It's a great little restaurant that caters to the customers The service was good and fast. The seafood casserole was wonderful, my birthday Seafood Bouillabaisse was fabulous Highly recommend read more

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There are some very nice places to dine in Portland Maine. Some are very good, some are even fancy-fancy and trendy. But there is only one place you "Must Go" to in Portland Maine. Hands down J's Oyster house is the number one "Must Go" to place in Portland. J's is our number one spot for a number of reasons, some of the reasons are below. The first is, J's has been around for decades. J's was a fresh local oyster and sea food spot long before it was popular and trendy. J's is the O.G. Oyster spot in Maine! 2nd, they daily source premium local oysters, cold water lobsters, day boat scallops, steamer clams, and fresh local fish like cod and haddock. They do have non-seafood options for those who prefer turf over surf. Oh I forgot, some of the best clam and fish chowder and lobster bisque in the State of Maine. Great service too! Don't be afraid to sit at the bar! We did and had fantastic service. We were only feet away from some of the freshest oysters anywhere being expertly shucked right in front of us! There is not alot of tables, but its very very worth the short wait, if any! When u walk in, you might see locals, tourists, or fishermen eating a bowl of chowder, steamers, or tearing into a Maine lobsters! We had some Oyster Rockefeller and some jalapeño and cheese oysters. super fantastic! So Good we actually reordered. We also had some grilled day boat scallop skewers with bacon and Maine Maple syrup! Wow! Like candy! Almost re-ordered for dessert!! Not kidding! sooooo good! Oh, almost forgot the main event! We had a traditional Maine Lobster shore dinner with steamed clams! The lobster was soft shell sweet, tender, and succulent Maine lobster! Mmmmmm! The steamer clams were sand and grit free, flavorful and tender! About as good as you can get!!! The decor is "rustic-New England-fish house". J's is clean, neat, and efficient, probably unchanged for decades. The vibe, the vibe is perfect!! J's dont change a thing! We are repeat customers! And will return-again and again! Huge shout to our servers! The guys were real professionals and took the time to engage us in convo and answer our questions even though they were quite busy! Real pros! Thanks guys! Highly Highly Recommend' A "Must Go" in Portland, Maine. Also a recommended and road trip worthy New England destination. If you like oysters, lobsters, fresh seafood and a good vibe then you gotta go to J's Oyster! read more

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I came by with a group of three around 6 PM and we were seated outside right away. Our server was friendly, but she was the only one taking care of all of the tables outside so service was a bit on the slower side. We ordered the following items to share: -CRAB STUFFED MUSHROOM: It was fine. Flavors were bit bland but they did include a ton of shredded crab which was appreciated. -OYSTER ROCKEFELLER: Flavors were fine as well. -HADDOCK IN A LEMON CREAM SAUCE: The haddock was soft but also a bit bland. It was supposed to be In a lemon cream sauce but the lemon was very muted in the dish. The noodles were a great addition though and cooked perfectly. All in all, an ok restaurant with some items more memorable than others. read more

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J's was our first food stop in Portland, per oyster recommendation from a local friend. We sat out on the covered patio during late June. Very comfortable temperature wise with nice channel view of the water. Very Friendly Hostess seated us quickly, under 5 minute wait. Walking thru the dining room/ bar was surveying food. Scallops looked good. We ordered a bakers dozen oysters ($30), a bloody mary and local beer. The oysters were delicious. Just a touch of cocktail sauce, horseradish and squeeze of lemon. Simple and so fresh. Upgraded the cocktail to marina style with two shrimp and two chunks of lobster meat, worth the extra $9 for fun and flavor. Lone Pine IPA was a ok. Our server Dasha was very upbeat. She wasn't familiar with some of the style /versions of beers that rotate but asked and got back to us. Quickly brought the bill with no hurry. Solid read more

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Wow! Local gem... fantastic seafood, sitting outside on the water, eating lobster, steamers and corn... what could be better, you all... well nothing really! This place is a go to for delicious food, relaxed atmosphere and friendly service... There are a few tables inside, an ample bar and lots of local patrons... they are hospitable and ready to help you have a great experience! We ordered a lobster dinner that included a whole lobster, lots of steamed clams, corn on the coband drawn butter... everything was cooked perfectly and tasted oh, so yummy! We also ordered a large bucket of clans which were tender and delicious and also came with drawn butter... last but not last we ordered dessert, double chocolate cheesecake, served with whipped cream... light, airy and delicious with a chocolate crust... mmm mmmm good! read more

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The best thing about this place is Jeff, the waiter. Upbeat and accommodating. The oysters were on the petite side. I was. A bit surprised that they pre-shuck them and leave them open air on ice. They tasted okay. They did not offer any Gluten Free items. If I return it is because Jeff was so good. read more

