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Scales, Portland, ME
Scales, Portland, ME
Scales, Portland, ME
Scales, Portland, ME
Scales, Portland, ME

Scales

4.9
4.9
6681 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood
68-72 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 108 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
  • Great for scenic views
A traditional New England restaurant with modern touches, Scales is located on Maine Wharf next to the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal. Enjoy classic fried seafood as well as locally sourced land fare, while enjoying the view of a quintessential working Maine harbor.

Bar seating is available for dinner service by reservation only. Please check with the host to inquire about bar seating.

Our lounge is open for cocktails and raw bar every day beginning at 4:30pm Sunday - Thursday, and 4:00pm Friday - Saturday.

We are only able to seat complete parties at this time. Please note: our patio reservations are weather dependent. If we need to make a change because of weather, we will call you on the day of your reservation to cancel or reschedule your booking.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Contemporary French
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Frederic Eliot
  • Neighborhood
    Portland
  • Parking details
    We have complimentary valet parking while you are dining with us.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 6,681 people are saying

Scales reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Maine

    Best Overall

  • Maine

    Best Food

  • Maine

    Hot spot

  • Maine

    Great for scenic views

  • Maine

    Most Booked

  • Greater Portland

    Best Overall

  • Greater Portland

    Best Food

  • Greater Portland

    Best Service

  • Greater Portland

    Best Ambiance

  • Greater Portland

    Best Value

  • Greater Portland

    Good for groups

  • Greater Portland

    Hot spot

  • Greater Portland

    Great for fine wines

  • Greater Portland

    Good for special occasions

  • Greater Portland

    Lively

  • Greater Portland

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Scales in Portland offers a vibrant dining experience with "exceptional food, impeccable service, and a stunning ambiance." Known for its "freshest seafood" and "unmatched quality," it's a top choice for special occasions. Diners praise the "lively atmosphere" and "amazing service," though some note the noise level can be high.
6,681 Reviews
  1. Karen

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Spectacular meal! Lobster was perfectly cooked! Steak was to die for. The dessert butterscotch sundae blew my mind.

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  2. Alynn D

    Greater Boston4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It’s our third time dining at Scales, and every time has been outstanding: the food is excellent, the service is excellent, and the wine list is extensive. Two of the three times we’ve been there we’ve had the scallops, and they are sublime. If you are in Portland, you definitely should not miss a meal at Scales.

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  3. Rebecca

    Greater Boston3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Guy was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Was very helpful and communicated clearly.

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  4. angela VIP

    San Diego5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food, service and ambiance were absolutely fabulous! Always an experience to remember.

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  5. beth

    Greater Boston5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Need a place to take out of town guests? This place was perfect for a rainy early spring Tuesday night. It was a high energy spot in the heart of Portland’s waterfront with locally caught seafood among other fish choices on the menu and cool scenes outside the windows.

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  6. Dee

    Philadelphia15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Scales in Portland, Maine is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Portland, Scales is an absolute must-visit! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance enveloped us in a warm, inviting atmosphere that perfectly complements the exquisite culinary journey that awaits. Let’s talk about the food: the buttery and scrumptious Clover Rolls are a slice of heaven! They are so light and fluffy, each bite melts effortlessly in your mouth. Paired with a touch of butter, they are impossible to resist. Now, onto the gnocchi—this is, hands down, the best gnocchi on the planet, PERIOD. Each piece is perfectly pillowy, with a delightful texture that dances on your palate. The Cod and sauce was bursting with flavor, making it a dish that my husband couldn't stop raving about. Seriously, he could have eaten that dish all night! For seafood lovers, the tasty lobster is a revelation. Cooked to perfection, it was succulent and rich, showcasing the freshness that Portland is so famous for. Each bite was a reminder of why we love this coastal gem of a city. And let’s not forget the cocktails! The drinks were perfectly crafted, offering a symphony of flavors that beautifully complemented the meal. Each cocktail was imaginative and refreshing, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to our dining experience. The service at Scales was nothing short of superb. Our server was knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. She made excellent recommendations that enhanced our experience; the staff worked as a team ensuring that we felt taken care of throughout the evening. Overall, our visit to Scales was stellar! From the Clover Rolls to the gnocchi and expertly crafted cocktails, every aspect was remarkable. If you find yourself in Portland, ME, do yourself a favor and make a reservation at Scales—you won't regret it! I made our reservation a week in advance to get my coveted seating. This is a culinary gem that deserves all the accolades it receives.

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  7. John

    New York City7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic, great food, wonderful setting, sublime service.

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  8. Robert

    Greater Boston1 review

    1.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    We are Portland locals who have dined at Scales for years. What was experienced last night was nothing short of disgusting. The waitstaff was ignorant and condescending. The food was totally disappointing. One of us ordered the seafood stew which consisted of five puny mussels, three clams, and two pieces of squid. There was supposed to be whitefish but none was included. The sauce was so salty that it couldn't be eaten. Another person ordered a lobster roll which had so little lobster that it was a joke. Another ordered the halibut - same problem - a tiny piece of fish not worth the high price. Before we had even finished our dessert, the waiter handed us a bill,, and stood there until we paid. He made it clear they wanted the table and didn't care if we were ready to go or not. This was not the enjoyable evening that we used to experience. If you want to drop several hundred dollars on a dinner in Portland, there are better options.

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  9. James

    Greater Boston9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Pound and a half lobster was soft shell (April 14) with very little meat in it. Otherwise delicious dinner.

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  10. Betty VIP

    Dallas9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exceptional from start to finish. The service was amazing from the moment we entered. Every dish was outstanding-from appetizers to mains to dessert. We enjoyed every moment of our experience. We will definitely be returning when we are back in town. In fact, I told my family I would make a special trip to Portland just to dine here again!!

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FAQs

Scales is rated 4.9 stars by 6681 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Maine
  4. Greater Portland
  5. Portland

Make a reservation


Booked 108 times today
Google Map for Scales

68-72 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Portland
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Contemporary French
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    We have complimentary valet parking while you are dining with us.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Frederic Eliot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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