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Hours
Sun
11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Mon
11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Tue
11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Wed
11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Thu
11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Fri
11:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Sat
11:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Ratings and reviews
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, American, Bar, Seafood, Grill, Soups
Is this restaurant good for breakfast?
Details
About
The River House is located along the scenic Piscataqua River. We offer indoor seating and a variety of outdoor seating including a cocktail deck, all with excellent views of Portsmouth's busy waterway. Our menu includes of a variety of classic dishes from land and sea including our award winning seafood chowder. Our scenic views, friendly service and local cuisine are a "Cant Miss" for Portsmouth, NH.
PRICE RANGE
$11 – $24
CUISINES
American, Bar, Seafood, Grill, Soups
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Waterfront
Contribute
4.0
1,396 reviews
Excellent
530
Very good
558
Average
193
Poor
65
Terrible
50
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Lauren S
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • family
I went at 5:00 for dinner with my family of 5. We asked to sit outside. They said they don't sit parties of 5 outside. We said we would happily sit at 2 tables (table of 2 and table of 3). They said that would be too hard for the waitresses. We said we would take two checks and pay separately. They still would not do it. I asked if I came in and asked for a table of 2 and a table of 3 would you give it to me. The manager said yes but because we originally asked for a table of 5, they refused. We went to their sister restaurant a few doors down, after she said she couldn't sit more than 4 outside, we asked for two tables and that hostess said, sure, I don't see why we couldn't do that. What is more infuriating, I explained to River House's manager how we were there celebrating my mother in law's 70th birthday and she's from Michigan and doesn't usually sit outside by the water. They still didn't care. They also had at least 3 empty tables in a row outside. The manager was beyond rude.
Written April 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ssdLongislandny
New York City94 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
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!
Written February 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BladeGuy603
Fremont219 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
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
Written January 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ctyankee15
12 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
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.
Written December 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don B
Smithtown90 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
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.
Written November 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah C
London6 contributions
Oct 2023 • family
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.
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne B
Boston25 contributions
Oct 2023 • family
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.
Written October 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D J B
Portsmouth33 contributions
Oct 2023 • solo
Great service, good food, awesome chicken tenders! Sit out on the back porch and overlook the water, boats, and amazing views!
Written October 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy S
Flint510 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
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.
Written October 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dznancy
Florida28 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
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.
Written October 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tina RW
Estero73 contributions
Oct 2023 • family
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!
Written October 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan4B
Horsham365 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
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.
Written October 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JNSMac
Chicago72 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
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.
Written October 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William Schaeneman
3 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
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.
Written September 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamnaz
South Yarmouth4 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
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!
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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