Ports of Italy
47 Commercial St, Boothbay Harbor, ME, 04538
Ports of Italy Menu
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Address :
47 Commercial St
Boothbay Harbor, ME, 04538 - Phone (207) 633-1011
- Website https://www.portsofitaly.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:30 pm - 9:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Jamie E.
this was a really good meal. Ihad the roast pork and my wife had the lobster over risotto Both were pretty damn good, cooked just right. Service was attentive and appropriate. I would love to explore the menu as everything coming out of the kitchen looked great.
(4)Lawrence R.
This property has been empty for some time now. The restaurant has been closed, and the property owner is looking for a new tenant. So I don't recommend that one makes an effort to go there. Interesting that yelp is not letting me post these facts.
(1)Karen H.
Our experience and food rated 5 stars. We were seated quickly and had great people waiting on us. The menu had lots of great choices. I had the Caprese Salad and it was delicious followed by one of the specials that night, lasagna. I loved every bite of it. My husband had a veal dish and it was excellent too. The restaurant was bustling with people! An excellent dinner. A definite place to go back too.
(5)Ginger D.
The cioppino had the best tasting broth ever, and wonderful bread to soak it up! The pistachio crusted halibut with olive tapenade was delicately delicious! The wine was delightful and quite affordable. Our waitress, Rebecca, was beyond awesome! This restaurant is a gem!!!
(5)Ullrich M.
And you thought you came to Boothbay Harbor for lobster. Wrong. You came for cucina Italiana at its very best. Contrary to other comments on this site, Sante Calandri, the owner, seated us within a few minutes when the restaurant was packed. We ordered our negronis within a few minutes and everything else was also unhurried but pleasantly quick. GREAT place.
(5)Del S.
I never thought Boothbay Harbor, Maine, known for their seafood, would have such delicious Italian food. Appetizer INSALATA DI CESARE Whole romaine hearts tossed with Caesar dressing, olives, croutons and shreded parmesan $10--can't go wrong with cesar salad. Entree Taglierini Alle Vongole Homemade angel hair pasta with clams, garlic, white wine and olive oil $19--I don't usually like clams but this pasta was to die for. It's exactly as described. The only complaint I have is that some of the pasta got stuck in clumps as in they boiled the pasta but didn't wash it with cold water. Other than that, this dish was so good. Thinking about it is making my mouth water. Desert PANNA COTTA AI FRUTTI DELLA STAGIONE Very light Italian vanilla custard made with local seasonal berries $8--premade creaminess. The 5 other people I dined with were all very delighted with their dishes. They ordered the following: TAGLIATELLE ALLA BOLOGNESE Long, wide strips of fresh homemade pasta with a meat and tomato ragu $18--looked and smelled amazing. This dish was my second choice. RIGATONI ALLA NORMA Large tubular homemade pasta with sautéed eggplant, shaved aged salted ricotta, tomato sauce and basil $17 Gnocchi Al 4 Formaggi or Pesto Handmade potato dumplings in a light creamy sauce, with Fontana, gorgonzola, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses OR in classic basil pesto, pine nuts and parmesan $18--everyone, who tried a piece, raved about how light it taste Fettuccine Verdi alla Carolina Homemade spinach pasta with seared chicken breast, sundried tomatoes $ fresh spinach and light cream $19 Saltimbocca di Vitello Tender veal scaloppine lined fresh sage and prosciutto di Parma, white wine sauce $26 Decor: Entrance required going up a flight of stairs. Not sure if restaurant is handicap friendly. I think there is a bar area/indoor & outdoor covered eating area. We sat indoors & If i can remember correctly, it was dim lighting with dark burgundy walls with dark wood. Dress: business casual? Service: 4--it was a very packed/full night Food: 10 if I could give that many stars. Another words: AMAZING! A MUST TRY!
(5)Dennis R.
First others failed to mention the parking lot in the back of the restaurant. Not only is this a convenient asset but, makes the restaurant totally handicapped assailable. Now the food. The restaurant should be rated two stars. No not the yelp rating but, the Michelin star rating. This is without doubt a two star Michelin restaurant. For the service, food and atmosphere. We have eaten here many times over the past four years and the service and food has always the consistently the best. Everything here is made in house from scratch, the pasta and deserts. The wine list is well balance and very, very good. The best part the price of the food for the quality is very reasonable. The only bad thing about this restaurant is it closes in November and does not open until April. BUMMER
(5)Rob G.
Ask a local and they'll tell you it's the best place in town. The owners serve up authentic Northern Italian cuisine with a few local ingredients thrown in so if you're in the mood for spaghetti head to one of the many other restaurants within walking distance. The gnocchi is excellent (as is all the pasta- they make it on-premise). Try the duck as a starter. The lobster risotto is amazing!
(5)Ali C.
As someone who has lived in Italy and NYC, I can safely say this is good Italian food. Nice staff and fantastic food. You won't be disappointed with this one. Worth this trip, even if you're off peninsula.
(5)K M.
So, Ports of Italy continues to shine. Every year on our annual sojourn to the Boothbay region, we plan at least one night's dinner at Ports of Italy. In years past, my wife and I would make it a date night and get the girls pizza or something from in town, but last year, when we did the odd trip up in the fall because we could not come last summer, we had our two daughters with us for a quick trip and they came with us then. Well, my one daughter had the Chitarrucci Neri Ai Frutti Di Mare (Squid ink pasta with seafood) that evening and wanted to have it again, so the entire crew went to Ports this year. Because the days was a bit blah (foggy, damp, and dull), we decided to do an early dinner so we could walk about town after our meal. We arrived a little late, but Sanet got the crew settled while I parked the car. When I came up a minute or two later, Tony, Ports of Italy's most consistent and best personality, came over to give us the day's specials (figs and prosciutto or burrito for primo and Italian style lamb chops or pistachio encrusted halibut for second). After picking the wine (a nice Italian vermentino di sardegna), Tony left us to peruse the menu, which has been updated a little from our previous visits. The good news is that the Chitarrucci Neri Ai Frutti Di Mare was still on the menu and that finished the job for my one daughter. The youngest wanted gnocchi with Ports' tomato sauce, so she was done, but the rest of us were not 100% certain what to get with all the wonderful choices. When Tony returned with the wine, we were able to select appetizers for the table (rollatini di melanzane, Affettato Misto, and Caprese Di Mozzarella Di Bufala) After a few more minutes, we were able to finally all figure out what we wanted. My oldest picked the Cioppino, her girlfriend chose Tagleirini alle Vongole (linguini with little neck clams), my wife and I both decided to go with the pistachio encrusted halibut. I noted to Tony that I was somewhat disappointed that they did not have the Branzino Al Forno, which I have pretty much gotten every time I come and have Tony fillet and de-bone it tableside for me. But change is good and I did not leave disappointed. Well, the wine was wonderful and we finished the appetizers almost as soon as they arrived. The parmesan cheese basket for the Caprese salad with the grape heirloom tomatoes was incredible tonight. I've had it before and liked it very much, but the basket seemed extra thin and flavorful this evening. The Affettato disappeared as if it had never been on the table and my wife and I devoured the Rollatini - Ports' tomato sauce is second only to my wife's. Soon after, our main courses arrived and we all dug in. The halibut was superb and the roasted rosemary potatoes that came with it were fantastic having wonderful taste an texture. My oldest completely finished her Cropping and began using the leftover breads to sop up the yummy juices in her bowl (which she kindly allowed me to try). My other daughter with the fixation on the Chitarrucci enjoyed ever last bit, bit was willing to share one mussel with dear ol' Dad. My daughter's girlfriend finished up her Vongole without anyone's help and even the little one, well known for never finishing her dishes, made her plate clean. As for me, well, I did miss the Branzino, but you were not getting a taste of my halibut - nor my wife's. Following the entrées, we were not going anywhere without getting the complete meal. So for dessert we all got some goodies. There was two Tiramisus, one blueberry Sorbet, one Vanilla gelati, one Panna Cotta ai Frutti Della Stationed (for the wife), and my absolute favorite, Fragole al Balsamico (fresh strawberries in aged balsamic vinegar topped with fresh whipped cream). Again, all plates finished clean. I also got a double espresso and everyone (except the youngest) got coffee. The lemon peel in the espresso was the right finish to an exceptionally wonderful meal. Now, Ports isn't for everyone - Santa, Tony, Fabrizio, and the rest of the staff at Ports of Italy take food (and serving it to their customers) very seriously - but they don't take those who take themselves too seriously very seriously. So, if you believe life should be filled with good food and the time to enjoy it with family, then Ports of Italy should be your main stop when in Boothbay Harbor. Buon appetito!
(5)Louisa J.
What are people talking about?!! I am from New York City and I'm married to an Italian man. We both know from good food and good service, and Ports of Italy has both. The food is fresh, authentic and delicious. There are many options and they are (so far) all delicious. The service is friendly, and everyone is very attentive and knowledgable. The prices seem perfectly appropriate to me for the quality of ingredients and the experience you get. The wait isn't anything out of the ordinary. Buy a drink and relax! Bottom line, if you go to restaurants in order to eat good food, this is the place for you.
(5)A Z.
Had a nice dinner here. Got the Fettuccini Alfredo because the red sauce dishes didn't call out to me, although I'd have loved to try their red sauce. Also got the burrata as an app which was a nice surprise but could have been better with a little balsamic drizzle. Everything was very good but not WOW. Skip dessert, nothing special there and plenty of good ice cream and waffles around.
(4)Dan M.
Big city restaurant in a small Maine town. Escape from the nautical, dine away from the loud music in a continental restaurant. Italian food done right. I'm in Maine so why not have the best of both worlds and ordered lobster ravioli. Plentiful and delicious homemade pasta and they have Peroni beer.
(4)Steve G.
Excellent! Very hands on owner, expansive menu, great service. We had a ravioli and veal entrée that were superb. Wonderful wine list, everything was presented top notch. Highly recommend.
(5)Andrea D.
Rarely do small towns have amazing Italian Restaurants... But Boothbay is lucky to be blessed with Ports of Italy. We've been coming here for the past 4 years or so and we've never been disappointed. They serve absolutely delicious seafood dishes, risotto, pastas and sauces. My personal favorite are the gnocchi- they're incredibly light - like little pillows - and go well with any sauce, but the Bolognese is particularly amazing. The service is fantastic and it's a classy atmosphere but not intimidating. There's a good amount of seating space, but it's always busy so I recommend making a reservation early in the day (or week if possible).
(5)Patricia V.
Wonderful experience. Food was perfect. Would definitely return. We had the vegetable appetizer and the spaghetti with clams.
(5)Peter H.
Went looking for a nice place for dinner tonight. Saw good reviews for Ports of Italy but thought while on the Maine coast find a good seafood restaurant. We walked of two restaurants here in Boothbay that had good yelp reviews (they will remain nameless). Walked to Ports of Italy and was rewarded with excellent service, excellent food and Martinis that weren't watered down! If you come to Boothbay don't be like me and think, "eh I can get Italian food anywhere"... You can but it won't be incredibly good like Ports of Italy!
(5)Jim B.
We have been in the Boothbay Harbor region for 4 day/3 night mini vacation. We're Mainers, so we had a night when we didn't want seafood (I know, hard to believe if you're from away, right?). Boothbay has one Italian restaurant and reviews of it were very solid, including one by my friend Bruce, the former publisher of the Coastal Journal. That was enough to sell me on Ports of Italy, because Bruce is Italian and doesn't rubber stamp anything with his endorsement. We didn't have a reservation, and based upon other Yelp reviews, were prepared to sit at the bar (that was full), or wait for a table, or worse--go elsewhere. It was later, around 8:00 and the owner, Sante, seated us at a two-top near the front of the room, in the bar area after a mere 20 minute wait--we were lucky and thankful, too. Ports of Italy gets you started with fresh-baked bread served generously with extra virgin olive oil flecked with roasted black olive pieces. Be careful not to fill up with bread, however, because you're just getting started. The menu offers several choices of pastas, which are all homemade. We ordered an appetizer--the bresaola ($10)-beef rubbed in spices and air-cured in the Italian Alps. Sliced paper thin, this delicate, lean meat, served with arugula and shaved celery, is a treat, For my main course, I went with the Tagliatelle Bolognese, which was wonderful, with subtle flavors infusing the hearty meat sauce that's not common in Maine, at least a bolognese like this one, where it's obvious that each step of its preparation has been designed to draw out the best results from each ingredient. My wife had the Ravioli Toscani, which was a spinach ravioli filled with fresh ricotta cheese, fresh spinach and spices. She loved it. Ports of Italy is the real deal, a great Italian restaurant in Maine that lends some needed variety to a tourist town a bit too heavy on run-of-the-mill seafood places. Oh, and while we didn't have room for dessert, their dessert menu is ever-so-tempting, and entirely prepared in-house, too.
(5)Joanna B.
We had a great time at this awesome Italian restaurant. The food is really good. It's the best restaurant in Boothbay harbor. The service very good and the restaurant was packed. You would never know it with how attentive the staff was with our family. We each ordered a different pasta dish and everyone enjoyed our meal. All the pasta is homemade and you can taste the difference. This is will be a restaurant I will frequent. Yummy!!!
(5)Westie W.
We made advance reservations for the night of our 40th wedding anniversary at this northern Italian restaurant and were seated in a booth by the maitre d cum owner. I was surprised how large this 2nd floor restaurant was since it appears much smaller when viewed from the street. We requested glasses of Ramsay cabernet while we read the menu. Shortly thereafter we were served warm crusty bread along with an olive oil/balsamic vinegar dipping sauce and a pair of fresh tomato/basil canapes. Having enjoyed cocktails and an appetizer at another restaurant earlier in the evening, we decided to pretty much stick to entrees. For an entree my wife chose tagelieri alle vongole (house made angel hair pasta with local (farm raised?) little necks, garlic, white wine and olive oil). My entree was chitarucci neri frutti di mare (house made black ink pasta topped with (6) mussels, (4) little neck clams, (1) medium size shrimp, (1) scallop and squid. We also had a very blah tasting contorni of spinach with garlic and Parmesan cheese. Prices are relatively high, but food quality is very good as was the service throughout our meal.
