Stroll Cafe & Wine Bar
Nestled in a vibrant business hub in Portsmouth, Stroll Cafe & Wine Bar (75 Portsmouth Blvd., Portsmouth, 319-8954, stroll.cafe) offers a bright, welcoming space, complete with locally sourced coffee, fresh eats and a spacious outdoor patio. Owner Stacy Moore brings decades of restaurant experience — after 15 years in the airport food service business, she pivoted during the pandemic to open Stroll in February 2022, transforming a vacant storefront in the heart of Portwalk Place into a thriving community cafe. Though that location has since closed, Stroll’s second spot at Portsmouth Boulevard, which opened in November 2023, continues to build on that success, serving a dynamic mix of local professionals and residents. With a focus on quality and convenience, Stroll offers everything from expertly brewed coffee — featuring beans roasted from La Mulita in neighboring Rye — to fresh salads, sandwiches, pastries and grab-and-go options. The large outdoor patio provides a perfect setting to relax, socialize or work, making Stroll a versatile destination that seamlessly blends neighborhood warmth with a modern, inviting atmosphere. The Scene spoke with Moore to learn more about how Stroll has become a beloved local favorite and to hear her top picks from the menu.
What makes Stroll Cafe & Wine Bar unique?
I think it’s unique in that it’s an all-day concept, and also that it’s fairly upscale. We do attract a lot of business people who have meetings here … and we have a lot of seating options, so people can easily find a place to either have a meeting or sit and be on their laptop.
What is your favorite thing on your own menu?
I have a couple — the beet salad, and the Stroll grilled cheese. The beet salad has goat cheese, caramelized pecans and a balsamic glaze. It’s really delicious. … The Stroll grilled cheese is brie, green apples and honey mustard.
What is something that everyone should try?
The No. 1 thing is the Stroll maple latte. It’s a latte made with a maple syrup and a maple crunch, both of which come from Vermont. It’s just so delicious — everybody loves it.
Name a celebrity you would like to see eating at Stroll Cafe & Wine Bar.
I’m a big music fan. … Rachael Price, who is the lead singer of Lake Street Dive, came in twice in one day. … I love her, but she is also known to be obsessed with coffee. She sings about coffee in her songs, and if you see her Instagram, it’s always loaded with coffee photos. So the fact that she came in and had coffee at Stroll was like a dream for me!
What’s one essential skill needed to successfully run a restaurant?
I think it’s understanding what the customer’s experience is at the restaurant that you own or operate, so that you can make sure you’re meeting their needs. … You may think that you’re doing everything right, but if you don’t put their hat on, you may not be.
What is your favorite thing about being on the Seacoast?
I love that there’s a lot to do all year-round here, and I love being near the water.
— Matt Ingersoll
Featured Photo: Courtesy of Stroll Cafe & Wine Bar in Portsmouth.