J’s Oyster - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

The steamers here are the best. We've tried to recreate them at home, but can't quite match it! I've never had a better steamer in my life! It's a super casual, local place and in the summer they have outdoor seating which helps for the crowds. During off season they have an oyster HH during the day and it's very competitive. Can't beat J's ! read more

It's not fancy but the food is great! Also the service is... hilarious and honest. Fresh seafood, decent sides and seaside rustic charm. They do get busy so call ahead. They have lobstah, and plenty of fish etc. - all prepared well. Decent bar selections, and good desserts from nearby sources. read more

All the food here is fresh and made on premise except for the salad dressing. The Haddock was very good not over cooked with just enough ritz crackers and Johana's crab meat on top. It was all perfectly balanced the asparagus and rice was very good not bland at all seasoned well. The waitress Bri had us waiting for the bill while she sat down to eat this place is cold we was trying to get to the car. It's an outside setting with very limited seating inside and no heat lamps at all outside. Depending upon n the weather is going to determine your eating experience. read more

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The service here is always TOP NOTCH! What a beautiful day in Portland Harbor, sunshine and cool breeze to perfection. Tourists have slowed so it's easy to get down here to enjoy these local Maine oysters. Pair that up with a cold Sam Adams Boston Lager (& for me, a shot of Knob Creek 9) to make tongue do somersaults! Yum, Yum! Beer and Oysters! Come down see Missy and if your military mention that (discount - ). Everyone enjoy the day and the cuisine at J's Oyster bar right on the pier by DeMillo's floating restaurant!. read more

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Amazing food! The casserole was delicious, so were the mussels. A little pricey but worth it since its so good. read more

J’s Oyster - Outside area - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

Okay, yall, how did I ever miss out on every coming here the time I lived in Boston? If you're debating on the small or large clams, get the large. It is worth every bite. Small might be enough per person if you get other dishes, large if you're a really hungry person. Super fresh, gotta wash all that dirt out & don't throw away the clam strips--which I did for most the meal until I realized what it was towards the end. Sad day forreals. Not sure what it's called on the menu but got the garlic olive oil pasta with scallops, which is never my first choice of seafood, but it blew me outta the waters. The seafood flavor was pleasant and so simple in both ingredients and flavor. This is on my list for Maine stops whenever I'm back on the East coast! read more

J’s Oyster - Small bucket - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Honestly this place is more than 3 stars, but not quite 4. I say that because the clams were way too sandy which they did warn about and the clam chowder needed a bit more seasoning. The stars of the show were the lobster stew, oysters and the steamed lobster. The lobster was so sweet and flavorful. I loved the pricing of the lobster meal as well. The lobster came with a dozen clams and a corn on the cob all for $36. Our waitress was fairly new, but did a good job. I enjoyed sitting outside where we had a good view of the Harbor. I live in Houston so I won't be back soon, but I will be back. read more

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Food is always fresh, fast and delicious! Service is always friendly. One of our favorite stops when in Portland, Me! Big shout out to our excellent server Whitney! She was awesome. read more

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A lovely, cozy seafood joint right by the water. I came here around Thanksgiving in a group of four and had a great time. We didn't have to wait for a table, and the service was prompt. I ordered the small bucket of steamed clams, which I'd never had before: you spear the meat out of the shell with a small fork and dunk it in melted better, and voila! The clams were huge, meaty, and tender, and one small bucket was enough food for me for dinner. J's also has a whole assortment of seafood on the menu -- everything from your classic clam chowder to oysters to seafood bouillabaisse. One person in our party ordered the linguine, and it was absolutely massive. They also have some great local beers on tap. The Shipyard blueberry ale paired really well with the clams. We also tried the chocolate cake for dessert, which was well-portioned, but a bit dry. read more

J’s Oyster - small bucket of steamed clams - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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What can one say other than "it's Jay's"! Just steps away from the famous DiMillo's restaurant ferry boat, Jay's is an oyster bar with limited seating and even less flair. Glamour is not why people flock to Jay's, they go for hearty chowder and seafood. Tables are limited and if you can grab a seat at the counter (that goes 3/4 around), go for it. You will love their oysters, soups, steamers, and just about everything else their kitchen makes. It's simple, delicious, and a real find in Portland that still rings Old Port. read more

TL;DR: Tourist Trap. Avoid. I agree with the other reviews. Service was terrible. We left after not receiving any service for 20 mins. No water. No drinks. No server. Avoid. Or be prepared to waste your time. We left and went to highroller lobster next. Review coming soon. read more

J’s Oyster - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

TLDR: homely seafood restaurant No frills restaurant with a giant central bar and tables surrounding it. We ended up getting all their soups and they were so good. Service was quick and friendly. read more

Yummy. The clams were so sweet. Cool oysters bar by the dock. Service was quick at the bar. read more

