Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Laconia Local Eatery

4.8

4.8 (24)

$30 and under

American

Laconia

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Paul

Dined 7 days ago

The food was excellent. Duck and lamb chops were perfect. Seth was a very hospitable server. Great experience, will definitely be back next time we're in town.

Cure Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1344)

$31 to $50

American

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

Cure is located at the corner of State and Penhallow Streets in historic downtown Portsmouth, NH. We are within walking distance of Prescott Park, Strawberry Bank, Seacoast Repertory Theatre and Portsmouth Music Hall.
Our restaurant offers American Bistro cuisine, in a fine dining environment, at affordable prices. Cure is a great place for friends to meet, business functions, and romantic dining .

Top review

JaneVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Superb experience! The food was only outdone by the wonderful service! A favorite Portsmouth restaurant, highly recommend!

The Puddle Dock

4.8

4.8 (857)

$31 to $50

American

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

Located on the grounds of Strawbery Banke Museum in historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, The Puddle Dock Restaurant proudly offers Modern Colonial feel and fare! Led by esteemed Executive Chef Derek Clough, the Puddle Dock Restaurant will take you back to Colonial America featuring English and American favorites, then snap you back to the present with our modern twists.

Chef Derek takes great pride in growing a lot of our vegetables, foraging our mushrooms, and presenting beauty for your palate. His care is evidence in some of our best-loved dishes, Yorkshire Pudding, Portuguese Salted Cod, Pan-Roasted Duck Breast, and our signature Hoe Cake. Be sure to save room for dessert! All our desserts are made in house - Cinnamon Rum Breading, Dark Chocolate Pudding, and Posset are among the favorites!

Enjoy the ambience of our historic exposed beam building, once a general store offering penny candy, or enjoy our front and rear patios for dinner in the open air.

Top review

robert

Dined 5 days ago

Great food in a classic Portsmouth old world environment

Discover more

Popular dish

Portsmouth Chowder

Popular dish

Seared Local Scallops

Popular dish

Cinnamon-Rum Bread Pudding

Tavern in the Square - Salem

4.6

4.6 (40)

$30 and under

American

Salem

About the restaurant

## Tavern in the Square: Where Flavor Meets Fun Step into a world of vibrant energy and delicious eats at Tavern in the Square. Our stylish ambiance and welcoming atmosphere set the stage for a memorable dining experience. Whether you're catching up with friends over drinks, enjoying a family dinner, or cheering on your favorite team, we've got something for everyone. Our menu boasts a diverse selection of dishes, crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. From our signature Bayou Chicken Pasta to our mouthwatering Bang Bang Broccoli, we cater to every taste bud. We also offer a wide array of gluten-friendly and allergy-conscious options, ensuring everyone can enjoy a delicious meal. But Tavern in the Square is more than just food. It's a place to connect, celebrate, and create lasting memories. Our state-of-the-art televisions and lively bar scene make it the perfect spot to catch the game or unwind after a long day. And with our spacious patio, you can soak up the sunshine while enjoying your favorite dish. So come on down to Tavern in the Square and experience the perfect blend of flavor and fun. We can't wait to welcome you!

Top review

Michael

Dined 5 days ago

From the hostess to our waiter along with the restaurant manager, we were greeted with smiles, great service and attentiveness. The food was great for all three of us from hand helds to entrees. A definite do over.

Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club

4.8

4.8 (97)

$50 and over

American

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

$65 before tax and gratuity, excluding holiday buffets.
Includes entertainment, buffet and all coffee, tea, juice and soft drinks.
Alcoholic beverages are not included in this price.
Children 12 and under are $25 plus tax and gratuity, children under 3 will not be charged.

Open Seating from 10AM – 1:00P

Bop over to Jimmy’s for coffee, cocktails/mimosas and culinary delights – plus generous helpings of culture and great conversation. And when you do, be sure to prepare yourself for a special experience here at 135 Congress Street – a landmark 1905 meeting hall lovingly restored to serve our community as a world-class center for the arts and an intimate space to savor extraordinary sounds & tantalizing flavors.

