restaurant is so special. Can't recommend this restaurant enough and will be back soon! read more

See all

Regulars here and it never disappoints! The presentation coupled with the fresh contemporary cuisine is Michelin Star worthy. Decadent but not stuffy. Vibrant but always intimate. The service shines like the North Star and makes your visit like going to someone's home. read more

See all

I highly recommend this restaurant. The food was impeccably prepared, with fresh , vibrant flavors. The cocktails were top notch. Wait staff were knowledgeable and friendly. It has an intimate ambiance. Looking forward to going back!! read more

I had the most amazing meal at Ristorante Massimo last evening! It was an absolutely perfect night starting with the friendly greetings by the host, the comfortable atmosphere complete with Italian music along with brick and stonework in the dining room resembling an authentic Italian restaurant, the delicious bread, excellent waitstaff, but mostly the most authentic Italian meal I have enjoyed outside of Italy! My husband and I started with sharing Maria's Polpette alla Romana Kobe beef meatballs, San Marzano tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and basil pesto. Delicious! I then had the Tagliatelle Carbonara di Lazio which was House-made tagliatelle pasta, English peas, shaved black truffle, egg yolk, Parmigiano Reggiano and crispy prosciutto. This carbonara was the best I have eaten outside of Rome and made even better by adding the shaved black truffle. Just an out of this world combination. My husband had Trottole e Fungi which was Trottole pasta, mixed wild mushrooms, light butter sauce, shaved black truffles, Parmesan Reggiano, cracked black pepper. He absolutely enjoyed it! We ended our meal with a delicious dark chocolate Tartufo. We were please to meet Massimo during our time there and enjoyed hearing about his experiences in Italy. We have been to Italy for a month each fall for the past nine years and can honestly say this is the best Italian meal we have had outside of Italy. I highly recommend Ristorante Massimo read more

First time here, sat in the upstairs bar area which was very comfortable and welcoming. The bartender and other staff who waited on us were all super nice and helpful. I'm not one to usually order a heavy pasta dish but since a few of their pastas are available by the half order I decided to try the Carbonara. This followed a couple of delish apps. including the meatballs (some of the best I've had dining out) and the stuffed squash blossom. The Carbonara was simply the best, with fresh black truffle slices just killing it. Next time I may just get the full order! I'm looking forward to our next reservation which is with a larger group and downstairs in the dining room. I'm going to make a point to try the octopus because it looked so good as it was served to other diners. I just can't believe I've lived in the area for so many years without being aware of this gem of a restaurant. read more

After a very long driving day, we tucked into the upstairs bar area for a quick meal and could not have been more impressed! Thanks to a warm welcome from Peter, we immediately felt like regulars and enjoyed a quiet evening and absolutely delicious food. We will most definitely add this gem to our list among some excellent options in Portsmouth. Thank you! read more

Been several times since and the food is always amazing! Cannot wait to go back again soon! read more

See all

This is one of the finest dining experiences you might have, and without doubt one of the best restaurants in Portsmouth. That is saying plenty as this town has some great dining. We've been dining at Massimo for years now, and it is our goto for special meals, when friends are visiting, or when we just feel like indulging. From the warm ambience, skilled servers and delicious foods, it's really hard to go wrong. For years, the only option was the main dining room, downstairs, but now you have choices. "Upstairs" is a more casual setting, and bar with a nice menu to choose from. Outdoors in season, is fantastic. Massimo has really outdone himself, and perhaps has the nicest outdoor dining venue in the city. Since the pandemic, they have also rolled out a great takeout program as well. We've tried them all the options, and have never been let down. You are very likely to get a warm greeting from Massimo himself, and the servers are great, but let's talk about the food that Chef Jethro turns out of his kitchen. Outstanding all around, from the small plates, to the pasta or any of the mains. The pasty chef is also very talented, and we love the "dessert box", for those times when you can't decide. Bar and wine service are also exceptional. If you have not been, just go! Be sure to have a reservation, and note that reservations are for downstairs inside when made with OpenTable.. If you want to eat outside you need to indicate that when you call. I hope your experience is as good as ours. read more

See all

Fantastic, thoughtful menu prepared properly. Upscale service exceeds Portsmouth standards. A restaurant that obviously cares a lot about both the food and guest experience. Exceptional for the area read more

Massimo's has been our go to spot to celebrate our anniversary for a few years. I would have to say that tonight was the best ever. Our apps were the Kobe meatballs (so so good) and the mussels (out of the shell) in a wonderful sauce with grilled bread. Hubby had the veal chop and I had the halibut (best I've had in a long time)! We ended with the tiramisu - amazing. Tim Massimo came to our table to wish us happy anniversary - you can tell he genuinely appreciates his customers. Our servers were outstanding and fun - Anthony definitely rocks the service industry! read more

By far the most romantic restaurant in the Seaport area--we absolutely loved it! In an era where anything goes when it comes to dinner attire, I'd recommend leaning toward the dressier side. A sport coat, dress, or upscale outfit would feel right at home here. As we descended the steps into a beautiful brick building, we were greeted by the warm glow of candlelit, white-tablecloth settings. We were escorted to the back room, where our waitress--dressed elegantly in black and white--demonstrated expert knowledge of the menu and helped guide our selections. To start, I enjoyed a perfectly chilled Hot & Dirty Martini, while my companion sipped on a smooth Woodford Manhattan. For appetizers, we ordered the scallops--cooked to perfection--and the meatballs, which, while enjoyable, couldn't quite compete with the scallops. For entrées, the duck breast was delicious, though slightly past medium-rare, while the Agnolotti was spot on. A splurge, that will get your romantic juices going we will be back to this most enchanting establishment. read more

Elegant and expensive restaurant good for a once a year visit. Rack of lamb was a very small amount but good. Left a bit hungry. read more

Perfect restaurant for a special event. Intimate seating keeps the noise level down, and food was amazing! Meatballs 10/10, veal chops 10/10 and the filet mignon was cooked perfectly! Definitely will be returning! read more

Food was just above average. After ordering the wait for the entree was significant. Service was good. Ambiance was good. Price was substantial. Probably so y go back. read more

We could've eaten 20 meatballs. They were amazing! The famous carbonara was delightful. Service was spectacular. Ambiance was quite loud, so don't expect a quiet dinner. read more

The wait staff was excellent. Very attentive. The food was fresh, creative and filled with flavor. We had the Carbonara, filet and swordfish and all 3 were worth going back. The downstairs is old school but provides a relaxing atmosphere. read more

My only 5 Star this year. Yes, I have and would fly my wife from Virginia to eat here. Great history build and eating atmosphere both downstairs (formal) and upstairs (casual). Full menu in both seating areas. Exquisite service regardless of where are you sitting. Don't pass the Nonna's meatball appetizer. Very reasonably priced. read more

Ristorante Massimo - Veal chop - Italian Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire