Durbar Square Restaurant | Authentic Nepalese Cuisine — Restaurant in Portsmouth

I have recently returned from a social distancing driven “vacation” to a fellow “safe state” and have a lot to say about several restaurants and venues. This review will be specific to Durbar Square in Portsmouth New Hampshire.

Have you ever had Himalayan/Nepalese food, no, then drive as fast as you can without getting pulled over to Portsmouth New Hampshire and visit Durbar Square. If your vegan go ahead and risk getting pulled over. I had the great pleasure of dropping in with my two oldest daughters for lunch. They couldn’t be more different. One is a vegan who loves spicy food, the other will happily stick with Kraft Mac and Cheese and thinks the best place for hot spices is on the decorative spice rack in the kitchen. I fall in between favoring the carnivore side of the evolutionary scale. Durbar Square made all of us happy and did it in a manner I can only describe as pleasantly doting. They didn’t hover, they just made us feel like we were the most important customers they had.

It was lunch so we ordered both appetizers and main dishes with the intent of sharing everything. I highly recommend this approach. We started with Gundruk Soup. Yep that’s a word. I think it means taste of heaven in Nepal. If it doesn’t it should. The gentlemen who took our order asked if we wanted it spicy on a scale of 1-10. He recommended 6 after listening to our debate. He offered a bowl to my oldest at -1, no joke. He said he liked his at 8 which both cured the common cold and was good in the winter because afterward you could stand in the snow naked to cool off. No I am not making this up! This was the best tomato soup (over simplification) I have ever had, sorry mom. We also ordered vegan momo, and both lamb and wild boar momo for the carnivores at the table. momo is like steamed dumplings filled with flavor. I’m not sure what the accompanying red sauce was but I wanted it in a mug so I could drink it.

Main Courses! We had both the Goat and the Tofu Tarkari. I hope my vegan daughter doesn’t reads this review because the Tofu, the best I had ever had period, was even better then the goat and I hate "I told you so". We also indulged in some stir fry noodles. We were thrilled to take home all the leftovers.

Desert. If you have a child that hates vegetables, then you need to bring them to Durbar Square just for the desert. They have this, ummm, cake (???) called Carrot Haluwa that is organic and vegan and not cake but somehow wants to be cake. It is literally graded, pressed, slow roasted carrots with ginger and honey that is impossibly good and does not taste like carrots as we know them.

Just to sum it all up I would go back in a heartbeat and did. I dropped by the next day to get takeout for my favorite vegan, and a snack for me. My only regret is we didn’t try any of...

Durbar Square is one of the lesser known restaurants in Downtown Portsmouth. It may be hard to miss it as you round the corner of Congress near Market Square Jewelers, but it is certainly one of the most unique restaurants in the area, if not the region. It is a Nepalese restaurant featuring authentic and delicious cuisine that guarantees leaps and bounds above your average burger. (Not that I don’t like burgers; it’s just well worth it to switch up the routine.) When you come in head straight up the stairs to be seated. I stood there for a few moments wondering. Needless to say, I was seated promptly afterwards. I was intrigued with trying the Momos. I had never had a Momo before and ordered the wild boar option. I was not disappointed. Slightly spicy, earthy, full of spices, these delectable versions of dumplings were fantastic. I resisted ordering another order to share as my boyfriend and I devoured ours in less than three minutes! I ordered a Thyme Lamb special complete with mixed vegetables and Basmati rice. You are able to choose when you order your level of spiciness on a scale of 1-10. I chose 5 just to be “safe” even though I enjoy spicy food. I could have easily gone as high as a seven and would have been fine, but as I said, I tend to put hot sauce on my hot sauce. I know this sounds mundane to some, but Durbar Square’s version of mixed vegetables goes beyond the normal array of vegetables. Broccoli, carrots, asparagus, zucchini squash, red peppers, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and other surprises graced the plate. The Basmati rice was fluffy and a wonderful compliment to compliment through the spiciness of the sauce. The lamb? It was perfectly tender in forkful bites that blended in beautifully with the rest of the dish. The thyme definitely shone through, but it wasn’t overpowering. I complimented my meal with The Yeti, a ginger based drink (I had the rum version) that actually cleared out my sinuses. My boyfriend chose the Lamb Tass and we had very similar experiences. The waitstaff was extremely friendly and I am definitely coming back. I’ve had chili on my mind for weeks and that seems like something they excel at from the aromas emanating from the kitchen. Thank you for a wonderful...

Authentic Flavors & Great Downtown Location for Global Food Lovers.

Originally stopped in just for drinks to escape the sun while exploring downtown Portsmouth, but ended up discovering some fantastic authentic cuisine.

The Food Experience:

Outstanding Dishes:

Momos (goat and wild boar): Absolutely delicious - authentic preparation and flavors Chili goat: Excellent spice balance and tender meat Everything we tried exceeded expectations

Important Note for Spice Lovers:

Heat levels are authentic - not toned down for American palates If you enjoy global cuisines and authentic spice levels, you’ll love this Those sensitive to heat should ask about spice levels before ordering

Service & Atmosphere:

Excellent Service:

Attentive and knowledgeable staff Great recommendations and explanations of dishes

Seating Options:

Indoor seating available Outdoor tables with umbrellas - perfect for people watching in downtown Portsmouth Shaded outdoor dining ideal for hot days

Value & Location:

Fair Pricing:

Reasonable prices for downtown Portsmouth location Good portion sizes for the quality

Perfect Downtown Spot:

Great location for exploring Portsmouth Easy to combine with walking around town Convenient refuge from the sun with good food

Bottom Line:

Durbar Square offers authentic global flavors in the heart of Portsmouth. Perfect for adventurous eaters who appreciate genuine international cuisine without compromises on authenticity.

Highly recommended for:

Global food enthusiasts Those seeking authentic spice levels People watching while dining outdoors Anyone wanting to try something different in Portsmouth

Would I return? Absolutely! This is exactly the kind of authentic international spot that makes downtown Portsmouth’s dining...