I came to The Oar House as soon as they opened (actually maybe 5 minutes before), and I was one of the first customers to get seated there, so I was happy the place was decently empty before rush hour began. I was seated and Darius was the waiter at my table, and got me started with a Mimosa; light on the orange and more heavy on the champagne. Because I looked at the online menu prior to arriving, I knew and already placed all my orders right then and there: the Oar House Smash Burger, Lobster Mac and Cheese, and the Harbor Piccata. Right off the bat, the Lobster mac and cheese had this delicate, salty crust on the top, and the pasta itself was soft yet firm in texture, and the cheese was almost a soup with how creamy yet runny it was. There was an abundance of lobster, which gave it a sea-salty freshness with a nice chew. The Oar House Smash burger was juicy, cheesy, and very meaty. It came with two patties of different meats, tomatoes and a combination of greens. Right away it was the perfect item of what I wanted to pair the mac and cheese with. It had give, but the buns held its shape very well, fluffy, soft, and wasn't dry or crumbly. The pickle that it came with was perfectly crunchy and salty, and I would say it paired better with the mac and cheese. Finally, the Harbor Piccata was exactly what I wanted: beautifully sauced pasta, nice bouncy capers, and sautéed chicken that shed very gently. I finished all three within a span of an hour. Overall I have zero complaints about this location, the view is beautiful both inside and outside, and the ambiance is great if you don't get caught in the busy hours, the customer parking is an excellent feature if you're looking to experiment a new place without the hassle of finding parking. Darius was very charismatic to chatter with, lots of good banter, no judgement at all, and that made the experience that much better. Definitely recommend stopping by. read more

See all

We were looking for a waterfront restaurant for a late lunch on a beautiful sunny day. As expected, the wait was about 25 minutes for some of the other places that are side by side. We decided to walk down a little further to The Oar House and they had outside seating available right away. The best part is that they have less obstructed views of the river. I started with a mocktail - bliss basel lemonade. It was an ok drink. We started with the tempura fried shrimp. This was a great appetizer and one I would have again. I really liked the sauce as well as the pickled vegetables. For my main, I went with the fried fish tacos. Although they fell apart as soon as I picked them up, they were good tacos. Fish was nicely fried and I liked their pineapple pico de gallo- very fresh and tasty. This restaurant also has parking for their customers. This is an added bonus as we parked and paid for street parking. We will keep this in mind for next time! read more

See all

I had to try the Lobster Roll and it was delicious. I had the cold version. Our server Alex was helpful with an overview and highlights of the menu. The setting was casual and perfect on this beautiful day. Husband couldn't decide so he got a cup of Clam Chowder which I tried and it was very good but thin. He also ordered fish and chips. Big cut fries and flaky light fish was a large portion of both. The awning covering the patio is mobile and they pulled it back when the sun set. Five star read more

See all

Front row seat on the water at sunset (the sunset is behind you but still cool) - ambience is great. Service was subpar. Drinks were mid. Mac and cheese was mid too but huge portion for a side. Burrata appetizer is good-- very unique dish with tomatoes and artichoke; tuna tartare sticky rice was okay but wouldn't order again. Conclusion: come for the vibe but don't expect amazing menu or service. read more

The Oar House - Tuna tartare sticky rice - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

I really enjoyed our time here. There was a party of seven and they treated us like royalty. The service was fantastic as well as the drinks. My boyfriend got amazing short rib and I had a seafood dish. I believe everyone was very happy with the food they ordered we did get a lot of appetizers in my standout was the tuna sticky rice cake cakes. Will definitely be back love this place. read more

The Oar House - Our fun group! - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Upon entry, it was an instant "wow" for the ambience. We were guided through a door to the right for a quaint, dimly lit dining area surrounded by brick & wood. It was quiet for lunch on a Thursday which we expected. Fresh oysters on the half shell for $36 for a dozen. They even included a 13th which was a surprise! The steamed lobster dumplings came in a qty of 5 (small), a bit on the pricey side, however, delicious. Our waiter, Alex, came right over to us & was pleasant to all patrons. The bar looks beautiful from a quick glance. The spicy margarita they offer ($15) was so delicious. They have a nice cocktail menu. read more

See all

Interesting restaurant with a cool vibe and a nice bar. The waitress was friendly. I had the Oar House Delight, a seafood dish that was very flavorful but not very filling. read more

The Oar House - Room we sat in. - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

