FIVE81NE

4.6 ( 105 reviews )
Checking... 11:30 AM - 02:30 PM See Hours
$30–50
581 Lafayetter road, 3 US-1 BYP unit, Portsmouth, NH 03801, United States
+1 603-956-5665

If you’re searching for an exceptional Thai dining experience, look no further than FIVE81NE in Portsmouth, NH. Nestled at 581 Lafayette Road, this Asian restaurant has quickly become a local favorite. Guests rave about the stunning presentation and unique decorations of each dish, transforming their meals into art pieces. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between modern and cozy, making it an inviting spot for a sit-down meal.

Reviewers like Jessica Kam and K.H.C. Brandin highlight the freshness and quality of the dishes. Whether it’s the crisp egg rolls or the flavorful crab curry, every bite showcases the chef's dedication. Notably, the Drunken Noodles receive accolades from discerning palates, proving that FIVE81NE stands strong even against fierce competition from NYC eateries.

Olga Shestopalova and Emily Dunham emphasize the hidden gem aspect of FIVE81NE, with a menu featuring shareable plates and delightful drinks. The soufflé cheesecake is particularly praised for its beautiful presentation and rich taste. With attentive, knowledgeable staff and an intimate menu that caters to various dietary needs, diners leave not just satisfied but eager for a return visit. It’s clear that FIVE81NE is not just a restaurant; it’s a culinary experience waiting to be explored.

Amenities and More

  • From the business
    • Identifies as Asian-owned
    • Identifies as LGBTQ+ owned
    • Identifies as women-owned
  • Service options
    • Outdoor seating
    • Kerbside pickup
    • Takeaway
    • Dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Fast service
    • Great cocktails
    • Great tea selection
  • Popular for
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Offerings
    • Alcohol
    • Beer
    • Cocktails
    • Coffee
    • Comfort food
    • Healthy options
    • Small plates
    • Spirits
    • Vegan options
    • Vegetarian options
    • Wine
  • Dining options
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Catering
    • Counter service
    • Dessert
    • Seating
    • Table service
  • Amenities
    • Bar on site
    • Toilet
    • Wi-Fi
    • Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Tourists
    • Transgender safe space
  • Planning
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Credit cards
    • Debit cards
    • NFC mobile payments
  • Children
    • High chairs
  • Parking
    • Free parking lot
    • Parking
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed outside

Reviews For FIVE81NE

Jessica Kam
Jul 4,2025
If you're looking for good Thai food and a place to sit down and enjoy, this is the place. The Decor is as unique as the food. Every dish we had was decorated like it was an art piece. The food was so refreshing it was satisfying. The dine in experience was worth it. The staff were amazing. I definitely will be back to try more from the menu.
K.H.C. Brandin
May 31,2025
Finally, excellent Thai food in Portsmouth! We've enjoyed other spots whose chefs changed and promptly diminished their excellence. But here, we encountered crisp egg rolls, hot and beautifully presented. My Crab curry with rice was moist, flavorful, and just enough spice. My son's Drunken Noodle was spot on (and he eats a lot of excellent food in NYC but said this was great), while my husband's 'go-to' Pad Thai was presented to indicate it was individually made rather than out of 'one big vat'. Service--attentive but not intrusive, and the atmosphere was surprisingly modern and cozy. Prices are in-line with Portsmouth though I wish the glasses of wine were so heavily marked up. We will be back!
J C
May 3,2025
First, I wish we had one of these restaurants where we live! The food was delicious, the service TOP-NOTCH (Thank you Danny), the price is reasonable, and the ambiance matched my vibe.
Olga Shestopalova
Apr 24,2025
Such a hidden gem! This place is so cool, the food is excellent and unique, the drinks are on point, and the vibes are great. I love that you can get a bunch of small shareable plates, we were really tempted to order everything on the menu! My favorites were definitely the moo ping skewer and garlic calamari. I also enjoyed the tuna tartare and laab duck. For dessert, we got the souffle cheesecake which was as beautiful as it was tasty (both!). We sat at the bar and I enjoyed the conversation with the bartender, I can't wait to come back here!
Emily Dunham
Apr 16,2025
I don’t usually write reviews but I felt compelled to after our experience at this lovely establishment. We stumbled across this place on accident and we are surely glad we did. We were met by kind, patient and knowledgeable service. The menu is intimate with flavorful options many of which could be gluten free! There were descriptions of each item which was helpful if you don’t know Thai cuisine. I wanted to try everything because all of the dishes sounded sooo good. When the food arrived (in a timely manner) the presentation, flavors and portions were just right! You can tell the chef cooks with his heart. Every bite is unique and flavorful! The dishes I tasted were even more elevated than those I’ve had in Thailand. We will definitely be back to sample the differently monthly specials. Thank you Five81*NE!
Shannon O'Connor
Apr 12,2025
We stumbled upon this place and had a very fantastic meal. I’ve been searching for a green papaya salad that tasted like those in Thailand for years and finally found it! We ordered several dishes and loved them all. We sat at the bar and Mike gave stellar service as well. The fine dining is unusual for Thai (wine doesn’t really go with Thai food, recommend a beer or cocktails) and prices are a bit higher but food is elevated and it’s a nice atmosphere. We were not planning on a fine dining meal and were dressed quite casually but still felt comfortable. Would absolutely go back!
Christine Pu
Apr 6,2025
A great option for Thai food. The prices are high, but the atmosphere is very elevated. The food is delicious, although the portions are small. Overall, if you are looking for Thai food in a fancy place, I recommend coming here. If you only care about food quality, I recommend Nikki’s over this place.
Sarah Ryman
Mar 26,2025
We spent just under 3 hours here this afternoon catching up with a friend we had t seen in years. Food was delicious! Where most Thai places just dump out piles of noodles with unbalanced sauces, these dishes were thoughtful and well-executed. We will be back! Shared 4 appetizers, 3 entrees, and a dessert! Thanks for a memorable meal, we will be back!

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