Flo's Drive In in Portsmouth is such a charming spot! The building itself is super cute, and the all-outdoor seating gives it that classic drive-in feel. Just a heads up, it tends to be pretty windy out there, so dress accordingly. The food is excellent. Everything is perfectly fried, crispy on the outside and so satisfying. Washing it all down with a cold pop is the perfect way to round out the meal. A special shoutout to Brandon, who works here. My daughter and son absolutely adore him, and he always manages to put a huge smile on their faces. That kind of warmth makes such a difference for a family with little ones. Great food, a fun atmosphere, and genuinely kind staff. We love Flo's Drive In! read more

I love the views and easy in and out of Flo's in Portsmouth. There are high top tables near the pick up window and under cover, picnic tables under the tent, or you can sit on a bench overlooking the beach across the street - iconic! I've loved their soft serve in the past, but today I took my seafood loving dad for dinner. I'm not a seafood eater myself, so this place isn't exactly my cup of tea, but I love to come here for the vibes. It was a little busy when we got here around dinner time on a Sunday, but there was no line by the time we got there to order, and the parking lot was almost full. An hour until close on a Sunday and they told us upon walking up that they were out of a ton of things: clam cakes, fried clams, lobster rolls, even ketchup!! This was really disappointing as most things my dad wanted were on that list, and I was distressed to have to eat my cheesy fries without ketchup (they did offer me a bunch of other sauces - I took them up on tartar sauce - free of charge, but only after I asked and was clearly aghast at them being out of this condiment). Sadly I don't have photos since my phone was out of commission today. My dad ordered clear broth chowder (he said it was just okay - normally he's pretty easy to please with chowder, so I was surprised at the lukewarm review), and a crab cake sandwich, which he said he some good crisp to it but he also seemed kind of lukewarm about. My cheesy fries were drowning in a generous portion of white cheese that I had a hard time placing - it was pretty good but I wasn't in love with the flavor. The tartar sauce helped a bit and they had a good crisp. My favorite thing was the cole slaw - it didn't lean sweet as a lot of them do, and had a mild sauce that wasn't in your face - I really loved it and wish I'd gotten more! Their prices seem a little high for how greasy their food is in general, but I guess that's a true clam shack vibe for you. Their packaging seems a bit wasteful - all orders are packed as if to go, in a thick plastic bag that I saw a lot of people immediately throw out with their trash since they ate on site and didn't need all the packaging, a cafeteria style tray would have done just fine. You're right across from the ocean, please be more eco-conscious! read more

My food was terrible. My clams were undercooked. No where close to golden brown and the clams were chewy. Chowder is a chopped up clam at best and potato in a thin tasteless broth. Clam cakes I could not identity any clams. I am not exaggerating. There is a reason their score is so low and dropping. Believe it. read more

Been coming here since I was a kid. Foods always fresh and fast and fabulous!! The views are also amazing. Most recently got the warm lobster roll. Only complaint is the amount on the board doesn't match what they charged me... I get prices change day to day for lobster but don't put a price on the board just put market. read more

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Every year I visit Flo's Drive In for fried clams and clam cakes. Today was my first time visiting under new ownership. The clam cakes were heavy pieces of fried dough with 1 clam inside. The batter on the fried clams was thick and hard in some places. I am hoping this was a 1-time thing and not how the food is normally cooked now. read more

Flo's has been a seafood staple for years. Been eating there for 40+ years and it's always been great quality and friendly people since I was a little kid going on my bike. The girl at the window is always welcoming and they put out great food without a long wait. The outside are has some shaded seating areas or you can go across the street and sit on the sea wall or stroll the beach. This trip was a quick stop in for takeout as it was late and rainy, so took the food home to eat and it was all as great as expected. Hot, Fresh, and Great Portion. Flo's will always be our favorite Seafood Shack read more

Flo's Drive In - Fish Sandwich, Clam Cakes, Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, Rhode Island

I stopped into Flo's for an early dinner and had a great experience from start to finish. The menu has all the fried seafood staples you'd expect, clams, shrimp, fish and chips, fried scallops, but also includes burgers and chicken for anyone not in the mood for seafood. I ordered the scallops platter and it was perfect. Everything is cooked to order, and my food came out surprisingly fast, hot, and fresh. The staff was friendly, helpful, and kept things moving efficiently. The seating setup is mostly high-top tables with stools, and I really appreciated that about half the tables are tucked behind a clear plastic windbreak. It made a big difference on a breezy day near the water. Overall, Flo's strikes the perfect balance between casual and quality. It's the kind of place that makes you want to come back .... good food, no fuss, and a nice vibe by the shore. Two thumbs up from me. read more

I have to have a stuffy from Flo's at less once a month or my summer is not the same. Great food and even better customer service.

Food was mediocre but for the price and the view not a bad stop. The fried fish sandwich was fresh. The "creamy" clam chowder from the #1 on the menu was quite watered down and mostly potato bits, definitely wouldn't order that. But the clam cakes were tasty, not very clammy but good breading. The cashier who took our order wasn't very friendly and our food took quite a while, though it did get pretty busy. That porta potty was a disaster, but we did go towards the end of the day. read more

Flo's Drive In - Fried fish sandwich clam chowder and clam cakes - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, Rhode Island

GREAT clams, Excellent fries. Best clam shack in these parts ! Prices are high,for a takeout, but you get what you pay for ! If you want low prices, go to Mcfood. read more

Flos has not changed. I'm 54 now and live in Jersey. Everytime I come back home I stop in and it brings me back to my childhood. The best fried clams EVER! read more

Disappointed. Husband ordered clear chowder, clam cakes, and a stuffed quahog. The flavor of the chowder was good, but it was mostly potatoes. Same with the clam cakes. He was struggling to find clam pieces. Stuffie was good, not the best he's had, but fine. I ordered the large fried clams and creamy chowder. The clams were good, could have used a touch of salt. The chowder was not creamy. We actually had to look very closely to know that they weren't both clear. My chowder looked as if they took the clear chowder and mixed in about a tablespoon of milk after it was made. Again mostly potatoes, very few clams and they were tiny. I didn't finish it. I feel like Flo's is relying on their reputation as an awesome clam shack, not putting in the effort to remain really good. But sitting outside in mid September on a beautiful day looking at the water still made for a nice outing despite the mediocre food. read more

Flo's Drive In - Creamy chowder. Mostly potatoes and not creamy at all. - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, Rhode Island

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Went to Flo's in Island Park today. Ordered Clam Cakes, Clam Chowder and Stuffed Quahogs. The Clam Cakes were awesome as always. The Chowder was good, but the stuffies were HORRIBLE!! Too salty and too much Hot Sauce. I don't know what kind of hot sauce they use, but it has a terrible after taste. Why can't they just go back to the original recipe. I threw all 6 of them away. What a waste of food and money. Part of the reason I go there is for the stuffies. They have been been so so the last 5-6 years, but edible. These were disgusting. read more

Continuing with searching for the best clam cake. Service was straight forward, walk up to the counter and they take your order. Clam cakes were good in size but lacked clam pieces. The chowda had lots of potatoes and not enough clams, a nice smokey flavor but it was a little watery. read more

Flo's Drive In - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, Rhode Island

We went there today for a nice ride and to get a lobster roll . 6/28/26 -It sucked.got there at 12:15 I walked up to the counter and ordered 2 lobster rolls ... girl tells me ...we only have 1 left ? It's the beginning of summer - you just opened up for the day and you have 1 lobster roll available ? Huh, obviously disappointed ,we were hungry so I ordered a cheeseburger for us to split too. I asked the girl ...when are you gonna have more lobster? See replies....later on ....it's defrosting ...My Bad, I should have grabbed my wife and left but we were hungry. I also ordered 2 bowls of clam chowder but they should have called it potato chowder instead......not a clam in sight . We get the food ,open it up and first thing I notice is the lobster is cut into cubes like it came out of a fkn can! WTF. Terrible IMO we took 1 spoonful of the chowder and ended up throwing that in the garbage can too - I spent like $85 dollars and had to go out to eat somewhere else .Beautiful set ting for a clam shack and I'm assuming they survive on the fried foods because that's what everyone was ordering . I wouldn't give this place 1 star as far as food quality . It was absolutely TERRIBLE Helluva cheeseburger for $85 bucks FLO'S CLAMSHACK NEVER again Flo......I promise you that Ron I Coventry,RI read more

We went to Flo's on Saturday night to get a small order of clam cakes and chowder. They weren't extremely busy but after waiting 25 minutes for a simple order, I was told they forgot about it?! I received the order after only a few minutes after they acknowledged their mistake. The clam cakes were way too SALTY. We only at a few because of it. The chowder was salty as well. After a lifetime of visiting Flo's, we will not be returning. It's not the Flo's I grew up with. And do not recommend wasting your money $$ read more

I like to drive to this location in Portsmouth. It's less crowded and easy to meet up with friends. The bikers across the street are pretty fun to people watch and if you're lucky, they might be rocking some good 80's tunes by the beach. My go-to is the Famous Fried Clams Platter. Sometimes there are out of state morons blocking the pickup counter window, but hey, the food is authentic. As long as they don't try to snatch my whole belly fried clams, I let them slide. read more

We tried clam cakes based on some reviews. We tossed 4 of the six. They were tasteless. Based on that we wouldn't try this place again

