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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

PRICE RANGE
€10 - €22
CUISINES
American, Bar, Seafood, Grill, Soups
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
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meals, features, about
Reviews (1,395)
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

My husband and I had a beautiful evening at the River House while visiting Portsmouth from Long Island. Romantic atmosphere sitting on the heated porch overlooking the water. Excellent solicitous staff from our greeting by the hostess to the waitress to the busser. The food...was fantastic - seafood chowder was the best I’ve ever had - so flavorful and filled with big chunks of lobster scallops shrimp and haddock. Don’t miss the River House if you make it to Portsmouth!More

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed 2 January 2024 via mobile

Stopped in here for a beer over looking the harbor. Decided to spilt a meal & decided on the fish tacos. One of the best we had had in town, fresh and flavorful. Our waiter was very helpful in our decision. Great experience

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 16 December 2023

Wonderful location looking out at three tugboats. We ordered as suggested by waitress, two hot spiked cider drinks only mine wasn’t spiked. I ordered lobster Mac and cheese with barely any lobster. My husband had a baked haddock which he enjoyed. I guess we paid...for the view, otherwise it was overpriced.More

Date of visit: December 2023
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Reviewed 26 November 2023

We came here for a late lunch to relax after touring the city and museums. The restaurant had a cramped, dark veranda with loud, brash music. Some water views but it also overlooked the tug boat and police boat area. The worst part was the...waitress. She was rude, lacked conversation and unhelpful. My wife has food sensitivities and the waitress had no interest in any accommodation. When we suggested she just simply mix items already on the menu she became demeaning and insulting asking us why we even bothered coming. So sweet. I unfortunately ordered a beer but left it and the restaurant. Don't waste your time and try the Martingale Wharf right next door.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 29 October 2023

We sat upstairs and had a lovely view of the twinking (working) harbour as we ate our delicious and awards winning clam chowder. Definitely worth a trip for that alone.

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 28 October 2023

Went here for lunch on a beautiful sunny day in late October. Unexpected treat that the weather was so good we were able to eat outside. The service was great and food was too! Highly recommend the seafood chowder (my husband and I shared a...cup); it's incredibly rich and had alot of lobster in it. Grilled haddock sandwiches were unbelievable too. Great meal all around.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 28 October 2023

Great service, good food, awesome chicken tenders! Sit out on the back porch and overlook the water, boats, and amazing views!

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 26 October 2023 via mobile

Situated right on the water there is a beautiful view if you eat outdoors. They also have indoor seating and a full bar. We shared the seafood chowder and a haddock sandwich. Both were good. Service was quick. Menu has lots of options.

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 15 October 2023 via mobile

Chose based on Trip Advisor reviews then noticed so many GF options on menu. The Summer Berry Salad was so fresh despite the fact it’s October! We shared the fried Haddock & Shrimp basket (GF) which hubby really enjoyed & of course I did since...I can’t remember the last time I had fried fish & shrimp, being GF. You’ll enjoy it along with the pleasant staff & beautiful location.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 15 October 2023

We sat out on the deck with the heaters on a cool fall day, and it was lovely. The service was great, and I was so pleased to see many gluten free items on the menu, even fried foods and French fries. The chowder was...thick and FULL of goodies. The crab cakes were good, though perhaps a little over fried. Still, they were tasty and gfree, which I've never seen on a menu before. I'd recommend!More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 13 October 2023 via mobile

When you are sitting on a dock, in the harbor looking across the River to Maine you need lobster. Even with the brisk day, it was very enjoyable eating outside in the semi enclosed but heated deck. We had the hot lobster roll and the...seafood chowder. The chowder was really good. Liked it better than straight up clam chowder. Lots of potato’s, fish, clams and shrimp. The lobster roll was loaded with lobster. And while I usually skip most of the bread, I found myself devouring every buttery morsel of this toasted roll. We also topped it off with a special dessert that was a maple and sweet potato cheese cake. OMG! This maple lover was in heaven.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 11 October 2023

This is our favorite place for seafood chowder in the country. We try seafood chowder on both the East and west coasts. We visit Portsmouth a couple times each year and eat at Riverside House for most of our meals now. They have so many...gluten free options which is amazing! I am gluten free and never have an issue. The haddock is amazing also. Most of the staff is helpful and friendly. A couple people are off-putting, but it's an anomaly. There is also a lovely view of the water.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 21 September 2023

My wife and I stopped by for dinner on lower water level deck. Great atmosphere service and food was delicious. She had the haddock sandwich lights out I had the salmon dinner which sits on a bed of coos coos. Also quite delicious . We...split a seafood chowder and jumbo shrimp cocktail Great apps. Could have rated this a 5 but that wouldn't be fair to strong 5's. This was a very strong four star experience highly recommend.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 20 September 2023 via mobile

Went in for a few drinks and an appetizer. On our way to our seat I was almost plowed down by a waitress that looked liked she wanted to kill me. I was hoping she wasn’t going to be our waitress. She wasn’t, instead we...got Hannah C. After looking at the menu we decided just on drinks since we didn’t see anything for us. I order a beer which came in a can so I asked for a glass. The glass came warm. I just chalked it up to Hannah being young and probably inexperienced. I didn’t ask for another and just drank from the can. After maybe a few sips, Hannah came back and wanted us to order. We informed her we would probably just have drinks at which time she said loudly we would have to pay and leave! They were to busy for us to stay there. First, I want to say at 60 years old and working my entire career in hospitality have I ever witnessed such Rudeness! She did say we could go sit over there and pointed in the direction of several different areas. When we did move we were sniped at again saying that’s the wrong place. We do understand policy’s of restaurants and understand they may not want you to have just drinks in certain areas, but that will never be the the way to present that! We did not tip Hannah but I have a tip for her now……change careers!More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 17 September 2023 via mobile

We were seated right by the water and only got soup and salad. The chowder was the best we had all week. It had real chunks of clams and shrimp. Salad had all the good greens with huge berries.

Date of visit: September 2023
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Questions & Answers
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Cathy F
5 July 2019|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from Henry M | Reviewed this property |
There is dining on the first floor on the deck and dining room
1
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HarrietGC
6 November 2016|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from JAR1212121212 | Property representative |
We open at 11AM every day.
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jennifer m
24 August 2016|
AnswerShow all 10 answers
Response from Belmontcouple | Reviewed this property |
I also never noticed any pets on the outside decks; you may want to call.
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THE RIVER HOUSE RESTAURANT, Portsmouth - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The River House Restaurant

Yes, The River House Restaurant offers takeaway services.

Yes, The River House Restaurant is taking precautions against COVID-19. A full list is available within the "safety precautions" section of this page.

The River House Restaurant is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5