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The Puddle Dock, Portsmouth, NH

The Puddle Dock

4.8
4.8
845 Reviews
$31 to $50
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 23 times today
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
Located on the grounds of Strawbery Banke Museum in historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, The Puddle Dock Restaurant proudly offers Modern Colonial feel and fare! Led by esteemed Executive Chef Derek Clough, the Puddle Dock Restaurant will take you back to Colonial America featuring English and American favorites, then snap you back to the present with our modern twists.

Chef Derek takes great pride in growing a lot of our vegetables, foraging our mushrooms, and presenting beauty for your palate. His care is evidence in some of our best-loved dishes, Yorkshire Pudding, Portuguese Salted Cod, Pan-Roasted Duck Breast, and our signature Hoe Cake. Be sure to save room for dessert! All our desserts are made in house - Cinnamon Rum Breading, Dark Chocolate Pudding, and Posset are among the favorites!

Enjoy the ambience of our historic exposed beam building, once a general store offering penny candy, or enjoy our front and rear patios for dinner in the open air.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Cocktail Bar, Comfort Food
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Sun 4:30 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (603) 373-8192
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Derek Clough
  • Neighborhood
    Portsmouth
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 845 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • New Hampshire

    Best Ambiance

  • New Hampshire

    Innovative

  • New Hampshire

    Romantic

  • New Hampshire

    American

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Best Overall

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Best Ambiance

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Innovative

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    Romantic

  • Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Puddle Dock in Portsmouth offers an exceptional dining experience with "delicious food, great atmosphere, and great service." Guests rave about the "excellent cocktails" and "fantastic desserts," particularly the bread pudding. The cozy, historic ambiance adds charm, and despite occasional menu limitations, it's a "must-visit" for its creative, high-quality dishes and attentive staff.

845 Reviews
  1. Bob

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was fantastic across the board. The duck is perhaps the best I’ve ever had. The service was also fantastic from start to finish. I highly recommend this place for an upscale dinner.

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  2. John

    Greater Boston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent choice for dining. Service was top rate and the ambience was incredible

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  3. Carly

    New Hampshire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    All around amazing experience with excellent food.

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  4. glenn

    New York City

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and ambiance!! The restaurant dining area is relatively small. I recommend you get a reservation as we witnessed several folks getting turned away on a Sunday night.

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  5. David

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic! The Duck was so good and the Bread Pudding for desert…. To die for!

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  6. Troy

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Two dishes will be being made to order so there was a slight delay, which was communicated so it was acceptable. There was a chicken dish that was mixed with hot and cold elements on the plate so it was unclear if that was intended or just due to the delay of the other dishes, given the time for the dishes to arrive, it was just accepted. Overall food and service were excellent. Definitely part of our family tradition.

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  7. Joanne

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service and ambience were excellent! Ribeye was not worth the price- it was a bit tough and tasteless, the potato was also a skimpy tasteless puree - I expected a hearty hot whipped/mashed potatoes to match the ribeye - the brussel sprouts were delicious and a good portion. The bread and butter was beyond fresh and yummy! The chocolate pudding dessert was the best! Also for the record, my nine year old niece reported her chicken fingers were the best she ever had in her life. Fries not so much - funny taste to her! I will definitely visit again, but try another entree.

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  8. Michele

    New Hampshire

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 20, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Squash soup DELICIOUS, very small portion $16 Duck dinner outstanding flavors, but should have side like fingerling potato and some vegetable... $45 Almond pear cake "ok"... too dry, needed a sauce Bread pudding fantastic each dessert $13

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  9. Steve

    Greater Boston

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service. The food is great. Wonderful on a cold winter night.

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  10. Ken

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 18, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was perfect, the restaurant has such a homey old time feel. All the staff was super welcoming and it had been noted on the reservation it was my wifes birthday and they all greeted her with happy birthday and the birthday card on the table was a very nice unexpected touch. The food was beyond fabulous!!!! Loved the fire place smell, and the environment was perfect, alive and folks having conversation but we could very easily have a private conversation at our table. Post dinner walking the Strawberry Bank grounds all lit up for the holidays was an amazing fun bonus.

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FAQs

The Puddle Dock offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (603) 373-8192.

The Puddle Dock is rated 4.8 stars by 845 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 23 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Puddle Dock

66 Marcy St, Portsmouth, NH 03801-4650

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Portsmouth
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Sun 4:30 pm–8:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Cocktail Bar, Comfort Food
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Derek Clough
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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