The Absolute Best Oysters in Maine

If your passion is seafood, you may feel like you have to hop across the pond to Europe in order to find some truly delicious oysters. However, if you’re living in or visiting Maine, there are plenty of great spots around the city where you can find exceptional oyster dishes. With so many options out there, how do you choose which ones will satisfy your cravings? Read on to discover our pick for the 7 best oyster bar in Maine!

The 7 Best Oyster in Maine

DiMillo’s On The Water

Address: 25 Long Wharf, Portland, ME 04101, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.5 (4446)
Phone: +1 207-772-2216
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

Tuesday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

Wednesday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

Thursday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

Friday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

Saturday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

Sunday: Closed
Reviews:

Highly Recommend! We didn’t have a reservation, but they got us in right away. The service was great and the food was amazing! We had clam chowder, french onion soup, lobster stew, bacon wrapped scallops, and salad to start. Mom opted for the lazy lobster, which she said was great. My brother and I both went for the deep fried lobster, and if you’ve never tried it you definitely need to! The views were nice too. Overall just an excellent dining experience!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Leilani-Z (5 months ago)

When we arrived, there was wait line. But it’s not long before we got called into the restaurant. The restaurant feels roomy with beautiful decorations. As I expected, we love all the food we ordered. My 15-years-old love the Lobster Roll. We ordered four appetizers and… OMG, the appetizers are big. We only finished 3 1/2 plates. Overall, the food prices are very reasonable for the amount of food we got. We strongly recommend this restaurant.

✭✭✭✭ By Potjamarn Arpornratn (Yui) (4 months ago)

Loved the whole experience! We did a walk in, because no one was answering the phones unfortunately. And it was a quick 5 minutes to be seated.

Food was so delicious and filling! We split everything for two people, so it was just enough.
Our waiter Chris was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! He was very kind, understanding and patient.
My sister, who doesn’t like seafood, was shocked that she liked the scallops and lobster!

My favorite was for sure the scallops!

Total came out to $117 and some change and then of course the tip is separate but yeaa!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Kay (a month ago)

Great food, atmosphere and service!
Our server, Annie was amazing! She made sure that we had everything that we needed and always with a smile!
She was extremely personable and made our night out more memorable. We loved feeling like we were eating on a boat.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Maureen Sweeney (3 months ago)

Who can resist authentic Maine seafood served in the harbor on an iconic boat turned restaurant? Walking up, you feel like this is the place you should be when taking a cocktail or enjoying traditional Maine classics. The bar is something to talk about with open views of all things harbor and seating on both sides. Stan’s Seat is marked for our Uber driver’s Father, a real treat to hear her story then find his spot. The dining hall is multi tiered and has the best atmosphere for a casual/semi formal vibe. The bathrooms are clean and spacious. Note – this is a tourist area, it gets busy! Give the staff a little acknowledgment and try to make a reservation or practice your patience when enjoying this neat place. Cheers.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Olivia Kiritsy (a month ago)

Eventide Oyster Co.

Address: 86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.5 (3619)
Phone: +1 207-774-8538
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Thursday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Friday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Reviews:

When we decided to make a stop in Portland during our most recent trip, Eventide was at the very top of my list for places to try. A few things to know before you go- they don’t take reservations and they are ALWAYS busy. Be prepared to wait. But just know, the wait will be well worth it. We went at about 3:30 on a Sunday, the hostess quoted us an hour to an hour and a half wait, we ended up getting a text about 45 minutes later that our seating was ready. We were sat at the window bar. We ordered a dozen oysters, the lobster roll, chicken bun and the stuffed clams. All were seriously so amazing. The sandwiches were SUPER small but the lobster roll may have been the best I’ve had. And I’ll be dreaming about that chicken bun until I can have it again. Great food, friendly and quick service. Small space that’s guaranteed to always have a waitlist. But do yourself a favor and wait. You will be glad you did!!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Megan Krolo (5 months ago)

Decent place for oysters, lobster rolls and the like. The wait can be a bit so show up early. Seating is adequate however, the place does get busy and the prices may be steep for some. Definitely a tourist favorite. The menu had ample offerings and the beverage list was good. Service was relatively fast, efficient and courteous however, note that they do like to move people in and out quickly. Worth a stop when in the area.