(4)Dave E.
Went there last night on a whim, the restaurant was kinda busy but we were seated right away. When the waiter came by for our drink order he seemed put off that we did not order any wine. When we ordered our meals, I had the lobster ravioli and the wife had the lasagna. Both were very good. Great flavor good size portions and well presented.
(4)Mark M.
After many recommendations from friends we finally decided to give Ports of Italy a try.We were not disappointed! The restaurant was packed yet the food was fantastic and service was friendly and attentive. If you only have one night to go out in BBH, skip the lobster roll or fried food found at every other restaurant in town and head to Ports of Italy. This place serves legit Italian food.
(4)Peter D.
We had one of the best meals ever at Port of Italy. It was packed but we were still seated quickly after one drink at the bar, the service was excellent. At least 6 different people attended to us throughout the night, delivering our courses, clearing dishes, refreshing our water and wine...we just enjoyed our dinner company and left completely satisfied. We will definitely go back next time we're in Boothbay Harbor!
(5)Debbie M.
Absolutely outstanding drinks, food and service. Charming atmosphere. A "Boston North End" experience in BBH.
(5)Allie E.
great authentic Italian food - the lobster ravioli is to die for. the atmosphere is lovely, and the staff is super friendly. will definitely visit here again!
(5)Janel Marie M.
I ordered the bolgenese and my friend a gemelli. It was pretty good. Both consisted of a creamy sauce. A little too creamy for my taste. I normally like a light coat of sauce on my pasta. The initial bread was served in a paper bag and was a bit tough but everything else was not bad. Everything was a bit pricey. I did find the staff to be extremely friendly.
(3)Denise E.
We begged for a reservation after they said they were totally booked until 9:00 pm on a Thursday night and they took pity on us and gave us a 6:15 pm spot. We are glad they did. I had a lovely Caesar salad and lobster ravioli in addition to a nice white wine. My husband had the Carpaccio di Manzo and Saltimbocca. All dishes were super fresh, nicely presented. The server was wonderful and the place just buzzed with happy diners. Go here...but make reservations.
(5)Felice F.
This was our 3rd & 4th visits (so good we ate here both nights we were in Boothbay Harbor this time around!) I can highly recommend the grilled vegetable appetizer (perfect with the focaccia), porchetta and the squid ink seafood pasta dish. Their signature martini is delish! The staff are very friendly and welcoming and the atmosphere is warm and relaxing. Will definitely return!
(5)Gordon P.
It was great, very impressive food and service. We loved it, looking forward to going back on our next trip to Boothbay.
(5)Dan D.
Best cuisine in town, authentic italian, including risotto that's not too sticky. Sit at the bar (a must if you've not made reservations) and efficient, chatty and thoughtful Melissa will take care of you while you enjoy their excellent veal ravioli or Bolognaise with a bottle of Venetian Pino or Tuscan red. In warm, dry weather sit on their covered deck (inside room is a little stuffy). Top off your meal with a Vin Santo or a sambucca and an order of (two small) canoli!
(5)Rich A.
Excellent gnocchi with 4 cheese sauce!
(4)Karen R.
Nicely done! Dinner for 8 on Friday 6/19 and it was wonderful. Our family commented on it again today- from first course to last there were compliments by all. The caprese salad in Parmesan baskets were raved about. The lobster ravioli was delicious, the halibut special was also a winner. Heard a lot of very positive comments from other tables as well. Definitely will go back again.
(4)Julie P.
This was the best meal of our vacation. I had the spinach ravioli and my date had a steak, filet I think. We sat at the bar and the girl bartender was extremely helpful and friendly. we didn't have a reservation so the owner sort of mumbled that we could wait if we wanted, but two seats opened at the bar right away. It worked out fine. They were very busy. The bread and dipping oils were a carb-lover's dream. We shared a delicious cannoli after dinner. This wasn't a cheap date but I would say it was definitely worth it and recommend to anyone looking for fine Italian dining in ME.
(4)John L.
Wonderful food! The house and caesar salads were large and had great flavor. The veal with mushrooms was generous and tasty, and the Cioppino was loaded with all sorts of seafood in a wonderful broth. The Tiramisu was a light and perfect finish to the meal. Our favorite restaurant in Boothbay Harbor!
(5)Kathy B.
Really good fresh Italian. We got the spinach Alfredo and angel hair with clams. The bread served with the meal was excellent too. Try their specialty martini for a treat. We are outdoors on their enclosed porch which was nice. Attentive wait service.
(4)Erika H.
Overall, a good dinner. Some different dishes/options, setting it apart from a typical Italian restaurant. A little pricey for what you get though. Attentive wait staff. Would recommend to others.
(3)Mahir Y.
Very unfriendly staff. Host didn't want to seat us even though there was a free table and told us to wait 2 hrs which is ridiculous for this small town.
(1)Ned G.
I ate dinner here last night with my mother. We sat at the bar. The food was incredible and the bartender was great. I love this place.
(5)Jessica G.
We were so skeptical of trying this place because we would be eating Italian food so far from home and couldn't believe Maine would even have good Italian food. We were so surprised to see how wonderful this restaurant was. The service was wonderful, we even got to have a nice conversation with the owner who really cares for his restaurant. The food was delicious and authentic. I was very glad we went. I had the ravioli which were amazing. Definitely try it out.
(5)B D.
Italian meet maine - the best of lobster and risotto, clams and squid ink pasta, but perhaps best of all, wild blueberry sorbet!
(4)Heather M.
Everything was delicious. Great service from the greeting through the tab. Our waiter was on top of water and wine refills. Nice ambiance! I hope this place is open when I return to Boothbay.
(5)Charles F.
After years of walking by we finally took the plunge this past 4th of July weekend. Great, if limited menu and the service was both personal and professional. We had a great meal and will return often. Such a luxury to find a higher end restaurant in our beloved harbor where food is often the last consideration to our visit.
(4)Jeff S.
The wait was ginormous. The owner misunderstood that we wanted a table and we were left to languish for over an hour in the bar. After I corrected his misunderstanding, we were immediately seated in a cozy booth in the back room. The food was great, the service was great. The need for a reservation sort of pissed me off but the locals love this place and I can see why. Best Italian food in BBH. We will be back, but I'll call ahead next time!
(3)Abhishek C.
I am writing this review to highlight the incredibly rude service we received at this restaurant during our recent trip to mid-coast Maine. Having had lobster previously on this trip, both freshly cooked live lobster and lobster rolls, we were looking forward to trying some Italian recipes. Being familiar with lobster sizes and weights, we decided to share a lobster risotto and a fettucine with chicken. We were unsure whether to laugh or be furious at what was brought out. I am attaching a photo of the lobster risotto we received since it is worth a thousand words. According to the menu, the risotto should include a whole 1-1/4 lb lobster. We have had 1-1/4 lb lobsters previously and even after shucking it and discarding the shell, the amount of meat that came in this dish was about half a lobster, certainly nowhere near the amount of meat that would be expected from a 1-1/4 lb crustacean. We first brought this to the attention of our server, who, unsurprisingly (since he didn't cook it), brought out first the manager and then the owner himself (an Italian gentleman who had formerly worked at a NYC pizzeria). The owner proceeded to berate us, in a very condescending manner, for not knowing that a "1-1/4 lb" lobster referred to the entire being, not the meat. Thanks, but we are very familiar with that basic culinary fact, having had freshly cooked whole lobsters, and pointed that out to him. He then told us that the lobster meat in this risotto (again, see attached photo) was, in fact, from a 1-1/4 lb specimen, that he had been cooking lobster for years and was, therefore, right. No offer to take it back or bring us a replacement dish. And, by the way, the tiny amount of lobster in the risotto was very underwhelming and did not compare to the several other lobsters we had in Maine. I'm sure my wife's chicken fettucine tasted better, but after the owner's rude and condescending attitude towards us, we left hastily without ordering anything else, but made sure to tip our server generously since none of this was his fault. I hate to use the term, but this restaurant is a classic "tourist trap." There is virtually no other Italian restaurant in mid-coast Maine, so this restaurant rakes it in. If you're from any big city, however, I guarantee you'll find better Italian food and service there. There is no need to seek it out in Maine. Avoid this place.
(1)James R.
Folks are getting long winded here so I'll be quick. A- for the food. Great Italian fare, and not even just for Boothbay. Definitely above par. D for service. This was tough, because our waitress was great. HOWEVER, we made a reservation for 7:45, and didn't get seated until 8:20. Granted, it was a Friday night, but the food didn't make up for the wait. I'd either avoid this place on weekends, or show up fashionably late for my reservation next time.
(3)Michael F.
Amazing food and great service! All of the staff was great. The owner was real nice and after dinner we spent some time talking with him.
(5)Katie H.
What's not to like here? They have it all - fantastic and authentic Italian food, an upstairs patio overlooking Boothbay Harbor, a friendly owner who is a great storyteller... This is THE place to come when you are feeling lobster-ed out in Maine. To start, the atmosphere is wonderful, especially the patio in the wonderful Maine summer weather. We always start with the caprese salad. Theirs is a spin on the traditional starter that is served with cherry tomatoes rather than slices, and comes in a toasted cheese bowl. It's excellent. My favorite entrée is the tagliatelle bolognese - you can't beat this delicious homemade pasta! Other favorites are the gnocchi and lasagna. The staff is attentive and friendly. Portions are large and prices are reasonable. Dining at Ports of Italy is always a great experience and I can't wait to return!
(5)K. L.
My husband and I had reservations for 6:30 on a weekday night last week. We arrived at the restaurant on time and asked if we could wait to sit on the outdoor porch (which amkes up about 60% of the seating in the restaurant). The host practically LAUGHED in our face and said something like "Yeah, if you want to wait 2 hours". It was an incredibly rude and off putting way to start the evening. We were in no hurry and thought that my getting a reservation that we would be able to choose the area where we sat and understood that we might have to wait a little while (not 2 hours!) We waited and waited at the bar but never did get an outdoor table. Luckily t he bartender, Sarah, was very nice and helpful and our food ended up being fine thought nothing to write home about. I don't think we will be going back here, on the basis of the management alone.
(2)Victor P.
5 excellent dinners. You cannot find better homemade pasta in Maine. Ask for Tony as your server. I would have given it 5 stars except for the noise level. Deserts are homemade and delicious !!
(4)Bill C.
I can't say enough good things about Ports of Italy. My fiancée and I went in for dinner last night, and we were blown away. I don't usually rate anything 5 stars, there's usually some little thing you can find to prevent a "perfect" rating, but not here. At the risk of sounding like a paid shill, here are my thoughts on Ports of Italy. First, just let me say that Josh was the best server I've ever had anywhere! I've been to a few places much more expensive than Ports of Italy, and their service doesn't even come close. This guy was just on top of everything -- knew the food, knew the wine list, made some great recommendations, and was incredibly polite. He was also always there, but without being intrusive -- from topping off out water or wine glasses or to clear items from our table. The food was wonderful as well, I had the Lasagna that was featured in their specials this evening, and it was great. I think knowing that they make their own pasta fresh in-house every day made it taste much better. Definitely the best lasagna I've had (sorry Nana!). My fiancé had the pumpkin ravioli (Ravioli di Zucca with sage brown butter), which she loved. She tells me it was amazing, but I'll have to take her word for it; I'm not a big pumpkin kind of guy. All in all, it was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend this place. We'd like to get up to the Boothbay Harbor area again next year, and Ports of Italy will definitely be on the list of stops!
(5)Margo G.
My husband claimed to be "lobstered out" after 5 dinners along the coast of Maine. So I gave in and let him choose the restaurant for our last night of vacation. Based on a recommendation from our innkeeper, this was the place he chose. We had an excellent meal. The drinks were great, the homemade pasta was amazing, and the waitress buzzed around us and her many other tables with efficiency and speed. All-in-all it was a wonderful dining experience.
(5)Jeff C.
We pulled into Boothbay in the off season yesterday and saw the nice reviews. I was concerned that in the heart of lobster land I could get real good Italian. Fear not for this place has an excellent menu and home made pasta. My wife and I had the spaghetti bollenaise which was delicious. Tonight I am looking forward to the butternut squash ravioli and my better half will have the sea bass. It is a welcome change to the week long lobster feast we have had so far. Lobster is great but sometimes you need to switch it up a little.
(5)Krash T.
Perhaps we were there on an off night, but really, not a lot to say. Waiter - friendly, helpful, pushing the specials. Beef carpaccio - nice, not oily, but a little on the pastrami-like side. Certainly not a great grade of beef, nowhere near a Wagyu or grass fed. Bread - acceptable. Odd to find small pieces of ciabatta at the bottom of the bag holding the warm toasted hard bread. Oil - fine, fresh. Pepper mills - fantastic. Electric, with a light underneath. Really fun to watch. Roast suckling pig ("Porchetta di Ariccia") - dry, over-cooked, and the waiter's solution was to offer us more sauce for it. Nothing like suckling pig; could easily have been any other cut. Extremely disappointing, so much so that we sent it back (and offered to pay for it anyway, since we were assured this was the "normal" way it came.) Linguine with white clam sauce ("Taglierini alla vongole") - all right to good. Clams fresh, linguine nicely al dente. Not special, but easily the best dish we had. Black ink spaghetti with seafood topped with tomato garlic sauce ("Chitarrucci Neri al Frutti di Mare") - extremely disappointing. The spaghetti wasn't just al dente, it was tough. The seafood wasn't fresh-tasting, and especially given that we were in Boothbay Harbor, that was extremely annoying. The coffee - average. Things to note: 1. It was noted by one of our dinner companions that tables of women (no matter how many) were easily given the worst positions. We watched one female couple get seated right next to the entry door, when there were plenty of nice tables by the windows - and they had a reservation. Another protested when the host tried to seat them inside (fairly dark area by a bar), saying there were plenty of nice seats on the outside area. They were re-seated, but spoke about it with annoyance. 2. The waitrons are trained to say "Grazzi" and speak with Italian accents. However, ours lapsed into a pretty heavy New York accent when he got excited at the size of our tip (which was large, since it hadn't been his fault the pork wasn't very good. And he'd taken it off the bill, which we thought was nice.) 3. Free parking behind the building - go past it, turn right, then right again, and find the lot. If you've been to Italy, or eaten at a good New York Italian restaurant, you probably shouldn't go here. Then again, perhaps we hit them on a really off night. We don't really want to return to find out.
