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    Clam Bar

    4.1 (63 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Clam Bar Photos

    Business Info

    CLAM BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Clam Bar

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    Outside at happy hour
    Julia S.

    Really excellent ambiance - airy, lively, summery. Sort of like a beer garden with picnic tables and rooms of games and outdoor games with SEAFOOD best of all :) The happy hour from 3-6 on weekdays is the perfect way to get fresh air and a good bite to eat after work. I got the fried clam tacos today and they were delicious. I got the fish tacos (the bite of the week) a few weeks ago and wasn't as impressed by the flavors but today's were delish.

    Perfectly fried fish filet and fries!
    Bill D.

    I had an appointment in Portland and I knew that I would roll past the Clam Bar on the way along Commercial Street, so I padded in time enough for lunch. I've driven past many times, but didnt know quite what to expect. What a super spot for a summertime lunch! The staff members were really friendly and rhe kitchen definitely knows its way around a fryer, because the fish and the fries were perfectly cooked. The seating areas are wide open with lots of different options from high tops, to bars, to tables, and lots of shade. This is a great spot!

    Clam Roll, CLAM CHOWDER
    Brittany L.

    I love seafood, specifically clams- so this felt like the best place! The clam roll tasted like the clams were not properly prepared. As I bit into it, there was rocks, I did not finish the roll. The clam chowder had little to no clams in the soup. It was very discouraging. The employees at the front were nice and seemed overwhelmed.

    NEW ENGLAND STEAMERS and FRIED CLAM BASKET
    Jasmine C.

    Visiting Portland and we stopped at the clam bar for a quick lunch. The service was great we were greeted and given recommendations on what to get. I ordered the New England steamer and it was a good portion and was delicious. I tried my friend's fried clams with fries and they were well seasoned and crispy. And the strawberry lemonade? So refreshing! The seating was outdoors with plenty of tables and shade. Will definitely be back the next time I'm in town!

    CLAM CHOWDER LOBSTER ROLL
    Cynthia D.

    My friend and I met up in Portland for the day. I enjoy trying lobster rolls and she likes to try clam chowder. This is a cute spot on the outskirts of the Old Port - with planes flying closely overhead. The people were friendly. The fries and lobster roll were good. The lobster had a little bit of creme sauce. I didn't mind it - but it isn't a traditional Maine lobster roll. The clam chowder was not a New England clam chowder. There weren't many clams, and it had a clear broth - fennel, bacon, and herbs. Perfect for the lactose-intolerant - just not traditional. I would visit again - for a drink and social time, despite the aircraft.

    Outside seating for delicious fare and beers
    Shane L.

    On a Sunday afternoon, the wife and I decided we were going to swing by this little roadside stand and eating area. The experience was surprisingly great and the food was pretty outstanding. I had the clam chowder which was a much different chowder than I've ever had before, as it wasn't cream based, nor was it red sauce, but was delicious riddled with bacon, bits, and many herbs and spices. The clam roll that I had was Hardy and delicious as you could probably see by the photo. My wife had the fried fish sandwich and fries and thought it was great. The staff was wonderful, they were super friendly and they had pretty great looking merchandise that you could buy for the clam roll especially my favorite was a Wu-Tang reference shirt that I wanted to pick up. The ambience is great, although a little noisy right next to many cars going to South Portland and downtown along with the planes flying above every few minutes, but the lights hanging from the sky and the picnic tables and everything is a nice touch for a summertime treat. I definitely recommend this place if you want some fresh seafood at reasonable prices.

    Whole belly FRIED CLAM BASKET
    Eugene G.

    We traveled to Maine for 4 hrs in driving rain only to find it was going to snow where our restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner was located. We checked into our hotel, that served dinner but by reservation on Thanksgiving and we didn't make a reservation, didn't expect we'd need one. Next best thing was to order fried clams and a lobster roll from the Portland clam bar! The fried clams were delicious and crispy along with the fries that had a nice crunch on the outside and were soft and warm on the inside. Cole slaw was tangy, dressing a bit on the vinegary side. The lobster roll was huge, with a perfectly toasted and buttery hot dog bun, loaded with sweet lobster meat. Not a traditional Thanksgiving for sure, but it will do

    FISH & CHIP
    Erin B.

