Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Living in New England means being surrounded by some of the best foodie destinations, from the fresh seafood in Portland, Maine, to the legendary Italian food in Boston’s North End.

But one city that often flies under the radar is Portsmouth, New Hampshire—a charming coastal town with an incredible food scene.

This guide will take you through the top Portsmouth foodie destinations—all within walking distance!

Portsmouth Food Tour Stops

Each of these locations offers something unique, from artisan pastries to savory bites.

And while most of them are grab-and-go spots, we saved one sit-down meal for the end of the day!

Instead, they’re quick stops you can enjoy all in one day!

Stop One: Lovebirds Donuts

We kicked off our Portsmouth foodie adventure at Lovebirds Donuts, a plant-based bakery that has earned a cult following.

This spot is known for its handcrafted yeast-raised cake donuts, made fresh daily. They sell out fast, so arriving early is key!

Our pick? The Chai Donut, though the Maple Frosted and Peach Jam flavors were also tempting.

These donuts are huge, so we recommend sharing one if you’re planning to eat your way through Portsmouth.

Even though it is tempting to try them all, I do recommend just one to share here.

The donuts are huge, and since we knew we were eating all day, sharing one was perfect!

But I also recommend getting a bunch and bringing them home with you to enjoy later!

Stop Two: Popovers On the Square

Next, you’ll take the three-minute walk to Congress Street to try Popovers on the Square.

Popovers On the Square is famous for its namesake popovers, large, airy pastries served warm with maple butter.

These light, hollow pastries are a New England classic, and at only $4 each, they’re a steal.

We opted for the gluten-free popover, and it was just as crispy and airy as the traditional version.

Paired with a small espresso, it was the perfect mid-morning treat.

I first tried Popovers at Jordan Pond House in Acadia National Park and have been hooked ever since, so I was excited to try Popovers on the Square.

The Maple butter deserved its own award, as it melted right into the hot popover! It was beyond tasty.

We sat down and enjoyed it with a small cup of espresso to warm up.

There was also a huge case of pastries and cakes, and while it was tempting to get more, we knew we had plenty of stops to make today!

Stop Three: Elephantine Bakery

From Popovers On the Square, you will take a three-minute walk to Elephantine Bakery.

Elephantine Bakery is always packed with locals, and for good reason—their fresh-baked pastries and breads are next level.

We went for the Feta & Honey Danish, a perfect mix of savory and sweet.

I also tried the Egyptian Bread Pudding, a decadent pastry made with croissant dough, coconut milk, and pistachios.

We saved half of this because we wanted to heat it up. It was the perfect breakfast the next morning!

You should also try a classic croissant here since it’s what they are famous for! We simply couldn’t try everything and were so happy with our picks!

If the line is very long, you can place an order online before heading over too!

Stop Four: Kaffee Vonsolln

A quick one-minute stroll led us to Kaffee Vonsolln,, a German-style café known for its specialty coffees and traditional pastries.

We came here for two reasons the pastries and the coffee!

We ordered the Dark Matter Latte, made with espresso, cocoa, and activated charcoal.

We paired it with a Bienenstich (Bee-Sting Cake)—a fluffy, custard-filled German pastry topped with honey-glazed almonds.

Bienenstich, or “Bee Sting Cake,” is a traditional German pastry made of a sweet yeast dough, typically filled with a creamy custard or whipped cream filling.

It was so fluffy and paired perfectly with the coffees we were sipping. We enjoyed people-watching in the warm and cozy cafe for a while, before getting ready to head to your next spot.

If you love a great food tour, don’t miss my Ultimate Self-Guided Food Tour of North End Boston.

Stop Five: Reedmor Books & Brews

Okay, I’m not going to lie, we were starting to hit a wall.

And since each place was only a few minutes’ walk away, we barely had time to walk off all those yummy pastries.

So, we decided to make a quick stop at Reedmor Books & Brews.

This bookstore lets you shop while enjoying a beer—because, hey, beer is a food group, right? It definitely earns a spot on our foodie list.

The team was super welcoming, and even though the bar wasn’t open yet, the bartender still let us grab a beer and wander around.

As we browsed the book collections, I loved the cozy corner by the bar, filled with local books about nature and some funny knick-knacks.

We ended up stocking up on winter reading by picking out a few books!

Stop Six: Liars Bench

We wrapped up our Portsmouth food tour at Liars Bench!

A casual brewery with communal picnic tables and an incredible menu of house-made hot dogs—or as they call them, “Tube Meat.”

You could absolutely walk the 15 minutes, but it was too cold for that today. They do have a small parking lot, so driving was a breeze.

We were lucky enough to grab the last barrel table when we entered, where I sipped a Bermuda Tattoo IPA.

But we didn’t come here for the beer, even though it was more than refreshing. I was really here for the hot dogs!

I love hot dogs more than anything. It’s one of my favorite foods. In fact, I even traveled all the way to Brooklyn to try a hot dog cocktail last summer!

So, as soon as I saw they had a variety of hot dogs, I was in.

We ordered the Burnt Ends Dog (smoked hot dog with BBQ glaze and pickled jalapeños) and the Tokyo Dog (teriyaki onions, Japanese BBQ sauce, Kewpie mayo, and sesame seeds).

Both were packed with flavor and a perfect way to end the day.

It was the perfect ending to our Portsmouth foodie tour! By this time, we were very full and ready for the hour drive back to Maine!

Are you visiting Maine? Check out my Local’s Guide to the Best Lobster Rolls in Maine 2025

Tips For Your Portsmouth Foodie Tour

Here are some tips that may help you!

Pace Yourself: This will help you try everything without feeling like you’re stuffing your face past the point of no return.

Bring a bag to take things home: If you’re too full, wrap up the rest for later. You’ll be glad you did tomorrow.

Park at Hanover Garage: It’s centrally located and parking is cheap—about $2 an hour. We only spent $5 for the entire day.

Walk to the locations, don’t drive: Parking in Portsmouth is tough to find on the street. Stick with the garage since everything is close, except for Liars Bench—you can drive there.

Take breaks: If you feel full, don’t worry. You can always wait to visit the next spot. Use the time to check out Portsmouth’s shops or simply stroll around the town.

Skip Hearth Market: We had it on our foodie list, but after trying the pizza and drinks, it didn’t make the cut. I’d recommend skipping it altogether.

Plan Your Visit for a Weekday (If Possible): Weekends get busy, and some of these foodie spots sell out early. If you can, visit on a weekday morning for shorter lines and fresher pastries!

Check Menus & Order Ahead: Some places (like Elephantine Bakery) allow online ordering, so if you’re short on time, order ahead to skip the wait.

Portsmouth Foodie Walking Tour Map

Here is a map if you want to take the same walking route I did! I did not include Liars Bench in this since we drove to that location.

Explore More of New England

This self-guided Portsmouth food tour was the perfect way to experience the city’s vibrant food scene.

From fresh pastries to legendary hot dogs, every stop was a foodie’s dream.

If you’re planning a trip to Portsmouth, NH, make sure to add these spots to your must-visit list!

If you’re visiting Boston, you have to check out The Ultimate Self-Guided Food Tour of North End Boston!

And, this Portland Maine Food Guide: 17 Must-Try Foodie Spots!

Heading to Maine? Here is A Local’s Guide to the Best Lobster Rolls in Maine!

Oh, you should also try this weird Lobster Ice Cream in Bar Harbor!

Want to see all of my foodie spots? Read United States Foodie Destinations!

Spending more time in New Hampshire? Read all of New Hampshire Travel Guides!