Dining Room
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DiMillo's On the Water

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Dine on a historic car ferry in Portland Harbor, offering stunning views and classic New England seafood.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

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Dining Room

DiMillo's On the Water

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Dine on a historic car ferry in Portland Harbor, offering stunning views and classic New England seafood.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"A must-stop for amazing seafood with unbeatable harbor views on a unique floating restaurant."

TIP

Seating Choice

Request an interior table if sensitive to motion; the boat does sway gently.

Beat the Wait

Make reservations or arrive early, especially for outdoor seating during peak hours.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9PM

Cuisine

Seafood

Price

$$$

Phone

(207) 772-2216

Address

25 Long Wharf, Portland, ME 04101, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Unique Dining on a Ferry

Unique Dining on a Ferry

Dine on a former car ferry, offering stunning waterfront views of Portland Harbor.

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Classic New England Seafood

Classic New England Seafood

Savor freshly prepared lobster, clam chowder, and other local seafood specialties.

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Lobster Mac & Cheese

Lobster Mac & Cheese

A highly recommended dish featuring fresh lobster and a creamy mascarpone cheese sauce.

The Ultimate Guide To The Best Lobster In Portland, MaineGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Seating Choice

Request an interior table if sensitive to motion; the boat does sway gently.

Beat the Wait

Make reservations or arrive early, especially for outdoor seating during peak hours.

Local Specialties

Don't miss the mussels, steamed lobster, and bacon-wrapped scallops.

Italian Cuisine Note

While seafood is a highlight, Italian dishes may not be as consistently strong.

Tips

from all over the internet

Seating Choice

Request an interior table if sensitive to motion; the boat does sway gently.

Beat the Wait

Make reservations or arrive early, especially for outdoor seating during peak hours.

Local Specialties

Don't miss the mussels, steamed lobster, and bacon-wrapped scallops.

Italian Cuisine Note

While seafood is a highlight, Italian dishes may not be as consistently strong.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

DiMillo's On the Water is celebrated for its unique floating restaurant experience and classic New England seafood. Diners rave about dishes like the lobster mac and cheese, bacon-wrapped scallops, and clam chowder. While the ambiance and views are consistently praised, some reviews mention the crab cakes having too much bell pepper flavor.

"This was such a cool place to eat, floating on the water. The atmosphere was warm and inviting and definitely unique. The staff were very friendly and welcoming too. We stopped for lunch on the way to Bar Harbor and loved the food. I ordered the French onion soup and my friends ordered lobster rolls. Although this ship is docked in place, you still feel the slight movement of the water and waves, especially sitting by the windows. If you are sensitive to this movement, or are easily seasick, I would recommend requesting an interior table away from the windows. We sat by a window during a storm and although this larger ship/restaurant was steady, the smaller boats out the windows were rocking, rising and falling quite a bit in the wind. I had to not look out the window because it was making me dizzy and seasick. Overall a great place to visit and I would love to come again."

Dustin Boudrero

"DiMillo's was wonderful! The food was amazing and the atmosphere was great. We tried to make a reservation, but we knew we wanted to be seated outside and they don't accept reservations for outdoor seating. So we got there early knowing we'd need to wait for a table. We waited about an hour. The service was good even though our waiter was very busy due to it being the dinner hour. I had the clam chowder and lobster mac and cheese. The clam chowder was very good and the lobster mac and cheese was absolutely amazing! Even though it was quite chilly outside, the outdoor seating was very comfortable due to heaters on the patio and clear, roll down shades that didn't obstruct the view but offered protection from the cool air and wind for tables that wanted to roll them down. We recommend DiMillo's and would definitely be back!"

Brandi Matthews

"My husband and I had a wonderful dinner tonight! Every dish, from the appetizer to the entrée, was delicious and incredibly fresh. We could really taste the essence of the ocean in every bite. This experience was largely thanks to Ms. Morgan, our evening server. She recommended almost all the dishes we tried and paced the meal perfectly, allowing us to savor every bite. She is truly the best server we've ever had. She's exceptional at what she does, and she's definitely a keeper!"

Alisia Harvey (Peace)

What People Like

Unique floating restaurant experience
Fresh seafood, especially lobster
Stunning harbor views

What People Dislike

Crab cakes' bell pepper flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

The restaurant is on a docked ferry and may sway gently. If you are sensitive, request an interior table away from the windows.

Google Review+1

Reservations are accepted, but not for outdoor seating. Arriving early or placing your name on the waitlist is recommended.

Google Review+1

Popular recommendations include the lobster mac and cheese, lazy lobster, bacon-wrapped scallops, and clam chowder.

The Ultimate Guide To The Best Lobster In Portland, MaineGoogle Review+1

Yes, DiMillo's has its own parking lot and offers validated parking.

Google Review

The restaurant specializes in classic New England seafood, with some Italian and American options.

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DiMillo's On The Water is a unique floating restaurant that offers an unforgettable dining experience aboard a converted car ferry. With its picturesque waterfront views, diners can enjoy fresh seafood dishes while watching boats drift by in Portland's harbor. Known for its classic New England seafood menu, DiMillo's combines maritime charm with culinary excellence, making it a landmark destination for both seafoodies and sightseers.

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For those who equate the best seafood meals with proximity to the water, then DiMillo's on the Water is the restaurant for you. This iconic Portland eatery floats atop the busy waters of Portland Harbor, offering spectacular views of Casco Bay. It's location near the Old Port upscale shopping district makes it an even greater destination for discerning diners.

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The only thing better than dining on a boat is drinking cocktails on a boat on a rooftop deck!. DiMillo’s is a Portland institution for many reasons, including having one of the best ocean views in the Old Port. You can experience that view on one of their incredible decks when you’re outside on a hot, sunny day.

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Dimillo’s is the only restaurant in Portland that can claim to actually be on the water. The floating restaurant features multiple decks and a lengthy history along the waterfront. Tony DiMillo moved his restaurant to Commercial Street from Fore Street in 1965, before opening on the former car ferry in 1982

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Bob’s father-in-law was Tony DiMillo, the owner of DiMillo’s restaurant on Portland’s waterfront. “He was a smart businessman, who helped steer me in the right direction,” says Bob. “Tony was my mentor and he guided my decisions about the restaurant.

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