Blue Mermaid Island Grill

On a wintery Sunday at noon, three of the 10 or so tabletops were full. The Blue Mermaid Grill has a fun, Caribbean atmosphere, and was recommended by friends who joined us.
My bloody mary arrived promptly, and was tasty, topped with green olive and pepperoncini.
My black bean soup was highly spiced, and delicious, if a bit salty, and slow to arrive.
The beer selection on tap was very good, and we had Left Hand Brewing’s Fade to Black stout. There were many choices for low carb, high protein meals, including the pulled chicken lettuce cups with mango salsa, and 3-​egg cheese and veggie stuffed omelette with sweet potato-​chickpea hash. I would go back again; friendly, laid-​back hangout.

Delicious brunch with $ 3 bloody Marys (very spicy but good) and mimosas. I had the pulled pork Benedict and every bite was delicious. Very nice and attentive server and a good playlist on the restaurant sound system in the background. A nice, casual place to spend a couple of hours.

This place was ok. To be honest, we only got a drink because we saw others food come out and we’re not overly impressed. Also, it was pretty dirty inside and the menu they gave me to look at was filthy… Tons of food caked on and wet.
The drink I got was ok. Not impressed for price. Boyfriend got a beer.

My sister and I come here annually for our sister weekend. The food and service are consistently excellent. Highly recommend!

Well, that was just spectacular.
I’ve been living in Portsmouth for nine years and for some reason, I’ve never gone to Blue Mermaid until this evening. I don’t know why. Oh, wait — yes, I do. I have children. I don’t get out much.
I came here this evening for our book club for a change of pace and I was pretty excited — I’ve heard nothing but stellar remarks about Blue Mermaid. While perusing the menu, I mentioned a few things I couldn’t choose between. All at once, my friends shouted: the short ribs! (one of my picks). Well, I couldn’t say no to that dramatic persuasion. Once they sang their praises about the «sweet meat», I was in.
Those short ribs … THOSE SHORT RIBS. It’s only been a few hours and I’m drooling for them again. If you’re reading this and wondering what to get — wonder no further. Get the short ribs.
Divine. Spectacular. Delish. Totally satisfying.
I also tried the lobster corn chowder and I, ahem, may have licked the bowl clean. I have no shame.

This place was across the street form the Hilton Garden Inn and was recommend by a coworker. Since I am lazy, figured I’d walk across and try the place. I ate the coworker-​recommended short ribs. I was not disappointed. They were very good and so was the beer selection. I sat at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and attentive. Next time I’ll try the lobster quesadilla.

Great place for appetizers and drinks. Great music, nice staff!!! The meal was ok, nothing memorable. I again would recommend for drinks and appetizers.

Parked and were heading toward the British Beer Co, when we caught a whiff of this place on the cut-​through. Decided to check it out. The jerk chicken quesadilla was really good. The red sangria had a touch of spice that really I didnt care for. Mango margarita was very good. The kids menu had allot to choose from.

Great unique place. Fast service, food served hot
I had ISLAND LETTUCE CUPS
Boston lettuce, sautéed shredded chicken in ginger tamari — mango and onion — delicious — great flavor. Next time I’ll add peanut sauce
Also gingered scallops in a butternut squash cup –scallops, fresh grated ginger, pano, toasted almonds in butternut squash.
That was soooooo good we decided to get the orange ginger spring rolls –Napa cabbage, sprouts, carrots, ginger and peanut sauce.
All excellent– waitress was busy but still attentive.
Very clean place — also has outside seating

The food that was in stock was good, but that is fairly limiting. They were out of multiple dishes and beers. They literally had no pork in the entire restaurant.
The saddle bags were good, the sweet potato fries were a little soft, overall good food.
They did a good job of noting vegetarian options on the menu and the staff was friendly.

