Rosa Restaurant

Write a Review603-334-9855

CLOSED NOW - Opens at 11:00am

Set directly beside the picturesque Prescott Park and in front of the colonial atmosphere of Strawbery Banke, this family-style Italian restaurant, once owned by Ralph Rosa, opened its doors on December 22, 1927. Encouraged by his mother, Domenica, an Italian chef, and after having been laid off from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard during a slack period in 1926, Ralph transformed his family home into The Rosa Restaurant. With authentic Italian recipes and an uncompromising desire to treat customers like family, Ralph graciously served patrons for fifty-four years. During that half-century, the Rosa weathered the Great Depression, only closing its doors for a two-month period, and has the distinction of having served the first glass of beer in Portsmouth, a twelve-ounce glass for ten cents, after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.Set directly beside the picturesque Prescott Park and in front of the colonial atmosphere of Strawbery Banke, this family-style Italian restaurant, once owned by Ralph Rosa, opened its doors on December 22, 1927. Encouraged by his mother, Domenica, an Italian chef, and after having been laid off from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard during a slack period in 1926, Ralph transformed his family home into The Rosa Restaurant. With authentic Italian recipes and an uncompromising desire to treat customers like family, Ralph graciously served patrons for fifty-four years. During that half-century, the Rosa weathered the Great Depression, only closing its doors for a two-month period, and has the distinction of having served the first glass of beer in Portsmouth, a twelve-ounce glass for ten cents, after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.