Cure

We ordered the Pan Roasted Duck Breast and Red Wine Braised Short Ribs. The duck was absolutely killer, I had no idea duck could be this flavorful and juicy! Perfectly paired with the mushroom risotto. Our server was hilarious and helpful and the atmosphere inside is delightful. Plates here start in the mid 30$ range, but it was excellent. I would definitely come again

We went for a Sunday dinner date and had a phenomenal meal and excellent experience. My husband got the roast duck with a black rice mushroom risotto and I got the vegetable herb papardelle. Both meals were excellent. The corn bread side was also delicious - perfectly sweet and buttery. The STAR of the night was the flourless chocolate cake with peanut butter. Unbelievably good. The atmosphere was lovely and the staff was incredibly kind. We will absolutely be back!!

Our first visit and can't believe we have never eaten here. Lobster Bisque amazing and the lobster was so tender I'm thinking it was poached. Loved the Strawberry & White Balsamic salad. Grilled bread basket with our apps. Braised Short Ribs SO delicious and I loved the Seared Statler Chicken - so much flavor. Flourless chocolate cake with PB sauce and cinnamon creme brulee for desert was yummy. Hope they never remove that cake! Inside the place screams old Portsmouth to me, before the days of all the buildup and we love it! Small, cozy, brick walls, very small bar. If you want a little more room, they have the covered patio. Staff was great, Seth was our server, and we loved him. Great feel too if you want to go solo because the tables and bar are small. We went at 5pm on Wednesday and it filled up, I suggest reservations.

I love this place. Came here for the first time and will definitely be coming back. The food is amazing.. Drinks are delicious. The waite staff is on point. I recommend the short rib entree. Very tender. fall apart with a fork. 🤤

We had an amazing experience at Cure in Portsmouth! The service was outstanding—special thanks to our server Kate, who was absolutely excellent. The food was delicious, the ambiance warm and inviting, and the cocktails were perfectly crafted. The week menu was a true highlight: three incredible courses that showcased the kitchen’s creativity and flavor. It’s easy to see why Cure is top-rated on Google Maps. We loved every moment and will definitely be coming back!

If you’re in Portsmouth, definitely go to Cure. Everything we ate was phenomenal, we are just sad we don’t live near here to have it regularly. We are still raving about the food, we had the tuna app, duck entree and short rib, cornbread and the cheesecake. I think it was the best cheesecake I’ve ever had. Also service was great, the bartender was so attentive and gave great recommendations.

The dishes were unique. Fresh ingredients. Cozy atmosphere. Excellent service. No wait time (or we were lucky). Highly recommended. To come back again.

Everything was speculation. We got strawberry salad (our favorite thing), PBJ ribs, lobster bisque (very rich and delicious with chunks of meat), duck (not at all gamey but slightly a little too rare in the middle), the scallop special, and cornbread (which was basically dessert!). Very unique and creative.

Just going to start this off with saying this is the best meal we've had in a long time! We went in on a Monday night (no reservation), but were easily sat at the bar right away. I cannot remember the bartenders name for the life of me, but she was super attentive, very friendly, and personable. I started with the blueberry cosmo, and yum! We then got the bread and butter which was delicious and then had the lobster Mac and cheese and short ribs. We both agree this is the best lobster Mac and cheese and best short ribs we've probably ever had! We finished it off with the NY cheesecake with the blueberry and blackberry compote. Cannot recommend enough and we would 100% return if in town again.

We met our cousins at this cute little restaurant. It's a charming space. If it's a hot day, sit towards the front of the restaurant. The back is warm. The staff were lovely. Cocktails were excellent. My cousin is obsessed with the mushrooms forester appetizer. It was off the menu for the summer, but somehow the chef was able to make us an order- we were impressed by this thoughtful gesture. The bruschetta and halloumi were excellent. Entrees were really good. I had the pork chop. It was cooked perfectly. I usually don't like sweet foods. The chef introduces sweet elements into most of the dishes- it worked for me here. The salmon was really good. Flourless chocolate cake and cheesecake with apple compote rounded out the meal. Prices were very reasonable for this level of quality This restaurant could hold its own in Williamsburg or the West Village. Highly recommended!

