Gilbert&#x27;s Chowder House

148

221

2 years ago

Had a wonderful lunch at Gilbert's! Our Uber driver recommended so we went. Neat little spot with indoor and outdoor seating. We ordered a few things for lunch and all were fantastic. I had chowder almost everyday of my out east trip and I do think Gilbert's was my favorite! At Gilbert's you can also order 3 different sizes soups! We had one plain clam chowder and I ordered the seafood chowder which was the original clam chowder with extra seafood on top. I enjoyed my crab roll it was cold crab salad on a buttered bun. We also had the whole belly clams they were very good and I really liked our clam cake which you can order just one so that was nice. But like I said loved the chowder! We also went back the next day as Gilbert's still had blueberry pie which Maine is known for. The pie was made with a puff pastry crust and it was light and delicious! Definitely make this a stop on your Portland trip! read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Blueberry pie - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Whole belly clams with chowder and Cole Slaw - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Maine Crabmeat Roll - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - The inside of Gilbert's - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Clam Cake Plate ala cart - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Bacong F.

1320

1871

2 years ago

There was a wait around lunch hour. We ordered a chowder to go and ate it outside. Super fast and friendly service for a take out!

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Hillary G.

194

103

250

4 years ago

Of all the chowder in all the land (on our trip to Maine), Gilbert's was BY FAR the best! It's a small hole in the wall vibe near the port in downtown Portland, but the food did not disappoint. We tried many chowders and lobster rolls on our week long venture, and will hands down remember this one as an all time favorite. Gilbert's did not skimp on the fresh seafood and it was thick & creamy. We also grabbed lobster rolls and a couple of Allagash white beers. Prices were reasonable considering we were there during peak tourist season just before lobster season was in full swing. Service was quick. We would 1000% recommend this joint to grab lunch if visiting town over some of the other more coveted and expensive options. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Clair S.

Elite 22

170

104

392

2 years ago

Hands down this was the best chowder ever. I tried the seafood chowder and it had a ton of clams lobster scallops and fish. It was amazing. The staff was friendly the service was a little slow but it is a tourist spot and the place is always packed...be patient. Make sure to sit outside and enjoy the boats cause they are part of the charm of this place. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - The menu - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Seafood Chowder (shrimp lobster clams fish scallops) - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - The entrance - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Lightly fried scallops-Amazing - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - I made a friend! - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Dan S.

Elite 24

186

2 years ago

Gilbert's Chowder House is located right on the water of downtown Portland, ME. Recommended for having the best chowder in town, we could not resist stopping in here. We had the lobster bisque, seafood chowder and the lobster roll. Everything was fresh and tasted great! Check this place out! The decor was also unique and my kids loved it. Our waitress Jenny was kind, attentive, and very helpful! read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Bar - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Decor - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Coco R.

2 years ago

Stopped here on my way down from Quebec. Ordered the half lobster grilled cheese & cup clam chowder combo. Our sandwich was cold, including the cheese, I don't believe it was made freah to order. The clam chowder is not your classic chowder. It is prepared with bacon which overpowers the flavor of clam. Even more disappointed with the blueberry pie, so dense & also cold. Our server was great I can't remember her name, the interior is nothing fancy more like a diner. We left Gilbert's feeling very dissatisfied missing out on some great classic chowder. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Sandwich was cold. Soup was not hot - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Sara Z.

380

678

4 years ago

I was a little skeptical given how much this was hyped up, but it was worth it. It's a seat yourself situation and they have a big outdoor seating area, both covered and uncovered. There are servers who come by and take your order. The menu is pretty extensive but there are also specials!! Note that everything on the menu is pretty much as it comes, no substitutions. I ordered the clam chowder and lobster BLT special. It was so good. The lobster was meaty and buttery and worked really well with the BLT, and the chowder is obviously really good. It's a little on the thin side for my preference but it has excellent flavor and a lot of chunks of clam! It also came with fries. I can generally take or leave fries, but these were really good. Perfectly crispy but also had s soft interior. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Lobster BLT and clam chowder special - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Morgan S.

392

273

843

3 years ago

Ohhh yes!! This is a must eat at when in Portland! We were staying on Great Diamond Island for a family vacay and came into the city for a lobstah roll and chowder. Gilbert's was great! The chowder was not super thick and was filled with lots of clams. The lobster roll had some insane chunks of lobster. They did a great job maintaining the real taste of lobster with the light sauce they put on. We sat out on the patio which was great. They also have indoor seating. I can't wait to come back to Gilbert's. read more

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Bob D.

3 years ago

Seafood Chowder: I was blown away by the copious amounts of seafood. The base was just thick enough to be chowder, the way it supposed to be. The potatoes were just cooked through, with some toothness left. Absolutely perfect. Possible it is the best I've ever had. read more

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Alan K.

100

115

2 years ago

A great chowder house. Plain and simple. Came here to satisfy a craving for a hearty New England style clam chowder and this place hit the spot. Staff was prompt and friendly. The inside feels like an old well established restaurant that has been serving good food for a while. The clam chowder was flavorful though a tad salty for me (personal preference). If you opt for the super seafood chowder there's even more flavor. Also ordered the lobster Mac n cheese special with a house made cheese sauce which was delightful. Hint: If you like their chowder, you can order it in bulk to take home! read more

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Alexa H.

145

381

2 years ago

Will say it was delicious and we had great service. It was fast and more of a whole in the wall environment. Great and exactly what we were looking for. My tummy did be hurting after tho. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Clam chowder in a bread bowl - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Lei H.

282

593

1461

3 years ago

Love the casual vibe and the casual inviting menu. Had a single lobster with corn cob for $27.95. Too bad I wasn't that hungry. Had the super seafood chowder. Was nice and warm and pretty good. I am from San Francisco so hard to impressed me. I just appreciate how friendly the bartender was and would recommend. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Super Seafood chowder medium - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Don W.

