The Oar House

What did my daughter want for lunch? Macaroni and Cheese 😋! Where did we just visit? Portsmouth Harbor Cruises! Who had an outdoor deck along the Piscataqua River literally next door? The Oar House 🏠! Did the Oar House have an associate out front who answered my question about the kid's menu? Yes 🙂‍↕️! We were 🪑 seated right ▶️ away. I ordered Haddock 🐟 Piccata with unsweetened iced tea with lemon 🍋. Delicious 😋! My daughter devoured her Macaroni and Cheese and asked for more. I tried a few of her Cavatelli mac and cheese and I could see 🙈 why she liked it. Great service! Nice view of the Piscataqua River, once the boat from next door 🚪 left. Pricey? Yep! But it is downtown and waterfront Portsmouth and we are dealing with inflation. The only issue was the WiFi did not work where we were. But we are a distance away from the indoor restaurant and we were warned it would probably not work. I am going to recommend a visit especially if you can get a seat 🪑 on the outdoor deck. A bar 🍻 is available there as well.

The restaurant had a very local vintage vibe to it. They had a good selection of cocktails and wines. The food was appetizing. Service was good. They had a wide variety of fish entrees and the fish was very fresh.

I chose this restaurant for a meet up with friends from out of state. I got the Oar house special that had an amazing taste to it, but was the smallest portion in the world. It maybe had 4 pieces of overcooked shrimp, 3 overcooked scallops and a tiny piece of haddock that was already broken apart. For the price things should definitely fill you a tiny bit. When the scallops were put down we all laughed. I know things have gone up in price, but come on. The service was great and the views you can't beat! Portions are ridiculous and seafood overcooked unfortunately. Probably won't be back. Only giving a 3 star because of the service and views on the deck.

Delicious Seafood Experience I had an amazing seafood meal featuring a crispy, flavorful crab cake, tender boiled lobster served with butter, and a rich, comforting cioppino. Each dish was fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. A true delight for any seafood lover!

Great food but the 6.6 Oz lobster roll was ridiculously priced at $62. But it was great. Update to review - after traveling on to Bar Harbor and eating several lobster rolls there, (we are doing lobster at every meal :) ) I would say that the roll I had at the Oar House was 4x better but at only 2x cost of the rolls we have had here in Bar Harbor. The $28 lobster rolls in Bar Harbor are just not cutting it compared to the Oar House.

Vibe: great. Servers: kind and accommodating but not all that savvy. Food: worst I’ve had in a long while. Sent back undercooked salmon. Twice. The mushroom app was a soup of chunky pieces cut into perfect squares only achievable via robot intervention, the mac n cheese didn’t even have the cheese properly incorporated, and the raspberry vinaigrette on the salad was so sweet and cloying it should’ve been dessert. Skip this place if coming to Portsmouth!

I had an amazing experience at this waterfront seafood spot. We sat outside on the deck, which made for a beautiful atmosphere to enjoy dinner. Our server, Rachel, was wonderful — she gave us personalized recommendations for both food and drinks, and everything she suggested was spot on. I started with a spicy margarita and a Great Rhythm IPA — both refreshing and balanced. For appetizers, we tried the crispy ribs (moist and sweet), the fried Brie (absolutely to die for), and the bacon-wrapped scallops, which were phenomenal — truly some of the best I’ve ever had. For my entrée, I ordered the Caribbean grilled swordfish. It was perfectly cooked, and the pairing of the risotto with a sweet-and-savory mango purée made each bite perfect. Between the incredible food, great vibe, and attentive service, this place is a standout in Portsmouth. Highly recommend whether you’re coming with a large group or planning a date night — you won’t be disappointed.

