Old Port Sea Grill & Raw Bar

Old Port Sea Grill sits right by the water in Portland's busiest neighborhood, serving upmarket seafood that leans on what's local and fresh. The dining room has a polished, modern feel without being stuffy. You'll find tourists and locals at the bar, families at tables near the window, and solo diners who know their way around an oyster plate.

• Bang bang shrimp: crispy, sweet chili sauce, pickled onions.
• Lazy lobster arrives shell-removed with tender meat.
• Baked haddock and fried calamari show kitchen skill.
• Fresh fish matters here; it shows in every bite.

Start with the bang bang shrimp (the pickled onions can be scraped off if they're not your thing) or the fried calamari. The New England clam chowder is solid, though the portion is modest for the price. For mains, the lazy lobster comes shell-free with tender meat and excellent green beans. The baked haddock is buttery and worth ordering. Caesar salad comes loaded with lobster meat if you want something lighter.

Contemporary and calm. The dining room is bright and uncluttered, with natural light if you're seated near the harbor. It's never frantic, even when moderately busy.

Come for the raw bar if you want to graze on local oysters, or settle in for a full dinner. The staff moves at a reasonable pace, friendly but not hovering. They'll hold a reservation if you're running a few minutes late on New Year's Eve.

Guests praise the freshness of the fish and the attentive, unhurried service. One recent visitor called the baked haddock and green beans exceptional. The staff handles timing gracefully, even on busy nights like New Year's Eve. Several diners noted the wine service is done right, with a taste before the pour.