Great place for dinner! Came last night for Valentines Day and the hostess was nice enough to call me earlier in the week to see if I wanted to move up my reservation since they had a cancellation. We had the calamari to start which had a unique peanut sauce and for entrees we had the lobster pasta (delicious!) and the grilled scallops. Would definitely recommend!
(4)
Dennis M.
Came here for a business dinner with 30 colleagues. We waited about 45 minutes before they took our order. It was a pre fix menu and 5 of us had to send back the tuna. Menu looks great, but if you have a large crowd DO NOT COME!! Poor EVERYTHING. Many did not like their food, and lots and lots of salt
(2)
Lisa B.
This was my first dining experience in Portland, ME fresh from Portland, OR. It was kind of late on a Thursday night, so there weren't very many people in the place, so I enjoyed a fairly quiet meal. The waitress was friendly and has good suggestions. I ended up with the lobster roll, there was a lot of lobster meat in there and the bun was really good! The fries were pretty good too! My favorite part was that I was served bread with butter and salmon pate that was also very delicious. I would come back here again and try some of the other things on the menu.
(4)
Susan W.
Surprisingly pleased. Went w friends tonight. Good service. Nice menu choices. The salad was nice sizec and my entree was top notch. Orderf the Halibut prepared perfect. The four of us all enjoyed dinner very much. Wine list was standard fare nothing exceptional.
(4)
Steve B.
Nice setting and good dinner. A little pricey but good service and good food. I had a great fish stuffed with shrimp and lobster.
(4)
Bramfy B.
Great service from Woody - Not a high profile place but not expensive, great service, and good food. And cool fish tank. Oysters were as fresh as can be and happy hour they are $2/pop. Camalari was great and cod was good as well. Good seasoning on the lobby roll
(4)
Mike O.
I don't know why people are hating on this place with its average 3.5 stars, but I'm a fan. I asked a local whose friend is an oyster fisher which are the best places for oysters in Portland. This place and Street and Co. were the first two named. I came here first, and I wasn't disappointed. When I did arrive at around 7:30 on a Thursday evening in early April, the place was nearly dead. Granted, it wasn't yet tourist season, but I had the pick of tables, which was great. I had each of the five oysters they served, and each one was phenomenal, even the kinds I don't especially prefer, like the sweeter, meatier, butterier oysters. The saltier, smaller and brinier ones were freaking awesome. The clam chowder here tasted most excellent, although I wanted the bits of clam, bacon and potato to be bigger. De gustibus non est disputandem. The lobster roll was okay. I think maybe I don't love lobster roll, and it certainly wasn't the worst lobster roll in Portland. The lobster chunks were maybe too large. The bread it was served on was perfection, however, as were the other toppings inside the sammich. The free bread that was served was ok, but the butter was not my favorite. It was some sort of herbed butter probably made in-house. Overall, everything was pretty good, including the service. The beer selection was ok. Apparently they didn't have the beer I wanted because they had received the wrong keg. I had a good canned IPA. Don't hate on Old Port. Give it a whirl.
(4)
Abby P.
One of my favorite restaurants of all-time. The best oysters. Ever. The raw bar is outstanding, super-fresh. Food is always on-point. Gary always provides wonderful service and great conversation. He makes great suggestions and is attentive. The caramel pot de creme cannot be beat.
(5)
Darren F.
We came here after we bailed on the awful Dry Dock restaurant across the street and were happy to do so. The raw bar menu was fantastic with a happy hour special featuring $2 oysters and $5 drink specials. A variety of local oysters were on hand, plus littlenecks and fat shrimp. The waiter was great and quick to serve and the restaurant was pretty large inside with a separate bar area from the dining room. The entire place was done in impressive glass, with huge windows and was spotless. I'll be returning here next time to explore the menu again.
(4)
Bea L.
Food was okay. We weren't looking for anything too fancy or epic. It was satisfying for lunch. Good happy hour. Great friendly service.
(3)
LYndsey D.
My boyfriend and I happened upon this place recently and we were both hugely disappointed. The setting is nice and you are right by the water in old port which is great. Drinks were nothing special and the oysters were good, but not for the $$. Dinner was a dissapointment. My boyfriend got a Cesar salad with scallops on top. They only out 3 scallops and charged $15 for that! I got an okay salad with a lemon dressing, but it was a bit plain. I also ordered my favorite, lobster bisque. I was very unhappy with the lobster bisque as it had the taste of a butter cookie(you know the classic blue holiday bin cookies). The bisque did have a good amount of lobster meat, however for $12 I would have expected a much better lobster bisque. We will not be back here and have warned our friends.
(1)
Jason Y.
During my trip to Portland, this place was my favorite place. I randomly stopped by because we saw their sign for happy hour with $2 oyster specials, $5 drink specials (manhattan, old fashioned, cosmos, and a few other drinks as well). I'm from New York and we have some solid seafood, depending on which restaurant you go to, but for $2 dollars an oyster, these were some of the freshest oysters I've ever had. The Norumbega (probably spelled it wrong) are the biggest oysters I've ever had and I would highly suggest those. The drinks were also very strong and a few of these will put you in a good place. I would highly recommend this restaurant and will be coming back if I visit again.
(5)
Peter W.
We came during lunch and were a bit surprised that it wasn't crowded. We actually enjoyed the spaciousness and quietness instead of the hustle and bustle of some of the nearby pubs. We had Lobster, clam chowder, Fish and chips, and a couple of Bloody Mary's ($5 on Sunday). Service was attentive and good. I would come again, maybe for dinner and try the raw oysters and clams.
(4)
James Y.
If there is a 0 Start then I will pick , the food is bad.. the service is good, feel bad for the poor girl who have to work there and served us ( How can a chef makes a salad bad ?) spent almost a hundred dollars you expect at least get some nice salads and not a frozen carb cake
(1)
Diane B.
We just ate at a corner table with perfect service and very good food and wine! Landed at the airport and checked Yelp for reviews specifically for "lobster rolls." This restaurant had the best reviewed. Highly recommend!
(5)
Kate D.
Excellent food, good service. A little pricy for the same lobster I had down the block for half the price.
I'm not a cheap person...when the kids macaroni and cheese arrived to the table we were informed it was microwaved Kraft..which was fine until we were charged $7.00 for it. Ridiculous. The main entrees (scallops and fish& chips) were decent.! The sides however were nothing to write home about (Brussels sprouts, fries, and grilled corn). I'm not a restaurant snob but I wouldn't go here again. Chowder was so-so.
(3)
Don W.
I had to set up a dinner for about 30 people with separate checks on a Saturday night, and the Old Port Sea Grill was up to the challenge. I worked with Laura, who communicated with me regularly by email, and the event went off without a hitch. Everyone really liked their food and the only complaints were minor. Some of the food could have been warmer when it came out of the kitchen, though I guess that happens when all the orders go in at the same time. I prefer my chowder and bisque to be thicker than it was, but that's a matter of taste and the soups (along with everything else) tasted great. When our server brought the checks, she didn't mention that the tip had already been added. People at another table had a server who remembered to point it out. I think these kinds of problems would happen no matter where a group of nearly 30 would go to dinner. The restaurant is very attractive, clean, and modern. Lighting is a bit dim for people with aging eyes, but it wasn't so dark that anyone asked for a flashlight (I've seen that actually happen.) The credit card machine went down for a little while, but that's not the restaurant's fault and they got it fixed pretty quickly. One thing to realize is that the space can get loud. We wound up with 28 people showing up and some of us can get exuberant. We were also next to a group of about 12 people who were starting a bachelor party and it really was a lot of fun. The decor really doesn't have much in the way of soft surfaces to deaden the sound and this wasn't good or bad for us, but it might be a problem for people that wanted to have a serious conversation in a nice quiet place. I'm glad that I picked this restaurant and I would be glad to go back to the Old Port Sea Grill any time.
(4)
Adam T.
Came here on a Sunday and had a great experience. Sunday has a special for 6 oysters for $10 and $5 bloody Mary's. Great service too. I would come here again when in Portland!
(5)
Matthew T.
This has become a real go to treat for my wife and I! Last night we enjoyed fresh sweet oysters to start. The arugula salad was great with the fried Brie. The entrees where perfectly cooked my wife had the scallops and I had a piece of swordfish. We. It's shared with one another and they were both perfectly cooked. Even the drinks where fantastic! The service was great! Thanks again for another great meal!
(5)
Anna H.
The food here is incredible. I got the simple grill salmon with mustard vinaigrette and it was perfect. Some of the best salmon I've had in a long time. The staff was also very nice - attentive, friendly, and knowledgable. The atmosphere was great too - nice open space not too close to anyone. And a awesome location on commercial street! The only thing that makes this 4 stars instead of 5 is the price. Some things seemed a bit too expensive. But all in all, it was a great experience, and I'll definitely be back soon!
(4)
Christine L.
I thought I'd be in and out within 2 hours, but I was WAY off. Like others have mentioned, Old Port Sea Grill definitely looks classy, so don't stroll on in with only a tshirt and shorts. I mean, I guess you could, but you might look a little out of place. A couple Fridays ago, I stopped by for a get together with a large group, and we were easily there for nearly 3 hours. The thing is, 3 hours isn't really too bad, unless more than half of that time is spent waiting for 1) the menu, 2) the food, and 3) the check. I did enjoy my single highly priced oyster, it was absolutely delicious. After that, my hunger must have come and gone at least twice before my food showed up. I ordered a salmon dish, it was rolled up into a spiral with fancy mushrooms and served with a pesto sauce. It looked like a log and was tasty, but then again, I was so hungry that I would've eaten just about anything. Once our food arrived, my table cleared off our plates within ~10 minutes. I NEVER finish off my plate, so that was a huge deal for me. I'm pretty sure we were in the restaurant for an additional 40 minutes after that just waiting to get our plates cleared, getting our checks, and then getting our cards back. It was kind of ridiculous. While the food wasn't bad, the service was incredibly slow and I don't have 3 hours to spend on a single plate of food (it wasn't even fully covered in food)! The waiters WERE incredibly nice in the brief moments of interaction though.
(3)
Allie L.
Not only was the restaurant filled with bachelorette parties that were extremely loud and obnoxious (& you would think the waitstaff would tell them to quiet down for the other patrons), but the service and food were both horrible. I'm not one to leave bad reviews but there are plenty of other restaurants in Portland that are one hundred times better than this place. The food wasn't outstanding, you could barely taste alcohol in the martinis, the kitchen forgot parts of our meal (for example, the goat cheese on the salad), the waiter barely paid attention to us, and then when we had our food wrapped up he didn't include half of it. Never again.
(1)
Dee C.
Ohmigosh! What a GREAT experience!!!! Gary was so wonderful and accommodating for our group of 6 (including a baby). The food was amazing, fabulous, delicious, incredible, delectable, yummy, impeccable, good, great, unrealistically and unequivocally unbeatable!!! I'm so amazed by the service and the lobster rolls.... To die for or drive 500 miles same diff! So worth the drive!!!
(5)
Corey G.
I constantly over look this obvious but very hidden gem in the old port, I guess I had the wrong impression! The old port sea grill is friendly and laid back ...Sunday's are a hidden treat, the service is prompt the bar is comfortable and the management is attentive, I highly recommend the burger and beer special or the oysters.
(4)
Amy K.
Happy hour star. Two dollar oysters. $5 wine. Yes please. Turned a seafood hater into an addict
(4)
Sue R.
It has been a long time since I have been to the Old Port Sea Grill and boy was I disappointed. I had fish tacos which were basically blobs of deep fried fish with what I thought was going to be high quality Napa slaw. The slaw looked about 5 days old. The tortillas had no flavor and the bbq sauce that was dropped on top was also unremarkable. Did I just order the wrong thing? I don't ever remember complaining about this restaurant; but I am not sure I will go back at this point.
(1)
Daren Y.
One of our honeymoon spots while vacationing in Maine. We were walking around Portland and chanced upon this place, so we looked it up and it sounded decent. The restaurant has a vibe that is hard to pinpoint, but in a good way. It feels like a cross between a local seafood mid-upscale joint and a family restaurant. The right side has a full bar and the dining area is sprawling over the rest of the room. Lots of aquatic decor adorn the walls and there are aquariums as part of the dividers throughout, which is awesome. We were seated right away by the waitress, who was very attentive and very friendly. The prices of the food is what I noticed first, which seemed slightly higher than expected. We decided to order a few different appetizers so as to sample a variety of foods. We got mussels, a tuna plate, clam chowder, and a kale salad. I have absolutely no regrets. Everything was delicious. Fresh, flavorful, but not too salty. The chowder had ample clams and other ingredients in it. My only gripe is that the table was sticky. I don't think anything was actually on the table, like spilled soda or oil or anything, but it was very odd, like a glossy table that is old and have been exposed to too much humidity. I simply placed my napkin where I would rest my arms and that took care of it, but I did knock half a star off for that. Solid 4 stars, I would come back for more!
(4)
Alex O.
Service was fine and friendly, though we went there for a late afternoon weekday lunch and the place was mostly empty. The clam chowder was somewhat flavorless and runny and the fish tacos were so bland as to be shocking. I mean, it seems to me that you have to really work to make fish tacos as absolutely flavorless and dull as what I received. My GF's salmon BLT was dry, and flavorless, and the folks who ordered the fish and chips were also really unimpressed. To top it all off, it may not be very pricey, but the prices are higher than the food is worth. My advice is to find somewhere else to eat in Portland.
(2)
Zachary M.
Came to Portland to visit my mom, stopped by this place for dinner. Immediately impressed by the atmosphere and decor. However, the lackluster food didn't live up to my expectations. Waitress seemed tired, having forgot our appetizer and letting our entrees go cold. Regardless, the manager was very nice and the food itself wasn't too bad, aside from being cold.
(1)
Jeff J.
We've walked by the Old Port Sea Grill forever but finally stopped in for dinner tonight. The place is excellent. A good scene and decent drinks, but the food is where it really shines. I had the salmon and it was amazing. Much better than some of the higher priced seafood places nearby. Great oysters too. Service was outstanding. This will definitely be a regular stop for us going forward. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Maya D.