If you like seafood, the Oar House is THE PLACE to be! From refreshing cocktails, mouthwatering appetizers, and insanely fresh seafood the whole experience was top tier. I highly recommend the Escargot, coconut shrimp, and bacon wrapped scallops as a starter, all 3 were so good it was hard to pick a favorite! As an entree I got the swordfish over coconut risotto and let me tell you, the coconut risotto was the best risotto I have ever had and the mango glazed swordfish was to die for. My two friends got the haddock Ruben and the Oar House Delight and after having a bite of theirs, I high recommend those too. We sat waterfront and the views were ALMOST more amazing than the food. I highly recommend if you’re in the Portsmouth area

Walking around Portsmouth, my friend and I saw a restaurant week menu on their window that sounded interesting and decided to give it a try. I'm glad that I didn't look at reviews before walking in as my experience did not match them. As we walked in, there was some delay being greeted as it was early evening and before dinner rush on a rainy evening. As soon as the hostess saw us, she greeted us with a smile and asked if we had a reservation. There only seemed to be 1-2 tables with customers on the first floor by the bar. Yet we were brought upstairs to an empty dining room that was nicely and simply decorated. Our server Alex came soon as we sat down and took our drink order. He returned in a timely manner and took our order. The first course was an appetizer size lobster ravioli and all I can say is WOW! absolutely delicious sauce and a good amount of lobster. I was happy to see that they have it on their regular menu as a main course as I would come back for it again. For my main course I had seared salmon and my friend asked for seafood paella. My dish was absolute perfection and I love everything about it. Salmon was a nice sized portion and well seasoned. Risotto was delicious and green beans were nicely tender with the right amount of seasoning. When it came to the paella that's where there was a lot missing. It was missing saffron or whatever coloring they use and a lot of burned/sticky rice which caused it to be a very small portion. I ended up giving my friend some of my salmon as hers fell short and not enough. I asked our server about this dish and he mentioned that they only had it for restaurant week. My suggestion is that they don't offer it again if they can avoid it. We finished our dinner with the super delicious pumpkin creme brulee. A great ending to a good find in Portsmouth!

Upon entry, it was an instant "wow" for the ambience. We were guided through a door to the right for a quaint, dimly lit dining area surrounded by brick & wood. It was quiet for lunch on a Thursday which we expected. Fresh oysters on the half shell for $36 for a dozen. They even included a 13th which was a surprise! The steamed lobster dumplings came in a qty of 5 (small), a bit on the pricey side, however, delicious. Our waiter, Alex, came right over to us & was pleasant to all patrons. The bar looks beautiful from a quick glance. The spicy margarita they offer ($15) was so delicious. They have a nice cocktail menu.

My family has been coming here for years. Several of us moved away but our parents stayed in the area. When we thought of a place we wanted to go this was it. Our drinks and appetizers came out and were delicious. Someone at our table ordered the oysters and really enjoyed them. The waitress was sweet and helpful with our large group. As always the dinners were good. I love the old charm of this place. Brick walls, old wood floors and a fresh water well inside.

Great place. Food was excellent. Service was great. Place was cute. Decent wine list. Fun cocktails. First time in; will be back.

We had the pleasure to dine at Oar House twice over the past month or so. We used to dine here at least once/twice a season on the nice outside deck, but over time we fell out of the habit for some reason. I recall that we would go for lunch and discover that they did not have any lunch size or priced options. In any event, I'm glad that we had a chance to become reacquainted. First, if you make a reservation online it is important to know that it is for the indoor dining room. The outdoor deck is first come/first serve. Another tip is that they do have some free parking spaces just outside their restaurant. Not sure how that works on a busy day, but you might score some free parking. On our visit several weeks back we had an absolutely wonderful waitress and service was perfect. We were a party of four and everybody enjoyed their meals. I tried their signature baked seafood entree, which they say has been on the menu since they opened, and it was very good. Usually I stay away from creamy cheesy seafood dishes, but this was not overly heavy. Very good, nice portions of seafood and the price of this dish and most entrees were reasonable (by todays standards!) We had some other friends visiting and we took them here last week and overall had a good experience but this time we had a server who just wasn't that into it. We asked if she could take a picture of us and she rolled her eyes. OK, no biggy but in general her service was sub par. Again the food was good, I had the Salmon entree which was cooked perfectly. Again, everybody enjoyed their meals and starters. It was a very hot day, and I ordered a glass of red wine, and it came to the table hot. Not room temperature, but hot. Perhaps the wine for the deck is kept in the sun. I rarely send things back, but it was undrinkable, and I swapped it for a cold glass of white wine. Again, this seemed like an inconvenience for our server. So, again, glad we rediscovered this place. The food is good, generous portions, and prices are not crazy. It seems your mileage may vary with service depending on who you get. Typical of many restaurants, but just wish establishments would weed out those servers who really don't want to be there.

