Outdoor Dining Guide
From sweet downtown patios to decks with breathtaking views of the water, the Seacoast towns of New Hampshire and Maine offer a variety of options when it comes to outdoor dining! Take a peek at some local spots we love that offer memorable al fresco dining experiences!
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waterfront dining
Old Ferry Landing
Located along the Piscataqua River, the Old Ferry Landing offers the ambiance of casual waterfront dining, with a large outdoor deck featuring incredible views of Portsmouth’s tugboats. This downtown summer spot serves 100% fresh lobster meat, a variety of fresh seafood dishes, and, of course, its famous Jimmy Juice! The Old Ferry Landing is open 7 days a week starting at 11:30am!
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Dockside Restaurant & Bar
Dockside Restaurant is a family-owned, waterfront restaurant and private event venue in beautiful York, Maine. Visit the restaurant for classic New England fare, from Maine lobster to ribeye steak, and unparalleled coastal views of the Harbor. Reservations are recommended and dining options include porch, patio, or picnic style on the lawn.
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Buoy Shack
Buoy Shack is a casual (mostly outdoor) restaurant specializing in lobster rolls, grilled foods, local beer, and craft cocktails. Enjoy Maine’s ”first” lobster roll with the best views on the Seacoast. Open daily for lunch, dinner and take-out mid-April to late November.
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Pepperrell Cove
Pepperrell Cove not only has stunning views; it also offers a variety of options for outdoor dining—morning, noon, and night! Start your day with coffee at Provisions General Store, enjoy lunch on the rooftop deck of The Ski Club, and watch the sunset fade over the river while enjoying dinner at Frisbee’s Wharf! Outdoor dining at Bistro 1828 is also available. P.S. If you have a boat, you’re welcome to dock it at Pepperrell Cove!
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Deck At Dockside
Looking for a casual yet delicious meal, refreshing bevs, or light bites by the water during the spring, summer, and fall seasons in southern Maine? Check out the Deck at Dockside, located right on York Harbor! As a sister of the Dockside Restaurant, you can count on the same consistently tasty food and service we’ve come to know and love over the last few decades.
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Ore Nell’s Barbecue
Ore Nell’s is a casual, welcoming restaurant that serves barbecue with a view! Enjoy picturesque scenes of the Piscataqua River from your picnic table, while indulging in the tastes of authentic central Texas barbecue—oak smoked low and slow! Ore Nell’s is open for indoor and outdoor dining 7 days a week!
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Patio Dining
Vida Cantina
Vida Cantina is a chef-driven restaurant that celebrates modern Mexican cuisine every day of the week (11am-9pm)! Inspired by Chef David Vargas’ Mexican heritage, Vargas takes each dish to the next level with superb technique, product, and creativity. Located near the Portsmouth Green Plaza, Vida Cantina offers plenty of complimentary parking.
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Earth Eagle Brewings
A craft brewery, bar, and restaurant, Earth Eagle Brewings is a short walk from Market Square and the downtown waterfront. Enjoy beers, cocktails, and food in the cozy pub or expansive private beer garden. Nosh on offerings from the outrageous hot dog menu and equally impressive burger menu. (Soft pretzels with house beer cheese are also a hit!). And GREAT NEWS!! As of July 2023, Earth Eagle Brewings has added a second bar in the old homebrew shop space! Plenty of bar seats, booths and even a couple chesterfield-style loveseats fill this air conditioned space with views to High Street.
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Toscana
Located in the heart of downtown Portsmouth, Toscana Chophouse is an Italian steakhouse that offers a beautiful outdoor dining patio and decadent cuisine. This award-winning restaurant is renowned for its premium in-house butchered and dry-aged meats, as well as its scratch-made pasta, sides, sauces, and desserts!
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Tuscan Market
Ideally situated in Market Square—the heartbeat of downtown Portsmouth, Tuscan Kitchen is a year-round destination offering delicious Italian food—indoors and out! Pop by for a drink, or enjoy a full meal while watching people go by on the outdoor terrace!
