My family and I were able to walk in as a group of 6 thankfully—the patio had availability since it was a little chilly, but the heaters they have are more than sufficient. The atmosphere is a perfect blend of upscale and rustic, not too uppity but nice enough to make the experience feel elevated. Stellar service (Peter) and some real notable dishes: the clam chowder (not your typical super creamy chowder), the fish and chips was some of the best we’ve had, Scallops, Seafood stew, Branzino. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beatty W
Great date night or nicer seafood option in Portland! We had fresh oysters, scallops, bluefin tuna, chowder and fish & chips and all was delicious! Love the oyster service at the bar!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Tom Tully
Excellent up scale restaurant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
MJ
Every dish was outstanding, truly top-notch in every way.
Kira “NYC foodie”
Oysters and tuna tataki were amazing !!! The other dishes were ok. The service is awesome and we love the vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Austin Davis
Very high quality food. The steak and potatoes were cooked to perfection and the grilled octopus was the best octopus I've ever had, by far!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Darren H
Great atmosphere. fantastic service. Food was decent but the halibut was overcooked/dry. Remaining dishes were excellent and fresh.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Aneesh Kulkarni
The food was incredible. The service not so great. Not rude but not friendly either; very curt, transactional and indifferent. It must have been the stress of a very busy summer season because a person in the group who has visited Portland and eaten here many times said that the service in the past has been as good as the food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Karen Stearns
Second time here and did not disappoint! The cloverleaf rolls were insanely good - the salt, garlic and chives added a lovely contrast in texture to the warm, soft bread which was served in a cast iron skillet. The steamed clams were insanely delicious due to the broth in which they were presented and the clarified butter was really unique - thicker than the traditional stuff you are served in Maine, in the best way possible. The octopus was delicious as well, although by the time it arrived I was quite sated and couldn’t finish it. It was very tender and flavorful. My partner’s steak and broccolini side were perfectly prepared and delicious as well. We ate at the bar because it was the only reservation we could get (and only because my partner is so persistent) and Charlie treated us well, very attentive and friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sadie Fischesser
What a beautiful spot and SO BUSY! Despite that, we had great service. They have a few fun special cocktails and a lovely wine list that the staff was very knowledgeable about. The people I was with all loved their food and it looked impeccable. Again, the staff was very knowledgeable about the contents of each dish. Unfortunately as a vegan my options were REALLY limited, so I left hungry. There are only an appetizer (fried cauliflower), a side of veggies or a salad with no cheese as the vegan menu. What I had was good, just not very substantial. By the way, I had called ahead to see if any accommodations could be made and basically, the answer was (a very friendly) no and they outlined what I could get/modify from the menu. The people were all great and I don't begrudge a restaurant at all! Just posting this as a FYI for others!
Scales is the perfect combination of an upscale seafood restaurant and a true taste of Maine’s waterfront charm. The location is unbeatable, set right on the harbor with large windows that offer gorgeous views of the boats and water. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels both elegant and relaxed, making it ideal for a special dinner, a date night, or simply enjoying some of the freshest seafood in Portland.
The menu is a seafood lover’s dream. Every dish I tried was fresh, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. The oysters were incredibly fresh and briny, the lobster was sweet and tender, and the scallops were seared to perfection. You can tell the kitchen has a deep respect for the ingredients, letting their natural flavors shine. Even the sides and small plates are thoughtfully prepared, elevating the whole experience.
The service is just as impressive as the food. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive without ever feeling rushed or overbearing. They are happy to walk you through the menu, suggest wine or cocktail pairings, and make sure everything is exactly to your liking.
The setting and quality here make Scales a must-visit in Portland. Whether you are a local or visiting for the first time, this is a place that delivers on every level — fresh seafood, warm hospitality, and a location that reminds you why Portland is famous for its waterfront dining.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tyler Ramos
From the moment we walked in, this seafood restaurant exceeded all expectations. The ambiance was cozy yet elegant — the kind of place where you instantly feel welcome.
Every dish we ordered was exceptional. The oysters were fresh, and perfectly chilled. The lobster bisque was rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful, as was the clam chowder. And the scallops were the show stopper!
This place doesn’t just serve seafood — it celebrates it. Whether you're a longtime seafood fan or just testing the waters, this is the place to be. We’ll absolutely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
S M
Wish I took more pictures. This is a top tier seafood restaurant, and I've lived on the ocean all my life. I've been eating lobster since I was a toddler and this is easily the best lobster roll I've ever had with perfect sweet and tender lobster, a drizzle of homemade mayo, all wrapped in a house-made buttery bun. My partner got a haddock special which was equally phenomenal. Their oysters were insanely delicious and perfectly shucked. Not even a speck of broken shell was identified. I'm not usually a dessert person but I love a good meringue and their baked Alaska did not disappoint. Absolutely delicious and a must if you're in town. The restaurant is bright and while crowded, it's not loud; you can always hear your table partner. It's not the cheapest spot around but it's worth it. Their sister restaurant is also great if you're not a big seafood eater.
