Surf Portsmouth
Surf Portsmouth things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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A very nice seafood and sushi restaurant located above the old Harbor with views of the Piscataqua River. when you walk in you would go to the left for the restaurant but they also have a banquet hall, that is used for large events. This was a Monday evening after work, and I was really surprised how full this place was. The hostess very nicely guided in coming guests to the bar that is located in the center of the restaurant for drinks while we waited for our river views table. The service was honestly first class. We had a little incident when our meals arrived, but the waitress handled it excellent. They had a great selection of local micro-brews on tap, which is something that you do not find very often. Now for the food, which is the whole point why I came here. After reading five star reviews all over the internet, I wanted to order everything on the menu, however financially that would not be possible I am not #GordonRamsey. So after going back-and-forth between the Raw Bar and different Entrees we settled on (1) Parmesan Fried Calamari (2)New England Baked Seafood Trio (3)Roast Atlantic Haddock (4)Shrimp Punta Gorda. (1) The Parmesan Fried Calamari, was amazing. Nicely battered with just the right amount of spice and zest, from the cherry-pepper vinaigrette. The calamari themselves also tasted fresh, which is usually not something that one would point out as a positive when dinning in a coastal restaurant, but I have visited other venues in Portsmouth where all of there seafood was frozen, yes even there Raw Bar. (2)The New England Baked Seafood Trio, was not how should I say something you would write back home about. The haddock, was well cooked but everything else like the scallops, and shrimp were overcooked and dry, which was very upsetting. The vegetables that it was served with (bitter greens / dandelion greens and chicory Puntarelle ) also did not mix very well with the taste of the whole dish. To the point, were the server came by and said yes, that is a bad pairing why dont I get you some asparagus. Now I was going to give this restaurant a 2.5 stars because of this dish. However, the server because of how nice she was and how well she handled the situation brought this place back to a 4.5 (3)Roast Atlantic Haddock, was the best of the three entree dishes that I tasted. Although, it had a little too much butter for my taste the fish was cooked perfectly and the vegetables that the chef paired with the Haddock complemented the dish perfectly. I also, like the plating there was just the right amount of color to standout against the sauce. The fresh bacon bites also added a nice contrast when combined with the Haddock. (4)Shrimp Punta Gorda, sadly this was a dish that I did not photograph as it honestly looked as poor as it tasted. The squire of grilled shrimp, looked like something a 5 year old would plate, and the shrimp themselves were so over cooked, that they dried onto the squire itself. The one highlight of this dish was the perfectly cooked jasmine rice. I would stay away from ordering another Shrimp Punta Gorda for the rest of my life. In conclusion even on a raining NH evening the views from #SurfPortmouth are amazing. However, the food consistency is a bit of hit or miss, with some of the dishes tasting amazing while others fall short. If you have an extra $80 bucks in your pocket that you are looking to burn and have dinner over looking the beautiful Piscataqua River go to Surf, just don't order Shrimp Punta Gorda.
Greg ShafiroGreg Shafiro
00
We visited on a Thursday night & asked for an outside table. They anticipated that the wait would be 90 minutes and would text us when it was ready. We were very surprised when we got a text about 40 minutes later. When we arrived, there was an issue with the table so we were asked to wait a few more minutes. Because of Covid, seating has to be limited & things got congested. The manager on duty (Brendan) could not have been nicer or more accommodating and was very apologetic for the additional wait. We were shown to a wonderful outside table with a fantastic view. The outdoor area we sat in had only 3 tables so you could understand why there would be a wait. The small porch overlooked the river, bridges & Marina's. We were treated to a beautiful sunset. Our server Charlotte, was very knowledgeable and helped me decide on Lobster Kristina. My partner decided on blackened fish tacos. I do not have ample words to describe how delicious the Lobster Kristina was. It is lobster flambé in cognac that then has cream & lobster brine combined to make the sauce over Jasmine rice with grilled asparagus. The sauce was so good! I kept wishing for another spoonful. The fish tacos were delicious as well but the Kristina overshadowed everything. Surf has a nice wine and beer menu as well as a cool specialty cocktail menu. I had a great glass of wine & my partner had a new to him IPA that he liked so much that we bought some on the way home. I can't recommend Surf enough. The service was friendly & helpful, the view awesome & the food delicious.
Lesa CarrollLesa Carroll
00
Eat-in lunch Seating time: 0 min Wait time for first dish: 7 min Nestled by the water, Sushi & Oyster Bar offers not just a feast for the taste buds but also a serene view that complements its exquisite dishes. From the moment we walked in, the friendly servers made us feel welcome, ensuring a pleasant start to our dining experience. The restaurant’s sushi, made with high-end Japanese short-grain rice, was a highlight, offering a perfect balance of texture and flavor. Each piece was a testament to the chef's attention to quality and detail. The variety of raw oysters was another delight, served with four different types to suit any preference, from briny to sweet. The fried calamari was a crispy treat, perfectly cooked with excellent temperature management to preserve its tender juiciness. This attention to detail in serving temperature was consistent across all dishes, enhancing the dining experience significantly. With its great location, excellent food, and warm service, Sushi & Oyster Bar is a must-visit for anyone looking for a top-tier waterfront dining experience. We're already looking forward to our next visit!
A2C TA2C T
00
Visited for an early dinner on a weekday. Restaurant was fairly empty and we were seated right away. First I’ll start with what was good: 1. The food was delicious and the raw bar deluxe sampler was phenomenal. I would return just to eat this again 2. The drinks were tasty and they had unique cocktail offerings The bad: The service. The service was very disappointing and there was honestly no excuse. Our waitress only had two or three tables yet she couldn’t seem to stop by more than once every 20-25 minutes. She would deliver drinks to the table next to us but would avoid eye contact with us and quickly rush away. We had to holler and interrupt her on her way back to hiding at the bar just to get the check. We only ordered one round of drinks and our entrees but the dinner took almost two hours. I blame this primarily on our service. Also, our food took a considerably long time to arrive. I understand that the food is delicately prepared but the restaurant was mostly empty. Hoping for a better experience next visit
Ryan KuhlRyan Kuhl
00
The Surf Restaurant is a fantastic dining experience on the water in Portsmouth. The atmosphere is perfect, a large bar, most tables have a view of the Piscataqua River and a nice outside deck. The host and our waitress were both first class. Serve was exceptional! In fact the entire dining experience was first class. It is a popular place but when you check in they text you when your table is ready. You then have the freedom to roam around the neighborhood. Cocktails were exceptional. We started out with appetizers of edamame and the shrimp spring rolls. Both very good. We both ordered the surf and turf. The filet was cooked perfectly and the lazy man lobster very tasty as well. This is an expensive restaurant, a place we go to for special occasions. We did order the most expensive entrees on the menu, combined with 2 appetizers and 3 rounds of drinks, Dinner for two was $210 before tip. That bring said, there are plenty of less expensive alternatives and a huge Sushi Menu.
Jon RakinJon Rakin
00
The service is good. Lobster roll - Hard to complain because it was very good. The lobster meat was warm and portion was generous. The fries that came with it was extraordinary as well. It's coated with flavorful batter. Crispy and tasty. Lobster (sushi) roll - It has good truffle flavor, lobster is fresh. Seaweed wrapping the sushi rice is crisp. I think they toasted it first. A very nice way to have lobster without getting too full. Clam chowder - very flavorful. Generous amount of clams. The thickness was perfect. Not too starchy but creamy. Ramen - I only had the pork that came with it but it's very flavorful they charred it too so it's a bit crispy. It came with generous portion of veggies and edamame. I'm impressed with the innovative of this restaurant. The sushi quality is good while they have many creative dishes. It requires the chefs to be very versatile and I assume the may be more than one chefs to make all those different dishes.
Mark LiuMark Liu
00
Nearby Attractions Of Surf Portsmouth
Prescott Park
USS Albacore Museum
Strawbery Banke Museum
Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth Downtown
The Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH
Seacoast Repertory Theatre
Monkey Mind Escape Rooms (Downtown Portsmouth)
The Hotel Portsmouth
Springer's Jewelers - Official Rolex Retailer
Portsmouth Harbor Cruises

