Who Has the Best Chowder in New Hampshire? Here are the Winners of the 39th Annual Chowderfest

Every year, 97.5, WOKQ has been the host of Chowderfest at Prescott Park in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in cooperation with the Prescott Park Arts Festival. This year, it was the 39th Annual!

Restaurants bring their best chowder to the park and serve it to patrons who will test the deliciousness and vote on who they think is the best.

There is also a panel of judges who get to choose their favorite.

This year, June 6, 2026, was a wonderful day starting with the delicious smells that started hitting your nose.  The vendors were setting up and I could not believe the amount of chowder everyone had!

This is just ONE of many of these pots all around Prescott Park.

For me, there was one winner that was expected and one surprise.  You can decide which ones.  Here they are:

The Golden Ladle, voted by the people, went to:  THE RIVER HOUSE!  The people's favorite for over a decade!

The Judges also had a choice and they chose:

• 1st Place:  Shalimar India in Portsmouth
• 2nd Place:  The Wilder in Downtown Portsmouth
• 3rd Place and Kids Choice Award:  250 Market at the Sheraton Portsmouth

Most Creative went to:  Fisherman's Catch Restaurant.

I have to say, I could NOT have been a judge.  So many great choices, it would have been difficult.

Tom Bergeron Loves Old Ferry Landing in Portsmouth, NH

Old Ferry Landing was a participant at Chowderfest as well.  Fun Fact:  If you go to the Old Ferry Landing and you order the famous Jimmy Juice, here's the actual Jimmy who invented the drink and his brother Jack.  Jimmy's on the left.

Jack, who is good friends with Tom Bergeron, told me that he likes to tell people that he's been friends with him so far back that Jack was more famous than Tom when they first met!

RELATED:  Remember when Guy Fieri Showed Up at this North Conway, NH Bakery?  

There is so much work that goes into getting ready for this day, so everyone deserves to be recognized for the hard work it took to just participate in the day.

Congratulations to all the winners!  I have a favorite, and they know who they are, but I'll never tell.

See you next year for the 40th!