Haven't been to Flo's in a long time despite living in the same town. My husband has childhood memories of eating clam cakes while sitting on the sea wall across from Flo's and subsequently wants to do the same whenever I suggest we get takeout, I on the other hand retain no such memories and do not consider hard cold concrete and dive bombing seagulls a pleasurable experience. So we don't go. However this time my daughter wanted to get takeout and my sisters also did, so hubs agreed. We ordered fried oysters, calamari, clam cakes and fries (I know a lot fried food but it was shared among the family! Probably a good thing we don't go often). Anyway the food is as good as I remember and maybe a little bit better. Batter on the clams, calamari and oysters was fresh and crispy and the fries were not greasy. The clam cakes were tasty and had some clam pieces. We all enjoyed the meal. Nice treat after a long absence. read more

Great place for a snack - or more. I took my daughter and some friends kayaking around the Sakonnet river and island park area and we needed a break and a bite. The crab cake sandwich was good - crab patty was crispy and very fresh. No surprise, they only sell fresh seafood. Cheeseburgers and fries were great. And the beachfront view - with tents for shade- we're much appreciated. Give it a try! read more

I went to a restaurant on October 19, 2023, and was pleasantly surprised by how great it was. The fried seafood I ordered was delicious, especially the dipping sauce which was heavenly. The view from the restaurant was absolutely stunning. Additionally, the service I received was very nice. Even on another day that's i've visited the staff still remembered me was so impressive. Now I'm back in Honolulu, Hawaii, and still thinking about the taste and my experience there. I wish you had dipping sauce for sale. Can't wait to go back. read more

Flo's Drive In - Fried Clams - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, Rhode Island

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Went to my favorite seafood place when in area, unfortunately today was not a good day of service. My order was 14$ paid and put a line across tip line. Got home, looked at my card statement and you added a 5$ tip to my bill without my approval! You lost my business...... read more

First off, I have an extensive cooking background. All of my reviews are as honest as it gets. I might be upset at times and I might be as happy as can be at times because of the experience but they're non biased and dead on accurate. I've eaten here for decades. My sister wanted to take me out to lunch (3rd of July) because she had the day off. She wanted Fish and Chips and told me to pick the place. I picked Flo's drive in as opposed to Flo's clam shack because it's more quaint. Both are always super fresh. We ordered 2 Fish and Chips platters and a dozen Clam Cakes because their Clam Cakes are awesome and we'd have a few for later. I'm not sure if it was a new cook but the fish and Clam Cakes were pretty over cooked. The Clam Cakes were at minimum a half hour old and I noticed they have gotten considerably smaller as well. The French fry portion although very hot and tasty was the smallest I've ever seen in a fish and chips dinner. Nothing like what I've gotten my entire life here. All of that's a big no no. Why in the world would they mess with quite literally a world famous Clam Cake is waaay beyond me. The Clam Cakes are Flo's bread and butter. Its 16 bucks for a dozen as it is. Make them like they were. We're more than paying for that. Not a deflated version of it. There's very little clams in those cakes in general so there's no excuse. Not only that, they should be piping hot, not just kinda warm. When battered fish is over cooked the batter becomes a hard shell. It's a little tough to eat. You have to crunch through it or pick out the Cod. The Clams on the cakes get rock hard and really burnt too. Flo's has been here almost 100 years, they know better than to put food like that out. I didn't say anything during lunch because I didn't want to ruin anything. We were having an awesome time. I wanted to though. It was a $55 lunch and my sister paid for it based on my suggestion. For that kind of money it better be spot on. For the record it still tasted good. It was just a bit of a chore to eat. That's why I still gave 3 stars. Common Flo's! You can do a lot better than this. I know it for a fact. My only edit was captioning the pictures. read more

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Scallops are second to none! Friendly staff and lots of parking. Can't wait until they're open for the season again.

Wanted to surprise my Dad with a special dinner. My family has been going to Flo's for many years. My Mom's name is Flo. She has passed and May is her Anniversary month, so I like to honor her by taking my Dad there. He got clam strips and fries. I got fried clams and clam cakes. The clam cakes were so hard in places it felt like there were little rocks in them. The fried clams were gross. Definitely not like anything we've had in the past. They changed everything. Nothing tastes the same. It cost $64.00 and was garbage. We won't be going back. read more

So here we are again with having to drop the stars.... came here this past weekend and it was just ok. I had the fried clam roll and it was pretty good, but unfortunately my husband had the fried oyster roll and he said it was totally disgusting. Massive fried oysters that were loaded with grease to the extent that it was just dripping off his fingers!! He said they were mushy and tasted awful!! We also had a stuffed quahog and that too was disgusting. We each took one bite of it and that was it. Nasty! read more

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They are open for the season and the crowds are back. Note it is a well run and safe operation. We had swell lunches of the hamburger combo and fish and chips. The latter was FRESH. You can safely sit at their picnic tables or along the beach. read more

