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Fore Street

4.1 (1.5k reviews)
Open • 4:30 pm - 10:00 PM

Fore Street Photos

Business Info

FORE STREET ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Fore Street

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Reviews With Photos

Stuffed Italian Eggplant
Kim O.

It's a great place for a special night. We had a great table with a water view. The restaurant is loud, so it's hard to converse. Our waiter was methodical and efficient but not particularly engaging. I've been to several higher end restaurants in Portland with far better interaction. We started with a pear & fig salad, highlight of my night! Also tried the burnt end hush puppies which were theoretically good but nestled in a bed of remoulade that was so spicy it masked the flavor. Dinner was a delight, I had a stuffed eggplant dish with outstanding Greek flavor overtones. My wife had the bourbon brined chicken, again spot on and tasty. We were stuffed so dessert might be next time! All in all a good night!

Beans
Denise S.

Amazing that we were actually able to walk up and get seated. Took a chance knowing that it usually takes a reservation weeks in advance! The service was great! Thanks Greg! The kitchen is open to the restaurant. They also have a bakery so the bread brought out when you sit down is incredible. Everything we ate was a delight! There is a reason this is such a popular restaurant! I think my blackened swordfish was the best entree. We were all happy when we left. The food was worth the money if you are wondering! One of the best meals I have ever had!

Zack G.

My fiance and I came here right after our wedding weekend, and while the food was still fantastic, we were underwhelmed by the service. No one congradulated u on our wedding (which we put in our reservation, the service was incredibly slow, and no one checked on us for the majority of the meal. That said, the food was all still great except for our dessert, which was somewhat underwhelming this time

Hangar Wood Grilled Natural Hanger Steak
Chase F.

"If you're going to Portland you have to go to Fore Street" & so we went! We did the walk in right at 4:30, greeted warmly by the host as we made the cut and hung out at the bar until 5. This is our first night in Portland so let me say if this sets the tone for the rest of the trip then I might move here.... What we ordered: Foie gras - pancake was super light. Blue berry composed surprisingly well with the corn. The liver was charred to a lovely flavor. All combined made it an absolute delight. Hangar steak was cooked to perfection with a nice pink center and crispy edges. Again, the pairing of the eggplant made the dish superb. 10/10 will come back soon!

Cured duck, foie gras
Karen T.

I went on a Saturday and lined up 20 minutes before opening. They allow you to get a walk-in reservation time for later that evening; I got one for about an hour later. The couple we chatted with in line usually come on Sundays and said there usually isn't a crazy line then, and they're able to just be seated at the bar. The ambiance and food was incredible--except one. The free bread from Standard Baking Co. was already a lovely start. The cured duck was a surprise stand out; I didn't expect to love it as much as I did but the tomatoes were excellent and the pine nuts paired wonderfully with the cured duck. The chicken was tender yet with a wonderfully crispy skin, the scallops perfectly seared, and the vegetables a nice balance. But the foie gras was an extreme let down. Far too sweet when paired with the cornbread and strawberry sauce, and overpowering. I think it was a mistake to pair such rich flavors together and lose the magic of the foie gras. I can still taste this dish--in a bad way. I communicated this feedback to our server, and she didn't do anything about it.

Bread
Sydney H.

THIS WAS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN PORTLAND!!!! We did not have a reservation, so we got in line on a Friday 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!!!!!

Chris T.

I day out in ME, we ended up at the Fore Street! Easy parking on a weekday, walked up the cut thru staircase from street below. Went in and it was jumping a lot of people, we opted to sneak pair of chairs at the bar, since dine in section was packed! Our bartender / server was super cool, he had great recommendations and everything felt rustic and savory in there dish wise. From farm to table I type establishment. We started with beef cheeks and it was so tender and a great start to our night with the smoky char from the flame grill. The complimentary bread with in house whipped butter was a delight. The lady enjoyed the oysters we grabbed a half dozen. No dollar oysters that day (not sure if they do it should have asked). We opted for our entrees to be the haddock fillet with roasted carrots on the side. Haddock fillets come in an iron skillet and mind you haha eat it quick, our fillets started to overcook in it. The sauce it came with was a light creamy sauce that paired well. I enjoyed the menu, def on the pricier side but a nice dinner! Would come back!