(2)Andrew Burdett L.
I'd give it 3.5 stars good food but I got the feeling the staff was a little pretenses.
(3)Uncle A.
I would NEVER have guessed we'd find food AND service the likes of this in summertime Boothbay Harbor of all places! We haven't had any better and my wife kept saying how the food and ambience reminded her of Italy. We shared an app of yellowfin tuna on bruschetta, a side of black squid pasta with olive oil and garlic and the roast porcetta entrée. She had the shaved fennel salad and I had the caprese salad. Good thing we shared the entrée because I was STUFFED but she still had room for some (killer) chocolate mousse and a cup of dark roast decaf coffee. Our waitstaff gal, Lexi, was fabulous and very personable AS WERE her supporting team members who delivered food, filled our water glasses, offered fresh-ground pepper and grated parmesan. Kudos to the whole gang! Honestly, we would seriously consider returning to Boothbay Harbor with this restaurant as our prime destination! Excellent, excellent, excellent! As a side note: after we'd finished eating and were relaxing and waiting for the check, our waitstaff person continued to stop and chat briefly on her way past our table but didn't bring the check. Finally, my wife said that she thought we'd have to specifically ask for it as is the custom in Italy. She was right on and Lexi confirmed my wife's assumption explaining that "in Europe, it is considered rude to give the diner the check without they requesting it". Good thing for us fast-paced Americans to practice, methinks.
(5)William H.
This was amazing. I usually only eat seafood when in BBH - but I ordered the lasagna. I was NOT disappointed. The food, the service, the selection, the desserts, the decor - everything is excellent. Definitely try this place!
(5)Kate J.
This happens to be one of our favorites in the Boothbay Region. It's rated as one of the top 50 in Maine. The lobster ravioli is excellent, and I don't even care for pasta as a rule....so why do I go to an Italian restaurant? The bread, the dipping oil, the Branzino, if you're lucky enough to be there on a night they have it. The caprese salad. The owner always makes us feel welcome and we've had excellent service without exception.
(5)Jill B.
Sometimes I wish Yelp would let us give half stars....sometimes a gal just needs a half, you know? In this case, I would give 4.5. I'm going to round down ONLY because I just had an appetizer and a drink, so I can't speak for the whole menu. After a bad time trying to catch one of those famous tours by the harbor, my frustrated friend and I decided to do the next best thing...order a bucket of mussels and two glasses of bubbly. The bubbly came out, and it hit the spot. But hey, its hard to go wrong there. Next came the bread. In a paper bag (kind of strange, but whatevs), and there was of course olive oil (with chopped olives in it) to go along side. Very fresh and tasty. Next came the mussels. Ok I'm a big mussel fan, but these really were tasty. They were in a marinara sauce. I wanted to lick the bowl clean. Instead I just asked for enough bread to sop up every last drop. A little pricey (but about what you would expect for this type of place), and a welcome change from the other restaurants we saw in Boothbay. I'd definitely recommend if you're in the area. (Oh and the little brochure out front offers 10% your bill, including alcohol!!)
(4)Juliana F.
I fell in love! The service was great, and the food was even better. I had the melon and prosciutto as a first course, then the bolognese with gluten free pasta and the sauce tasted like what my family makes back in Italy! The gluten free pasta is not listed on the menu but they keep it on hand for very grateful patrons like myself. I really expected to not like the dish as most restaurants over/undercook GF pasta (which in turn ruins the sauce...) but Ports of Italy helped me forget that I was even eating GF! My whole family has been raving about Ports of Italy for weeks now, and I'm so glad that I finally made it in! ....I wrote this over a week ago, finally am uploading it before heading back for yet one more meal at Ports of Italy!
(5)Melissa G.
Unbelievably expensive and the food was just okay, if that. Gave two stars for the rooftop view and delicious desserts.
(2)Brandon M.
Really surprised by the $$ here, my experience was closer to a $$$+. But this is your typical a la carte Italian joint that I have grown accustomed to finding in Boston's North End. Only difference is this is in Boothbay and yet they are still charging North End prices. $6 additional for a salad that I ate in a couple bites and tasted like something picked from the town green was my least favorite part although it did remind me of a few salads I had in Italy, so I'll give them that. The puny $20 pasta dish was also homemade and tasted very authentic, so if that is your kind of thing this may be your place, I just found it a little bland for my tastes. Surprised to see all the glowing reviews on here as my conversations with the locals were 50-50 and reflected either a love of the place or an extreme hatred.
(2)Bill M.
Great find in Boothbay Harbor! After a weekend of sub par fried seafood, on our last night my wife and I thought we would try the Ports of Italy. We asked a few of the locals about the Ports of Italy but no one had been there yet. We were pleasantly surprised to find a small family owned restaurant with a real Italian Chef in residence. Great food at reasonable prices. Everything we tried was fresh and well prepared. The wait staff were outstanding. Next time you are in the area, get away from the seafood joints, and head to the Ports of Italy! I don't know if there is an elevator, but the restaurant is on the second floor, up some very steep steps.
(5)Tom H.
Nice quiet elegant alternative to the noisy fried seafood tourist traps. Authentic Italian food. Delicious.
(5)Bill M.
Will have to try again as there was considerable slippage from last visit. Service was very poor, scattered, server just in the weeds and not seeming to get any help from management. Caprese salad Parmesan basket too thin so did not stand up to watery bland hot house tomatoes and add any salt, which they needed. Lamb Bolognese was not cooked long enough to become a true Bolognese so it was more like lamb stew-chunky. Friends filet Gorgonzola ordered medium, was well done and very salty. Brownie a la mode was like a packaged mix brownie. They are very busy now-mid summer-and maybe need to take a deep breath, or fewer reservations.
(2)Dave M.
A hidden gem! Very inconspicuous entrance on commercial street. Friendly waitstaff and good service. We had the calamari, salmon, and the veal saltimboca and everything was fresh and delicious. The portions are on the small side but reasonable, so consider an appetizer if you're very hungry. Wine by the glass was good and reasonably priced. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Andy S.
A pleasant alternative to the tourist seafood in Boothbay. A place for adults to enjoy a romantic dinner. Pleasant and efficient service. If you're a Mainer a nice destination for an evening out.
(4)Jess M.
Stumbled in by mistake, and was pleasantly surprised. Fantastic Italian food, comfortable atmosphere, wonderful service and great prices. Loved it.
(4)Doug T.
There were 6 of us that dined together and we all had mixed reactions to our meals from good to ok; but no outstandidng. My pasta was slightly undercooked (and I do like it al dente). Bread was served in a paperbag (really?) an attempt to be cute I think but I didn't like the idea of all of us sticking our hands in the same bag and fishing around for a piece of greasy bread. One guest was vegan ..... but the wait staff apparently had no idea what that meant. Would I go back? I would probably give this place another shot if I was back in the area. The place maybe just needs some discipline in the kitchen.
(3)Liz A.
Truffle Lobster Ravioli. We went there on a Friday night with a party of four. The host (and owner) was amazingly friendly (and clearly Italian) and showed us right to our table. All of the staff seemed to speak Italian which was comforting. We ordered a nice bottle of house wine, and at $45 a bottle, it was a great value for the money. We ordered a Cesar salad to start as well as a fennel salad special. The Cesar salad was crisp and delicious (although missing anchovies) and we were all licking our plates at the end. We had to request bread, which was brought to the table in a paper bag which we all thought was cute. However, the bag they brought us was a bit stale. We asked the waiter to change it out, and the next bag of bread was delicious. We ordered, lamb bolgenese, lobster ravioli, filet ravioli, and three vegetable sides. All of the dishes were amazing, except the sides of vegetables- the spinach was from a bag of frozen spinach and the broccoli was over cooked. Each of us was liking our plates and couldn't wait for dessert. Dessert was chocolate mouse- some of us liked it and others at the table didn't. Overall- a fabulous find in a small town like Boothbay Harbor.
(4)Ben E.
What an amazing find along the coast of Maine after a day of whale watching! This is a true, authentic Italian joint with a hint of Maine given the seafood options. I had the Risotto with Lobster and it was delectable. The lobster was perfectly cooked while the risotto must have been seasoned in butter and saffron. Simply out of this world! When you sit outside in July you get a view of the Boothbay streets and the bay itself as a backdrop with temperate weather. The antipasti we had included the beef carpaccio and cold cuts/cheese plate, both of which were top notch. The sauvignon blanc was really good, about $8 per glass though so be prepared, the rest of the wine is no cheaper. Really, none of it's cheap, but you get what you pay for! That's what vacations are for, right?
(5)Steve B.
Craving some Italian food, we thought we'd give Ports of Italy a try. We walked over the footbridge across the harbor, got lost a little in the dark, and walked a couple of blocks to this small upstairs restaurant. We'd called for reservations, which was a good idea, since it was very busy. We were seated outside (nice patio) and were treated to a nice bread, cleverly served in a paper bag. We had a couple of salads, hers was della casa and mine, di campagna. Each was great! Both of us had the special, which was a mixture of egg and spinach noodles, and veggies and mushrooms in a light sauce. We shared a bottle of wine. We were too stuffed for dessert, so just opted for coffee. The coffee was very good, served in a large mug. ALERT! Refills are charged for (which we thought to be a little odd) -- we're coffee fans, though, so no matter, and we had another mug.
(5)Eleanor W.
Just had dinner here and the meal was excellent and the service was outstanding. I had the home made angel hair pasta with clams, garlic, white wine and olive oil. My husband had the veal and it too was excellent. We never get dessert, but we couldn't resist. Their light vanilla custard made with fresh berries was wonderful. I don't have a complaint about anything.
(5)Jeremy O.
Awesome Caprese Salad in Parmesan Bowl!
(5)Tom H.
Nice quiet elegant alternative to the noisy fried seafood tourist traps. Authentic Italian food. Delicious.
(5)Bill M.
Will have to try again as there was considerable slippage from last visit. Service was very poor, scattered, server just in the weeds and not seeming to get any help from management. Caprese salad Parmesan basket too thin so did not stand up to watery bland hot house tomatoes and add any salt, which they needed. Lamb Bolognese was not cooked long enough to become a true Bolognese so it was more like lamb stew-chunky. Friends filet Gorgonzola ordered medium, was well done and very salty. Brownie a la mode was like a packaged mix brownie. They are very busy now-mid summer-and maybe need to take a deep breath, or fewer reservations.
(2)Dave M.
A hidden gem! Very inconspicuous entrance on commercial street. Friendly waitstaff and good service. We had the calamari, salmon, and the veal saltimboca and everything was fresh and delicious. The portions are on the small side but reasonable, so consider an appetizer if you're very hungry. Wine by the glass was good and reasonably priced. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Louisa J.
What are people talking about?!! I am from New York City and I'm married to an Italian man. We both know from good food and good service, and Ports of Italy has both. The food is fresh, authentic and delicious. There are many options and they are (so far) all delicious. The service is friendly, and everyone is very attentive and knowledgable. The prices seem perfectly appropriate to me for the quality of ingredients and the experience you get. The wait isn't anything out of the ordinary. Buy a drink and relax! Bottom line, if you go to restaurants in order to eat good food, this is the place for you.
(5)A Z.
Had a nice dinner here. Got the Fettuccini Alfredo because the red sauce dishes didn't call out to me, although I'd have loved to try their red sauce. Also got the burrata as an app which was a nice surprise but could have been better with a little balsamic drizzle. Everything was very good but not WOW. Skip dessert, nothing special there and plenty of good ice cream and waffles around.
(4)Steve G.
Excellent! Very hands on owner, expansive menu, great service. We had a ravioli and veal entrée that were superb. Wonderful wine list, everything was presented top notch. Highly recommend.
(5)K M.
So, Ports of Italy continues to shine. Every year on our annual sojourn to the Boothbay region, we plan at least one night's dinner at Ports of Italy. In years past, my wife and I would make it a date night and get the girls pizza or something from in town, but last year, when we did the odd trip up in the fall because we could not come last summer, we had our two daughters with us for a quick trip and they came with us then. Well, my one daughter had the Chitarrucci Neri Ai Frutti Di Mare (Squid ink pasta with seafood) that evening and wanted to have it again, so the entire crew went to Ports this year. Because the days was a bit blah (foggy, damp, and dull), we decided to do an early dinner so we could walk about town after our meal. We arrived a little late, but Sanet got the crew settled while I parked the car. When I came up a minute or two later, Tony, Ports of Italy's most consistent and best personality, came over to give us the day's specials (figs and prosciutto or burrito for primo and Italian style lamb chops or pistachio encrusted halibut for second). After picking the wine (a nice Italian vermentino di sardegna), Tony left us to peruse the menu, which has been updated a little from our previous visits. The good news is that the Chitarrucci Neri Ai Frutti Di Mare was still on the menu and that finished the job for my one daughter. The youngest wanted gnocchi with Ports' tomato sauce, so she was done, but the rest of us were not 100% certain what to get with all the wonderful choices. When Tony returned with the wine, we were able to select appetizers for the table (rollatini di melanzane, Affettato Misto, and Caprese Di Mozzarella Di Bufala) After a few more minutes, we were able to finally all figure out what we wanted. My oldest picked the Cioppino, her girlfriend chose Tagleirini alle Vongole (linguini with little neck clams), my wife and I both decided to go with the pistachio encrusted halibut. I noted to Tony that I was somewhat disappointed that they did not have the Branzino Al Forno, which I have pretty much gotten every time I come and have Tony fillet and de-bone it tableside for me. But change is good and I did not leave disappointed. Well, the wine was wonderful and we finished the appetizers almost as soon as they arrived. The parmesan cheese basket for the Caprese salad with the grape heirloom tomatoes was incredible tonight. I've had it before and liked it very much, but the basket seemed extra thin and flavorful this evening. The Affettato disappeared as if it had never been on the table and my wife and I devoured the Rollatini - Ports' tomato sauce is second only to my wife's. Soon after, our main courses arrived and we all dug in. The halibut was superb and the roasted rosemary potatoes that came with it were fantastic having wonderful taste an texture. My oldest completely finished her Cropping and began using the leftover breads to sop up the yummy juices in her bowl (which she kindly allowed me to try). My other daughter with the fixation on the Chitarrucci enjoyed ever last bit, bit was willing to share one mussel with dear ol' Dad. My daughter's girlfriend finished up her Vongole without anyone's help and even the little one, well known for never finishing her dishes, made her plate clean. As for me, well, I did miss the Branzino, but you were not getting a taste of my halibut - nor my wife's. Following the entrées, we were not going anywhere without getting the complete meal. So for dessert we all got some goodies. There was two Tiramisus, one blueberry Sorbet, one Vanilla gelati, one Panna Cotta ai Frutti Della Stationed (for the wife), and my absolute favorite, Fragole al Balsamico (fresh strawberries in aged balsamic vinegar topped with fresh whipped cream). Again, all plates finished clean. I also got a double espresso and everyone (except the youngest) got coffee. The lemon peel in the espresso was the right finish to an exceptionally wonderful meal. Now, Ports isn't for everyone - Santa, Tony, Fabrizio, and the rest of the staff at Ports of Italy take food (and serving it to their customers) very seriously - but they don't take those who take themselves too seriously very seriously. So, if you believe life should be filled with good food and the time to enjoy it with family, then Ports of Italy should be your main stop when in Boothbay Harbor. Buon appetito!