Well, it's 2024 Good News, Bad News! Ok, Good News first, Fried Clam prices did not go up! Bad News, Forty Four dollars a quart! They were ok. The batter was crispy but not flavorful. Just tasted the clam. Service was competent, ambiance changed when I had to use the Porta potty! read more

Flo's has been featured on a few cable food shows and we made a special detour to check it out. Although the food (fried clam bellies and oysters) was quite good, it didn't surpass the three similar fried seafood spots we tried subsequently on Cape Cod. The reason for this low rating is that their bathroom facilities were GROSS and disgusting. They utilize porta-potties that stunk, had no toilet paper and NO PLACE TO WASH one's hands. How can a thriving business have such disregard for the comfort and safety of their customers? At least 3 other people complained to the staff while we were there so this is not a pet peeve type of review. read more

I am a Rhode Islander transplanted to beautiful Louisville KY so when I can make it back to the east coast I must have some local seafood. Flo's was so good. I sampled clam cakes - crunchy on the outside and soft and filled with clams inside. We had a side of fish that was nicely fried with a thinner batter so it did t overwhelm the fish and white on the inside. The prize winner of all the great food was the fried whole belly clams. They were perfect. Sometimes if a chef is not really good with them they can be clumpy but each clam was separate and crisp with a yummy whole belly. The view was great by the inlet and the food was what I know and I miss in Kentucky. I will be back again! read more

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This place is sort of like going to Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco to get some good local seafood. The food is OK, overpriced, and you won't find a local person in sight. The clam strip order (we got the small... It was plenty). They were freshly made and tasted good. On the other hand, we also got the clam cakes. Expecting something like a crab cake, it was disappointing to get a plate of large soft hush puppies. I think one or two of them had a small sliver of clam meat in them. But it was basically just fried dough. We also got the clam chowder. Aside from a runny broth, it was mostly potatoes. Over all, the place wasn't bad. The staff was nice. Just set your expectations properly, and also choose your order wisely. read more

Scallops , clams always fresh and good ... nice spot on ocean front views., fresh plenty of outdoor seating ... they leave box of ketchup packets by window and surprised as saw many people filling bag with excess to take home... read more

Flo's Drive In - Menu and prices - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, Rhode Island

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Soggy lukewarm fries and onion rings. Cole Slaw not good. Clams ok. Fried fish over cooked and not good. I have gone here2-3 times a year for twenty years. Usually very good. Might never go back today was one of worst meals I've had out in the last 5 years anywhere. Sad. read more

Overpriced especially for the portions. All the fried food basically tastes the same, can't distinguish between a shrimp or a scallop. Doughy clam cakes with hardly any clams. Mushy fries and long waits for food. Never have been a fan of these seasonal clam shacks. Only good thing going on here is the water view. read more

Right on the water in Portsmouth this place is an Ideal seafood spot. Famous for their clam cakes but I prefer the fried clams. Prices for clams are a bit high but that's beach town seafood Market Prices. Wish the creamy chowder was a bit more robust. Just too brothy for a New England style. Scandalous to say but the clam cakes are not what I expected for being "famous" lacking in clam and the style of batter just didn't impress me. Still good eating though. Fried clams are amazing would go back and just get them. read more

Flo's Drive In - Creamy Chowder and Clam Cake - Seafood Near Me - Portsmouth, Rhode Island

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Finally tried this place despite the less than positive reviews. Only ordered fried oysters. The oysters themselves were fresh and delicious but the breading was very oddly flavored & definitely over fried. I can see how they're super appealing to unsuspecting tourists but otherwise there's so many better local options for seafood. Service was quick and it was a typical snack shack vibe. Try at your own risk! read more

I haven't been in a bit but my mom used to live a couple blocks from here. I loved walking downtown to the water and grabbing some whole belly clams or a box of scallops. Grab a seat at one of the picnic tables or walk on down to the sea wall and enjoy. Living in South Carolina, I miss these little shacks to grab some fresh fried seafood. read more

Beware. The management closes early on a whim if business is "light". Their website says they are open 'til 8. They will even tell you on the phone they're open until 8. But when we arrived at 7:30 they were closed and the poor wait staff had to explain to two different hungry parties that the manager made the decision to close early. In other words, they're open until "whenever". read more

We ordered Fried Clams. No belly's were mostly clam strips. CLam chowder had no taste. The lobster roll was small for $30 and did not taste like lobster from New England. The fried clams were $44. Definitely will not be back. Overpriced and the taste was so disappointing. read more

Since I have lived in the area I have always said Flo's is the best clam shack in the area. Sadly, however, this year I believe the quality has suffered greatly. Twice this year my wife and I have gone here, and twice we have been disappointed with the clam cakes... or should I just say cakes, as several of them had no clam, and others had one or two small diced clam pieces. The creamy Chowder is still very good, and I will certainly give them another chance to redeem themselves, but until then I will be going to Evelyn's. read more