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Cafe Mediterraneo | Our Story

Born from the Storm, Made with Love

Café Mediterraneo, better known as Cafe Med, is brought to you by proud owners Dominic and Brian. But the story didn't start in Portsmouth. It started in Naples, Florida, where they owned and operated Caffe dell'Amore, a top-rated Italian restaurant that quickly became a staple in the Naples dining community. When a major hurricane took the restaurant from them, Dominic and Brian faced a crossroads. Rather than rebuild in Florida, they followed their instincts north to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and poured everything they had into Cafe Med. Their philosophy is simple: consistency in serving great food, with great service, in a warm and inviting setting. Every night, the goal is the same, to create a memorable dining experience for every guest who walks through the door. The recipes and ingredients are as they were a hundred years ago, perhaps modernized only in style or presentation. The chef and his team are committed to seeking out the very best ingredients, delivering soul-satisfying cuisine made with passion and love. Italians eat, drink, live, and love with great passion. It is that passion and love for quality food and fine wine that drives Dominic and Brian every day. The sound of conversation and laughter among family and friends, as they break bread and sip wine in the dining room, warms their hearts and is their greatest reward. So all that is required of you is to sit back, relax, and enjoy your time with the Cafe Med family. Buon Appetito.
Caffe dell'Amore, Naples

Caffe dell'Amore, Naples

Long before Congress Street, Dominic and Brian ran Caffe dell'Amore — one of Naples, Florida's most-loved Italian tables. It was the kind of place regulars mourned when they had to leave town.
The Storm That Changed Everything

The Storm That Changed Everything

A hurricane doesn't ask permission. When it destroyed Caffe dell'Amore, Dominic and Brian faced a choice: rebuild what was lost, or trust that the best chapter might still be ahead. They chose to move forward — and Portsmouth, New Hampshire became the fortunate beneficiary of that decision.
What They Carried North

What They Carried North

They arrived with more than recipes — a conviction that Italians eat, drink, live, and love with great passion. Every warm wall and old-world detail in this room was intentional.
Soul in Every Dish

Soul in Every Dish

Housemade mozzarella, Frutti di Mare with mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, and lobster, lobster ravioli in sherry cream — dishes guests still talk about on the drive home. Nothing here is an afterthought.
The Table Is Always Set

The Table Is Always Set

Birthday cards wait at your table before you arrive. The evening is never rushed — because for Dominic and Brian, the highest reward is guests lingering over one last glass of wine. Buon Appetito.