I have been going to this place for years. Even finding myself, waking up in the morning and deciding to drive 2 hours and 40 minutes from the Hudson Valley, just for lobster stew for lunch.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hannah S.
Freshest, most flavorful and generous lobster rolls I've ever had!! Omg they were amazing...and their fish chowder and homemade desserts are awesome too. We loved it so much we came back twice during our trip. Great family owned atmosphere with killer views right on the Piscataqua River. The first visit I got their House Special which is a lobster roll with a cup of chowder. The lobster rolls come with either butter or mayonnaise - or both which is how my server preferred it. The first time I chose just butter and it was amazing but the second visit I took my servers advice and tried it with both and ooooohhhh boy what a treat!! I know it's calorie overload but wow was it heaven haha!! You also get a choice of either fish chowder or clam chowder and I went with the fish chowder and it was also incredible - huge chunks of fish and nice veggies - so savory and delicious- a true comfort food lunch! The second visit we tried their lobster stew and it was also great but I loved their fish chowder the most. We also tried several desserts over our visits - all homemade - blueberry pie, apple pie, and a whoopie pie - all excellent!! According to their website, they grow the blueberries and all sorts of veggies like lettuce and tomato that they use - and they get their lobster and fish right off the docks nearby! How cool is that?? It's a family owned business with three generations working still - vibe is cozy and so welcoming. They seem to only have patio seating which fills up fast - this is definitely not a secret spot haha! The views are fabulous and prices are what you'd expect for the quality and type of food with generous portions. Geno's has gone onto my permanent list of must visit places when I visit New England!! Highly recommend!!
Widelyne Alce
I didn't like the thin/liquidy chowder. The lobster roll was very cold and had no
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
joycecP9143YX
After great reviews we were disappointed. We had the regular lobster roll and the lobster salad. Not knowing lobster rolls and lobster salads we were underwhelmed. The lobster in the salad was chewy and didn’t have a lot of flavor. The Kens ranch dressing came in a squeeze packet. Really?
Steven Rainville
Geno's is a no-frills joint with classic New England fare. The clam chowder is thick and creamy, and the sandwiches are made with fresh, local ingredients. A great spot for a quick and affordable meal.The chowder is made with fresh clams, potatoes, and cream, and it has a rich, flavorful broth.The sandwiches are made with bread from a local bakery, and they are filled with a variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables.The service is friendly and efficient.The prices are reasonable.Overall, Geno's Chowder & Sandwich is a great place to go for a classic New England meal. It is a popular spot, so it can get crowded, but the wait is usually worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Pindris
This is an out-of-the-way riverside lunch stop that is truly a gem. Unassuming and nowhere near the hustle and bustle of downtown Portsmouth, it is well worth seeking out. The staff is friendly and excel at what they do. The lobster roll, while pricey (as it is everywhere) is loaded with fresh lobster meat and worth it (and ours was the "regular," so that I cannot imagine what the large size might look like). The "special" offering included a cup of one of their renown chowders, fish or clam, to go with the lobster roll -- I suggest you not pass it up. For a satisfying seafood lunch in a laid back setting this is the place to go. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Regular Lobster Roll, Chowder
Christine
Had the lobster roll along with fish chowder, it was so delicious! The amount of lobster in the roll was crazy, it was overflowing so much that I ended up with extra and got to just dunk it into the butter and enjoy! This is a must try if you are in the area for sure.
Jeffrey G.
Perfect lunch, great atmosphere and location, 'em wonderful staff! Lobster rolls and chowder top notch
Emily F.
Expect a short wait at Geno's as it's a very popular spot. It's a cute little restaurant that really dives all in to the fisherman/nautical theme. There's not a ton of parking right next to the restaurant, but parking a few blocks away and walking along the water was nice. The lobster roll was good but not the best New England has to offer. Lobster is served at market price, which is very common in this part of the country. The grilled cheese was disappointing. The singular slice of cheese was not melted. It appeared as though a slice of cheese was placed between two pieces of toasted bread. The chowder is not as thick as most people are used to. It has more of a broth soup consistency than the thick, creamy chowder most people think of. The blueberry pie was good! Best thing we ate here! Something to note-- while the online menu lists a few different chowders and stews, only a few are served daily. They are written on a chalkboard outside the restaurant and on whiteboards inside the restaurant. If you have your heart set on a specific chowder or stew, I recommend calling ahead to make sure they are serving it on the day you visit!
Samantha L.