My wife and I were in Portsmouth for my Birthday weekend. Cure had great service and tasty food. The restaurant is small and we were seated very close to two other couples (within arms length in each side). I could imagine this being a detriment if you want privacy, but we enjoyed the friendly banter with fellow diners. The French onion soup and our creme brulee dessert were the highlights and both were exceptional. The entrees were solid and tasty, but maybe a little too much sides for the entree that was there.

We were passing through Portsmouth on a road trip and planned to stop here. We didn't realize it was Portsmouth Restaurant Week but wow, we picked the best time. The restaurant week menu was a phenomenal deal and great offerings. A 3 course meal for $52 our server was so helpful and gave great recommendations. We both loved our drinks, we had a seasonal spritz and a ginger pear mocktail. Each course was delicious and delivered so fast. This cozy little spot is a great choice.

Hosted a work dinner here and it was spectacular. Everyone enjoyed the cocktails and food. Service was great as well. The menu is eclectic but easy for everyone to find many options. It's a cozy space, bustling but not too loud for conversation. I would absolutely return personally and wouldn't hesitate to have a work dinner here again.

Quaint restaurant with wonderful service, its welcoming and cozy atmosphere lends itself to making you feel very comfortable, the crab cakes were amazing as well as every other dish that we had. From the management to the server they went the extra step to make your visit memorable.

The ambiance is absolutely beautiful and romantic, creating the perfect atmosphere. The food is exceptional--especially the lamb and salads, which are delightful. The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, offering great recommendations and guiding you to the best choices with care.

2nd time to Portsmouth & 1st time to CURE. Celebrated our Anniversary and so glad we chose here. The place was quaint and intimate. Kate was our Server and she didn't miss. Shared French Onion - very good but a little short on cheese. Wife got the Salmon which was out of this world. The carrots and couscous were an incredible addition. I got the Lobstah Mac - Best I've ever had !!! The Cornbread was a superb App, side, and Dessert 8). Can't wait to visit again - until then, keep rockin it.

Loved the Short Rib dinner here! The curry mussels are a must try! Nice ambience for a date.

Amazing! Food, service and ambience were outstanding. We ate at the bar as we did not have a reservation and the bartender Brian provided wonderful entertainment as well as service. We will definitely eat here again when we are in the area.

Amazing experience all around. I had the short ribs, which were heavenly -- super tender and flavorful, without excessive fat. The accompanying roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes were also delicious -- veggies are often an afterthought with these dishes, but these were nice and savory. My wife opted for the 3-course prix fixe menu offered for Restaurant Week. She chose the poached pear salad, Hasselback butternut squash, and sweet potato pudding for dessert -- all were excellent. Service was impeccable. Hostess was friendly, and our waitress was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. The building itself and decor are charming and elegant, with brick walls and large windows, and there's a sizable outdoor patio as well (which is not available during the winter, of course). Very romantic in the evening! There's also a cozy bar up front. Overall, a great place to splurge (and to be honest, the prices are very reasonable when considering the very high quality of everything).

While visiting the Portsmouth area, came for an early Saturday night dinner to the Cure. We had seen it had great ratings on Yelp and few other local residents had also recommended it. Made an online reservation a few days before and we were promptly seated. The restaurant is small but has a cozy feel to it. Waitress was attentive and our drinks and food were all promptly served. We enjoyed our cocktails of a Sazerac and blood orange Cosmo- smooth mix of ingredients and very enjoyable! Because we wanted to have some dessert, we opted just to get entrees. I am a big fan of duck breast so I had to get that. It was a wonderful entree. The mushroom risotto and spinach sides just as great as the duck. Highly recommend!! We also go the short rib which was tender and full of flavor. It came with a blue cheese pastry and nicely done asparagus. We ended with two tasty desserts- lemon bar and a chocolate cake with peanut butter sauce. All our food items were delicious. The only miss is they do not have espresso or cappuccino. They do have coffee and tea though. Enjoyable meal at a cozy restaurant with good service and drinks!

Very intimate ambiance with unique drinks and scrumptious food. The service was a little slow but I give them grace as our server got three tables at once and we didn't mind waiting a bit. My only complaint is that everything on the menu sounded delicious so I had a hard time choosing. I would definitely go back!