Was a perfect sunny breezy day to enjoy the oar house (deck) yesterday! Mixed yelp reviews had me a bit nervous, but let me say, go! We started with the coconut shrimp as a starter, look how big and juicy these bad boys were! cooked to perfection and seasoned nicely. I opted for the crab cake app as my lunch and omg it was mostly crab vs filler!!! so sweeet and delicate. Nice crunchy crust. Hubs opted for the chicken sandwich fried! Huge sandwich, nicely fried. Only complaint was that the pesto sauce was mainly on one side, so other felt left out! our server was a lil awkward but that is ok, he took care of our needs, ambiance was spectacular with the view and breeze! Cant wait to come back!

My fiance had a fun work dinner here and has been wanting to bring me, so we stopped by on Christmas Eve Eve around 3:30pm. It was quiet and we were seated in the perfect corner booth. I love how cozy the space was decorated, and the bar is beautiful. I ordered the mussels and he got the lobster Mac. The mussels were so flavorful, and he was in love with the mac - lobster was well cooked and the pasta is so fun. I would have preferred a thicker cheese sauce but he was happy so I'm happy.

Disclosure: We had a late lunch just to fill out bellies a bit before a 2 hour ride back home. We sat outdoors - nice outdoor tent that still feels like you are outdoors; great views of the tug boats and very pet friendly. Our server was very kind to our Goldendoodle and tentative with our questions. The bar outdoors is sort of offset from the outdoor seating space and was pretty small- looked to fit about 4 people, but otherwise had a nice wooden nautical look, typical of an on the water New England vibe. Food: Bacon wrapped scallops were the star of the show that my girlfriend and I split- and there were so many great options I felt like I was being asked to pick between favorite music - so I settled for Lobster wantoons and Caesar salad - I can't speak to the inside service or quality of food - but if its anything like outside - we will be back for sure. One caveat was the host was inattentive when we asked to be seated- headphones on and just sort of out of place- didn't seem like he wanted to be there. It was rainy out but we wanted to ensure a fun experience for the two of us and our dog and the view Portland had to offer, so we were fine with it - but he seemed very bothered.

Our server was a beautiful girl with a pink bow accenting her black ensemble, but what stood out was her amazing composure and presence! Wonderful service on Valentine's Day!! Prime rib and fish and chips were ordered after a dozen oysters and drinks. Great food and wonderful atmosphere- what a romantic special space!! Lovely!! Will return!!

I asked everyone where I should get my first lobster roll in Portsmouth and they all said to go to The Oar House. Some couldn't make up their minds between The Oar House and RH (I'll just put the initials here), but everyone attested to the quality of The Oar House, so this is where I went. It was very good. I wouldn't say mind blowing, but it's very good. The presentation of my meal was very nice. The fries were in a little fryer basket and I got a little cup of cole slaw (not a fan of their cole slaw, but I'm not counting that in this review). The lobster meat was first rate... really good. If I didn't go to RH, I'd be blissfully ignorant of this lobster roll as being the best in town. However, I did go to RH and I was more impressed with RH than here. Comparing the two, I'd saw RH is the better lobster roll. Sorry Oar House fans. It's just my opinion!

10 stars! This restaurant is absolutely incredible! The view was amazing and the food was absolutely top notch!!! Had the pleasure of meeting Halley and she had wonderful customer service! This is the best restaurant in Portsmouth, and I will be back when I visit again! Thank you so much for the perfect dining experience. I will be back when I visit Portsmouth again.

Delicious lunch spot with history. Located right on the water. We sat inside the tavern and had one of the best dressed lobster rolls I've ever tasted. Paired with a local beer...perfection! Service was spot on!

