Surf Restaurant

This restaurant is great! If you enjoy seafood and a view-​this place is for you. There is a mix of casual and fancy that can be very well suited for families. The food is amazing; there is a variety of seafood, but also a kids meal. Their Shrimp Vindaloo and Lobster Roll are very good. The restaurant is very nice itself in appearance. There is a bar/​sushi combo in the heart of the place. Overall, very impressed with the food and definitely a do again. Can’t wait to come back.

Walked in and was promptly seated. Everyone was friendly except our server. When I asked her what she knew about the oysters on the menu, in lieu of a reply, she smugly whipped out a slip of paper and tossed it on the table as if to say,“I’m way too important to be standing here talking about oysters with a paying customer. Our party of four was shocked. We immediately got up and walked out.

Absolutely amazing! The portebello stuffed flounder was to die for. Definitely a must try dish. The wait staff was fantastic, especially our waitress Casey. The view was perfect overlooking the bridge. Couldn’t have had a nicer evening.

Well, if you like the ocean, the view is unbeatable. Surf is a modern seafood restaurant on the ocean in vastly underrated Portsmouth, New Hampshire
The bar is large and in front with table and both seating throughout. There were also 4 tables outside. I was lucky and early enough to sit in one
Like the name implies, this is a seafood place with every type of seafood from almost any kind of fish served many different ways
For the appetizer, I had the fried clams. Now I remember the days of all you can eat $ 5.99 clam plates at Howard Johnsons.
These were strips or perhaps some other tough material deep fried. Surf provides the far tastier bellies fried just right
The main was tuna with a ginger glaze. It’s was spicy with a healthy ginger kick. Like the clams, the tuna was cooked perfectly
My friend had shrimp vindaloo… never seen shrimp vindaloo even in an Indian restaurant. It was clever presentation
Want an interesting seafood dish? Surf may be your place

Great place. Come out my way from Boston to visit this place and enjoy a nice summer day frequently. Food is always on point, drinks are great and creative and service is always wonderful.

I’ve yet to try Surf’s sushi so this review maybe a little premature.
Their raw oyster bar has a good selection (ask for recommendations) and I’d recommend the appetizers over the entrees. I once had bacon-​wrapped scallops served on crispy saffron rice cakes, which yet again proved that bacon-​wrapped anything is worth eating. However, I honestly think their Portuguese Seafood Stew is not worth trying. It’s on their regular menu but I feel it lacks adequate flavour. When it’s lobster season, they do whole steamed or boiled lobster for dinner (might be able to get if for lunch if you make a request). They have some appropriate cocktails to complement the seafood fare. Try the tequila oyster shooters!
The ambiance and service are of high quality. Overall, it’s a good place for a decent outing with friends. .Average $ 30/​person for a cocktail sharing a few appetizers. From what I’ve heard and what I could gather, I think their sushi would be good too.

A terrific seafood place in Portsmouth. On the water and I historic area. Terrific food, wonderfully prepared. Fun setting

The Maki was amazing! My clam chowder was also
. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful with a well thought out design. The huge windows give you a great view of the Portsmouth bridge. It’s a bit overpriced and I was a little disappointed with my waiter who took away my clam chowder without asking when I had put down my spoon for less than 30 seconds. It felt like he was trying to get us out of there as soon as he could. I still think this place is worth trying out though!

Would be lovely for a romantic night out. Service was fast and friendly. The seafood was very fresh and the flavors were refreshing. Great views and I’d recommend!

Here on UNH graduation weekend. Managed to squeak in. So worth it. Great river view, very friendly staff and wonderful fish. We had Parmesan Flounder on a bed of kale, mango salsa. And breaded Cod on lobster mashed potatoes! Yum!!!

Loved it! Best fish tacos ever and the baked haddock was just delicious.
Like the casual menu items along with the entrees.
Would strongly recommend!

This place was packed yesterday for dinner with 1 ½ hour waiting time so we decided to go back for lunch. It did not disappoint. Kelsey, our waitress, was absolutely wonderful and attentive. The food was the delicious and with average price point. We paid $ 36 for a 2 pound lobster. The quality of the sea food was good, and the view from our table amazing. I would recommend this place if you visit Portsmouth.

My favorite seafood restaurant in Portsmouth. A bit noisy if you’re by the bar, but if you’re lucky enough to get a booth overlooking the riverfront you will have one of the most scenic views around along with a more peaceful experience. The Ahi Tuna is to die for!!!

We were looking for a good seafood restaurant and an upscale dining experience that we hadn’t had before and I’d read the reviews about Surf here.
All in all, I can highly recommend Surf for anyone in the area. We absolutely loved the prep centric look of the interior, with chefs preparing and displaying the freshest of raw bar items and the overall ambience was good and we were seated right by a large picture window facing the water.
It was a 50^th birthday celebration, so we indulged a little more than usual and ordered drinks, appetizers, entrees, and I sprung for a large raw bar sampler we’d seen another table eating when we were being seated. Everybody raved about the food, myself included. Appetizers (3 different types of deviled eggs!) were surprisingly delicious and diverse. Entrees had some clear winners among us (the seared Tuna Steak with wasabi mashed potatoes was unbelievable). A couple of the entrees were a bit more subdued (I hesitate to use the word ‘bland’), but were honestly blamed on our own choices rather than quality.
That raw bar tower though– wow! All the fruits of the sea were on display and exuded freshness. Oysters, clams, crab legs, calamari salad, scallop ceviche, tuna tartare, various smoked fish… all of it was delicious!
We will DEFINITELY find a reason to be back soon.

