The Friendly Toast

If you've never been to the Friendly Toast, it is a must stop. Decorated so cute with all kinds of retro decorations. I love the unique lights on all of the tables. We visited on a Tuesday in the winter so it was easy to get in. I've also visited in Summer and it is pretty busy so you'll want a reservation. We had Brendon as a waiter and he was 10/10. Super nice and great vibes. Food was fantastic and I had the pastrami sandwich. So good and loves the waffle fries! My girlfriends and I had a blast! Will definitely be back soon :)

I had heard many good things about this place and had read great reviews before visiting, all I can say is that- I was not disappointed! The atmosphere was fun and eclectic- this being this way made it a really enjoyable spot to dine. The menu was super creative; the food names were catchy and fun, adding a playful touch to the overall experience.The restaurant had plenty of tables, though it was a little squishy at times. Although some diners might not like the feeling, we found it to be still manageable. Overall, I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a memorable, delicious meal in a fun atmosphere.

This is a fun and funky restaurant right in downtown Portsmouth. Although the vegan offerings are quite limited, those we did find - a veggie burger and scrambled tofu - were absolutely delicious. And the staff here were so nice.

Amazing. Super busy but worth the wait. Be prepared to be on wait list. Moved quickly though and we shopped while we waited. Great big menu. Prices good for being in touristy area. Really cool atmosphere.

We found ourselves at the Portsmouth airport early one morning to have our passports renewed [long story about an emergency!] before we flew to Florence the next day. After they took our information, we were told to return in 3-4 hours, We asked if there was a funky breakfast place nearby, and they enthusiastically recommended The Friendly Toast! When we walked in, we immediately loved the decor, and we were met with upbeat staff, who showed us to our table. We loved looking at all the interesting, eclectic pieces & furnishings everywhere we looked. The menu was another adventure that we enjoyed! I quickly opted for the Bloody Mary as a reward for our early morning drive from the south side of Boston. It didn't disappoint, and neither did our tasty menu selections - we shared an omelet and a Benny. Delicious! After breakfast, we thoroughly enjoyed our walk about various streets, looking at stores, restaurants, and bars. It has been years since we were in Portsmouth, but we can't wait to return.

The most memorable place I have ever been in all of New England and I’m born and raised in New England. First time visitor, I took a step into the old town diner “feel” my mom and I would go to. I have never ordered the chicken and waffles from anywhere. So, if it was going to be from somewhere it would be from here! It was so good …..when I took my first bite I actually giggled out loud! lol lol lol

Atmosphere is Amazing. Staff are great amidst the high demand and fast pace work environment and the food is delicious. My Partner and I typically get the Eggs Benedict. They are extremely delicious and the flavor is incredible upon every savory bite. The Friendly Toast is an experience worthwhile. Located conveniently in downtown Portsmouth, NH with a bunch of local cozy shops to browse around for your post-meal walk!

I found the best brunch spot! The food, service, and atmosphere are everything! I had the Irish Benny.....amazing, the chef nailed the poached eggs! The "Some Like It Tot" and the "Peach Perfect" are both absolutely worth it! Go, you won't be disappointed. (REVISED....this review is supposed to be for the Portland, Maine location!)

Arrived before 8am on Sunday morning to a line already forming outside. It was 42 degrees so folks were chilled. But it's always a good sign to see a line of people waiting to enter a restaurant on a cold Sunday morning. The restaurant is inviting with it's old nostalgic rock & roll favorite legends pictures and signage. Bathrooms are clean and unisex. My partner had the Medley Crue with two pouched eggs. I tasted it and it was a savory breakfast which is warming on a chilly autumn morning. She consumed it all. The little piggy that she is. ( She laughed at this comment.) I had their seasonal pumpkin pancakes with plenty of nutmeg, cinnamon and real maple syrup. Serving was three pancakes with pumpkin butter. Not too sweet. I also had their corn beef hash, made in-house, with two easy cooked pouched eggs. Excellent. Coffee was plentiful. Cynthia was our server and she was lovely. Knowledgeable about their dishes. Remember, this is a breakfast and brunch establishment which has a diverse menu. Vegetarian, vegan and well as omnivores. Portions are large, not extra large so just the right amount to send you on your way. Enjoy!

