Library Restaurant

A very pleasant surprise. This was our first (but not last) visit. We dined at The Library during the Spring 2024 Portsmouth Restaurant Week, and were very happy with the food, service, drinks and atmosphere. Our server, Chris, took very good care of us -- service was quick and friendly. Steaks and chops were cooked perfectly. It's good to know that we don't have to go all the way to Boston or Manchester for an excellent steak/chop house. While a bit pricey, The Library has earned a spot on our favorite restaurants list. Highly recommended.

It was our first time here for our Anniversary and was absolutely amazing. The food was fantastic and the staff went above and beyond to make our experience so memorable. Definitely would recommend, and can’t wait to go back again!

Excellent food, drinks, and service! We were celebrating an anniversary and were made to feel truly special. Best meal we have had dining out in a very long time!

The food was unbelievable, the steak was melt in your mouth. Loved the Parmesan fries. The waitress was so helpful and kind. While it is on the pricier side, it was definitely worth it! Also they made a point to wish my fiancé a happy birthday and when we declined to order dessert they still brought out a little birthday surprise. Incredibly thoughtful!

Hubby and I have had this place on our bucket list for awhile. We arrived a little early but they took us right in. I loved the charm of the different rooms and we were in the main dining room. Our server Chris was excellent and brought us some Prosecco to celebrate our 10 year anniversary which was such a nice touch! Hubby ordered a glass of J Lore Pinot Noir and I had a Cosmo.
It happened to be restaurant week, so I had the butternut soup which was delicious and hubby had the kale salad to start. We both ordered the fillet which was cooked perfectly and was so delicious. The fillet came with roasted red potatoes and asparagus which were both very good but we added on AuGratin potatoes which again were delicious. We had a great date night and will definitely be back!!

We were there to celebrate our anniversary. It was just PERFECT. We were seated in front of the fireplace and treated to a glass of champagne. Service was EXCEPTIONAL. We love the Library. The food and staff are always amazing.

The atmosphere was beautiful from walking up the granite front stairs, flanked by the impressive lions to entering an elegant formal reception foyer with beautiful woodwork from a bygone Era. The dining room was equally beautiful and offered tables with white linen cloths. Service was graceful, attentive, and personal. Food was beyond excellent!!!! Would highly recommend this restaurant and rate it as a 5 plus. A very special place and a true treasure. Treat yourselves and go for a special occasion; this is a place you will long remember and be talking about to friends & family.

The library restaurant is the #1 place to visit in Portsmouth nh! Not only is the staff so helpful, sweet and accommodating but the cocktails and food are just divine! The cozy ambience really adds to the experience. I recommend for any special occasion.

Thanks again to Abby and the team. Yet another great experience! Never disappoints. You get what you pay for here, therefore I don’t mind paying

Your Comments
The venue is excellent and very tastefully decorated. The staff is friendly, helpful and excellent. We really enjoy the food and the presentation of the food. It should also be noted that the beverage and wine selection is excellent. We live in Portsmouth and this is now our "go to" restaurant. Thank you for putting together such a wonderful place that checks off all the boxes of excellent dinning.
Ed M

From the moment you walk in, you are surrounded by the historic charm of this 1800's era building with deep mahogany woodwork and art throughout dining and bar area. A classic elegant look from days gone by. When we first walked in, we were greeted by a very friendly hostess who was happy to talk about the history of the building as we waited to be seated. To our surprise, we learned later that she was one of the owners. She clearly takes great pride in her ownership. Jen was our server, and she was exceptional. Very knowledgeable, friendly and just the right level of attentive. The main entrees were delicious. And the sides served family style provided a great was to share with your friends and family. The finishing touch of the desert tray being presented table side added a personal touch to what was a wonderful dining experience. Lastly, the cocktail and liquor offerings were beyond reproach. You will definitely walk out feeling that your evening was well spent at The Library.

We love the Library. Made reservations to go there for dinner before a show on New Year's Eve (and yes, you need to make reservations when it's a special occasion. You can't just walk in! ) Food, drinks, service.. never disappoints! Everything on the menu is delicious. Worth every penny. (Waitress even surprised us with a piece of birthday pie for our special occasion!) Thank you for making hubby's birthday a memorable one for sure!

October 2023: A5 Wague appetizer is the reason to come back here again and again. Excellent. Filet mignon prepared perfect medium rare. All sides, toppers, and sauces are extra. Creamed spinach was very good, mashed potatoes were fine. Each was more than enough for 2. We took half home. The service was impeccable, the staff anticipated our every need. Thank you.
accessibility notes: seeThe restaurant is not handicap friendly. The main bathroom requires to go down two flights of stairs. I was told another part of the building has another bathroom but also has some steps.
Notes to self: capichinno no, cheesecake no, chocolate cake ok.
December 2022:The restaurant is located in a former library and they kept the library atmosphere with book stacks here and there. The tables are well spaced out and I felt pretty safe eating there not feeling strangers were sharing their germs with me. The staff was super attentive and pleasant. A5 wagyu appetizer was amazing, so soft and flavorful, it exceeded my expectations. Wagyu strip steak was good, perfectly prepared medium rare but just good, not significantly different from your typical steak. I wish the restaurant had A5 wagyu as an entre. That was a memorable dish. French onion soup was a bit weak and thin, not the best version of the soup.
Accessibility note: the bathrooms are down two flights of stairs. However, upon request there is a bathroom on the first floor but one needs to be escorted to be taken there.

Just celebrated my birthday here tonight and everything was just INCREDIBLE. Michelle went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. Our server Jessica was also just so great! The food was divine and it was the perfect way to end my birthday. Thank you all for making it so memorable!

Beautiful place! Food was delicious. Carrot cake was out of this world!!! Enjoyable evening. The only downer, I wish people dressed classier.

I had the most amazing experience at the library restaurant! Everybody was welcoming, and so very helpful. I couldn’t recommend going here more and I can’t wait to visit again. My partner chose the 12 oz Filet and it was cooked to perfection. I chose the Herb Roasted Chicken that exceeded my expectations. Overall a great experience and we’ll definitely be back.

Terrific experience. Both Leah and Tessa were excellent and very helpful in making this birthday dinner as special as could be. The food was excellent and presented very nicely. My wife was impressed with being grreted by the Maitre d' with a "Happy Birthday". So many small touches that made the evening so special for her. We are both so happy we chose the Library to celebrate her birthday, and will be back.

Wonderful place to spend a delicious and special evening. The character and the history of the restaurant is so interesting to learn about. Eat in the same place as Teddy Roosevelt? JFK? and even George Washington.... Kinda... Pre-fire in the 1800s. It adds to the imagination. Food is great, and there are some tempting items for a taste of chocolaty, creamy, or fruity on the desert tray they bring out.

If you're in the area, this is a must ! Went to another restaurant the day before and totally disappointed. Atmosphere and decore is on point , Food was all amazing (steak medium rare Pittsburgh), and the cheesecake was the best in a long time .Expresso martini was a good choice .Beer selection is not great .If you go early in the week, Nicole was amazing .on top of everything .Party of five , buissness dinner .Everyone's order is right , on time, and delivered professionally .A1 experience for a first visit will definitely return.

The Library Restaurant is very sophisticated, elegant restaurant with exceptional service and extraordinary atmosphere. Very clean, ambiance. Excellent food! We were happy with all the food that we had. The bill came in a books, which was cool, considering it was once a library.