Ask for a bloody marry with a briny oyster on top- you'll only regret not discovering it sooner! Raw food not your thing? Then try the Scallop dish with the dates- a meal that will make Portland your new favorite destination! The only thing better than the food is the amazing and friendly service. Expect warm bread with smoked salmon pate before your meal and an amazing chocolate coconut treat to seal your evening. Whether it's brunch, happy hour, or dinner- it won't be a meal you will soon forget! Happy hour the oysters are only $2 -any other time make sure to make a reservation!
(5)
Adriano M.
One of many great seafood restaurants in the old port, located on commercial street this place does not get the attention it deserves maybe it's better that way because once you try it you will love it. The restaurant has a more contemporary decor then most places in the area. Started with the raw bar, a dozen oysters east coast of course! very fresh with lots of flavor. The special tonight was a whole grilled sea bass...outstanding! Also tasted the flounder and strip steak. Cap the food with some Pinot Grigio and you will be one happy camper. Enjoy!
(4)
Kyle G.
Quiet atmosphere, good food, great service. No complaints but no rave reviews either. However we only had apps and drinks and I've heard they make a stellar lobster roll.
(3)
Shawn B.
If you can find a better lobster roll in Maine, I'd be amazed. Even the bread on this one is just right. Eating here is living large.
(5)
Spencer F.
Best lobster roll in Portland! Good fries too! We were a party of 10 and the service was great. The waiter suggested the lobster roll and we were not disappointed. One in my party had the salmon BLT and he said it was amazing.
(5)
Behraam B.
I was looking for seafood places as I visited Portland with my parents. This place was well rated and seemed like a good choice for the late night (we were coming in around 8-8:30). It was a slow night by the time we arrived and were promptly seated and attended to. The bread was a nice sourdough and we got more when we asked. We tried the clam chowder and it was pretty damn good. Filling, even. The lobster we ordered was pretty good but not for anyone else who likes to order family style, one lobster feeds 2 people if they're not famished, but not much more. Perhaps order more than one. It was good though, although if you don't like every part of the lobster ... well I don't need to tell you. Just figure out if you like lobster ahead of time. It's good if you like it, I suppose. We also had a Cajun salmon and it was fairly good. However it seemed a bit over charred in parts and then bland in others. Balanced itself out I guess. Ambiance was fairly nice, nothing special. It had a lot of space so if it does get crowded you won't feel cramped, which is great.
(3)
Nancy S.
stopped in for oysters and a glass of wine last evening. Sat at the bar tables, great attentive service, oysters were amazing - fresh tasty St. Johns. Missed the Happy Hour prices, but will be back for the oysters~
(4)
Brian S.
A very fishy place The Old Port Sea Grill is a is an attractive restaurant located right on Commercial Street. We have only been here for lunch so it was casual and laid back and relatively inexpensive but I suspect it gets a bit more crowded and pricey later in the day. The menu was rather small but then it was lunch. The usual fishy type of stuff and a few salads, nothing really exotic or exciting looking but pretty standard fare with the portions on the small side. The decor of the restaurant is pleasant and they really exploit the fishy theme. A nice painting of some fish on the wall and a huge salt water tank. They leave no doubt that this is a seafood restaurant. The food was fine and the service was prompt and attentive and we didn't have to wait long for our orders but then it wasn't very crowded. One little quirk is that the bathrooms are out in the hall. Takes a while to even find them and make sure you look where you're going or you just might end up in another restaurant on the way back. There are lots of good restaurants in Portland, especially seafood restaurants, and the convenient location and the nice fishy decor of The Old Port Grill is perhaps it's strongest advantage. A pleasant restaurant for anybody in a fishy mood.
(4)
Emily B.
The service here is outstanding and the food couldn't be better. The bread is made in house and comes with a speciality spread. The scallops were perfectly cooked.
(5)
Julie S.
Enjoyed an amazing meal tonight! Clam chowder was outstanding with a bit of a kick! Homemade bread with a salmon spread went excellent with the soup. Entree was Cod with couscous and kale with a red pepper sauce perfectly drizzled over the cod. Everything has its own unique taste, bursting with flavor. I would highly recommend this place for a quiet romantic dinner or having dinner with a business group or just friends. Service was excellent.
(4)
Kristine N.
Very classy restaurant where meals are ~$30 and drinks are ~$10. Strawberry cheesecake martini is soooooo good... Must try those. We make better White Russians at home though. The Arctic char was cooked perfectly with a crispy crispy skin. Came with peas and scallions in a rich but balanced butter sauce. My coworkers swordfish was good, came topped with some tomato sauce. Corn and asparagus were delicious also. The only annoying thing is they were out of 2 kinds of mussels, one was one we were interested in ordering. Out of scallops & calamari. I was going to order the lobster dumplings but oh guess what, they ran out too. Annoying but I guess it shows you how popular they are.
(4)
Ryan N.
Mussels appetizer was absolutely divine. Great flavor but could def have 2 slices of bread served when sharing. Waitress hovered after we asked for some conversation time (it was a week night & restaurant was not crowded so we were not holding table space for future patrons). Entrees were completely cold & quite bland. My fish had bones. On my very first bite a bone stuck in my gums. Having not eaten any of the fish the waitress never asked if there was a problem with the entree. Odd. My dining companions potato side was tasty. Won't go back again. Not an overwhelmingly positive experience
(2)
Libby H.
We are locals to the area and took a business associate. Our appetizer of grilled calamari was cold and a disappointment taste wise. I had swordfish and my friend had the flounder. The vegetables came out cold. We were very disappointed and hope the next time we try this place we find different results!
(2)
Pootums P.
Outstanding! Mussels and fresh fish right from the wharf. Will definitely go back. Portions were a little small, but so delicious, I wanted to lick the plate. And the artisan bread is also fantastic.
(5)
Brian D.
Had my parents 55th wedding anniversary there. The food was exceptional - service was top notch and they went the extra mile to help us make this day even more special. From the GM to the hostess everyone made my parents feel special! I would recommend this place to everyone and will be back for the 56th.
(5)
Andrew K.
I have to say everything I had here was top notch. And I had a lot: Raw Maine oysters Caesar salad Mussels Lobster with clams 2 glasses of cab It was all dreamy. Would go again in a cinch.
(5)
Chris W.
The food was good, not great, and a little bit expensive side. But I did get the three things I was coming for. Service was fast. And there was soccer on the big screen TV. I enjoy the calamari every time I come here. I had the Cajun rub salmon, and it was good. I will definitely come back, but I'm not sure I can put this in my favorites category.
(3)
Jay N.
Two stars for the friendly servers here, but the food and time it takes to receive it, even on slow evenings leaves much, VERY much to be desired. Looking for lobster? They offer only up to 1.5lbs, and yet this is a seafood restaurant. I don't quite understand it. A medium skirt steak came with bloody red sections to hard boiled-tasting parts.. all on one steak and served in a pool of watery juice with a cup and a half of boiled brussels sprouts on top and rolling all over the plate, as if to mask the true condition of the steak. Service, while friendly, was incredibly slow and questions about our order, a solid hour after ordering were met with embarrassed, awkward excuses from the helpless waitress who was doing her best with what the lousy management was giving her to work with. Very disappointed and not sure it's worth a second chance.
(2)
David H.
Tried a lot on the menu and loved it. -lobster and lobster rolls were good -calamari was delicious -mussels were good, clams were good -lobster dumplings were ok, nothing special -pumpkin pie martini was amazing
(4)
Barbara C.
Wow! Great time and great food. Sat at the bar and had a few items. The service, food and people were great. Fun to be there. Loved the drinks, the scallop dish, the mussels...just loved everything.
(5)
Alicia B.
Friendly staff, great service, good location, very good food!
(4)
Heather P.
We are from NY so we don't know a lot of places in portland. Its hard finding a traditional Lobster dinner off season. This place was amazing from the service to drinks to appetizers and of course lobster. The environment was very fun and comfortable; not your average looking bar/restaurant. I would recommend this to anyone and will definitely return next visit. (I normally don't write reviews but this one deserves 5 star recognition)
(5)
Sphinx H.
Came from boston and definitely weren't in the mood for lobsters and oysters took a while to find an interesting menu like the one they have here. Gem lettuce salad was a home run flounder did well however organic ck breast with apricot fell little short the sauce was amazing sweet not heavy but the breast had some chewy bits that was not my thing
(4)
Young R.
We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here -- despite the fact that they ran out of lobster bake by like 7pm... I had the shrimp po boy, which was very tasty -- well fried, shrimp was sweet and tender. Also had an oyster. My dad got the Maine red fish which he really enjoyed. Mom had the clam chowder which she liked, but said was a little lacking in clams. Good bread with olive oil too. Attentive service, convenient location on the water across from the ferry port and near our hotel (Hampton Inn).
(4)
Daniella B.
Really decent servings for the price. Get the lobster roll--it's huge and the fries are delectable and plentiful!
(4)
Nick C.
Great location at the Old Port. Had to try the oysters and lobster roll and I was not disappointed. The service was great and I loved every bite.
(4)
Theodora B.
I went to Portland for a getaway with my mom. She's a pretty simple eater, so most of the foodie restaurants were out for us. We decided to try the Old Port Sea Grill because we were able to get a reservation and the menu looked simple enough for my mom. We called and they said "hmm we can fit you in at 8:15." We walked in, and there were approximately three other tables of diners in the whole restaurant and the decor looked like some odd hotel restaurant in Disney World. The server took a good 20 minutes just to take and serve our drink order. When, again, it wasn't busy at all. That said, the food was surprisingly good despite the ambiance and poor service. I had a lobster roll and my mom had the strip steak. The lobster roll was good and they were very accommodating of our requests to change out our sides. (If I had one more French fry, I would have turned into a French fry.)
(3)
Kellie A.
We ended up here after the walk-in wait time at Street and Company was 2 1/2 hours. We were visiting Portland with our two children (ages 5 and 8) and all wanted seafood. Although it was a crowded Friday night at every other restaurant we visited, Old Port Sea Grill was nearly empty ... Uh-oh. The atmosphere at the bar was cool, but the dining room is a little cheesy with fish decals on the wall. Our waitress came right over and was pleasant enough, but never introduced herself to us. The menu was limited, but we figured that meant they were serving only what was freshest and were excited to try the food. The kids decided to split the calamari and shrimp appetizers (despite the server trying to talk us out of that and into ordering them grilled cheese). We asked for them to be served with our meals, but they came out right away, before even the littlenecks and oysters my husband and I split. The calamari was good -- not overdone and served with saffron aioli. The shrimp, on the other hand, were lackluster: small fried shrimp sitting in a pool of oil. The littlenecks and oysters my husband and I shared were good, but the oysters were pricey ($3.25 each). They were served with only cocktail sauce and lemon, no mignonette. For his entree, my husband ordered the oatmeal-crusted pollack with pickled apples and pickled fennel. The fish and apples were fine, but the fennel was so sour it was inedible. I had the hake with white beans, pancetta, and clams. The hake and white beans were both mushy and extremely underseasoned. No amount of salt and pepper could bring them back to life, and the dish cried out for something green -- sauteed spinach or kale perhaps. The clams, though, were very good and cooked perfectly. We also split a side of the fingerling potatoes with bacon. Like my fish, the potatoes were bland and forgettable; we ended up just eating the bacon. In all, I'd recommend the cocktails and shellfish, but nothing beyond that.
(2)
Beth M.
Stopped by for a cocktail while in town. Service was excellent and the raw bar was top shelf. Thanks Dan & staff!
(5)
Alice O.
This is one of my and my boyfriend's favorite date night spots because of the yummy drinks, oysters, good food and plenty of space in the dining room. I see that other reviewers have had problems with slow service, and maybe it's just by dumb luck, but I haven't had that problem here. I agree with another reviewer who said the staff seems young and inexperienced, but I, too, find them to be "good natured" and trying their best. I appreciate that, since I have dealt with service people at comparable restaurants who act rude, defensive, and/or clueless. This is a great place for seafood. I always get oysters, mussels, and usually crab cakes to start. All have been excellent. I got a roasted chicken dish for my entree last time that was DELISH. My boyfriend tends to order things like steak or pasta dishes, and he's always been happy with his entrees as well. Dessert hasn't been fantastic...but it's easy enough to walk up the street for a piece of cake somewhere else. Try the Bar of Chocolate. I like how this place has a dining room with a semi-upscale atmosphere, and also a large pub area with TVs. You can pop in for some oysters and beer, or you can make a reservation in the dining room. I took an out-of-town relative here recently and he loved it. His main objective was to eat fresh seafood in a relaxed atmosphere, for which it was perfect.
(4)
Susan V.
Limited menu and a bit pricey for the area, but one if the best lobster rolls ever and lobster bisque was outstanding. Service was also great. It was a nice experience except it was very noisy from the bar. Could hardly converse with family
(4)
William S.
This is actually a restaurant I like, since the menu, while relatively brief, is inventive and everything I have eaten here has been excellent. Why only three stars? The service is consistently disappointing. With a somewhat upscale menu and pricing, the restaurant is staffed by very young and inexperienced staff who for the most part don't know how to do their job right, though they are always good-natured and do try. Our table of four loved the food. But the table was sticky, the wine arrived well after the food ("the bartender is in charge of this and he has not gotten around to it yet") and after a 30-minute wait for desserts we gave up and cancelled that course. If the service could improve to match what the kitchen produces, we would eat here more often. I think it's the best seafood in Portland. But this was our third dinner here in a year, and once again we left frustrated.
(3)
Ashika B.
If you want to treat yourself to a nice dinner while in Portland this restaurant is certainly satisfactory. It has good ambiance, a pretty extensive wine/drink list and a straightforward menu. That said, the service is mediocre, with an absentminded hostess who was nowhere to be found when I got there, showed up and proceeded to attend to those behind me, then looked annoyed when they pointed out that I was there first. My waitress was friendly but seemed a bit overwhelmed. I ordered one each of the four oyster offerings. I was told that they were out of one kind, and then it took forever for the order to come out. Given that oysters require virtually no preparation I could not imagine what was taking so long. For the main course I had the Maine Lobster and it was perfect. It didn't really come with any sides save for a tiny portion of zucchini but I was more than happy with my selection. For dessert I ordered the blueberry cheesecake and my kind waitress warned me that it was the size of a marshmallow so I may be disappointed. I didn't want to gorge myself on too much food so I ordered it anyway. I wish I had heeded her warning. When she said it was the size of a marshmallow she was not exaggerating in the least. It was tiny and tasted like those frozen cheesecakes from the frozen food aisle. Overall a nice enough dining experience but better service and a revamped dessert menu could take it from good to great.
