Great question! There's great food to be found on the seacoast. This list is by no means exhaustive, merely made up of our favorites.
1. The Ice House in Rye, NH. If you go one place while visiting, make it the Ice House. A seasonal, family-owned business that has long been a favorite of the Nettletons, and now Mack, too. October will be the very end of their season, so soak up those very last warm weather vibes. We wouldn't fault you if you wanted to opt for a lobstah roll given the locale, but our favorite is the clam strip basket with waffle fries - and don't forget a Moosetracks ice cream come to top it off. (A general note on ice cream on the NH seacoast - they serve laaaaarge portions. Chances are a kiddie size will do ya just fine.)
2. Throwback Brewery is a (women-owned!) farm-inspired brewery and restaurant located in North Hampton, NH. Between the wide-ranging selection of beer and the hyper local menu, it's hard to go wrong here. Good vibes, all around!
3. Lexie's is a small chain in the NH seacoast area. Their menu is simple and to the point with a range of signature burgers (plus vegetarian options), fish tacos that Tory's mom loves, fries, and shakes. Oh! And beer, too.
4. Nikki's Bahn Mi is a hole in the wall, serving authentic southeast Asian cuisine. Great for lunch!
5. Las Olas Taqueria - Hampton & Exeter, NH. A lot like a Chipotle, but we think it's a lot better. If you've decided to spend the day exploring outside Portsmouth and find yourself hungry and nearby one of their locations, it's a great lunch! Nachos are a favorite!
6. Kolby's in downtown Portsmouth is a little breakfast and lunch nook, discovered by the Ryans on a visit to Portsmouth. The menu has a bit of a diner vibe with the charm of a New England hole in the wall aesthetic. Enjoy brunch, complete with a mimosa or Bloody.