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Portland is known for an abundance of good restaurants, but it's hard to pass up a good local joint like J's. my first time visiting, but my hosts go to place in downtown Portland. Great team and a great place to sit at a bar and eat oysters. We started with a dozen oysters and then followed it up with a haddock sandwich and a scallop dish. Everything was excellent. The beer was cold and Tesla The bartender was a very gracious host I was surprised by the current yelp rating, and definitely feel this place deserves better. I will definitely be back on my next trip to Portland. read more

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Perfect night to bang with my college buddy. And it is sad to say that after living in Portland for 30 years, this is my first time. My friend suggested a pail of clams to start. I have had clams but not for a while and they were yummy. The staff is so attentive and the environment is fun. Everyone seems to know each other. I actually ran into a couple of people from my past. Just a fun space. Indoor and outdoor seating (seasonal). Located just off Commercial St. must use street parking or Uber. But worth the visit. read more

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We had lunch here. We had some history from a prior trip. The inside hasn't changed. Still looks like a dive bar. We ordered cups of clam chowder, the bakers dozen oyster shooters and a lobster roll. The lobster roll had a lot of lobster but not much else. Cold lobster on an untoasted roll. The oysters were good too. $110 for that with 2 waters was extreme. Yeah it's on a wharf but it's still a packed mess inside. read more

J’s Oyster - Clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Made a special trip to get a bowl of lobster stew! I was surprised the new price was $31! I was happy to pay the price knowing just how good it was going to be. I was disappointed to get a bowl of what seemed like canned and frozen leg meat. It was dry and chewy! Not at all what I remember! I guess last time to visit. Thumbs down! read more

Came back on a Friday night for the last day of happy hour oysters for the month of February, $1 each, and it was so busy. BF had the shrimp scampi and I had the scallops with linguine, and both were fantastic! We also shared a regular order of steamer clams and were quite disappointed; the clams were incredibly sandy. Will not be ordering it again. read more

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I always try to make it to J's when I'm in Portland for their chowder or lobster roll. I find it to be very casual and easy going. The staff is always very friendly and helpful and the food is always good. For me it's like going back in time to something simpler. Do yourself a favor and don't pass on this little dive bar. read more

Great, fresh oysters. Crab cakes exceeded expectations and very tasty- sweeter than some other crab we've had, and packed quite nicely with meat. The clam chowder was OK; but add some of that lemon and lime hot sauce and it was good enough! I'd come back for the oysters. We sat outside; when I went through the inside bar area on my way to the restrooms, it was quite stuffy and smelly. But hey, we were outside! Friendly service. read more

This is one of the few true old-school places left in the city. In the summer it can be filled with tourists, cuz it has local oysters and all but in the winter, it's just us locals and townies, Good scene, decent eats, strong drinks, no frills. read more

Homey, family vibe. Simple menu where everything is fresh, amazing sea food. They know what they're good at! Fast service after seated but was a pretty long wait although we did go at 1 on a Saturday but was so worth it!!! read more

J’s Oyster - Oysters, Lobster Roll Sandwich, New England Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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J's has long been considered a Portland staple, and after hearing countless recommendations, I finally decided to check it out. Unfortunately, the experience didn't live up to the hype. I tried the clam chowder, oysters, crab and clam hot dip, and ceviche. Right away, I was disappointed by the incredibly small portions--especially the appetizers, which were served in tiny ramekins, barely enough for a taste. The clam chowder was the biggest letdown; instead of the rich, thick, and flavorful chowder I was expecting, it was thin and watery. If you're coming to J's, I'd suggest skipping the appetizers. This seems like more of a spot to grab a cocktail and enjoy the waterfront view rather than a place to go for a memorable meal. read more

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My niece (visiting from Seattle) and I went for lunch at JAY'S OYSTER in Old Port on Jan 22, 2026. We both had the lobster lunch with the steamed clams and coleslaw. The server was very patient with us while we looked over the wonderful menu and made our selections and he answered all of our questions. The lobster was fresh (of course), very sweet, delicious and served with steamed clams. It was such a pleasant surprise, and I had never seen it served that way. My niece had a virgin bloody Mary served with some lobster meat and other goodies. The presentation was beautiful and she loved it. She also had an appetizer of oysters on the half shell. I think she was chortling by that time. There were many oyster selections. The coleslaw was so delicious, too. If she had been here Friday, we would have returned. Even our Uber driver highly recommended J's Oyster! Please keep doing such a great job. We will be back! read more

Service was superb from the get go!!! Thanks Jessica. Steamers couldn't have been better! And the beer was cold! read more