(3)
Ingrid C.
Sorry, but a little change. This should be the last place you go to. Check out other places. Not worth the long wait for semi good food and the fact that the place was only 1/4 full... Come on
(1)
Sara M.
What a great place for lunch! My dining companion and I had oysters, the reuben and the fish sandwich, all off the lunch menu and were very happy. The fries are really nicely seasoned, and the service was great. The dining room is well decorated and I could see this being a great date place.
(5)
Michael H.
We had a late lunch here today. Shared a lobster roll, some oysters, and drinks in the bar area. Service and food were quite good. Prices pretty stiff @$63 for the luncheon, but it was our first stop in Portland and a good place. I would drop a star if value was a prime consideration.
(4)
Eliza M.
I went from two to three stars on this one, because the oysters really are out of this world... I had a plate of 8 (they don't do them by the half dozen or dozen any more). And they have a new sherry/shallot based sauce that is good. But my meals have always been sub par here, including this time (scallop small plate and the rainbow trout).... It's too bad, because it's right on the tourist walk and could be a really great ambassador restaurant for all the fine Portland dining establishments. Unfortunately, my food has never really been great. So I say keep walking... But the oysters - I will keep going back for the oysters.
(3)
Joe C.
Not all that. The people on open table liked it. I did not think the food was great, very predictable chain restaurant. It is no different than Red Lobster. I would pass there are other waterfront places I would try next time.
(2)
Karen J.
Went here for lunch, mainly for oysters; I was happy to find they had 4 types to choose from and that our waiter, who was also the bartender, was knowledgeable about them. We also had mussels- not overly thrilling- some were undercooked and the broth was just ok. The lobster roll was very good, just the right amount of mayo, but a plain rather than grilled roll, and the Cobb salad was nice looking but had a strange dressing and some small cut up pieces of very thick bacon that were undercooked. They have a good selection of draft beer which is nice and cold. We paid $100 for this lunch for 3, and only had 3 drinks, so I think it was a bit overpriced for the less than perfect quality of the meal.
(3)
Rene L.
Great martinis. Great seats at either of the tables in the lounge overlooking Commercial Street. Outstanding selection of oysters. Wonderful memories and more to come!
(4)
Gen P.
It's all about the seafood! Two dozen oysters on the half shell and wood-grilled rainbow trout. Excellent and excellent! There was a nice variety of oysters and the fish was perfectly done. Along with the relaxing atmosphere and a glass of nice wine it was the perfect way to end our evening. The menu selection is fairly limited, so if you aren't a seafood lover, this might not be the place for you.
(4)
Greg D.
Since I was in Maine, I figured I had to order lobster even though I hat it last night. The lobster was gross and I couldn't finish it. A complete disappointment that should be avoided.
(1)
tami g.
Good but expensive and we like the Portland lobster company much better and at half the price. sorry will never go back. Do not recommend .
(3)
R B.
I'll preface by saying I've been here before and the scallops were awesome. So we're the oysters and the Allagash Black on tap. I don't know what happened in the past few months but tonight this place was terrible. To begin with, the easily eraseable blackboard with the oysters was not up to date. They had about 10 varieties listed but only three available. Two of those (beau soleil and Rome point) weren't even listed on the hard menu which leads me to believe they're just fill ins for a day or so. I go there for the Winter Point oysters and they were not available. I should have known something was up. Then I ordered the pan seared hake and it took literally 40mins to come out. The guy who delivered it admitted they had to throw out the original and start over. Huh???? The dish was terrible. Don't get it. It came with fingerling potatoes and Brussels sprouts mixed with mustard. Not sure who invented this but it is not good at all. Again, I liked this place before and I'm all about helping struggling places out with good reviews (check out all of my other good reviews) but they're doing this to themselves. I'm not going to come back. There are plenty of great restaurants around that are better than this overpriced hack restaurant.
(1)
Laura S.
For a menu that is printed "nightly" they sure were out of EVERYTHING. It took our table 4 times to order, each time they were out of something different. It was an early Sunday night dinner. When we asked to substitute one type of oyster for another, only because they were out of the one listed on the menu we were told NO. The service is pretentious & the restaurant is poorly managed. Although the food we did eventually order was good (not to be mistaken for great) i feel there are better places to eat in Portland.
(2)
Ida A.
The food was overpriced and underwhelming. Don't recommend. Dessert was the only good part.
(2)
Dave N.
fish sandwhich was very tasty, albeit not the healthiest option, since it's fried. new england clam chowder is a good choice if you prefer a thinner, milkier chowder.
(4)
Jax P.
Ate here last night with my wife for our first post-baby date night out. Gorged on terrific raw oyster selection. She had a perfectly cooked peice of salmon, I had a well cooked skirt steak. They seem to have slashed the much larger menu they used to have and are instead focusing on 7 or 8 entrees - none of them fried, which is, I think, a good thing. The food was way more consistant last night than it had been since I last visited, about a year and a half ago. Only complaints about my meal were that the accompanying potatoes could have been cooked a bit longer, and the "rattlesnake" beans were kind of just...beans. Nothing special. Great attentive service though, and we'll always come back for the oysters.
(4)
Boon K.
The mussels were amazing, they were large, tender, and juicy. The broth had a very light white wine taste which was perfect since the mussels were so fresh, you really got to taste the mussels. I couldn't stop eating them.
(5)
Zachary S.
The Old Port was my first stop after arriving in Portland on a recent business trip. I came with a colleague who had been to Portland several times. He lead the group here with no prompting, just a simple, "you like seafood right?" and we were off. With that kind of a start how can it be bad? The Old Port Sea Grill is located on Commercial St in the what seems like the "restaurant row" of downtown Portland. Parking is ample at a nearby garage (~$3/hr, cash only) or there is street parking if you're willing to hunt for a little bit. The restaurant is tucked into a commercial building next to a bank and once inside it keeps the urban feel but a in hip, sophisticated, never stuffy fashion. The menu is small but specialized. If you don't like local seafood then best to keep looking because the menu features very little for "land lubbers". (I think "land lubbers" was the name of the kid's menu at some cheesy Calabash seafood place from my childhood. It still makes me smile.) The crowd at Old Port is especially a fan of the raw bar as over 1/3 of the small menu was dedicated to the raw selection. Of the four oyster offerings three were from Maine and the fourth was from Mass; that's local. The four of us shared a sampling of 24 oysters (6 of each variety) and I could have easily tackled another 24 myself. The oysters were quite large and the local varieties were especially briny but oh so fresh and so delicious. One side note though, the oysters are served with vinegar rather than cocktail sauce and horseradish. As I said these were already briny so I can't imagine adding vinegar but to each their own. Either way they were tasty enough to be enjoyed on their own. For the main course I ordered the lobster bake. (What'd you expect? I'm stuck in Columbus, OH for the rest of year, of course I'm going to order lobster whenever possible when I'm in Maine!) The lobster bake was served with clams, mussels, and corn on the cob; the New England equivalent to a Maryland crab boil or a low country boil (sigh, I miss the South). The clams and mussels were cooked well but the lobster was the star. It was served with clarified butter and pre-split for an easy devour. I'm by no means a lobster connoisseur and I can count on one hand the number of times I've ordered lobster so I have no idea if this was the best lobster in town but it didn't stay on my plate long. I shamelessly ate everything as did the rest of our table. No words were spoken just a brief, satisfied smile whenever someone came up for air. So five stars right? Well like I said the menu was small and we were informed by our server they were out of three items on the menu and no substitutions were offered. This didn't matter to me as I was laser locked on lobster but to the local who I imagine has lobster 3x a week on average this could be a big disappointment. I'm not sure if it was time of year (October) or that it was a Tuesday night but minus one star. Otherwise I had a great meal and a great start to my Portland visit.
(4)
J P.
My wife and I were given a gift certificate and we went for lunch. Portland is a great restaurant town and we thoroughly enjoyed this, relatively, new addition. We started with Frito Misto and shrimp fritters. Both were very tasty. The fried oyster component of the former were some of the tastiest, juiciest fried oysters I've ever had. I'm always skeptical of lobster rolls on any menu. This one was huge and well worth the $21. It was impressive to look at and really looked like someone just made it, not a refrigerated item. I had the seared tuna salad and it was delicious. Service was attentive and the waitress knew the menu. Good job Sea Grill. We'll b back.
(4)
Erik D.
This place was right next to the hotel. It had it's definite pros and cons... Pros: Sheik atmosphere inside, but can still go pretty casual Full Raw Bar available Seafood is fresh daily Happy Hour daily which we will try to make it to for some specials Cons: -We came in at 9:15 to grab some food on a Friday night, and they kept telling us the kitchen may be closing soon...really? On a Friday night? We were there until about 10:30pm and the restaurant as a whole was still open -We had to ask for water -Raw Bar was completely out -- granted, it's fresh daily and we got there pretty late, guess this was more our poor planning than the restaurant. -I had chowder and scallops -- chowder was yummy and fresh, just wish there were more clams in it. Scallops were about a minute or two undercooked. They were still good but wish they had stayed in the pan longer -Guest had chowder and mussels -- mussels were AMAZING and surprisingly a hefty portion, enough for an entree. Very buttery and rich. -Menu is rather small and limited Seems like I have more cons than pros, but all in all it was really good -- wouldn't be a mistake to go here. Perhaps our late arrival had something to do with it...oops!
(3)
Jennie H.
It was pouring rain and they were the only ones with an opening for 6 - probably should have seen that as a bad sign. Very limited menu, slow service, no water refills, almost 25 min just to take our order - food took over an hour to come out. The staff looked very busy running everywhere - so slow - will NEVER eat there again, next time we go to Old Orchard :)
(2)
Rob W.
Hit the OP seagrill while waiting on the ferry out to peaks island. Just sampled some oysters and had some cocktails. Oysters were delicious and very fresh... Good beer and wine selection and house recipe cocktails... Would like to return and have a full meal.
(4)
Janet A.
I stopped in here because I was hungry and wanted something "small"; ordered the clam chowder and it was probably the best I've had! Not too thick or too thin, lots of clams and tasted great. I hope to go back for a meal next time I'm in Portland
(5)
lyndsey F.
EW! This place is god awful. My friends and I went out to dinner on Saturday night as we were all in town, which is not something that frequently happens. We wanted to go to the Grill House, but it was booked solid for the evening, so I called this place. I should have put up a red flag when I called at 8:30 on a Saturday night and was told that they had a bunch of open tables and just to come on in. We got there and it was pretty empty, but instead of seating us in a nice spot, they put us (a party of four) next to a huge obnoxiously drunk party of like 12. Thanks for that. Drink orders were taken and drinks came to the table...My gimlet was straight gin, which would probably be fine for some people, but I could feel my ears burning after I took the first sip. So I asked the waitress to bring some lime juice over, which she did. What she should have done was take my glass away and have had the bartender remake the drink. The others at my table complained that their bourbon and cokes were too coke heavy... We ordered the grilled calamari special app, which was fine. Nothing exciting. The prices were the same as they would be anywhere else at a seafood restaurant, but the quality and portions were disgusting. i had the pan blackened mahi mahi, which was served over cold mashed sweet potatoes and about three leaves of sauteed spinach. The fish was overcooked. The table also had a plate of scallops (5) served with "brussel sprout hash" (it wasn't really brussel sprout hash as much as it was steamed brussel sprouts), grilled salmon served with swiss chard (more like carrots, with a bit of swiss chard) and rainbow trout which was actually decent. We ordered a second round of drinks and I choked on mine. It tasted like dishwater. I didn't drink it at all and the waitress didn't seem to care. Also, the bathrooms were filthy. Excuse me but when I'm paying forty bucks for my entree, there shouldn't be wet floors and paper towels all over the place. As someone who spends all my summers in maine, and may in fact be a maine resident soon, I am appalled and will absolutely tell people who want to eat here to reconsider.
(1)
Phillip Y.
I had a gift card that I needed to use. So, we stopped here for lunch and had some great seafood. My sister had a raw oyster platter which was the best oysters I had ever hands down. No fishy smell like the ones I first had at the oyster house in West Chester, PA. My dad got the mussels. My mom had the salad with grilled salmon. I got this skewered shrimp and tuna steak which was good. We shared the calamari which was wonderful. A bit pricey but worth it- managed to use up the entire gift card. YESSSS...
(5)
Slider S.
The first time I went to OPSG & raw bar I was just walking around with my sweetie her sister and mom looking for a place to eat. We walked in and and noticed they had a Blueberry Martini on the drink menu that really piqued our interest. Being from Martinez the proclaimed "home of the Maritni" I had only tried a dirty martini up till then and have never experienced a flavored concoction but let me tell you that was one hell of a nice drink so now I make them for us occasionally at home and really love them. Now that the drink story has been told we continued into some oysters and then dinner which was across the board a big winner and left an indelible mark on our memories of Portland. This time (5 years later) we happened to be back in the area and didn't even remember the name of the restaurant but went out the door of the hotel and lo and behold we found it again practically right next door! We immediately ordered a blueberry martini which was no longer on the drink menu and were treated to a different version than the first original we had 5 years earlier. Damn they did it again!!! It was killer and with a dozen mixed fresh oysters, a cup of chowdah I was again revisiting heaven on earth. We had been in Boston the week earlier and I was holding out for a lobstah dinner until we reached the critters home stomping grounds...Maine! Tonite was the nite to cut loose and have my first lobstah and it was truly worth every day of the previous week jonzing for some Maine lobstah. The meal was worth every bit spent and we had the best service to date of any restaurant we had previously walked into! Yes the meal was pricey but darn it if you deserve it then do it because YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!!!
(5)
Irene M.
Pricey but delicious food. I stopped by with my boyfriend for a late dinner at about 9:15 p.m. on a Sunday. It's a classy place with great food. I ordered the shrimp scampi, and I believe my boyfriend had the grilled salmon. It was honestly some of the best scampi I've ever had, and for $21, rightly so! It's a nice location, right on commercial street, walking distance from shops, bars, and other restaurants. The mood inside was romantic, and we were seated right next to a lovely aquarium. The staff was also attentive and very friendly.
