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

OpenTable

Updated June 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!

Ash

5.0

5 (31)

$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: $100 (no gratuity expected). BYOB (wine only… for now, decanting station available). Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only.

Top review

BruceGold

Dined on Jun 11, 2026

One of the few restaurants in NH offering a true chef's dinner.

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Experience

The Ash Experience

Experience

The Ash Experience - Brunch

Silver Fountain Inn & Tea Parlor

4.9

4.9 (956)

$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

Maureen

Dined on May 30, 2026

Always perfect, from the food to the service to the themed decor. We'll return again and again.

Henry's at Lake Sunapee Country Club

4.8

4.8 (15)

$31 to $50

American

New London

About the restaurant

Enjoy seasonal outside dining on the deck or, relax out on the garden terrace. Join us with friends or family for a great evening out on the countryside. Both lunch and dinner are casual affairs with the emphasis on carefully prepared food, thoughtfully served by people who truly appreciate their craft.

Top review

CharlesGold

Dined on May 16, 2026

Lobster rolls and Chicken Caesar wrap were delicious! Service attentive and friendly. Good lunch!

Cotton

4.9

4.9 (4955)

$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

Karyn

Dined 3 days ago

Our experience at Cotton was top notch. From the staff accommodating our last minute reservation to our special dietary needs at dinner. The food was prepared to perfection, service was outstanding, and the ambiance was very pleasant. Everyone enjoyed the experience, we will return often. Thank you, Cotton staff!

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Popular dish

Pan-Seared Scallops

Popular dish

Sweet and Spicy Popcorn Shrimp

Popular dish

Crab Cakes

Cure Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1668)

$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

Cindy

Dined 5 days ago

We always enjoy Cure, our favorite restaurant in Portsmouth. The food , service and ambiance are impeccable and it’s the 1st restaurant we recommend to friends who are visiting the area. Last night I had the Lobster Mac & Cheese, and my husband had the Salmon. Both were absolutely delicious! The crab cakes for our app were also excellent! Looking forward to our next visit!

Ristorante Massimo

4.9

4.9 (3103)

$31 to $50

Italian

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

Please Note:
Online Reservations are for our Main indoor dining room ONLY. Please call us directly for Wine Bar and Terrace reservations.

We reserve the right to charge $20.00 per person cancelation fee, please call us by 12:00p.m.. the day of your reservation to avoid possible cancelation fees.

**Nestled like a hidden jewel in historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Massimo's warmly lit brick and stone grotto walls, fresh flowers and oil paintings of magnificent Italian landscapes transports guests to Florence, Rome and Venice. Guests relax in a richly appointed atmosphere beneath mahogany-beamed ceilings and private parties unwind in their own intimate dining room. Ristorante Massimo offers authentic dishes from all regions of Italy. From innovative concepts to timeless Italian favorites, our executive chef creates each dish with a distinctive, refined touch as found in some of the world's most celebrated restaurants. **limited dining room availability offered online**

Top review

Megan

Dined 5 days ago

Amazing! Food service and vibe were immaculate!!!

Three Chimneys Inn

4.8

4.8 (280)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Durham

About the restaurant

The ffrost Sawyer Tavern is located in the beautiful and historic Three Chimneys Inn. The Tavern, with its open hearth Summer Kitchen fireplace, granite walls, and hand-hewn beams, provides a cozy spot for hearty traditional New England fare. The Tavern is a popular dining spot for local guests and travelers. The Maples Dining Room features millwork dating to 1699 and retains the original Indian shutters that protected settlers from Colonial-era attacks. Coppers, the original winter kitchen of the 1649 homestead, provides an elegant and romantic setting. Wide plank floors, the open hearth and original millwork create an authentic old New England dining experience.

Our culinary team prepares savory dishes from scratch with exceptional, homegrown flavor. The kitchen works to pick fresh ingredients for creative entrees and innovative cocktails, resulting in exceptional cuisine that showcases the essence of New Hampshire.

Top review

DenisGold

Dined on May 23, 2026

Our server Romaine was delightful. We felt like family. I had a gin martini which was perfect. We enjoyed the crab cakes for an appetizer and each of us had the potato crusted haddock at they were fantastic. We will definitely go again.

Firefly American Bistro - New Hampshire

4.8

4.8 (2449)

$30 and under

American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Firefly Bistro & Bar is a casually upscale American bistro situated in the heart of Manchester"s downtown district. Firefly embraces the concept of comfort dining by offering inspired classic American fare in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Firefly's extensive wine list, craft beer selections, and creative cocktails compliment the time-honored yet innovative creations of Chef David Becker's seasonal menus, which burst with flavors from around the world. The uptown atmosphere is accentuated by downtown hospitality and friendly, professional service.

Top review

Shery

Dined 6 days ago

Great experience. Host was also excellent! Really enjoyed. We’ll be back!

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Popular dish

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Popular dish

steak frites

The Bistro at LaBelle Winery Amherst

4.8

4.8 (1784)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Amherst

About the restaurant

We look forward to welcoming you to The Bistro at LaBelle Winery! Our dining environment is relaxing and visually appealing. You will find out why we consistently receive top reviews and the Best of the Best award from TripAdvisor for our cuisine, beverages and atmosphere. If you're in a hurry, we offer our full Bistro menu to-go; order online or by phone. Visit www.LaBelleWinery.com for general information.

*Note: Reservations are strongly suggested, especially on weekends.
*For parties of 7 or more people, please call to make your reservation.

Interested in Private Dining? Feel free to give us a call to discuss availability and details at (603) 672-9898.

Top review

Carrie

Dined 6 days ago

This was our first experience dining here. We will definitely be back. It is an enchanting atmosphere. We ate on the patio on a beautiful day, the food and drinks were delicious, the service was very friendly and inviting (our server Nicole was fabulous), and the grounds are very beautiful and well maintained. A hidden gem!

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Hanover Street Chophouse

4.9

4.9 (4213)

$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

DavidGold

Dined 6 days ago

Food and service outstanding as always!! David…our waiter..the BEST.,!!!

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