Elite 25

2 years ago

Started with the seafood chowder and some onion rings. Onion rings were great and the seafood chowder was amazing!! Lots of seafood!! For lunches we had the grilled cheese sandwich and haddock sandwich. Both were amazing and of course the blueberry pie to finish it off. Great service and friendly staff. read more

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Karen T.

337

693

2303

4 years ago

Never have I ever had clam chowder better than Gilbert's. I got it in a bread bowl and it was a big portion, definitely great for sharing. It was very creamy and full of clams like how it should be. Also tried the fresh crabmeat roll and fresh cut onion rings. These were pretty good, but not amazing. Maybe because I prefer warm rolls and sandwiches, I wasn't impressed by the crabmeat roll, which comes as cold. If I visit Portland again, I would come back here just for the clam chowder. Staff was friendly and welcoming. The menu was easy to look through and they have a board that showed their specials. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - clam chowder in bread bowl, crabmeat roll, onion rings - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Mark P.

9 months ago

I had their super chowder (extra portions of fish) and it was really good! Best chowder I have ever had. Service was fine. It's a chowder house and looks like one. We sat on back patio. No complaints. read more

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Mike B.

1 year ago

We make it up to Maine almost annually. Found Gilbert's about seven years ago and now it's our go to lunch place after landing in Portland. We are creatures of habit and order the Clam "Chowda" and fried fish sandwich. Met family and friends there today and again had a great meal and FANTASTIC service. The staff is always fun to work with and accommodating with us. To us, the vibe is friendly, comfortable and inviting. I feel this will always be our go to spot. Thanks Gilbert's.. read more

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M B.

2 years ago

Packed but had an empty table which the staff jumped right at cleaning up for us. Server was on her game too as we had drinks and order taken within minutes. She was so very gracious to our table and personable. Food came out within 8 minutes and we dove right in on some of the BEST flavors. A must do in Portland. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Today's specials OCT 12 - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Steamed lobstahhhhh - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - BLT. Lobster BLT l. Clan chowder in a bread bowl - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Teresa N.

2 years ago

The haddock chowder...the best chowder I have ever had. How do they make it so creamy, smooth, buttery and perfect. I was visiting Maine last week from the west coast. We were walking around Old Port & just popped into Gilberts. I'll be dreaming about this chowder until the next time, which will probably be a couple of years. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Haddock chowder & haddock sandwich. - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Emma T.

281

202

275

3 years ago

Their Super Seafood chowder was only $20, but packed with lobster!!! Such a great price for the amount of seafood In the bowl! Very good service too! read more

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Rosie R.

215

805

4 years ago

Let me tell you about this place!! Our intention was to go to J's Oysters because we were told it was a must. Well everything happens for a reason because they did us a favor by treating us like crap that we walked out & stumbled upon Gilbert's! It's true what they say "do not judge a book by its cover" because I did! However, I said let me give it a shot. Let's start with our server Alyssa aka Macci. She had a constant smile, was very welcoming and when we told her how we treated at J's Oysters she felt awful for us but not surprised. We had the clam chowder it was amazing! I had the lobster it was so fresh abs delicious. We were extremely happy with the food & service. Doesn't matter how long a restaurant has been around, it's how you treat your customers because a word of mouth goes a long way! Go to Gilbert's you will NOT be disappointed. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Lobster - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Winny L.

150

857

29602

4 years ago

Randomly chose this place for lunch while in the area - also it wasn't too crowded given the height of lunch hour. Pick a table and seat yourself...server will come over with the menu. Assortment of beverages and beer on the menu and wine as well. Majority of the menu had fried food... Started with small fried clams - more batter than clams itself. Lunch included clam chowder, lobster roll, burger and hot dogs. Overall, the food was ok. Keep your receipt as you can save 15% off at The Ice Cream Parlor right next door,,, read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - outside - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - inside - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - menu - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - small fried clams - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - burger - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Connor W.

9 months ago

Great food for the price! Blueberry pie, clam chowder, lobster grilled cheese all 10/10! service was good and quick and right where all the shops are to continue walking afterwards. read more

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Cassie O.

3 years ago

My goal in Maine was to have an authentic lobstor roll, for as much as we love St. Paul's Fish Market in Milwaukee, their lobster roll did nothing for me. So I present to you Gilbert's Chowder House on the Wharf in Portland Maine. We walked in after verifying on Yelp it got fairly decent reviews and I have to say Best Damned Clam Chowder...and....the lobster roll was superb Stuffed with sweet succulent lobster meat, the exact right amount of mayo and a crispy roll buttered to perfection. A Maine Geary's HSA Amber Beer for me and a Captain Eli's root beer for Cooper. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Lobster roll, fries and small clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Geary's HSA and Cap'n Eli's Root Bear - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Gloria F.

100

178

2 years ago

Absolutely delicious! Clam chowder & Lobster BLT, fries were all so great and fresh. Nice patio & great service. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Lobster BLT. - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Kathy S.

1 year ago

The food and the service was phenomenal. This is the best seafood I have ever had and I am from New England. I presently live in Florida and we cannot get Seafood anything like this when I come back to New England this is my go to place.. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - This is the whole fried belly clams, fried scallops, and the super Seafood chowder. Absolutely delicious!! - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Super seafood chowder - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Aivry C.

Elite 25

1 year ago

Our first snowy evening in Portland called for some comforting soup and Gilbert's hit the spot! With many options on their menu, it also made the perfect location to enjoy without thinking too much after a day of traveling. It had a local, small, comforting feel and we were greeted by an authentically friendly staff when we arrived. After we seated ourselves, we were promptly waited on and our waitress answered all of our questions. My mom went with the great 1/2 sandwich and soup DEAL and I got the clam chowder in a bread bowl. All was yummy! The lobster BLT was especially good (lobster and bacon make a great duo). The only thing I wasn't a big fan of was the clam cakes. They were a little rubbery on the inside and didn't have much of a fish flavor. I highly recommend!!!! While I'm only in town for a few days and would like to try out many restaurants, I may just find myself back at Gilbert's! read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Clam chowder in a bread bowl, lobster BLT, corn and chicken chowder, clam cakes - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Leanne A.

252

348

491

3 years ago

Gilbert's is such a great hole in the wall place, filled with locals that look like they've been coming for years. I am from Seattle and have really high standards for clam chowder, so I was skeptical at first. But Gilberts did not disappoint, the chowder was so rich and creamy with big chunks of everything. The sourdough breadbowl was delicious as well and we got it with all the seafood, they did not skimp! I also tried the fried haddock and it was very light and crispy. I'm not a big lobster fan, but even I had to try their lobster roll and it was very fresh, not chewy at all. We'll for sure be back on our next trip to Maine! read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Clam chowder bread bowl with all the seafood, freaking amazing - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Ryan C.

872

2256

4 years ago

I'm so glad we were able to make a stop here because I was disappointed when they were randomly closed the afternoon before for lunch. You seat yourself and someone comes to bring your menu/take your order. They have a good size menu and a pretty big specials board but I already knew what I wanted. We got two blueberry ales, fried calamari, a large super seafood chowder, and a large lobster stew. Think we made a mistake on getting large stews AND calamari because it turned out to be a lot of food (pictures didn't do it justice). The super seafood chowder had just lobster claws and shrimp overflowing out of the chowder. It was some of the best I've ever had. So hearty and meaty but also great flavor. The lobster stew was pretty similar, still had a good amount of lobster claw in it and i'd say they were both worth the price. Calamari was solid, no complaints, lightly crisp. Blueberry ales to wash them down was the right choice. Like most seafood joints around here it can get pricey but you have to come here if you're looking for THE chowder. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Large Lobster Stew - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Large Super Seafood Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Fried Calamari - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Specials - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Erika H.

2 years ago

Amazing authentic food and a great price with friendly service thank youuu . Highly recommend read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Steamed Lobster with fries and corn - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Mark T.

1 year ago

Amazing, authentic seafood and craft brews on tap in a cozy spot by the waterfront. Can you picture it? It's exactly what we were looking forward to finding in Portland. Following our fried clam lunches with blueberry pie on a rainy, cool April afternoon made the entire experience nearly surreal. If I could give six stars, I would. read more

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Abby M.

348

2 years ago

Hubby and I were only in Portland for one night and wanted something casual & cozy. Gilbert's was exactly that & we're so happy we went there!! I got the seafood chowder and the medium size was more than enough to fill my belly and make me happy. Husband got the large haddock chowder and thoroughly enjoyed it. We also split the little clam bites and they were a nice touch to go with our chowders. Service was quick and kind which we always appreciate. The casual atmosphere was so refreshing- paper plates/bowls, plastic utensils, just no nonsense. The food is what makes it so wonderful! read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - seafood chowder, clam bites & haddock chowder! - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - big chunk of lobster in the seafood chowder! - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Joann L.

444

715

5 years ago

This place came recommended from our hotel staff once again for their chowders. We were also in the mood for a regular old steam lobster and this place definitely had both so we decided to make this place our last stop on our trip before heading home. The staff was extremely friendly - you pretty much seat yourself and then they will come by and take your order. We decided to go one steamed lobster which came with a side of fries and cole slaw and one medium super seafood chowder. The lobster itself was super fresh and tasty and the sauce that it came with so buttery and went so well with the lobster. The fries itself were amazing as well - perfectly crispy. The chowder itself was also super creamy and definitely full of shrimp and lobster. Overall - great homey place to stop by for lobster and chowders. They also have a lot of different chowder options in different sizes and also in a bread bowl but definitely recommend coming here! read more

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Melanie U.

189

3 years ago

Great service here the waitress was super friendly and helped us split the check 5 ways. The Lobster Stew was incredible nothing like I have had before super buttery and delicious. We sat on the patio and on a beautiful day it was perfect. I think they were very reasonably priced for a seafood menu. If I'm ever here again I will definitely come again! read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Lobster Stew (small) and fried whole belly clams - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Bob R.

2 years ago

Nice place and the Chowder was fantastic! Great restaurant to experience Portland seafood ! read more

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Donna Y.

245

779

3 years ago

What a great place for fantastic service, ambiance and food. It's like a local hangout. We ordered the clam chowder which was so sweet, creamy and all together delicious. The flavors blended so beautifully and the chunks of clam and potatoes was perfectly balanced. Michelle provided the perfect service and answered all our questions. The only downside were the onion rings. The coating was a bit off. The flavor was missing something. Overall, this is a must visit place with the best chowder in town. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Onion rings - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Interior - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Hannah S.

142

104

2 years ago

Healthy portions and super fresh! It was a light batter on the fried food, which was nice. Not a fancy place by any means, you're going for their seafood. Service was great. read more

Gilbert's Chowder House - Fried Clam roll w upgrade to onion rings - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Gilbert's Chowder House - Fried Haddock Fried Haddock - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Matthew S.

Elite 22

240

370

142

2 years ago

This place has excellent chowder! It's New England-style, and they have a good amount of seafood in it. They have clam chowder, seafood chowder, and haddock chowder all available. As is typical in New England, the chowder comes with Westminster oyster crackers. The lobster roll here is very good, but getting it with fries carries an upcharge whereas other spots include the fries. You get a good amount of lobster. Overall, will definitely return here if in Portland. read more

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Roland K.