SUPER fun place... Very eclectic feel with lots of vintage decor. A lot of people had children with them, so I would say kid friendly, BUT it is also pretty packed and there's not much space so not stroller friendly for table side. We got brunch drinks (mimosas & Bloody Mary) which were both good. There are a few variations for Bloody Mary options and like 10ish mimosa variations. Our food was tasty too! We got a combination of eggs Benedict and breakfast burritos. They were all good! Friendly Toast is a chain/franchise so there could be different experiences at different locations.

Really enjoyed the atmosphere. A lot of interesting things to look at while waiting for food. The staff were great, very attentive and kind. I got the chicken and waffles and salmon avocado toast. I did like the toast, but the waffles and chicken weren't good. The chicken tasted like it was fried in old oil, and very hard to chew. A lot of their other items looked great though. I would go back to try again.

they sure are friendly! we ate here 2X during our short trip to portsmouth. breakfast is pretty limited in town- so this place hit the spot. lots to choose on the menu. friendly servers- who are eager to please! quick seating with lots of booths. quirky decor. reminded us of something you would see in seattle circa 1990. prices were reasonable. would recommend!

Shannon was great. The food was excellent and there is a wide variety. Parking is a challenge in the area but so worth it Megs burrito was excellent

You will likely have to wait for a table but it will be well worth your time. I dare you to not find something fabulous to eat here. If you can't find something delicious to eat at least you will be stimulated by the "art" at this funky chain. There are so very many choices and, good for us, many vegetarian/pescatarian options. They can also sub beyond sausage (vegetarian) in some dishes. I had two kinds of avocado toast, 1 traditional and 1 that was like a salmon sushi roll. My husband ordered a breakfast burrito. Both dishes were plentiful portions and yummy.

The Friendly Toast is a trendy little brunch and bar restaurant in downtown Portsmouth. My parents and I were passing through on a weekday and stopped for brunch. The place was already packed when we got there and the atmosphere was very upbeat. The tables were tightly crammed together and it felt a little claustrophobic, but it seemed to work for the people dining there. The place was also lined with some really cool vintage art pieces. A lot of items from the 80s and 90s that brought back fond memories. One of my favorites was the hanging light that looked like a Kentucky fried chicken bucket. The food was pretty good overall. The coffee came extremely hot, which we love and I liked the presentation of my breakfast. I ordered the avocado toast and it was delicious. It was a little pricey for basically toast and avocado but I did like it. My parents stuck to their traditional over-medium eggs, toast, pancakes, bacon, and sausage. Their food came out lukewarm and some of it was cold. They had to send it back because it was just too cold to enjoy. It might seem nitpicky, but we do expect hot food if we're paying for it. The waitress was great and exchanged the food with two hot plates. The manager also apologized and made it right. I'm giving this review 4 stars. We shouldn't have to send our food back and I didn't love how close the tables were to each other. Other than that, the atmosphere was positive and the food ended up being pretty decent. I even bought one of their mugs.

This is the best place on earth! It is worth the wait, the travel, and the everything! I don't eat chicken and waffles but on this day I am glad I did! I actually giggled when I took my first bite lol! This place had such a cool vibe you can't help but to smile and order a good drink! If it wasn't so far away I would travel from Florida every month to Portsmouth NH! This is a MUST places to visit on anyone's list!

We had an incredible experience at this brunch spot! We ordered the chicken sandwich, the burger, the hash quiche, a breakfast bowl, and the breakfast egg rolls. This restaurant is definitely just on the weekends and bustling with families and music, but you would never know how busy they are because the service was awesome. They had plenty of gluten free options, and even double checked with the kitchen for allergy restrictions. Highly recommend making a reservation!

