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    Billy's Chowder House

    3.5 (540 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Billy's Chowder House Photos

    Business Info

    BILLY'S CHOWDER HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Billy's Chowder House

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    Lobster platter and broiled seafood platter
    Taylor S.

    Very nice casual seafood restaurant and bar that is by the water. Super friendly and attentive waitstaff, and the food came out fairly quickly. We ordered the full lobster dinner which came with chowder (can choose between clam and fish), steamers (cleanest steamers I've eaten anywhere), baked potato, and string beans (perfectly cooked al dente, not overcooked). The baked potato came with salted skin which was great as I didn't need to add any additional salt to it. My friend got the mixed broiled seafood platter which came with scallops, shrimp and haddock. Also came with string beans and a side (selection between baked potato, rice pilaf, etc). It was all fairly tasty and we'd return.

    The lobster Mac and cheese and the blueberry drinks are amazing. The seafood stew is very good but overpriced if only getting the cup as it is very small for what you pay. The clam chowder is honestly more of a potato chowder I do not recommend it at all

    Dining area
    Will P.

    This was the first time I've been to this location on Mile Road. The many years have been up here. I've never taken a trip down the road and wow did I miss this place! Very good and friendly service. Very casual atmosphere. The food was excellent. I can see this becoming very touristy. When you drive by there doesn't look like there's much parking but on the east side of the building, there's plenty. Definitely on my repeat list. Anecdote: a little girl across from us mentioned... "I wish we went to McDonald's." Can't please everybody with quality. Definitely was not my wish.

    Fish and Chips with share of Lobster Cake.

    A very popular Wells staple. Located along the Mile Road within the Salt Marsh, so a picture spot. Friendly, efficient staff. Sadly the fare disappoints. Stuffed seafood items fill the menu and are themselves filled with bread crumbs, short on seafood. French fries so-so. Cole Slaw, however, is exceptional. Prices trend high, higher than the food deserves. Still, if you want a landmark, this is one.

    Best marsh views around
    Krista R.

    Haddock chowder was all potato, fish and chips were bland (with the fries being obviously food service grade/previously frozen), tacos were bland and oddly preportioned, drinks were uninspired and weak. Much better seafood spots in the area - trust me, save yourself the funds. This is a drinking hole for retirees pretending to be a seafood destination.

    Lobster Mac and cheese
    Joan M.

    We were in the area and remembered how much we enjoyed our dinner here last year so we had to return. My daughter started with the New England clam chowder which we both love. It is different from other chowders, not creamy but my daughter loved it. I agreed, it was delicious! I had the shrimp scampi, with linguini and it has a side, so I chose the green beans. Everything tasted great! My daughter got the lobster Mac and Cheese, with Cole Slaw as a side. She enjoyed them both. The restaurant is clean, beautiful view of the water with some boats. It was later in the day and foggy out but still enjoyed the view. The waitress was very nice and attentive. It's a bit pricy but worth it. The parking is small so beware coming. All in all, another great experience. We will be back when visiting here in Wells.

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    Michelle M.

    Nestled along the scenic Webhannet River, and minutes away from Wells Beach, Billy's offers a charming, classic Maine dining experience with rustic interiors and picturesque water views. Whether you're drawn to the cozy buzz of the bar area or prefer a quieter meal in the peaceful dining room--as we did--you'll find a warm, inviting atmosphere. The menu features a well-rounded mix of fresh seafood and land-based dishes, making it a great spot for any palate. When dining at Billy's, starting with their signature clam chowder is a must. Unlike the thick, creamy versions many are used to, this chowder has a thin, buttery broth--my personal favorite. It's light, flavorful, and perfect as a starter. I could've easily had a full bowl. For my main course, I went with the Lobster Mac n' Cheese. Served fresh from the oven, it was a generous portion with a good amount of lobster throughout--definitely a great value. It came with a choice of side, and I went with the coleslaw, which was tasty. A small tip: they offer warm rolls for the table, but you'll need to ask for them. Billy's also runs daily specials, including $1 cocktail shrimp on Tuesdays--a great deal that seemed to draw quite a crowd. The place was filled with locals, which is always a good sign and speaks to its popularity in town. If you're looking for a laid-back, satisfying meal in a quintessential Maine setting, Billy's is worth the visit.

    Kale salad
    Wanda G.

    Taken to a table with a great view as soon as we walked in the door. We stopped there because they had ample parking. Waitress was efficient. Clam chowder had large chunks of clams and potato cubes. Also had a kale salad. They give you just one little container of dressing...could have used two. I liked that they had onions, peppers, tomatoes, etc stacked on side so you could decide how much you wanted mixed in. Menu said bread came with soup & salad but none was brought to table. Also ordered chicken wings with fries. Fries were crispy and seasoned well. Wings were average.

    Lobster stew and me smiling eating it. It was excellent. Big lobster claws.
    Susan V.

    After reading mixed reviews we pulled the trigger. Glad we did. Had about a 20 minute wait which is reasonable for a Saturday pm in August. The lobster stew was wonderful. My daughter said it was her favorite food of the trip. The shrimp scampi is fantastic. Loaded with garlic which I love. The spinach was a nice touch. Absolutely huge! My daughter was not a fan of her clam strips but the tartar was good. Thankfully she helped me eat the shrimp scampi.

