The Porthole Restaurant & Pub

The porthole is an old establishment -- thrown into local fame especially after Gordon Ramsay's visit and photo with the crew for the lobster Benedict...

It's not a dive bar -- it's actually really nice inside and they have a huge deck that starts getting really busy around 11:30/12:00 in the summer.

To be honest, the food isn't particularly standout -- I can't think of anything I particularly like here and yet there's nothing that is particularly bad. The location is great and is really conducive to just having a particularly good time.

Come here if you want to fill your belly in a nice place.

Servers were super sweet. Service was fast but prices were really steep and food wasn't very impressive. All overpriced.

Had a great pumpkin ale- honey and cinnamon on the rim. GENIUS!!!

Chili was spicy and really thick. Kids liked their wings. Clam chowder was fishy. Too fishy for our taste. Cream sauce/brith was delicious though.

Lobster rolls were okay. Way over priced. Thought Luke's rolls were the best and I can justify the price bc it's always delicious!

Probably wouldn't come back bc of food. Waitresses were super sweet though.

I ordered Casco Bay Omelet. It's a very nice omelet with Hollandaise sauce on the side. Full of meat and a good portion--not too big but full enough. The food came fast. The service was very friendly, fast, and smooth. Mason checked on me to see if there's anything that I need, and without saying anything, he knew that I was ready for a check. The ambiance is calm but chatty. The weather is quite cold and cloudy. I would like to come back again to get raw oysters since they did not serve them in the morning.

The food was delicious and the water view is so nice. We loved the food! We would love to eat here every day as there are so many options! Our favorites were the lobster, the crab cake that melts in your mouth and is so yummy, and Fish Tacos. Excellent harbor views. Also, the service was fast and they were very helpful and didn't hurry us.

The Porthole is perfect for lazy day mornings; its laid-back and welcoming vibe makes it the kind of place where you can unwind with a cup of coffee, a hearty breakfast (the Florentine Bennie is my personal fav) and soak in the view of the harbor. The Porthole is like your favorite sweater-- comforting, familiar and oh-so-inviting. My go-to spot for a casual brunch!

It's always a fun time at the Porthole no matter the time of year! We went to see our favorite band and were promptly greeted and accommodated our large party! The staff was super friendly and helpful. The food was also delicious, but pricey. Well it IS Portland. If you're looking for a fun place to go in Portland with friendly staff, great food and music, save up and go have some fun! Looking forward to the summer!

Bartender (Katelyn) was incredible, whole lobster was delicious, Cajun haddock tacos were superb, great recommendation.

Touristy Place to be in Portland ME.

We always always pay a visit to the Porthole whenever we are in Portland for their lobsters. Sadly, inflation has taken a big bite of and we no longer get the fabulous 2 for $25 lobsters. The market price for lobsters is now more than double the price but it is still worth it to this tourist. After all you only live once and we might as well make the most of our time on this earth.

This is a classic Portland institution that has been around for decades. It's got a bit of a divey feel, but sometimes you just want a place where you can let your hair down, and if that's the vibe you're looking for, this is your place.

The location can't be beat, right on the waterfront, and plenty of room inside and out. I've had drinks here many times over the years, and the occasional meal - the service is efficient, the drinks reasonably priced and well made, and with happy hour 7 days a week, live entertainment, and plenty of other events, what's not to love?

In the summertime, it's one of the few places that has great outdoor bar space in Portland. In the winter, it's one of the few places that gets that we Mainers need an excuse to get out when it's cold and our instinct is to hibernate. Port hole delivers on both fronts!

The Porthole has a nice deck with live music, which is great, but in terms of the food I had, it was a miss.

The staff was friendly. You order before you put your name down to get seated. I ordered the crab wrap from their menu.

Crab Wrap: 7/10

I got the crab wrap and although the crab was superb, it was ruined by the poor quality of the stale wrap. The crab was light and the weight of the wrap and mouthful of butter lettuce overpowered it. I would next time just eat the crab but that would be some really pricey crab.