9 months ago

We sat down to order chowder and a dinner in 11/4/25 to learn that their fryer was broken. They recommended their lobster Mac and cheese plate for $24 dollars because most of their menu requires a working fryer. The chowder was good, but the Mac and cheese tasted awful having just one piece of lobster the size of a pea, the cheese sauce was watered down and had no thickness, and the macaroni was under-cooked and still solid. Worst of all, for the amount of money we spent, everything was served on paper plates with plastic utensils and plastic wine glasses. These place is very over rated. read more

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Sarai W.

2 years ago

The service was great but the food was blah. The chowder is supposed to be to be one of the best but it tastes like cream of bacon. I could not taste the clams. Smoked bacon was so overpowering the soup and it was very thick. The lobster was good but it comes on a plastic tray. French fries were the only choice for starch and I could tell they came from the freezer. Overall very disappointed by this meal. read more

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Page 5 of 32

92 Commercial St
Portland, ME 04101
Old Port
Directions
(207) 871-5636
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.gilbertschowderhouse.com/

Full menu

Hours

What time does Gilbert's Chowder House open?

Gilbert's Chowder House opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Gilbert's Chowder House close?

Gilbert's Chowder House closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Gilbert's Chowder House take credit cards?

Yes, Gilbert's Chowder House takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Gilbert's Chowder House have catering options?

No, Gilbert's Chowder House does not have catering options.

Does Gilbert's Chowder House have a happy hour?

Yes, Gilbert's Chowder House has a happy hour.

Does Gilbert's Chowder House serve alcohol?

Yes, Gilbert's Chowder House serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Gilbert's Chowder House allow dogs?

Yes, Gilbert's Chowder House allows dogs.

Does Gilbert's Chowder House have TVs?

Yes, Gilbert's Chowder House has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Gilbert's Chowder House have bike parking?

Yes, Gilbert's Chowder House has bike parking.

Does Gilbert's Chowder House have outdoor seating?

Yes, Gilbert's Chowder House has outdoor seating options.

Does Gilbert's Chowder House have parking?

Yes, Gilbert's Chowder House has parking options. Street Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does Gilbert's Chowder House have free WiFi?

No, Gilbert's Chowder House does not have free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

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Eventide Oyster Company

Eventide's lobster roll was delicious! The portion is on the smaller side, so it may not be the…read moremost filling option if you're very hungry, but the quality and taste definitely stand out. The online ordering process was very easy and convenient. The restaurant looked very crowded when I visited on the weekend, so ordering ahead is a great option if you want to avoid waiting. Overall, a great spot to try for a high-quality lobster roll!

We had gone to Eventide about 10+ years ago, when it was still growing in popularity and you didn't…read morealways need a reservation. We enjoyed the fresh oysters and the 'clambake' of mixed seafood treats. When we were recently back in town, we were looking forward to a return visit but sadly, were quite disappointed. The good news is that the oysters were fresh and tasty ($37/doz). The rest was disappointing. The servings were now tapas-size. The well-known brown butter lobster roll was not quite like the image on the www site. Tasty, but not a meal. (Red's Eats is a real lobster roll.) We also ordered bluefin tuna crudo, which is sprinkled with scallions and diced ginger bits and slices of radish. The tuna was fresh, but the flavor of this fish is not strong enough to stand up to these toppings. Taken together, the fish is barely detectable. Pull off the radish and the fish comes through but the ginger dominates. Pick off most the ginger and it's pretty good. However, there should not have been a fish scale (~1 cm sq). Makes me wonder about the potential crossover in the kitchen. Sorry, Eventide, we'll go elsewhere next time.

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Luke's Lobster Portland Pier

My husband and I had the best experience at Luke's lobster. The lobster roll was absolutely…read moredelicious full of lobster and not smothered in mayonnaise. The roll was buttered and toasted perfectly. It was the best lobster roll I've ever had! Seriously!! The service was outstanding. There was one young man that was super attentive and made sure that we had everything we needed. His name was Hakeem. I will certainly go there again. I can't wait!

After a Seadogs game my wife and I went down to Old Port for a bite to eat and ended at Luke's. Its…read morea nice location, on the pier looking out into the harbor. We were seated inside immediately as it was between lunch and dinner hours. Service throughout was terrific My wife ordered their fish and chips while I opted for the fried fisherman's platter. My wife enjoyed her dinner as the fried haddock was fresh with a nice light batter. The fries were okay, albeit a bit generic. My platter also came with the same nicely fried haddock. It also came with a small handful of fried whole bellied claws and a large amount of popcorn shrimp. The clams were disappointing, a bit on the rubbery and soggy side, sitting under the haddock getting steamed in the process. The breading had disappeared. The tiny shrimp added nothing to the dish. The cole slaw that came with both plates was weak, with little if any dressing and overly shredded veggies. All in all it was just okay, but admittedly a disappointment. I should have went with the lobster roll.

Our classic lobster roll - not to be missed!

Ain't she a beaut?

Welcome!

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The Highroller Lobster

Locally owned & operated

Outdoor seating

While in town for work, I ended up visiting here twice. I had the lobster roll both times, first…read moretime the flight and then just butter the second time (my personal favorite, warmed too). This place was definitely very busy when I came on the weekend, but wasn't too bad for a later lunch on a week day. Service was great even when they were busy. I don't even know how big the restaurant was because I sat in the same part both times, but it seems pretty big and has an outdoor section in rhe back. When in Maine, I'll definitely be coming back here! Prices are steep, but lobster is not cheap anywhere.

I absolutely love the way this was restaurant looks, and there's so many different places to sit…read moreand its fun. There really was no service, because nobody Comes to you. You order online and they bring it to you, but it took quite a while. My chicken nuggets were good, but I wish they had better sauces. My mom's lobster was absolutely tiny, but she liked it. My son had a mac and cheese and it looked really good. I would definitely be back, but I think I would order something different.

