Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for the best value restaurants in Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Silver Fountain Inn & Tea Parlor

4.9

4.9 (969)

$31 to $50

Afternoon Tea

Dover

About the restaurant

Serving High Tea which offers our fancy 3-tiered "Duchess" featuring delectable mini-sandwiches, scones w/Devonshire cream, finished with assorted desserts. For a full menu with other options please see our website - you can reserve from there as well. Come enjoy our relaxing atmosphere in our beautiful 1871 Victorian Bed & Breakfast in historic Dover, NH. We also sell gift certificates, tea pots & accessories, over 30 flavors of loose leaf tea, tea wallets and other fine gifts! Reservations are preferred to be able to offer optimum service and availability.

Top review

Dawn

Dined on Oct 29, 2026

Such a lovely setting for a delicious and relaxing high tea! The inn was decorated beautifully, the seasonal menu hit all the right notes and the service was amazing. I highly recommend it and look forward to returning - maybe for one of the murder mystery nights!

Ash

4.9

4.9 (56)

$50 and over

Contemporary French / American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ash. Three nights a week, Chef Nick Provencher welcomes guests to his table. At the Chef’s Table, up close with neighbors, diners experience many courses over a couple of hours.

With a set menu that changes every week, Ash aims to keep the food and menu fresh.

The Gist: $125 (no gratuity expected). BYOB (wine only… for now, decanting station available). Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only.

Top review

FrJackGold

Dined on Oct 30, 2026

Awesome experience. Nick is a fantastic chef and prepared amazing “takes” on Canadian Classics”, the theme for the evening. Everything came out at a perfect pace with Nick explaining what was before us on our plates. Extra care was taken so everyone had what they needed. I can’t say enough about how wonderful the evening was, except that by the third course we weee already planning to return for another evening of fine food and good times!

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Experience

Palace Theatre Donor Dinner

Experience

The Ash Experience

The Old Courthouse

4.9

4.9 (295)

$31 to $50

American

New London

About the restaurant

The Old Courthouse has been serving the Newport area dining scene for 15+ years with Creative American Cuisine in the heart of Newport's Downtown Historic District. Dine in a beautiful Federalist era building.

This circa-1826 building served as the district courthouse for the past twenty-five years. It is located behind the Newport Opera House and features an elegant dining room and full service bar.

This family-owned business has carefully preserved the elegance and simplicity of the building to provide a unique dining experience.

Top review

Cindy

Dined on Oct 30, 2026

Our dinner was wonderful! The food was cooked to order. The service was attentive and courteous. I would recommend to anyone. Thank you for a wonderful visit! We will be back again.

Cotton

4.9

4.9 (4972)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Cotton features the cooking of award-winning chef/author/owner Jeffrey Paige. Located in Manchester's Historic Millyard District, Cotton is known for exceptional farm to table comfort food, friendly yet professional service, and an inviting, casual upscale atmosphere. It's the place the New York Times calls hip, named one of the best neighborhood restaurants in the Northeast by Bon Appetit Magazine and holds the distinct honor of Best Martinis in New Hampshire year after year by NH Magazine and The Union Leader.

RESERVATIONS:
Patio dining is available April through October. To request a patio table please note this when you make your reservation. Weather permitting, we will call early afternoon the day of your reservation to confirm if patio seating is available. We cannot guarantee specific seating at this time but we always do our best.

Top review

Patrick

Dined 3 days ago

Louise/Logan/Dwayne/Pam/Josh/Nicole/(and of course Peaches) are the best! Food and service are beyond exceptional! Always a great experience!!!!!

La Maison Navarre - Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (285)

$30 and under

French

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Portsmouth near the Music Hall and Jimmys Jazz Club.
MN Wine Bar at the Mezzanine offers a casual chic French experience : drink wine selected with care, cold cuts, pâtés and cheeses from France, and spend a beautiful moment as if you were in the middle of Paris.
Our Menu changes with the season and is made with care by our Chef with local and imported product.

Dinner Signature dish include make your own boards of cheeses and charcuterie and rotating seasonal menu.

Brunch Signature dish include Cocottes, Tartine, Sweet Waffles, Savory Waffles, Omelette, Pain Perdu, Oeuf à la Coque, Panier de Viennoiserie, ....

Top review

Deena

Dined 4 days ago

I have never been here to this restaurant... but I am going back 5 star all the way!!!!!

Cure Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1776)

$31 to $50

American

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

Cure is located at the corner of State and Penhallow Streets in historic downtown Portsmouth, NH. We are within walking distance of Prescott Park, Strawberry Bank, Seacoast Repertory Theatre and Portsmouth Music Hall.
Our restaurant offers American Bistro cuisine, in a fine dining environment, at affordable prices. Cure is a great place for friends to meet, business functions, and romantic dining .

Top review

Jennifer

Dined today

We always enjoy our visits to Cure. ALL the food is fantastic, cocktails are excellent and always friendly and attentive service.

PastAmore

5.0

5 (376)

$30 and under

Italian

Amherst

About the restaurant

PastAmore is a restaurant serving Italian cuisine, deserts and salads. The restaurant takes reservations, offers take-outs and also provides catering services. The normal attire here is casual, with the ambience being classy, and the noise level has been rated as quiet during peak hours. It is a good place to visit with kids or large groups for dinner and there is also a private parking lot with bike parking and wheelchair accessibility here as well. PastAmore has a full alcohol bar and the interior of the restaurant is trendy and spacious.

The menu at PastAmore consists of Italian classic dishes such as the Veal Saltimboca, pasta, pizzas, and spaghetti. The restaurant was established in 2001 and the waiting staff is extremely friendly, and efficient in taking orders.

Top review

LarryGold

Dined on Oct 25, 2026

Everything was great. Our waitress was very personable and got us everything when we needed.

Evolution Bistro & Bar

4.6

4.6 (209)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Introducing Evolution Bistro & Bar, where modern American cuisine meets a European flair. This exciting new destination promises a dynamic menu, blending bold, contemporary flavors with timeless European influences. Whether you're seeking a sophisticated dining experience or a vibrant spot for cocktails, Evolution Bistro & Bar will elevate your nights out in downtown Manchester! Stay tuned for more details and sign up to be among the first to experience this culinary evolution!

Top review

BethGold

Dined 6 days ago

Thank you Evolution for another lovely evening. Love your atmosphere and new menu was outstanding. Chicken Parmesan was delicious and ample (probably enough for 2). We will definitely be back!

Hanover Street Chophouse

4.9

4.9 (4245)

$31 to $50

Steak

Manchester

About the restaurant

We are committed to serving food that will be creative, yet “classic,” service that will be impeccable but not intimidating, in an ambiance that will be elegant, yet comfortable and inviting, ensuring a dining experience that will be extraordinary and memorable!

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined 6 days ago

This was the perfect place to celebrate a birthday, great food and vibe!

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4.9

4.9 (1245)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Rye

About the restaurant

The Carriage House, an oceanfront, modern New England restaurant and raw bar, is open at 2263 Ocean Boulevard on scenic Rye Beach, New Hampshire. Just outside Kittery, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire and one hour away from Portland, Maine or Boston, Massachusetts. Committed to honoring the restaurant’s rich traditions rooted in hospitality. Join us for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, sip a cocktail by our working fireplace, or take in the ocean views!

Top review

Susan

Dined 6 days ago

Outstanding food. Well presented cocktail. Professional wait staff.

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