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Porthole Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Seafood, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
20 Custom House WharfPortland, ME 04101
(207) 780-6533
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 3 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
53 reviews for Porthole Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"The lobster roll is as good as any you'll find in Portland." In 5 reviews -
"But totally hidden off the beaten path." In 3 reviews -
"...I am not a fan of sweet potatoes, but tried theirs as one..." In 2 reviews
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Maureen D.
Cambridge, MA
2/21/2012
This is a well-deserved five stars even though the restaurant was out of their hash, brioche, and crab, which made both my companion and I order something other than what we had intended. Also, there was too much baking powder in the pancake batter, making my pancake bitter.
So why the five stars? Service and Sausage.
The service started as soon as we walked in the door, with each person that we interacted with checking on us, letting us know a table would be available soon, trying to make sure we were comfortable while we waited (couldn't have been more than five minutes) and generally being awesome. The owner/manager checked on us several times and then, when we were seated, our server (Mike) checked in often and kept the coffee topped off (which is a huge deal to me). Feeling welcomed and valued is an important part of a restaurant experience for me, and this place managed it in spades.
And then the sausage. The make their own sausage. It was amazing, the flavor, texture, spiciness and crispiness were just perfect. It's a good thing this place is 100 miles away from my home or I'd be in some sausage-trouble.
Also, in the fine weather the deck must be open for dining, which would be sweet! Go. Get sausage. Be happy. -
Review from Saba N.
5/14/2012
Came here this past weekend for a celebratory brunch (my cousin just graduated from USM- wahoo!)
It's a great, casual spot located right on the water. They have a great deck (which is in the process of being rebuilt) and a decent amount of picnic tables. There will definitely be more when the deck is finished up.
The service was really good. Even though we were a huge party with no reservations (and on graduation day), they were super accomodating. They held 2 tables for us and waited for a 3rd to free up so they could push them together. It was really nice of them, especially because it meant telling some ppl that they had a full house.
The food was solid - nothing that blew me away. The prices were great and the menu had a lot of options.. but my lobster sandwich was really sub-par. The lobster was fresh, but the bread and seasonings... not so much. Everyone at the table seemed to think their food was pretty decent as well. GREAT bloody mary though!
Would definitely come back for brunch again, the food was cheap and good.. I'll probably get something greasier and simpler next time. And hopefully I can actually enjoy the view! -
Review from James B.
Manchester, NH
4/21/2012
Went to this restaurant this morning with my wife, or at least attempted to. it was a Saturday morning around 10:30 when we arrived. We were told that there would be a twenty minute wait, no problem.
Half hour later we were pretty shocked when a group of four people stormed past us and out the door. They said to us: We have been here an hour and they haven't even come to the table to take our order. That should have been our first clue.
Ten minutes later, i approached the hostess to inquire about our table, as it has been 40 minutes now. She tells me that it will be another 45 minutes from Then!
Disappointing to have that long a wait, even more so to be led to believe it would be a short wait.
Everyone seemed nice and the food looked good, but unfortunately they were unable to execute. -
Review from Maria S.
New Castle, DE
5/23/2012
Very good lobster roll. Accomodating staff. Nice outdoor deck, albeit with an odd view of a refinery
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Review from Susie Q.
Portland, ME
Updated - 5/13/2012
OK, I am feeling guilty over the last review. Despite being here a few times with terrible service (and I really mean upper management because the waitresses have always been pleasant) , we've also been here a few times with great service. So, as an update, I would say definitely go to the Porthole for breakfast / brunch. They have outdoor seating (most of it is picnic tables, which might be difficult for some people) and their breakfasts have always been decent and they serve a great Bloody Mary. I will probably give them another shot for dinner as the weather gets warmer or just return for some drinks outside on a nice day but I'm still a bit wary.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/15/2011
I wish we could review the famous lobstah roll but we couldn't because of the absolutely horrible… Read more »
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Review from George H.
Portland, ME
5/13/2012
I go here for breakfast. Place is always good. Staff is always friendly. Can grab a beer with coffee, sit in the sun, and eat lobster benedict. Tough to beat it. Place is just plain good.
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Review from N K.
