The Grill Room & Bar

The moment you enter the open kitchen at The Grill Room & Bar, you understand what chef/owner Harding Lee Smith has built. Steaks sear loudly on the wood-fired grill. Scallops hit hot plates. The energy moves fast. This isn't a hushed, dark steakhouse temple - it's a living room where precision cooking and neighborhood energy collide.

Since 2008, The Grill Room has anchored 84 Exchange Street in Portland's Old Port, becoming the rare local restaurant that works equally well for a February date night, a business dinner, or a birthday from out of town. The menu reads steakhouse-standard at first glance - prime cuts, butter, classic sides - but Smith's French-American lens lifts it. Wood-oven roasted oysters arrive with black garlic aioli and smoked trout roe. Scallops come grilled with celery root purée and bacon lardons. Even the mashed potatoes taste like someone cared.

Steaks that arrive cooked exactly as ordered. Reviewers who know steakhouses consistently praise the thickness, seasoning, and sear on everything from the filet mignon to the porterhouse. Multiple guests noted the kitchen honors rare requests with precision - a rare win for any restaurant.

Scallops and oysters you'll think about later. The pan-seared scallops appetizer earned the highest praise in months of reviews ("the very best I have ever experienced in my life"). Fresh wood-oven roasted oysters with black garlic aioli and smoked trout roe are equally memorable. If you eat here once, order one of these two first.

Named staff who make an impression. Servers like Colby, Sean, Claire, and Jaden appear repeatedly in reviews - not as crowd-pleasers, but as professionals who know the menu, manage timing, and earn five-star mentions by name. Service rating of 4.8 reflects consistency.

The open kitchen counter is prime real estate. Sitting at the chef's counter near the wood-fired grill offers a front-row seat to the precision and speed. Multiple guests noted the view made the meal - watching your steak sear changes the experience.

A wine list that rewards curiosity. The program spans 50+ bottles by the glass and glass, with depth in Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Malbec. Local beer selection (Allagash, Rising Tide, Maine Beer Company) is robust. Cocktails are balanced, not fruity.

The kitchen leans French-American steakhouse but never gets precious about it. You'll find classic French preparations (béarnaise, bordelaise, beurre blanc) alongside Maine ingredients (lobster mashed potato, local mushrooms, smoked trout roe). Steaks are a la carte; sides are ordered separately, which lets you build exactly what you want. Service runs efficient - no artificial pacing delays.

• Pan-seared scallops appetizer - Celery root purée, bacon lardons, carrot glaze. Reviewers called it the best they've had anywhere.
• Wood-oven roasted oysters - Half dozen with black garlic aioli, pork belly, smoked trout roe. Seasonal availability; ask your server.
• Filet mignon - Ordered à la carte and paired with béarnaise or bleu cheese fondue. Cook it to true temperature and it sings.
• Porterhouse steak - The $190 special appears in reviews often; thick, flavorful, unsurpassed at this price point.
• Fried calamari - Crispy, generously portioned, a reliable crowd-pleaser that appears in multiple 5-star meals.
• Caesar salad - House-made, balanced, a solid starter that many order before steak.
• Lobster mashed potato - Pairs with any protein; richer than standard butter and cream.
• Crème brûlée - Vanilla bean, perfectly torched, worth saving room for.

Portions are enormous - sharing appetizers and sides is standard practice here.

The room is high-ceilinged, open-plan, with the kitchen visible from most seats. Decor leans industrial-chic: exposed brick, wood elements, good lighting by a steakhouse. The energy is lively - you'll hear conversation, laughter, the kitchen's work. It's a neighborhood place that happens to serve excellent food, not a hushed fine-dining box.

The honest trade-off: noise. Multiple reviewers flagged the room as "extremely noisy" or "very loud," especially when full. Rock-and-roll music plays at volume. Hard wooden booths and chairs amplify sound. If you want a quieter meal, request an early seating (5 p.m.–6 p.m.) or call ahead to ask about booth placement away from the bar. Anniversary and special-occasion diners should specifically request booth seating and mention the occasion - a few guests reported being seated at cramped table rows near the kitchen instead, which dampened their night.

Dress code is smart casual; most guests wear blazers or nice jeans. The room suits date nights, business dinners, and small celebrations equally well.

