Some folks count down the days until summer begins. If you're from New Castle or Portsmouth, you count down the days until The Ice House opens for the season. Great ice cream, friendly service, and good old family restaraunt charm. The food is solid; the menu is pretty standard (mostly burgers, chicken, and seafood), but it is reliably tasty, always comforting, and easily my favorite place for fish and chips. Perfect place to go after the beach or in the middle of a bike ride. I went here a lot as a kid, so I have nostalgia working in my favor, but it's popularity over the years speaks for itself. Do it. Favorite Dish: Fried haddock with french fries, followed by a chocolate frappe. And a nap. read more

We had a great meal today with all of our family. The service from Kelly was awesome and welcoming. Love this place Housefinch team

Immediate service for the outdoor ice cream area. Nice deck with picnic tables on a deck. Indoor restaurant looked small but inviting. We ordered our ice cream and sat outside on the deck. Portions were not huge but reasonably priced and top quality. We came near closing but had a pleasant experience. We would come again. read more

Love their food (mostly fried) and ice cream! Lots of space to sit outback!

Lemme sum up: Excellent ice cream, good food, Good atmosphere You've had a long day at the beach and you're covered in salt and sand. The kids need to eat and you're just exhausted. Have the kids sit on a towel in the back seat, and drive to The Ice House. They have all the standard fare that a roadside joint should...burgers, fries, hotdogs, onion rings. And the ice cream...OH! THE ICE CREAM! I'm a fan of the S'more Sundae, vanilla ice cream with crushed graham crackers, hot fudge, and marshmallow topping, or on hot days when a drink is necessary a vanilla soda with a scoop of Purple Cow or Black Bear. The food quality is good. The seafood chowder is a mix of haddock/cod, minced clams, and lobster claw/leg meat. The broth is more on the thin side with no hint of sherry but I did observe some dill floating about in there. The chicken fingers are very lightly battered and not overly seasoned. I was not impressed with the fries, and would rate them as just "OK". As mentioned in other reviews: CASH ONLY BUSINESS There is an ATM on the premises if you need it. read more

We always eat here when hit great island common. Delicious lobster rolls, fried scallops and oyster, and the ice cream is perfect! We always eat here when hit great island common. Delicious lobster rolls, fried scallops and oyster, and the ice cream is perfect! read more

This is one of my favorite local stops For ice cream in the summer - maple walnut and rum raisin are hard to find favorites!

Love it here. We go everytime we visit Greenland. Haddock sandwich was great yesterday. My party of six all enjoyed their food. We didn't have icecream today but have in the past. Yum! They don't take credit cards but they do have a ATM read more

Didn't try the food, but the ice cream here is delicious, far better than you'd expect from a roadside ice cream. Not sure if they're making it themselves, but it tastes as though they are - it's delicious. The huge garage in the back detracts from the scenery/view, but otherwise: thumbs up. Worth a stop. Highly recommended. read more

Biking around Newcastle and came by this place. My husband had been to it before and insisted we stop. Yes, the prices are a little high but everything is fresh and mostly local. Totally worth it! We had the fish tacos which weren't seasoned but had the ubiquitous spicy sauce drizzled on top. Typical seafood entrees on the rest of the menu with a few land lover choices. Also, many ice cream flavor to choose from for dessert. You can either order outside or sit inside for sit down service. Beautiful picnic area in the back to eat. read more

Nice simple local restaurant, located in a beautiful spot. Food is delicious, service is good, people are friendly. By the number of people constantly pounding to the waiting line It is very popular within locals. I had Haddock fish which was very good. read more

I have eaten here many a time and enjoy the fried food but I must say, the girls always always mess up my ice cream order every time I go. Whether through the take out window or in the dining room itself. Always check your cup-to-go before leaving. I had to make a return trip the past few times out of annoyance. read more

I had the death by chocolate and it was pretty good. The small dish was a good size and more than enough for me. No qualms here.