Boston, MA
2/2/2012
For a breakfast place I gotta say the Porthole is clearly a step above Becky's and on par with the Bayou Kitchen. At a recent breakfast visit the service was never a problem and the short wait on a busy Sunday morning was well worth it.
Great old Maine atmosphere out on the wharf with a breakfast menu to match. First time ever for me to see home fries made with both sweet and regular potatoes. Probably baked first then rough cut and browned to perfection on a flat top. Another first for me was their home made breakfast sausage. No casing but a combination or ground sweet, and hot sausage meat formed into meat balls and browned and finished in the oven.
Great mimosas and incredible home made hash topped off a terrific visit. If you are in or around the Old Port this is a good place to try for breakfast. -
Review from Daniel O.
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Our final eastern seaboard stop on our cruise brought us to Portland, Maine, which ended up being our favourite stop of all.
We checked Yelp as well as asked a couple of locals where we could get a decent lobster roll (the theme of the trip was to find the best lobster roll on the east coast of Canada/Eastern Us Seaboard.
As this was lunch #2, we opted to share a lobster roll and have a couple drinks. The lobster roll was recently featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, a show that I love to hate but can't look away.
The lobster roll was served on toasted house-made bread, a bit more dense than I would have liked. The lobster salad was full of huge chunks of claw and tail, a ridiculous amount mixed with home made mayonnaise and seasoned very well, A generous helping of lettuce was also included on the sandwich.
The Sandwich was a good, not the best lobster roll I have ever had but very good. The side of fries were very good.
The Porthole has a full bar, drinks prices are super reasonable (well drinks $5, pints $4.75), I had Shipward's Pumpkinhead beer which is brewed right around the corner from the restaurant.
Service was excellent, our server was super nice, funny and talkative. She liked our Canadian accents :) -
Review from D B.
Cape Elizabeth, ME
4/30/2012
We had an unseasonably warm spring Sunday a few weeks back prompting desires to eat brunch outside in the sun. My wife and I hit up the Porthole thinking it was early enough in the season that things wouldn't be completely mobbed. To their credit, part of the deck outside appears to be getting a face lift, so not all of their seating was in play. However, after being told the wait was going to be 15 minutes and it actually taking 45 I was a little put off. The staff was very apologetic and recognized what had happened though. Once we were seated and able to order drinks things improved. My only other complaint would be that once we ordered our meals it was another 45 minutes or so until we were served. I get that it was busy but it almost seemed like they didn't staff for the crowd they had on hand that day. I had eggs Florentine which was more than passable. 3.5 to 4 stars for that. We also shared a fruit/berry plate that was more than enough for two, fresh and delicious. My wife got an egg sandwich that I was very impressed with. Nice big English muffin holding together all the typical breakfast goodness. Coffee could use some work, but I am admitteldy rarely satisfied with restaurant coffee. In general I thought their breakfast was better than lunch/dinner and would make an effort to come back when its not going to be slammed.
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Review from Brad S.
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's surroundings might seem a little off the beaten path, but down the middle of a wharf and across the street from a seafood shop is the perfect place for a place like the Porthole - if it were any closer to the source, it would be floating in the middle of the ocean.
Judging from the look of the place, there's plenty there to choose from if you don't like seafood, but I was in Rome, and I had to have some lobster. Their Lobsta Roll was not a traditional lobster roll by any means - it was little more than large chunks of lobster sitting between two pieces of toasted brioche - but honestly, I would prefer to get my lobster this way than slathered in mayo, anyway. The crustacean was cooked perfectly and plenty tasty. I felt the large slices of brioche were chosen for its uniqueness, and not necessarily for the part it plays to the lobster roll on the whole - the toasted pieces of bread were too rigid, crumbling apart as I reached the end of the sandwich, leaving me to assemble the last pieces myself, with the last bits of bread and the dropped pieces of lobster. I think the thickness of the bread threw off the meat-bread ratio, too.
The sandwich came with a side of fresh though disappointingly soggy onion rings that I didn't care to finish.
The Porthole is suitably quirky enough for the downtown Portland scene, and definitely knows how to treat the treasure of abundance seafood that lives right outside their door. However, they're not infallible, and the aspiring diner would do well to consult other reviews to find out what the restaurant does particularly well. -
Review from Amy H.