(4)
Wilford B.
An absolutely classy, delicious place with fresh seafood. It is pretty pricey, but if you're on vacation, you're willing to pay the price for delicious, fresh food. I had the lobster and it was tender, sweet, juicy. Loved it. My boyfriend had the salmon special, which he raved about. My sister had the chowder - the bowl was quite the sizeable portion. Large beer and wine selection - all the drafts are local brews from MA and Maine. We went in on a Saturday night about 7:30 or so, and got seated immediately. I would recommend calling for a reservation, however. Loved this place!
(4)
Scott H.
Great Service in a modern setting down at the old port. A bit pricey but overall a very nice place. Try the infamous Shishito peppers if on menu ..
(4)
Chris K.
Kid Friendly. Gluten Free friendly. Priced right. What more could a parent want? Loved the halibut special. My wife loved the rainbow trout.
(5)
Joseph F.
Just had a late night dinner with my wife and 2 little girls. My five year old loves grilled salmon. She orders it almost every time we eat out if its on the menu. It was at least 2 inches thick. I cut it in half and it was raw in the middle. Hey don't get me wrong we like sushi but this was not a Japanese restaurant. We send it back and they return the same pice but still not cooked properly. Anyone who cooks knows that a piece of fish this thick must be baked in the oven for a few minutes. It can not be thrown under the salamander to be cooked as it will only char the exterior. Same thing goes if you are cooking a thick piece of FM. Once you caramelize the outside you finish in oven. This is basic cooking 101. I ordered a cup of clam chowder and it was not very good. It was mostly sliced undercooked fingerling potatoes and bacon or fatback. Not much in the way of clams. Next my 1.5lb lobster comes with a half ear of corn, 6 little neck clams and 2 thick yellow rubber bands on the claws. I have eaten lobster countless times over the years at white table cloth restaurants and roadside lobster shacks but I don't recall it ever being served with the rubber bands still on the claws. They split the lobster's tail but did not clean the black intestinal vein. I had to scrape it out with my knife and dunk in my glass of ice water --yuck! My wife had so-called Ahi grade tune with a just a dry Cajun rub and not very flavorful. For the prices this restaurant was charging ($15 apps and $30+ entrees) they didn't even serve any type of bread and butter to start. Anyway, I think I have made my point about this place. I don't see how the restaurant can survive with this type of food and service in a town like Portland which has so many good places to eat!
(1)
Frankachino T.
I enjoyed the overall experience. The food was flavorful (my baked potato however, was a bit on the dry side), the specialty drinks were well made and delicious, the service friendly and prompt... The overall aesthetic wasn't what I expected to find while on the wharf, eschewing the rustic charm normally found throughout the region, for a more contemporarily flavored urban-chic. Which is nice, if not a bit out of place. Would I dine there again? Indeed. The best restaurant in old Port? I'll let you know once I've found it ;-)
(3)
Ruth K.
We should have known when all other places on the waterfront had waiting lists and we were able to walk in here and get a window seat on a Sunday at 12:45 pm. Forty percent of the tables were occupied, but service was non-existent. The staff was very nice but poorly trained. Clearly the fault of management. Now for the food. I had trout with arugula salad. It was delicious, albeit a little bit expensive for $12. My husband had the cobb salad with scallops and it too was good, however, not much food for $15. The lunch menu was limited and quite boring.
(3)
Karen Z.
Came here with a group of friends during a trip in Maine. This restaurant is located in the heart of Portland. Very cute interior decoration. We ordered a couple of appetizers to share, the scallop is phenomenal; a must-have there! The main dish was not very impressive, but it was good as well. It was a wonderful experience overall!
(4)
Christopher M.
We came in here several nights during our stay in Portland. However, we only had oysters and some drinks, as we had reservations elsewhere for dinner. The oysters are fantastic, and they usually have several different varieties each night. The wine list is good and the drinks are more than just your standard fake "martini". The service was friendly and helpful. I would definitely come back here for oysters and drinks. However, I cannot comment on the other food here.
(3)
Kelly R.
There are so many wonderful things that I can say about Old Port Sea Grill. My fiancee and I spend long weekends in Maine when we have the time and this is usually our go-to spot for a good meal! We usually opt for a spot at the bar and start out by ordering from the raw bar- an assortment of oysters and shrimp cocktail. The staff knows their stuff in terms of where the oysters are from that day and they have always been exceptional. The cocktails listed on the drink menu are incredible and it's worth trying something new each time - in fact, I can't sing enough praises about the bartenders there. Those aren't just cocktails, they are deliciously satisfying works of art! For entrees we keep it simple - for me it's usually the swordfish and for him it's either fish or chicken. We ordered a wood fired Statler chicken once for an entree and it just about brought tears to our eyes- it was so moist and full of flavor that we never wanted it to end! Bottom line: Great oysters, amazing cocktails, and well prepared, consistent entrees. It's a great spot and not one to be overlooked - enjoy!
(5)
Taylor H.
Great choice for our only night out in Portland. Everyone in our party ordered the lobster and I split a bowl of chowder with my wife. The lobsters were delicious and the waitstaff extremely friendly. Sea Grill is easy to recommend.
(5)
Justin S.
Good food, nothing spectacular. We had a Lobster Roll, Scallop Salad, and Pulled Pork Torta. The Lobster roll was the best - packed with fresh lobster and not slathered with mayonnaise like many of the older rolls you'll find. Scallop Salad was pretty straight forward, nothing to write home about. Lastly was the Pork Torta - meat was slightly overcooked, but what saved this was the avocado crema. Overall, food was pretty good, service was pretty good, and options were pretty good.
(3)
Michael C.
We visited for dinner on a Wednesday night, we didn't have to wait, but the place filled up quickly. The only negative was that we had to wait over 20 minutes for our entree. But the cod was fabulous. Cooked perfectly as was my wife's swordfish. Perfectly seasoned and delicious. This will be one of our go to restaurants.
(4)
Stomping S.
Expensive, but I enjoyed it. Got an Allagash on draught, Crab dip, House salad, and Lobster. All were done well. I imagine there's a better place in Portland for this kind of experience, but it was located close to our hotel, pubs, the water, etc. Made for a nice summer stroll.
(4)
Ian D.
Loved the variety of oysters! If you're looking for great oysters, this place is it! Quite expensive though.
(5)
Dave V.
Terrible Service. Food ok, but not worth the premium. Atmosphere not special, despite the price. 3 in our party ordered 1.5 lb lobsters. It turns out that the kitchen didn't have the 3 lobsters. The waiter didn't tell us. When the party's food starting arriving, the manager came out and put two "lobster" plates in front of 2 of us. The "lobster" plates were smallish (less than 1.5 lb) lobsters cut in half, down the middle. The manager said "surprise" and told us that the other half of our orders would be out as soon as the kitchen finished cooking them. The manager didn't apologize and didn't check back to see how we liked the dinner. We finally complained to the waiter and had to wait a long time before the manager came back. The manager was unapologetic, made excuses and left without offering an apology. The manager's attitude was so bad it was shocking. The waiter was a nice guy, but clearly untrained and unsupervised. The place isn't bad, but not incredibly special, and the service could really make you regret paying a premium for a seafood dinner.
(1)
Eleanor L.
Agree with others posters... this is definitely not a foodie stop. I ordered octopus. I swear there was just enough for 3 bites at $14. Ordered the mussels. The mussels themselves were fine, but the broth - very much lacking in anything flavorful. I could do better. Service - I had a male waiter. He didn't say a word to me as someone else took my order. It was the unfriendliest service ever. Do yourself a favor, and go to Pepperclub Restaurant or someplace else. Staff very friendly and they serve well prepared food. I wouldn't waste my money or time eating at this restaurant while in Portland. There are too many other good choices.
(2)
John M.
This where the owner of the company I work for takes us when he comes up. (When we're not on his shit list.) It's good. Everything I've ever had is good and they actually bang out a pretty mean fried clam plate. Tasty oysters. Good service and good food. I have no idea about the prices because the big guy picks up the tab.
(4)
Erik J.
Ok, here's the deal. Was Ok not great. Reasonable lobster roll, but not even close to the vest. And wat too much of menu is frozen seafood from Pacific ( in Portland???) Plus, I feel like a chump that they added a 20% tip for a party of 5, and on top if the sales tax to boot!
(3)
Alex G.
High end, modern and clean lined decor, with large widows overlooking the old port streets. Had lunch with adults and children; the large fish tank kept kid entertained. The food was surprisingly great. The raw oysters - we sample the four types they had - were cold, clean and delicious. Although very expensive for Maine, the lazy lobster (no shell) was superb, with nice side dishes as well. Wood grilled shrimp abd a crispy haddock sandwich rounded out a delightful lunch. Great service
(5)
S U.
My boyfriend and I had dinner there the day after Thanksgiving. Our waitress was super nice and the food was delicious! The lobster was amazing and a LOT. Of course it was pricey but normal for the prices in Portland as we realized.
(4)
Charlie F.
Attentive service and good food. Some of the best seafood I've had.
(5)
Ricky S.
Excellent food and ambiance. Try the clam chowder...
(5)
Elizabeth M.
had an excellent lunch here last weekend - menu is not inexpensive but food was very good - excellent oysters - very good lobster roll and fabulous mussels
(4)
Juiana L.
A friend who lives in Portland Maine recommended the Old Port Sea Grill on Commercial Street. On her advice, we made a reservation and we are glad to have found this nice place to eat and enjoy Portland Maine's Old Port ambiance. Although we live in Maine, we don't eat in the Old Port as often as we would like primarily because there are so many other coastal restaurants to choose from, most of them are excellent. Old Port Sea Grill exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend the restaurant for the quality of the sea food and the friendly service from the reservation desk to the wait staff. My husband ordered the Mai-Mai - it was exceptionally delicious, broiled like a tender steak. Although Mai-Mai is not traditional Maine sea food, it seemed like the fish had just been caught in Casco Bay for our dinner enjoyment. My Rainbow Trout was also delicious, no salty or fishy flavor, just wonderful! I sent my friend who recommended the Old Portl Sea Grill a thank you note for her good recommendation.
(4)
M Y.
Never mind the negative comments from other crowd that think that this is an overpriced restaurant that has small portions. This is not a good restaurant for lower class people. These people know nothing about food and they are used to eating fried fish with French fries but nothing else. This is not a good place for obese people that enjoy eating fried seafood by the pier. This is a great restaurant if you know what a chef food looks like. You can easily tell that there is a high profile chef in the kitchen. We ordered all types of oysters, almost all types of fish as an entree, the chicken entree for the kids and they were all beyond delicious. And let me also mention that we are from New York and we eat at many well known chef restaurants in the city such as Per Se, Kraft Steak, Masa, Daniel, DBGB so we do know what a decent food looks like. If you are one of those 200lb+ ordinaries on the boardwalk you can go eat hoagies at the local deli or even better go to Olive Garden for filling portions.
(5)
Deborah K.
My husband and I had high expectations for this restaurant and were sadly disappointed. It began well, with the scallop appetizer for me and oysters for him. They were both very good. Then the bread basket came. Only three small pieces of focaccia - about an inch square per piece. Then the entrees arrived. My cod with mushroom risotto was ok. The cod itself was very fresh but cooked quite plain. I was looking to the risotto to add a lot of richness to the dish, but it just wasn't there. It was a little bit too dry, undercooked, and by itself had ok flavor. But I was needing more to balance the blandness of the fish. My husband got the swordfish. Again, the fish was very fresh and grilled well. But the red pepper sauce that comes with the dish is placed on the swordfish and you are given about a teaspoon of it(at the most). The chickpeas and Swiss chard that accompany the dish had no apparent seasoning on them and made the dish quite bland. There was not enough of the pepper sauce to go around and flavor the entire dish. Overall it was not the food experience we hoped for
(2)
Ali C.
sit at the bar, get some oysters and a bloody. you won't regret it.
Fresh, fresh, fresh raw oysters, great beer, good service.
(4)
Bob R.
I haven't been here for awhile as there are so many choices in Portland but had the desire for a nice piece of fish. The Sea Grill never disappoints. First, always love the space although we were originally seated under an AC vent - they moved us to a warmer spot without any hassle. Our server (Nicki) was excellent. Bib salad was nice though could have been a bit more seasoned. I had the grilled Cajun salmon - perfectly cooked (that's why I eat here). Sides were a nice mashed potato and perfectly cooked snap peas. The dish did lack in presentation - just those 3 things on a plate but this was offset by taste. Given the choice between the two I always pick taste but... the plate could have looked better. My wife had the baked haddock which was also cooked perfectly. If you are looking for a nice piece of fish cooked to perfection but not too fancy, this is the place to go.
(4)
CE C.
This was a fantastic meal from start to finish! We started off with the fried calamari, and we must say this is the BEST calamari we have ever had. The batter was fantastic, so crisp but not overwhelming the calamari. The tartar sauce was also so creamy and delicious. We even kept some afterward to use with our bread! We also really enjoyed out clam chowder, full of clams and creamy! Even the dinner rolls were great. They came out piping hot out of the oven, and were served with a salmon spread. For dinner we had the wood grilled new zealand salmon and the steamed lobster. We felt bad that we neglected the salmon but the lobster was sooo delicious and fresh, coming directly from Three Sons Fishing! Out dinners came with great sides, creamy mashed potatoes, rice with almonds, and instead of your boring side of vegetables being green beans or "summer veggies medley", we were pleasantly surprised with broccolini! We cant wait to return to Portland again!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kate P.
Great place for dinner! Came last night for Valentines Day and the hostess was nice enough to call me earlier in the week to see if I wanted to move up my reservation since they had a cancellation. We had the calamari to start which had a unique peanut sauce and for entrees we had the lobster pasta (delicious!) and the grilled scallops. Would definitely recommend!
(4)Dennis M.
Came here for a business dinner with 30 colleagues. We waited about 45 minutes before they took our order. It was a pre fix menu and 5 of us had to send back the tuna. Menu looks great, but if you have a large crowd DO NOT COME!! Poor EVERYTHING. Many did not like their food, and lots and lots of salt
(2)Lisa B.