See all

We had the pleasure to dine at Oar House twice over the past month or so. We used to dine here at least once/twice a season on the nice outside deck, but over time we fell out of the habit for some reason. I recall that we would go for lunch and discover that they did not have any lunch size or priced options. In any event, I'm glad that we had a chance to become reacquainted. First, if you make a reservation online it is important to know that it is for the indoor dining room. The outdoor deck is first come/first serve. Another tip is that they do have some free parking spaces just outside their restaurant. Not sure how that works on a busy day, but you might score some free parking. On our visit several weeks back we had an absolutely wonderful waitress and service was perfect. We were a party of four and everybody enjoyed their meals. I tried their signature baked seafood entree, which they say has been on the menu since they opened, and it was very good. Usually I stay away from creamy cheesy seafood dishes, but this was not overly heavy. Very good, nice portions of seafood and the price of this dish and most entrees were reasonable (by todays standards!) We had some other friends visiting and we took them here last week and overall had a good experience but this time we had a server who just wasn't that into it. We asked if she could take a picture of us and she rolled her eyes. OK, no biggy but in general her service was sub par. Again the food was good, I had the Salmon entree which was cooked perfectly. Again, everybody enjoyed their meals and starters. It was a very hot day, and I ordered a glass of red wine, and it came to the table hot. Not room temperature, but hot. Perhaps the wine for the deck is kept in the sun. I rarely send things back, but it was undrinkable, and I swapped it for a cold glass of white wine. Again, this seemed like an inconvenience for our server. So, again, glad we rediscovered this place. The food is good, generous portions, and prices are not crazy. It seems your mileage may vary with service depending on who you get. Typical of many restaurants, but just wish establishments would weed out those servers who really don't want to be there. read more

The Oar House - Salmon - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Nothing like outdoor dining on a beautiful warm day overlooking the river in Portsmouth. Oar House a great location and nice outdoor eating area across from the main restaurant. Staff were super friendly and we were seated right away. Started with a Basil Berry Bliss to sip on while deciding on food. Although the menu describes the drink as a strawberry Basil lemonade, did not really taste the basil, which was disappointing. The drink was refreshing and tasty so still a win. Decided on the Tempura Fried Shrimp and the Beer Battered Fish and Chips. The appetizer was deeeeelicious. Although the tempura breading wasn't crispy like you'd expect, the light Asian sauce they use with the pickled vegetables was an awesome combination. Perfect for open air dining as it's light and not too filling. The fish and chips were nicely crunchy with a flaky and moist fish fillet inside. The chips, more like a small potato wedge, were a standout. Nicely seasoned and fried with that soft pillowy potato inside. Fish was well cooked and the tartar sauce a nice accompaniment. Slaw was bland and didn't really add anything, disappointing. Overall a good experience, even if a bit pricey for what you get. Definitely taking advantage of the parking in front of the restaurant next time but the outdoor dining is a must! read more

See all

Sat on the dock and had a fabulous time with our bartender, Nick! Munched on appetizers with our favorite being the mussels...best we have had in a long time! If you are looking for a fun cocktail, try the Blackberry Bubblah. It's refreshing and bright! read more

Great place. Food was excellent. Service was great. Place was cute. Decent wine list. Fun cocktails. First time in; will be back. read more

See all

We stopped into the Oar House for a much needed Bloody Mary on Wednesday and stopped at the bar. It was about 12:30 in the afternoon...another perfect time for a soup and a drinkie-pooh. Our bartender, Darius, a lovely young man kept to our aid and proceeded to mixologize our libations, which were perfect as usual. If you have not been it's at the end of Ceres Street at the waters edge in downtown, near the Moran Tugboat station. It is a requirement of anyone visiting Portsmouth to visit here, as the food, ambiance and history are second to none. I'm sure there are plenty of reviews describing the interior and history, suffice to say Darius and crew were Fantastic!!! read more

View on the deck is amazing. Had some great mussels and spritz for lunch! Would visit again!

My family has been coming here for years. Several of us moved away but our parents stayed in the area. When we thought of a place we wanted to go this was it. Our drinks and appetizers came out and were delicious. Someone at our table ordered the oysters and really enjoyed them. The waitress was sweet and helpful with our large group. As always the dinners were good. I love the old charm of this place. Brick walls, old wood floors and a fresh water well inside. read more

The Oar House is an excellent restaurant with a beautiful river view and an amazing deck, perfect for enjoying the atmosphere in Portsmouth. The food and service are great, and one of the biggest advantages is the convenient parking, which is very hard to find in downtown Portsmouth. Definitely a place worth visiting! read more

Was a perfect sunny breezy day to enjoy the oar house (deck) yesterday! Mixed yelp reviews had me a bit nervous, but let me say, go! We started with the coconut shrimp as a starter, look how big and juicy these bad boys were! cooked to perfection and seasoned nicely. I opted for the crab cake app as my lunch and omg it was mostly crab vs filler!!! so sweeet and delicate. Nice crunchy crust. Hubs opted for the chicken sandwich fried! Huge sandwich, nicely fried. Only complaint was that the pesto sauce was mainly on one side, so other felt left out! our server was a lil awkward but that is ok, he took care of our needs, ambiance was spectacular with the view and breeze! Cant wait to come back! read more

See all

This place down by the water was a great stop for a quick meal while exploring Portsmouth. They had a variety of food - our group got the potato chip crusted haddock, the salmon, the cubano, and the haddock franscaise sandwich. Everyone enjoyed their meal. The espresso martini was also delicious! Service was okay, not very attentive or personable but nothing outwardly bad. read more

We had a great meal here from the drinks to dessert. Would definitely bring out of town guest here.