This place was like the underdog I was cheering for, but still got absolutely crushed by the competition.
We arrived to a small hallway that led to a busy bar, or a flight of stairs to a dining area and a sign that said please wait to be seated. They weren’t kidding about waiting — we waited in for five or so minutes before a hostess came to seat us. When we reached the top of the stairs, there was not a single other person in the place which is never a good sign. It also doesn’t make sense that we waited so long to be seated.
The waitress was pleasant, so I don’t think she realized that she was rushing us with a drink order. She had asked three times within a timeframe shorter than what we waited downstairs.
I had a house-​infused tequila on the rocks, which was the right amount of heat to go with my meal. I ordered the lobster quesadilla as Unilocal had suggested, and an order of catch of the day tacos.
The tacos were served in a hexagonal shaped tortilla bowl, rather than a tortilla. Cool to look at, but fell to pieces as you ate it. You can tell these sat in the kitchen a bit too long as the center was wet and began leaking the dressing all over the place.
Lobster quesadilla was tasty, sure — but you could barely call it a lobster quesadilla with how little lobster was in it. Wasn’t very impressed.
But the part that struck me the most was how dirty and dingy the place was. You could see dust bunnies in the light fixtures, glossy spill remains on the walls, and tons of leftover food crumbs at our table and many of the other tables in the place — even ones in an area that looked like it wasn’t being seated in regularly, as the lights were off in this area. That means the leftover food likely sat there for a while. Eww.
But hey, the music was really good, and the menu was unique — a mix of Caribbean and Mexican with a tough of Maine. Blue Mermaid has some strong potential, but was lacking what I assume to be proper management motivating their staff to keep the place tidy and the service and food solid.
Don’t go here — not when BRGR Bar is a stone throw away and there are so many great eateries in Portsmouth.

Really great food — unusual and still great. Service was very much like eating with family and prices were very reasonable

We’ve only had lunch here but the menu is a good change for the area. It’s a good Caribbean flair on sandwiches and wraps. I had the Mahi Mahi wrap with homemade sweet potato chips. The wrap was great. The service was perfect and prompt. We will be trying dinner soon

We first went to the earth and ladle but left after the waitress ignored us for 15 minutes. Walked around the corner to the blue Mermaid. Had great food and service for my sons 21^st birthday.
Highlight were the corn fritters!
Will be back!

Even though there are many wonderful places to eat in Portsmouth, we continue to return time and time again to the Blue Mermaid. It has not disappointed us yet!
Our last visit was during restaurant week and we didn’t make a reservation until that afternoon. We could get in, but for a time later than we wanted. We called back a couple of hours later and they had received a cancellation so we were able to go at a better time for us.
We were seated immediately upon arrival, drink orders were taken and promptly delivered. They have some very good drinks. That night we chose a mojito and a sangria.
Complimentary chips and special salsa were brought to us while we perused the menu. What to get!
Our selections included wasabi rangoons that are yummy and «hot». They were crispy and full of yummy filling. For my entrée I chose the scallops which were served with 2 sides of my choice, mashed and cole slaw and wasabi sauce drizzled over the wood grilled scallops. My husband had the beef dish which he said was cooked to perfection and very tasty.
The décor in this restaurant is colorful and islandy. Service is always good and the food is so enjoyable.
Can’t wait to go back again!

My mom and I ordered take out from here. I ordered the lobster and roasted corn chowder which was delicious and the lobster quesadilla which was pretty good. My mom ordered the saddle bags which she said were dry and bland, asparagus which she said were very good, and sea scallops with wasabi cream which she said were cooked perfectly and the sauce was awesome. I plan on going back so I can try some of their drinks and to get more of that chowder!

After years of living in Portsmouth I’ve never been here and shame on me! The margaritas were delish! I had one with jalapeño infused tequila, YUM! For dinner I had the grilled shrimp over island rice with mango salsa and a vinaigrette, it was all perfectly cooked and filled with great flavors. My mom had the grilled Mahi Mahi, and for someone that doesn’t like cooked fish (me) it was very good.
I will absoutely be coming back!