We were on a New England road trip and driving southbound from Poland, Maine to Baltimore. An early morning breakfast was needed on this particular day, and after a quick search, we decided to try The Friendly Toast restaurant in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We didn't realize at the time this is a regional chain, and we tend to avoid national chains. We were pleasantly surprised with this delightful and quirky restaurant. Firstly, they have one of our requisites...chicken and waffles and we have tried them coast to coast, with more options on each trip! We easily found street parking in a metered space maybe two blocks from the restaurant. The Market Square area is a really a wonderful destination and if we weren't trying to get back to Baltimore at a reasonable hour, we would have stayed longer and shopped more! Back to the restaurant...reviews indicated arrive early or you'll be faced with a wait. We probably arrived by 9 am and there were plenty of tables. By the time we left around 10, tables were full and parties were waiting outside. The restaurant interior is bright and unique with all sorts of retro signage and objects that together create a fascinating and happy dining atmosphere. The service is pleasant and attentive. Our food was served very quickly. The server returned to refill coffee and check on the food quality. I ordered the breakfast street tacos, which is served as 3 french toasted corn tortillas with scrambled eggs, chorizo, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, lime crema, chipotle maple sour cream & fresh cilantro. The tacos were not easy to eat because they were so delicate. A knife and fork for this entree. The taste is great and has excellent flavor. My dining companion ordered the chicken and waffles, which is served as a fluffy Belgian waffle wedges infused with bacon, fire roasted poblano corn & jalapeño-jack cheese - layered with our Rice Krispies® coated chicken breast & drizzled with hot honey, chipotle maple sour cream & pickled onions. Although this was my dining companion's entree, I had to taste it. This is a wonderful savory option for breakfast and so different than the usual Belgian style waffle. It still actually tasted sweet to me. The crunch and texture of the Rice Krispies® coated chicken is excellent. The coating remains intact for each bite. We would gladly return to this restaurant. There are so many other interesting items to try on the menu!

While visiting during the week, we were able to seated immediately. The vibe is very fun, casual and eclectic. Our waitress came promptly and was friendly. We split a mimosa flight (and LOVED every single flavor) and then I selected their delicious French toast. Overall would recommend.

While traveling through town, we decided to give The Friendly Toast a try, After a brief wait of about 10 min, we were seated in the back of the restaurant. My husband ordered the breakfast burger and I ordered the Cuban benny. The food was good and portions were a nice size for the cost. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, especially with how busy the restaurant was. If we are ever in town again, I would come back and try another menu item.

Would highly recommend joining the waitlist through Yelp. Food was amazing, service was top-notch. Buzzing energy. Will certainly be back.

The cordon bleu Benedict is out of this world!! The ambience is unique and welcoming. The service is always superb!

Service at this location has been excellent so far. Our waitress Jan was stellar! She was busy but still came around pretty often to check on us and take food and drink orders. I've been to a couple Friendly toast locations, but this one takes the toast. Drinks were great, just way too much ice. I had the lavender and my partner had the mimosa (we wish they did not add ice to the mimosa and the mimosa flight we later ordered). I ordered the chorizo Benedict and he had the classic breakfast. We both cleaned our plates they were so good. Definitely make sure you try their house mango hot sauce. Recommend this location for sure overall.

The Friendly Toast hits every time. Good food, fun atmosphere, and delicious drinks. Can't go wrong with a mimosa, coffee, or Bloody Mary flight. You know it by the iconic decor and different light shades. The service is always friendly, quick, and wonderful. Any location has proved to be great. Definitely would recommend. Especially in Portsmouth as it is within walking distance of numerous shops, restaurants, and boutiques.

Overall 4/5 This place used to be AMAZING but I think the quality has gone down a bit after the expansion and addition of many other locations. The service is still great and I love the imaginative and creative menu but I hope next time I dine here my food is warm. Food 3.5/5 Huevos Rancheros The best part about the dish is the chimichurri sauce. The home fries were alright but also cold. I wish the food didn't come cold and that the portions were larger. Breakfast Burrito This definitely wasn't bad flavor wise but it was also not warm. I wouldn't get it again. Service 4.5/5 When we arrived the host told us there was a 45 min to an hour wait and we put our names on a waitlist for 2. I got a text 10 minutes later that our table was ready. Our waiter was attentive and came right up to us. Ambiance 5/5 Quirky and fun is the name of the game for The Friendly Toast. You will find odds and ends and knick-knack all over the walls and hanging from the ceiling at this restaurant. Some of my favorites include a KFC chicken bucket lamp and a giant hanging seahorse statue.