    We have been here before but it's been a few years. Ordered what we ordered last time and loved, the Half & Half platter. We chose whole belly clams and sea scallops with fries and cole slaw. My husband had a cup of clam chowder which was delicious. Not so much for the clams and shrimp. Looked like what was left in the fry basket. The clams were more like clam strips than the big and briny ones we were looking forward to and the sea scallops were pretty small. Love the atmosphere and the bartender and the service were great. Just terribly disappointed in the clams and scallops.

    See picture unbelievable tiny. Still hungry $36.99  Next time Petey's for sure...
    Greg M.

    Portions way Small. Never had a fisherman platter so small. Left hungry ? First time a fisherman plate and left hungry.

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Service was slow and the food was just ok. When we walked in no one came to greet us! It felt like everyone was new or over burdened.

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    8 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Best Haddock chowder ever. Fish and chips perfect. Waitress wonderful. Will definitely be a regular.

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Always go to Billy's a few times during vacation! I love the Billy's garden salad with a large scoop op fresh lobster meat on top!

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Have been coming to Billy's since childhood and love to return when we are back in Wells. Great fried haddock and onion rings!

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Visit every time we are in Ogunquit/Wells. Good seafood! Friendly staff. Fair price. Nice view of the salt marsh.

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Brian with an "i" is a top notch server. He had a great sense of humor and kept the table in stitches.

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Beautiful view, we were lucky to get a window seat. Oysters on the half shell were fresh and tasty! Calamari was very tender.

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    Page 7 of 14

    Ask the Community - Billy's Chowder House

    Do they take reservations?

    They do not

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    Hobbs Harborside

    Hobbs Harborside

    3.9
    (319 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Seafood is fresh and one of the finest establishments in Maine…read more Staff are professional and friendly. Dining overlooking the salt marsh.

    "And there's a girl in this harbor town And she works layin'…read morewhiskey down They say, "Brandy, fetch another round" She serves them whiskey and wine" (Looking Glass) When our convention committee of thirteen traveled to Wells, Maine for a mini vacation to celebrate a job well done last year, we had to come up with a place to have a memorable group dinner. We sure hit a home run when we decided to book a reservation at Hobbs Harborside. The restaurant is huge and beautiful, with a big bar, plenty of tables, and a big outdoor deck overlooking the water. We enjoyed a few drinks out on the deck before we were called. Our server for the evening was Shelby H. and if there is a finer server in the state of Maine, I'd be stunned. She was everything we could possibly have asked for -sweet, friendly, funny, conversational, cheerful, helpful, efficient, professional- she checked all the boxes. I started off with one of their pillowy soft complimentary dinner rolls, a glass of Zardetto Prosecco ($11), and then turned my attention to the many appetizers our table ordered to share. I sampled some of the Bacon Wrapped Scallops ($19.99) and Baby Lobster Cakes ($19.99) -both of which were excellent. For my main, I went with a Seafood Sampler ($31.99) - a "combination of fresh haddock, sea scallops and stuffed shrimp broiled with a topping of buttering crumbs". This was a wonderful dish! The scallops were sweet and tender, the fish was flaky and perfectly cooked, and the shrimp was delicious. The entrée came with a choice of 2 sides, so I went with a double order of Brussels Sprouts which were amazing. Thank you Hobbs Harborside and Shelby H for one of our best restaurant experiences of the year.

    Photos
    View from the bar, sunsets are wondefful.
    View from the bar, sunsets are wondefful.
    Lobster roll
    Lobster roll
    Lovely evening sitting by the water!

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    Lovely evening sitting by the water!
    Harbor Burger Shack

    Harbor Burger Shack

    4.0
    (67 reviews)
    15.1 mi
    $$

    Absolutely obsessed with Harbor Burger Shack. I think this is my fifth time coming back and it…read moresomehow gets better every time. The chili dog is SO good and the chili itself deserves its own fan club honestly. Everything tastes fresh, messy in the best way, and exactly what you want from a retro burger spot. The vibe is half the fun too -- I swear they added even more games since the last time I came. It feels like a hidden little retro hangout where you can eat comfort food and actually have fun while you're there. Definitely one of those places that becomes a regular spot fast. Total hit every single time.

    To be honest, I am shocked to see so many 5-star reviews of this place. I'm only giving it two…read morestarts because our kids like the little arcade.. but the food is SO overpriced and underwhelming. A friggin milkshake is over 10 dollars BEFORE tax. What??? Burger patties are wicked thin, fries are just some plain, frozen crap and the shake had a bizarre cookie coating around the top. Not the edge/rim, the whole like, 1/4 top of the cup was coated in crumbs.. which got everywhere and made it inedible and impossible to put in a cup holder if you wanted to bring it home with you. Just so weird. It's also just gross in there in general. To be honest, all of that would be forgivable if the staff were at least the slightest bit nice. They are all so incredibly rude. They are young and I get that Covid ruined their formidable socialization years, but it's actually crazy how awful they are. Can't even get them to crack a smile or a "thank you". Sorry, not to be a boomer, but if I'm spending 55 bucks on two burgers some fries and a shake, I'd like some good customer service. Definitely save your money. There are lots of other options in the area.

    Photos
    Harbor Burger Shack
    Cheese fries
    Cheese fries
    Inside

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    Inside

    Billy's Chowder House - seafood - Updated June 2026

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