While I was in Portland for a meeting, Dee piddled about by sipping up the local brews around town. I found him on the deck at the Porthole with a big smile on his face, no less.
Located at the end of the working waterfront, at the dock where fish trading takes place; I suspect the tourists don't know about it, and the locals are happy for it.
We were there on a Friday during the time of day when they offer all you can eat fresh fish & chips for $5.99 and you know it's good because the deck was full of happy diners enjoying the special. That said, if you're concerned about your diet, you will want to steer clear of this place because of its expansive selection of fried foods, gravy & biscuits, hash and of course, b e e r. All of it looked and smelled delicious. I always like a place that serves outdoor diners their beverages in a real glass and the vintage mason jar mug was a nice touch.
The big screen television, above the bar inside, airs only the weather; a thoughtful gesture for the fisherman and another way of knowing the tourists probably aren't coming down here. -
Review from Simon L.
8/31/2011
Delicious hanger steak cooked perfect med rare with some eggs over easy. Nicely crispy homefries and home made fresh white bread.
Eggs benedict were less than mediocre. Eggs were well overcooked with a tastelss hollandaise a top a mushy english muffin and a flimsy piece of ham.
Best thing on the table: creme brulee french toast. Worth going in just for that, drink your coffee and skat to buy some lobster across the way at the fish market. -
Review from Erich N.
San Francisco, CA
8/31/2011
I came here based on a local friend's recommendation, that it was a good place for inexpensive lobster, and a huge outdoor deck to enjoy good weather on.
For these specific items, he was spot on.
The deck is huge, with plenty of elbow room for everyone. The lobstah was about 1 1/4lbs with two sides for $22 and was boiled just right. I also enjoyed the carrots cooked in brown sugar and butter. Flavorful and not cooked to mush.
Everything else was was pretty middle-of-the-road. The mashed potatoes were WAY too peppered and salted, and the clams casino didn't make a strong showing. I was also astounded that they did not have corn on the cob...especially since it is in season.
All in all, I enjoyed my meal; but the whole time I couldn't stop thinking about the fresh corn-on-the cob I got with last night's lobstah around the corner at Gilbert's. (yes, I've had lobster two nights in a row, and may have a third tomorrow)
If corn isn't in season, it seems like you'll get a better deal here...but if it is? You will find me over at Gilbert's -
Review from Eliza M.
7/25/2011
Ugh, I wish I could give a better review of the Porthole. But I just can't.
We went in for breakfast this weekend and tried to sit outside.
Busser: "Uh, it's about a half hour. Or I can put you inside now." Dear sir, please don't put me anywhere. But it's forgivable. We sat inside.
We ordered within 15 minutes of being seated. 4 people, 4 breakfasts.
A full hour+ later, our food came. My hash was less than stellar (the brisket didn't even taste or feel like it was cooked with the potatoes or anything - I always think of hash as meat/potatoes in one skillet?). The french toast my friend got tasted heavy and hard as a rock.
Then I witnessed a busser go to a table near us, look at a giant mess of food on the table, and smear it all over the table top. This seemed like maybe it was effort to "clean" it up, when in reality, it just spread it out. Then people sat there - and immediately complained, got more napkins to clean up the sopping wet table/chair seats, and didn't look pleased. I felt bad for our waitress who had to go serve a table that was already annoyed. I hope they didn't have to wait for an hour for their food. -
Review from Scott H.
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is the type of place many will either love or hate. My wife and I happen to LOVE it. It's rough around the edges. It's on a working wharf alongside fishmongers and other harborfront businesses. The staff are generally young and quick on wit, but laid back and not necessarily looking to get you in and out in a jiff. You can sit outside with the seagulls at a picnic table or you can grab a table inside among the old signage or next to the woodstove. My wife and I prefer to perch ourselves up at the bar. The fish and chips here are great. The lobster roll is as good as any you'll find in Portland. The chowders are top-notch. The breakfasts are hearty and go quite well with a Shipyard Special Export Ale. :)
Come here for solid food and with an open mind. You'll find zero pretense and real Portland people. You'll very likely return. And if you don't, there's more room for me! -
Review from Amoi K. T.