(5)Dan M.
Big city restaurant in a small Maine town. Escape from the nautical, dine away from the loud music in a continental restaurant. Italian food done right. I'm in Maine so why not have the best of both worlds and ordered lobster ravioli. Plentiful and delicious homemade pasta and they have Peroni beer.
(4)Patricia V.
Wonderful experience. Food was perfect. Would definitely return. We had the vegetable appetizer and the spaghetti with clams.
(5)Andrea D.
Rarely do small towns have amazing Italian Restaurants... But Boothbay is lucky to be blessed with Ports of Italy. We've been coming here for the past 4 years or so and we've never been disappointed. They serve absolutely delicious seafood dishes, risotto, pastas and sauces. My personal favorite are the gnocchi- they're incredibly light - like little pillows - and go well with any sauce, but the Bolognese is particularly amazing. The service is fantastic and it's a classy atmosphere but not intimidating. There's a good amount of seating space, but it's always busy so I recommend making a reservation early in the day (or week if possible).
(5)Peter H.
Went looking for a nice place for dinner tonight. Saw good reviews for Ports of Italy but thought while on the Maine coast find a good seafood restaurant. We walked of two restaurants here in Boothbay that had good yelp reviews (they will remain nameless). Walked to Ports of Italy and was rewarded with excellent service, excellent food and Martinis that weren't watered down! If you come to Boothbay don't be like me and think, "eh I can get Italian food anywhere"... You can but it won't be incredibly good like Ports of Italy!
(5)Dave E.
Went there last night on a whim, the restaurant was kinda busy but we were seated right away. When the waiter came by for our drink order he seemed put off that we did not order any wine. When we ordered our meals, I had the lobster ravioli and the wife had the lasagna. Both were very good. Great flavor good size portions and well presented.
(4)Mark M.
After many recommendations from friends we finally decided to give Ports of Italy a try.We were not disappointed! The restaurant was packed yet the food was fantastic and service was friendly and attentive. If you only have one night to go out in BBH, skip the lobster roll or fried food found at every other restaurant in town and head to Ports of Italy. This place serves legit Italian food.
(4)Peter D.
We had one of the best meals ever at Port of Italy. It was packed but we were still seated quickly after one drink at the bar, the service was excellent. At least 6 different people attended to us throughout the night, delivering our courses, clearing dishes, refreshing our water and wine...we just enjoyed our dinner company and left completely satisfied. We will definitely go back next time we're in Boothbay Harbor!
(5)Allie E.
great authentic Italian food - the lobster ravioli is to die for. the atmosphere is lovely, and the staff is super friendly. will definitely visit here again!
(5)Jim B.
We have been in the Boothbay Harbor region for 4 day/3 night mini vacation. We're Mainers, so we had a night when we didn't want seafood (I know, hard to believe if you're from away, right?). Boothbay has one Italian restaurant and reviews of it were very solid, including one by my friend Bruce, the former publisher of the Coastal Journal. That was enough to sell me on Ports of Italy, because Bruce is Italian and doesn't rubber stamp anything with his endorsement. We didn't have a reservation, and based upon other Yelp reviews, were prepared to sit at the bar (that was full), or wait for a table, or worse--go elsewhere. It was later, around 8:00 and the owner, Sante, seated us at a two-top near the front of the room, in the bar area after a mere 20 minute wait--we were lucky and thankful, too. Ports of Italy gets you started with fresh-baked bread served generously with extra virgin olive oil flecked with roasted black olive pieces. Be careful not to fill up with bread, however, because you're just getting started. The menu offers several choices of pastas, which are all homemade. We ordered an appetizer--the bresaola ($10)-beef rubbed in spices and air-cured in the Italian Alps. Sliced paper thin, this delicate, lean meat, served with arugula and shaved celery, is a treat, For my main course, I went with the Tagliatelle Bolognese, which was wonderful, with subtle flavors infusing the hearty meat sauce that's not common in Maine, at least a bolognese like this one, where it's obvious that each step of its preparation has been designed to draw out the best results from each ingredient. My wife had the Ravioli Toscani, which was a spinach ravioli filled with fresh ricotta cheese, fresh spinach and spices. She loved it. Ports of Italy is the real deal, a great Italian restaurant in Maine that lends some needed variety to a tourist town a bit too heavy on run-of-the-mill seafood places. Oh, and while we didn't have room for dessert, their dessert menu is ever-so-tempting, and entirely prepared in-house, too.
(5)Joanna B.
We had a great time at this awesome Italian restaurant. The food is really good. It's the best restaurant in Boothbay harbor. The service very good and the restaurant was packed. You would never know it with how attentive the staff was with our family. We each ordered a different pasta dish and everyone enjoyed our meal. All the pasta is homemade and you can taste the difference. This is will be a restaurant I will frequent. Yummy!!!
(5)Westie W.
We made advance reservations for the night of our 40th wedding anniversary at this northern Italian restaurant and were seated in a booth by the maitre d cum owner. I was surprised how large this 2nd floor restaurant was since it appears much smaller when viewed from the street. We requested glasses of Ramsay cabernet while we read the menu. Shortly thereafter we were served warm crusty bread along with an olive oil/balsamic vinegar dipping sauce and a pair of fresh tomato/basil canapes. Having enjoyed cocktails and an appetizer at another restaurant earlier in the evening, we decided to pretty much stick to entrees. For an entree my wife chose tagelieri alle vongole (house made angel hair pasta with local (farm raised?) little necks, garlic, white wine and olive oil). My entree was chitarucci neri frutti di mare (house made black ink pasta topped with (6) mussels, (4) little neck clams, (1) medium size shrimp, (1) scallop and squid. We also had a very blah tasting contorni of spinach with garlic and Parmesan cheese. Prices are relatively high, but food quality is very good as was the service throughout our meal.
(4)Debbie M.
Absolutely outstanding drinks, food and service. Charming atmosphere. A "Boston North End" experience in BBH.
(5)Denise E.
We begged for a reservation after they said they were totally booked until 9:00 pm on a Thursday night and they took pity on us and gave us a 6:15 pm spot. We are glad they did. I had a lovely Caesar salad and lobster ravioli in addition to a nice white wine. My husband had the Carpaccio di Manzo and Saltimbocca. All dishes were super fresh, nicely presented. The server was wonderful and the place just buzzed with happy diners. Go here...but make reservations.
(5)Gordon P.
It was great, very impressive food and service. We loved it, looking forward to going back on our next trip to Boothbay.
(5)Felice F.
This was our 3rd & 4th visits (so good we ate here both nights we were in Boothbay Harbor this time around!) I can highly recommend the grilled vegetable appetizer (perfect with the focaccia), porchetta and the squid ink seafood pasta dish. Their signature martini is delish! The staff are very friendly and welcoming and the atmosphere is warm and relaxing. Will definitely return!
(5)Dan D.
Best cuisine in town, authentic italian, including risotto that's not too sticky. Sit at the bar (a must if you've not made reservations) and efficient, chatty and thoughtful Melissa will take care of you while you enjoy their excellent veal ravioli or Bolognaise with a bottle of Venetian Pino or Tuscan red. In warm, dry weather sit on their covered deck (inside room is a little stuffy). Top off your meal with a Vin Santo or a sambucca and an order of (two small) canoli!
(5)Rich A.
Excellent gnocchi with 4 cheese sauce!
(4)Karen R.
Nicely done! Dinner for 8 on Friday 6/19 and it was wonderful. Our family commented on it again today- from first course to last there were compliments by all. The caprese salad in Parmesan baskets were raved about. The lobster ravioli was delicious, the halibut special was also a winner. Heard a lot of very positive comments from other tables as well. Definitely will go back again.
(4)Julie P.
This was the best meal of our vacation. I had the spinach ravioli and my date had a steak, filet I think. We sat at the bar and the girl bartender was extremely helpful and friendly. we didn't have a reservation so the owner sort of mumbled that we could wait if we wanted, but two seats opened at the bar right away. It worked out fine. They were very busy. The bread and dipping oils were a carb-lover's dream. We shared a delicious cannoli after dinner. This wasn't a cheap date but I would say it was definitely worth it and recommend to anyone looking for fine Italian dining in ME.
(4)John L.
Wonderful food! The house and caesar salads were large and had great flavor. The veal with mushrooms was generous and tasty, and the Cioppino was loaded with all sorts of seafood in a wonderful broth. The Tiramisu was a light and perfect finish to the meal. Our favorite restaurant in Boothbay Harbor!
(5)Kathy B.
Really good fresh Italian. We got the spinach Alfredo and angel hair with clams. The bread served with the meal was excellent too. Try their specialty martini for a treat. We are outdoors on their enclosed porch which was nice. Attentive wait service.
(4)Erika H.
Overall, a good dinner. Some different dishes/options, setting it apart from a typical Italian restaurant. A little pricey for what you get though. Attentive wait staff. Would recommend to others.
(3)Mahir Y.
Very unfriendly staff. Host didn't want to seat us even though there was a free table and told us to wait 2 hrs which is ridiculous for this small town.
(1)Ned G.
I ate dinner here last night with my mother. We sat at the bar. The food was incredible and the bartender was great. I love this place.
(5)Jessica G.
We were so skeptical of trying this place because we would be eating Italian food so far from home and couldn't believe Maine would even have good Italian food. We were so surprised to see how wonderful this restaurant was. The service was wonderful, we even got to have a nice conversation with the owner who really cares for his restaurant. The food was delicious and authentic. I was very glad we went. I had the ravioli which were amazing. Definitely try it out.
(5)B D.
Italian meet maine - the best of lobster and risotto, clams and squid ink pasta, but perhaps best of all, wild blueberry sorbet!
(4)Heather M.
Everything was delicious. Great service from the greeting through the tab. Our waiter was on top of water and wine refills. Nice ambiance! I hope this place is open when I return to Boothbay.
(5)Charles F.
After years of walking by we finally took the plunge this past 4th of July weekend. Great, if limited menu and the service was both personal and professional. We had a great meal and will return often. Such a luxury to find a higher end restaurant in our beloved harbor where food is often the last consideration to our visit.
(4)Michael F.
Amazing food and great service! All of the staff was great. The owner was real nice and after dinner we spent some time talking with him.
(5)Janel Marie M.
I ordered the bolgenese and my friend a gemelli. It was pretty good. Both consisted of a creamy sauce. A little too creamy for my taste. I normally like a light coat of sauce on my pasta. The initial bread was served in a paper bag and was a bit tough but everything else was not bad. Everything was a bit pricey. I did find the staff to be extremely friendly.
(3)Abhishek C.
I am writing this review to highlight the incredibly rude service we received at this restaurant during our recent trip to mid-coast Maine. Having had lobster previously on this trip, both freshly cooked live lobster and lobster rolls, we were looking forward to trying some Italian recipes. Being familiar with lobster sizes and weights, we decided to share a lobster risotto and a fettucine with chicken. We were unsure whether to laugh or be furious at what was brought out. I am attaching a photo of the lobster risotto we received since it is worth a thousand words. According to the menu, the risotto should include a whole 1-1/4 lb lobster. We have had 1-1/4 lb lobsters previously and even after shucking it and discarding the shell, the amount of meat that came in this dish was about half a lobster, certainly nowhere near the amount of meat that would be expected from a 1-1/4 lb crustacean. We first brought this to the attention of our server, who, unsurprisingly (since he didn't cook it), brought out first the manager and then the owner himself (an Italian gentleman who had formerly worked at a NYC pizzeria). The owner proceeded to berate us, in a very condescending manner, for not knowing that a "1-1/4 lb" lobster referred to the entire being, not the meat. Thanks, but we are very familiar with that basic culinary fact, having had freshly cooked whole lobsters, and pointed that out to him. He then told us that the lobster meat in this risotto (again, see attached photo) was, in fact, from a 1-1/4 lb specimen, that he had been cooking lobster for years and was, therefore, right. No offer to take it back or bring us a replacement dish. And, by the way, the tiny amount of lobster in the risotto was very underwhelming and did not compare to the several other lobsters we had in Maine. I'm sure my wife's chicken fettucine tasted better, but after the owner's rude and condescending attitude towards us, we left hastily without ordering anything else, but made sure to tip our server generously since none of this was his fault. I hate to use the term, but this restaurant is a classic "tourist trap." There is virtually no other Italian restaurant in mid-coast Maine, so this restaurant rakes it in. If you're from any big city, however, I guarantee you'll find better Italian food and service there. There is no need to seek it out in Maine. Avoid this place.
(1)James R.
