Best American Restaurants in Portsmouth

My recent visit (my third visit) to The White Horse Tavern was a delightful experience, made even more special by my family and me celebrating my birthday. The tavern's atmosphere exudes a cozy and historic charm, creating a wonderful setting for our evening. My mother and friend ordered the Clam Chowder, and both raved about its rich, creamy texture and perfectly balanced flavor. It was an ideal meal for them, especially on a chilly evening. I opted for the chicken dish with mashed potatoes (without mushrooms) and a side of honey-glazed carrots. The chicken was cooked to perfection, tender, and flavorful, while the mashed potatoes were buttery and satisfying. The honey-glazed carrots were a standout—sweet, perfectly roasted, and a delightful complement to the meal. For dessert, I had the Orange Vanilla Crème Brûlée. While the texture and vanilla flavor were spot-on, I was disappointed that the orange flavor wasn't as strong as I expected. However, it was still a smooth and enjoyable way to end the meal. The staff went out of their way to make my birthday memorable by adding a candle to the side--a thoughtful touch that added to the celebration. However, the one downside of the evening was the noise level from the guests at the table next to ours. Their loud conversation occasionally made it hard to enjoy the intimate ambiance we hoped for entirely. Despite this minor issue, the experience was lovely overall, and we left with happy memories and full stomachs. The White Horse Tavern is an excellent spot for a celebratory dinner or a cozy night out, and we look forward to visiting again soon.

As always the food was honest, tasteful, and consistent. I found, it is necessary to make reservations. I would suggest that Bar Cino put half curtains on their windows that face the street/parking spots. Feral, it’s an excellent experience.

My wife and I went for a chill easy dinner at 8 on a Saturday. It was loud if you like that. I don’t mind it but it’s hard to talk across a table without yelling and feeling like the table next to you was in on it… I know that’s how it is a t a lot of newer places but that’s my only downside. The service ,food, price was on point and the building is really cool. We got a pizza, salad, and split at bowl of mussels- overall great

Great food, friendly staff, home away from home. The prime rib on weekends is the best!

I frequently dine at the Blue Anchor. Tonight I went for their new Wednesday pasta prix fixe. It was outstanding and well worth the money. The Pasta Bolognese was one of the best I’ve had. Kudos on another great meal.