Paterson, NJ
9/9/2011
Eh. I wanted to try out this place because I heard that it was on "Diners, Drive-In, and Dives" but I wasn't impressed. I ordered the salmon, my mom had the lobster and her friend had the lobster roll. The lobster roll was lobster salad on a roll.
SB: after having tried a few different lobster rolls in Maine I think, overall, buttered lobster on a roll is the best way to go (my personal preference)
I've definitely had better salmon and my mother's lobster did not swoon me. The clam chowder was not all that either.
Porthole is probably a good place to grab fried seafood and sandwiches (their bar and lunch menus look pretty appetizing) but as far as dinner goes, I think this spot is not that great a choice.
If I ever visit again, I will stick to the wraps & sandwiches or something more promising. -
Review from Jennifer M.
NJ
6/2/2011 3 photos
3.5 really
This place was pretty decent . I would expect more fresh seafood platters than fancy frittatas and seafood eggs benedict but hey, not all places can please me.
Prices here are not bad. I dig them actually. $24 bill for two people? I'll take it. And the fact that we were drinking out of mason glass jars were a nice touch. I had the FISH & CHIPS and my bf had the HADDOCK SANDWICH. For $5.99 i guess you can't really complain that the fish pieces were kind of small. I actually like the Haddock sandwich better (i prefer my sandwiches and hotdogs on cheap buns, and that's exactly what the sandwich had. Cheap enriched white burger buns.
My dislikes about this place was the fact that the place smelled like syrup and dirty beach. Didn't smell like food at all in there (eeeek!).
Service however was good. Really engaging energetic guy.Listed in: Portland, ME
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Review from Brian G.
Dornsife, PA
1/29/2012
Last summer, my family and I visited three restaurants in Downeast Maine that were featured on diners, drive ins and dives. This was the one I was most looking forward to. It turned out to be our least favorite.
There are some good things about it. Foremost, location. It is technically on one of the main strips, but it's entrance is in alleyway, just far enough off the beaten path to keep the traffic down. You have to know where it is to find it. It is not something you just wander by.
The deck is awesome. Wide open spaces with plenty of tables, none on top of each other. Looking out on the water and sipping on a cold pint is a beautiful thing.
The food started off fine. We got half a pan of cornbread - delicious. Highlight of the meal unfortunately, although the fried ginger squid app was very enjoyable.
Things slowed to a crawl for there. Our waitress was super nice but the meal took forever to get to our table. Having a one year old made for a trying wait. Once the sandwiches arrived it was clear immediately it was not going to be worth the wait. I got the steak and cheese, which sounded delicious but was godawful. They completely forgot the cartelized onions - a huge miss - and there were maybe 3 cubes of tough of steak on the sandwich, with half melt blue cheese. Terrible roll too.
I can't remember what my wife got. I think it was the lobster sandwich but it was completely unmemorable if so.
We will be in Maine most of the summer and it will be hard to imagine coming back here with so many other places to try. It's a shame because I really wanted to like this place. -
Review from Tom D.
Portland, ME
6/14/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Do you have a big appetite for breakfast? You may want to stop in the Porthole! Wow big servings! The food tastes great as well. They have a few things on the menu and some specials that differ from other breakfast spots in town. I liked it and will go back.
They also have outside seating. -
Review from Beck N.
6/15/2011
The service here is great & food is served very quickly...though I was not the biggest fan of my meatloaf sandwich (it had far too much oregano for my palate). Hubby said the $6 fish & chips were delicious & the clam chowder was his new favorite.
Overall, this place is quick, clean & comfortable...& apparently Guy Fieri signed the wall above our table, so that's pretty cool, too. -
Review from Darren R.
New York, NY
4/19/2011
Was in Portland for two nights, and ate here twice.
My wife and I booked a Portland trip after seeing the "lobsta" sandwich from this place on Guy Fierri's show. We were not disappointed. Also had the fried scallops, and they were done perfectly. Lightly battered and not overcooked. Great for breakfast as well. Was surprised to see the negative reviews about the service. The staff treated us wonderfully. Would go back in a heartbeat. -
Review from Chris K.