Folks are getting long winded here so I'll be quick. A- for the food. Great Italian fare, and not even just for Boothbay. Definitely above par. D for service. This was tough, because our waitress was great. HOWEVER, we made a reservation for 7:45, and didn't get seated until 8:20. Granted, it was a Friday night, but the food didn't make up for the wait. I'd either avoid this place on weekends, or show up fashionably late for my reservation next time.
(3)Jeff S.
The wait was ginormous. The owner misunderstood that we wanted a table and we were left to languish for over an hour in the bar. After I corrected his misunderstanding, we were immediately seated in a cozy booth in the back room. The food was great, the service was great. The need for a reservation sort of pissed me off but the locals love this place and I can see why. Best Italian food in BBH. We will be back, but I'll call ahead next time!
(3)Katie H.
What's not to like here? They have it all - fantastic and authentic Italian food, an upstairs patio overlooking Boothbay Harbor, a friendly owner who is a great storyteller... This is THE place to come when you are feeling lobster-ed out in Maine. To start, the atmosphere is wonderful, especially the patio in the wonderful Maine summer weather. We always start with the caprese salad. Theirs is a spin on the traditional starter that is served with cherry tomatoes rather than slices, and comes in a toasted cheese bowl. It's excellent. My favorite entrée is the tagliatelle bolognese - you can't beat this delicious homemade pasta! Other favorites are the gnocchi and lasagna. The staff is attentive and friendly. Portions are large and prices are reasonable. Dining at Ports of Italy is always a great experience and I can't wait to return!
(5)K. L.
My husband and I had reservations for 6:30 on a weekday night last week. We arrived at the restaurant on time and asked if we could wait to sit on the outdoor porch (which amkes up about 60% of the seating in the restaurant). The host practically LAUGHED in our face and said something like "Yeah, if you want to wait 2 hours". It was an incredibly rude and off putting way to start the evening. We were in no hurry and thought that my getting a reservation that we would be able to choose the area where we sat and understood that we might have to wait a little while (not 2 hours!) We waited and waited at the bar but never did get an outdoor table. Luckily t he bartender, Sarah, was very nice and helpful and our food ended up being fine thought nothing to write home about. I don't think we will be going back here, on the basis of the management alone.
(2)Victor P.
5 excellent dinners. You cannot find better homemade pasta in Maine. Ask for Tony as your server. I would have given it 5 stars except for the noise level. Deserts are homemade and delicious !!
(4)Andrew Burdett L.
I'd give it 3.5 stars good food but I got the feeling the staff was a little pretenses.
(3)Bill C.
I can't say enough good things about Ports of Italy. My fiancée and I went in for dinner last night, and we were blown away. I don't usually rate anything 5 stars, there's usually some little thing you can find to prevent a "perfect" rating, but not here. At the risk of sounding like a paid shill, here are my thoughts on Ports of Italy. First, just let me say that Josh was the best server I've ever had anywhere! I've been to a few places much more expensive than Ports of Italy, and their service doesn't even come close. This guy was just on top of everything -- knew the food, knew the wine list, made some great recommendations, and was incredibly polite. He was also always there, but without being intrusive -- from topping off out water or wine glasses or to clear items from our table. The food was wonderful as well, I had the Lasagna that was featured in their specials this evening, and it was great. I think knowing that they make their own pasta fresh in-house every day made it taste much better. Definitely the best lasagna I've had (sorry Nana!). My fiancé had the pumpkin ravioli (Ravioli di Zucca with sage brown butter), which she loved. She tells me it was amazing, but I'll have to take her word for it; I'm not a big pumpkin kind of guy. All in all, it was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend this place. We'd like to get up to the Boothbay Harbor area again next year, and Ports of Italy will definitely be on the list of stops!
(5)Krash T.
Perhaps we were there on an off night, but really, not a lot to say. Waiter - friendly, helpful, pushing the specials. Beef carpaccio - nice, not oily, but a little on the pastrami-like side. Certainly not a great grade of beef, nowhere near a Wagyu or grass fed. Bread - acceptable. Odd to find small pieces of ciabatta at the bottom of the bag holding the warm toasted hard bread. Oil - fine, fresh. Pepper mills - fantastic. Electric, with a light underneath. Really fun to watch. Roast suckling pig ("Porchetta di Ariccia") - dry, over-cooked, and the waiter's solution was to offer us more sauce for it. Nothing like suckling pig; could easily have been any other cut. Extremely disappointing, so much so that we sent it back (and offered to pay for it anyway, since we were assured this was the "normal" way it came.) Linguine with white clam sauce ("Taglierini alla vongole") - all right to good. Clams fresh, linguine nicely al dente. Not special, but easily the best dish we had. Black ink spaghetti with seafood topped with tomato garlic sauce ("Chitarrucci Neri al Frutti di Mare") - extremely disappointing. The spaghetti wasn't just al dente, it was tough. The seafood wasn't fresh-tasting, and especially given that we were in Boothbay Harbor, that was extremely annoying. The coffee - average. Things to note: 1. It was noted by one of our dinner companions that tables of women (no matter how many) were easily given the worst positions. We watched one female couple get seated right next to the entry door, when there were plenty of nice tables by the windows - and they had a reservation. Another protested when the host tried to seat them inside (fairly dark area by a bar), saying there were plenty of nice seats on the outside area. They were re-seated, but spoke about it with annoyance. 2. The waitrons are trained to say "Grazzi" and speak with Italian accents. However, ours lapsed into a pretty heavy New York accent when he got excited at the size of our tip (which was large, since it hadn't been his fault the pork wasn't very good. And he'd taken it off the bill, which we thought was nice.) 3. Free parking behind the building - go past it, turn right, then right again, and find the lot. If you've been to Italy, or eaten at a good New York Italian restaurant, you probably shouldn't go here. Then again, perhaps we hit them on a really off night. We don't really want to return to find out.
(2)Margo G.
My husband claimed to be "lobstered out" after 5 dinners along the coast of Maine. So I gave in and let him choose the restaurant for our last night of vacation. Based on a recommendation from our innkeeper, this was the place he chose. We had an excellent meal. The drinks were great, the homemade pasta was amazing, and the waitress buzzed around us and her many other tables with efficiency and speed. All-in-all it was a wonderful dining experience.
(5)Jeff C.
We pulled into Boothbay in the off season yesterday and saw the nice reviews. I was concerned that in the heart of lobster land I could get real good Italian. Fear not for this place has an excellent menu and home made pasta. My wife and I had the spaghetti bollenaise which was delicious. Tonight I am looking forward to the butternut squash ravioli and my better half will have the sea bass. It is a welcome change to the week long lobster feast we have had so far. Lobster is great but sometimes you need to switch it up a little.
(5)Uncle A.
I would NEVER have guessed we'd find food AND service the likes of this in summertime Boothbay Harbor of all places! We haven't had any better and my wife kept saying how the food and ambience reminded her of Italy. We shared an app of yellowfin tuna on bruschetta, a side of black squid pasta with olive oil and garlic and the roast porcetta entrée. She had the shaved fennel salad and I had the caprese salad. Good thing we shared the entrée because I was STUFFED but she still had room for some (killer) chocolate mousse and a cup of dark roast decaf coffee. Our waitstaff gal, Lexi, was fabulous and very personable AS WERE her supporting team members who delivered food, filled our water glasses, offered fresh-ground pepper and grated parmesan. Kudos to the whole gang! Honestly, we would seriously consider returning to Boothbay Harbor with this restaurant as our prime destination! Excellent, excellent, excellent! As a side note: after we'd finished eating and were relaxing and waiting for the check, our waitstaff person continued to stop and chat briefly on her way past our table but didn't bring the check. Finally, my wife said that she thought we'd have to specifically ask for it as is the custom in Italy. She was right on and Lexi confirmed my wife's assumption explaining that "in Europe, it is considered rude to give the diner the check without they requesting it". Good thing for us fast-paced Americans to practice, methinks.
(5)William H.
This was amazing. I usually only eat seafood when in BBH - but I ordered the lasagna. I was NOT disappointed. The food, the service, the selection, the desserts, the decor - everything is excellent. Definitely try this place!
(5)Kate J.
This happens to be one of our favorites in the Boothbay Region. It's rated as one of the top 50 in Maine. The lobster ravioli is excellent, and I don't even care for pasta as a rule....so why do I go to an Italian restaurant? The bread, the dipping oil, the Branzino, if you're lucky enough to be there on a night they have it. The caprese salad. The owner always makes us feel welcome and we've had excellent service without exception.
(5)Ullrich M.
And you thought you came to Boothbay Harbor for lobster. Wrong. You came for cucina Italiana at its very best. Contrary to other comments on this site, Sante Calandri, the owner, seated us within a few minutes when the restaurant was packed. We ordered our negronis within a few minutes and everything else was also unhurried but pleasantly quick. GREAT place.
(5)Jamie E.
this was a really good meal. Ihad the roast pork and my wife had the lobster over risotto Both were pretty damn good, cooked just right. Service was attentive and appropriate. I would love to explore the menu as everything coming out of the kitchen looked great.
(4)Lawrence R.
This property has been empty for some time now. The restaurant has been closed, and the property owner is looking for a new tenant. So I don't recommend that one makes an effort to go there. Interesting that yelp is not letting me post these facts.
(1)Dennis R.
First others failed to mention the parking lot in the back of the restaurant. Not only is this a convenient asset but, makes the restaurant totally handicapped assailable. Now the food. The restaurant should be rated two stars. No not the yelp rating but, the Michelin star rating. This is without doubt a two star Michelin restaurant. For the service, food and atmosphere. We have eaten here many times over the past four years and the service and food has always the consistently the best. Everything here is made in house from scratch, the pasta and deserts. The wine list is well balance and very, very good. The best part the price of the food for the quality is very reasonable. The only bad thing about this restaurant is it closes in November and does not open until April. BUMMER
(5)Del S.
I never thought Boothbay Harbor, Maine, known for their seafood, would have such delicious Italian food. Appetizer INSALATA DI CESARE Whole romaine hearts tossed with Caesar dressing, olives, croutons and shreded parmesan $10--can't go wrong with cesar salad. Entree Taglierini Alle Vongole Homemade angel hair pasta with clams, garlic, white wine and olive oil $19--I don't usually like clams but this pasta was to die for. It's exactly as described. The only complaint I have is that some of the pasta got stuck in clumps as in they boiled the pasta but didn't wash it with cold water. Other than that, this dish was so good. Thinking about it is making my mouth water. Desert PANNA COTTA AI FRUTTI DELLA STAGIONE Very light Italian vanilla custard made with local seasonal berries $8--premade creaminess. The 5 other people I dined with were all very delighted with their dishes. They ordered the following: TAGLIATELLE ALLA BOLOGNESE Long, wide strips of fresh homemade pasta with a meat and tomato ragu $18--looked and smelled amazing. This dish was my second choice. RIGATONI ALLA NORMA Large tubular homemade pasta with sautéed eggplant, shaved aged salted ricotta, tomato sauce and basil $17 Gnocchi Al 4 Formaggi or Pesto Handmade potato dumplings in a light creamy sauce, with Fontana, gorgonzola, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses OR in classic basil pesto, pine nuts and parmesan $18--everyone, who tried a piece, raved about how light it taste Fettuccine Verdi alla Carolina Homemade spinach pasta with seared chicken breast, sundried tomatoes $ fresh spinach and light cream $19 Saltimbocca di Vitello Tender veal scaloppine lined fresh sage and prosciutto di Parma, white wine sauce $26 Decor: Entrance required going up a flight of stairs. Not sure if restaurant is handicap friendly. I think there is a bar area/indoor & outdoor covered eating area. We sat indoors & If i can remember correctly, it was dim lighting with dark burgundy walls with dark wood. Dress: business casual? Service: 4--it was a very packed/full night Food: 10 if I could give that many stars. Another words: AMAZING! A MUST TRY!
(5)Karen H.
Our experience and food rated 5 stars. We were seated quickly and had great people waiting on us. The menu had lots of great choices. I had the Caprese Salad and it was delicious followed by one of the specials that night, lasagna. I loved every bite of it. My husband had a veal dish and it was excellent too. The restaurant was bustling with people! An excellent dinner. A definite place to go back too.
(5)Ben E.
What an amazing find along the coast of Maine after a day of whale watching! This is a true, authentic Italian joint with a hint of Maine given the seafood options. I had the Risotto with Lobster and it was delectable. The lobster was perfectly cooked while the risotto must have been seasoned in butter and saffron. Simply out of this world! When you sit outside in July you get a view of the Boothbay streets and the bay itself as a backdrop with temperate weather. The antipasti we had included the beef carpaccio and cold cuts/cheese plate, both of which were top notch. The sauvignon blanc was really good, about $8 per glass though so be prepared, the rest of the wine is no cheaper. Really, none of it's cheap, but you get what you pay for! That's what vacations are for, right?
(5)Liz A.
Truffle Lobster Ravioli. We went there on a Friday night with a party of four. The host (and owner) was amazingly friendly (and clearly Italian) and showed us right to our table. All of the staff seemed to speak Italian which was comforting. We ordered a nice bottle of house wine, and at $45 a bottle, it was a great value for the money. We ordered a Cesar salad to start as well as a fennel salad special. The Cesar salad was crisp and delicious (although missing anchovies) and we were all licking our plates at the end. We had to request bread, which was brought to the table in a paper bag which we all thought was cute. However, the bag they brought us was a bit stale. We asked the waiter to change it out, and the next bag of bread was delicious. We ordered, lamb bolgenese, lobster ravioli, filet ravioli, and three vegetable sides. All of the dishes were amazing, except the sides of vegetables- the spinach was from a bag of frozen spinach and the broccoli was over cooked. Each of us was liking our plates and couldn't wait for dessert. Dessert was chocolate mouse- some of us liked it and others at the table didn't. Overall- a fabulous find in a small town like Boothbay Harbor.
(4)Steve B.
