Tourists from New England and eastern Canada head to Portland, Maine, each summer for vacation. These visitors learn about the city's maritime history by walking through the Old Port district. Portland is still an active port for fishermen hauling in mussels, lobsters and other seafood. The city's tradition of fishing and seafaring has yielded an active restaurant scene. You can sample fresh fish from the Casco Bay at seafood restaurants in downtown Portland.
The Old Port Sea Grill serves lunch and dinner seven days a week in its 64-seat dining room. This dining room features a large aquarium, marble counters and nautical paintings. Lunch specials include light dishes like hake sandwiches and grilled seafood kabobs. Guests can start their dinners with appetizers like New England clam chowder and yellowfin tuna. Main courses range from wood grilled halibut to pan-seared cod. The dessert list features homemade dishes including key lime tart and berry and yogurt crepe.
The Old Port Sea Grill
93 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04103
207-879-6100
theoldportseagrill.com
DiMillo's Floating Restaurant offers lunch and dinner specials from a renovated car ferry in the Old Port of Portland. The lunch menu includes specialties like Maine crab club sandwiches and lobster rolls. Dinner guests can begin their meals with fried sausage ravioli and jumbo shrimp. Main courses range from crab-stuffed haddock to seafood broil made with fresh fish. The kitchen also creates pasta with meatballs and fried shrimp as part of the kid's menu. This restaurant recommends reservations during dinner due to limited seating.
DiMillo's Floating Restaurant
25 Long Wharf
Portland, ME 04101
207-772-2216
dimillos.com
J's Oyster accommodates lunch and dinner guests in a bar area as well as an outdoor patio. The menu begins with lobster claw platters and mushrooms stuffed with crabs. J's Oyster also features an oyster list with fillings like lobster, Swiss cheese and spinach. The kitchen prepares seafood casserole and mussels marinara using locally caught seafood. Patrons can end their meals by ordering slices of cheesecake. Diners can stop at the gift counter to purchase T-shirts, hats and stickers.
J's Oyster
5 Portland Pier
Portland, ME 04101
207-772-4828
jsoyster.com
51 Wharf Restaurant & Lounge is open Tuesday through Saturday in the summer months for lunch and dinner. Tourists can order Maine lobster and smoked salmon BLTs from the lunch menu. The dinner menu starts with appetizers like lobster bruschetta and grilled shrimp quesadilla. Dinner specials include mushroom ravioli and flounder stuffed with shrimp and scallops. The downstairs seating area contains a bar, leather couches and ample seating. Parties up to 25 people can access a wine cellar and waterfront dining by reserving the Red Room.
51 Wharf Restaurant & Lounge
51 Wharf St.
Portland, ME 04101
207-774-1151
51wharf.com