Highly recommend this restaurant for anyone in the area. I was in town for work and we met here for dinner. It was fabulous!
They have a diverse menu and lots of different options. The thing I enjoyed the most was the number of small plates they had to offer. I love a restaurant that offers these. It allows you to try multiple dishes that you wouldn’t get to experience if you only had to pick from entrees.
We split the following: chips and dip, Brie and lobster chips, scallops, salmon and rice special, and four different sushi rolls.
It was the perfect amount of food and we had a group of four so everyone got to have some of everything.
The only thing I wouldn’t get again would be chips and salsa. The guacamole didn’t have much flavor, but the salsa was delicious. It just wasn’t worth the calories with so many other amazing options.
Do not miss out on getting the blueberry cobbler! It was absolutely amazing! If I could only eat one thing at Surf it would be the cobbler! I don’t know what they put in it but I have never had anything that good before!
Sushi, steak, pasta… This place has something for everyone in your group. And a diverse drink menu. I will be making a stop here the next time I’m in town!

Surf is a good place for seafood. They’re a bit unique as they have both the typical seafood items you would expect in New England plus they have sushi rolls. Both are very good. They have one of the best clam chowders in the area. Good wine list, beer selection, and cocktail list, too. Only negative is the design of the establishment feels somewhat tight, though, the way tables are spaced.

Probably our best meal in Portsmouth.
Surf was crazy busy at lunch today, but they handled the crowd expertly. We were seated after a less than ten minute wait.
The dining room and bar share a huge space. the back wall is all glass and overlooks the water.
Our server, Annette, was a winner– super friendly and engaging with frequent check-​backs.
We started with two cocktails — an Italian Surfer with coconut vodkas ($ 10) that was fabulous and a huge glass of red sangria ($ 9) that was perfect.
We ordered an appetizer off the Raw Bar menu — two ounces of smoked salmon for $ 7.50 (priced at $ 3.75 per ounce). What a great dish! Small toast rounds with shredded pickled cabbage, diced onions, and a cream cheese like spread. The salmon was fresh as can be and tasted great.
Our entrees were Blackened Cali Fish Tacos ($ 14) and a Shrimp and Avocado Quesadilla (also $ 14).
The fish tacos was great ! A big portion of Blackened cod, (I could also have had fried haddock, or fried tofu) with napa cabbage, cheddar cheese, mango salsa, guacamole and chipotle-​lime sour cream. It was rolled up in a flour tortilla like a burrito and was served with tortilla chips and salsa. It was stellar.
The quesadillas were a big portion with quite a bit of shrimp –check out the photo of what the inside of the quesadilla looked like.
Service was great, the vibe was sweet, the cost and value were excellent, and the food was very good.
Definitely a keeper.

Dinner at Surf was a great way to close out our visit to Portsmouth! Our server (Jake) was awesome and very knowledgeable of the menu. We ended up with a portobello stuffed flounder and blackened cod tacos, and both were delicious! Nice views of the river and cool but comfortable vibe inside.

We were told to go here for lunch and I’m so happy we listened!
We sat at the bar, had a beautiful view with great service.
To start we ordered a few ounces of smoked salmon, a few ounces of raw tuna and 4 jumbo shrimp. All excellent.
He ordered the fried flounder reuben (oh my f’n God)
And I ordered the pepper seared tuna salad — was good but after having a bite of his I was wishing I had ordered the same.
Would go back in a heartbeat.

The Baja Fish tacos are SO Good !!!
We got some blackened cod fish tacos as well as some Fried Shrimp tacos (Special) and both were wonderful… but the fish tacos were some of the best I’ve had.
Tasty, light, delicious, tender, moist… should I continue??? Or is your mouth already watering? Check it out next time you are in Portsmouth, NH Nice setting overlooking the water… good service… great atmosphere.

I had a really nice time here.
Sat on their outdoor patio on a warm summer night. It was very romantic and had a great view of the bridge.
The food was also very good.
Buffalo oysters very really good. Great buffalo flavor, although the oyster flavor got a bit lost (as expected).
Lobster roll was also very good. I asked for mashed potatoes instead of french fires and they were delish!
Boyfriend got a broiled seafood trio (scallops, shrimp and fish). It was in a nice sauce, but the fish itself definitely lacked seasoning.
Overall very nice experience and I would absolutely recommend.

Gster and I were having a pre-​celebratory dinner, aka an excuse for a nice dinner. It worked out well especially because the bill was footed by his company. I was finding out the results of something the next day, so we just assumed we should celebrate.
Going to UNH, Gster and I didn’t explore Portsmouth as much as we could have. We were young, wild and free. Now being back as «mat-​ure adults», I was excited to see the town in a different light. Finding a restaurant, my goal was seafood… but it needed something else since Gster doesn’t eat seafood… and needed to be reasonably priced.
We strolled in, and unfortunately didn’t get outdoor seating (There were only about 4 seats), but got a great table with a stunning view of the river. The artwork really caught my eye. Pretty much every piece of art was something I would want in my home. It was stunning, but not overwhelming.
The bread was phenomenal, a type of place I would ask for seconds. Gster ordered his go-​to oysters for the summer, and a really unique dish. He got a «hot brick» where he cooked his own food and made a steak burrito with it. it was an interesting concept, and i’ve never seen anything like it. Gster said the meat was delicious, as well as the sauces, although he wishes he got the tuna because it would have been that much better. I got the speical of fresh cod in a pesto sauce, on spagehtti with fresh squash. Not only was I part of the clean plate club for one of the first times in my life, but also probably in record timing.
The meal, presentation, atmosphere, service and drinks were all above average, unique, and perfect for our pre-​celebratory dinner. Seeing Portsmouth, now as a real person, is an exciting thing!