Craving some Italian food, we thought we'd give Ports of Italy a try. We walked over the footbridge across the harbor, got lost a little in the dark, and walked a couple of blocks to this small upstairs restaurant. We'd called for reservations, which was a good idea, since it was very busy. We were seated outside (nice patio) and were treated to a nice bread, cleverly served in a paper bag. We had a couple of salads, hers was della casa and mine, di campagna. Each was great! Both of us had the special, which was a mixture of egg and spinach noodles, and veggies and mushrooms in a light sauce. We shared a bottle of wine. We were too stuffed for dessert, so just opted for coffee. The coffee was very good, served in a large mug. ALERT! Refills are charged for (which we thought to be a little odd) -- we're coffee fans, though, so no matter, and we had another mug.
(5)Eleanor W.
Just had dinner here and the meal was excellent and the service was outstanding. I had the home made angel hair pasta with clams, garlic, white wine and olive oil. My husband had the veal and it too was excellent. We never get dessert, but we couldn't resist. Their light vanilla custard made with fresh berries was wonderful. I don't have a complaint about anything.
(5)Jeremy O.
Awesome Caprese Salad in Parmesan Bowl!
(5)Juliana F.
I fell in love! The service was great, and the food was even better. I had the melon and prosciutto as a first course, then the bolognese with gluten free pasta and the sauce tasted like what my family makes back in Italy! The gluten free pasta is not listed on the menu but they keep it on hand for very grateful patrons like myself. I really expected to not like the dish as most restaurants over/undercook GF pasta (which in turn ruins the sauce...) but Ports of Italy helped me forget that I was even eating GF! My whole family has been raving about Ports of Italy for weeks now, and I'm so glad that I finally made it in! ....I wrote this over a week ago, finally am uploading it before heading back for yet one more meal at Ports of Italy!
(5)Melissa G.
Unbelievably expensive and the food was just okay, if that. Gave two stars for the rooftop view and delicious desserts.
(2)Brandon M.
Really surprised by the $$ here, my experience was closer to a $$$+. But this is your typical a la carte Italian joint that I have grown accustomed to finding in Boston's North End. Only difference is this is in Boothbay and yet they are still charging North End prices. $6 additional for a salad that I ate in a couple bites and tasted like something picked from the town green was my least favorite part although it did remind me of a few salads I had in Italy, so I'll give them that. The puny $20 pasta dish was also homemade and tasted very authentic, so if that is your kind of thing this may be your place, I just found it a little bland for my tastes. Surprised to see all the glowing reviews on here as my conversations with the locals were 50-50 and reflected either a love of the place or an extreme hatred.
(2)Bill M.
Great find in Boothbay Harbor! After a weekend of sub par fried seafood, on our last night my wife and I thought we would try the Ports of Italy. We asked a few of the locals about the Ports of Italy but no one had been there yet. We were pleasantly surprised to find a small family owned restaurant with a real Italian Chef in residence. Great food at reasonable prices. Everything we tried was fresh and well prepared. The wait staff were outstanding. Next time you are in the area, get away from the seafood joints, and head to the Ports of Italy! I don't know if there is an elevator, but the restaurant is on the second floor, up some very steep steps.
(5)Rob G.
Ask a local and they'll tell you it's the best place in town. The owners serve up authentic Northern Italian cuisine with a few local ingredients thrown in so if you're in the mood for spaghetti head to one of the many other restaurants within walking distance. The gnocchi is excellent (as is all the pasta- they make it on-premise). Try the duck as a starter. The lobster risotto is amazing!
(5)Ali C.
As someone who has lived in Italy and NYC, I can safely say this is good Italian food. Nice staff and fantastic food. You won't be disappointed with this one. Worth this trip, even if you're off peninsula.
(5)Andy S.
A pleasant alternative to the tourist seafood in Boothbay. A place for adults to enjoy a romantic dinner. Pleasant and efficient service. If you're a Mainer a nice destination for an evening out.
(4)Jess M.
Stumbled in by mistake, and was pleasantly surprised. Fantastic Italian food, comfortable atmosphere, wonderful service and great prices. Loved it.
(4)Doug T.
There were 6 of us that dined together and we all had mixed reactions to our meals from good to ok; but no outstandidng. My pasta was slightly undercooked (and I do like it al dente). Bread was served in a paperbag (really?) an attempt to be cute I think but I didn't like the idea of all of us sticking our hands in the same bag and fishing around for a piece of greasy bread. One guest was vegan ..... but the wait staff apparently had no idea what that meant. Would I go back? I would probably give this place another shot if I was back in the area. The place maybe just needs some discipline in the kitchen.
(3)Jill B.
Sometimes I wish Yelp would let us give half stars....sometimes a gal just needs a half, you know? In this case, I would give 4.5. I'm going to round down ONLY because I just had an appetizer and a drink, so I can't speak for the whole menu. After a bad time trying to catch one of those famous tours by the harbor, my frustrated friend and I decided to do the next best thing...order a bucket of mussels and two glasses of bubbly. The bubbly came out, and it hit the spot. But hey, its hard to go wrong there. Next came the bread. In a paper bag (kind of strange, but whatevs), and there was of course olive oil (with chopped olives in it) to go along side. Very fresh and tasty. Next came the mussels. Ok I'm a big mussel fan, but these really were tasty. They were in a marinara sauce. I wanted to lick the bowl clean. Instead I just asked for enough bread to sop up every last drop. A little pricey (but about what you would expect for this type of place), and a welcome change from the other restaurants we saw in Boothbay. I'd definitely recommend if you're in the area. (Oh and the little brochure out front offers 10% your bill, including alcohol!!)
(4)Janel Marie M.
I ordered the bolgenese and my friend a gemelli. It was pretty good. Both consisted of a creamy sauce. A little too creamy for my taste. I normally like a light coat of sauce on my pasta. The initial bread was served in a paper bag and was a bit tough but everything else was not bad. Everything was a bit pricey. I did find the staff to be extremely friendly.
(3)Juliana F.
I fell in love! The service was great, and the food was even better. I had the melon and prosciutto as a first course, then the bolognese with gluten free pasta and the sauce tasted like what my family makes back in Italy! The gluten free pasta is not listed on the menu but they keep it on hand for very grateful patrons like myself. I really expected to not like the dish as most restaurants over/undercook GF pasta (which in turn ruins the sauce...) but Ports of Italy helped me forget that I was even eating GF! My whole family has been raving about Ports of Italy for weeks now, and I'm so glad that I finally made it in! ....I wrote this over a week ago, finally am uploading it before heading back for yet one more meal at Ports of Italy!
(5)Melissa G.
Unbelievably expensive and the food was just okay, if that. Gave two stars for the rooftop view and delicious desserts.
(2)Brandon M.
Really surprised by the $$ here, my experience was closer to a $$$+. But this is your typical a la carte Italian joint that I have grown accustomed to finding in Boston's North End. Only difference is this is in Boothbay and yet they are still charging North End prices. $6 additional for a salad that I ate in a couple bites and tasted like something picked from the town green was my least favorite part although it did remind me of a few salads I had in Italy, so I'll give them that. The puny $20 pasta dish was also homemade and tasted very authentic, so if that is your kind of thing this may be your place, I just found it a little bland for my tastes. Surprised to see all the glowing reviews on here as my conversations with the locals were 50-50 and reflected either a love of the place or an extreme hatred.
(2)Bill M.
Great find in Boothbay Harbor! After a weekend of sub par fried seafood, on our last night my wife and I thought we would try the Ports of Italy. We asked a few of the locals about the Ports of Italy but no one had been there yet. We were pleasantly surprised to find a small family owned restaurant with a real Italian Chef in residence. Great food at reasonable prices. Everything we tried was fresh and well prepared. The wait staff were outstanding. Next time you are in the area, get away from the seafood joints, and head to the Ports of Italy! I don't know if there is an elevator, but the restaurant is on the second floor, up some very steep steps.
(5)Rob G.
Ask a local and they'll tell you it's the best place in town. The owners serve up authentic Northern Italian cuisine with a few local ingredients thrown in so if you're in the mood for spaghetti head to one of the many other restaurants within walking distance. The gnocchi is excellent (as is all the pasta- they make it on-premise). Try the duck as a starter. The lobster risotto is amazing!
(5)Ali C.
As someone who has lived in Italy and NYC, I can safely say this is good Italian food. Nice staff and fantastic food. You won't be disappointed with this one. Worth this trip, even if you're off peninsula.
(5)Tom H.
Nice quiet elegant alternative to the noisy fried seafood tourist traps. Authentic Italian food. Delicious.
(5)K M.
So, Ports of Italy continues to shine. Every year on our annual sojourn to the Boothbay region, we plan at least one night's dinner at Ports of Italy. In years past, my wife and I would make it a date night and get the girls pizza or something from in town, but last year, when we did the odd trip up in the fall because we could not come last summer, we had our two daughters with us for a quick trip and they came with us then. Well, my one daughter had the Chitarrucci Neri Ai Frutti Di Mare (Squid ink pasta with seafood) that evening and wanted to have it again, so the entire crew went to Ports this year. Because the days was a bit blah (foggy, damp, and dull), we decided to do an early dinner so we could walk about town after our meal. We arrived a little late, but Sanet got the crew settled while I parked the car. When I came up a minute or two later, Tony, Ports of Italy's most consistent and best personality, came over to give us the day's specials (figs and prosciutto or burrito for primo and Italian style lamb chops or pistachio encrusted halibut for second). After picking the wine (a nice Italian vermentino di sardegna), Tony left us to peruse the menu, which has been updated a little from our previous visits. The good news is that the Chitarrucci Neri Ai Frutti Di Mare was still on the menu and that finished the job for my one daughter. The youngest wanted gnocchi with Ports' tomato sauce, so she was done, but the rest of us were not 100% certain what to get with all the wonderful choices. When Tony returned with the wine, we were able to select appetizers for the table (rollatini di melanzane, Affettato Misto, and Caprese Di Mozzarella Di Bufala) After a few more minutes, we were able to finally all figure out what we wanted. My oldest picked the Cioppino, her girlfriend chose Tagleirini alle Vongole (linguini with little neck clams), my wife and I both decided to go with the pistachio encrusted halibut. I noted to Tony that I was somewhat disappointed that they did not have the Branzino Al Forno, which I have pretty much gotten every time I come and have Tony fillet and de-bone it tableside for me. But change is good and I did not leave disappointed. Well, the wine was wonderful and we finished the appetizers almost as soon as they arrived. The parmesan cheese basket for the Caprese salad with the grape heirloom tomatoes was incredible tonight. I've had it before and liked it very much, but the basket seemed extra thin and flavorful this evening. The Affettato disappeared as if it had never been on the table and my wife and I devoured the Rollatini - Ports' tomato sauce is second only to my wife's. Soon after, our main courses arrived and we all dug in. The halibut was superb and the roasted rosemary potatoes that came with it were fantastic having wonderful taste an texture. My oldest completely finished her Cropping and began using the leftover breads to sop up the yummy juices in her bowl (which she kindly allowed me to try). My other daughter with the fixation on the Chitarrucci enjoyed ever last bit, bit was willing to share one mussel with dear ol' Dad. My daughter's girlfriend finished up her Vongole without anyone's help and even the little one, well known for never finishing her dishes, made her plate clean. As for me, well, I did miss the Branzino, but you were not getting a taste of my halibut - nor my wife's. Following the entrées, we were not going anywhere without getting the complete meal. So for dessert we all got some goodies. There was two Tiramisus, one blueberry Sorbet, one Vanilla gelati, one Panna Cotta ai Frutti Della Stationed (for the wife), and my absolute favorite, Fragole al Balsamico (fresh strawberries in aged balsamic vinegar topped with fresh whipped cream). Again, all plates finished clean. I also got a double espresso and everyone (except the youngest) got coffee. The lemon peel in the espresso was the right finish to an exceptionally wonderful meal. Now, Ports isn't for everyone - Santa, Tony, Fabrizio, and the rest of the staff at Ports of Italy take food (and serving it to their customers) very seriously - but they don't take those who take themselves too seriously very seriously. So, if you believe life should be filled with good food and the time to enjoy it with family, then Ports of Italy should be your main stop when in Boothbay Harbor. Buon appetito!
(5)Ginger D.
The cioppino had the best tasting broth ever, and wonderful bread to soak it up! The pistachio crusted halibut with olive tapenade was delicately delicious! The wine was delightful and quite affordable. Our waitress, Rebecca, was beyond awesome! This restaurant is a gem!!!
(5)Louisa J.
What are people talking about?!! I am from New York City and I'm married to an Italian man. We both know from good food and good service, and Ports of Italy has both. The food is fresh, authentic and delicious. There are many options and they are (so far) all delicious. The service is friendly, and everyone is very attentive and knowledgable. The prices seem perfectly appropriate to me for the quality of ingredients and the experience you get. The wait isn't anything out of the ordinary. Buy a drink and relax! Bottom line, if you go to restaurants in order to eat good food, this is the place for you.
(5)A Z.
Had a nice dinner here. Got the Fettuccini Alfredo because the red sauce dishes didn't call out to me, although I'd have loved to try their red sauce. Also got the burrata as an app which was a nice surprise but could have been better with a little balsamic drizzle. Everything was very good but not WOW. Skip dessert, nothing special there and plenty of good ice cream and waffles around.
(4)Dan M.
Big city restaurant in a small Maine town. Escape from the nautical, dine away from the loud music in a continental restaurant. Italian food done right. I'm in Maine so why not have the best of both worlds and ordered lobster ravioli. Plentiful and delicious homemade pasta and they have Peroni beer.
(4)Steve G.
Excellent! Very hands on owner, expansive menu, great service. We had a ravioli and veal entrée that were superb. Wonderful wine list, everything was presented top notch. Highly recommend.
(5)Andrea D.
Rarely do small towns have amazing Italian Restaurants... But Boothbay is lucky to be blessed with Ports of Italy. We've been coming here for the past 4 years or so and we've never been disappointed. They serve absolutely delicious seafood dishes, risotto, pastas and sauces. My personal favorite are the gnocchi- they're incredibly light - like little pillows - and go well with any sauce, but the Bolognese is particularly amazing. The service is fantastic and it's a classy atmosphere but not intimidating. There's a good amount of seating space, but it's always busy so I recommend making a reservation early in the day (or week if possible).
