The cool Gulf of Maine waters are the prime temperature for lobsters, however Portland fisherman haul in more than just the internationally acclaimed shellfish. Cod, haddock, halibut, swordfish, scallops, mussels, and crab are all locally caught and served in Portland’s famous seafood restaurants.
A visit to Maine isn’t complete without dining at one of these top seafood restaurants in Portland:
Map Of Portland Seafood Restaurants
The map below shows the locations of every restaurant mentioned in this post:
Scales
Heralded as one of the best restaurants in Portland, Scales is a spacious venue boasting top-quality local seafood. Hidden on an old wooden dock off Commercial Street, the unassuming exterior gives way to a spacious yet cozy interior with simplistic, natural décor. The real fun, however, is at the bar. The friendly bartenders are ready to whip up perfectly-crafted cocktails (the vodka martinis are the best in town) and freshly-shucked oysters are served on packed ice directly on the cleverly designed granite bar. Grilled octopus, crab fritters, and fried cauliflower are standout appetizer choices. Mains consist of mostly fish—salmon, haddock, branzino, cod, and halibut—and the bavette steak is the top choice for red meat-eaters.
Location: 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Scales
Street and Co.
Owned by the same folks who operate Scales, it’s no wonder Street and Co. makes our list as well. Located on a quaint cobblestone street in the heart of the Old Port, Street and Co. is a Mediterranean-style bistro with a warm and welcoming ambiance, lively atmosphere, and cozy brick and wood interior. In operation for over 30 years, Street and Co. works with local fishermen to ensure their menu offers the freshest seasonal seafood. The thoughtfully selected wine list compliments the variety of seafood options with swordfish, yellowfin and bluefin tuna, and lobster diavolo stealing the show. Save room for dessert; the bourbon pecan pie is a standout.
Location: 33 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Street and Co.
The Shop
Love oysters, but hate shelling out the big bucks for them? Stop by The Shop, a raw bar and shellfish market that serves an all-raw menu, including local oysters for $1.50 a pop. Check out the rotating specials or splurge on carefully-sourced caviar. Wash it down with a cold beer, a bottle of bubbly, or a handcrafted cocktail while soaking up the atmosphere of Portland’s ever-evolving East End. The Shop shares a wall with Maine Craft Distilling, so after your meal you can wander around the back of the building for a nightcap and some live music.
Location: 123 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: The Shop
Yosaku
Sushi joints aren’t hard to come by in Portland, but Yosaku’s quality fish, spacious patio, and middle-of-the-road pricing make it a favorite. Visit when the weather is mild and enjoy watching the bustle of downtown from the airy patio. Yosaku has everything you’d except to find at a Japanese restaurant; bento boxes, tempura, udon noddle dishes, grilled meat, and a wide variety of sushi make up the menu. Sushi platters are a fun way to share if you’ve got a larger group.
Location: 1 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Yosaku
J’s Oyster
Established in 1977, J’s Oyster is the epitome of old school Portland (before the trendy coffee shops and pricey boutiques moved in). This Portland staple boasts an unapologetic presence in a simple white and blue shack and a no-frills vibe beloved by locals. Their oceanfront location and reputation as an original Portland establishment guarantees they source the freshest Maine seafood. Known for their oysters and clams, J’s also packs a variety of seafood appetizers, lobster dishes, sandwiches, a lively bar into their small space. Adding to the appeal is J’s back patio, a concrete corner of their parking lot transformed into an outdoor dining area and space for hosting live music. J’s Oyster even charmed Anthony Bourdain who famously proclaimed, “If I lived in Portland, I would live above J’s.”
Location: 5 Portland Pier, Portland, ME 04101
Website: J’s Oyster
Portland Lobster Company
The seasonal lobster shack on Commercial Street is a façade for one of the best outdoor hangouts on the water. The small shop backs onto the waterfront and boasts a large patio, walk-up bar, outdoor seating, and a small stage used to host local bands. The menu is small, but has all the Maine classics like fried clams, lobster rolls, and fish sandwiches. Order your food at the indoor counter, grab a beer from the outdoor bar, and find a table outside while you wait for your food. Whether you want to sample some of Portland’s tastiest seafood or day drink on the water, Portland Lobster Company is always a good choice.
Location: 180 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Portland Lobster Company
Luke’s Lobster
Tucked away at the end of Portland Pier, Luke’s Lobster is a prime piece of real estate that draws tourists and locals eager to dine on Casco Bay. This is a popular spot, and chances are you’ll have to wait for a table, especially if you want to sit on the ocean-facing patio. Head upstairs and grab a drink at the bar and post up at the standing tables on the balcony while you wait. You’ll have things like Bang’s Island mussels steamed in Allagash White, fried haddock bites, and lobster corn chowder to look forward to. Can’t decide between lobster, crab, or shrimp? No problem. Order Luke’s Trio Roll – a combo of lobster, crab, and shrimp—and try it all.
Location: 60 Portland Pier, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Luke’s Lobster
Eventide Oyster Co.
Come hungry, order plenty. Eventide Oyster Co. serves up gourmet seafood in compact bites that are so tasty, we’ll forgive them for the petite sizes. Slightly up-scale yet unpretentious, Eventide offers outdoor picnic tables and prime indoor seating around the centerpiece granite bar. Kick things off with offerings from the raw bar; mix and match a tray of local Maine oysters, or try the longneck clams. Snack on the brown butter lobster roll and the fried oyster bun before moving on to the fried fish sandwich or Casco Bay pollack. For a quintessential experience, order the New England Clam Bake, complete with steamers, lobster tail, and mussels served with potatoes on a bed of rock seaweed.
Location: 86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Eventide Oyster Co
Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room
Oysters and booze add up quickly, but the happy hour at Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room makes indulging a lot more fun—and easier on the wallet. Come in Sunday-Friday from 3pm-5pm for $1 oysters and $5 drinks. Stay for a main meal, like their original baked stuffed lobster, seared salmon, or classic fish & chips. The atmospheric dining area packs a ton of character, and hours easily pass at one of the two full bars. Along with the happy hour, the double-decker outdoor patios are another one of Boone’s claims to fame. Sit outside, slurp down oysters, and look out over the harbor—it doesn’t get anymore Maine than that.
Location: 86 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room
Gilbert’s Chowder House
There’s no better way to stay warm during a Maine winter than digging into a bowl of piping hot chowder. Gilbert’s Chowder House, family-owned and operated diner overlooking Custom House Wharf, has been serving their award-winning chowder for over 28 years. Order a cup as a starter, or make it a meal in a sourdough bread bowl. Chowder aside, Gilbert’s also serves fresh Maine seafood and local microbrews. Smack in the middle of busy Commercial Street, Gilbert’s is a fun place to hang out after a meal as well. The rickety wooden patio offers harbor views and those eating inside have a view of the historic Custom House across the street.
Location: 92 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Gilbert’s Chowder House
Bite into Maine Food Truck
Permanently parked at Allagash Brewing Company and making a seasonal appearance at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, Bite into Maine is the best food truck for ultimate Maine fare. The menu is basic yet showcases lobster in every capacity; lobster rolls, double meat lobster rolls (yes, please), lobster mac n’ cheese, lobster grilled cheese, and lobster BLT. The location of the trucks—one at Maine’s biggest and best-known brewery and the other within spitting distance of America’s most photographed lighthouse—means you get to enjoy your lobster in an optimal Maine setting.
Location: 50 Industrial Way, Portland, ME 04103
Website: Bite into Maine
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