Ate here twice on a short trip and loved it both times. The Chorizo Benny is excellent -- really flavorful, not too drenched in hollandaise, with home fries that were nice and moist (too often they're overdone and dry). Also enjoyed the Snap, Crackle, Cluck fried chicken sandwich (the waffle fries were cold, but our waitress cheerfully replaced them with fresh hot ones that were great). Coffee is really good here as well -- nice and toasty, no sourness. Service is great, with very friendly hosts and waitstaff. Atmosphere is vibrant -- it always seems crowded, and the decor is fun and whimsical. We waited about 30 minutes for a table, but you can put your name down and they'll text you when a table's ready, so you can browse through the many nearby shops while you wait.

Very eclectic menu and decor. Friendly staff and great, knowledgeable bartenders. Highly recommend the flight of mimosas and the rice krispies breaded chicken and waffles. Love the thick bacon.

So disappointed! Our last brunch at The Friendly Toast was memorable for all the right reasons. This one for all the wrong ones. Used the online wait-list for the hour wait which worked wonderfully. Prompt service for coffee and ordering food. Then we had to wait for over an hour for our food. When it finally arrived, one of the meals was wrong and had to be remade. Another meal had a substitution without giving the chance to make a different choice. They did apologize and compensate us for the mistake but it's always uncomfortable when all but one person has their food. The food was mediocre at best. Far cry from the last time I was there. I will not be going back.

Really enjoyed the cordon bleu Benny. Such a unique flavor and the crisp of the chicken was great. Awesome balance of sweet and spice. My Bloody Mary honestly left much to be desired but the food and service made up for it. Get there early this place was almost full within 20 minutes of opening!

Let me start off by saying that this place has a diner/eclectic throwback feel. The walls are bright green and adorned with random things from years ago. The menu is a lot, so give it a look before you arrive otherwise you'll spend some time trying to decide. After brewing over what to get, I opted for the Chorizo Benny's, which is eggs Benedict with, you guessed it, chorizo. Great flavors, perfectly poached eggs, all served with a side of homemade fries. The meal (and basically everything on the menu) is a lot of food, so I skipped lunch and wasn't hungry until dinner rolled around. Staff was super friendly. If in Portsmouth again, I'd definitely visit gor breakfast or brunch!

The staff were super friendly and the vibe of the restaurant was unique. I can't really remember what the other dish was but it had salmon toast. It was so full that it kinda all slid off when she tried to eat it. The chicken tenders were yummy and a great snack for me. It was kinda loud and we didn't make a reservation, but we were able to get in pretty quick. Overall, I do recommend this restaurant and this was such a cute town!

OK I don't say this lightly this was one of my favorite brunches!! The ambiance is a bit over stimulating but I think that's part of the charm. The meal was also flavor overload in the best way. The best banana pancake I've ever gotten to indulge and my husband ADORED his rice Krispy hot chicken (snap crackle cluck) sandwhich. Huevos rancheros was also different in the best way and really well balanced. The waffle fries had this seasoning blend that was also amazing. Everything felt very intentional flavor wise. It was a heavy meal but didn't feel overly greasy/breaded. Our server also brought us house speciality hot sauce and a strawberry pepper jam which elevated our meals and side toast. There was a boozy chai latte which was also unique and memorable! Our only meal in Portsmouth but it did NOT disappoint!!

Unfortunately another Portsmouth business that is not what it use to be. A few good items but need to get off Tik Tok and go back to the staples that built their business. Breakfast was ok, but use to be amazing.

Food was amazing, me and my husband shared the spicy Salmon Roll Toast was to die for as an appetizer. I ordered the Cubano Benny, they were out of turkey burnt end but I substituted it for chorizo and I can only say is Wow!!!! My Husband ordered the chicken and waffles and he kept complimenting how great it was. Highly recommend if you're in town try this place out it's worth the wait!

Our go to breakfast place while visiting our son at UNH. Gluten free options and a Bloody Mary flight!