Scallops and cauliflower/potato gratin
Nina F.

As a walk-in, we were told that the restaurant would be a wait and boy, it was worth it. This farm to table format allowed for fresh produce and a daily rotating menu. When in Portland, eat what the fisherman catch and what the farmers harvest, so that's what we did. The light cod was balanced well with a heavier lobster sauce making a great pairing. All the sides looked appealing but who can say no to cheese, potatoes, and cauliflower? Scallops were perfectly seared and did not need the lemon pea sauce at all It's on the pricier side, but is well worth the cost for quality. Service was attentive and we loved the rustic, low lighting atmosphere. It's a great place for a high-end meal, special occasion or romantic night out! Wish we also had time to check out the sister restaurant, Scales.

Bread and butter
Yueh Qi C.

Fore Street is one of the best restaurants I've been to by far. Their menu changes everyday which means I will definitely be coming back to try out a new dish in the future. Their website provided a great description on what to do if you do not have a reservation. For walk-ins, you'll need to be there before it opens, which we did on a Saturday and there was already a line even in the rain! So definitely keep that in mind if you did not make a reservation in advance. We arrived at 4:15pm and got a table for 5:15pm (you can go walk around old port once you put your name down). The server was amazing at providing explanations of the dishes and also providing amazing recommendations based on your taste. Two absolute favorites: meat pie and their maple sundae (this is by far the best sundae I've had in my life so no matter how full you are, I highly recommend it!!). Everything else we got - wood oven roasted haddock fillet, zucchini and summer squash, wood fire turn spit chicken were all very tasty as well. You can't go wrong with any of them. In the future, I'd probably make a reservation in advance and request to sit where the cooking is happening- it's really cool that you can see them do their magic by the wood oven. I also like how the seatings are nicely spaced for a very busy restaurant. I will say, we waited ~40 mins in between apps and entrees (wood oven roasted dishes), so keep that in mind if you have post dinner plans.

BUTTERFIELD, WET SMACK, LOVE POINT OYSTERS
Lizzie Y.

The food scene in Portland is unreal, and Fore Street is no exception! After spending the day exploring Portland, dining here was a real treat. We honestly did not have anything planned for dinner but luckily, we were able to get a table for two without reservation. Something unique about this restaurant is that they have a large, open hearth with wood-burning oven + grill. A bunch of their menu offerings are cooked over hardwood and applewood fires, giving it a distinct flavor. Their menu changes often and they source their ingredients from local suppliers. Here's what we ordered: - Beef Cheeks (special of the day) - Half a Dozen Oysters - Haddock Fillet (x2) - Roasted Carrots (side) The beef cheeks were succulent and cooked perfectly. This dish came with broccolini, one of my favorite veggies! We were surprised how tender the beef cheeks were... pretty much falling apart with each bite. I'd totally get this again! I LOVE OYSTERS, so we definitely had to get a half a dozen of oysters to try hehe. All of the oysters were clean and tasted very fresh, great start to our meal. We both ended up getting a haddock fillet & I'm so happy we ordered this. It was flavorful and almost everything about this dish was on point. One thing that we both noticed was, since the haddock is in a cast iron skillet, the fish continues to cook as you eat. The fish basically started to get a little overcooked and dry, making it difficult to finish. BUT I do love cast iron skillet dishes because I love my food hot & it keeps the food hot until I'm finished eating haha. So there's definitely pros & cons to that. Lastly, we ordered a side of roasted carrots to share with our entree. I've never had carrots cooked so evenly through. I loved the texture of the carrots but wished it was more flavorful. I typically like my carrots maple/honey roasted for a touch of sweetness. While the carrots were nicely cooked, they fell a bit short for me, in terms of flavor. The haddock fillet and beef cheeks were definite highlights, and despite the carrots being the only dish that didn't quite wow us, I'd absolutely recommend Fore Street and look forward to returning on my next trip to Portland!

oysters
Hallie L.

The ambience here is really nice, the interior is super beautiful. Our service was so good, the waiter was super helpful! The mushroom toast was my favorite, everything from presentation to flavor to texture, was insane. I loved the oysters as well and the scallops had such good texture to it. The haddock was also cooked amazingly but the chowder it was in was a little bland. The sundae was so good and the maple flavor was strong! Loved the crunch!!