Classic New England fare, atmosphere and childhood familiarity. I worked in places like this as a teen. Frequented places like this. This chowder style is common but not popular to most. I definitely prefer a stick your spoon in the chowder and it stands upright consistency. This place is thin and brothy. Luckily I knew this going in AND they encourage sampling prior to ordering which I think is great. We sampled all 3, and while im partial to another local business with a red ribbon for their lobster bisque from Rye. Geno's lobster stew is opposite of what I usually like, their flavor is undeniable. Additionally, the sheer quantity of lobster they put in the lobster stew, they do not skimp. Our 16oz had at least 2oz, but I dare say it was 3-4oz in there. We found the clam and fish chowders lacking flavor so we skipped those. But the brothyness of their chowders provides a nice light chowder experience, when other (thicker) chowders can be filled with heavy cream, butter and a bloated guilty experience after. I'd return for the lobster stew. Parking is a tad tricky though but they do have some spots
This is such a cute place on the water and I loved the oyster and lobster stew. However, the clam chowder was not my favorite. It might be a personal choice, but I prefer the creamy style of clam chowder. The lobster roll was good but I shared it with my husband and it was not big enough to share. The service was excellent and the roll the lobster was in was very good. The quality of the lobster was also very good.
Susan W
Our first time there and not our last. I had the special - lobster roll and chowder- The lobster roll had a good amount of fresh lobster - and came with two additions - melted butter & Mayo. So you can add your own choice and amount that you prefer. So good!! Chowder - I chose the seafood chowder and it was full of seafood and delicious broth. Service was great! Great find for us.
Samantha A.
This is a cute hole in the wall spot! I had the lobster stew and chicken salad sandwich to go. The sandwich had a generous serving of chicken salad and was delicious! The young lady who took my to-go order was also very kind. I liked the lobster stew a lot - but it is more of just lobster meat and broth. I added it over a serving of pasta at home and it was perfect and filling. Would highly recommend this spot while they are still open for the season!
Bennett F.
Service was extremely slow! Food took forever Ordered a cold lobster roll and a chicken salad sandwich with Clam Chowder You'd think the soup would come first...nope! The Clam Chowder was warm at best and tasteless let's not even mention the oil floating on top (when asked was told that's how it comes....REALLY!???) DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! 2 stars - lobster was fresh nice view.
Linda C.
This is one of the most memorable, lovely, quaint, warm-atmosphered restaurants in all of New England with welcoming staff and a delicious food and a peaceful view and feel. I love love this restaurant and they have the most devine and light Lobster Bisque. The pies w the flakey pie crust on the berry or rhubarb pie. I still yearn for it 10 years later from all the way on the opposite coast. Muuummm yum yum. I'm so glad to see Geno's continues to be a staple of Portsmouth and I didn't relalize they fish and grow a lot of their own food until today. Thank you so much for sharing your warmth, creations and spaces with the community. I hope to visit soon again .... in the meantime I'm recommending to friends they must visit. Take good care Geno's and Geno community!
I have been going to this place for years. Even finding myself, waking up in the morning and deciding to drive 2 hours and 40 minutes from the Hudson Valley, just for lobster stew for lunch.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Freshest, most flavorful and generous lobster rolls I've ever had!! Omg they were amazing...and their fish chowder and homemade desserts are awesome too. We loved it so much we came back twice during our trip. Great family owned atmosphere with killer views right on the Piscataqua River. The first visit I got their House Special which is a lobster roll with a cup of chowder. The lobster rolls come with either butter or mayonnaise - or both which is how my server preferred it. The first time I chose just butter and it was amazing but the second visit I took my servers advice and tried it with both and ooooohhhh boy what a treat!! I know it's calorie overload but wow was it heaven haha!! You also get a choice of either fish chowder or clam chowder and I went with the fish chowder and it was also incredible - huge chunks of fish and nice veggies - so savory and delicious- a true comfort food lunch! The second visit we tried their lobster stew and it was also great but I loved their fish chowder the most. We also tried several desserts over our visits - all homemade - blueberry pie, apple pie, and a whoopie pie - all excellent!! According to their website, they grow the blueberries and all sorts of veggies like lettuce and tomato that they use - and they get their lobster and fish right off the docks nearby! How cool is that?? It's a family owned business with three generations working still - vibe is cozy and so welcoming. They seem to only have patio seating which fills up fast - this is definitely not a secret spot haha! The views are fabulous and prices are what you'd expect for the quality and type of food with generous portions. Geno's has gone onto my permanent list of must visit places when I visit New England!! Highly recommend!!
I didn't like the thin/liquidy chowder. The lobster roll was very cold and had no
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
After great reviews we were disappointed. We had the regular lobster roll and the lobster salad. Not knowing lobster rolls and lobster salads we were underwhelmed. The lobster in the salad was chewy and didn’t have a lot of flavor. The Kens ranch dressing came in a squeeze packet. Really?