Have eaten here several times over the last 2-3 years with a large party on a Friday at about 600 pm. Ambiance is cool - old wooden beams in historic building, warm setting. Server was gracious and kind - drinks were fine - however the food was substandard - fish tasted old, I had to return a simple meatloaf - it was inedible - even the salad was returned - the crème brûlée was the only item I'd consider eating again. Beware read more

My fiance had a fun work dinner here and has been wanting to bring me, so we stopped by on Christmas Eve Eve around 3:30pm. It was quiet and we were seated in the perfect corner booth. I love how cozy the space was decorated, and the bar is beautiful. I ordered the mussels and he got the lobster Mac. The mussels were so flavorful, and he was in love with the mac - lobster was well cooked and the pasta is so fun. I would have preferred a thicker cheese sauce but he was happy so I'm happy. read more

The Oar House - Bar - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

See all

Atmosphere was good but food is just meh. Would not go back, the Rib appetizer had no meat and only came with 3 ribs. Quality of food just isn't there.. read more

My family & I went to the Oar House for dinner . We were excited to go because it was always a more upscale restaurant and we were celebrating my sister-in-law's 65th birthday. Everyone at the table complained that their dishes were salty. The beef Bourgogne sauce was salty. Someone ordered a burger - the meat was salty. Two of us ordered crabmeat stuffed main lobster with a $78 price tag. The crabmeat was not cooked. It was served cold in the cavity of the lobster and it tasted terrible. The dessert key lime ‍ was tasty but it was filled with a ton of graham cracker crumbs which made it very dry. The only good thing about the whole evening was our waitress. She could not have been more accommodating. She had to carry heavy trays up those stairs to the 2nd floor. She was pleasant. We will not be back. read more

Eating on the deck was nice but music was so loud we had to shout to talk. The calamari was cold and over cooked...very chewy. The mussels were just gross...1 lb of raw bacon in water made up the broth. The mussels were the smallest I'd ever seen in my life. If you took the meat from all the mussels you might get a small mouthful...Im not exaggerating. The tuna on sticky rice was just ok. The service was extremely slow and they weren't that busy...that should have been a sign. For the price I was extremely underwhelmed. We won't be going back. read more

Disclosure: We had a late lunch just to fill out bellies a bit before a 2 hour ride back home. We sat outdoors - nice outdoor tent that still feels like you are outdoors; great views of the tug boats and very pet friendly. Our server was very kind to our Goldendoodle and tentative with our questions. The bar outdoors is sort of offset from the outdoor seating space and was pretty small- looked to fit about 4 people, but otherwise had a nice wooden nautical look, typical of an on the water New England vibe. Food: Bacon wrapped scallops were the star of the show that my girlfriend and I split- and there were so many great options I felt like I was being asked to pick between favorite music - so I settled for Lobster wantoons and Caesar salad - I can't speak to the inside service or quality of food - but if its anything like outside - we will be back for sure. One caveat was the host was inattentive when we asked to be seated- headphones on and just sort of out of place- didn't seem like he wanted to be there. It was rainy out but we wanted to ensure a fun experience for the two of us and our dog and the view Portland had to offer, so we were fine with it - but he seemed very bothered. read more

Sat outside by the water so that was nice and our server was pleasant but our food was very pedestrian--disappointed!

We stopped in for lunch and had the most amazing French onion soup and sandwiches and loved the view! Would highly recommend this restaurant! Service was amazing as well!!! read more

I asked everyone where I should get my first lobster roll in Portsmouth and they all said to go to The Oar House. Some couldn't make up their minds between The Oar House and RH (I'll just put the initials here), but everyone attested to the quality of The Oar House, so this is where I went. It was very good. I wouldn't say mind blowing, but it's very good. The presentation of my meal was very nice. The fries were in a little fryer basket and I got a little cup of cole slaw (not a fan of their cole slaw, but I'm not counting that in this review). The lobster meat was first rate... really good. If I didn't go to RH, I'd be blissfully ignorant of this lobster roll as being the best in town. However, I did go to RH and I was more impressed with RH than here. Comparing the two, I'd saw RH is the better lobster roll. Sorry Oar House fans. It's just my opinion! read more

Had an excellent experience at Oar House! The pork chop was perfectly cooked, and the staff provided friendly, attentive service. The craft cocktails are a must-try! read more

Excellent food, great atmosphere, friendly service! We will be back very soon! Thank you!