This was my first dining experience in Portland, ME fresh from Portland, OR. It was kind of late on a Thursday night, so there weren't very many people in the place, so I enjoyed a fairly quiet meal. The waitress was friendly and has good suggestions. I ended up with the lobster roll, there was a lot of lobster meat in there and the bun was really good! The fries were pretty good too! My favorite part was that I was served bread with butter and salmon pate that was also very delicious. I would come back here again and try some of the other things on the menu.
(4)Susan W.
Surprisingly pleased. Went w friends tonight. Good service. Nice menu choices. The salad was nice sizec and my entree was top notch. Orderf the Halibut prepared perfect. The four of us all enjoyed dinner very much. Wine list was standard fare nothing exceptional.
(4)Steve B.
Nice setting and good dinner. A little pricey but good service and good food. I had a great fish stuffed with shrimp and lobster.
(4)Bramfy B.
Great service from Woody - Not a high profile place but not expensive, great service, and good food. And cool fish tank. Oysters were as fresh as can be and happy hour they are $2/pop. Camalari was great and cod was good as well. Good seasoning on the lobby roll
(4)Mike O.
I don't know why people are hating on this place with its average 3.5 stars, but I'm a fan. I asked a local whose friend is an oyster fisher which are the best places for oysters in Portland. This place and Street and Co. were the first two named. I came here first, and I wasn't disappointed. When I did arrive at around 7:30 on a Thursday evening in early April, the place was nearly dead. Granted, it wasn't yet tourist season, but I had the pick of tables, which was great. I had each of the five oysters they served, and each one was phenomenal, even the kinds I don't especially prefer, like the sweeter, meatier, butterier oysters. The saltier, smaller and brinier ones were freaking awesome. The clam chowder here tasted most excellent, although I wanted the bits of clam, bacon and potato to be bigger. De gustibus non est disputandem. The lobster roll was okay. I think maybe I don't love lobster roll, and it certainly wasn't the worst lobster roll in Portland. The lobster chunks were maybe too large. The bread it was served on was perfection, however, as were the other toppings inside the sammich. The free bread that was served was ok, but the butter was not my favorite. It was some sort of herbed butter probably made in-house. Overall, everything was pretty good, including the service. The beer selection was ok. Apparently they didn't have the beer I wanted because they had received the wrong keg. I had a good canned IPA. Don't hate on Old Port. Give it a whirl.
(4)Abby P.
One of my favorite restaurants of all-time. The best oysters. Ever. The raw bar is outstanding, super-fresh. Food is always on-point. Gary always provides wonderful service and great conversation. He makes great suggestions and is attentive. The caramel pot de creme cannot be beat.
(5)Darren F.
We came here after we bailed on the awful Dry Dock restaurant across the street and were happy to do so. The raw bar menu was fantastic with a happy hour special featuring $2 oysters and $5 drink specials. A variety of local oysters were on hand, plus littlenecks and fat shrimp. The waiter was great and quick to serve and the restaurant was pretty large inside with a separate bar area from the dining room. The entire place was done in impressive glass, with huge windows and was spotless. I'll be returning here next time to explore the menu again.
(4)Bea L.
Food was okay. We weren't looking for anything too fancy or epic. It was satisfying for lunch. Good happy hour. Great friendly service.
(3)LYndsey D.
My boyfriend and I happened upon this place recently and we were both hugely disappointed. The setting is nice and you are right by the water in old port which is great. Drinks were nothing special and the oysters were good, but not for the $$. Dinner was a dissapointment. My boyfriend got a Cesar salad with scallops on top. They only out 3 scallops and charged $15 for that! I got an okay salad with a lemon dressing, but it was a bit plain. I also ordered my favorite, lobster bisque. I was very unhappy with the lobster bisque as it had the taste of a butter cookie(you know the classic blue holiday bin cookies). The bisque did have a good amount of lobster meat, however for $12 I would have expected a much better lobster bisque. We will not be back here and have warned our friends.
(1)Jason Y.
During my trip to Portland, this place was my favorite place. I randomly stopped by because we saw their sign for happy hour with $2 oyster specials, $5 drink specials (manhattan, old fashioned, cosmos, and a few other drinks as well). I'm from New York and we have some solid seafood, depending on which restaurant you go to, but for $2 dollars an oyster, these were some of the freshest oysters I've ever had. The Norumbega (probably spelled it wrong) are the biggest oysters I've ever had and I would highly suggest those. The drinks were also very strong and a few of these will put you in a good place. I would highly recommend this restaurant and will be coming back if I visit again.
(5)Peter W.
We came during lunch and were a bit surprised that it wasn't crowded. We actually enjoyed the spaciousness and quietness instead of the hustle and bustle of some of the nearby pubs. We had Lobster, clam chowder, Fish and chips, and a couple of Bloody Mary's ($5 on Sunday). Service was attentive and good. I would come again, maybe for dinner and try the raw oysters and clams.
(4)James Y.
If there is a 0 Start then I will pick , the food is bad.. the service is good, feel bad for the poor girl who have to work there and served us ( How can a chef makes a salad bad ?) spent almost a hundred dollars you expect at least get some nice salads and not a frozen carb cake
(1)Diane B.
We just ate at a corner table with perfect service and very good food and wine! Landed at the airport and checked Yelp for reviews specifically for "lobster rolls." This restaurant had the best reviewed. Highly recommend!
(5)Kate D.
Excellent food, good service. A little pricy for the same lobster I had down the block for half the price.
(4)Carrianne C.
I'm honestly surprised at all the great reviews. The only thing good about my dining experience here was the service. The waiter and host were very friendly. The food was just not up to par, particularly when you begin comparing to other nearby establishments. The calamari had a weird taste. I ordered salmon with creamed kale, mushrooms and a butternut squash purée. The veggies were all cold and under seasoned. I have never salted my food at a restaurant before but it was the only way I could eat it. The salmon was fine, but a little over cooked. Nothing special, just very disappointing. My boyfriend had a simple grilled entree that came with potatoes and brussels sprouts. Again, everything was super under seasoned. The portions were very tiny too. At the end of the night, I would rather spend $100 anywhere else in Portland. The price just doesn't justify the underwhelming food and decor.
(2)Ian C.
I'm not a cheap person...when the kids macaroni and cheese arrived to the table we were informed it was microwaved Kraft..which was fine until we were charged $7.00 for it. Ridiculous. The main entrees (scallops and fish& chips) were decent.! The sides however were nothing to write home about (Brussels sprouts, fries, and grilled corn). I'm not a restaurant snob but I wouldn't go here again. Chowder was so-so.
(3)Don W.
I had to set up a dinner for about 30 people with separate checks on a Saturday night, and the Old Port Sea Grill was up to the challenge. I worked with Laura, who communicated with me regularly by email, and the event went off without a hitch. Everyone really liked their food and the only complaints were minor. Some of the food could have been warmer when it came out of the kitchen, though I guess that happens when all the orders go in at the same time. I prefer my chowder and bisque to be thicker than it was, but that's a matter of taste and the soups (along with everything else) tasted great. When our server brought the checks, she didn't mention that the tip had already been added. People at another table had a server who remembered to point it out. I think these kinds of problems would happen no matter where a group of nearly 30 would go to dinner. The restaurant is very attractive, clean, and modern. Lighting is a bit dim for people with aging eyes, but it wasn't so dark that anyone asked for a flashlight (I've seen that actually happen.) The credit card machine went down for a little while, but that's not the restaurant's fault and they got it fixed pretty quickly. One thing to realize is that the space can get loud. We wound up with 28 people showing up and some of us can get exuberant. We were also next to a group of about 12 people who were starting a bachelor party and it really was a lot of fun. The decor really doesn't have much in the way of soft surfaces to deaden the sound and this wasn't good or bad for us, but it might be a problem for people that wanted to have a serious conversation in a nice quiet place. I'm glad that I picked this restaurant and I would be glad to go back to the Old Port Sea Grill any time.
(4)Adam T.
Came here on a Sunday and had a great experience. Sunday has a special for 6 oysters for $10 and $5 bloody Mary's. Great service too. I would come here again when in Portland!
(5)Matthew T.
This has become a real go to treat for my wife and I! Last night we enjoyed fresh sweet oysters to start. The arugula salad was great with the fried Brie. The entrees where perfectly cooked my wife had the scallops and I had a piece of swordfish. We. It's shared with one another and they were both perfectly cooked. Even the drinks where fantastic! The service was great! Thanks again for another great meal!
(5)Anna H.
The food here is incredible. I got the simple grill salmon with mustard vinaigrette and it was perfect. Some of the best salmon I've had in a long time. The staff was also very nice - attentive, friendly, and knowledgable. The atmosphere was great too - nice open space not too close to anyone. And a awesome location on commercial street! The only thing that makes this 4 stars instead of 5 is the price. Some things seemed a bit too expensive. But all in all, it was a great experience, and I'll definitely be back soon!
(4)Christine L.
I thought I'd be in and out within 2 hours, but I was WAY off. Like others have mentioned, Old Port Sea Grill definitely looks classy, so don't stroll on in with only a tshirt and shorts. I mean, I guess you could, but you might look a little out of place. A couple Fridays ago, I stopped by for a get together with a large group, and we were easily there for nearly 3 hours. The thing is, 3 hours isn't really too bad, unless more than half of that time is spent waiting for 1) the menu, 2) the food, and 3) the check. I did enjoy my single highly priced oyster, it was absolutely delicious. After that, my hunger must have come and gone at least twice before my food showed up. I ordered a salmon dish, it was rolled up into a spiral with fancy mushrooms and served with a pesto sauce. It looked like a log and was tasty, but then again, I was so hungry that I would've eaten just about anything. Once our food arrived, my table cleared off our plates within ~10 minutes. I NEVER finish off my plate, so that was a huge deal for me. I'm pretty sure we were in the restaurant for an additional 40 minutes after that just waiting to get our plates cleared, getting our checks, and then getting our cards back. It was kind of ridiculous. While the food wasn't bad, the service was incredibly slow and I don't have 3 hours to spend on a single plate of food (it wasn't even fully covered in food)! The waiters WERE incredibly nice in the brief moments of interaction though.
(3)Allie L.
Not only was the restaurant filled with bachelorette parties that were extremely loud and obnoxious (& you would think the waitstaff would tell them to quiet down for the other patrons), but the service and food were both horrible. I'm not one to leave bad reviews but there are plenty of other restaurants in Portland that are one hundred times better than this place. The food wasn't outstanding, you could barely taste alcohol in the martinis, the kitchen forgot parts of our meal (for example, the goat cheese on the salad), the waiter barely paid attention to us, and then when we had our food wrapped up he didn't include half of it. Never again.
(1)Dee C.
Ohmigosh! What a GREAT experience!!!! Gary was so wonderful and accommodating for our group of 6 (including a baby). The food was amazing, fabulous, delicious, incredible, delectable, yummy, impeccable, good, great, unrealistically and unequivocally unbeatable!!! I'm so amazed by the service and the lobster rolls.... To die for or drive 500 miles same diff! So worth the drive!!!
(5)Corey G.
I constantly over look this obvious but very hidden gem in the old port, I guess I had the wrong impression! The old port sea grill is friendly and laid back ...Sunday's are a hidden treat, the service is prompt the bar is comfortable and the management is attentive, I highly recommend the burger and beer special or the oysters.
(4)Amy K.
Happy hour star. Two dollar oysters. $5 wine. Yes please. Turned a seafood hater into an addict
(4)Sue R.
It has been a long time since I have been to the Old Port Sea Grill and boy was I disappointed. I had fish tacos which were basically blobs of deep fried fish with what I thought was going to be high quality Napa slaw. The slaw looked about 5 days old. The tortillas had no flavor and the bbq sauce that was dropped on top was also unremarkable. Did I just order the wrong thing? I don't ever remember complaining about this restaurant; but I am not sure I will go back at this point.
(1)Daren Y.
One of our honeymoon spots while vacationing in Maine. We were walking around Portland and chanced upon this place, so we looked it up and it sounded decent. The restaurant has a vibe that is hard to pinpoint, but in a good way. It feels like a cross between a local seafood mid-upscale joint and a family restaurant. The right side has a full bar and the dining area is sprawling over the rest of the room. Lots of aquatic decor adorn the walls and there are aquariums as part of the dividers throughout, which is awesome. We were seated right away by the waitress, who was very attentive and very friendly. The prices of the food is what I noticed first, which seemed slightly higher than expected. We decided to order a few different appetizers so as to sample a variety of foods. We got mussels, a tuna plate, clam chowder, and a kale salad. I have absolutely no regrets. Everything was delicious. Fresh, flavorful, but not too salty. The chowder had ample clams and other ingredients in it. My only gripe is that the table was sticky. I don't think anything was actually on the table, like spilled soda or oil or anything, but it was very odd, like a glossy table that is old and have been exposed to too much humidity. I simply placed my napkin where I would rest my arms and that took care of it, but I did knock half a star off for that. Solid 4 stars, I would come back for more!
(4)Alex O.
Service was fine and friendly, though we went there for a late afternoon weekday lunch and the place was mostly empty. The clam chowder was somewhat flavorless and runny and the fish tacos were so bland as to be shocking. I mean, it seems to me that you have to really work to make fish tacos as absolutely flavorless and dull as what I received. My GF's salmon BLT was dry, and flavorless, and the folks who ordered the fish and chips were also really unimpressed. To top it all off, it may not be very pricey, but the prices are higher than the food is worth. My advice is to find somewhere else to eat in Portland.
(2)Zachary M.
Came to Portland to visit my mom, stopped by this place for dinner. Immediately impressed by the atmosphere and decor. However, the lackluster food didn't live up to my expectations. Waitress seemed tired, having forgot our appetizer and letting our entrees go cold. Regardless, the manager was very nice and the food itself wasn't too bad, aside from being cold.
(1)Jeff J.
We've walked by the Old Port Sea Grill forever but finally stopped in for dinner tonight. The place is excellent. A good scene and decent drinks, but the food is where it really shines. I had the salmon and it was amazing. Much better than some of the higher priced seafood places nearby. Great oysters too. Service was outstanding. This will definitely be a regular stop for us going forward. Two thumbs up!
(4)Maya D.