✭✭✭✭✭ By c “cfl” lane (a month ago)

The food was excellent and the place was packed on a Monday early evening. The wait was an hour but we opted to stand and got in right away, otherwise it would have been over an hour wait. The food was good and I honestly didn’t realize there were so many species of oysters. The crab roll, lobster roll, oysters and fish sandwich was amazing, definitely a must try and stop by if you’re in Portland, ME.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Ken Duong (4 months ago)

Eventide takes their food and business seriously. Everything we had was simply delicious! The oysters were so fresh and flavorful, we almost ordered a second dozen. We had a front row seat to all the shucking! It was awesome. The fried chicken sandwich was our favorite order of the evening. Highly recommend! They are usually slammed…year round, so truly plan on a 2+ hour wait. Go early, put your name in and get a drink or apps somewhere. There is no parking, so street parking is your best bet! The service is quick and accommodating. Enjoy!!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Kaitlin Altieri (6 months ago)

Eventide was a treat. We were able to snag a spot without reservations early in the afternoon although I imagine we were just lucky as a line quickly formed. Service was helpful and congenial and drinks had a nice variety available.

Food overall was phenomenal with the oysters and inventive ices a great experience. I also want to highlight the lobster roll and pastrami as being delicious too. Would not hesitate to recommend Eventide to a friend or family.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Jeremy Yowell (2 months ago)

The Highroller Lobster Co.

Address: 104 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.6 (3251)
Phone: +1 207-536-1623
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Reviews:

Food
If you ever want to find a good lobster roll, look no further. My friend recommended this place and said it is better than eventide. I absolutely agreed. The high roller lobster roll is way more flavourful, which is what we want for a lobster roll, otherwise it is boiled lobster with bread.

Everything else
The decor is like every other fast food chain with a spin. Service was great.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Xin Zhang (a month ago)

Best lobster I have ever had in my life! I was not sure about the place but I asked the 3 customers that came out. They told us it’s the best ever and they drove 5 hours for this place we were convinced. We had a wait to get seated but once we sat down, the ordering process is easy. Scan the qr code, pay and the food comes out. This is the most delicious lobster I have ever had. I would recommend the larger 4oz and cooked warm instead of cold.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Jedi Master ASU (2 months ago)

Love the restaurant vibes, food and service. We got a lobster roll and one of their burgers with fries- both items were DELICIOUS. The lobster roll was cooked perfectly and meshed well with the bread, 10/10. The burger was also cooked well and tasted great. They also allowed a lot of customization on menu items and had a variety of sauces (another pro)
I would give it a 4.7 if I were able to- overall GREAT experience and also great food! My only con is that a lobster roll was close to $40, which is quite pricey in my opinion. The food is worth it, more so if it’s your first time trying a lobster roll!

✭✭✭✭ By Betsy Joshua (7 months ago)

Solid place to go when in Portland, Maine. There’s plenty of seating both in and outside with hardly any wait time. The style of the menu is straightforward so you know what you’re ordering, with pictures accompanying the mobile menu ordering site. The two ways of ordering makes for a fairly efficient system (either order and pay through phone or traditional order). The food comes out at a reasonable time and was hot (what’s more to love?). Service is great just keep in mind that it isn’t your typical sit and dine restaurant with an assigned waiter. I had no complaints and will be thinking about their lobby pop until I return.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Minka Lane (5 months ago)

If you are downtown and want an excellent little spot I would highly recommend the Highroller. I won’t pretend to be a lobster roll expert but I absolutely loved their rolls. They have multiple sauce options which really added to the flavor. Ask for a couple on the side to find which one you like best. You won’t be disappointed. They also have a large outdoor area which is well shaded and good for enjoying the fresh coastal air.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Cliff Roberts (6 months ago)

J’s Oyster

Address: 5 Portland Pier, Portland, ME 04101, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.4 (2448)
Phone: +1 207-772-4828
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Thursday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Saturday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday: Closed
Reviews:

Easily one of my favorite spots to eat in Portland with an incredible lobster roll. The location is great. You can’t beat it on a nice day as you can sit right on the water. Service is always good. Love their oysters and the adult grilled cheese. Clam chowder is top notch too so be sure to get at least a cup. Let’s be honest though… you have to try the lobster roll. It’s fresh and buttery and the bread is soft and delicious. I put it up there in my top 3 favorites in the city.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Taylor Snipes (a week ago)