I really hate to not love this place.... Very Friendly staff, but once the order was taken, our waitress disappeared, never checked on how the food was, never asked if we needed anything, as our drinks sat empty, we actually had to flag down our waitress half way through our meal to get a glass of wine, which showed up as our plates were being taken. The pear and brie appetizer, was an inedible a pile of swishy tasteless mush on an untoasted crostini. We would have said something, but there was no waitress in sight. The entrees were decent. For a higher end restaurant, you expect better service than McDonalds, sadly it wasn't. read more

10 stars! This restaurant is absolutely incredible! The view was amazing and the food was absolutely top notch!!! Had the pleasure of meeting Halley and she had wonderful customer service! This is the best restaurant in Portsmouth, and I will be back when I visit again! Thank you so much for the perfect dining experience. I will be back when I visit Portsmouth again. read more

See all

It's my fault. I usually check to see if there's a lobster tank before ordering lobster off the menu. When restaurants say "Fresh" they kinda stretch that meaning. My lobster role wasn't fresh. I could tell. I asked the server if they steam the lobsters on site, and she said no. They get the lobsters precooked from another business. They sell so much of it, they don't have time to process the lobsters in their kitchen. And you can tell. The texture of the claw meat was off, as if it had been freeze dried. And for $45, I expected better. Expensive mistake. read more

Delicious lunch spot with history. Located right on the water. We sat inside the tavern and had one of the best dressed lobster rolls I've ever tasted. Paired with a local beer...perfection! Service was spot on! read more

The Oar House - Tavern - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

We stopped by for dinner on Halloween since all the other restaurant options we had in mind were packed. There were plenty of tables open and it wasn't too loud. The restaurant was cozy and our waitress was nice and attentive. I was in the mood for scallops and The Oar House didn't disappoint. The scallops were cooked perfectly. The dish itself was the right amount food and I was very content afterwards. I felt the lemon risotto was very bland, there wasn't much flavor in it all. I also ordered their apple cider sangria and that was delicious! Very festive with the cinnamon sugar rim. read more

The Oar House - Scallops and lemon risotto - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Went here yesterday with my husband and elderly father. Love that there is parking and is wheelchair accessible. The vibe with the original structures is super cool. The food was delicious, and accommodating. What was most impressive was our waitress! She was so great with my dad, he is hard to understand, she treated him with patience and respect. Huge kudos to that lovely lady! read more

Food was terrible! I ordered the haddock sandwich and had to send it back because it was almost burned on one side. I would have felt differently if the place had been packed but we were the only ones in there. Probably one of the thinnest pieces of haddock I have ever had in my life. My boyfriend ordered the Cuban sandwich and, it was dry and looked like deli sliced meat. Only giving it 2 stars because the bartender was so kind and apologetic. I felt so sorry for her having to serve such bad food. Do not recommend!! read more

Overall my group had a fantastic time at the oar house while sitting outside! The view is fantastic and the food is great. In particular the clam chowder and the French fries were some of the best any in our party have ever had. The lobster roll is average but I still enjoyed it and would get it again if I was craving one. My only reason for giving it 4 stars is because while they advertise it as dog friendly we had a bit of difficulty getting seated with our dog. We were told that since there was another dog already seated they might not be able to accommodate our dog due to not wanting too many dogs on the patio. We ended up being seated and the rest of the experience was fine but we would definitely reconsider coming here if we had our dogs with us again. Pro: free parking right in front of the restaurant for customers read more

The Oar House - Lobster Salad Roll - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Our server was a beautiful girl with a pink bow accenting her black ensemble, but what stood out was her amazing composure and presence! Wonderful service on Valentine's Day!! Prime rib and fish and chips were ordered after a dozen oysters and drinks. Great food and wonderful atmosphere- what a romantic special space!! Lovely!! Will return!! read more

The Oar House - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

See all

Service was great and we were seated quickly at 5pm on a Friday, outside. Great views. We had salad appetizers and shared an entree, their signature seafood medley. It was all delicious but the view was the best. read more

Came back to the Oar House after being away for 50 years and was delighted to find my favorite item on the menu still there! It was just as tasty as I remembered! The server, John was a professional waiter, engaging and knowledgable and just the right attitude, made our evening extra special. The salmon dish was outstanding and the scallops wrapped in bacon, an old standard was perfection! Will not wait another 50 years to return to this lovely establishment! read more