Worcester, MA
3/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
great spot for a bveakfast. fair prices, good portions, nice atmosphere.
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Review from Jp B.
Millis, MA
4/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hidden off the beaten path, halfway down custom wharf, The Porthole is an interesting spot. A bit of a gritty diner feel, yet big windows and bright colors make it cheery. Still definitely a step back from the hoity-toity downtown Portland.
I got the fish and chips (made with a Shipyard beer batter) which was mediocre. I'm still giving it 4 stars because Robyn got the lobster sandwich, which was amazing! Highly recommended. But I guess it's hard to go wrong with lobster in Maine. -
Review from Rebecca Y.
Waban, MA
7/4/2011
Let me begin by saying that I think the service was great and the food was what better than expected.
My issue, and the reason behind the 2 stars? I have to believe it's the management or maybe the owner. Their policies are very anti-paying-customer, and they seem unable to have menu items in stock.
I called on a Tuesday afternoon to let them know that I was going to be coming for an early dinner with a party of 18 on a Saturday -- was immediately told that they didn't take reservations (ok), but that they'd be set up for us. I called to confirm this on Saturday afternoon and was told (again) that they didn't take reservations and wouldn't be able to accommodate us. When I mentioned that I spoke with Kayla, they acquiesced. Good thing I called to confirm!
We showed up and things were set for us (phew!), our server was FANTASTIC, but they were out of two of the six apps and out of three of the nine entrees. This was at 5:30 on a Saturday afternoon on a holiday weekend (fourth of July). Hmm.
We returned for lunch the next day, hoping that the restaurant would redeem itself. We arrived at 12:40 and were told that they couldn't take any lunch orders until 1 pm, and that we would have to wait for about 45 minutes after that to receive our lunch because they were backed up on breakfast orders. What? Really? The server was EXCELLENT, and I felt terrible that she was put in this position. We decided the view of the harbor was worth the wait, and by then we were sort of jammed as we were trying to catch a ferry to Peaks (not to mention we had our dog with us and options were limited).
We placed our lunch order at 1 (as directed) and were told that of the 6 app options, they had only three (all three items were the fried options).
The food arrived, and the fries that accompanied the food were cold and soggy, the BLT was a total wreck.
These types of issues indicate that here is new management or a new owner or a new chef or something.
If the restaurant management could figure out how to be in the customer-service industry, I think I'd recommend it.
Let me reiterate that the servers were great -- it was unfortunate they were put in this position. -
Review from Jeff P.
Portland, ME
11/23/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Cute place. But totally hidden off the beaten path. Food was delicious and the music was a great mix of classics and oldies.
If you're looking for a bite for breakfast, I'd definitely recommend it. -
Review from Kathleen M.
New Haven, CT
6/21/2011
Went here this past weekend with my fiancee since we were in town for a wedding and had seen the Porthole on the Food Network. It was Father's Day, so super busy. We were able to get immediately seated, but then had to wait about 45 minutes for our food. It was a beautiful day and we sat outside, but seeing the growing line of people waiting to be seated made us feel a little rushed. The food was phenomenal -- I had the grilled zucchini bread and he had a lobster omlette, but I felt pretty bad for the people waiting (with kids!) 45 minutes just to sit knowing they'd be waiting another 45 minutes to eat.
The location was great and so was the food, but the service could have been better. Still, a great Portland experience. -
Review from Bill E.
10/12/2011
Typical breakfast. The pancakes were listed as light and fluffy but were thin and tough. The sausage was good (a little spicy as I like it). Service was a little slow which should have not been based on two servers and a small crowd. Seemed to be the kitchen though - the servers kept the coffee cups full and were visible most of the time. There has to be better places to go.
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Review from N B.
