The Bread Box

I've dined at Restaurant Massimo many times, and it never disappoints. The food is consistently…read moreexcellent, 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.

Went for an anniversary dinner, food was delicious. Service was lackluster. Evening started great…read morebut 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.

Bar area

Cannoli

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Bar area

The Rosa

3.1(357 reviews)

0.8 mi

•$$

Wanted to update my review as the Rosa is now under new management and I believe much improved. Now…read morepart of the MT dining group (Surf, Buckleys Great Steaks, etc...), I felt that the food was substantially better than our prior visits. The staff is pleasant and we had a great waiter. Somehow the room felt nicer, cleaner and brighter. We dined with friends and started with cocktails which were very good. Our waiter brought out complimentary bread and oil, which we all enjoyed, and was replenished during our meal. The small Caesar salad was generous and easily enough for two. The meatball appetizer was also quite big, with 3 delicious meatballs and several pieces of garlic toast. We shared a Lasagna entree which was very good, and was more than enough for two people. In fact, we could not finish and brought home a small portion which I enjoyed for lunch. The menu offers both classic comfort Italian dishes, as well as pizza and more modern Italian fare. Our friends were pleased with Chicken Parm, again more than they could eat. We all felt prices were fair and reasonable given food prices these days. Further, unlike a few other spots in town, no unpleasant surprise surcharge for using a credit card. We were too fill to try dessert, but I expect they will be as good as those offered at other Buckley restaurants. I think Michael Buckley has done a great job reinvigorating this long standing Portsmouth restaurant. Be sure to make a reservation, the place was packed and with good reason.

The three of us headed to the Rosa a few Sunday afternoons ago for an early dinner…read more Apparently the Rosa has been in business in Portsmouth NH for almost 100 years, which is pretty nuts. New ownership recently took over and updated the interior and the menu. Here's what we ordered: Meatball appetizer- Excellent, would definitely order again. Also came with a complimentary basket of house focaccia which was exceptionally good! For mains- The house lasagna al la bolongese--solid and of a generous portion, and, two of us shared a special of Cacio e Pepe pasta with steak tips, which was really good. For dessert we all dug into warm brownie with ice cream which was 100% We all hope to return to the Rosa, there are also several wonderful shops along the street walkable from the Rosa.

The refurbished 'bar area' now has more comfortable seating. Service is friendly and attentive. Food on the new menu is delicious!

SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL

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CACCIATORE

Mamma Luca

3.6(50 reviews)

0.8 mi

Great atmosphere, good and great experience. Had the mushroom pizza and calamari. The tiramisu is…read moresome of the best. Samantha was one of the best servers and I look forward to having the chicken parm some Sunday soon! Don't forget to have the gelato and olive oil treat before you leave! Nice touch.

First the pros: the ambiance was pleasant. The wait staff was friendly. The prices weren't…read moreunreasonable. The cons: the food was on par with diner / pub fare. Not really that good. The menu looked quite appealing, but the food upon delivery was meh, at best. My wife's food arrived a full 15 MINUTES before mine was brought out. And then we both waited another 5 minutes before they brought us knives to cut our food. I had the pork Milanese which had obviously been overcooked in old fry oil. It was burnt and barely edible. My wife had the carbonara flatbread, which was cold by the time my food arrived. Their espresso Martini, while taste was acceptable, was barely larger than a shot glass. And the gelato after dinner was, I assure you, NOT gelato. Well, not gelato to anyone who's actually been to Italy, or anywhere in Europe. The dining experience overall was only made pleasant by the company and the friendly wait staff. The food sucked. In a town full of excellent restaurants, this is not one of them.