(5)Patricia V.
Wonderful experience. Food was perfect. Would definitely return. We had the vegetable appetizer and the spaghetti with clams.
(5)Peter H.
Went looking for a nice place for dinner tonight. Saw good reviews for Ports of Italy but thought while on the Maine coast find a good seafood restaurant. We walked of two restaurants here in Boothbay that had good yelp reviews (they will remain nameless). Walked to Ports of Italy and was rewarded with excellent service, excellent food and Martinis that weren't watered down! If you come to Boothbay don't be like me and think, "eh I can get Italian food anywhere"... You can but it won't be incredibly good like Ports of Italy!
(5)Dave E.
Went there last night on a whim, the restaurant was kinda busy but we were seated right away. When the waiter came by for our drink order he seemed put off that we did not order any wine. When we ordered our meals, I had the lobster ravioli and the wife had the lasagna. Both were very good. Great flavor good size portions and well presented.
(4)Mark M.
After many recommendations from friends we finally decided to give Ports of Italy a try.We were not disappointed! The restaurant was packed yet the food was fantastic and service was friendly and attentive. If you only have one night to go out in BBH, skip the lobster roll or fried food found at every other restaurant in town and head to Ports of Italy. This place serves legit Italian food.
(4)Jim B.
We have been in the Boothbay Harbor region for 4 day/3 night mini vacation. We're Mainers, so we had a night when we didn't want seafood (I know, hard to believe if you're from away, right?). Boothbay has one Italian restaurant and reviews of it were very solid, including one by my friend Bruce, the former publisher of the Coastal Journal. That was enough to sell me on Ports of Italy, because Bruce is Italian and doesn't rubber stamp anything with his endorsement. We didn't have a reservation, and based upon other Yelp reviews, were prepared to sit at the bar (that was full), or wait for a table, or worse--go elsewhere. It was later, around 8:00 and the owner, Sante, seated us at a two-top near the front of the room, in the bar area after a mere 20 minute wait--we were lucky and thankful, too. Ports of Italy gets you started with fresh-baked bread served generously with extra virgin olive oil flecked with roasted black olive pieces. Be careful not to fill up with bread, however, because you're just getting started. The menu offers several choices of pastas, which are all homemade. We ordered an appetizer--the bresaola ($10)-beef rubbed in spices and air-cured in the Italian Alps. Sliced paper thin, this delicate, lean meat, served with arugula and shaved celery, is a treat, For my main course, I went with the Tagliatelle Bolognese, which was wonderful, with subtle flavors infusing the hearty meat sauce that's not common in Maine, at least a bolognese like this one, where it's obvious that each step of its preparation has been designed to draw out the best results from each ingredient. My wife had the Ravioli Toscani, which was a spinach ravioli filled with fresh ricotta cheese, fresh spinach and spices. She loved it. Ports of Italy is the real deal, a great Italian restaurant in Maine that lends some needed variety to a tourist town a bit too heavy on run-of-the-mill seafood places. Oh, and while we didn't have room for dessert, their dessert menu is ever-so-tempting, and entirely prepared in-house, too.
(5)Joanna B.
We had a great time at this awesome Italian restaurant. The food is really good. It's the best restaurant in Boothbay harbor. The service very good and the restaurant was packed. You would never know it with how attentive the staff was with our family. We each ordered a different pasta dish and everyone enjoyed our meal. All the pasta is homemade and you can taste the difference. This is will be a restaurant I will frequent. Yummy!!!
(5)Westie W.
We made advance reservations for the night of our 40th wedding anniversary at this northern Italian restaurant and were seated in a booth by the maitre d cum owner. I was surprised how large this 2nd floor restaurant was since it appears much smaller when viewed from the street. We requested glasses of Ramsay cabernet while we read the menu. Shortly thereafter we were served warm crusty bread along with an olive oil/balsamic vinegar dipping sauce and a pair of fresh tomato/basil canapes. Having enjoyed cocktails and an appetizer at another restaurant earlier in the evening, we decided to pretty much stick to entrees. For an entree my wife chose tagelieri alle vongole (house made angel hair pasta with local (farm raised?) little necks, garlic, white wine and olive oil). My entree was chitarucci neri frutti di mare (house made black ink pasta topped with (6) mussels, (4) little neck clams, (1) medium size shrimp, (1) scallop and squid. We also had a very blah tasting contorni of spinach with garlic and Parmesan cheese. Prices are relatively high, but food quality is very good as was the service throughout our meal.
(4)Peter D.
We had one of the best meals ever at Port of Italy. It was packed but we were still seated quickly after one drink at the bar, the service was excellent. At least 6 different people attended to us throughout the night, delivering our courses, clearing dishes, refreshing our water and wine...we just enjoyed our dinner company and left completely satisfied. We will definitely go back next time we're in Boothbay Harbor!
(5)Debbie M.
Absolutely outstanding drinks, food and service. Charming atmosphere. A "Boston North End" experience in BBH.
(5)Allie E.
great authentic Italian food - the lobster ravioli is to die for. the atmosphere is lovely, and the staff is super friendly. will definitely visit here again!
(5)Denise E.
We begged for a reservation after they said they were totally booked until 9:00 pm on a Thursday night and they took pity on us and gave us a 6:15 pm spot. We are glad they did. I had a lovely Caesar salad and lobster ravioli in addition to a nice white wine. My husband had the Carpaccio di Manzo and Saltimbocca. All dishes were super fresh, nicely presented. The server was wonderful and the place just buzzed with happy diners. Go here...but make reservations.
(5)Felice F.
This was our 3rd & 4th visits (so good we ate here both nights we were in Boothbay Harbor this time around!) I can highly recommend the grilled vegetable appetizer (perfect with the focaccia), porchetta and the squid ink seafood pasta dish. Their signature martini is delish! The staff are very friendly and welcoming and the atmosphere is warm and relaxing. Will definitely return!
(5)Gordon P.
It was great, very impressive food and service. We loved it, looking forward to going back on our next trip to Boothbay.
(5)Jessica G.
We were so skeptical of trying this place because we would be eating Italian food so far from home and couldn't believe Maine would even have good Italian food. We were so surprised to see how wonderful this restaurant was. The service was wonderful, we even got to have a nice conversation with the owner who really cares for his restaurant. The food was delicious and authentic. I was very glad we went. I had the ravioli which were amazing. Definitely try it out.
(5)B D.
Italian meet maine - the best of lobster and risotto, clams and squid ink pasta, but perhaps best of all, wild blueberry sorbet!
(4)Heather M.
Everything was delicious. Great service from the greeting through the tab. Our waiter was on top of water and wine refills. Nice ambiance! I hope this place is open when I return to Boothbay.
(5)Charles F.
After years of walking by we finally took the plunge this past 4th of July weekend. Great, if limited menu and the service was both personal and professional. We had a great meal and will return often. Such a luxury to find a higher end restaurant in our beloved harbor where food is often the last consideration to our visit.
(4)Jeff S.
The wait was ginormous. The owner misunderstood that we wanted a table and we were left to languish for over an hour in the bar. After I corrected his misunderstanding, we were immediately seated in a cozy booth in the back room. The food was great, the service was great. The need for a reservation sort of pissed me off but the locals love this place and I can see why. Best Italian food in BBH. We will be back, but I'll call ahead next time!
(3)Abhishek C.
I am writing this review to highlight the incredibly rude service we received at this restaurant during our recent trip to mid-coast Maine. Having had lobster previously on this trip, both freshly cooked live lobster and lobster rolls, we were looking forward to trying some Italian recipes. Being familiar with lobster sizes and weights, we decided to share a lobster risotto and a fettucine with chicken. We were unsure whether to laugh or be furious at what was brought out. I am attaching a photo of the lobster risotto we received since it is worth a thousand words. According to the menu, the risotto should include a whole 1-1/4 lb lobster. We have had 1-1/4 lb lobsters previously and even after shucking it and discarding the shell, the amount of meat that came in this dish was about half a lobster, certainly nowhere near the amount of meat that would be expected from a 1-1/4 lb crustacean. We first brought this to the attention of our server, who, unsurprisingly (since he didn't cook it), brought out first the manager and then the owner himself (an Italian gentleman who had formerly worked at a NYC pizzeria). The owner proceeded to berate us, in a very condescending manner, for not knowing that a "1-1/4 lb" lobster referred to the entire being, not the meat. Thanks, but we are very familiar with that basic culinary fact, having had freshly cooked whole lobsters, and pointed that out to him. He then told us that the lobster meat in this risotto (again, see attached photo) was, in fact, from a 1-1/4 lb specimen, that he had been cooking lobster for years and was, therefore, right. No offer to take it back or bring us a replacement dish. And, by the way, the tiny amount of lobster in the risotto was very underwhelming and did not compare to the several other lobsters we had in Maine. I'm sure my wife's chicken fettucine tasted better, but after the owner's rude and condescending attitude towards us, we left hastily without ordering anything else, but made sure to tip our server generously since none of this was his fault. I hate to use the term, but this restaurant is a classic "tourist trap." There is virtually no other Italian restaurant in mid-coast Maine, so this restaurant rakes it in. If you're from any big city, however, I guarantee you'll find better Italian food and service there. There is no need to seek it out in Maine. Avoid this place.
(1)James R.
Folks are getting long winded here so I'll be quick. A- for the food. Great Italian fare, and not even just for Boothbay. Definitely above par. D for service. This was tough, because our waitress was great. HOWEVER, we made a reservation for 7:45, and didn't get seated until 8:20. Granted, it was a Friday night, but the food didn't make up for the wait. I'd either avoid this place on weekends, or show up fashionably late for my reservation next time.
(3)Michael F.
Amazing food and great service! All of the staff was great. The owner was real nice and after dinner we spent some time talking with him.
(5)Katie H.
What's not to like here? They have it all - fantastic and authentic Italian food, an upstairs patio overlooking Boothbay Harbor, a friendly owner who is a great storyteller... This is THE place to come when you are feeling lobster-ed out in Maine. To start, the atmosphere is wonderful, especially the patio in the wonderful Maine summer weather. We always start with the caprese salad. Theirs is a spin on the traditional starter that is served with cherry tomatoes rather than slices, and comes in a toasted cheese bowl. It's excellent. My favorite entrée is the tagliatelle bolognese - you can't beat this delicious homemade pasta! Other favorites are the gnocchi and lasagna. The staff is attentive and friendly. Portions are large and prices are reasonable. Dining at Ports of Italy is always a great experience and I can't wait to return!
(5)K. L.
My husband and I had reservations for 6:30 on a weekday night last week. We arrived at the restaurant on time and asked if we could wait to sit on the outdoor porch (which amkes up about 60% of the seating in the restaurant). The host practically LAUGHED in our face and said something like "Yeah, if you want to wait 2 hours". It was an incredibly rude and off putting way to start the evening. We were in no hurry and thought that my getting a reservation that we would be able to choose the area where we sat and understood that we might have to wait a little while (not 2 hours!) We waited and waited at the bar but never did get an outdoor table. Luckily t he bartender, Sarah, was very nice and helpful and our food ended up being fine thought nothing to write home about. I don't think we will be going back here, on the basis of the management alone.
(2)Victor P.
5 excellent dinners. You cannot find better homemade pasta in Maine. Ask for Tony as your server. I would have given it 5 stars except for the noise level. Deserts are homemade and delicious !!
(4)Bill C.
I can't say enough good things about Ports of Italy. My fiancée and I went in for dinner last night, and we were blown away. I don't usually rate anything 5 stars, there's usually some little thing you can find to prevent a "perfect" rating, but not here. At the risk of sounding like a paid shill, here are my thoughts on Ports of Italy. First, just let me say that Josh was the best server I've ever had anywhere! I've been to a few places much more expensive than Ports of Italy, and their service doesn't even come close. This guy was just on top of everything -- knew the food, knew the wine list, made some great recommendations, and was incredibly polite. He was also always there, but without being intrusive -- from topping off out water or wine glasses or to clear items from our table. The food was wonderful as well, I had the Lasagna that was featured in their specials this evening, and it was great. I think knowing that they make their own pasta fresh in-house every day made it taste much better. Definitely the best lasagna I've had (sorry Nana!). My fiancé had the pumpkin ravioli (Ravioli di Zucca with sage brown butter), which she loved. She tells me it was amazing, but I'll have to take her word for it; I'm not a big pumpkin kind of guy. All in all, it was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend this place. We'd like to get up to the Boothbay Harbor area again next year, and Ports of Italy will definitely be on the list of stops!
(5)Krash T.
Perhaps we were there on an off night, but really, not a lot to say. Waiter - friendly, helpful, pushing the specials. Beef carpaccio - nice, not oily, but a little on the pastrami-like side. Certainly not a great grade of beef, nowhere near a Wagyu or grass fed. Bread - acceptable. Odd to find small pieces of ciabatta at the bottom of the bag holding the warm toasted hard bread. Oil - fine, fresh. Pepper mills - fantastic. Electric, with a light underneath. Really fun to watch. Roast suckling pig ("Porchetta di Ariccia") - dry, over-cooked, and the waiter's solution was to offer us more sauce for it. Nothing like suckling pig; could easily have been any other cut. Extremely disappointing, so much so that we sent it back (and offered to pay for it anyway, since we were assured this was the "normal" way it came.) Linguine with white clam sauce ("Taglierini alla vongole") - all right to good. Clams fresh, linguine nicely al dente. Not special, but easily the best dish we had. Black ink spaghetti with seafood topped with tomato garlic sauce ("Chitarrucci Neri al Frutti di Mare") - extremely disappointing. The spaghetti wasn't just al dente, it was tough. The seafood wasn't fresh-tasting, and especially given that we were in Boothbay Harbor, that was extremely annoying. The coffee - average. Things to note: 1. It was noted by one of our dinner companions that tables of women (no matter how many) were easily given the worst positions. We watched one female couple get seated right next to the entry door, when there were plenty of nice tables by the windows - and they had a reservation. Another protested when the host tried to seat them inside (fairly dark area by a bar), saying there were plenty of nice seats on the outside area. They were re-seated, but spoke about it with annoyance. 2. The waitrons are trained to say "Grazzi" and speak with Italian accents. However, ours lapsed into a pretty heavy New York accent when he got excited at the size of our tip (which was large, since it hadn't been his fault the pork wasn't very good. And he'd taken it off the bill, which we thought was nice.) 3. Free parking behind the building - go past it, turn right, then right again, and find the lot. If you've been to Italy, or eaten at a good New York Italian restaurant, you probably shouldn't go here. Then again, perhaps we hit them on a really off night. We don't really want to return to find out.