Geno's is a no-frills joint with classic New England fare. The clam chowder is thick and creamy, and the sandwiches are made with fresh, local ingredients. A great spot for a quick and affordable meal.The chowder is made with fresh clams, potatoes, and cream, and it has a rich, flavorful broth.The sandwiches are made with bread from a local bakery, and they are filled with a variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables.The service is friendly and efficient.The prices are reasonable.Overall, Geno's Chowder & Sandwich is a great place to go for a classic New England meal. It is a popular spot, so it can get crowded, but the wait is usually worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is an out-of-the-way riverside lunch stop that is truly a gem. Unassuming and nowhere near the hustle and bustle of downtown Portsmouth, it is well worth seeking out. The staff is friendly and excel at what they do. The lobster roll, while pricey (as it is everywhere) is loaded with fresh lobster meat and worth it (and ours was the "regular," so that I cannot imagine what the large size might look like). The "special" offering included a cup of one of their renown chowders, fish or clam, to go with the lobster roll -- I suggest you not pass it up. For a satisfying seafood lunch in a laid back setting this is the place to go. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Regular Lobster Roll, Chowder
Had the lobster roll along with fish chowder, it was so delicious! The amount of lobster in the roll was crazy, it was overflowing so much that I ended up with extra and got to just dunk it into the butter and enjoy! This is a must try if you are in the area for sure.
Perfect lunch, great atmosphere and location, 'em wonderful staff! Lobster rolls and chowder top notch
Expect a short wait at Geno's as it's a very popular spot. It's a cute little restaurant that really dives all in to the fisherman/nautical theme. There's not a ton of parking right next to the restaurant, but parking a few blocks away and walking along the water was nice. The lobster roll was good but not the best New England has to offer. Lobster is served at market price, which is very common in this part of the country. The grilled cheese was disappointing. The singular slice of cheese was not melted. It appeared as though a slice of cheese was placed between two pieces of toasted bread. The chowder is not as thick as most people are used to. It has more of a broth soup consistency than the thick, creamy chowder most people think of. The blueberry pie was good! Best thing we ate here! Something to note-- while the online menu lists a few different chowders and stews, only a few are served daily. They are written on a chalkboard outside the restaurant and on whiteboards inside the restaurant. If you have your heart set on a specific chowder or stew, I recommend calling ahead to make sure they are serving it on the day you visit!
Classic New England fare, atmosphere and childhood familiarity. I worked in places like this as a teen. Frequented places like this. This chowder style is common but not popular to most. I definitely prefer a stick your spoon in the chowder and it stands upright consistency. This place is thin and brothy. Luckily I knew this going in AND they encourage sampling prior to ordering which I think is great. We sampled all 3, and while im partial to another local business with a red ribbon for their lobster bisque from Rye. Geno's lobster stew is opposite of what I usually like, their flavor is undeniable. Additionally, the sheer quantity of lobster they put in the lobster stew, they do not skimp. Our 16oz had at least 2oz, but I dare say it was 3-4oz in there. We found the clam and fish chowders lacking flavor so we skipped those. But the brothyness of their chowders provides a nice light chowder experience, when other (thicker) chowders can be filled with heavy cream, butter and a bloated guilty experience after. I'd return for the lobster stew. Parking is a tad tricky though but they do have some spots
Restaurantji Recommends
This is such a cute place on the water and I loved the oyster and lobster stew. However, the clam chowder was not my favorite. It might be a personal choice, but I prefer the creamy style of clam chowder. The lobster roll was good but I shared it with my husband and it was not big enough to share. The service was excellent and the roll the lobster was in was very good. The quality of the lobster was also very good.
Our first time there and not our last. I had the special - lobster roll and chowder- The lobster roll had a good amount of fresh lobster - and came with two additions - melted butter & Mayo. So you can add your own choice and amount that you prefer. So good!! Chowder - I chose the seafood chowder and it was full of seafood and delicious broth. Service was great! Great find for us.
This is a cute hole in the wall spot! I had the lobster stew and chicken salad sandwich to go. The sandwich had a generous serving of chicken salad and was delicious! The young lady who took my to-go order was also very kind. I liked the lobster stew a lot - but it is more of just lobster meat and broth. I added it over a serving of pasta at home and it was perfect and filling. Would highly recommend this spot while they are still open for the season!
Service was extremely slow! Food took forever Ordered a cold lobster roll and a chicken salad sandwich with Clam Chowder You'd think the soup would come first...nope! The Clam Chowder was warm at best and tasteless let's not even mention the oil floating on top (when asked was told that's how it comes....REALLY!???) DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! 2 stars - lobster was fresh nice view.
This is one of the most memorable, lovely, quaint, warm-atmosphered restaurants in all of New England with welcoming staff and a delicious food and a peaceful view and feel. I love love this restaurant and they have the most devine and light Lobster Bisque. The pies w the flakey pie crust on the berry or rhubarb pie. I still yearn for it 10 years later from all the way on the opposite coast. Muuummm yum yum. I'm so glad to see Geno's continues to be a staple of Portsmouth and I didn't relalize they fish and grow a lot of their own food until today. Thank you so much for sharing your warmth, creations and spaces with the community. I hope to visit soon again .... in the meantime I'm recommending to friends they must visit. Take good care Geno's and Geno community!