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Ristorante Massimo, Portsmouth, NH

Ristorante Massimo

4.9
4.9
2925 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian
59 Penhallow Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Romantic
  • Charming
Please Note:
Online Reservations are for our Main indoor dining room ONLY. Please call us directly for Wine Bar options at 603.436.4000.

We reserve the right to charge $20.00 per person cancelation fee, please call us by 12:00p.m.. the day of your reservation to avoid possible cancelation fees.

**Nestled like a hidden jewel in historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Massimo's warmly lit brick and stone grotto walls, fresh flowers and oil paintings of magnificent Italian landscapes transports guests to Florence, Rome and Venice. Guests relax in a richly appointed atmosphere beneath mahogany-beamed ceilings and private parties unwind in their own intimate dining room. Ristorante Massimo offers authentic dishes from all regions of Italy. From innovative concepts to timeless Italian favorites, our executive chef creates each dish with a distinctive, refined touch as found in some of the world's most celebrated restaurants. **limited dining room availability offered online**

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Jethro Loichle
  • Private party facilities
    Please Note: limited seating during the next few month - Ristorante Massimo is the perfect setting for celebrating a special occasion or hosting a corporate event. Here guests can enjoy customized menus, an intimate setting and impeccable service. Our elegant private dining room can accommodate up to 20 guests and special arrangements can be made for larger groups. State-of-the-art audiovisual equipment is available. We look forward to taking personal care of every detail of your entertaining needs.
  • Neighborhood
    Portsmouth
  • Cross street
    State Street
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Entertainment
    Our staff!
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine

What 2,925 people are saying

Ristorante Massimo reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • New Hampshire

    Best Overall

  • New Hampshire

    Best Food

  • New Hampshire

    Best Ambiance

  • New Hampshire

    Best Value

  • New Hampshire

    Great for fine wines

  • New Hampshire

    Romantic

  • New Hampshire

    Good for special occasions

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Best Overall

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Best Food

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Best Ambiance

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Best Value

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Great for fine wines

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Romantic

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ristorante Massimo in Portsmouth offers an unforgettable "old world" dining experience with "exceptional" food, service, and ambiance. The "beautifully presented" dishes, including standout options like the "carbonara and bolognese," are crafted with care. The "incredibly attentive" staff and warm hospitality, led by the passionate owner Massimo, make every visit "truly outstanding."
2,925 Reviews
  1. Ken

    Greater Boston15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Reserve well ahead. Not the usual red sauce and pasta fare. We saw some patrons wearing scruffy jeans and outdoor gear clothing which was disappointing, but nowadays I can't imagine them being turned away. Buck the trend and wear at least "office casual." I wore a jacket and tie, and my partner always dresses beautifully.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Dave

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A true gem of the Portsmouth dining scene. The ambience, food and service is perfect for a date night or pre-show dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  3. John

    Philadelphia5 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Good quality food. Beverage prices very high given overall meal prices.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Jonathan

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and atmosphere is exceptional. The woodwork alone is worth it. Superb service as well. Pricy at $26 for one glass of wine but overall worth it. If you need to impress someone, this is the place.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Pam VIP

    Greater Boston12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were there celebrating a birthday and everything from the food to the service was exceptional. We love the hospitality and welcoming feeling of this restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Gayle

    Greater Boston3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Over the past 30 years (yes!) we have never been disappointed! The food, service, ambience, and attention to detail has never wavered. Massimo and his team know how to make your dining experience special.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Jacob

    Washington DC1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful as always. All of the dishes and service are thoughtfully crafted

    Is this helpful?

  8. Charles

    Greater Boston6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our first time at the restaurant. One of the best experiences we have had. From food prep to ambiance to our server, ( Lillie) The best. Meeting the legend of the Portsmouth restaurant scene Massimo topped the evening. Thanks again.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Carl

    Greater Boston4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    A fabulous restaurant week event at Ristorante Massimos. They always do a superb job.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Jay

    Greater Boston5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a fabulous meal here. Lilly was a terrific bartender who did a great job with service and food recommendations. The carbonara is a must!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Ristorante Massimo is rated 4.9 stars by 2925 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New Hampshire
  4. Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley
  5. Portsmouth

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
Google Map for Ristorante Massimo

59 Penhallow Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    State Street
  • Neighborhood
    Portsmouth
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Jethro Loichle
  • Entertainment
    Our staff!
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    Please Note: limited seating during the next few month - Ristorante Massimo is the perfect setting for celebrating a special occasion or hosting a corporate event. Here guests can enjoy customized menus, an intimate setting and impeccable service. Our elegant private dining room can accommodate up to 20 guests and special arrangements can be made for larger groups. State-of-the-art audiovisual equipment is available. We look forward to taking personal care of every detail of your entertaining needs.
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