The Friendly Toast was an amazing experience! From the host to our outstanding server Collin. Thank you so much for the special birthday treat! If you can, request Collin, his service is impeccable. I had the avocado & salmon toast flight, delicious . For my brunch entree, I had the Snap, Crackle, Cluck. The ingredients were perfectly blended. The restaurant was cozy and friendly! It was 10/10, highly recommend!!!

A friend from the area recommended this place and boy, am I glad she did! What a missed opportunity to be in the area and not take advantage of this delicious 7 day a week brunch spot! SERVICE -- 5/5 The service was phenomenal. As soon as we were greeted at the door we were welcomed with a friendly demeanor and smile. Once seated, the attentiveness of our waitress was impeccable. My water glass was never empty. She made sure she was there when we were ready to order. Ensured our drink and food orders were put in correct. Proactive on getting extra napkins and such as needed. Always had a smile on her face and made me want to stay and drink the whole day! FOOD -- 4/5 The food was really good. Not the most amazing, but some good combinations and flavors to satisfy the tastebuds! I didn't even get passed the appetizer section... churro bites... breakfast egg rolls... cheesy tots... how was I to choose?! OH WAIT! I didn't because they had an appetizer sampler option -- "Appetize Me Captain!" The egg rolls were so good, maybe my favorite item, and strange enough the waitress brough out some homemade strawberry jam I was dipping them in and WOW! Sweet and savory we're hitting just right with that combination! The churro bites were just ok for me... I feel like some cinnamon/sugar topping would've been the true "icing on the cake." Finally the tots rounded out the sampler and they didn't disappoint. They were big tots sitting in this cheesy sauce that was thick (like a mashed potato consistency), the toppings were just enough too. My boyfriend got one of the "Friends with Benedicts" -- he cleaned his plate and had no complaints! DRINKS -- 5/5 The drinks were top notch! My boyfriend got a blood orange margarita that hit the pallet perfectly... not too sweet, not too tart, not too much tequila, but strong enough to only order one. I tried the mimosa flight and the presentation was lovely. And my least favorite was the original, orange mimosa. The Peach Blood Orange mimosa was amazing... the flavor combination had my mouth watering and wanting more after the first drink! Close second was the raspberry mimosa... the mix of elderflower liqueur, raspberry purée, lemonade and bubbles had my tastebuds poppin'! I didn't even get to try the specials, but all sounded amazing... like I said, I could've stayed all day! AMBIANCE -- 5/5 The upbeat, eclectic, retro diner vibe had me wanting to stay all day! The fun music fused with the cheerful service and delicious food was the perfect combination for a 5/5 dining experience. PRICE -- 4/5 A bit pricey for what you get, but you're also paying for the atmosphere and service, along with good quality food and drinks you won't be disappointed at! It's worth the extra pennies! **This is a chain -- there are several location in the northeast. A comparable chain brunch spot that those from other parts of the country might be familiar with is SNOOZE. Although I think it's even better than snooze!

Amazing service and great food! Their hash quiche has always been a favorite of mine.

Inronically, aside from a piece of overdone toast everything is delicious at the Friendly Toast. Interesting menu choices and delicious food. Being a Sam, I had to try Sam's omelette which had veggies and goat cheese, not something I usually see in an omelette, but boy was it delicious. Go check it out! You won't be disappointed!

Such a fun place for breakfast in Portsmouth, NH. Our food was delicious and service was stellar!

My husband and I stopped here while on a road trip - and there was our NH stop along the way! First, this place is eclectic and so fun inside - and they were playing 80s bangers all morning! I got the oreo pancakes, which were delicious. I do wish it came with more of the oreo glaze - I just didn't want to add maple syrup to these. My husband got the breakfast eggrolls and he really enjoyed them; he did say the aioli is really tangy, so maybe order on the side if that scares you? Finally, while we didn't try them, I loved their mimosa, bloody mary, and espresso cocktail flights! If we weren't driving, we definitely would have been sampling those.

Never misses. The ambiance is amazing and the food is always so good. Very fast service

The food was phenomenal, probably the best brunch I've had in a while. Wait wasn't bad, as expected for a Sunday brunch spot. The restaurant is small, so the tables are close together and tight. But overall, I'd go again and again and again.