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Fire & Spice Bistro
Fire and Spice Bistro is located at 70 Route 108 in Newfields, New Hampshire—in an old barn that dates back to the late 1800s! This cozy and quaint destination is a full-service restaurant that offers a full bar, dine in, take out, and patio seating during summer months. Get ready to enjoy new American cuisine featuring regionally-sourced ingredients and a casual atmosphere.
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Barrio
Barrio is a Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey restaurant located in Portsmouth, NH, Salem, MA, and Haverhill, MA. Barrio has a unique menu where each guest has the opportunity to build their own taco any way they want with endless combinations. Barrio’s margaritas come in all flavors and colors with house made infusions, and 100% agave tequila. The artwork covering the walls of this vibrant restaurant is hand painted and in honor of Dia de los Muertos—the day of the dead—so every time you walk through our doors it’s a celebration!
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Jumpin’ Jays
For over 20 years, Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe has been serving up modern seafood in an upscale and comfortable setting in downtown Portsmouth. Enjoy local fish, an extensive raw bar selection, and a beautiful outdoor dining area.
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Ciao Trattoria & Wine Bar
Ciao Trattoria and Wine Bar is an Italian food and so much more! Pasta, fish, steak, salads and pizza await! Ciao Trattoria & Wine Bar offers an amazing collection of wines and features signature handcrafted cocktails. Enjoy 1/2 price “Wine Wednesday” and discounted pizza on Thursday! Book your event in their fabulous Wine Cellar! Holds up to 85 people!
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Definitive Brewing Company
Definitive Brewing Company opened its flagship location in Portland, Maine in 2018 and after two years in Portland, opened a second tasting room on Route One in Kittery, Maine! At Definitive Brewing Company, the team strives to provide a memorable tasting room experience for all customers. This is culminated by the wide variety of beers ranging from sours and stouts, IPAs, session ales, and Definitive’s signature Kolsch. Both Definitive Brewery locations are open 7 days a week, offering indoor and outdoor seating, with many beers on tap, as well as select wines, ciders and seltzers!
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Caffe Prego
Discover the taste of Italy at Caffe Prego. This charming restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Ogunquit, Maine and offers a lovely outdoor patio for dining—complete with fire pits to enjoy your favorite cocktails and house made gelato! Indulge in the aroma of freshly baked pizza or treat yourself to house made pasta.
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Street Food 360
Street Food 360 is an eclectic, casual restaurant and cocktail lounge that satisfies both your hunger and wanderlust. From falafel and phở, to burgers and bibimbap, STREET serves some of the world’s most flavorful street food in one lively place. Open daily for lunch, dinner, and on Sundays for brunch! Check out STREET’S sister location—now open in downtown Exeter, New Hampshire!
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Liars Bench Beer Co.
Housed in an old plumbing warehouse in Portsmouth up and coming West End, Liars Bench Beer Co. is an independently owned nano-brewery, restaurant and biergarten. Founded in 2016, Liars Bench offers an ever-rotating selection of intentionally brewed, traditionally inspired ales and lagers, as well as seasonal house cocktails, wine and a playful menu built for the beer drinker and their brethren. With its inviting atmosphere and communal tables, guests are encouraged to tell stories but not necessarily the truth. Here’s to empty lies, come share one.
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The Front Porch
Celebrating over 35 years as a world-famous entertainment destination and award-winning restaurant! Located in the heart of beautiful downtown Ogunquit, Maine, The Front Porch offers an elegant and diverse food and cocktail menu that is served in all three unique areas of this lively restaurant: the dining room, lounge, and ever-popular sing-along piano bar!
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Clark’s American Bistro
Clark’s American Bistro is a friendly community restaurant featuring classic comfort foods such as burgers, salads, tacos, steak dinners and more! This downtown Durham, New Hampshire eatery also serves breakfast on Sundays and a bottomless mimosa brunch from 10am-3pm. Clark’s features an early bird special every day until 6pm, and kids eat free on Fridays! Is your birthday coming up? Let the team know and dessert is on the house at Clarks! Going out on a Tuesdays?? Visit Clark’s for Taco and Tequila flights!
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Nikanos
Nikanos restaurant provides a touch of the Mediterranean in coastal Ogunquit, Maine! With a heavy emphasis on Greek cuisine, this family-owned eatery offers traditional appetizers such as marinated grilled octopus, spanakopita, and homemade dips and spreads with grilled pita and roasted garlic lavash—perfect for sharing!