I was strolling around the waterfront and came across this hole in the wall. The hostess wasn't that friendly, but my server, Rachel, was great!!! After I asked what the favorites were here, she suggested different drinks and food and none of them disappointed! I had the Watermelon Smash and the 1974 Punch which were refreshing. Then I had the Lobster Wontons which were stinkin delicious! And then I ate the Lobster Mac N Cheese and couldn't finish it but it was thee best mac n cheese I've had!!!

If you're looking for a seafood spot that has it all -- amazing food, great service, and the perfect waterfront setting -- this is it. We sat out on the deck overlooking the water, and it made the whole evening feel special. Rachel, our server, was wonderful. She gave personalized recommendations for both drinks and food, and everything she suggested was a hit. I started with a spicy margarita and a Great Rhythm IPA, and for apps we tried the crispy ribs, fried Brie, and bacon-wrapped scallops. Every bite was incredible -- the scallops especially were some of the best I've ever had. For my entrée, I ordered the Caribbean grilled swordfish. It was cooked perfectly, and the pairing of the risotto with the sweet mango purée was next-level -- such a unique and delicious combination. Between the gorgeous atmosphere, incredible service, and food that you'll keep thinking about long after, this restaurant is a must. Whether you're planning a date night or dinner with a big group, you'll leave impressed.

I had such a wonderful experience at the oar house. From start to finish, everything was amazing. Our server Rachel was absolutely fantastic-- warm and attentive. The food was incredible, the bacon wrapped scallops were a standout -- perfectly cooked and flavorful. Everything we ordered was delicious, but those scallops are a must-try. I cannot wait to come back.

This is the best food I've had in a really long time. The fried brie, crispy ribs, and baked lobster were delicious. Thank you to our server Rachel for an amazing time!

Overall my group had a fantastic time at the oar house while sitting outside! The view is fantastic and the food is great. In particular the clam chowder and the French fries were some of the best any in our party have ever had. The lobster roll is average but I still enjoyed it and would get it again if I was craving one. My only reason for giving it 4 stars is because while they advertise it as dog friendly we had a bit of difficulty getting seated with our dog. We were told that since there was another dog already seated they might not be able to accommodate our dog due to not wanting too many dogs on the patio. We ended up being seated and the rest of the experience was fine but we would definitely reconsider coming here if we had our dogs with us again. Pro: free parking right in front of the restaurant for customers

Service was great and we were seated quickly at 5pm on a Friday, outside. Great views. We had salad appetizers and shared an entree, their signature seafood medley. It was all delicious but the view was the best.

After having one the best fish and chips lunches there last year we returned this summer to sit by the water expecting the same great experience. Sadly that experience was not repeated. We waited far too long before the waiter appeared and too long to get the drinks we ordered. The fish and chips were one of the worst we have ever been served. It was not the fresh haddock we were promised. I don't even think it was haddock. The weather was great and the view exceptional but the rest of the experience was regrettable.

Came back to the Oar House after being away for 50 years and was delighted to find my favorite item on the menu still there! It was just as tasty as I remembered! The server, John was a professional waiter, engaging and knowledgable and just the right attitude, made our evening extra special. The salmon dish was outstanding and the scallops wrapped in bacon, an old standard was perfection! Will not wait another 50 years to return to this lovely establishment!

We stopped by for dinner on Halloween since all the other restaurant options we had in mind were packed. There were plenty of tables open and it wasn't too loud. The restaurant was cozy and our waitress was nice and attentive. I was in the mood for scallops and The Oar House didn't disappoint. The scallops were cooked perfectly. The dish itself was the right amount food and I was very content afterwards. I felt the lemon risotto was very bland, there wasn't much flavor in it all. I also ordered their apple cider sangria and that was delicious! Very festive with the cinnamon sugar rim.

Really fun place to visit, tucked out of the way with inside and outside seating - water views all around. We just had a lobster roll and haddock Reuben for lunch - both were delicious! I am sure the dinner entrees are equally delicious ... some reviewers complained about the prices, but they didn't seem out of line for other places we have visited from Portland south - to maintain top level service & food in such an older building & deck environment comes with an increased cost - this isn't box building just off the interstate.