Unfortunately, after many positive experiences at Cure over the last two years, our meals were not at the caliber we were used to. The halibut special was overcooked and dry, the duck was under seasoned. The mussels appetizer was very good though. Sadly, we won't be going back to Cure.

We usually do the 2.5-hour trek to the Music Hall a few times per year. And we almost always eat here (rated as the "best in town" by many). The cocktail menu is strong. Five onion soup and squash soup were outstanding. The bread basket was disappointing - not their usual offering. This was some toasted, maybe sourdough bread. Lamb entree was very good but maybe a bit overpriced at $43. I guess I expect too much from a pork chop - it was a good thick cut but just OK. And the burned "biscuit" and "greens" added nothing to the dish. So I would not recommend this entree. We finished with a chocolate tort. Overall a good meal. Add 2 glasses of wine and tip - $225 for 2.

Came for my hubby's birthday dinner with friends. Started with the artichoke dip and the steamed mussels. The dip was delicious but the mussels didn't taste fresh and most of them weren't open. Didn't eat much of it honestly. For dinner two of us had the duck breast and one person had the NY strip and the lamb shank. The meals were good. The service was very good.

Cure is such a cozy, cute spot. I brought my boyfriend here for a surprise birthday dinner with his best friend. The food was wonderfully seasoned, with something on the menu for everyone. The staff was friendly and attentive. I love how close it is to Prescott Park for a nice after dinner stroll. There's meter parking along the street, or there's a few metered lots around Portsmouth as well.

All of the food was cooked wonderfully. I had the scallop special and was very satisfied. My husband tried the duck (duck instead of his thing, but it was exactly as it should be. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive. The decor fits the vibe. I wouldn't rave telling my friends they have to go there, but it's a great spot for those of you lucky to live in downtown Portsmouth.

An amazing surprise find! We stopped in Portsmouth for a few hours of sightseeing a few years ago and stumbled upon Cure for dinner. Lots of people inside, which is always a good sign They were actually full so we were seated outside. The staff is so friendly and kind, and came to check on us a lot even though we were the only ones outside. They were also sold out of their pan roasted duck breast, which sounded amazing, so we ordered French onion soup and ravioli instead. This is actually the only French onion soup I've had so no comparison, but I do think it was quite good. The ravioli though, WOW. Blew me away. I always thought ravioli was one of the more bland pastas, but I was wrong. The ravioli filling combined with the sauce was exquisite. The lightly toasted bread with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar complimented the dish perfectly. The menu seems to change seasonally as the ravioli is no longer on their current menu. I wish I could go back to try something else!!

Cute Portsmouth restaurant that is BUSY! Def get a reservation. Everyone was nice and friendly. The food is what will keep me coming back - some of the best mussels I have ever had and I order them all the time. The sauce had me asking for extra bread to dip! The French onion soup was good too, not the best I've ever had, not enough broth/too much bread - but the flavors were on point!

Went tonight for the first time. Had the lobster bisque which had large fresh chunks of lobster in it. I saw this advertised on Phantom Gourmet, and I was very impressed tonight. For the main I had the Korean Short rib and my date had the lobster Mac and cheese. Very impressed with the vibe and looking forward to going back. Friendly service, certainly need a reservation.

Dropped in with no reservation about 5:15 pm. They were able to seat us with the stipulation the table had to be turned at 6:45 . Greeter, waitress and proprietor worked as a team. Ordered the Lobster Mac + Beef Short Rib and Pear salad with Arugula + burrata cheese + prosciutto. Salad was good mix of salt, sweet, crunch and soft. Beef was soft and tasteful. Sides of potatoes and carrots complimented the Beef. Lobster Mac - the CHEESE was sophisticated very savory overpowered the lobster. But overall considering the service ; ambience and the tastes/ textures this is a definite 5 star restaurant.