(2)Margo G.
My husband claimed to be "lobstered out" after 5 dinners along the coast of Maine. So I gave in and let him choose the restaurant for our last night of vacation. Based on a recommendation from our innkeeper, this was the place he chose. We had an excellent meal. The drinks were great, the homemade pasta was amazing, and the waitress buzzed around us and her many other tables with efficiency and speed. All-in-all it was a wonderful dining experience.
(5)Jeff C.
We pulled into Boothbay in the off season yesterday and saw the nice reviews. I was concerned that in the heart of lobster land I could get real good Italian. Fear not for this place has an excellent menu and home made pasta. My wife and I had the spaghetti bollenaise which was delicious. Tonight I am looking forward to the butternut squash ravioli and my better half will have the sea bass. It is a welcome change to the week long lobster feast we have had so far. Lobster is great but sometimes you need to switch it up a little.
(5)Andrew Burdett L.
I'd give it 3.5 stars good food but I got the feeling the staff was a little pretenses.
(3)Uncle A.
I would NEVER have guessed we'd find food AND service the likes of this in summertime Boothbay Harbor of all places! We haven't had any better and my wife kept saying how the food and ambience reminded her of Italy. We shared an app of yellowfin tuna on bruschetta, a side of black squid pasta with olive oil and garlic and the roast porcetta entrée. She had the shaved fennel salad and I had the caprese salad. Good thing we shared the entrée because I was STUFFED but she still had room for some (killer) chocolate mousse and a cup of dark roast decaf coffee. Our waitstaff gal, Lexi, was fabulous and very personable AS WERE her supporting team members who delivered food, filled our water glasses, offered fresh-ground pepper and grated parmesan. Kudos to the whole gang! Honestly, we would seriously consider returning to Boothbay Harbor with this restaurant as our prime destination! Excellent, excellent, excellent! As a side note: after we'd finished eating and were relaxing and waiting for the check, our waitstaff person continued to stop and chat briefly on her way past our table but didn't bring the check. Finally, my wife said that she thought we'd have to specifically ask for it as is the custom in Italy. She was right on and Lexi confirmed my wife's assumption explaining that "in Europe, it is considered rude to give the diner the check without they requesting it". Good thing for us fast-paced Americans to practice, methinks.
(5)William H.
This was amazing. I usually only eat seafood when in BBH - but I ordered the lasagna. I was NOT disappointed. The food, the service, the selection, the desserts, the decor - everything is excellent. Definitely try this place!
(5)Kate J.
This happens to be one of our favorites in the Boothbay Region. It's rated as one of the top 50 in Maine. The lobster ravioli is excellent, and I don't even care for pasta as a rule....so why do I go to an Italian restaurant? The bread, the dipping oil, the Branzino, if you're lucky enough to be there on a night they have it. The caprese salad. The owner always makes us feel welcome and we've had excellent service without exception.
(5)Ullrich M.
And you thought you came to Boothbay Harbor for lobster. Wrong. You came for cucina Italiana at its very best. Contrary to other comments on this site, Sante Calandri, the owner, seated us within a few minutes when the restaurant was packed. We ordered our negronis within a few minutes and everything else was also unhurried but pleasantly quick. GREAT place.
(5)Jamie E.
this was a really good meal. Ihad the roast pork and my wife had the lobster over risotto Both were pretty damn good, cooked just right. Service was attentive and appropriate. I would love to explore the menu as everything coming out of the kitchen looked great.
(4)Lawrence R.
This property has been empty for some time now. The restaurant has been closed, and the property owner is looking for a new tenant. So I don't recommend that one makes an effort to go there. Interesting that yelp is not letting me post these facts.
(1)Del S.
I never thought Boothbay Harbor, Maine, known for their seafood, would have such delicious Italian food. Appetizer INSALATA DI CESARE Whole romaine hearts tossed with Caesar dressing, olives, croutons and shreded parmesan $10--can't go wrong with cesar salad. Entree Taglierini Alle Vongole Homemade angel hair pasta with clams, garlic, white wine and olive oil $19--I don't usually like clams but this pasta was to die for. It's exactly as described. The only complaint I have is that some of the pasta got stuck in clumps as in they boiled the pasta but didn't wash it with cold water. Other than that, this dish was so good. Thinking about it is making my mouth water. Desert PANNA COTTA AI FRUTTI DELLA STAGIONE Very light Italian vanilla custard made with local seasonal berries $8--premade creaminess. The 5 other people I dined with were all very delighted with their dishes. They ordered the following: TAGLIATELLE ALLA BOLOGNESE Long, wide strips of fresh homemade pasta with a meat and tomato ragu $18--looked and smelled amazing. This dish was my second choice. RIGATONI ALLA NORMA Large tubular homemade pasta with sautéed eggplant, shaved aged salted ricotta, tomato sauce and basil $17 Gnocchi Al 4 Formaggi or Pesto Handmade potato dumplings in a light creamy sauce, with Fontana, gorgonzola, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses OR in classic basil pesto, pine nuts and parmesan $18--everyone, who tried a piece, raved about how light it taste Fettuccine Verdi alla Carolina Homemade spinach pasta with seared chicken breast, sundried tomatoes $ fresh spinach and light cream $19 Saltimbocca di Vitello Tender veal scaloppine lined fresh sage and prosciutto di Parma, white wine sauce $26 Decor: Entrance required going up a flight of stairs. Not sure if restaurant is handicap friendly. I think there is a bar area/indoor & outdoor covered eating area. We sat indoors & If i can remember correctly, it was dim lighting with dark burgundy walls with dark wood. Dress: business casual? Service: 4--it was a very packed/full night Food: 10 if I could give that many stars. Another words: AMAZING! A MUST TRY!
(5)Dennis R.
First others failed to mention the parking lot in the back of the restaurant. Not only is this a convenient asset but, makes the restaurant totally handicapped assailable. Now the food. The restaurant should be rated two stars. No not the yelp rating but, the Michelin star rating. This is without doubt a two star Michelin restaurant. For the service, food and atmosphere. We have eaten here many times over the past four years and the service and food has always the consistently the best. Everything here is made in house from scratch, the pasta and deserts. The wine list is well balance and very, very good. The best part the price of the food for the quality is very reasonable. The only bad thing about this restaurant is it closes in November and does not open until April. BUMMER
(5)Karen H.
Our experience and food rated 5 stars. We were seated quickly and had great people waiting on us. The menu had lots of great choices. I had the Caprese Salad and it was delicious followed by one of the specials that night, lasagna. I loved every bite of it. My husband had a veal dish and it was excellent too. The restaurant was bustling with people! An excellent dinner. A definite place to go back too.
(5)Liz A.
Truffle Lobster Ravioli. We went there on a Friday night with a party of four. The host (and owner) was amazingly friendly (and clearly Italian) and showed us right to our table. All of the staff seemed to speak Italian which was comforting. We ordered a nice bottle of house wine, and at $45 a bottle, it was a great value for the money. We ordered a Cesar salad to start as well as a fennel salad special. The Cesar salad was crisp and delicious (although missing anchovies) and we were all licking our plates at the end. We had to request bread, which was brought to the table in a paper bag which we all thought was cute. However, the bag they brought us was a bit stale. We asked the waiter to change it out, and the next bag of bread was delicious. We ordered, lamb bolgenese, lobster ravioli, filet ravioli, and three vegetable sides. All of the dishes were amazing, except the sides of vegetables- the spinach was from a bag of frozen spinach and the broccoli was over cooked. Each of us was liking our plates and couldn't wait for dessert. Dessert was chocolate mouse- some of us liked it and others at the table didn't. Overall- a fabulous find in a small town like Boothbay Harbor.
(4)Ben E.
What an amazing find along the coast of Maine after a day of whale watching! This is a true, authentic Italian joint with a hint of Maine given the seafood options. I had the Risotto with Lobster and it was delectable. The lobster was perfectly cooked while the risotto must have been seasoned in butter and saffron. Simply out of this world! When you sit outside in July you get a view of the Boothbay streets and the bay itself as a backdrop with temperate weather. The antipasti we had included the beef carpaccio and cold cuts/cheese plate, both of which were top notch. The sauvignon blanc was really good, about $8 per glass though so be prepared, the rest of the wine is no cheaper. Really, none of it's cheap, but you get what you pay for! That's what vacations are for, right?
(5)Steve B.
Craving some Italian food, we thought we'd give Ports of Italy a try. We walked over the footbridge across the harbor, got lost a little in the dark, and walked a couple of blocks to this small upstairs restaurant. We'd called for reservations, which was a good idea, since it was very busy. We were seated outside (nice patio) and were treated to a nice bread, cleverly served in a paper bag. We had a couple of salads, hers was della casa and mine, di campagna. Each was great! Both of us had the special, which was a mixture of egg and spinach noodles, and veggies and mushrooms in a light sauce. We shared a bottle of wine. We were too stuffed for dessert, so just opted for coffee. The coffee was very good, served in a large mug. ALERT! Refills are charged for (which we thought to be a little odd) -- we're coffee fans, though, so no matter, and we had another mug.
(5)Eleanor W.
Just had dinner here and the meal was excellent and the service was outstanding. I had the home made angel hair pasta with clams, garlic, white wine and olive oil. My husband had the veal and it too was excellent. We never get dessert, but we couldn't resist. Their light vanilla custard made with fresh berries was wonderful. I don't have a complaint about anything.
(5)Jeremy O.
Awesome Caprese Salad in Parmesan Bowl!
(5)Bill M.
Will have to try again as there was considerable slippage from last visit. Service was very poor, scattered, server just in the weeds and not seeming to get any help from management. Caprese salad Parmesan basket too thin so did not stand up to watery bland hot house tomatoes and add any salt, which they needed. Lamb Bolognese was not cooked long enough to become a true Bolognese so it was more like lamb stew-chunky. Friends filet Gorgonzola ordered medium, was well done and very salty. Brownie a la mode was like a packaged mix brownie. They are very busy now-mid summer-and maybe need to take a deep breath, or fewer reservations.
(2)Dave M.
A hidden gem! Very inconspicuous entrance on commercial street. Friendly waitstaff and good service. We had the calamari, salmon, and the veal saltimboca and everything was fresh and delicious. The portions are on the small side but reasonable, so consider an appetizer if you're very hungry. Wine by the glass was good and reasonably priced. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Andy S.
A pleasant alternative to the tourist seafood in Boothbay. A place for adults to enjoy a romantic dinner. Pleasant and efficient service. If you're a Mainer a nice destination for an evening out.
(4)Jess M.
Stumbled in by mistake, and was pleasantly surprised. Fantastic Italian food, comfortable atmosphere, wonderful service and great prices. Loved it.
(4)Doug T.
There were 6 of us that dined together and we all had mixed reactions to our meals from good to ok; but no outstandidng. My pasta was slightly undercooked (and I do like it al dente). Bread was served in a paperbag (really?) an attempt to be cute I think but I didn't like the idea of all of us sticking our hands in the same bag and fishing around for a piece of greasy bread. One guest was vegan ..... but the wait staff apparently had no idea what that meant. Would I go back? I would probably give this place another shot if I was back in the area. The place maybe just needs some discipline in the kitchen.
(3)Dan D.
Best cuisine in town, authentic italian, including risotto that's not too sticky. Sit at the bar (a must if you've not made reservations) and efficient, chatty and thoughtful Melissa will take care of you while you enjoy their excellent veal ravioli or Bolognaise with a bottle of Venetian Pino or Tuscan red. In warm, dry weather sit on their covered deck (inside room is a little stuffy). Top off your meal with a Vin Santo or a sambucca and an order of (two small) canoli!
(5)Rich A.
Excellent gnocchi with 4 cheese sauce!
(4)Karen R.
Nicely done! Dinner for 8 on Friday 6/19 and it was wonderful. Our family commented on it again today- from first course to last there were compliments by all. The caprese salad in Parmesan baskets were raved about. The lobster ravioli was delicious, the halibut special was also a winner. Heard a lot of very positive comments from other tables as well. Definitely will go back again.
(4)Julie P.
This was the best meal of our vacation. I had the spinach ravioli and my date had a steak, filet I think. We sat at the bar and the girl bartender was extremely helpful and friendly. we didn't have a reservation so the owner sort of mumbled that we could wait if we wanted, but two seats opened at the bar right away. It worked out fine. They were very busy. The bread and dipping oils were a carb-lover's dream. We shared a delicious cannoli after dinner. This wasn't a cheap date but I would say it was definitely worth it and recommend to anyone looking for fine Italian dining in ME.
(4)John L.
Wonderful food! The house and caesar salads were large and had great flavor. The veal with mushrooms was generous and tasty, and the Cioppino was loaded with all sorts of seafood in a wonderful broth. The Tiramisu was a light and perfect finish to the meal. Our favorite restaurant in Boothbay Harbor!
(5)Kathy B.
Really good fresh Italian. We got the spinach Alfredo and angel hair with clams. The bread served with the meal was excellent too. Try their specialty martini for a treat. We are outdoors on their enclosed porch which was nice. Attentive wait service.
(4)Erika H.
Overall, a good dinner. Some different dishes/options, setting it apart from a typical Italian restaurant. A little pricey for what you get though. Attentive wait staff. Would recommend to others.
(3)Mahir Y.
Very unfriendly staff. Host didn't want to seat us even though there was a free table and told us to wait 2 hrs which is ridiculous for this small town.
(1)Ned G.
I ate dinner here last night with my mother. We sat at the bar. The food was incredible and the bartender was great. I love this place.
(5)