Slice counter for to-go pizza

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Gelato to-go area

Cafe Mediterraneo

3.7(282 reviews)

0.5 mi

Great atmosphere, though it can feel a bit chilly if you're seated near the windows. The service…read morewas excellent, and our server was very knowledgeable about both the menu and the wine list. Everything we ordered tasted fantastic. That said, both the pappardelle and the ravioli were a bit heavy on the sauce. While the sauces were delicious, they slightly overwhelmed the pasta and distracted from the delicate flavors of the lobster. The standout entrée was the braised short rib. It was incredibly tender and packed with rich, savory flavor. The drinks were excellent, and dessert was the perfect finish. The pistachio cheesecake was absolutely outstanding. Added note: I ordered the Caesar salad...I was asked if I wanted anchovies. I did, the server said nothing about an additional charge for the anchovies and I didn't look on the bill. If they do charge for anchovies knock one star off this review. One other reviewer claimed they charged extra for anchovies. A traditional Caesar comes with anchovies! If they're charging extra; that's just wrong. Nowhere on the menu does it say extra for anchovies. Bon appétit

As first time customers celebrating a very special anniversary & milestone everything was top notch…read morefrom the glow of the fire when walking in to how we were greeted. The perfect seat, friendly & accommodating waitress & as they say "hostess with the mostest" and we haven't even had the cocktails or food yet. The drinks made to perfection & the food delicious & hot. The extra effort that is shown in this family owned restaurant shines. Our new favorite restaurant in Portsmouth. Coming from NY this is the best of the best.

Bar

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Cava

4.3(427 reviews)

I honestly am not sure where to start and end with my wife and l anniversary dinner at Cava this…read moreevening. My wife and I have close to or more than 1000 dining experiences in our time together. If Cava wasn't the best overall, it was an extremely close second. Our server Dan was awesome from start to finish. On point, Attentive, professional, and exceeded expectations on every level. Cava is a very intimate dining experience with a warm comfortable indoor and outdoor seating option. It is also very practical as a stop before going to the Music Hall, an important date or like us an anniversary. Cava is unlike many of the places we have visited over the years in the food category. Every course was exceptionally prepared, thoroughly thought out and professionally executed with excellent plating. I won't go into detail on every dish but suffice it to say there was enjoyment with every mouthful of every course. I ordered: Espresso Martini An Italian Pinot Grigio (with dinner) We shared the charcuterie plate First course - Mussels Second Course - Italian Meatball dish Third Course - Braised Flank Steak Fourth Course - Torte My wife ordered: A wonderful Rum with blackberry cocktail An Italian Pinot Grigio(with dinner) First Course- Warm Potato Soup Second Course- Stuffed and wrapped dates Third Course- Shrimp with Polenta Fourth Course- Blueberry Cheesecake

Located in a cute alleyway of Portsmith New Hampshire. Definitely grab a table out on the patio to…read moreenjoy the fresh air and ambience. I would recommend making reservations. We snagged a last-minute reservations and had the chefs tasting menu. We enjoyed everything!

Downstairs bar

Basque-style cheesecake

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August 2025 cocktail

Toscana Italian Chophouse & Wine Bar

3.1(199 reviews)

Our server, Eddie, was amazing...and the food was delicious!…read more There were seven of us for dinner and everyone loved their food...mozzarella en carozza, a meatball and burrata were excellent apps, plus the bread was perfect. For our meals the choices were ribeye steaks, short ribs and lobster ravioli, with a side of mashed potatoes - again, all the food was fantastic. For dessert we shared fruit tarts and the doughnuts - and polished them all off! We all highly recommend this restaurant from start to finish!

We heard great things and were highly disappointed. We started off waiting over 35 minutes for our…read morereservation... while other tables who had checked in after us of the same size were sat before us. Then it took hours for our food to arrive, by the time it arrived we were no longer hungry. Every time we wanted something we had to go out of our way to flag down the waiter because they never came to our table. ( they were so nice though) While the food itself was good it definitely wasn't extraordinary nor worth the wait or the price. What was supposed to be a special evening was ruined. We also got sat practically on top of two other groups- so we couldn't hear each other.