SO GOOD. Lobster tasted so fresh and tender. Bread was hefty and a great compliment. (Lobster Roll)

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Lobster Cheese Crisp Taco, Lobster Roll

Street & Co.

Good and accommodating staff Great food and wine…read moreselection. Hard to get a reservation, so plan ahead.

We had reservations and we were seated quickly upon arrival. The restaurant was busy on a Saturday…read morenight. It has a rustic feel and was a little loud making it hard to hear conversation at the table. We ordered the Grilled Octopus. I thought the balance was off. The octopus was tender but the snap peas were a little too bitter with the char of the grilled octopus. Our entrees were delicious. We ordered the Sole Francaise and the Yellowfin Tuna. Both had great balance of flavors and textures.

Grilled Lobster with Butter and Garlic

Inside

Clam linguine

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Dry Dock

4.3

(76 reviews)

0.0 mi

The lobster and oysters at this casual seafood spot are consistently excellent-fresh, flavorful,…read moreand perfectly cooked. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly service make it a topchoice for seafood lovers. Highly recommend!

Overall a 5/5 experience at Dry Dock!…read more Great service and great people at Dry Dock, they were very kind. It's busy in there at any given point because it's a hot spot on Commercial St., but it's worth the stop! Double Decker was perfect for my group of 5 to try Portland's seafood. A recurring theme with their seafood would be how fresh everything tasted. The lobster was juicy and sweet, definitely enough to share with another person. The blackened fish was cooked well. Fish and chips, a great staple. Not pictured are the apps we got: fried cod cheeks and clam chowder, both great starters for the group! Would come to Dry Dock again, enjoyed our time there!

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SoPo Seafood Market & Raw Bar

OMG Great Seafood…read more Some of the best oysters. Had 5 different oysters all anywhere they come from. Awesome had raw scallops good but not as good as the oysters, My niece Liv had a sampler platter with Tuna & caviar etc... Full bar. I had a mocktail Great waitress my bad I forgot her name & Alex the shucker was also awesome. There a combination restaurant & market very busy place great for people watching. Go there now

This is such a beautiful eatery and market. This was our third visit, and it certainly won't be our…read morelast. We came for the oysters, and they were outstanding--five varieties served with three different vinaigrettes, all incredibly fresh and delicious. We also ordered the salmon chowder, which was one of the best chowders we've had in a long time. The salmon was exceptionally fresh and really made the dish. One of my all-time favorites here is the crab and cheese melt. The combination of sweet crab, rich cheese, and buttery toasted bread is absolutely irresistible. The service is consistently top-notch, making every visit a pleasure. This place continues to be one of our favorite stops.

Bar seating

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Deli counter menu

Bite Into Maine

Staff was super friendly. Bright and open indoor space…read more We lobster rolls and they do so many twist we couldn't choose. But lucky for us, they had a lobster flight! We did Maine (mayo base), picnic ( coleslaw and butter), and Chipotle (Chipotle mayo). All was phenomenal with a fresh butter pour before serving straight from a tea kettle. Can't wait to come back and try the other flavors.

While I'm not the biggest fan of lobster, while visiting Maine I knew I had to try a lobster roll…read moreat least once. I ordered the lobster roll flight because I wasn't sure what style I wanted. The 'flavors' I got were the Maine (mayo & chive), Connecticut (butter), and chipotle. The butter was definitely my favorite one, and I wish I had gotten a full size of that instead. The others were not bad at all, I just liked the butter the best. I will say, the chipotle didn't have any discerning flavor to me and tasted exactly like the other mayo one just without the chives. I was expecting a little spice but did not get any. I would say this place lived up to the hype for me. The lobster was absolutely delicious. Even though the flavors were mild, I would rather have it that way than drenched in mayo and overpowering the lobster.

Maine Lobster Roll (4.5-oz)

Bright, cool inside area

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Harbor Fish Market

Did not buy anything but this is a popular seafood market in the Portland wharf area. They also…read morepurchase from the boats as they come in commercially. You can look in the back windows and watch them processing fish and shellfish as well. Full service probably some of the fresh fish around if you're asking me to guess. They also supply a lot of the local restaurants wholesale speaking you can get better prices elsewhere, but convenience and location are probably worthwhile for what they're charging.

Came to buy some sashimi…read more We ordered about $160 worth of tuna. Chutoro (medium fatty cut located near the belly) Best place to get fish in the area if you know what to shop for. Luckily, our friend is a fish connoisseur so she was able to find this good deal! The 3 fillets are $80 worth. We ate half that same night with some uni from another place.

