Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

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!

Row 34 - Portsmouth

4.7

4.7 (1632)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

We’re Row 34. If we could eat oysters and drink beer for every meal period, we probably would. Professionals Only.

Row 34 serves up a seafood-focused menu in an industrial-inspired setting. Chef/Owner Jeremy Sewall's menu offers fish entrees and an extensive oyster selection, along with craft beers and an eclectic wine list. Classic comfort food side dishes round out the menu.

Visit our sister restaurants: Row 34 Boston, MA, Row 34 Burlington, MA and Row 34 Cambridge, MA

Top review

AlexVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This Restaurant is Fantastic!! You’ll love the food & great service here!!

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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.

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Experience

Music Bingo at the Millyard January 22nd!

Experience

Do Good. Trivia Night!! February 5th!

Stella Blu

4.5

4.5 (1126)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Nashua

About the restaurant

Stella Blu provides an upscale casual approach to dining. Offering a combination of both large and small plates. Known for our award winning cocktails, friendly staff, and upbeat dining experience.

Top review

Uttara

Dined 5 days ago

Unique cocktails, great menu of small plates which for me were large! Reasonable pricing and excellent, friendly service! Had a great time with my book club members!

Ember Wood Fired Grill

4.5

4.5 (216)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Dover

About the restaurant

Ember Wood Fired Grill features a locally inspired menu with a casual upscale setting. Our Chef, Christopher Gouzie, best describes our menu as "Globally Inspired". It features familiar dishes with a twist. "We use new and interesting ingredients, and different cooking procedures to introduce our guests to a unique way to present food."

We have taken this same concept for our Specialty Cocktail list. Deviating from the classic recipe with housemade syrups, specialty bitters, and high end liquors and liqueurs.

Enjoy our sleek downstairs dining room, outdoor covered terrace, or upstairs bourbon room, where we house over 100 whiskeys on selection, and offer over 20 wines by the glass and bottle.

We regularly host private events, and therefor reservations are recommended.

Top review

Kelly

Dined 4 days ago

Our server at Ember was amazing! She gave great recommendations. Was very attentive to our table and had the best personality. Thank you Kira for making the experience so wonderful. The food was good and the drinks were amazing.

Evolution Bistro & Bar

4.5

4.5 (17)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Introducing Evolution Bistro & Bar, where modern American cuisine meets a European flair. This exciting new destination promises a dynamic menu, blending bold, contemporary flavors with timeless European influences. Whether you're seeking a sophisticated dining experience or a vibrant spot for cocktails, Evolution Bistro & Bar will elevate your nights out in downtown Manchester! Stay tuned for more details and sign up to be among the first to experience this culinary evolution!

Top review

Michaella

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent evening out! Attentive and friendly staff. Beautiful plates of delicious food! Brilliant from start to finish!

Tuscan Market at Tuscan Village Salem

4.3

4.3 (658)

$30 and under

Italian

Salem

About the restaurant

The Tuscan Market is located in Salem, NH in the beautiful Tuscan Village. Close to the shops, the Artisan Hotel and our Lake Park, the Market is in the center of it all. Come in and enjoy full service dining inside the Market or on our heated enclosed patio. Shop for fresh and delicious prepared foods that are ready to take home and choose from our artisan pastry and gelato for something sweet to take home or have at your table. A one-stop shop, guests will be able to choose from an extensive assortment of specialty oils, vinegars and sauces, fresh pasta, imported meats & cheeses, desserts and so much more. From freshly baked breads and homemade pizzas and Panini, to imported pastas and slow-cooked sauces, customers can bring home a truly authentic meal.

Top review

Lauren

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Food was over priced. But the service was great. We had Bridget as our waitress and she was great. She let us take our time chatting and looking at menu, was super helpful, not pushy, super sweet. The service from Bridget made up for the over priced food. Will definitely be back here!

Rooftop at The Envio

4.3

4.3 (427)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

Perched high above the AC Hotel Portsmouth you will find Rooftop at The Envio, Portsmouth’s newest restaurant and bar offering panoramic views of the Piscataqua River and the iconic bridges that cross it. The Rooftop is a casually sophisticated indoor/outdoor sanctuary offering a modern menu of locally sourced ingredients fresh from the farm and sea.

Dine on shareable plates and sip handcrafted cocktails while watching the tide of the river shift and the sunset in the distance. Savor a new vantage point to experience Portsmouth.

Top review

Poopsie

Dined on Jan 6, 2025

Went on a quiet Monday night when there was no reservation fee. Because of this, I would not pay a reservation fee on a Friday night. The service and food was great and I would recommend a slow night to check it out.

The Rooftop at The Artisan

4.3

4.3 (139)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Salem

About the restaurant

Elevate your dining experience at The Rooftop, a sophisticated destination where creative cocktails and perfectly paired plates take center stage.

Top review

George

Dined 6 days ago

Beautiful space with modern decor. Food and drinks were outstanding. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. There was a musician playing guitar and she was terrific. We will definitely be back! Loved the ambience and vibe.

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Experience

Jazz Wednesdays

Beiruti Mediterranean Restaurant

3.8

3.8 (26)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Salem

About the restaurant

As you enter Beiruiti Mediterranean restaurant you will be met with a truly unique dining experience. With excellent service and a completely renovated space, you will enjoy delicious dining in a cozy and aesthetic atmosphere. Experience authentic Mediterranean cuisine like: Hummus, tabbouleh, kibbee, chicken shawarma, and more

Top review

RuthVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We went for a late lunch (3pm), the place was empty, so our waitress sat us down right away. Very friendly, she gave us recommendations on the menu and we were able to customized our drinks. We order a sampler platter for the two of us and it was more than enough. Food was fresh, and yummy! We will definitely be back again.

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