    Super cute place right off the highway. There are picnic tables with umbrellas, a open air tent area that can have roll down windows for inclement weather, and a little beer garden to the side. Service was friendly. Bathrooms are decent. We ordered a clam roll and the fish and chips. The french fries were so good! The clam roll was ok, I just personally prefer straight up breaded, fried clams, where this roll had seasoning which I didnt love. But I'm sure the average person would love it. The fish that came with fish & chips was stunningly beautiful. The batter gave a wonderful crust and the fish was a nice cut and was perfectly cooked. I would definitely go back and try a few other things off their menu.

    Noah F.

    Went here last night for the first time after eating to try it out for so long so we were excited to finally get here. They have such a cool little spot next to the shipyard with so many seating options outside! Service was super friendly and quick. They have such a great spot here and it's perfect for a nice day. We got two beers out of their great summer selection and we enjoyed them a lot. For food we got the smash burger. It was a very good burger and these are the way smash burgers should be. I was surprised with how good it was. The party had crispy edges and was super flavorful and the bun was soft and buttery. With it we had fried with a side of their Mac sauce. The fried are basic but if you get the Mac sauce to dip them in you'll be happy you did! We also got the Jalisco steamers. Streamers in a beef broth with brisket and peppers. It was insanely good! The clams soaked up some of that flavor and tasted so good and you have to dip the bread in as well. We have never had steamers like this and we're not disappointed. Definitely come here in the summer while you can. You will love it. And the prices of the clams here are better than most places as well for how many you get. Would highly recommend this place and we will be back to try some of their other menu items soon!

    Lobster clam and crab roll sampler Lobster, clam and crab sampler platter

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    2 months ago

    The worst, most overcooked fried clams I have ever eaten. I would say they were practically burn. Very crunchy Never again.

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    11 months ago

    Had the clam roll clams were cooked to death. Not a good experience. Try somewhere else.

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    1 year ago

    Very disappointed greasy taste as if they used old grease. Not a 4 star place. Not crispy to greasy sorry just not good.

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    Scales - Seafood stew

    Scales

    4.3(1.3k reviews)
    1.5 miOld Port
    $$$

    I'm not going to lie to you: Scales is one of my favorites. Even on an "off night," they're still…read moregood. I've never left regretting the money I spent on a meal that fueled my body and soul. This past week, I was reborn into my love affair with Scales. I booked a Tuesday night with my partner to celebrate an accomplishment with him. As we sat down, we were met with the warmest welcome back I've ever had at Scales. The perfect start to a perfect night. I'm usually a girl who's obsessed with their clover rolls, but we decided to skip the bread course this time. Instead, we ordered our favorite: the crab fritters with tartar sauce instead of remoulade, as they had been served in the past. They were light, crispy, and filled with crab. Perfection. The raw dishes were next. The tuna tartare is my favorite and just melted in my mouth. The black garlic sauce is everything (always ask for extra!). My guy loved the tuna crudo, as well as the ceviche. My main was perfection. The potato-crusted cod was light and bright, crunchy, and practically melted in my mouth. It was the perfect balance needed for a truly encompassing meal. The steak dish my partner ordered was equally outstanding. The potatoes were exceptional, and the steak was cooked perfectly! There's a reason we visit here at least once every few months. This meal solidified that we always make the right choice. Thank you, Scales! Can't wait to see you again soon!

    Very busy spot with impeccable service, everyone was great from the bartender to our dinner server…read more We sat on the patio and started our meal with a dozen oysters. They were excellent! Being from Mass we just had to try the fried clam appetizer...they were very small and overcooked to the point where the batter was almost bitter. But the real problem was that I think they used a shovel to salt them. The saltiest fried clam I've ever eaten!!!! For my entree I had the scallops with creamed corn. Weirdly the scallops were seared on only one side and were really darkened. The scallops were not very sweet or tender because they too were overcooked. Liz had the salmon and while it was cooked well it was not well seasoned (maybe the guy shoveling the salt on the clams could give the salmon some love). Overall it was a disappointing experience given our past experience here.