Ask for a bloody marry with a briny oyster on top- you'll only regret not discovering it sooner! Raw food not your thing? Then try the Scallop dish with the dates- a meal that will make Portland your new favorite destination! The only thing better than the food is the amazing and friendly service. Expect warm bread with smoked salmon pate before your meal and an amazing chocolate coconut treat to seal your evening. Whether it's brunch, happy hour, or dinner- it won't be a meal you will soon forget! Happy hour the oysters are only $2 -any other time make sure to make a reservation!
(5)Adriano M.
One of many great seafood restaurants in the old port, located on commercial street this place does not get the attention it deserves maybe it's better that way because once you try it you will love it. The restaurant has a more contemporary decor then most places in the area. Started with the raw bar, a dozen oysters east coast of course! very fresh with lots of flavor. The special tonight was a whole grilled sea bass...outstanding! Also tasted the flounder and strip steak. Cap the food with some Pinot Grigio and you will be one happy camper. Enjoy!
(4)Kyle G.
Quiet atmosphere, good food, great service. No complaints but no rave reviews either. However we only had apps and drinks and I've heard they make a stellar lobster roll.
(3)Shawn B.
If you can find a better lobster roll in Maine, I'd be amazed. Even the bread on this one is just right. Eating here is living large.
(5)Spencer F.
Best lobster roll in Portland! Good fries too! We were a party of 10 and the service was great. The waiter suggested the lobster roll and we were not disappointed. One in my party had the salmon BLT and he said it was amazing.
(5)Behraam B.
I was looking for seafood places as I visited Portland with my parents. This place was well rated and seemed like a good choice for the late night (we were coming in around 8-8:30). It was a slow night by the time we arrived and were promptly seated and attended to. The bread was a nice sourdough and we got more when we asked. We tried the clam chowder and it was pretty damn good. Filling, even. The lobster we ordered was pretty good but not for anyone else who likes to order family style, one lobster feeds 2 people if they're not famished, but not much more. Perhaps order more than one. It was good though, although if you don't like every part of the lobster ... well I don't need to tell you. Just figure out if you like lobster ahead of time. It's good if you like it, I suppose. We also had a Cajun salmon and it was fairly good. However it seemed a bit over charred in parts and then bland in others. Balanced itself out I guess. Ambiance was fairly nice, nothing special. It had a lot of space so if it does get crowded you won't feel cramped, which is great.
(3)Nancy S.
stopped in for oysters and a glass of wine last evening. Sat at the bar tables, great attentive service, oysters were amazing - fresh tasty St. Johns. Missed the Happy Hour prices, but will be back for the oysters~
(4)Brian S.
A very fishy place The Old Port Sea Grill is a is an attractive restaurant located right on Commercial Street. We have only been here for lunch so it was casual and laid back and relatively inexpensive but I suspect it gets a bit more crowded and pricey later in the day. The menu was rather small but then it was lunch. The usual fishy type of stuff and a few salads, nothing really exotic or exciting looking but pretty standard fare with the portions on the small side. The decor of the restaurant is pleasant and they really exploit the fishy theme. A nice painting of some fish on the wall and a huge salt water tank. They leave no doubt that this is a seafood restaurant. The food was fine and the service was prompt and attentive and we didn't have to wait long for our orders but then it wasn't very crowded. One little quirk is that the bathrooms are out in the hall. Takes a while to even find them and make sure you look where you're going or you just might end up in another restaurant on the way back. There are lots of good restaurants in Portland, especially seafood restaurants, and the convenient location and the nice fishy decor of The Old Port Grill is perhaps it's strongest advantage. A pleasant restaurant for anybody in a fishy mood.
(4)Emily B.
The service here is outstanding and the food couldn't be better. The bread is made in house and comes with a speciality spread. The scallops were perfectly cooked.
(5)Julie S.
Enjoyed an amazing meal tonight! Clam chowder was outstanding with a bit of a kick! Homemade bread with a salmon spread went excellent with the soup. Entree was Cod with couscous and kale with a red pepper sauce perfectly drizzled over the cod. Everything has its own unique taste, bursting with flavor. I would highly recommend this place for a quiet romantic dinner or having dinner with a business group or just friends. Service was excellent.
(4)Kristine N.
Very classy restaurant where meals are ~$30 and drinks are ~$10. Strawberry cheesecake martini is soooooo good... Must try those. We make better White Russians at home though. The Arctic char was cooked perfectly with a crispy crispy skin. Came with peas and scallions in a rich but balanced butter sauce. My coworkers swordfish was good, came topped with some tomato sauce. Corn and asparagus were delicious also. The only annoying thing is they were out of 2 kinds of mussels, one was one we were interested in ordering. Out of scallops & calamari. I was going to order the lobster dumplings but oh guess what, they ran out too. Annoying but I guess it shows you how popular they are.
(4)Ryan N.
Mussels appetizer was absolutely divine. Great flavor but could def have 2 slices of bread served when sharing. Waitress hovered after we asked for some conversation time (it was a week night & restaurant was not crowded so we were not holding table space for future patrons). Entrees were completely cold & quite bland. My fish had bones. On my very first bite a bone stuck in my gums. Having not eaten any of the fish the waitress never asked if there was a problem with the entree. Odd. My dining companions potato side was tasty. Won't go back again. Not an overwhelmingly positive experience
(2)Libby H.
We are locals to the area and took a business associate. Our appetizer of grilled calamari was cold and a disappointment taste wise. I had swordfish and my friend had the flounder. The vegetables came out cold. We were very disappointed and hope the next time we try this place we find different results!
(2)Pootums P.
Outstanding! Mussels and fresh fish right from the wharf. Will definitely go back. Portions were a little small, but so delicious, I wanted to lick the plate. And the artisan bread is also fantastic.
(5)Brian D.
Had my parents 55th wedding anniversary there. The food was exceptional - service was top notch and they went the extra mile to help us make this day even more special. From the GM to the hostess everyone made my parents feel special! I would recommend this place to everyone and will be back for the 56th.
(5)Andrew K.
I have to say everything I had here was top notch. And I had a lot: Raw Maine oysters Caesar salad Mussels Lobster with clams 2 glasses of cab It was all dreamy. Would go again in a cinch.
(5)Chris W.
The food was good, not great, and a little bit expensive side. But I did get the three things I was coming for. Service was fast. And there was soccer on the big screen TV. I enjoy the calamari every time I come here. I had the Cajun rub salmon, and it was good. I will definitely come back, but I'm not sure I can put this in my favorites category.
(3)Jay N.
Two stars for the friendly servers here, but the food and time it takes to receive it, even on slow evenings leaves much, VERY much to be desired. Looking for lobster? They offer only up to 1.5lbs, and yet this is a seafood restaurant. I don't quite understand it. A medium skirt steak came with bloody red sections to hard boiled-tasting parts.. all on one steak and served in a pool of watery juice with a cup and a half of boiled brussels sprouts on top and rolling all over the plate, as if to mask the true condition of the steak. Service, while friendly, was incredibly slow and questions about our order, a solid hour after ordering were met with embarrassed, awkward excuses from the helpless waitress who was doing her best with what the lousy management was giving her to work with. Very disappointed and not sure it's worth a second chance.
(2)David H.
Tried a lot on the menu and loved it. -lobster and lobster rolls were good -calamari was delicious -mussels were good, clams were good -lobster dumplings were ok, nothing special -pumpkin pie martini was amazing
(4)Barbara C.
Wow! Great time and great food. Sat at the bar and had a few items. The service, food and people were great. Fun to be there. Loved the drinks, the scallop dish, the mussels...just loved everything.
(5)Alicia B.
Friendly staff, great service, good location, very good food!
(4)Heather P.
We are from NY so we don't know a lot of places in portland. Its hard finding a traditional Lobster dinner off season. This place was amazing from the service to drinks to appetizers and of course lobster. The environment was very fun and comfortable; not your average looking bar/restaurant. I would recommend this to anyone and will definitely return next visit. (I normally don't write reviews but this one deserves 5 star recognition)
(5)Sphinx H.
Came from boston and definitely weren't in the mood for lobsters and oysters took a while to find an interesting menu like the one they have here. Gem lettuce salad was a home run flounder did well however organic ck breast with apricot fell little short the sauce was amazing sweet not heavy but the breast had some chewy bits that was not my thing
(4)Young R.
We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here -- despite the fact that they ran out of lobster bake by like 7pm... I had the shrimp po boy, which was very tasty -- well fried, shrimp was sweet and tender. Also had an oyster. My dad got the Maine red fish which he really enjoyed. Mom had the clam chowder which she liked, but said was a little lacking in clams. Good bread with olive oil too. Attentive service, convenient location on the water across from the ferry port and near our hotel (Hampton Inn).
(4)Daniella B.
Really decent servings for the price. Get the lobster roll--it's huge and the fries are delectable and plentiful!
(4)Nick C.
Great location at the Old Port. Had to try the oysters and lobster roll and I was not disappointed. The service was great and I loved every bite.
(4)Theodora B.
I went to Portland for a getaway with my mom. She's a pretty simple eater, so most of the foodie restaurants were out for us. We decided to try the Old Port Sea Grill because we were able to get a reservation and the menu looked simple enough for my mom. We called and they said "hmm we can fit you in at 8:15." We walked in, and there were approximately three other tables of diners in the whole restaurant and the decor looked like some odd hotel restaurant in Disney World. The server took a good 20 minutes just to take and serve our drink order. When, again, it wasn't busy at all. That said, the food was surprisingly good despite the ambiance and poor service. I had a lobster roll and my mom had the strip steak. The lobster roll was good and they were very accommodating of our requests to change out our sides. (If I had one more French fry, I would have turned into a French fry.)
(3)Kellie A.
We ended up here after the walk-in wait time at Street and Company was 2 1/2 hours. We were visiting Portland with our two children (ages 5 and 8) and all wanted seafood. Although it was a crowded Friday night at every other restaurant we visited, Old Port Sea Grill was nearly empty ... Uh-oh. The atmosphere at the bar was cool, but the dining room is a little cheesy with fish decals on the wall. Our waitress came right over and was pleasant enough, but never introduced herself to us. The menu was limited, but we figured that meant they were serving only what was freshest and were excited to try the food. The kids decided to split the calamari and shrimp appetizers (despite the server trying to talk us out of that and into ordering them grilled cheese). We asked for them to be served with our meals, but they came out right away, before even the littlenecks and oysters my husband and I split. The calamari was good -- not overdone and served with saffron aioli. The shrimp, on the other hand, were lackluster: small fried shrimp sitting in a pool of oil. The littlenecks and oysters my husband and I shared were good, but the oysters were pricey ($3.25 each). They were served with only cocktail sauce and lemon, no mignonette. For his entree, my husband ordered the oatmeal-crusted pollack with pickled apples and pickled fennel. The fish and apples were fine, but the fennel was so sour it was inedible. I had the hake with white beans, pancetta, and clams. The hake and white beans were both mushy and extremely underseasoned. No amount of salt and pepper could bring them back to life, and the dish cried out for something green -- sauteed spinach or kale perhaps. The clams, though, were very good and cooked perfectly. We also split a side of the fingerling potatoes with bacon. Like my fish, the potatoes were bland and forgettable; we ended up just eating the bacon. In all, I'd recommend the cocktails and shellfish, but nothing beyond that.
(2)Beth M.
Stopped by for a cocktail while in town. Service was excellent and the raw bar was top shelf. Thanks Dan & staff!
(5)Alice O.
This is one of my and my boyfriend's favorite date night spots because of the yummy drinks, oysters, good food and plenty of space in the dining room. I see that other reviewers have had problems with slow service, and maybe it's just by dumb luck, but I haven't had that problem here. I agree with another reviewer who said the staff seems young and inexperienced, but I, too, find them to be "good natured" and trying their best. I appreciate that, since I have dealt with service people at comparable restaurants who act rude, defensive, and/or clueless. This is a great place for seafood. I always get oysters, mussels, and usually crab cakes to start. All have been excellent. I got a roasted chicken dish for my entree last time that was DELISH. My boyfriend tends to order things like steak or pasta dishes, and he's always been happy with his entrees as well. Dessert hasn't been fantastic...but it's easy enough to walk up the street for a piece of cake somewhere else. Try the Bar of Chocolate. I like how this place has a dining room with a semi-upscale atmosphere, and also a large pub area with TVs. You can pop in for some oysters and beer, or you can make a reservation in the dining room. I took an out-of-town relative here recently and he loved it. His main objective was to eat fresh seafood in a relaxed atmosphere, for which it was perfect.
(4)Susan V.
Limited menu and a bit pricey for the area, but one if the best lobster rolls ever and lobster bisque was outstanding. Service was also great. It was a nice experience except it was very noisy from the bar. Could hardly converse with family
(4)William S.
This is actually a restaurant I like, since the menu, while relatively brief, is inventive and everything I have eaten here has been excellent. Why only three stars? The service is consistently disappointing. With a somewhat upscale menu and pricing, the restaurant is staffed by very young and inexperienced staff who for the most part don't know how to do their job right, though they are always good-natured and do try. Our table of four loved the food. But the table was sticky, the wine arrived well after the food ("the bartender is in charge of this and he has not gotten around to it yet") and after a 30-minute wait for desserts we gave up and cancelled that course. If the service could improve to match what the kitchen produces, we would eat here more often. I think it's the best seafood in Portland. But this was our third dinner here in a year, and once again we left frustrated.
(3)Ashika B.
If you want to treat yourself to a nice dinner while in Portland this restaurant is certainly satisfactory. It has good ambiance, a pretty extensive wine/drink list and a straightforward menu. That said, the service is mediocre, with an absentminded hostess who was nowhere to be found when I got there, showed up and proceeded to attend to those behind me, then looked annoyed when they pointed out that I was there first. My waitress was friendly but seemed a bit overwhelmed. I ordered one each of the four oyster offerings. I was told that they were out of one kind, and then it took forever for the order to come out. Given that oysters require virtually no preparation I could not imagine what was taking so long. For the main course I had the Maine Lobster and it was perfect. It didn't really come with any sides save for a tiny portion of zucchini but I was more than happy with my selection. For dessert I ordered the blueberry cheesecake and my kind waitress warned me that it was the size of a marshmallow so I may be disappointed. I didn't want to gorge myself on too much food so I ordered it anyway. I wish I had heeded her warning. When she said it was the size of a marshmallow she was not exaggerating in the least. It was tiny and tasted like those frozen cheesecakes from the frozen food aisle. Overall a nice enough dining experience but better service and a revamped dessert menu could take it from good to great.