Visit Nikanos for Happy Hour every Thursday-Sunday from 2-5PM for live music, food and wine pairings, and drink specials. And don’t miss Sunday Brunch weekly from 10AM -3PM!
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Loaded Question Brewing
Loaded Question Brewing is a craft brewery located in Portsmouth’s West End that is dedicated to understanding the infinite possibilities of craft beer, and making memorable moments with fellow beer lovers! This local brewery is open 7 days a week with plenty of patio seating outside, AC inside, and rotating taps to make every experience unique and memorable!
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Moxy
Inspired by the fresh produce and deep-rooted culture of New England, along with the energetic spirit of Spanish tapas, Moxy is a hip restaurant and bar that has won countless awards and adoration from the local and national community. Chef Matt Louis was a James Beard Best Chef Northeast Semi-Finalist for the past four years! Enjoy outdoor dining at Moxy Tuesday through Saturday evenings, starting at 5pm!
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Blue Mermaid Island Grill
Blue Mermaid Island Grill is a laid-back restaurant oasis that serves up Caribbean-inspired food. Just off the beaten path in Kittery, Blue Mermaid offers great local seafood, craft beverages, and grilled meals for outdoor and indoor dining and takeout! Visit on Sundays for brunch, from 10am-2pm, and weeknights, for happy hour, from 2pm-5pm! Open Wednesday through Sunday.
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BRGR BAR
From appetizers and salads, to burgers and adult milkshakes, we can always count on BRGR Bar for a flavorful spin on the classics! Located in downtown Portsmouth, BRGR Bar is committed to using quality ingredients and offering professional service with a smile. BRGR Bar is now open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner (and for brunch on Sundays)!
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The Press Room
The Press Room has been serving up hot food, cool sounds, craft beverages, and a great night out in downtown Portsmouth since 1976. Catch anything from local up-and-coming indie rock and Americana, to national touring acts and globally renowned jazz artists. No matter the day of the week, there’s always something special going on at The Press Room! And the large outdoor downtown patio space will surely impress!
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cafes
Beach Pea Baking Co.
Located in Kittery, Maine, Beach Pea Baking Co. is a locally-owned, family-owned bakery and cafe that strives to offer the community a unique spin on classic baked goods, while holding true to the core belief that “simple is best”. It’s the bakery’s goal to serve the seacoast community in a warm, hospitable environment, with friendly, professional staff at the counter ready to help! Come for the sandwiches, stay for the delicious baked goods and outdoor garden seating!
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The Islander Cafe
An equally-wonderful to Lil’s Cafe in Kittery, The Islander Cafe in New Castle is charming, quaint, welcoming and cozy. With a lovely selection of breakfast and lunch items made to order, as well as coffee, lattes, baked goods, and Lil’s famous, Crullers, this is the perfect spot to sit back, relax, and watch the world go by…
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The Green Room
Located in the heart of Hampton Beach, The Green Room offers a little something for everyone—smoothie and açaí bowls, large salads, avocado toast, and hearty egg sandwiches made with fresh bagels! What makes The Green Room stand out is that it offers 12 brewed iced coffees on draft every day, as well as a variety of gluten free and vegan menu items!
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Lil’s Cafe
Visit Lil’s Cafe and you’ll immediately be welcomed by a beautiful display of freshly-baked pastries and Lil’s famous crullers (which will practically beg you to devour them before you even sit down). Once you select your treat (or sandwich, soup, or salad), it’s time to enjoy a beautiful cup of craft coffee! Outdoor seating available.
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Laney & Lu
Delicious food? Check! Gorgeous, magazine-worthy preparation? Check! Friendly team and a happy, feel-good atmosphere? Check! Can you tell we love this place??
With its second location now open in Portsmouth, Laney & Lu serves up some of the freshest (and tastiest) food around. The entire menu is hand-crafted with wholesome, local ingredients that nourish the body and feed the soul. The mission at Laney & Lu is to celebrate the community and the connection to our food creating healthier, more joyful, and more vibrant lives. As they always say,”Eat consciously. Live Vibrantly”!
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so.much.goodness!
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