With an itinerary filled with lobster rolls, I knew I wanted to order a non-lobster roll here. I ordered the Scampi and chose shrimp as my protein and thought it was one of the better shrimp scampis I've had! I loved how lemony the sauce was and it came with a good amount of shrimp. My only comment would be there was a little too much garlic for my liking, and the garlic wasn't cut consistently so I had some bigger pieces and some smaller pieces. There was a little bit of a wait but nothing too bad. Ambiance was great, right by the water, and you get to see the boats which I loved. read more

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

Service Dear Manager, Greg wrote on our check (today)that we were "unsatisfied" and "comped" for the garlic bread we received AFTER we finished the chowder, which was my husband's lunch, (after the oysters). When it arrived we politely said we didn't need it any more. He didn't say a word, whisked away the plate, walked to the trash can and tipped the bread right in. Never once did he apologize for forgetting to order it to begin with (we had to remind him) nor when he brought it at the end of the meal. His attitude was condescending and we felt completely baffled by the whole thing. When he didn't return to pick up our payment we walked up to the woman who was seating the customers and asked where we could pay. We mentioned our unfortunate experience and she didn't care either! She did look to make sure we weren't charged. We didn't care about the money! We cared about choosing your establishment as our lunch spot on our one afternoon in Portland and being treated with such disregard. We got the impression that since we were tourists it didn't really matter. We felt sad and again baffled. We didn't leave a tip! We've never done that before. Having been waiters for many years in our younger lives we tend to over-tip. Not this time. Sadly, your offended Tourists PS the oysters were delicious read more

J's was good! We had the cup of lobster stew which was very, very good. We also had the oysters which were amazing, and the salmon skewer which was fine. We ate inside because it was hot. It got a little crowded, but it was okay. I would not return because they are too many other places to try, but it was fine. It looked like a lot of locals and regulars were there. read more

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

There are lots of wonderful restaurants in Portland where you can enjoy some tasty oysters, lobsters and other varieties of seafood. We remain especially fond of J's. First, the location is right on the waterfront, so the food has to be fresh! Second, it has a terrific vibe like a place that's been around for a long time and has an assortment of regulars yet is welcoming to newcomers. And finally, the food really is yummy. This trip we sated ourselves with oysters, dozens after dozens, so fresh and quickly shucked and sliding down our throats in just the right way. Wow. Throw in some cold beers and it's a treat to remember. Which we urge you to try. Portland is a gem, and so is J's. read more

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

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Wow, what a great experience. We tried the salmon skewers (10/10), shrimp scampi (good but a bit oily), and the famous lobster roll (amazing). The quality was great, we could taste the freshness of the food. + service was excellent read more

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

Outside seating on the water is pleasant, and inside seating, watching oysters being shucked is a perfect alternative as well. All fish looked beyond fresh. We ordered half a dozen oysters, clam chowder, ceviche and summer salad. Oysters were fresh and accompanied by a Portland local hot sauce that we wanted to take home with us. Clam chowder had generous portions of fish, and was tasty. Ceviche was on the smaller side, but fish was so fresh it's hard to complain. Salad was a surprisingly tasty accompaniment with delicious mozzarella. Overall, a perfect Portland lunch spot. read more

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Oysters are so fresh The clams just as fresh. The staff were friendly. Service was fast for a hungry person like me. The restaurant is clean and looks like it is well kept. The water is also very clean. Highly recommendable. read more

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Sitting outside under the tent, looking at that view, everything is right in the world. Love the blueberry margs-not overdone-perfect flavor. Buckets of steamers are great and the swordfish kebob is cooked perfectly. The lobster stuffed oysters were the only bummer-I'd pass on those. Good service even when busy. read more

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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Came in around 6pm on a Sunday. We were a little worried as yelp said they close today at 5pm. We were happy to see them open. There is inside seating and outside seating too. We opted to sit inside as we didn't have to wait the 30minutes to get an outside table. Inside is small with a u shaped bar with seats around with about eight tables around the edge. Quite quaint. Our server was a very friendly girl. She was attentive and checked on us often. Ordered the steamers (small), lobster roll and a lobster dip (with cream cheese and seasonings). The lobster roll was the favorite of the restaurants in Portland. It was FULL of lobster. The lobster dip was also full of meat!! The fresh clam steamers...for the small bucket...had so many!!! Right around 25 and not small ones!!! Overall a very enjoyable last seafood meal.... Will definitely make this our new seafood stop on future visits!!! read more

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This can happen to any restaurant serving raw oysters. My buddy any I ate there. 3 hours later I was happy, he was in the hospital and almost died. We only ate oysters and only from J's. They pile oysters high off the ice, and they're fresh. A thousand Flies are there too eating too. We came for lunch. The message is beware of any Oyster farmed or not. They can carry nasty pathogens and parasites that can kill you. Always cook or fry them. Again this can happen in any restaurant. I do recommend the lightly cover the mound of Oysters and clams from flies eating and defecating on the outside shell. And a bigger sign that Raw Oysters can kill you. read more

This place should have a higher rating!! The service was heartfelt and you could tell that this was a place filled with locals and visitors alike. Had the lobster roll and oysters. Oysters were incredibly fresh. Ambiance was great, it felt very local inside. Very nice view of the harbor. 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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Oysters and lobster roll both delicious. Do NOT get the Downeast Margarita that was an abomination to both blueberries and margaritas. Regular marg fine enough. read more

J’s Oyster - Lobster Roll Sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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 is a must in Portland !! Steamers are incredible!!! Lobster Roll -.ridiculous!!! Everything is spectacular!!! Go here!! read more

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

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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Tourist trap! Old, dingy, place with unhappy people working. Clam chowder was watery and my salmon skewer like the soup was way over priced. $11 dollars for a cup of soup! Skip this place. read more

Best steamers anywhere - clean and ample sizes of buckets to suit your needs. Lobster stew is a bisque full of lobster. It's always crowded but staff is friendly and quick. read more

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

Amazing food and service at J's Oyster in Maine! The portions are huge, everything we ordered was delicious, and the service was fantastic. We had such a great time celebrating my birthday here on a girls' trip. Definitely a must-visit if you're in the area! read more

J’s Oyster - New England Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

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J's is one of our favorites in the Old Port. It was our first stop on our most recent visit to Portland. We sat outside on a warm breezy afternoon. I had the Baker's Dozen oysters on the half shell and a lobster roll. My wife had the clam chowder and a small salad. The oysters were great, very tasty with the right touch of brine which I like. The lobster roll was very generous and it was delicious. Great with an Allagash White draft. My wife enjoyed the chowder. Our waitress was great, friendly and attentive. Definitely recommend! read more

J’s Oyster - The lobster roll at J's Oyster - Seafood Near Me - Portland, Maine

The setting could not be more idyllic. Sitting outside was beautiful, although it did get a little chilly. The half dozen oysters were a great start to the trip. The lobster roll was not exceptional to us at all. It lacked sauce or seasoning or butter or something. Service was nice enough. 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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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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Best clam chowder I have ever had. Glad I ordered a bowl of it. Chock full of clams and potatoes. Piping hot!

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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Great food, great service, great people, not much more to say. Great location, great bar, great beer... read more

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

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

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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