J’s Oyster house to me was the best of all restaurants that I have tried in Portland Maine. They had more items to offer and their food is very good. They have the best clam chowder to me. It has a lot of clams in it and it was very creamy and rich. This place has more to offer then Luke Lobster down the street. But Luke Lobster has the best price in town for boil Lobsters. Everyone needs to stop by and have some great sea food here. You’ll love and your tummy will thank you for it.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Hoang Dang (2 months ago)

This is definitely a staple in the Portland area. Located on the dock in Old Port, J’s has some of the freshest oysters around. Since it’s summer, the place stays fairly busy. I was a party of one and was promptly seated at the bar. Waitress immediately took my drink order and showed me the board with the days specials. I opted for a Cajun haddock sandwich and of course, a half dozen oysters. Now when they are shucking them right in front of you, it’s going to just taste fresh and amazing. While I waited for my sandwich, I devoured my oysters and accompanied it with a hot sauce highly recommended by the waitress. Once my haddock sandwich arrived, it took me no time to eat it. Everything is fresh, delicious, and oh so flavorful.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Crissy Ruiz (4 months ago)

We had the most amazing birthday dinner here! Highly recommend the Lobster Stew, Oyster Sampler and Bouillabaisse (mom has not stopped talking about it). Wait staff is polite and quick. Bloody Mary was really good too.

✭✭✭✭✭ By carrie kittel (3 months ago)

Recommendation from a local bartender, after giving up on finding reasonable prices downtown. J’s came through. Lobster roll was well made and that’s during off season. But truthfully the oysters are amazing, huge, very flavorful and shucked right in front of you. Get the blueberry ale with your meal! Can’t wait to come back during summer!

✭✭✭✭✭ By Arman Shoraka (9 months ago)

Robert’s Maine Grill

Address: 326 US-1, Kittery, ME 03904, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.6 (2329)
Phone: +1 207-439-0300
Website: Link
Opening hours:

Monday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Friday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Saturday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Reviews:

A beautiful setting with a wonderful restaurant. We came here for the sole purpose for my son to have his first lobster roll in Maine! And we loved it! We were seated right when our reservation time. The staff were very attentive and kind. The lobster was of very high quality. I’d totally come here again.

✭✭✭✭✭ By Andrew Ruggles (5 months ago)

Came here on the way home from an early day of work to grab some lunch. Coworkers enjoyed a cold beverage and cocktail while I had a coke. Ordered a dozen oysters from various areas of Maine and New Hampshire that were delicious. Had a cup of clam chowder and the burger. Good flavor and cooked perfectly. The fries were spot on too, crispy and seasoned. Coworkers enjoyed their meals as well. Will come back as it’s close to home and I’ll be here for a week for work.

✭✭✭✭ By Micah H (5 months ago)

The food was amazing. The salads would blow you away with the detail and quantity of toppings. Also, the lobster is delicious! It’s soft and fluffy! The restaurant is clean and comfortable and the staff was extremely helpful and nice. You should definitely eat here!

✭✭✭✭✭ By J R (7 months ago)

Stopped in for Lunch on a Saturday, skipped the 20minute wait and opted for counter seating…seating was very tight. At the counter service was good, just very tight seating (shoulder to shoulder)

I opted for the roll and chowder meal. Lots of small clam pieces in the chowder but the potatoes are slightly under done.
It was served in a cup (not bowl) Lukewarm-warm…not hot.

The roll was well toasted and buttery with a pile of very Fresh lobster. I did enjoy the roll. I would have liked it to be a little larger though.

The steaks and other meals all looked good as well. But I won’t be back, I’ll be looking for something smaller and more homey/casual.

✭✭✭ By Bill McGaw (in the last week)

Lobster was excellent. Steak tips were nothing to write home about and very overpriced. They were also supposed to come with coleslaw and if you wanted a different side it was an additional charge of $3-$4! Mashed potatoes did not have any flavor and if you wanted gravy it was an additional charge. Glad we tried it, to have a Maine Lobster; however when we are back in the area, we will not be back here.

✭✭✭ By Shannon Douglass (2 months ago)

Scales

Address: 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.6 (1699)

Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room

Address: 86 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
Map: Click here
Rating: 4.2 (1470)

Thank you for reading! If you have any additional information on the best oyster bar in Maine, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!