If you even care about reading this you're from somewhere else because the locals have frequented this summer shack for decades. And if you want advice you can trust, here it is. Just go. To the Ice House. After a day at the beach or for a weekend lunch or dinner. For a cone or a grilled burger or some of the best fresh seafood you'll find north of the Boston wharfside joints. Lots of fried items. Balanced by broiled or baked entrees and fresh vegetable options for the cardiophobes. Everything is very good. And that means everything. Three bean salad. Pickled beets. Hot dogs too. Plus, the owners provide one of the best work environments any local kid could ask for. Go. read more

We were staying in Hampton Beach and got a recommendation to go to the Ice House for great ice cream. WOW! The ice cream was the BEST I've ever had!!!!!!!!! It was creamy and just plain delicious. We tried peanut butter cup, chocolate chip cookie dough, and death by chocolate -- all fantastic. My daughter got cake batter, which I usually think tastes like cough syrup, and even that flavor was wonderful. I only wish I didn't live several states west of NH. read more

Something's missing. I just don't know what . . . Perhaps it's the amount of food for the price being paid. The food, though, is consistently good. The "waiting area" has always come across as obnoxious for some reason, however. Either way, every summer, like clockwork, I'm always up for the Ice House. read more

The good - the ice cream. Very yummy, lots of options. The bad - impact to your waistline. Classic ice cream shack. Great place for late afternoon / early evening sweet treat... read more

The food is standard New England seaside fare and is decent. The ice cream is also good but the low ratings is for the poor and unfriendly service. There's and arrogant attitude in there and I won't be coming back unless it's take out only. read more

I had been going to the Ice House for years for the Ice Cream. It wasn't until recently that I decided to try the food. Sitting out back enjoying the onion rings and a cheese burger, I was a bit upset with myself that I have been missing out on this for the last 15+ years. You would be hard pressed to find better onion rings on the Seacoast. Wow! My only downside would best be summed up in an old Yogi Berra quote, "Nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded." With that being said, you still have got to go there. read more

Great service and excellent fish tacos. The fish and chips were also really good. The ice cream portions are HUGE for the price. Overall a really good experience and look forward to going back. read more

The ice cream was good, the service was SO. RUDE. Let me tell you about my experience. It was afternoon, and the sun was going behind the clouds and became a bit chilly, so after ordering I asked if there was anywhere to sit inside (for me and my little one), and she goes "idk I don't think so" and I was like, oh because it's getting a little chilly... and she goes "yep" as she is shutting the window on me. WHAT KIND OF SERVICE IS THAT????????? :( read more

Ice cream is great, although they don't have soft serve, which was a disappointment for my young children.

Beautiful summer evening, long day of golf and beach fun, stopping by for a quick dinner and ordered the whole belly fried clam dinner, WOW! Perfectly battered, perfectly cooked, sweet belly clams that tasted fresh from the sea with a bit of brininess to them. Perfection. Just wonderful. The calamari was okay, the greek salad was ok. The whole belly fried clams were just off the charts good. Best I've ever had. read more

Amazing ice cream! We took a few bike rides here to cool off in the warm summer months and it was a great place for a nice break. They have a nice grassy outside area behind their building with seating to enjoy your ice cream too! read more

Their crab meat sandwiches are the best! I wish they would put them on better bread than just a hamburger bun, but still packed and delicious! read more

So small and so amazing. The spinach salad with salmon was absolutely amazing. Huge ice cream selection!

I have been going to the Ice house for 30 years. The food is always good. It's a great place to go after the beach. They have Richardson Ice Cream. Prices are what you would expect from a summer seafood restaurant. They have plenty of seating outside and a few tables inside, we normally sit outside. The take out window is staffed by students who sometimes have an attitude. I highly recommend it! read more

Took my boyfriend here last week and the food and service were on point. Nothing fancy but the prices are fair and the decor is very summery and quaint. read more

ITS a seafood/Ice cream shack! Good as it gets, very casual and inexpensive! Never had bad service and go there all the time. Live here and I don't know the owners! Where can you get a haddock sandwich under $8??? Asking a waitress during a VERY busy time how the food is IS dumb! Why would she work there???? You don't make money at a place that serves bad food. The place will not be crowed if it serves bad food...get it???? If your expecting fine dinning don't eat here. read more

Great fresh fish Prices are very very reasonable Ice cream is a HUGE plus Very nice and courteous staff! A MUST stop on your vacation, business trip, or just a nite out with the family! read more

The Ice House is a great place to take the family for fried seafood, ice cream and/or hotdogs and burgers. The haddock sandwich is really good! I grew up going to this place so I have fond memories... Definitely check it out! read more

