Old Port Sea Grill
Open daily at 11:30 am, Old Port Sea Grill's motto is "fresh seafood, freshly prepared." The restaurant is committed to working with local fishmongers to bring fresh catch straight from Maine's coastal waters to your plate. With simple décor-- a large aquarium and wooden tables--the atmosphere is modern yet comfortable. Dinner entrees start at $20 (as of 2009), while the lunch menu offers several options in the $10 range. Seafood features prominently on the menu, naturally, and is prepared simply without a lot of garnishes that may mute the natural flavors. Try the wood-grilled swordfish or the baked haddock.
Old Port Sea Grill
93 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 879-6100
theoldportseagrill.com
Di Millo's Floating Restaurant
Tony Di Millo first opened a seafood restaurant in Portland in 1954. The waterfront restaurant was so successful that in 1982 the family purchased a ferry to host Portland's only floating restaurant. Di Millo's fresh seafood and creative specials remain popular to this day. Since guests sit in a ferry on the water, there are views of Casco Bay on every side. The vibe here is semi-formal yet relaxed and the atmosphere is family-oriented. The lunch menu includes sandwiches, clubs, seafood, Italian entrees and chowders. The dinner menu, available all day, features a wide range of beef, pork, Italian and seafood dishes. A children's menu is available. Reservations are only taken for large groups, but you can call the restaurant 30 minutes before you arrive to place your name on the wait list.
Di Millo's Floating Restaurant
25 Long Wharf
Portland, ME 04101-4725
(207) 772-2216
dimillos.com
Gilbert's Chowder House
Known primarily for its chowder, Gilbert's is a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant near the Old Port waterfront. With simple décor and a relatively inexpensive menu, Gilbert's has a casual, relaxed atmosphere. While many patrons simply pick up food to go, but there is a small dining area. Choose from the six types of chowder--clam, fish, seafood, corn, chili or lobster stew--or try one of the seafood dishes. Gilbert's is easy on the budget and is a low-key place to grab lunch or dinner.
Gilbert's Chowder House
92 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 871-5636
gilbertschowderhouse.com
Article Written By Heather Carreiro
Heather Carreiro is a certified English teacher who has been writing since 2008. The editor of Matador Abroad, her work has appeared online at BootsnAll, Matador Network, GoNOMAD, Journey Beyond Travel and Expat Women. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics and Middle Eastern studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is pursuing a Master of Arts in English at Bridgewater State University.
