The only thing worst then bad food is very bad management. This place should be on the hit TV series BAR RESCUE, the only star in this place was the server. There motto should be the customer is always wrong. We will never return to this place
We had a wonderful dinner here seated in the bar area and served by Leon. So fun! Haddock was delicious and the wilted greens it was served on were even better! My husband loved his shrimp scampi. Don’t miss this charming spot!
It's amazing how badly this place delivered from the opening drink to the dessert. We ordered straight-forward items from a limited menu. My Manhattan tasted like it was made with dishwater. The Haddock and Scallops had been sitting in the grocery for a few days before arriving at our table. And the Key Lime Pie sure wasn't from the Florida Keys. It was indescribably bad.
For years, We have always loved coming here for dinner when visiting Portsmouth. Over the weekend, we looked forward to going, always amazing food , service, and atmosphere. However, really disappointed this time. Unfortunately, they changed their menu and no longer offered the meals we look forward to. The meals we did get were just ok. Maybe just an off night. However, the worse part was that our waiter was very rude and unfriendly. We definitely did not feel welcomed. It’s really makes me sad because this was one of our very favorite places to dine. 
We love the Oar house! We go there when we want to guarantee delicious food, great service and historic nautical atmosphere that is warm and upscale without being uptight. We were sat in the pub section last night for dinner reservations and our waitress was over the top attentive to our needs and beyond generous with her time and energy. She truly treated every table like it was her only table-rare service these days. I wish I could remember her name! Thanks Oar House & staff- we are super grateful for you?⚓️??
Great food! Classic downtown eatery in portsmouth.
I told the person on the phone that this dinner was a special occasion, a birthday dinner for my daughter and we wanted to be seat in a nice cozy spot in the dinning room. The lady failed to mention that the upstairs dinning room in not used due to staffing problems. We were seated next to the bar downstairs. The appetizers were were ok, nothing to get excited about. The salad was so so, they forgot to add the vinaigrette. The main course was a joke, an insult to anyone who knows anything about cooking. We both had the "best of Both Worlds" a fillet mignon and a baked stuff lobster.and we did not enquire as to the price. The meat was cook perfectly but with out and sauce or enhancement which leads to a tender bland piece of meat. The baked stuffed lobster was a disaster, a 1 to 1.25 lb over cooked lobster, that was turned upside down and loaded with a grayish gooey mass that was wet and not very tasty, one scallop and one small shrimp was set on top. The lobster meat was tough, dry and difficult to get out of the shell, the dish was improperly prepared. dessert was creme brule it was ok not very creamy or flavorful, it needed more egg and vanilla. We were charged $90.00 each just for the lobster and fillet. The meal was way over priced and the atmosphere was sadly lacking. No mention from the wait person regarding my daughters birthday. We ended the meal with a Brandy Alexander, weak, bitter no nutmeg, I thing she used half and half instead of cream. Not a very good evening and i sure as heck will never go back there again. I do not mind paying top dollar for good quality food but I sure get annoyed when a restaurant serves mediocre food for top dolor prices.
First time visitor with Trafalgar tour - very atmospheric dining area on second floor - food was delicious and very creative dishes and appetizers - service was outstanding- very good date night place to go - cozy - relaxed - staff takes good care of you - and the food is on point and delicious
Wonderful gathering place with great food and excellent service.
We have been going to this restaurant for more than 30 years . the location is beautiful and the food is delicious. staff is great too!