I was a fan of all the food we ordered. The atmosphere was excellent as well. Colorful, joyful, vibrant even though it was a Monday night and a little slow but the place was bustling still.
We ordered fish tacos as a app, then for entrees we got Jamaican Jerk chicken and Paella. i loved the Paella (mussels, sausage, pulled chicken and shrimp in a curried rice, tailored to you for spiciness of your choice) I’m not a huge fan of shrimp quality these days but this was fresh, good shrimp.
I decided I wasn’t going to risk ordering grilled chicken breast since, by policy it seems, restaurants everywhere just destroy chicken. Instead of at least using a probe and cooking it correctly, they just over do it by policy and ruin it. But my Wife wanted the Jamaican Jerk so she got it. It was overdone…
It was seasoned well too, so it was a shame. This is their fault, but as I said not exclusive to Blue Mermaid. I think restaurants overdo it a little as common practice because if someone sees a little pink they freak out. Those reading this, trust me, take a little pink. Same with pork, do yourself a favor and just don’t eat meat at all if you are worried about seeing a little pink. You’re doing it all wrong and ruining it for everyone else.
The gin gimlet was great, they had good beer selections, it was hard to choose off their fairly small menu because they had a ton of great choices.
Lots of Gluten Free choices and vegan choices too. If it is pertinent to you, they offer many options in Vegetarian and Vegan with Daiya substitutes and tofu substitutes. (that includes dessert as well with flourless cakes, etc.)
I would recommend the place for sure. They also have a lot going on at the bar, live music etc with some good acts.

The Blue Mermaid is one of the best spots in Portsmouth. It is located off the beaten path, overlooks adorable 18^th century homes, and has complimentary parking for its patrons in the adjacent parking lot. The restaurant has a Caribbean theme and is certainly unique for Portsmouth, NH.
The cocktails are excellent (around $ 10 for a cocktail, which is pricey for the area). If you can make it during happy hour you can save on both cocktails and apps (don’t forget etiquette calls for you to tip on the full value with happy hour specials). A personal favorite cocktail is the Killer Collins (bombay sapphire, soda, fresh-​squeezed lemon, st. germain). Love the margaritas and the key lime martini comes with a graham cracker rim. The bar is cute, not many seats but it doesn’t get too full. There is a small tv so you don’t miss the game.
The back patio is a great spot when the weather is nice (for lunch or dinner). I prefer sitting downstairs or outside but there is also a large dining room upstairs.
Blue Mermaid is a go-​to spot of mine. I like it for both lunch and dinner and although I have never brought children, it seems family-​oriented.
The complimentary chips and salsa are really good. Chips are house made and salsa is different, a little sweeter, and they also sell it to go.
Favorites: Lunch time, cup & a half (lobster & corn chowder w/​magi mahi wrap or jamaican jerk); apps lettuce wraps, saddle bags; dinner fish special or lobster and corn chowder with the blue mermaid salad.

I have never given a one star to a restaurant.
We went here for Mothers Day brunch and it was totally dead (should have been our first clue). My mom ordered the lobster omlette special — all you could taste were tomatoes… not sure there was even any lobster in there. It came w/​breakfast potatoes which was like thyme flavored sweet potatoes and beans — very odd and not bfast-​like food at all.
Homemade chips were ok and homemade salsa was actually pretty yummy.
I got the fish tacos which was TINY and came in 2 hard shells even though i specifically asked for soft flour tortillas. You had to use a fork for these and there was no sauce just a hunk of wasabi sauce that overpowered the dish.
Mimosas were 3 bucks on sundays which is a killer deal. But the soda water and coffee are 2.75 and 3.25 respectively so that defeats the deal in my opinion.
Service was equally as bad. Our meal took over an hour when no one was around — should have been in and out in 40 min. Very unattentive and kind of rude.
Oh and they dont have syrup for the french toast which is odd…
Would NEVER go back.