Service was great. Food was very good. Great place to go to with friends visiting NH as a New Yorker. Mimosa flight was fun! Didn't love all of them but it was yummy to try. Menu is extensive and all meals came out fabulous. Ambiance was fun, eclectic and cozy.

Had an amazing time here! Highly recommend the mimosa flight. The Benedicts are amazing as well! Service was great and the decor is super fun. Will definitely be back!!

A MUST go to! Everything on the menu is fabulous. Very cool funky place with an eclectic menu. Try any of the breakfast Bennys but the Irish Benny with corned beef and the Chicken Cordon Bleu Benny with the rice Kristy coated chicken breast is outrageous! The best Bloody Mary's around! If I could give this place 100 stars, I would!

Such a fun ambiance and a walk back in time! So much to see and to smile about. The Chorizo Benny was delicious! The home fries were really good too! Service was great! Food came out super quick! It was a good, hearty breakfast before heading out to hike in Acadia.

They have a good selection. And are very accommodating with alterations to the menu. The staff is very friendly and attentive without making you feel rushed. Decor is very unique and has a fun vibe to it. The specials are seasonal inspired and benefit charity. Always a good meal there!

Super cool place. Great food and the atmosphere is amazing. So many Great wall hangings to look at and admire. The food is great too. Tons of GF options. If you're in town this is a great place to come eat. Kid friendly too.

It was my first visit to Friendly Toast last weekend - I was extremely impressed with the Churro FT Sticks - the combo of that + the strawberry habanero jam was *chef's kiss* perfection! I ordered Lilly's Florentine Benny as my main dish + would easily get both again. Reserve your spot ahead of time - as this is a well-loved restaurant! Absolutely worth the wait! *didn't take photos as I was so excited to eat*

Eclectic, down-to-earth, funky vibe! The staff seem to love working here. We ordered the damn good egg sandwich and the chorizo breakfast burrito. We enjoyed both but the damn good egg sandwich was indeed damn good (order your eggs over-medium!). Worth a visit just for the atmosphere!

Long wait but the food was very good for brunch. Fun atmosphere and the service was strong.

Came here with the family for breakfast. It was packed inside but the service was still good. Colin was a great server! Food took a bit long to arrive but the quality of it was pretty good. We had the chicken and waffles, an egg benedict, and the classic breakfast. The vibe inside was a mix of all ages but was definitely very quirky in like a millennial way. Definitely recommend if you're in the area!

I would definitely come back here again! I loved the atmosphere, the food was so good and all the staff were very nice! The bathrooms were single stalls and kept very clean. We had the cookie monster pancakes and breakfast burrito and they were delicious! Wasn't too pricey and loved the vibes of the place. Stopped on our way to Old Orchard Beach. Will definitely go again if we are in the area!

What I look for in a great restaurant is found in this place! GREAT customer service, LOVELY atmosphere, DELICIOUS food, and most importantly, HUGE portions. On our trip to Portsmouth, we wanted to find a great place for brunch - and the Friendly Toast dominated our search. Greeted by a wonderful host, we were taken to our seats, and the colorful decors and packed crowd definitely changed our mood from cold windy winter to pleasant and warm sunshine. We ordered the following: - Snap, Crackle, Cluck: The "house rice Krispies coated chicken breast" is what totally intrigued us to order this. What seems to be a very odd alternative to flour turned out really delicious! - Pancakes: I believe this was a special dish they had. The serving size of this was really huge! If you're into very sweet things, this is probably the choice for you. - Chicken & Waffles: Again, the rice Krispies coated chicken is what intrigued us to order this. I really love the blend of taste from the bacon, honey, and chipotle maple sour cream! - Mimosa Flight: My favorite! All of the drinks were delicious and got us tipsy for the rest of the day. I don't know about you, but it was a very good alternative to coffee to keep us energized. The Friendly Toast seems like a classic signature brunch restaurant in the area and I highly recommend it!

We love the friendly service, the food is fantastic and the drinks are out of this world!!

Love this place. The ambiance is cool retro dinner vibe with fun things on the walls. The food is off the hook. Seriously everything is delicious . The star is efficient and super friendly . Hence the name !