The Porthole Restaurant & Pub

This a great place to go any time of year, especially for tourists like us. This was our fourth or fifth time going to Porthole, a couple of times when Portland when visiting on a cruise and a few more times with family while visiting Maine. We enjoy dining al fresco so we are always happy to be seated on the outside deck. There is indoor dining too, but lucky for us, it has been sunny every time we have dined there. The building is housed in the former customs wharf building which gives it a nautical feel…the salty, slightly fishy air and the boats bobbing along the pier really make the scenery very picturesque. The staff is friendly and efficient. They are always accommodating, no matter the size of our party or the nature of the request. They seem to enjoy the hustle of the lunch crowd and everyone works in synch, like a well oiled machine. The food is always very good! We have never been disappointed. We have gotten whole lobsters with the perfunctory bib as well as all sorts of soups, handhelds and entrees. And every kind of seafood under the sun! This trip we loved the Casco Bay soup (I think we get this every time we go - it’s that good) as well as a club sandwich and the fish and chips. The fish and chips are definitely a good value. So many pieces of delicious, fresh cod and loads of fries as well as cold slaw are guaranteed to fill you up! We were a party of 10 (including three children) and everyone loved their lunch, as usual! The cost is about what you would expect for a restaurant on the water in a popular town. We always love to walk around the quaint, cobbled streets looking at souvenirs and in the many varied shops of every kind. It’s a great way to spend a day!

Me and my partner decided to come here for our anniversary cause we were craving seafood and we were definitely not disappointed. Our server was super kind and attentive. The atmosphere of the restaurant was pretty basic but felt nice. I wish I had taken more photos of the food but I was so excited to eat the food I forgot. Haha. We got fresh oysters which were delicious. Then to share we did two lobster meals. The lobster was cooked to perfection and the flavor was there! We were all kinda eating with our eyes and for the fried seafood platter which had a variety of seafood with some fries, coleslaw, and tartare sauce. We definitely plan on coming back in the summertime!

My partner and I stopped in, and it was my first time ever having lobster and honestly couldn’t have picked a better spot. The vibes were immaculate. It’s got that easygoing waterfront feel mixed with classic Maine charm, and being right on the water just makes everything taste and feel better. And the lobster… unreal. Super fresh, like “probably hauled in from the pier out back” fresh. Not a bad way to kick off my first lobster experience. Overall, just a great time. Awesome food, genuinely nice staff, and a chill place to hang out. Worth mentioning: at one point the staff seemed to be playfully fighting over the Bluetooth or something, because the music kept starting and stopping on the same Noah Kahan song. It was pretty dead inside, but you could tell how much fun they have with each other during the cold season. Honestly, I appreciate a place that has a good workplace and co-worker vibe.

We stopped by The Porthole during a winter visit and it ended up being such a cozy little highlight. The outdoor lobster trap Christmas tree (complete with a selfie/phone holder) was a great little touch and made us smile right away. The staff was fun, easygoing, and welcoming, and we loved that it’s ESA dog friendly. Even in the colder months, the place still felt warm and full of that laid-back New England charm. Being located right on the water gives it that real coastal Maine feel. A great spot to pop into, especially if you want something relaxed, local, and a little bit whimsical.

The food here was surprisingly good. Especially the salad. This is 100% tourist place, but doesn’t treat you like they never expect to see you again. The outdoor deck is great and the inside bar carries its historic vibe. I amazingly got the parking space directly at the door, but it did cost $30 for an hour. If you found this review helpful smash like and follow.

9/25 - was not on our tour list of places to eat and should be, maybe because it's a little farther down the street than the rest? Sat along the rail & watched boats bring in their catch for the day, a treat as not something we see in central Illinois. The wife & I split the seafood scampi which gave her the chance to try lobster for her first time. It was really good but probably not enough seafood for a couple of regular eaters. Pretty good beer selection with a number of reginal beers. This place should be on your consideration list when deciding where to eat

The lobster is king/queen here! We ordered the twin lobster meal, which is two 1.25lbs lobsters for $45. The lobsters were fresh and deliciously sweet! This had more flavor than ordering lobster rolls, which mixes the lobster meat with other ingredients. What's great about this place is they open early morning for breakfast but serve lobster all day. So we are here before 10am, before the crowds came in. Friendly service! Nice big open deck area for seating.

Another stop on a cruise vacation. Usually limited to where you can go based on how far you can get from the boat and what’s open early in the morning. This was a pretty good restaurant. The food was alright I can’t think of anything bad just didn’t stick out in my memory. I did wish they had slightly more vegetables with the dishes to bulk them up What did however was the beautiful location on the pier and the wonderful staff. For a place that has to deal with a bevy of cruisers they really went to extra mile to be excellent hosts. Had a great time sitting on the boardwalk in the perfect weather! Thanks guys