(3)Ingrid C.
Sorry, but a little change. This should be the last place you go to. Check out other places. Not worth the long wait for semi good food and the fact that the place was only 1/4 full... Come on
(1)Sara M.
What a great place for lunch! My dining companion and I had oysters, the reuben and the fish sandwich, all off the lunch menu and were very happy. The fries are really nicely seasoned, and the service was great. The dining room is well decorated and I could see this being a great date place.
(5)Michael H.
We had a late lunch here today. Shared a lobster roll, some oysters, and drinks in the bar area. Service and food were quite good. Prices pretty stiff @$63 for the luncheon, but it was our first stop in Portland and a good place. I would drop a star if value was a prime consideration.
(4)Eliza M.
I went from two to three stars on this one, because the oysters really are out of this world... I had a plate of 8 (they don't do them by the half dozen or dozen any more). And they have a new sherry/shallot based sauce that is good. But my meals have always been sub par here, including this time (scallop small plate and the rainbow trout).... It's too bad, because it's right on the tourist walk and could be a really great ambassador restaurant for all the fine Portland dining establishments. Unfortunately, my food has never really been great. So I say keep walking... But the oysters - I will keep going back for the oysters.
(3)Joe C.
Not all that. The people on open table liked it. I did not think the food was great, very predictable chain restaurant. It is no different than Red Lobster. I would pass there are other waterfront places I would try next time.
(2)Karen J.
Went here for lunch, mainly for oysters; I was happy to find they had 4 types to choose from and that our waiter, who was also the bartender, was knowledgeable about them. We also had mussels- not overly thrilling- some were undercooked and the broth was just ok. The lobster roll was very good, just the right amount of mayo, but a plain rather than grilled roll, and the Cobb salad was nice looking but had a strange dressing and some small cut up pieces of very thick bacon that were undercooked. They have a good selection of draft beer which is nice and cold. We paid $100 for this lunch for 3, and only had 3 drinks, so I think it was a bit overpriced for the less than perfect quality of the meal.
(3)Rene L.
Great martinis. Great seats at either of the tables in the lounge overlooking Commercial Street. Outstanding selection of oysters. Wonderful memories and more to come!
(4)Gen P.
It's all about the seafood! Two dozen oysters on the half shell and wood-grilled rainbow trout. Excellent and excellent! There was a nice variety of oysters and the fish was perfectly done. Along with the relaxing atmosphere and a glass of nice wine it was the perfect way to end our evening. The menu selection is fairly limited, so if you aren't a seafood lover, this might not be the place for you.
(4)Greg D.
Since I was in Maine, I figured I had to order lobster even though I hat it last night. The lobster was gross and I couldn't finish it. A complete disappointment that should be avoided.
(1)tami g.
Good but expensive and we like the Portland lobster company much better and at half the price. sorry will never go back. Do not recommend .
(3)R B.
I'll preface by saying I've been here before and the scallops were awesome. So we're the oysters and the Allagash Black on tap. I don't know what happened in the past few months but tonight this place was terrible. To begin with, the easily eraseable blackboard with the oysters was not up to date. They had about 10 varieties listed but only three available. Two of those (beau soleil and Rome point) weren't even listed on the hard menu which leads me to believe they're just fill ins for a day or so. I go there for the Winter Point oysters and they were not available. I should have known something was up. Then I ordered the pan seared hake and it took literally 40mins to come out. The guy who delivered it admitted they had to throw out the original and start over. Huh???? The dish was terrible. Don't get it. It came with fingerling potatoes and Brussels sprouts mixed with mustard. Not sure who invented this but it is not good at all. Again, I liked this place before and I'm all about helping struggling places out with good reviews (check out all of my other good reviews) but they're doing this to themselves. I'm not going to come back. There are plenty of great restaurants around that are better than this overpriced hack restaurant.
(1)Laura S.
For a menu that is printed "nightly" they sure were out of EVERYTHING. It took our table 4 times to order, each time they were out of something different. It was an early Sunday night dinner. When we asked to substitute one type of oyster for another, only because they were out of the one listed on the menu we were told NO. The service is pretentious & the restaurant is poorly managed. Although the food we did eventually order was good (not to be mistaken for great) i feel there are better places to eat in Portland.
(2)Ida A.
The food was overpriced and underwhelming. Don't recommend. Dessert was the only good part.
(2)Dave N.
fish sandwhich was very tasty, albeit not the healthiest option, since it's fried. new england clam chowder is a good choice if you prefer a thinner, milkier chowder.
(4)Jax P.
Ate here last night with my wife for our first post-baby date night out. Gorged on terrific raw oyster selection. She had a perfectly cooked peice of salmon, I had a well cooked skirt steak. They seem to have slashed the much larger menu they used to have and are instead focusing on 7 or 8 entrees - none of them fried, which is, I think, a good thing. The food was way more consistant last night than it had been since I last visited, about a year and a half ago. Only complaints about my meal were that the accompanying potatoes could have been cooked a bit longer, and the "rattlesnake" beans were kind of just...beans. Nothing special. Great attentive service though, and we'll always come back for the oysters.
(4)Boon K.
The mussels were amazing, they were large, tender, and juicy. The broth had a very light white wine taste which was perfect since the mussels were so fresh, you really got to taste the mussels. I couldn't stop eating them.
(5)Zachary S.
The Old Port was my first stop after arriving in Portland on a recent business trip. I came with a colleague who had been to Portland several times. He lead the group here with no prompting, just a simple, "you like seafood right?" and we were off. With that kind of a start how can it be bad? The Old Port Sea Grill is located on Commercial St in the what seems like the "restaurant row" of downtown Portland. Parking is ample at a nearby garage (~$3/hr, cash only) or there is street parking if you're willing to hunt for a little bit. The restaurant is tucked into a commercial building next to a bank and once inside it keeps the urban feel but a in hip, sophisticated, never stuffy fashion. The menu is small but specialized. If you don't like local seafood then best to keep looking because the menu features very little for "land lubbers". (I think "land lubbers" was the name of the kid's menu at some cheesy Calabash seafood place from my childhood. It still makes me smile.) The crowd at Old Port is especially a fan of the raw bar as over 1/3 of the small menu was dedicated to the raw selection. Of the four oyster offerings three were from Maine and the fourth was from Mass; that's local. The four of us shared a sampling of 24 oysters (6 of each variety) and I could have easily tackled another 24 myself. The oysters were quite large and the local varieties were especially briny but oh so fresh and so delicious. One side note though, the oysters are served with vinegar rather than cocktail sauce and horseradish. As I said these were already briny so I can't imagine adding vinegar but to each their own. Either way they were tasty enough to be enjoyed on their own. For the main course I ordered the lobster bake. (What'd you expect? I'm stuck in Columbus, OH for the rest of year, of course I'm going to order lobster whenever possible when I'm in Maine!) The lobster bake was served with clams, mussels, and corn on the cob; the New England equivalent to a Maryland crab boil or a low country boil (sigh, I miss the South). The clams and mussels were cooked well but the lobster was the star. It was served with clarified butter and pre-split for an easy devour. I'm by no means a lobster connoisseur and I can count on one hand the number of times I've ordered lobster so I have no idea if this was the best lobster in town but it didn't stay on my plate long. I shamelessly ate everything as did the rest of our table. No words were spoken just a brief, satisfied smile whenever someone came up for air. So five stars right? Well like I said the menu was small and we were informed by our server they were out of three items on the menu and no substitutions were offered. This didn't matter to me as I was laser locked on lobster but to the local who I imagine has lobster 3x a week on average this could be a big disappointment. I'm not sure if it was time of year (October) or that it was a Tuesday night but minus one star. Otherwise I had a great meal and a great start to my Portland visit.
(4)J P.
My wife and I were given a gift certificate and we went for lunch. Portland is a great restaurant town and we thoroughly enjoyed this, relatively, new addition. We started with Frito Misto and shrimp fritters. Both were very tasty. The fried oyster component of the former were some of the tastiest, juiciest fried oysters I've ever had. I'm always skeptical of lobster rolls on any menu. This one was huge and well worth the $21. It was impressive to look at and really looked like someone just made it, not a refrigerated item. I had the seared tuna salad and it was delicious. Service was attentive and the waitress knew the menu. Good job Sea Grill. We'll b back.
(4)Erik D.
This place was right next to the hotel. It had it's definite pros and cons... Pros: Sheik atmosphere inside, but can still go pretty casual Full Raw Bar available Seafood is fresh daily Happy Hour daily which we will try to make it to for some specials Cons: -We came in at 9:15 to grab some food on a Friday night, and they kept telling us the kitchen may be closing soon...really? On a Friday night? We were there until about 10:30pm and the restaurant as a whole was still open -We had to ask for water -Raw Bar was completely out -- granted, it's fresh daily and we got there pretty late, guess this was more our poor planning than the restaurant. -I had chowder and scallops -- chowder was yummy and fresh, just wish there were more clams in it. Scallops were about a minute or two undercooked. They were still good but wish they had stayed in the pan longer -Guest had chowder and mussels -- mussels were AMAZING and surprisingly a hefty portion, enough for an entree. Very buttery and rich. -Menu is rather small and limited Seems like I have more cons than pros, but all in all it was really good -- wouldn't be a mistake to go here. Perhaps our late arrival had something to do with it...oops!
(3)Jennie H.
It was pouring rain and they were the only ones with an opening for 6 - probably should have seen that as a bad sign. Very limited menu, slow service, no water refills, almost 25 min just to take our order - food took over an hour to come out. The staff looked very busy running everywhere - so slow - will NEVER eat there again, next time we go to Old Orchard :)
(2)Rob W.
Hit the OP seagrill while waiting on the ferry out to peaks island. Just sampled some oysters and had some cocktails. Oysters were delicious and very fresh... Good beer and wine selection and house recipe cocktails... Would like to return and have a full meal.
(4)Janet A.
I stopped in here because I was hungry and wanted something "small"; ordered the clam chowder and it was probably the best I've had! Not too thick or too thin, lots of clams and tasted great. I hope to go back for a meal next time I'm in Portland
(5)lyndsey F.
EW! This place is god awful. My friends and I went out to dinner on Saturday night as we were all in town, which is not something that frequently happens. We wanted to go to the Grill House, but it was booked solid for the evening, so I called this place. I should have put up a red flag when I called at 8:30 on a Saturday night and was told that they had a bunch of open tables and just to come on in. We got there and it was pretty empty, but instead of seating us in a nice spot, they put us (a party of four) next to a huge obnoxiously drunk party of like 12. Thanks for that. Drink orders were taken and drinks came to the table...My gimlet was straight gin, which would probably be fine for some people, but I could feel my ears burning after I took the first sip. So I asked the waitress to bring some lime juice over, which she did. What she should have done was take my glass away and have had the bartender remake the drink. The others at my table complained that their bourbon and cokes were too coke heavy... We ordered the grilled calamari special app, which was fine. Nothing exciting. The prices were the same as they would be anywhere else at a seafood restaurant, but the quality and portions were disgusting. i had the pan blackened mahi mahi, which was served over cold mashed sweet potatoes and about three leaves of sauteed spinach. The fish was overcooked. The table also had a plate of scallops (5) served with "brussel sprout hash" (it wasn't really brussel sprout hash as much as it was steamed brussel sprouts), grilled salmon served with swiss chard (more like carrots, with a bit of swiss chard) and rainbow trout which was actually decent. We ordered a second round of drinks and I choked on mine. It tasted like dishwater. I didn't drink it at all and the waitress didn't seem to care. Also, the bathrooms were filthy. Excuse me but when I'm paying forty bucks for my entree, there shouldn't be wet floors and paper towels all over the place. As someone who spends all my summers in maine, and may in fact be a maine resident soon, I am appalled and will absolutely tell people who want to eat here to reconsider.
(1)Phillip Y.
I had a gift card that I needed to use. So, we stopped here for lunch and had some great seafood. My sister had a raw oyster platter which was the best oysters I had ever hands down. No fishy smell like the ones I first had at the oyster house in West Chester, PA. My dad got the mussels. My mom had the salad with grilled salmon. I got this skewered shrimp and tuna steak which was good. We shared the calamari which was wonderful. A bit pricey but worth it- managed to use up the entire gift card. YESSSS...
(5)Slider S.
The first time I went to OPSG & raw bar I was just walking around with my sweetie her sister and mom looking for a place to eat. We walked in and and noticed they had a Blueberry Martini on the drink menu that really piqued our interest. Being from Martinez the proclaimed "home of the Maritni" I had only tried a dirty martini up till then and have never experienced a flavored concoction but let me tell you that was one hell of a nice drink so now I make them for us occasionally at home and really love them. Now that the drink story has been told we continued into some oysters and then dinner which was across the board a big winner and left an indelible mark on our memories of Portland. This time (5 years later) we happened to be back in the area and didn't even remember the name of the restaurant but went out the door of the hotel and lo and behold we found it again practically right next door! We immediately ordered a blueberry martini which was no longer on the drink menu and were treated to a different version than the first original we had 5 years earlier. Damn they did it again!!! It was killer and with a dozen mixed fresh oysters, a cup of chowdah I was again revisiting heaven on earth. We had been in Boston the week earlier and I was holding out for a lobstah dinner until we reached the critters home stomping grounds...Maine! Tonite was the nite to cut loose and have my first lobstah and it was truly worth every day of the previous week jonzing for some Maine lobstah. The meal was worth every bit spent and we had the best service to date of any restaurant we had previously walked into! Yes the meal was pricey but darn it if you deserve it then do it because YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!!!
(5)Irene M.
Pricey but delicious food. I stopped by with my boyfriend for a late dinner at about 9:15 p.m. on a Sunday. It's a classy place with great food. I ordered the shrimp scampi, and I believe my boyfriend had the grilled salmon. It was honestly some of the best scampi I've ever had, and for $21, rightly so! It's a nice location, right on commercial street, walking distance from shops, bars, and other restaurants. The mood inside was romantic, and we were seated right next to a lovely aquarium. The staff was also attentive and very friendly.
(4)Wilford B.
