Marc B.
11/16/2025
Great find. Excellent food, service and atmosphere. We came across this restaurant on Tic Toc the food looked amazing and It delivered. The online reviews were mixed and we were skeptical but...
Rosa Restaurant
$$
Open
(350)
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Photos
70 State St
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Set directly beside the picturesque Prescott Park and in front of the colonial atmosphere of Strawbery Banke, this family-style Italian restaurant, once owned by Ralph Rosa, opened its doors on December 22, 1927. Encouraged by his mother, Domenica, an Italian chef, and after having been laid off from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard during a slack period in 1926, Ralph transformed his family home into The Rosa Restaurant. With authentic Italian recipes and an uncompromising desire to treat customers like family, Ralph graciously served patrons for fifty-four years. During that half-century, the Rosa weathered the Great Depression, only closing its doors for a two-month period, and has the distinction of having served the first glass of beer in Portsmouth, a twelve-ounce glass for ten cents, after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.
Also at this address
Reviews
3.0350 reviews
Krista R.
9/20/2025
Beautiful interior with outdoor seating too. Unfortunately the cocktails were one note, extremely overpriced, and the food menu was completely underwhelming. Better Italian elsewhere.
Shawn K.
12/22/2024
We stopped at Rosa with some family that lives in the area on a Thursday night. The service was good and the restaurant is beautiful. My aunt told us about the history of the restaurant before...
Lauren L.
6/28/2025
My second review in a few days! Went to The Rosa again on my stay in Portsmouth and I always sit at the bar. Today I got the Caprese Salad for a starter and it was delicious. Chicken Marsala which...
Bill Z.
2/19/2024
I came here with a large group of friends for a birthday dinner on a Saturday night. Overall, everyone was generally satisfied with the experience, and we had excellent service. Later that...
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