Interior
Chuck K.

A beautiful visit to this fine restaurant! Our server, Elizabeth, 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!

The view from the lounge / waiting area (next to the bar)
Dave R.

We finally made it to Fore Street. We've tried on previous visits to Portland, but we've never been able to get in. The experience lived up to its reputation. The room has a warm, energetic feel, with the wood-fired ovens and open kitchen setting the tone for the evening. We started with oysters -- cold, clean, and briny, served with a house-made mignonette with shallots that added just the right amount of brightness. Exactly how we like them, and a great way to kick things off. From there, we shared the wood-fire "seared" foie gras served over a small waffle, which was rich and indulgent without feeling overdone. We also ordered the Swedish Christmas sausage special appetizer -- partly out of curiosity and partly because my parents were from Sweden -- and I'm glad we did. It was flavorful, comforting, and felt thoughtfully prepared rather than gimmicky. For mains, my partner had the stuffed manicotti, which was hearty and well-balanced, while I went with the wood-fire-oven roasted chicken. The chicken was beautifully cooked, with that subtle depth of flavor you only get from a wood oven -- simple, confident cooking done really well. Service was excellent throughout. Our server, Sydney, was fantastic: attentive, knowledgeable, and perfectly paced without ever feeling intrusive. Overall, the meal felt intentional and grounded in great ingredients, with the fire playing a supporting role rather than overpowering everything. It's easy to see why Fore Street is such a staple in Portland, and we'd absolutely return.

Steak tartare

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Page 1 of 38

Ask the Community - Fore Street

Do they have food for children?

They do not offer a kids menu. If your children like fresh bread, veggies, starches and desert they will be happy. The food is great.

Do they serve cocktails?

Yes! They have a full menu and a bar by the entrance.

How expensive is Fore Street?

It is phenomenal food entirely worth the price with a courteous wait staff I have always found to be helpful and kind in the 25 years I've been going here.… 

We are vegetarians, someone gave us a gift certificate, anyone know how veg friendly this place is?

Definitely meat centric, but there are always a few veg dishes on the menu. Worst case scenario, go to the bar and order drinks and dessert (their desserts are the best part anyways)!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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The Highroller Lobster - The HighRoller (captured by @a.bite.of.life)

The Highroller Lobster

4.3(2.4k reviews)
0.2 mi•Old Port
•$$
Locally owned & operated
Outdoor seating

Some of the best lobster I've had in Portland. It's a very chill, retro vibe, and though seating…read moremay take a while on busy nights, you can also order takeout (and merch) from the left-side area. The restaurant is larger than it looks since there's a second seating area too. I'd recommend the Flight of mini lobster rolls (3x 2oz lobster rolls), which can be chilled or warmed. Prices are fair, at about $20 a lobster roll. Their ghee butter add another level to their lobster rolls and they don't skimp on meat! Definitely try out the Highroller and maybe get some of their iconic merch.

When me and my friend walked up, they said a table would be an hour so we opted for take-out…read more However, the table ended up taking just 30 minutes, so if you really want a table, I would say it could be worth waiting. We ended up taking out order to a park nearby that had benches so it worked out. Me and my friend shared a flight, where it included 3 lobster rolls with 2 oz. of lobster and we chose the jalapeño mayo, lime mayo, and lobster ghee ones. My favorite one was probably the jalapeño mayo because I loved the kick, but all three were delicious. I would definitely recommend getting the flight since the rolls are smaller and you get to try the different sauces.

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

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

The Highroller Lobster
The Highroller Lobster - Lobster Cheese Crisp Taco, Lobster Roll

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Dry Dock

Dry Dock

4.3(96 reviews)
0.1 mi•Old Port

The husband and I dined at Dry Dock during our trip to Portland over Labor Day weekend. There was a…read moreline waiting for tables even though it was only 5:30pm on a Saturday - this place is popular. And for good reason! The food was insanely delicious!! We snagged an open spot at the bar and was immediately greeted by the one-and-only, Eddie. He was fun, kind, attentive and entertaining. We started with the caesar salad, which was good and had a nice lemony finish. I ordered the baked haddock and the hubs ordered the blackened fish sandwich. The sandwich was good but the baked haddock was a clear winner (not that it was a competition!) The baked haddock had a panko crust and smothered in a tomato wine sauce over puréed potatoes. To. Die. For! My husband isn't a huge fish lover and he basically stole my plate. He loved it - and so did I! Highly recommend. Overall, if you're in Portland, make it a point to dine at Dry Dock. P.S. don't let the wait time deter you. This place is big and they were sitting people quickly. And if you have a chance, grab a seat at the bar with Eddie. He's good people!