I've lived in portsmouth for 6 years now. Everyone told me not to go to Oar House because it isn't very good but it's an understatement. I think tourists are the only ones who keep this place in business. Look at their signature dish it's 90% ritz crackers. I don't think there is even a sauce on it. There are so many better places in town I will give credit to the service. The staff was great.

Absolutely the best restaurant in Portsmouth! 10/10 dining experiences! The food was delicious and incredible. Also the view on the deck, right on the Pascataqua river was pretty and amazing! Enjoyed spending time with the family there. The staff are also very professional and top Notch. The food was so impressive too, apps and main course, just overall an absolutely incredible dining experience. They also have plenty of parking for the guests.

I have eaten at the oar house for more than 20 years. Whenever I have to spend time in Portsmouth New Hampshire, it is one of my go to restaurants. Every time I go, I order exactly the same thing - the big stuffed lobster. Today was no exception. I started with a cup of corn and clam chowder and then the baked stuffed 1 1/2 lb lobster. The stuffing is rich with pieces of shrimp and scallops and the based of ritz crackers was moist and delicious.

Better experience than the Yelp Star rating led me to believe. Our waitress was attentive and knowledgeable. Both myself and a colleague had the "best of both worlds" filet and stuffed lobster. The filet was perfect. Stuffed lobster was good - but the breading in the stuffing was a little bit overly sweet. For a 5 person business dinner on a Thursday night - it was good!!!

It was very good. Their house made noodles and the way they cook their fish is incredible! It was the best fish I have ever had!

I wanted to take the future in-laws to a nice dinner (they tend to like at least somewhat upscale) and this was a perfect spot that didn't disappoint. Service was great and location is convenient with its own reasonable sized parking lot for downtown Portsmouth. Food was all cooked and served as requested and atmosphere was nice without being "stuffy" or too uptight. Would absolutely recommend for special occasions, date nights, that sort of thing. I'm looking forward to going back on a nice day to sit outside.

While visiting Portsmouth, I had the pleasure of visiting this restaurant and had a lovely chat with the owner Casey Anderson (Around mid August). After making a reservation with him, I was so delighted by their service and delicious swordfish with escargot as an appetizer. I enjoyed a nice Pinot Grigio with the meal and I was in heavenly bliss. This is a place worth visiting every time I visit Portsmouth

The lobster roll was $45 for a small! And it had a lot of chewy lobster tail. Service was good. Deck is lovely. But wat too expendive for the quality.

Alway the best. We almost always are on their deck. River watching is great there. The staff, service, and food are what keep people coming back. A birthday celebration brought us back. This time, we decided that inside dining was best. Lynn had the Haddock Piccata over homemade pasta. Absolutely wonderful. Pasta, excellent. Fish was perfect, especially with the Piccata flavor. I had the Halibut on a bed of Garlic Mash. And Asparagus. My goodness, it's so delicious. Elton took great care of us. Bartender, server, he did it all. Thank you Elton. Great job

Had a reservation and they seated us in the bar. Service was slow because he had an entire room full of guests. An hour dinner took 2 and a half hours. Water was not filled and it felt like we were neglected. With that said - food was on point! Short rib dinner was a small portion. Thankfully. Seafood was good. Just took away from the experience. My aunt's birthday was uneventful due to lack of staffing, just glad she enjoyed dinner. PS - had to get the hostess to bring us our checks

STRIKING A SOUR NOTE ! The Oar House is one of the nicest dining settings I've visited. The service and atmosphere were great, but all was undermined by the cost ratio to have lobster added to my Cioppino Pasta. The pitiful portion of lobster that was added to my meal for an additional cost of $30.00, amounted to little more than what one would expect from the legs of the delicacy.

Came here with my parents & husband. The ambiance was cozy and the staff was amiable (our server even put up with my father's corny jokes). The food was tasty but took a while to come out to us. Would come back again for a reliable meal and service.

Jacob was a wonderful server and made our night! Shrimp cocktail, Lobster Mac and cheese, and a pain killer is a must!

The food here was awesome! I loved the crispy salmon with lemon risotto. My wife had a rib eye steak that was cooked perfectly. Highly recommend this place!