View of the dock outside

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Scales

Scales delivered one of the best meals I've had in Maine. We were seated right along the window…read morewith a perfect waterfront view of the boats and fishing gear on the wharf below. It gave the entire evening that authentic, working-harbor Portland feel while still feeling polished and comfortable. We started with a crisp, refreshing local Belgian wheat beer that was light, slightly citrusy, and an ideal match for the seafood-heavy meal ahead. For appetizers, the grilled octopus was excellent -- tender with a proper char, beautifully seasoned, and full of flavor. It came with pommes dauphine, pine nut and espelette vinaigrette, and garlic whip. There was a light touch of oiliness toward the end of the plate (typical with generous finishing oil), but it didn't detract from what was otherwise a very well-executed dish. The dozen raw oysters were exceptional. All three varieties were local Maine and served ice-cold: Fare Well (Newcastle), Nautical Sisters (Yarmouth), and Weskeag (South Thomaston). I had them with just the mignonette and was rewarded with clean, sweet, briny flavor. These were some of the freshest, highest-quality oysters I've had in Portland. The main courses were the real stars. The Stuffed Lobster Frites was outstanding. The lobster was sweet and perfectly cooked, the claws were pre-cracked for easy access, and the tail was cleanly split with a buttery, herby breadcrumb crust that added excellent crunch and texture. It was accompanied by scallop mousseline and dijonnaise. This is a premium dish, but the quality and generous portion made it feel worth it. Equally impressive was the seared scallops, served in a cast-iron skillet. The scallops had a beautiful golden crust and were cooked exactly right -- sweet and tender. They were paired with crisp corn, applewood-smoked bacon, kale, and roasted peppers in a light, well-balanced cream sauce. This dish avoided the common issue of being overly salty. Every bite offered a nice variety of textures and flavors, and the cast-iron kept everything hot throughout the course. It was precise, thoughtful cooking. We finished with the Chocolate Silk Pie*, which was rich, silky, and deeply satisfying with lovely hazelnut undertones and a crunchy chocolate-hazelnut topping. The presentation was beautiful, and it made for a perfect ending. Service was attentive and professional without feeling rushed or intrusive. The pacing between courses was ideal. Bottom line: If you're serious about high-quality Maine seafood, Scales is delivering at a very high level right now. The ingredients are pristine, the execution is precise, and the waterfront setting (especially from a window seat) adds real character. This was easily one of the best meals I've had in Portland. I'll definitely be back. Highly recommended for seafood enthusiasts, special occasions, or anyone who appreciates a restaurant that respects its local ingredients.

Scales was an incredible disappointment. I'd been looking forward to this experience for a few…read moremonths. Scales is lively and vibrant and the host staff was friendly. My server was nice enough, though a bit aloof. When I booked, there was only bar seating available, which is not my preference, but I was so excited to dine here that I did not care. I wish I had made a different decision. I found the cocktail list uninspiring, so I started with a lovely Albariño. I ordered the halibut ceviche, swordfish, and griddled brown bread. Being a Bay Stater, I was looking forward to the brown bread. It never arrived. No one noticed. My server did not say anything until the end, where I was offered a free coffee and ice cream/sorbet. Insulting does not begin to describe it. The halibut ceviche was delicious. It was briny and salt and tasted of the sea. I loved it. The swordfish was rich, heavy, and overcooked. I am always cooking heirloom beans, so maybe that is why I did not love the beans. I don't think I even ate half of my entree. At dessert, my server noted the missing bread and offered a sorbet or ice cream. However, he offered after I had ordered the strawberry cream puff, so it seemed like it was an option for that, not an in lieu of offer. It was not clear until the sorbet arrived along with my cream puff. The strawberries had no flavor. I took a few bites of dessert and was over the whole experience. My server did clearly offer a complimentary coffee though, which again, was insulting. From what I can tell, the kitchen never saw the mostly untouched food, due to my seat the bar. The server placed my dishes below the bar. However, he didn't ask any questions about why I didn't finish the dishes, so it must have been clear to him. I do wish the kitchen had been informed as well. I have never regretted a meal as much as the one I had at Scales. I was looking forward to a delicious dinner with a few glasses of wine. Instead, I left hungry and sad. Scales is a waste of time and money. It's a definite skip in Portland.

Beautiful !

Endive & Stilton Salad

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Buckwheat brownie

The Shop

This place came recommended by multiple people, and now that I've been, I can really see why this…read moreis a must-visit in Portland. Once you are seated, you're handed a paper menu on which you mark your selections, then bring that marked-up menu to the counter, where you order and get a number. Food is brought up to you, and you can order subsequent rounds of food by crossing out previous orders and marking up the menu anew. I would highly recommend multiple rounds of oysters -- the first to try one of each and figure out which varieties you prefer, the second to get more of the ones you like, and the last to go all in on your favorite. They've got a varied selection that will suit various tastes, whether you favor a large creamy oyster, a small briny guy, or somewhere in between. All from Maine, which made me feel better about having oysters in a non-ber month. The oysters here are top notch, and the shuckers are, too. Not a single speck of shell in there! I love oysters, and this was my paradise. The non oyster items are also worth trying, so if you have a friend who isn't into oysters, there's something here for them, too. The smoked fish dip and french onion dip are awesome, and the chips they get from another local producer are fantastic. Whether you're a beer lover, a wine person, or a cocktailer, they've got something for you here. Any of those could be the perfect company for your favorite oyster, or you could go for their cucumber mint lemonade slushy, which is insanely refreshing and a great palate cleanser between oysters. Service is efficient, welcoming, and friendly. I think anyone from an oyster novice to an aficionado would feel right at home here. If I didn't live on the opposite side of the country, I'd be here all the time. Unfortunately for me, I'm relegated to pining for these oysters from a distance. If you live nearby, take advantage of your proximity and eat some oysters for me.

5/29/26 A special note- a new dish added to the menu- the…read moreseafood cocktail- is a winner. This is the go-to dish for the partner who doesn't care for oysters- it it superlative, and I hope it remains on the offerings. The service today- especially fine. I have become, as the French would say, "an habitué"

Bloody mary (already ate the oyster, oops)

From the street- plenty of parking

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Oysters

Scales

Endive & Stilton Salad

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Buckwheat brownie

Luke's Lobster Portland Pier

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Our classic lobster roll - not to be missed!

Fore Street

A beautiful visit to this fine restaurant! Our server,…read moreElizabeth, greeted us with a warm smile and information about the restaurant after learning it was our first time there. Husband started with a fresh lettuce salad that had a nice vinegar & oil with fresh garlic dressing on it. I ordered the Squash soup which was savory and perfect for a cool evening. Cod for me and halibut for him were the main entrees. Both were deliciously prepared and had wonderful flavor and didn't last long, even with a nice serving size! We added the mashed potatoes(OMG!) and carrots as side dishes and both complimented our mains perfectly. I'd let the staff know that it was my husband's birthday so when the Rhubarb Crisp came out, it included a birthday candle and Happy Birthday written in chocolate on the plate. Elizabeth was outstanding and a delight to meet. Fore Street has a great reputation that is well deserved. We spent $200 including tip which included one beer with our dinner. Highly recommend for future visits!