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Terra Cotta Pasta Co

4.4(38 reviews)

1.6 mi

•$$

Great selection, knowledgeable staff and very good fresh food. Lots of choices too. Easy to findread more

Have TO GO HERE! Have you been? The best shop for premium Italian food and treats! GO GO GO, make…read morethe trip. Try the pasta salads, the pizza slices and the dinners prepared are delicious. Love the cozy space and the easy layout. Delish!

Delicious

Menu

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Some easy pick ups available and so good! These fruit snacks are high quality delicious.

Napoletana Portsmouth

3.3(81 reviews)

•$$

Roaming the streets of Portsmouth without a care in the world while enjoying the lights and sounds…read moreon a cold winter's eve, the thought of carbs laden with luscious melted cheese beckoned me like a siren's song. First stop, busy. Second stop, twas still busy. Third stop, the word Napoletana caught my attention. One of my favorite styles of pizza, I didn't even think twice to verify the legitimacy of their offerings and walked right through the door and sat by the bar (skipping the long wait for a table). Two bartenders, night and day in their demeanor. One was rather calm and quiet BUT very polite and efficient. The other, rude and inattentive. I'm glad (and thankful) that the former of the two waited on my side of the bar. It was very busy and the atmosphere was filled with celebratory cheer. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. Food came at a reasonable time based on how busy things were. Bartender 1 checked in often to make sure everything was good. Thank you again. Mussels fra diavolo was cooked well and to the right texture. Sauce very buttery, salted well and with just a little heat (not spicy at all like the name implies). Toast was a little too toasted, lol. However, when the pizza arrived, is when I realized that names are just names. This is not Napoletana pizza. While the ingredients were an amazing combination on their Fichi pizza, the soggy center was an absolute letdown. Mushy dough is a tad much to accept. And now enters bartender 2 at the end of my meal after awesome bartender 1 had waited on our side this whole time. From a foot away while talking to another patron at the bar, he literally tossed the guest check presenter toward me without making any effort to actually place it down professionally. I've not had any interaction with him to warrant this behavior and would have rather ended this evening thanking bartender 1 for his kind service. That said, I left wondering WTF I just walked into based on a name that didn't live up to its name at all. Such a shame. Beautiful place, great concept and menu, poor execution overall.

Was desperately looking for food on Easter Sunday and they were one of the few places open. Ordered…read moreahead and the pizza was ready soon after I arrived. I got a Polpetto pizza and it was quite good. The crust was cooked but not crispy, and there was a decent amount of toppings. I only ate half so the price was reasonable too. Would come back again.

Bar

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Outdoor entrance

OTTO

3.9(57 reviews)

0.2 mi

Always so good here highly recommend the spicy pepperoni. Would come back any day shoutoutread more

Tried pizza from Otto yesterday when some coworkers ordered delivery and generously shared a slice…read morewith me, and I was impressed enough that I will definitely be placing an order of my own sometime in the future when I'm in the area and have a bit of leisure time. The slice I tried was the pasta alla vodka, which was both delicious and unlike anything I've tried in the past anywhere else. I look forward to eventually trying more of the menu!

Entrance

Pineapple mango pizza

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Watermelon spritz

Black Trumpet

4.0(337 reviews)

It's been a lot longer since we last visited than I had thought. Still a very good place for…read moredinner. Same cozy atmosphere. Good service, good food. The dry martinis were not weak, like I've been getting lately. I guess mixing a dry martini is a lost art but these were very good. The Olives and Almonds is thankfully still on the menu, get those. I got the paella, it made me wish I had two stomachs. Overall a good night out.

A really outstanding meal in a very quaint historic building. We ate on the second floor and I love…read morethe cozy and intimate room. A small but well curated food menu with an inventive cocktail list and an extensive offering of wines. The menu changes by season and the menu reflects that with perfect seasonal ingredients added to the mix. The menu is split into small, medium, and large and is perfect for sharing. The food was outstanding with a chevre cheesecake to die for. Service was casual yet engaging and offered up great advice. A really special restaurant in a great town.