About Scales

If you’re getting to know Portland’s waterfront dining scene, I always start by pointing people toward Scales Restaurant, a seafood restaurant that feels both polished and genuinely welcoming from the moment you walk in. Located right on Commercial Street at 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, Scales has this effortless coastal energy that makes it easy to settle in, whether you’re dropping by for a relaxed lunch or planning a more intentional dinner. The space feels open and lively, with a rhythm that mirrors the working harbor outside, and that atmosphere carries straight through to the menu, creating a setting that works just as well for locals as it does for visitors exploring the area. Seafood is clearly the star here, but what stands out is how thoughtfully everything is handled, from lighter, healthy options to beautifully composed small plates that invite sharing and conversation. I like introducing Scales as the kind of place where you can keep things simple with a glass of wine and a few bites, or lean into a full dining experience without it feeling formal or stiff. Their beverage program plays a big role in that flexibility, offering everything from craft beer and coffee to well-made cocktails and a solid selection of hard liquor, so there’s always something that fits your mood. Organic dishes show up naturally on the menu, not as a trend but as part of the restaurant’s overall approach to quality and balance. Service options are also refreshingly practical, with dine-in experiences that feel attentive without hovering, plus delivery for those days when you want the flavors without leaving home. When I talk about Scales, I usually describe it as a place that understands how people actually like to eat and drink, blending fresh seafood, approachable service, and a waterfront setting into something that feels easy, current, and unmistakably Portland.

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Business Info

Service options

Service options

+ Dine-in

+ Delivery

Highlights

Highlights

+ Great beer selection

+ Great cocktails

+ Great coffee

+ Great dessert

+ Great wine list

+ Serves local specialty

Popular for

Popular for

+ Dinner

+ Solo dining

Accessibility

Accessibility

+ Wheelchair accessible entrance

+ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

+ Wheelchair accessible restroom

+ Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

Offerings

+ Alcohol

+ Beer

+ Cocktails

+ Coffee

+ Hard liquor

+ Healthy options

+ Organic dishes

+ Small plates

+ Wine

Dining options

Dining options

+ Dinner

+ Dessert

+ Seating

+ Table service

Amenities

Amenities

+ Bar onsite

+ Restroom

Atmosphere

Atmosphere

+ Romantic

+ Trendy

+ Upscale

Crowd

Crowd

+ Family-friendly

+ Groups

+ Tourists

Planning

Planning

+ Dinner reservations recommended

+ Accepts reservations

+ Usually a wait

Payments

Payments

+ Credit cards

+ Debit cards

+ NFC mobile payments

+ Credit cards

Children

Children

+ High chairs

Parking

Parking

+ Paid street parking

+ Valet parking

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Hour time open

Right Now :

  • Monday: 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday: 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Friday: 04:30 PM - 09:30 PM
  • Saturday: 04:30 PM - 09:30 PM
  • Sunday: 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM
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68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Reviews

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Found out about this restaurant because I follow Tortoise Supper Club on TikTok. We finally got a reservation, I had been chasing notifications ALL WEEKEND. I’m from Chicago (ish), and was visiting Maine for the weekend. I was so excited - met, and exceeded expectations. Beautiful ambiance, and view of the port. Each entree and appetizer was incredible. We sat at the bar and was able to basically see everything come out. Great service, not a bad encounter with anyone, loved that they offered an additional menu and the chef or cook (in the B hat) was kind enough to let me talk his ear off. Cannot wait to come back, next time I’m in Maine.

- Alexis Simmons -

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This was truly one of the best meals I’ve ever had. We started with the Cloverleaf rolls and ended up ordering several more for the table — they were that good. Soft, buttery, and topped with salt, they were pure heaven. The cornbread was also great, especially with the Thai chili butter, but if I had to choose, I’d go with the rolls. I’m not much of a seafood person, so I ordered the cheeseburger and was still blown away. The beef pot roast was to die for — so tender you could shred it with a spoon, and the sauce it came with was equally delicious. If you like baked potatoes, the loaded Hasselback potato is a must-try. We finished with the peach cake, which was moist, flavorful, and topped with oat streusel and ice cream — such a perfect ending. The ambience here is unmatched and the service is fantastic. The food could not be better. If you’re in Portland, Maine, make sure to get reservations.

- Rylan Gordon -

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An absolute gem!!!! I am from Houston, Texas and took my boyfriend here for a surprise trip to Maine and chose to dine at Scales. Absolutely best food I have ever had in any restaurant in all my travels (and I’ve been to 40 states and 30 countries). This presentation of food, the combination of flavors, combination of textures; IMPECCABLE!!!! We were sat immediately for our reservation time of 7:30, although it did take 13 minutes to be greeted or provided with water by our waitress. But once she did come to us, service was excellent from then on. The restaurant was slammed and it was Monday. I will literally come back to Maine from Houston just for this restaurant.

- Breanna Richardson -

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