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On a crowded night at J'Oyster my friend and I were lucky enough to get the last 2 spots at the large bar. I'm happy to report that what looked like it could be a dive bar upon first impression, churned out not only good drinks but very impressive lobster dishes. The lobster stew was filled with succulent lobster. You can't get anything like that where I live in Philly. For the entrée we shared the lobster scampi, since we noticed it was a huge dish. It was perfectly cooked pasta with a generous amount of lobster to ensure that you get lobster in every bite. We also couldn't resist the cheesecake for dessert. A sweet end to the meal. At the bar we had a front row seat to watch the bartenders working their butts off to provide great service. J's Oyster will be my first stop next time I'm in Portland Maine. read more

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Great food, great service in a very unassuming little wooden building by the water. Great prices as well. Loved the whole experience. read more

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half bucket of clams (steamers) came out cold. the bellies had so much sand in them each bite was a crunch crunch of fine sand. Bakers Dozen of Raw Oysters were ehh. Had to ask for three plates to eat off of, three times. By the time we got them we were done with the cold steamers. 3 Adults. All from the local area and the bill was 140. We talked to the hostess about the steamers and she said that's how clams are, Sandy. Please! Been eating steamers in Maine for 40 years and we told her that's not how steamers are, Sandy and crunchy. She blew us off. Not going to J's again and will recommend others to go elsewhere. Not good! read more

As a tourist coming to Maine to eat all the fresh seafood -- J's was a spot that came up repeatedly in my search. We came here for a thursday evening dinner and were particularly excited for their lobster dinner meal which advertised a lobster, steamers, and a corn all for $34. My party of two was only able to order one of the dinner specials as they had run out of lobster and opted to order the scampi instead as that was another dish that came recommended online. We unfortunately had poor service, our entrees coming out before our side salads and us having the remind the waiter periodically that we had asked for salads and our drinks. The lobster meal was a good deal in theory but the steamer were so gritty and full of sand we were only able to eat a few pieces. Lobster scampi was a generous portion and had lots of lobster meat but the meat was pretty rubbery and tasted overcooked. Pasta itself was also not very al dente and the scampi sauce just tasted of a fish broth rather than an actually reduced sauce. Sitting outside we were able to look out at the beautiful harbor but overall this wasn't a good meal and we left feeling unsatisfied. read more

Amazing! The place to go if you stop in Portland! Casual bar setting. Easy menu. The chowders were full of seafood. The seafood casserole was delectable! Surprisingly awesome! The service was friendly and prompt. read more

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Stopped here for lunch because the place just looked cool from the outside. We were not disappointed! It is a "no frills" restaurant and felt like a family place. We sat at the bar and got to watch them shucking oysters. We had oysters and a couple of local beers and it was all delicious! The service was friendly and observant. The bartender offered some suggestions for sightseeing in the area. read more

Spent a long weekend in Portland. First need for lunch was oysters. Our hotel recommended Js over Eventide because he thought the line might be better and it was more old Portland. Nice old school oyster house.. what you'd expect. Line was long for lunch. In our line was 3 tables of 2. Hostess came out and asked if the six of us would like to share a table of 6 ? We all agreed and went on to have a great lunch meeting new people. One local couple and one from the mid west. We both had a lobster rolls which was packed with lobster and was delicious. Here's my only issue. We ordered a dozen oysters and they weren't served on ice. They were barely cool and by the time we had the last one it room temperature. An oyster house should know better. Drinks were good as was the service. Maybe the ice machine was on the fritz. read more

A nice unassuming seafood restaurant on the harbor. The patio dining has a view of the boats docked but there isn't a full sea view. I loved it. My inaugural meal was the Seafood Bouillabaisse - lobster, shrimp, scallops, haddock, mussels, clams, and crab meat tossed in a light marinara sauce over shells with parmesan cheese. read more

J’s Oyster - Seafood Bouillabaisse - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

My wife, a Portland native, and I were excited to have a rare date afternoon yesterday, around 3:30 PM, and chose J's Oyster for our meal. Upon arrival, the host was very kind and seated us promptly at a table outside, which was a great start. Unfortunately, that's where the positive experience ended. For a full 20 minutes, we were completely ignored by the servers and staff. Tables directly next to us were being tended to, but not a single person acknowledged our presence, offered water, or even made eye contact. We patiently waited, hoping someone would eventually come to our table, but it never happened. After 15 minutes, we agreed to give it another five. When that time passed without any acknowledgment, we sadly gathered our menus, placed them back, and left to find another place to eat. We spend a good chunk of our time every year in Portland. I have always been impressed by the show of courteously of people here. This experience at J's Oyster, however, was a stark and pretty disheartening contrast. We were really looking forward to enjoying some oysters and drinks, and to leave so utterly disappointed was truly a letdown. While the initial greeting was pleasant, the complete lack of service that followed made for a very frustrating and memorable experience for all the wrong reasons. We hope this feedback helps the management address the issue, as we wouldn't want others to experience the same disappointment. Given our experience, we will unfortunately not be returning. read more