The best ice cream in NH! We have tried the PB Oreo, mocha chip, mint, orange sherbet, and coffee Oreo and they were all amazing! They do not skimp on the serving--their small is technically a medium! read more

I've been to the Ice House a LOT of times and it's without a doubt one of the better spots around. It's sort of a cult favorite in the area and really just about anyone could have a great time here for dinner and an ice cream. It's all-American, it's an everyman's eat and it's also great for families. The Richardson's ice cream is really top notch, and if it weren't for the solidly average food the Ice House would be out of this world. As for the food, it's very reasonably priced and you can expect to find your standard American/Seafood affair with decent burgers, a good fish and chips and some heart attack express cheese fries that are one of my favorites. Probably about half the menu is fried here and the rest is a burger or a vegetarian option. Not wanting to clog my arteries too much and interested in something a little more than your average American fare, this is the only reason I can't rate the Ice House five stars. The service is also a little quirky and I swear the same grumpy lady has been waiting tables there for ten years and I get her every time. It doesn't detract from the experience too much and a lot of the scoop girls are friends of mine. The food is served to you on paper plates and it's a very familiar experience to anyone who's eaten at a place like this. After dinner, however, is where the Ice House really shines. The ice cream is nothing short of phenomenal and it's a real experience to sit outside and eat a cone in the summer here. You won't be disappointed and I know I never have been. Cake Batter and Black Raspberry are my two personal favorites here. There's a great family atmosphere at the Ice House as well and you will indeed see a whole lot of families. All in all, the Ice House is slightly off the beaten path but it's a real gem and you shouldn't miss out! read more

Baked Beans for $2.89!!! I could buy 4 cans for that price.... I'm local... I go to all the local spots... something about this place has been bothering me for last few years. We visited last night when it became clear to me... the people who own the place are pissed off about something?.?. The prices are way too high for what they serve. My wife asked the waitress owner last night about the fish and was told it was really good. Came back dry, thin and would have been much better if I had eaten at BGs boathouse down the street. Listen I understand that restaurant owners have to sell what they buy, but they should be truthful when asked or make sure that what they say is true. When we asked the waitress owner about one item on the menu - she grabbed the menu/placemat and circled it with her pen. Then we asked about something else and again with the pen, she leaned across in front of me and circled the napkin dispenser which had a notice on the front of it again with the pen.... For what we got and what we spent... all served on paper plates with atittude, we agreed that this place needs an attitude and price adjustment and that we would be spending our hard earned dollars at other local restaurants that seem to like us. Much too expensive for what you get and the food just isn't as good as it used to be -- and no credit cards. Cash only. read more

I love going to the Ice House after a day at the beach or the outlets. The burgers are deliciously grilled to perfection, and the fried seafood is awesome. Ice cream is outta this world, and a small cone is huge! Outdoor seating and a nice atmosphere inside, too. read more

The last time my wife and I went there, we sat inside to have a couple of hot dogs and sundaes. My wife was taking a spoonful of her sundae and there was a long human hair connecting the ice cream on her spoon to the ice cream in her cup. No big deal, it happens. I called our waitress over, who is one of the owners, and politely asked for a new sundae. We showed her the hair, still attached to the ice cream. Instead of being apologetic, she was a frigging wench. She did give my wife a new sundae, but she slammed it down in front of her. Haven't been back since. There's better ice cream places in the area that give bigger portions for less money (and less hair). read more

I agree with John O unfriendly owner, waitress. You feel you are intruding. Also waitresses run around and you feel you better hurry up and get out of there, so they can turn over the table. Parking lot is a nightmare. Cars coming at you from every direction, scary. Food good, though chowder is watery. Go to BJ's down the road, food equally good, friendly owners and staff, better chowder, and a great view! read more

Excellent location, good food. BLT was terrific (believe it or not, there's a lot of ways that simple sandwich can go wrong, but this one was delicious!) My husband enjoyed the fried shrimp. No complaints from the pup regarding the PB/banana yogurt cup. I was delighted that they had a frozen treat for the dog. Will definitely return here next time! read more

the ice house is bad. the hotdogs are the best thing on the menu and the best thing is not very good. the hotdogs were undercooked and the ice cream was just okay. i really expected better read more

Great selection. Very reasonably priced fresh food cooked to order. Ice cream is fantastic. Fast service from the Scoop Girls at the window. Pity they aren't open year round. read more