Prescott Park
4.7
(1.4K)Click for details

USS Albacore Museum
4.7
(1.1K)Click for details

Strawbery Banke Museum
4.7
(701)Click for details

Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth Downtown
4.0
(515)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Surf Portsmouth
Warren's Lobster House
River House
Portsmouth Brewery
Thirsty Moose Tap House - Portsmouth
Portsmouth Gas Light Co.
Row 34
The Friendly Toast
Flatbread Company
Toscana Italian Chophouse & Wine Bar
Popovers On the Square

Warren's Lobster House
4.5
(1.6K)Click for details

River House
4.3
(1.3K)Click for details

Portsmouth Brewery
4.4
(1.1K)Click for details

Thirsty Moose Tap House - Portsmouth
4.4
(1.1K)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
99 Bow St Suite 200W, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Map
Phone
(603) 334-9855
Call
Website
surfseafood.com
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Reviews
Overview
4.6
(791 reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Creative, coastal cuisine with global accents in a comfortable setting with a patio & a lively vibe.
attractions: Prescott Park, USS Albacore Museum, Strawbery Banke Museum, Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth Downtown, The Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH, Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Monkey Mind Escape Rooms (Downtown Portsmouth), The Hotel Portsmouth, Springer's Jewelers - Official Rolex Retailer, Portsmouth Harbor Cruises, restaurants: Warren's Lobster House, River House, Portsmouth Brewery, Thirsty Moose Tap House - Portsmouth, Portsmouth Gas Light Co., Row 34, The Friendly Toast, Flatbread Company, Toscana Italian Chophouse & Wine Bar, Popovers On the Square

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