Happy Hour: Mon–Sat, 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. (small bites, drinks specials)

Dinner: Mon–Thu, 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | Fri–Sat, 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Closed: Sunday

Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are highly recommended - the restaurant carries the "Most Booked" tag for a reason. Book at least one week ahead for Friday or Saturday, especially around holidays and summer weekends. For groups of 8+, call the restaurant directly at (207) 774-2333 or email [email protected].

OpenTable often shows the earliest availability; you can also call or visit thegrillroomandbar.com. The 4–6 p.m. happy hour is genuinely walkable, though it fills quickly on weekends.

"The scallops were quite honestly the very best I have ever experienced in my life. Next visit I will be getting my own and not sharing." - John, Maine · 5★

"Outstanding porterhouse steak, really prime. Great salads, great fried calamari." - James, Greater Boston · 5★

"Sat at the cozy counter stools in the back near the wood fire. Wine and food was great. Scallops, filet with lobster claw, baked potato, creamed spinach - all above average." - Jayme, Greater Boston · 5★

"Our server Sean was amazing. We both got ribeyes and they did not disappoint." - Megan, Maine · 5★

"The food and service were incredible. Mussels, tomahawk steak, lobster mashed potatoes, asparagus and crème brûlée outstanding. Chef Alana and crew crushed it." - Tracy, Tampa · 5★

"The young waiter was excellent, the steaks were perfect and for a steakhouse the portions are huge. I highly recommend the oysters, filet and Brussels sprouts." - Dominic, Greater Boston · 5★

What reviewers flag honestly: Noise is the single most common complaint - several guests from quieter regions found the lively atmosphere jarring. A handful of visitors experienced inconsistent food on return visits or felt the price ($150–$300 per person with drinks) didn't always justify the execution. Cold plates, undercooked fish, and overcook beef appear in isolated reviews but are exceptions. A few guests noted the room has cramped table sections where diners sit uncomfortably close.

84 Exchange Street sits in the heart of Portland's historic Old Port, a neighborhood that's part working waterfront, part boutiques and galleries. The location is walkable from most of downtown.

• Walk to the waterfront - 5 minutes. Harbor Park, the Eastern Promenade, and working docks.
• Nearby dining and bars - Exchange Street has a dozen restaurants within a two-block radius. The Front Room and Corner Room (sister restaurants) are in the same building.
• Parking - Street parking can be tight on weekends; use one of the several garages in the surrounding area (typically $2–$4 per hour).
• Drive to Cape Elizabeth lighthouses - 15 minutes south. Portland Head Light, Two Lights State Park.
• Drive to Freeport shopping - 25 minutes north. L.L.Bean, local outlets, another dozen restaurants.
• Day trip to Midcoast - Rockland (40 min), Camden (50 min), Boothbay (45 min). Pair dinner with an afternoon on the coast.
• Airport - Portland International (PWM) is 10 minutes northwest.

Is a reservation required? Walk-ins are welcome, but the restaurant is frequently booked, especially weekends. Reserve online or call (207) 774-2333 at least a week ahead for Friday or Saturday.

What's the dress code? Smart casual. Blazers, nice jeans, closed-toe shoes. The room is upscale but not black-tie.

Is it wheelchair accessible? The restaurant is on Exchange Street in the Old Port. Call ahead to confirm specific accessibility details and entrance logistics.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options? Yes. Sides (salads, grilled asparagus, roasted mushrooms, Brussels sprouts) can be ordered à la carte. Wood-oven roasted brie is an excellent vegetarian starter. Discuss dietary needs with your server or call ahead.

Is there outdoor seating? Yes. A pet-friendly patio is available seasonally (spring through fall, weather dependent). Request it when booking.

Can I get a private dining room? The restaurant does not advertise a dedicated private room. Call (207) 774-2333 for groups of 8+ to discuss options.

Is it kid-friendly? Yes, but the noise level and late-night energy suit older children better. Simpler dishes (steak, fish, fries, salad) are available. Ask for high chairs or booster seats when booking.

How far is it from the coast? The restaurant is 5 minutes from the waterfront and Eastern Promenade. The Midcoast (Rockland, Camden) is 40–50 minutes north; Freeport and Cape Elizabeth are 15–25 minutes away.