    Photos
    Scales - Beautiful !

    Beautiful !

    Scales - Endive & Stilton Salad

    Endive & Stilton Salad

    Scales - Peach & Blueberry Cobbler

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    Peach & Blueberry Cobbler

    Dry Dock

    Dry Dock

    4.3(87 reviews)
    1.5 miOld Port

    The husband and I dined at Dry Dock during our trip to Portland over Labor Day weekend. There was a…read moreline waiting for tables even though it was only 5:30pm on a Saturday - this place is popular. And for good reason! The food was insanely delicious!! We snagged an open spot at the bar and was immediately greeted by the one-and-only, Eddie. He was fun, kind, attentive and entertaining. We started with the caesar salad, which was good and had a nice lemony finish. I ordered the baked haddock and the hubs ordered the blackened fish sandwich. The sandwich was good but the baked haddock was a clear winner (not that it was a competition!) The baked haddock had a panko crust and smothered in a tomato wine sauce over puréed potatoes. To. Die. For! My husband isn't a huge fish lover and he basically stole my plate. He loved it - and so did I! Highly recommend. Overall, if you're in Portland, make it a point to dine at Dry Dock. P.S. don't let the wait time deter you. This place is big and they were sitting people quickly. And if you have a chance, grab a seat at the bar with Eddie. He's good people!

    I stopped in here today with my family today for lunch for the first time. We were able to sit down…read moreright away and all of the staff was pleasant and friendly. We were also fortunate enough to sit outside on their upstairs patio, though the interior decor would have been pretty cool to check out. For a beverage, my wife and I decided to split the Scorpion Bowl. It wasn't fishbowl sized like some places but it definitely had a good enough kick for the both of us to get a little buzz off of it. For the kids to eat, they got a cheeseburger and chicken fingers, both with fries and chocolate milk. The Cheeseburger was pretty run of the mill and our somewhat picky daughter had no problem with her chicken fingers with ranch to dip. The fries (for all 4 of us) were very McDonald's-esque plus a little extra salt to boot. Pretty good but nothing crazy. My wife got a lobster roll with the gluten free bun (she's celiac) and seemed to enjoy it pretty thoroughly, especially with the extra melted butter for the top. She finished the whole thing and seems like she got a pretty decent portion. I got the fish and chips (though the tuna couscous special was pretty tempting, just not at $46). The fish wasn't really an overly impressive portion and the tartar sauce wasn't much to my liking at all. All in all, this place was just OK. They seemed a little on the high end pricewise for what they had to offer and relied pretty heavily on the fries to fill us up instead of focusing on the entree as the star of the show. With all the other great places around the Old Port, I'd have to say this isn't a place I'm going to go out of my way to go back to.

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    Dry Dock
    Dry Dock
    Dry Dock

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    Gilbert's Chowder House - Seafood Chowder

    Gilbert's Chowder House

    4.0(1.3k reviews)
    1.4 miOld Port
    $$

    I was really looking forward to eating at Gilbert's, but unfortunately our experience fell short of…read moreexpectations. The clam and seafood chowder was disappointing. It was very watery and overwhelmingly heavy on potatoes, lacking the rich, creamy texture and flavor I was expecting. Our service also left a lot to be desired. Our server seemed very pushy and rushed us to order, wasn't able to accurately describe several menu items, and wasn't particularly welcoming or friendly. The most concerning issue involved my child's food allergy. Before ordering, I specifically asked whether the sandwich came with mayonnaise or any other condiments because of his allergies. We were told it did not, but the sandwich arrived with one of his allergens on it. Thankfully we caught it before he took a bite, but food allergies require careful attention, and that mistake could have had serious consequences. We also had another issue with our food, and I do want to recognize the manager, who genuinely tried to make things right and handled the situation professionally. I appreciated her efforts. Overall, though, considering the price, I expected a much better dining experience. During our visit to Portland, we found several other restaurants where the food, service, and overall hospitality were significantly better. Unfortunately, Gilbert's was just okay and not somewhere I'd be eager to return

    I'm in Portland a couple times a year, Gilberts is my go to place everytime!! The seafood chowder…read moreand lobster grilled cheese is outstanding.