Portsmouth is underrated as a culinary spot, being overshadowed by Boston to the south and Portland to the north. However, spots like Cure show why you can stop in this little coastal city too. I've been here pre and post-pandemic, and it hasn't really changed. The duck breast is one of the stars at this restaurant, as it was seared nicely and not overcooked. The duck was tender and flavorful. The French onion soup is plentiful with cheese and soup, and can warm you through. The seafood casserole (special) was decent, with a creamy sauce with fresh seafood. The braised short rib is fine, though the last time I had it, the vegetables were over-seasoned and the beef was a little under-seasoned. Service was quite good, especially considering it's always busy. Julie (owner and front-of-house) is seriously hardworking and is attentive.

Service was below average. Food was tasty but too salty. We split one soup, one salad and one gnocchi dish. $60 total w/ tax and tip. Expensive for a quick Tuesday night bite.

Apps are five star everything else is two star. This was a waste of a meal and a night. Came in on Wednesday night 4/18. Servers and bartenders were drunk doing shots. Great sight to see when you sit down for a meal. Ordered the duck wings and crab cakes. Absolutely phenomenal. Got the pork chop dish. Absolutely awful. Pork chop was tough, Brussel sprouts not cooked and bacon on them. Pork chop had a ton of fat on it. The onion bacon jam or whatever was coveringgggg the whole thing it was disgusting. The biscuit was good though. Overall a pretty bad experience. But I guess I should have expected that when I walked in and the bartenders were slamming double shots of whiskey. Very bad experience I do not recommend going here at all

We love the food here and the service is always good. They used to always have one vegetarian main dish on the menu, but recently that seems to have changed.

Great food, ambiance, and service! Might have gotten lucky with the seat we had. Service was on point. Solid cocktails too, I ordered Cure. Highly recommend this place.

Dinner with new client was fantastic. Short ribs with mashed and butternut squash was to die for! Impeccable service with nice atmosphere. I'll definitely be back.

My husband and I were at Cure for our anniversary dinner in Portsmouth. The food was absolutely delicious and they served the best risotto I've ever had! The cocktails were amazing and the service was spot on! We had the steak tips and potatoes and the scallops and risotto with asparagus. We didn't have a reservation and were pleased that they could get us a table quickly. I don't usually take three photos of a dining experience, but it was so good I had too!

My sister and I had a great meal at the cure. Charming small restaurant with cow art on the walls. The waiter had us laughing the whole time and we grabbed to-go cheesecake to eat in our hotel.

Had a reservation for 8:30 but stopped in early and we were seated! Loved our flatbread, drinks, and dinners. The waiter was attentive and a super nice guy. Food was delicious. Highly recommend!

Amazing food and fun cocktails - the duck was wonderful. Service was solid and ambiance was very quaint.

Wow! What an amazing meal at Cure..the food was beyond words. Beautifully prepared, fresh and delicious. Cure is a step above. Service was beyond what's expected. You feel like you're part of their culture. But back to the food..salmon was cooked to perfection with gnocchi and roasted seasonal butternut squash. Everyone in our 4 party group had amazing meals. Beautifully plated and delicious! I could go on..just go..it's exceptional

Made reservations and were able to have a seat right at our reservation time. I had the Pan Roasted Duck Breast. it came with: Black forbidden rice-mushroom risotto, wilted baby spinach, white wine-balsamic beurre blanc. Lovely lovely lovely. Order the corn bread. Unfortunately did not have room for dessert but was very tempted. The eating area has art which I enjoyed looking at. Bar area is super funky and I would have loved to sit there as well.

Solid little restaurant that checked all the marks. Small little place with a chill ambiance. Food was pretty good but all the other reviews cover that. But for me, what separated this place from the others here is the service. Service was impeccable, from the hostess to the bartender to the server. They knock it out the park with that and if they don't, they find ways to correct it. It's surprising how many places don't even the do the bare minimum these days, but this place exceeds that. Worth it to put at the top of your food list.

Food was incredible as was the service and drinks. Lobster mac n cheese was chock full of huge pieces of lobster. We also had the duck and it too was delicious. Would drive 5 hours back. It was that good!

Got there and our table was not ready, so we had a couple drinks at the bar. Cute charming bar, nice bar tender, very creative really drinks. They comp'd our drinks not necessary but nice touch. Sat outside in rear garden, so awesome, romantic and chill. Ordered home made fresh baked corn bread, terrific . Then ordered fried green tomatoes with shrimp on top, delicious. For dinner ordered the duck and the Statler Chicken and both were spectacular. Best food at a restaurant and best experience I have had in a long long time.