On vacation with my family and all we wanted was a restaurant on the water with great food. We walked around and found the Oar House and it was exactly what we wanted. Lobster mac and cheese was excellent, and the rest of the apps and the salad hit the spot! Perfect spot a a vacation meal.

Elton and Nicholas are great! We sat at the bar and had an appetizer and a seasonal drink- they are true mixologist's and artists- highly recommend!

Food quality is good, nice ambience, good service. My daughter loved her lamb chops.. Everything comes out cold/lukewarm - lobsters, crème Brûlée.

Ambience on a cold windy winters day was cozy and inviting ! The food was excellent !

The food service and ambiance is exceptional. There are many different types of seafood dishes to choose from whether you like lobster, scallops haddock etc. They are one of the few restaurants in town that I know of that has their own in-house lobster tank; can't get any fresher than that. They also have their own parking lot which has ample amount of parking spaces which is convenient for a town as busy as Portsmouth. If you like great food and service with a smile this is the place to go to. Also if you happen to be in town when the weather is nice be sure to check out the deck. It has an amazing view for you to enjoy while you're having a nice dinner or like to have a beverage on the water.

Recommend with reservations. The staff was very nice which is why I'm recommending, but I would not re omens the lobster macaroni and cheese. 1. It was under seasoned. 2. The béchamel was flat and pretty "uncheesy." 3. It was a child sized portion. (You could have probably fit it in a measuring cup with room to spare.) I'm sure there are other good things in the menu, but this is not one of them.

Shawna da goat, we had the best yummy yummy food she was awesome couldn't have asked for a better server

We went here because it's where we went on our first date 35 years ago. The hotel told us the food was so so and way overpriced. We should have listened too them. I had the baked stuffed lobster and it was ok. The stuffing was mushy like oatmeal and the lobster was split from the back and hard to get to the inside. Never saw that before, usually split down the underside. My wife had the roasted duck and it was average at best. Just not impressed, would not go back. Better and cheaper places nearby. Ambiance was ok, but not worth the extra $.

Mimsy and I stopped in for lunch while doing a little Christmas shopping. The atmosphere is elegant and cozy, much the same as it was the first time we went there nearly 40 years ago when we were in our early 20's, when it was a bit out of our price range, but was one of the best restaurants in Portsmouth. It was one of the original restaurants in the rebirth of the Portsmouth restaurant scene in the early 80's, owned and operated by Dick and Jill Gallant, two superb restauranteurs. So, yeah this place brings up nostalgic feelings for me but you know what? It's still gorgeous, and the food and service are still very good. We split some raw local oysters, shucked properly and fresh. We both got a cup of clam chowder. New Englanders are picky about their chowder and this was perfect. Nice seafood stock base, creamy, lots of clams, and not too many diced potatoes. Just right. Mimsy got the beet salad, I got the calamari. Both very good. The cocktail special was a Mai Tai, which was way better than what they serve up at my local Chinese place. I don't get why it only has 3 stars. Give it a try.

We had an amazing meal. All appetizers and entrees were fresh, flavorful and prepared with care.

Second time in and returned for another wild berry mule which we dreamt about since coming in December and having one then. This time trued the calamari which was delicious. Definitely go for Elton's marvelous mixology skills.

The Oar House Thanksgiving Dinner...$65 a plate....mashed potatoes and gravy were good but $65 for pressed and processed sliced turkey turkey breast, not so good. Not sliced turkey off a real roasted turkey as expected but processed and pressed turkey. C'on Man. It does not take a Culinary Institute of America (CIA) graduate (me) to figure that out, and my wife who is not, IMMEDIATELY knew it was not sliced from a real, honest to goodness roasted turkey from the oven. We both knew it as was precooked turkey meat which came to the restaurant in a plastic bag, then reheated, sliced and served as presumably real roasted turkey. As soon as it was placed in front of me, I knew as well. My wife and I have dined there before and thoroughly enjoyed our meal but this Thanksgiving dinner at the Oar House was a bust - and for $65 a plate. I expected more. CIA Class of 1973

very mediocre beet salad. Did not taste fresh. Was not well presented. Definitely room for improvement.