THIS WAS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN PORTLAND!!!! We did not have a reservation, so we got in line on a…read moreFriday at 4:30 right when they opened. We were able to snag 3 bar seats right away or they gave us the option to come back for a table at 5:15. Both great options. Everything we got was seriously so amazing, you cannot go wrong ordering. My favorite was the tuna tartar & the roasted carrots side we ordered. I have never tasted for fresh tuna tartar in my life. The haddock was also cooked perfectly and smothered in an amazing sauce. All the drinks we got were great too. I'm normally not a cosmo girl but we saw these being brought to another table & they looked so good we had to order them. I'm so glad we did because they were delish! The chefs and bartenders really know what they are doing here. Cannot recommend this place enough!!!!!

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Becky's Diner

If you're in Portland and craving a real diner breakfast, Becky's absolutely hits the spot. The…read morehomemade corned beef hash is the star of the plate: big chunks of corned beef and potatoes, crispy on the outside, tender inside, and super flavorful without being greasy. You can taste that it's made from scratch, not scooped out of a can. The blueberry pancake is everything you want from a Maine diner--loaded with berries, golden on the edges, and fluffy in the middle. It's one of those pancakes you tell yourself you'll share, then somehow you don't. The fiddlehead omelet is such a fun local twist, with the fiddleheads adding a tender, slightly earthy bite that makes the whole thing feel special and seasonal. Service is friendly and efficient, even when they're slammed, and the whole place has that busy, waterfront, "locals and tourists together" vibe. Expect a wait, especially at prime breakfast hours, but the homemade corned beef hash, blueberry pancake, and fiddlehead omelet make it more than worth it.

Overall, this is a solid diner, but it doesn't particularly stand out from others. The service was…read morefast and friendly, exactly what you'd expect from a good diner. We visited around 10 a.m. on a Sunday and had about a 35-minute wait, which wasn't surprising for a busy weekend morning. The prices are on the higher side for a diner. My veggie omelette was $21, and while it was good, the home fries were just average. We also ordered the lobster omelette for $35. Although it's pricey, it came with a generous portion of lobster, which helped justify the cost. One thing to note is that there's also a 3% kitchen fee added to the bill, so keep that in mind.

Eggs Benedict

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Outside Becky's Diner

Bayside American Cafe

We are visiting from out of state and stumbled upon this place at random because it's close to…read morewhere we are staying. 10/10 Atmosphere was cozy and layout was unique. Our waitress couldn't have been lovelier. Service was very good even though they were busy. Food was great! Some of the best hollandaise sauce I've had. The menu is also much more unique than your standard breakfast fair. Some of their scramble combos blew my mind. Lots of Benedict options to choose from, too! Would definitely recommend and would go back.

Meh. I wanted to love this place and thought that we would when we saw the line. I got the…read morebreakfast sandwich. Fried egg, Swiss cheese, add bacon ($4) two measly slices on brioche bun. It was fairly bland, pedestrian, nothing special whatsoever. My dining partner got the pancake with Maine blueberries. It's a very cakey type of pancake. Large. I read they serve real Maine maple syrup on a site when deciding on coming here but was disappointed to see they charge an extra $2.50. Hmmmmm Service was lacking. I feel like they were short handed or servers over working too many tables. I got up to get my own Tobasco sauce since there was nobody around and my sandwich was half eaten while waiting for someone to come by. Overall, I left wanting more. Not fulfilled from the hype I had read in other reviews. Very mundane place. I would not go back. Cannot recommend this place.

Very cute neighborhood place

Second floor

Hot chocolate

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34 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Cadence M.

192

6 years ago

Very disappointed in Gilbert's. In support of public health, we're not going out nearly as often as we used to and when we do venture out, we really deserve better than this. Baked scallops were overcooked. Fried calamari appetizer was bland. Under these conditions, I'd probably just spare them a review, but there was an unfortunate service incident. They advertised a baked haddock with lobster sauce special. My dish arrived without the sauce. Our server pointed this out and said she would go to the kitchen to get the sauce and that if they did not have it, she would "give a couple of dollars as a discount." Why put an incomplete meal in front of me in the first place? I ate appetizers and waited. The server forgot to come by to tell me that there would be no lobster sauce and had to be called over to our table. I'd ordered an advertised special, which was baked haddock with lobster sauce. They have an unadorned baked haddock on the menu. I never would have ordered it. I can bake a haddock filet at home. It's a pedestrian meal, easily executed. I suppose I could have sent a fully cooked and plated meal back and ordered something else. Maybe it's on me that I didn't. But everybody else at the table had been served and would have felt obligated to wait for my replacement order to arrive. Also, I have moral qualms about sending prepared and edible food back to the kitchen where it will be discarded as waste. The server never even suggested that I could send the order back, by the way, so I felt pressured into accepting it with a smile. I never should have been put in this position. When my order went into the kitchen, somebody should have told our server immediately that they didn't have all of the elements of the dish and the server should have returned to me quickly to ask if I wanted plain fish or something else. I definitely would have picked something else. Instead, I got a boring meal and... $2 off, which seems stingy amends for something that never should have happened. EDITED: Gave 2 stars out of charity but dropped to one as management has not responded or reached out with an apology. read more

Susan W.

