New and Refreshed Portsmouth Tables for Restaurant Week: Nisi, Nichinan, Buckley's on the Water and The Rosa

Restaurant Week Portsmouth and the Seacoast starts today and runs through November 14, 2026, with more than 30 restaurants offering three-course prix fixe menus, according to Go Portsmouth. If you are looking for somewhere new, or somewhere familiar that has changed, here are four Portsmouth restaurants that Go Portsmouth highlighted in its fall dining roundup.

Nisi Greek Kitchen + Bar

Nisi is one of Portsmouth's newer restaurants, in the West End in the former Bob's Broiled Chicken space, according to Go Portsmouth. The restaurant's website says the name means "island" in Greek.

The food. Nisi serves meze, gyros, souvlaki, salads and Mediterranean plates for lunch and dinner. Its website mentions dishes like dolmas and saganaki, small plates for sharing, and full entrées.

The bar. Cocktails draw on Greek ingredients like mastiha, ouzo and olive oil, alongside Greek and regional wines. Go Portsmouth singled out the Mastiha Margarita, made with blanco tequila, mastiha liqueur, triple sec and lime.

Details. 801 Islington Street, Suite 16. Lunch 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, dinner 5 PM to 9 PM. Phone 603-368-0095. Nisi's website has a Restaurant Week menu.

Nichinan

Nichinan opened in December 2022 inside Hotel Thaxter, according to the restaurant's website. It is named for Portsmouth's Japanese sister city, a relationship the restaurant says dates back to the 1905 Portsmouth Peace Treaty.

The food. Chef Dylan Felch's menu includes Crispy Miso Eggplant, signature sushi rolls and Wagyu Gyoza, according to the restaurant. Go Portsmouth recommends saving room for the taiyaki dessert, made with chocolate ganache, amaretto custard, strawberry and shaved white chocolate.

Recognition. Nichinan says it was named one of Yankee Magazine's Best of New England 2025 and one of New Hampshire Magazine's Best of NH 2025.

Details. 15 Middle Street, inside Hotel Thaxter. Dinner Monday to Thursday and Sunday 5 PM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 5 PM to 10 PM. Phone 603.956.3036. Nichinan also lists a Restaurant Week menu.

Buckley's on the Water

Buckley's on the Water brings Chef Michael Buckley's cooking to the Portsmouth waterfront, according to Go Portsmouth. The menu includes lobster rolls, steaks, beef stroganoff and lobster spaghetti, and Go Portsmouth calls its deck the largest dining deck in Portsmouth.

Reservations. Reservations are for inside dining only. Deck seating is first come, first served, according to the restaurant's website.

Happy hour. Its "Sweater Weather" happy hour runs November 1 to March 31, with half-off draft beer and wine by the glass, Tuesday to Thursday 4 PM to 5:30 PM and Friday to Sunday 3 PM to 5:30 PM.

Details. 99 Bow Street, Suite W. Closed Monday. Tuesday to Thursday 4 PM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, Sunday 11:30 AM to 9 PM. Phone 603-310-1730.

The Rosa

The Rosa has been on State Street since 1927. Its website now announces that it is open under new ownership, with a bigger bar and a new menu of Italian-American food. Go Portsmouth recommends The Rosa 20/26 pizza, topped with house-made sausage, meatballs, pepperoni, peppers and onions, blended cheeses and house-made sauce.

Details. 70 State Street. Closed Monday. Tuesday to Thursday 4 PM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM to 9 PM, Sunday 11:30 AM to 8 PM. Phone 603-436-9715. Catering is pick-up only, at 603-585-5600.

Planning tips

Hours and menus change with the season, so check each restaurant's website before you go. Buckley's on the Water and The Rosa are both closed on Mondays.

Sources

• Go Portsmouth, "Fresh Tables for Fall: New(ish) Spots, New Menus & Around the Seacoast," October 6, 2026 (restaurant descriptions, dishes, Restaurant Week dates): https://www.goportsmouthnh.com/fresh-tables-for-fall-new-restaurants-portsmouth-nh/
• Nisi Greek Kitchen + Bar, official website (address, hours, phone, menu and bar description, name meaning): https://www.eatatnisi.com/
• Nichinan, official website (opening date, sister-city history, chef and dishes, awards, address, hours, phone): https://www.nichinanrestaurant.com/
• Buckley's on the Water, official website (address, hours, reservations policy, happy hour, phone): https://www.buckleysonthewater.com/
• The Rosa, official website (new ownership, bar and menu, history, address, hours, phone, catering): https://www.therosa.com/