Top end
Jumpin Jays
150 congress street, phone: +1 603 766-fish, (http://http://www.jumpinj...). jays is often ranked in local surveys as the best place for dinner and their reputation is well deserved. it is all about the freshest fish available that day served with your choice of sauces. they also have great mussels and breaded haddock dinners and more always on the menu. everything is good. for a more casual dinner, grab a stool at the the bar, $20-40.
Dunaways
66 marcy st., phone: +1 603 373-6112, (http://www.dunawayrestaur...). the latest venture of jay mcsharry, this rustic dining room, on the grounds of the strawberry bank museum has a menu described as american influenced french. meals are delcious and the service is top notch. the experience of eating here matches the price tag, but it is a clearly a splurge. this is the perfect restaurant to take that special someone in your life for a romantic evening out. $30-$50.
Moderate
Flatbread
138 congress st., phone: +1 603 436-7888, (http://www.flatbreadcompa...). wonderful pizzas cooked in a wood fired clay oven. very pleasant surroundings in a large open space. good selection of beers on tap and a nice bar area. great for families and groups and also good for eating solo at the bar. they feature all organic and locally sourced ingredients. open until 10pm every night.
Café Mediterraneo
119 congress st., phone: +1 603 427-5563, (http://www.cafe-mediterra...). italian bistro serving classic italian staples in a casual but elegant setting. they have been around for almost 15 years, are usually packed, so they must be doing something right. open until 9:30pm during the week and until 10pm on fridays and saturdays. $14-$25
Poco's Bow Street Cantina
37 bow st., phone: +1 603 431-5967, (http://www.pocosbowstreet...). all the restaurants on bow street get a great deal of business from visitors due to their location on the river. if you are going to try one, then make it poco's. they specilize in mexican cuisine and have two main spaces and a seasonal outdoor deck april-october. the downstairs bar is very intimate with a fireplace and a set of scattered tables while the upstairs dining room is a bit more formal with large windows facing the river. this place can get busy so food and service is occasionally uneven but it is a good bet for some mexican food and a mojito in a appealing space. open until 10pm on weeknights and to 10:30pm on fridays and saturdays.
Value
The Friendly Toast
121 congress st., phone: +1 603 430-2154. great for breakfast at any time of the day. the decor at this portsmouth institution is a funky selection of 70s kitsch ebay finds. large portions, funky environment, and great simple food combinations. recommended for all age groups but teenagers are espically energized by the attitude and vibe. it is open until 10pm during the week and on the weekend it is open continuously from friday at 7 a.m. until sunday at 9 p.m. this schedule makes it your best bet for a late night meal on a friday or saturday night but it is best to get there just before 1am if you want to beat the rush.
Dos Amigos Burritos
107 state st., phone: +1 603 373-6001, (http://www.dosamigosburri...). mostly a take-out place, but also has five or six tables. this is an inexpensive, fast, and healthy option for a tasty made to order burrito or perhaps a bowl of chili. great quick service. although it is right downtown, its take out focus, and location on lower state street means it serves mostly locals. no alcohol license but they do have a nice selection of small batch sodas. m-w until 10pm, thursday until 11pm, friday & saturday until 1:30am.
Portsmouth Gas Light - Downtown Brick Oven Pizza
64 market st., phone 603 430-9122, (http://www.portsmouthgasl...). the downtown brick oven pizza is in the portsmouth gas light complex that consists of an street level bar, upstairs nightclub, outdoor deck, and a downstairs pub and brick oven pizza restaurant. it is the downstairs pizza that is recommended, althought the street level bar is pleasant the food served is unremarkable. go in to the gaslight at the street level and quickly turn right and take the stairs down one floor and you will found a cozy brick walled space with a fish tank where you can order almost anything you want on a pizza and watch it be assembled and cooked in a brick oven. open most nights until 10pm and on weekends until 11pm.