North Bay, CA
11/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food was fine. Service was slow. We were a group of ten looking for a good brunch after a wedding the night before, and the Porthole seemed to fit the bill. We scored a table outside, which was great, until we realized it was creeping up into the 80s and we were getting blasted in the sun. Drinks orders were taken promptly, and those that had the bloody mary's were happy. Food orders were taken not too long after, and then we waited. And waited. It got awkward. The place was less than half full (outside, at least, and it didn't look that packed inside) and we just kept waiting. By my watch it was fifty minutes between when our food order was taken and when the waiter came by to let us know that it would "be out soon." The food finally did come out, and was hot, which leads me to believe either it was not put in, or there was a problem in the kitchen. (They ran out of eggs? The cook had to call his mother? Who knows.) Everyone seemed reasonably happy with their selection (I had eggs and toast; hard to eff up), but nothing was remarkable.
Bottom line: go, but be prepared for a wait, just in case. -
Review from Nick H.
7/9/2010
Porthole was a sweet little discovery. Down some pier across from a fish shack, next to a (still functioning?) comedy club, one sees a retro sign. Tell me more.
Who would have thought that inside you'd have a very chill layout - all sort of retro, diner, salt-air-and-beach, open air feel. World Cup on the tellie, nice beer, seafood. I'm game.
So we sat and chilled with some fried sea scallops. Stop. I would be doing everyone an injustice if I did not comment further on this dish. Sea scallops came out as fresh and tender as I've ever tasted them battered in a light but fantastic little batter and coupled with excellent fries, tartar sauce (AKA crack for me) and mayo-less coleslaw (apparently it can be done). Drowned my thirst with what turned out to be several Allagash White and Shipyard Export beers.
They've also got a huge outdoor seating area on the docks that is perfect on a warm sunny day. Great friendly staff too.
Finally, there's live music on the weekends for a wicked cheap cova dude. Think they were talking about a reggae band for $3 bucks to see dockside on a Saturday night. Not bad.Listed in: The Complete Guide to…
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Review from Darryl L.
Brockton, MA
Went here while on vacation the food was good and the service was quick. The servings were large and filled you up.
Would go again! Parking was some what difficult. -
Review from Brent M.
Waltham, MA
8/15/2010
Went there for breakfast and waited for nearly 45 minutes to get our food (and there were only two of us).
Food would have been okay, but it was obvious that it had been sitting for quite awhile before it came to our table.
Might be a good place for drinks on the water, but breakfast wasn't good. -
Review from Jason P.
Medford, MA
6/29/2010
Great little restaurant. I had the Sea Scallops w/fries, clam chowder and my friend had the cheese steak. All the food was excellent. The service was great (although it was fairly slow so it's hard to say). Honestly these were some of the freshest and tastiest scallops I have had, and a good price at $11 I think...the chowder was good too-but I would have cut the potatoes (which were more plentiful than the clams) into slightly smaller chunks. The Sangria was good-but it was a lot of ice.
I would return again in a heartbeat!!! Great place-cool location and a decent value when you consider Portland can be pretty spendy... -
Review from Meredith M.
Salem, MA
4/14/2010
You get 5 stars, Porthole.
I can sit out here on your picnic tables and eat/ drink yumminess WITH my dog AND man.
Honestly, you would think there would be more puppy friendly places in Portland. But as it turns out, out options for dog-friendly patio seating were pretty limited.
They serve BRUNCH and BEER here. And it's right on the Pier.
(that rhymes :)
Wear sunscreen, bring sunglasses and relax HERE on a weekend late afternoon.
(also note, if you have a dog, you have to enter the patio area from the back side of the restaurant...you cannot walk your dog through the front!) -
Review from Caroline M.
Brooklyn, NY
9/11/2009
Went here twice in the span of a week. It's extremely reliable, the outdoor seating has good views of the water, the interior has a fun diner-dive vibe to it, and the service is quick.
But I'm giving this three stars instead of four because while everything at the Porthole was good, and the service was fast, the only items that really stand out on the menu as "HOLY OMG THIS IS GOOD" are the mussels (which, in fact, are the reason I came here in the first place, as a friend recommended them) and the balsamic fries that come with most orders. The focaccia, which also comes with just about every dish, is great too.
As for the rest? The salads and sandwiches and whatnot are decently tasty, but when there are such great standouts on the menu you wonder why the rest can't be as good. -
Review from Gina A.
Dracut, MA
8/17/2011
This place is a hole in a wall....but the good way! I was a bit afraid to go down the down to eat at this place. All around me was pure lobster grossness. The smell in the air in the alley was beyond gross. Parking was a pain, but once you get there BAM....AWESOMNESS!!!!!