    Photos
    Gilbert's Chowder House - Inside, interior, indoor seating, ambiance, vibes

    Inside, interior, indoor seating, ambiance, vibes

    Gilbert's Chowder House - Maine crabmeat roll (bottom) and lobster roll (top)

    Maine crabmeat roll (bottom) and lobster roll (top)

    Gilbert's Chowder House - Haddock chowder in a bread bowl

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    Haddock chowder in a bread bowl

    Fore Street - ROASTED CARROTS, BULGARIAN FETA, SUNFLOWER SEEDS

    Fore Street

    4.1(1.5k reviews)
    1.5 miOld Port
    $$$

    Fore Street is one of the most raved about restaurants in the Portland area, and for good reason…read more This surely was one of the best and most meticulous meals I have had in a long time. The Tuna Tataki, while rather small for the price, was incredible. The oysters were fresh and flavorful. The mussels had a delicious sauce, which was perfect with the fresh bread that comes from the bakery below the restaurant. We went with the cod and the scallops for our entrees. The cod was perfectly cooked and had a tomato based sauce, but for me it was the scallops that stole the show. The blueberry pie was also incredible. Our server was kind and helpful, giving us recommendations and tips every step of the way. The restaurant is warm and charming, and I can't wait to go back.

    Fore Street had been on my radar for a while. Having visited other businesses the restaurant group…read moreowns, this came highly recommended by several of my friends as one of the top dining spots in Portland. That being said, I made it my intention to dine here during my most recent trip to Maine. The name Fore Street can mean several things - in addition to being the name of this restaurant, it's also a main thoroughfare in Old Port, and the name of the group that owns this restaurant. In addition to FS, the group also owns two other restaurants (Street and Co, Scales) and a bakery (Standard Baking). I have been to the latter two, with the bakery being one of my favorites in the city. Fore Street opened to much fanfare in the 90s, and has been included on several best-of lists. That being said, I was excited to check it out for myself. The restaurant is located in the same building as Standard Baking, with the bakery being on the lower level and the restaurant being above it. The entrance is really inconspicuous, however once you enter you're greeted by a warm, bustling space. The aesthetics are beautiful - dim lights, wood tones, and an overall upscale feel while still being down to Earth. I did not have a reservation, but the bar area (which serves their full menu) is first-come first-serve, and after about 45 minutes I was able to snag a seat. The menu has a large selection of starters and mains, with each being separated by the way the dishes are prepared. I was started with some sourdough from Standard Baking and some whipped butter. I love carbs so I tore though that no problem. The grilled squid was speaking to me as a starter - the squid was prepared in long strands, and paired with lentils and a chunky sauce with a lot of flavors. The dish worked really well - I'm a sucker for lentils so the dish was set up for success. For my main I had the pork loin - this came glazed and served with a corn and black bean salsa. The dish was solid - the pork was cooked well (not well done), and the sauce was tasty. Dare I say the salsa was the component that tied it all together? It seemed out of place to me when I first read it on the menu, but it worked. For dessert I had blueberry pie because Maine. This one had a thicker than usual top crust, almost like a closed tart. Service was great. Since I was at the bar, I was served by the bartender who was super friendly; food came out at a good pace. Overall, I'm glad I finally got to try Fore Street. While I don't feel my experience warrants 5 stars, I understand why this is one of the top restaurants in Portland and wouldn't hesitate to return for another meal.

    Photos
    Fore Street - Bar

    Bar

    Fore Street - Skate Wing

    Skate Wing

    Fore Street - Delicata squash

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    Delicata squash

    Clam Bar - seafood - Updated September 2026

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