The Oar House

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.

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

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.

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!

Best Lobster Roll in Portsmouth – Hands Down! I’m still dreaming about this lobster roll. Absolutely phenomenal. The tail meat was front and center — fresh, tender, and bursting with that sweet ocean flavor that’s so hard to find, even in a seacoast town like Portsmouth. You could tell it was top-quality lobster, not the usual chopped bits you find in tourist traps. This was the real deal — buttery toasted roll, perfectly dressed lobster (not drowning in mayo!), and that succulent tail meat just melted in your mouth. What made it even better was the whole experience — sitting outside on a sunny day with great vibes all around. The staff was friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, which made it feel more like a hidden gem than a busy restaurant. The fries were hot and crisp, the slaw was fresh and zesty, and even the ketchup felt fancy. If you’re in Portsmouth and craving a lobster roll, this is the place to go. Trust me — it’s rare to find lobster this fresh and prepared this well. I’ll absolutely be back.

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!

While atmosphere and service were decent, unfortunately can’t say the same about the food I ordered. Got mussels as a starter and seared scallops for the main course. Mussels broth was delicious, but there were 8 or 9 of them that didn’t open, which means they were not very fresh. Main dish was absolute disappointment. Scallops were overcooked, while risotto was undercooked. Greens were fine, but it’s hard to mess them up. And the price was 36$, which is ridiculous for the quality of food. Only 2 beers on tap to select, while the rest is cans and bottles. Overall, not very satisfying experience. One time was enough.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!!

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.

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!

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 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!!!

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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!

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!

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

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 !

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.

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 $.

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.

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

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.

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

Yum! Pleasant surprise Lunch menu offered Lobster BLT and tacos, indulged in the delicious lamb chops as well. Service was fast and Rachel is a very sweet girl. Really beautiful interior excited to come back to see the brand new bar

A great spot with a great selection of food! I got the best of both worlds with the steamed lobster and filet, both cooked to perfection. The staff was very attentive and courteous.

What a great spot in Portsmouth! The location is absolutely stunning right on the water so i had to go, and the food and service was delightful. The fried calamari and bacon wrapped scallops were delicious and so was the filet I will most definitely be back.

Best restaurant in Portsmouth! food, location, and staff! A must go when in Portsmouth

I ate at the Oar House on a Friday night for dinner with a group of eight people. Our server handled it like a champ and it was a hot day and a little warm in there. We had some shareable plates to start including the calamari, fried ribs, oysters, and a few chowders. The dinners we had were a Shrimp Scampi special, Children's Pasta, Scallops, Haddock, Several of the burgers, and I ordered the Salmon (creamed corn - fennel - leek & orange agrodolce.) I really wasn't expecting that much but my salmon was perfectly cooked and the creamed corn agrodolce under it was summery and refreshing. It was a perfect dinner. The pacing of the meal was great and our server kept our drinks filled. Nice place on the water in downtown Portsmouth. Very New England.