An absolutely classy, delicious place with fresh seafood. It is pretty pricey, but if you're on vacation, you're willing to pay the price for delicious, fresh food. I had the lobster and it was tender, sweet, juicy. Loved it. My boyfriend had the salmon special, which he raved about. My sister had the chowder - the bowl was quite the sizeable portion. Large beer and wine selection - all the drafts are local brews from MA and Maine. We went in on a Saturday night about 7:30 or so, and got seated immediately. I would recommend calling for a reservation, however. Loved this place!
(4)Scott H.
Great Service in a modern setting down at the old port. A bit pricey but overall a very nice place. Try the infamous Shishito peppers if on menu ..
(4)Chris K.
Kid Friendly. Gluten Free friendly. Priced right. What more could a parent want? Loved the halibut special. My wife loved the rainbow trout.
(5)Joseph F.
Just had a late night dinner with my wife and 2 little girls. My five year old loves grilled salmon. She orders it almost every time we eat out if its on the menu. It was at least 2 inches thick. I cut it in half and it was raw in the middle. Hey don't get me wrong we like sushi but this was not a Japanese restaurant. We send it back and they return the same pice but still not cooked properly. Anyone who cooks knows that a piece of fish this thick must be baked in the oven for a few minutes. It can not be thrown under the salamander to be cooked as it will only char the exterior. Same thing goes if you are cooking a thick piece of FM. Once you caramelize the outside you finish in oven. This is basic cooking 101. I ordered a cup of clam chowder and it was not very good. It was mostly sliced undercooked fingerling potatoes and bacon or fatback. Not much in the way of clams. Next my 1.5lb lobster comes with a half ear of corn, 6 little neck clams and 2 thick yellow rubber bands on the claws. I have eaten lobster countless times over the years at white table cloth restaurants and roadside lobster shacks but I don't recall it ever being served with the rubber bands still on the claws. They split the lobster's tail but did not clean the black intestinal vein. I had to scrape it out with my knife and dunk in my glass of ice water --yuck! My wife had so-called Ahi grade tune with a just a dry Cajun rub and not very flavorful. For the prices this restaurant was charging ($15 apps and $30+ entrees) they didn't even serve any type of bread and butter to start. Anyway, I think I have made my point about this place. I don't see how the restaurant can survive with this type of food and service in a town like Portland which has so many good places to eat!
(1)Frankachino T.
I enjoyed the overall experience. The food was flavorful (my baked potato however, was a bit on the dry side), the specialty drinks were well made and delicious, the service friendly and prompt... The overall aesthetic wasn't what I expected to find while on the wharf, eschewing the rustic charm normally found throughout the region, for a more contemporarily flavored urban-chic. Which is nice, if not a bit out of place. Would I dine there again? Indeed. The best restaurant in old Port? I'll let you know once I've found it ;-)
(3)Ruth K.
We should have known when all other places on the waterfront had waiting lists and we were able to walk in here and get a window seat on a Sunday at 12:45 pm. Forty percent of the tables were occupied, but service was non-existent. The staff was very nice but poorly trained. Clearly the fault of management. Now for the food. I had trout with arugula salad. It was delicious, albeit a little bit expensive for $12. My husband had the cobb salad with scallops and it too was good, however, not much food for $15. The lunch menu was limited and quite boring.
(3)Karen Z.
Came here with a group of friends during a trip in Maine. This restaurant is located in the heart of Portland. Very cute interior decoration. We ordered a couple of appetizers to share, the scallop is phenomenal; a must-have there! The main dish was not very impressive, but it was good as well. It was a wonderful experience overall!
(4)Christopher M.
We came in here several nights during our stay in Portland. However, we only had oysters and some drinks, as we had reservations elsewhere for dinner. The oysters are fantastic, and they usually have several different varieties each night. The wine list is good and the drinks are more than just your standard fake "martini". The service was friendly and helpful. I would definitely come back here for oysters and drinks. However, I cannot comment on the other food here.
(3)Kelly R.
There are so many wonderful things that I can say about Old Port Sea Grill. My fiancee and I spend long weekends in Maine when we have the time and this is usually our go-to spot for a good meal! We usually opt for a spot at the bar and start out by ordering from the raw bar- an assortment of oysters and shrimp cocktail. The staff knows their stuff in terms of where the oysters are from that day and they have always been exceptional. The cocktails listed on the drink menu are incredible and it's worth trying something new each time - in fact, I can't sing enough praises about the bartenders there. Those aren't just cocktails, they are deliciously satisfying works of art! For entrees we keep it simple - for me it's usually the swordfish and for him it's either fish or chicken. We ordered a wood fired Statler chicken once for an entree and it just about brought tears to our eyes- it was so moist and full of flavor that we never wanted it to end! Bottom line: Great oysters, amazing cocktails, and well prepared, consistent entrees. It's a great spot and not one to be overlooked - enjoy!
(5)Taylor H.
Great choice for our only night out in Portland. Everyone in our party ordered the lobster and I split a bowl of chowder with my wife. The lobsters were delicious and the waitstaff extremely friendly. Sea Grill is easy to recommend.
(5)Justin S.
Good food, nothing spectacular. We had a Lobster Roll, Scallop Salad, and Pulled Pork Torta. The Lobster roll was the best - packed with fresh lobster and not slathered with mayonnaise like many of the older rolls you'll find. Scallop Salad was pretty straight forward, nothing to write home about. Lastly was the Pork Torta - meat was slightly overcooked, but what saved this was the avocado crema. Overall, food was pretty good, service was pretty good, and options were pretty good.
(3)Michael C.
We visited for dinner on a Wednesday night, we didn't have to wait, but the place filled up quickly. The only negative was that we had to wait over 20 minutes for our entree. But the cod was fabulous. Cooked perfectly as was my wife's swordfish. Perfectly seasoned and delicious. This will be one of our go to restaurants.
(4)Stomping S.
Expensive, but I enjoyed it. Got an Allagash on draught, Crab dip, House salad, and Lobster. All were done well. I imagine there's a better place in Portland for this kind of experience, but it was located close to our hotel, pubs, the water, etc. Made for a nice summer stroll.
(4)Ian D.
Loved the variety of oysters! If you're looking for great oysters, this place is it! Quite expensive though.
(5)Dave V.
Terrible Service. Food ok, but not worth the premium. Atmosphere not special, despite the price. 3 in our party ordered 1.5 lb lobsters. It turns out that the kitchen didn't have the 3 lobsters. The waiter didn't tell us. When the party's food starting arriving, the manager came out and put two "lobster" plates in front of 2 of us. The "lobster" plates were smallish (less than 1.5 lb) lobsters cut in half, down the middle. The manager said "surprise" and told us that the other half of our orders would be out as soon as the kitchen finished cooking them. The manager didn't apologize and didn't check back to see how we liked the dinner. We finally complained to the waiter and had to wait a long time before the manager came back. The manager was unapologetic, made excuses and left without offering an apology. The manager's attitude was so bad it was shocking. The waiter was a nice guy, but clearly untrained and unsupervised. The place isn't bad, but not incredibly special, and the service could really make you regret paying a premium for a seafood dinner.
(1)Eleanor L.
Agree with others posters... this is definitely not a foodie stop. I ordered octopus. I swear there was just enough for 3 bites at $14. Ordered the mussels. The mussels themselves were fine, but the broth - very much lacking in anything flavorful. I could do better. Service - I had a male waiter. He didn't say a word to me as someone else took my order. It was the unfriendliest service ever. Do yourself a favor, and go to Pepperclub Restaurant or someplace else. Staff very friendly and they serve well prepared food. I wouldn't waste my money or time eating at this restaurant while in Portland. There are too many other good choices.
(2)John M.
This where the owner of the company I work for takes us when he comes up. (When we're not on his shit list.) It's good. Everything I've ever had is good and they actually bang out a pretty mean fried clam plate. Tasty oysters. Good service and good food. I have no idea about the prices because the big guy picks up the tab.
(4)Erik J.
Ok, here's the deal. Was Ok not great. Reasonable lobster roll, but not even close to the vest. And wat too much of menu is frozen seafood from Pacific ( in Portland???) Plus, I feel like a chump that they added a 20% tip for a party of 5, and on top if the sales tax to boot!
(3)Alex G.
High end, modern and clean lined decor, with large widows overlooking the old port streets. Had lunch with adults and children; the large fish tank kept kid entertained. The food was surprisingly great. The raw oysters - we sample the four types they had - were cold, clean and delicious. Although very expensive for Maine, the lazy lobster (no shell) was superb, with nice side dishes as well. Wood grilled shrimp abd a crispy haddock sandwich rounded out a delightful lunch. Great service
(5)S U.
My boyfriend and I had dinner there the day after Thanksgiving. Our waitress was super nice and the food was delicious! The lobster was amazing and a LOT. Of course it was pricey but normal for the prices in Portland as we realized.
(4)Charlie F.
Attentive service and good food. Some of the best seafood I've had.
(5)Ricky S.
Excellent food and ambiance. Try the clam chowder...
(5)Elizabeth M.
had an excellent lunch here last weekend - menu is not inexpensive but food was very good - excellent oysters - very good lobster roll and fabulous mussels
(4)Juiana L.
A friend who lives in Portland Maine recommended the Old Port Sea Grill on Commercial Street. On her advice, we made a reservation and we are glad to have found this nice place to eat and enjoy Portland Maine's Old Port ambiance. Although we live in Maine, we don't eat in the Old Port as often as we would like primarily because there are so many other coastal restaurants to choose from, most of them are excellent. Old Port Sea Grill exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend the restaurant for the quality of the sea food and the friendly service from the reservation desk to the wait staff. My husband ordered the Mai-Mai - it was exceptionally delicious, broiled like a tender steak. Although Mai-Mai is not traditional Maine sea food, it seemed like the fish had just been caught in Casco Bay for our dinner enjoyment. My Rainbow Trout was also delicious, no salty or fishy flavor, just wonderful! I sent my friend who recommended the Old Portl Sea Grill a thank you note for her good recommendation.
(4)M Y.
Never mind the negative comments from other crowd that think that this is an overpriced restaurant that has small portions. This is not a good restaurant for lower class people. These people know nothing about food and they are used to eating fried fish with French fries but nothing else. This is not a good place for obese people that enjoy eating fried seafood by the pier. This is a great restaurant if you know what a chef food looks like. You can easily tell that there is a high profile chef in the kitchen. We ordered all types of oysters, almost all types of fish as an entree, the chicken entree for the kids and they were all beyond delicious. And let me also mention that we are from New York and we eat at many well known chef restaurants in the city such as Per Se, Kraft Steak, Masa, Daniel, DBGB so we do know what a decent food looks like. If you are one of those 200lb+ ordinaries on the boardwalk you can go eat hoagies at the local deli or even better go to Olive Garden for filling portions.
(5)Deborah K.
My husband and I had high expectations for this restaurant and were sadly disappointed. It began well, with the scallop appetizer for me and oysters for him. They were both very good. Then the bread basket came. Only three small pieces of focaccia - about an inch square per piece. Then the entrees arrived. My cod with mushroom risotto was ok. The cod itself was very fresh but cooked quite plain. I was looking to the risotto to add a lot of richness to the dish, but it just wasn't there. It was a little bit too dry, undercooked, and by itself had ok flavor. But I was needing more to balance the blandness of the fish. My husband got the swordfish. Again, the fish was very fresh and grilled well. But the red pepper sauce that comes with the dish is placed on the swordfish and you are given about a teaspoon of it(at the most). The chickpeas and Swiss chard that accompany the dish had no apparent seasoning on them and made the dish quite bland. There was not enough of the pepper sauce to go around and flavor the entire dish. Overall it was not the food experience we hoped for
(2)Ali C.
sit at the bar, get some oysters and a bloody. you won't regret it.
(4)Cindy Y.
DO NOT GO! The worst overpriced dinner I've had in a while. We arrived for 8:30 reservations on a Friday night and were told they had ONE lobster left. We had to place that lobster "on hold" right away. They were out of mussels so we ordered fried calamari to start. It arrived pale-looking and sparsely presented on a plate with what seemed to be a margarine based dip!!? It was the worst calamari I've had and one can easily get better calamari at any bar or chain restaurant. We sent it back only to be equally disappointed with their clam chowder. I ordered the flounder for my entrée and my boyfriend ordered the lobster bake at market price. The flounder came out just as pathetic as the calamari but I ate it because I was too hungry and annoyed at that point to bother sending it back. Trader Joe's has better frozen fish than what was served. The lobster bake came with FIVE clams and for $35, was just simply overpriced. It didn't even come with the appropriate utensils for picking the lobster meat. While our server was extremely pleasant and helpful, the overall experience was just so disappointing I felt compelled to write this review. I strongly advise against dining at this restaurant.
(1)Dana H.
Fresh, fresh, fresh raw oysters, great beer, good service.
(4)Bob R.
I haven't been here for awhile as there are so many choices in Portland but had the desire for a nice piece of fish. The Sea Grill never disappoints. First, always love the space although we were originally seated under an AC vent - they moved us to a warmer spot without any hassle. Our server (Nicki) was excellent. Bib salad was nice though could have been a bit more seasoned. I had the grilled Cajun salmon - perfectly cooked (that's why I eat here). Sides were a nice mashed potato and perfectly cooked snap peas. The dish did lack in presentation - just those 3 things on a plate but this was offset by taste. Given the choice between the two I always pick taste but... the plate could have looked better. My wife had the baked haddock which was also cooked perfectly. If you are looking for a nice piece of fish cooked to perfection but not too fancy, this is the place to go.
(4)CE C.
This was a fantastic meal from start to finish! We started off with the fried calamari, and we must say this is the BEST calamari we have ever had. The batter was fantastic, so crisp but not overwhelming the calamari. The tartar sauce was also so creamy and delicious. We even kept some afterward to use with our bread! We also really enjoyed out clam chowder, full of clams and creamy! Even the dinner rolls were great. They came out piping hot out of the oven, and were served with a salmon spread. For dinner we had the wood grilled new zealand salmon and the steamed lobster. We felt bad that we neglected the salmon but the lobster was sooo delicious and fresh, coming directly from Three Sons Fishing! Out dinners came with great sides, creamy mashed potatoes, rice with almonds, and instead of your boring side of vegetables being green beans or "summer veggies medley", we were pleasantly surprised with broccolini! We cant wait to return to Portland again!
(5)