184

133

4 years ago

We saw the line up which usually means there's something worth waiting for but NOT in this case. While this is clearly a local spot, it really missed the mark on the taste, quality of the food and service which was really lacking. First we waited almost an hour for a table... if it weren't for patrons advising the waiting masses that there were open spots, people would just be aimlessly waiting. Since it's first come first serve it would be immensely helpful if the wait staff communicated with people in line about open tables or better yet had a speaker to tell the waiting throngs there is an available table. We saw open tables in the outdoor patio area that were vacant the whole time we were there but people in waiting line had no idea. There is zero system or organization. Once we were seated we ordered right away and were looking forward to seafood chowder, lobster rolls and fried scallops that had all been highly rated. We waited another 30-40 min for our food. The most we can say is the scallops were fresh and hot.., that's it. The seafood chowder was mainly full of the tiniest frozen cocktail shrimp, wish we had snapped a pic because it looked nothing like the other chowders we saw on Yelp so it's clearly not consistent. It had lots of seafood but no flavor. The lobster roll was equally disappointing as it had zero flavor and tasted like it had just come out of a fridge not off a boat. Since you're dining right next to the wharf you would expect the lobster would be fresh but it tasted anything but. I've been coming to Maine for 35 years and this was the most disappointing roll I've ever eaten. The best you can say is that they use knuckle and claw which is usually a good sign vs tail meat which can be tough. We paid 100.00 for lunch and felt the food and service were lacking all around. So disappointed. I know this is a local place that seems to have a loyal following but I can't imagine why. read more

Kevin C.

240

440

1924

2 years ago

The chowder house is a true Maine treasure! From the moment you walk in, the cozy, no-frills atmosphere makes you feel right at home. Seating is casual, just come in and take a seat wherever you find an open spot. The attentive hosts ensure you're comfortable and well taken care of throughout your visit. The lobster roll is outstanding everytime I order it. It's always fresh and packed with succulent lobster in a buttery, toasted roll that's perfectly executed. It's hands down one of the best I've ever had. The Super Seafood Chowder is another star on the menu, absolutely packed with fresh seafood and full of rich, satisfying flavor. If chowder's your thing, you really can't go wrong with any of the options here. They're all fantastic and if you love it as much as I do, you can even order it by the gallon to take home! The charm of Gilbert's extends beyond the food. The nautical-themed, cozy interior is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a hearty meal, and the warm, welcoming service makes it even better. Parking can get a bit tricky on busy days, but I recommend checking the nearby side streets for a spot because it's worth the effort. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Gilbert's Chowder House is a must-visit for authentic Maine seafood. I can't wait to come back again when I visit! read more

Jariel S.

137

1 year ago

If you're looking for delicious food and a cheerful atmosphere, this spot is a must! The staff was absolutely wonderful -- they were so friendly and made us feel right at home. The food? Let's just say it was so good, I may have had to fight the urge to lick the plate clean. Now, let's talk about the one little hiccup. When we first walked in, we were greeted by a *unique* smell -- not quite sure what it was, but it could've been an old gym sock with a hint of mystery. But honestly, who cares? We pushed through because the food looked *too* good to ignore. And guess what? After the first bite, the smell was officially an afterthought. The Lobster Mac and Cheese? Mouth-watering and so filling, I couldn't stop eating it. But the real star? That clam chowder in the bread bowl. It had my taste buds *screaming* for more. It was like a warm hug for my soul -- creamy, flavorful, and just perfection. So, if you're planning a trip to the East Coast, this place is officially on my must-visit list from now on! The food, the vibes, and the staff have earned my loyalty. Definitely worth a stop! read more

Michelle K.

4 years ago

The female wait staff at Gilbert's are incredible. The owner is a chauvinist pig. DO NOT GIVE THIS MAN YOUR MONEY!!!! It was a hot day finally in Portland and we were looking for a cup of chowder to wrap up our lovely Maine trip. The back patio was full, and we needed shade and a decently cool spot for my 4mo baby. My baby got hungry, so I started to feed her. The owner of Gilbert's stopped by my table to tell me to "cover up and meet him halfway here." This happened not even 24 hrs after the Supreme Court ruling dismantling Roe v. Wade and while there is a nation-wide shortage of formula and yet more formula was recalled yesterday. No. I won't cover my baby in a hot blanket so she can eat. Nor will I go sit in your nasty bathroom and feed her. It is illegal to tell me not to feed my child in public and I didn't hear a single complaint from anywhere else. You should be ashamed. And I hope that the La Leche league of Portland makes your establishment their permanent meeting spot. Perhaps you will become more comfortable with mothers feeding their children then. read more

Robin M.

7 years ago

I was visiting Portland and did a search for "the best fried clams in Portland". This place came up with the highest score (another app apparently) and off we went. I cant tell you how incredibly disappointing it was. Cheap paper plates, frozen Sea Pac style clams and horrible service. The chowder...which they claimed had won the distinction "Best in Old Port". Arrived cold in a paper cup with a plastic spoon. I'm finding it difficult to trust these sites anymore. I really think friends and family write more reviews than actual patrons. Stay away. read more

JAMIE G.

16 years ago

I don't understand some reviewers. I could spend alot of time dispelling each negative comment, but whats the point? Most of the reviews are positive. The truth is Gilbert's is a good place to eat. The food is real fresh and from Maine, everything is home made never microwaved. Like every small family owned business some times mistakes happen, but Gilbert's always goes way out of their way to correct it. Gilbert's is open year round and has been open for over 17 years they must be doing something right. Thanks. read more

Casey B.

262

11 months ago

Gilbert Chowder House in Portland, Maine is absolutely wonderful! The food is consistently amazing, from the rich, flavorful chowder to the perfectly prepared seafood dishes. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a classic New England charm that makes you feel right at home. Whether you're stopping by for a casual lunch or a relaxed dinner, it's a great spot to enjoy fresh, hearty meals in a friendly setting. Definitely a must-visit when in Portland! read more

Daryl O.