We found this gem on our first weekend getaway to Portsmouth and couldn't be happier. The vibe is upbeat, yet intimate, and great for couples or a fun night with friends. The bar is located by the host station, allowing quick access to drinks as you wait for your table and every staff member is on point. Our server Kait had an amazing personality and did not hesitate to recommend the best dishes available. (Although I'm pretty sure they're all the best) We would not change a thing about our experience and can't wait to visit on our next trip!

Wow today was a first..... and I was so shocked that this happened I didn't even say something before I left, but I really think the owners should know... My colleague and I made 5pm reservations at Cure and at 6:50 10 minutes after the bill had arrived and was paid we were asked to leave rudely by one of the servers. He stated that they had another reservation and needed this table. No warning no nudge and quite frankly it was the tackiest thing that I've ever experienced from a place that was supposed to be exceptional. The worst part is my colleague is local and up until this point she was talking about the different people who needed to come here..... highly doubt that now that this incident occurred..... perhaps they only treated me that way bc it was clear I just arrived from the airport with my book bag dressed in my business suit. It is Monday night and while there were people waiting at the front for a table, there were also open tables and the other people who sat down at the same time of us hadn't been asked to leave. What's worse is that we had ordered appetizers, soups and entree. Up until this encounter everything was amazing but sadly the thing I will remember was this loud server in a purple who was taking care of the party of 8 who we were also with walk up and lower his head and say, "you have to leave I have another reservation." I actually thought he was joking at first. But he wasn't.... The people we were with said we could sit with them but I was so embarrassed by the entire encounter I just headed back to the hotel. I wish there was a separate view for the food verse the wait staff. I just know I won't be coming back the rest of this week with our other visitors and will make sure that I let others know what to expect. Maybe they should just put an hour glass on the table instead of doing what they did. It wasn't even 7pm! It's 8:26 and I hope the people who took our table are almost finished bc they are on the timer! What's worse is I had taken picks of my meal ready to write a great review but instead I'm writing about this..... ugh..... I hope the owner is able to use this as a teaching moment and maybe I will hear back?

What a cute place! Although it's been in business for over a decade, this was our first time trying it. We're glad we did. The decor and ambiance is romantic and charming. It gets a bit loud when fully booked, but not so much you can't talk. Outdoor patio seating is available in warmer weather and there's a small bar (6-7 seats) when you first come into the restaurant. Our server was amazing, came over right away, got us some waters, and asked if we wanted anything to start off with. She was always attentive to our table throughout our dining (sometimes servers seem to sort of fade away after entrees) without being intrusive. Best of all, she was personable and friendly. We were celebrating our anniversary, so we started off with some Prosecco. Ordered the field greens, bread for the table ($5), and some entrees. I had the duck while my wife had the braised short ribs. Salad was perfectly-sized, and bread was warm & delicious. My duck was cooked to perfection and the risotto was savory. My wife's short ribs was really missing the accompanying sauce it appears to usually come with, which is such a shame because it really needs a little of that to help balance out the flavor. Otherwise the ribs were cooked well and the meat could be pulled apart with just your fork. Delicious all around! We ended the night with a flour-less chocolate torte. It was delicious and a perfect way to end a wonderful and amazing evening here. We will definitely be back and would highly recommend!

Cozy spot with great food in Portsmouth. Innovative menu items from appetizers to dessert. Started with halloumi flatbread in their signature honey butter cornbread. Flatbread head a great char and interesting combination of garlic arugula honey and cheese. Cornbread is fantastic, served in a small crock topped with honey and butter. Also sampled their new fashioned cocktail that adds muddled blackberry. Definitely a must try if you're a fan of a traditional old fashioned. Our group of diners shared the duck, salmon, and vegetable gnocchi. Both the salmon and duck were a super flavorful and tender. Each came with fantastic sides including an earthy mushroom risotto. Vegetable gnocchi in a creamy sauce popped with fresh flavors and is a great vegetarian option. - 1/10 of a star for presentation as it was simply spooned neatly across a plate in the manner you would expect to receive in the army chow line. The Good night ended with a chocolate tort with peanut butter sauce and a blueberry creme brulee. Both hit the spot. Service was efficient and friendly. Menu items are attractively priced. I'd even go as far as calling it a bargain for Portsmouth. Would 100% return.