We stopped by for a drink and enjoyed our time at the bar. This was our last stop in Portland…read morebefore heading home, so we used it to take a beat and chat about our day. Staff was kind and it wasn't busy, but it was also around 4:30ish on a Friday, so probably right between rush times. The food smelled great! We wanted to eat but had dinner plans elsewhere. Great views of the water if you're upstairs, and spacious seating downstairs. Lovely wine and drink menu, and it's very clean.

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Dry Dock
Dry Dock
Dry Dock

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SoPo Seafood Market & Raw Bar - Wolfe River raw oysters

SoPo Seafood Market & Raw Bar

4.7(120 reviews)
1.5 mi
•$$

Hands down one of the best seafood spots in Portland, especially for the price!…read more My husband and I are big seafood lovers, so we had to stop here during our trip. We started with the fish chowder since they didn't have clam chowder. This was probably the only dish that felt average to me, although my husband really enjoyed it. Everything else was a completely different story. The raw seafood was so fresh. We tried the oysters, clams, scallops, and spoons, and every bite tasted clean, fresh, and high quality. The prices were also surprisingly reasonable compared to a lot of other places serving similar seafood. For our entrees, we both went with the hot butter lobster roll. It was classic, simple, and exactly what I expected a good lobster roll to taste like. For the price, I definitely think it was worth it. The restaurant has a casual, laid back ambiance, which fits perfectly with the no frills seafood experience. It's a great spot if you're looking for something relaxed rather than fancy. Service was attentive, friendly, and overall great. If you're in Portland and craving seafood without wanting to spend a fortune, I highly recommend giving this place a try!

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

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SoPo Seafood Market & Raw Bar - Bar seating

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SoPo Seafood Market & Raw Bar
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Scales - Seafood stew

Scales

4.3(1.3k reviews)
0.1 mi•Old Port
•$$$

Seafood Stew 9/10 everything in it was so flavorful and cooked perfectly. The broth had a nice…read morebite to it a little spicy so that was a nice touch. Favorite part were the muscles Halibut was Devine. Perfect dish Oysters and clams were decent. I liked the oysters a lot more than the clams. Clams are cheaper but for a good reason I think. They have a very fishy taste as the oysters tasted fresh. 5/5 a little pricy though

There is a scam where people get a crowd of their friends to gather around so they can attract…read moredupes to come over and see what all the excitement is about. That's what Scales was like for me, busy, loud, unpleasant, and somewhere I hope I never have to go back and experience again. Reservation or not you have to line up like sheep for slaughter. Heaven forbid anyone in your party is running late because none of you will be seated until everyone is there. Super fun!!! When we were seated, I had the server station a couple feet behind me with staff calling loudly to one another. The expensive wine they served us was bad. Should have been sent back. The lobster bisque had an unpleasant taste, was overpoweringly creamy, and what little lobster was in it was not fresh and was mushy. I can't even remember what I had for a main course (Maine course?). Unremarkable. One of the salads with blue cheese in it was okay. Some of my compatriots got the stew which is a bouillabase type dish with various shellfish and some fish in it along with a tomato base with a little kick to it. Not bad. The desserts are solid. Can't go wrong with a sundae. They also have Indian pudding which is a regional dish and interesting to try. Not sure if it needs to be renamed for current norms? Other people in our group enjoyed the meal. Lining up and standing around waiting to get into hyped up noisy places with mediocre expensive food, some of it nearly inedible in this case, is always in fashion somewhere. Have at it. I'm out.

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Scales - Beautiful !

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The Shop - bloody mary (already ate the oyster, oops)

The Shop

4.6(266 reviews)
0.6 mi•East End
•$$

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"

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The Shop - Oyster shooter

Oyster shooter

The Shop - Exterior

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The Shop - From the street- plenty of parking

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From the street- plenty of parking

Fore Street - newamerican - Updated October 2026

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