There was a long wait to get in, so my belly was growling. The waitstaff was very sweet and apologetic for the wait.
They were a little backed up in the kitchen, but when the food came out....OMG. I don't eat seafood, so I will have to just take my families word for it. They had Clam Chowder, Fried Squid, Lobster sandwich, Haddock Sandwich and a fish and chips plate. There was a lot of yummy happy sounds coming from their belly.
Me....well, let me explain the glory of what I had. I ordered the chicken foccacia not even knowing what heaven on a plate was waiting for me.
First of all, they MAKE their own Foccacia bread. Make. Their. Own. Foccacia. Bread. It was thick, soft and a wonderful buttery crust. No other foccacia should be called foccacia bread if it wasn't that.
The Chicken was amazing. The Aioli was the perfect covering to this foccacia bread. Everything was fresh and amazing. The French fries were thick and full of potato heaven.
This restaurant is the epidemy of not judging a book by it's cover. If you can get over the alley way to get into the restaurant than it will be a great reward. IF you have people you don't like seafood (me) but wants to go to eat someplace amazing that everyone will be trilled about..trust me....The Porthole Restaurant is where to go.
(I would have given this place 5 stars if it wasn't a 40 minute wait to get a table and 30 minutes for the food.) The staff was super nice about everything though. -
Review from Eliza B.
8/11/2008
Normally I get rubbed the wrong way by a Maine seafood restaurant trying to be anything more than a no-nonsense-slap-your-fried-fish-in-a-plastic-bask et kind of joint. For some reason the Porthole didn't bug me though the food is clearly trying to be a more refined version of the New England classics (seafood that is, not corn dogs, fluff and Kraft Mac 'N Cheese, the other staples of the Maine diet)
Food:
Well-conceived and executed, but still the basics. I had a bowl of the fish chowder that was (I kid you not) the size of my head. Simple, fish, onions, potatoes, creamy broth. Just like mom used to make!
My boyfriend had the haddock sandwich. The french fries are fresh and are not from the freezer or premade until you order them.
The location:
Right on the pier, it has a great deck on the water that I would have been so happy to sit on, had it not been pouring rain. It still has some of the original decor from the building, but I think they've knocked down a wall since I was there last. It's a lot bigger and has a copper bar but the charming old seafood spot feel.
In short, I applaud the Porthole for sticking to its roots and staying away from the Fluff. -
Review from Kelly O.
5/11/2011
A cute, locals-only breakfast/lunch joint with wonderfully friendly staff and tasty, cheap food. I had the lobster benedict which was yummy, although the english muffin was a bit on the burnt/dry side. The home fries made of 3 kinds of potatoes were a treat. Why no brunch menu though? (only either breakfast or lunch)
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Review from Kris D.
NY
8/23/2009
I spent a happy evening on the outdoor area of the Porthole, slapping at mosquitoes and noshing on the most delicious mussels I've ever tasted!
I figured this place would be a total tourist trap, given it's location, but that really didn't seem to be the case. Regardless, though, it was busy and our waitress couldn't seem to decide as to whether she was exhausted or just plain pissy. After a bit, she seemed to get her composure and gave us pretty good service.
The porthole has a smallish menu, and limited views of anything other than the railing around the pier. But the food was delicious and satisfying. -
Review from E R.
Little Silver, NJ
7/2/2011
Stopped here for brunch this past thursday. It's a great location on the wharf. Super cool old diner type decor. We ate outside. Our server was super nice and friendly. We got a lobster omelet and the biscuit with gravy. Outstanding! Coffee was delicious too. A perfect start for the day. We will definitely eat here again when we visit Portland in the future.
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Review from Kerry D.
Framingham, MA
4/19/2010
This place has the most amazing breakfasts, great service, and is downright cheap. The homefries have a kick to them and sweet potatoes mixed in. The poached egg florentine breakfast was positively TDF, and my hubby sprung for the lobster eggs benedict, which had whole lobster claws in it. YUMMM!
They lunch menu looked great too-- I will definitely be back.