The top restaurant in Portsmouth. It is our go to spot for consistently great food. Pricing seems reasonable to me. And on that point I would rather pay more for an overall fantastic experience than save a bit for absolutely mediocre food.

We enjoy a nice Friday night date night. We have been wanting to try this place for a very long time. First of all. It is absolutely adorable and cozy. The young host managing the front end, reservations, seating people, and help bus the tables was fantastic. If I ever had a restaurant of my own, I would need someone just like them. Extremely impressed. Great demeanor, very professional, quick moving, and as busy as the restaurant was, they handled themselves perfectly. Second. The food. We opted out of drinking because we were both rather hungry (we had a later reservation) and wanted to enjoy the food. We started with the Truffle Artichoke dip. It was fantastic. Packed with flavor. Extremely filling. Generous amount. And the amount of artichoke pieces in this dip, perfection. I did not feel as if I was eating just spinach dip... that's for sure. 10/10 We shared two plates. The short rib and the chicken statler. Both were great. I would say the chicken dish was by far the best. It was so "homey", perfect for a nice rainy chilly night. Asparagus were cooked to perfection accompanied by delicious Gouda mashed. 10/10. The short rib was great. I don't particularly love polenta so that through me for a loop but there was nothing dislikable with this dish. I think I was craving something more along the lines of the chicken dish and would have preferred mashed with it. Overall, 8/10 for the short rib dish in my opinion. Third. It was not the restaurants fault at all but put a bit of a spin on our experience. We sat very closely to the most obnoxious food connoisseur and she sucked! She had something to say from the size of the peppercorn to how much ice was in the complimentary water. I did not want to experience another second of my evening next to this human. Lastly. The place is obviously booked out for reservations so far out for a reason. Book well in advance. It is 100% worth it. We will be back.

I have been here several times. And the ambiance is always great. The staff is great. I have had the duck, land, and steak, they were all delicious. The French onion soup is really good. Everything I have ordered here has not disappointed in taste. You can spend $100 on one person with food and drinks. But you should come here for the food and experience not the price if that matters to you.

one of the best restaurants in Portsmouth. Incredible server, ambience, and dinner. I was surprised at how tough my steak was to chew, but other than that 10/10. I'll be back.

Amazing food here. Everything was so well seasoned and flavorful. The chorizo mussels were particularly delicious as well as the pork chop.

If you haven't yet made a visit to Cure, I'd highly recommend you put this restaurant on your to do list. I've eaten there three times now and they have yet to disappoint. I'd first like to recommend their mussel appetizer. The broth is unique in that they use a very nice in house sausage to add that special extra flavor making this appetizer a 10. It goes without saying that you just can't go to Cure without ordering the mushroom appetizer...it's incredible getting much of its flavor from the truffle oil, shaved Parmesan and that bread...OMG! Some other awesome appetizers I'd highly recommend include the duck drumsticks confit style, the escargot and the goat cheese croquettes. As for Main courses, their nightly special is usually a very good choice. Usually fish and very fresh. I had an incredible blackened swordfish the other night that was to die for. Service is always excellent and the food is consistently great. Check 'em out! Bon appétit This place isn't very big and you WILL need to make reservations well in advance.

The food was pretty bad, full of basic mistakes. If the head chef had served this slop when she was on chopped they would have laughed her out of the room. The French onion soup had burned cheese and burned bread. The chicken was dry. The steak was rare, not medium rare, with none of the fat rendered. The butter was split. The potatoes were overcooked mush. The green beans were charred to the point that's all you tasted. How can the kitchen look at something so basic as a split butter and decide that this is ok to serve? There's just no care here. I've never made food this bad and served it to my family and friends for free. Never mind asking people to pay for it. Oh and the dinner took an hour and a half. I could have gone to the store, cooked a better dinner, and served it in that time.

Great food! Great service! I would go there every time I was in town. You will need a reservation though. The place is small and books up quickly. We walked in having just gotten to town, booked up but we were able to make a reservation for the following night.