*Pricing and times are subject to change depending on the concert schedule and holidays.

Top review

Kristi

Dined 3 days ago

This is a great place if you are looking for an "experience" brunch. The Jazz music was awesome and entertaining. The good was great and there was so many different things to choose from. The only little thing I'd say is that the warming trays for some of the dishes weren't working correctly and some of the food was a little cold. But overall I loved the variety of options. And the mimosa's were fantastic!

Firefly American Bistro - New Hampshire

4.7

4.7 (2243)

$30 and under

American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Firefly Bistro & Bar is a casually upscale American bistro situated in the heart of Manchester"s downtown district. Firefly embraces the concept of comfort dining by offering inspired classic American fare in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Firefly's extensive wine list, craft beer selections, and creative cocktails compliment the time-honored yet innovative creations of Chef David Becker's seasonal menus, which burst with flavors from around the world. The uptown atmosphere is accentuated by downtown hospitality and friendly, professional service.

Top review

Caroline

Dined 2 days ago

Went there for my birthday and everything was delicious. Connie was an awesome server, as well.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (700)

$30 and under

American

Hampton

About the restaurant

Established in 1970 by the late Mike and Kay Tinios, the Galley Hatch has been a seacoast favorite restaurant for 50 years. An extensive menu offers traditional American Food highlighting New England seasonality and serves lunch and dinner daily. Collectively, the Three Dining rooms, Tap Room, and four season Lower Deck, provide seating for over 400 guests. With sky-lit dining areas, a fireplace, wooden booths, and large round tables, The Galley Hatch boasts a charming and cozy New England ambiance.

Top review

Anthony

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

Excellent food and service. Our waitress, Sadie, was outstanding, attentive, and friendly. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Hagan's Grill

4.6

4.6 (838)

$30 and under

American

Hampton

About the restaurant

Your local Neighborhood bar is known for its American Cuisine with a touch of French and Italian Flair. Supporting your local produce market and bringing you nothing but the best fresh food in town. Join us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

90% of our menu is Gluten Free
Fresh Daily Fish Specials
*Available for functions, please contact us for more information
*Give a gift that keeps on giving Gift Cards available
* Hagan's apparel now for sale. Call us for more information
603-926-5668
www.hagansgrill.com

Top review

PatVIP

Dined 4 days ago

I ordered a salad with steak tips. The server brought me a steak knife which unfortunately I did not need. Each piece of steak was less than one inch - smaller than bite size. Not sure how you can charge $15 for less than 3 oz of steak. I love Hagan's and hope the value improves.

CR's The Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (2452)

$31 to $50

American

Hampton

About the restaurant

Nothing beats an inviting dinner after a drive up the coast or a day on the shore. Indulge in a selection from our award-winning wine list, try a local beer on tap or a specialty cocktail.
CR's is a favorite stop to 'chill out' with friends!
It's where you want to be!

Top review

Steve

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

CR’s again exceeded expectations. From the staff’s warm welcome, to our prompt/knowledgeable/polite server Nolan, the fresh food quality, the presentation of each dish, to Chuck himself welcoming us back and taking time to chat with us during and after dinner, as well as surprising us with some appetizers, all made for an exceptional dining experience. We drove an hour and a half and it was well worth it! Don’t miss out on this gem of an establishment!

Discover more

The Common Man Roadside – Millyard

4.6

4.6 (142)

$30 and under

American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Common Man Roadside – Millyard!

This new location brings real food, real fast to the TRU by Hilton in Manchester's Millyard. Dine in our full service restaurant or order online and take it to go from our cafe. We will be featuring our Roadside menu with a twist on some dinner favorites.

Top review

Jeff

Dined 2 days ago

Service was killer. Crystal was attentive and friendly. The only negative was having to pay for parking, when the adjacent hotel has such a large lot.

Discover more

Experience

Music Bingo at the Millyard January 22nd!

Experience

Do Good. Trivia Night!! February 5th!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

Explore more Diners' Choice lists

American