My family and I were able to walk in as a group of 6 thankfully—the patio had availability since it was a little chilly, but the heaters they have are more than sufficient. The atmosphere is a perfect blend of upscale and rustic, not too uppity but nice enough to make the experience feel elevated.
Stellar service (Peter) and some real notable dishes: the clam chowder (not your typical super creamy chowder), the fish and chips was some of the best we’ve had, Scallops, Seafood stew, Branzino. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great date night or nicer seafood option in Portland! We had fresh oysters, scallops, bluefin tuna, chowder and fish & chips and all was delicious! Love the oyster service at the bar!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Excellent up scale restaurant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Every dish was outstanding, truly top-notch in every way.
Oysters and tuna tataki were amazing !!! The other dishes were ok. The service is awesome and we love the vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Very high quality food. The steak and potatoes were cooked to perfection and the grilled octopus was the best octopus I've ever had, by far!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great atmosphere. fantastic service. Food was decent but the halibut was overcooked/dry. Remaining dishes were excellent and fresh.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
The food was incredible. The service not so great. Not rude but not friendly either; very curt, transactional and indifferent. It must have been the stress of a very busy summer season because a person in the group who has visited Portland and eaten here many times said that the service in the past has been as good as the food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Second time here and did not disappoint! The cloverleaf rolls were insanely good - the salt, garlic and chives added a lovely contrast in texture to the warm, soft bread which was served in a cast iron skillet. The steamed clams were insanely delicious due to the broth in which they were presented and the clarified butter was really unique - thicker than the traditional stuff you are served in Maine, in the best way possible. The octopus was delicious as well, although by the time it arrived I was quite sated and couldn’t finish it. It was very tender and flavorful. My partner’s steak and broccolini side were perfectly prepared and delicious as well. We ate at the bar because it was the only reservation we could get (and only because my partner is so persistent) and Charlie treated us well, very attentive and friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a beautiful spot and SO BUSY! Despite that, we had great service. They have a few fun special cocktails and a lovely wine list that the staff was very knowledgeable about. The people I was with all loved their food and it looked impeccable. Again, the staff was very knowledgeable about the contents of each dish. Unfortunately as a vegan my options were REALLY limited, so I left hungry. There are only an appetizer (fried cauliflower), a side of veggies or a salad with no cheese as the vegan menu. What I had was good, just not very substantial. By the way, I had called ahead to see if any accommodations could be made and basically, the answer was (a very friendly) no and they outlined what I could get/modify from the menu. The people were all great and I don't begrudge a restaurant at all! Just posting this as a FYI for others!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Scales is the perfect combination of an upscale seafood restaurant and a true taste of Maine’s waterfront charm. The location is unbeatable, set right on the harbor with large windows that offer gorgeous views of the boats and water. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels both elegant and relaxed, making it ideal for a special dinner, a date night, or simply enjoying some of the freshest seafood in Portland.
The menu is a seafood lover’s dream. Every dish I tried was fresh, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. The oysters were incredibly fresh and briny, the lobster was sweet and tender, and the scallops were seared to perfection. You can tell the kitchen has a deep respect for the ingredients, letting their natural flavors shine. Even the sides and small plates are thoughtfully prepared, elevating the whole experience.
The service is just as impressive as the food. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive without ever feeling rushed or overbearing. They are happy to walk you through the menu, suggest wine or cocktail pairings, and make sure everything is exactly to your liking.
The setting and quality here make Scales a must-visit in Portland. Whether you are a local or visiting for the first time, this is a place that delivers on every level — fresh seafood, warm hospitality, and a location that reminds you why Portland is famous for its waterfront dining.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
From the moment we walked in, this seafood restaurant exceeded all expectations. The ambiance was cozy yet elegant — the kind of place where you instantly feel welcome.
Every dish we ordered was exceptional. The oysters were fresh, and perfectly chilled. The lobster bisque was rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful, as was the clam chowder. And the scallops were the show stopper!
This place doesn’t just serve seafood — it celebrates it. Whether you're a longtime seafood fan or just testing the waters, this is the place to be. We’ll absolutely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wish I took more pictures. This is a top tier seafood restaurant, and I've lived on the ocean all my life. I've been eating lobster since I was a toddler and this is easily the best lobster roll I've ever had with perfect sweet and tender lobster, a drizzle of homemade mayo, all wrapped in a house-made buttery bun. My partner got a haddock special which was equally phenomenal. Their oysters were insanely delicious and perfectly shucked. Not even a speck of broken shell was identified. I'm not usually a dessert person but I love a good meringue and their baked Alaska did not disappoint. Absolutely delicious and a must if you're in town. The restaurant is bright and while crowded, it's not loud; you can always hear your table partner. It's not the cheapest spot around but it's worth it. Their sister restaurant is also great if you're not a big seafood eater.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scales Warm Buttered Lobster Roll, Seafood, Baked Alaska
We had a phenomenal experience at Scales. Our server Paige made great suggestions - tomato salad was amazing and seafood wonderful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sat at the bar- Elise and Cory were awesome, food was phenomenal (got a soup trio- fav was the bisque), atmosphere is open and airy. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...