J’s Oyster

Reviews

• Stan P.

  star star star star star 6 June 2026

  What a great little find and Right on the water. We had fresh oysters from Maine and Virginia.  Both were fresh and good but the Maine oysters are much better
  
  We are new to the area and the server was great.  He explained the menu and made suggestions
  
  Mostly tourists so there was a lot of friendly banter between the different tables.  And best of all it is dog friendly!

• Magnus D.

  star star star star_border star_border 1 June 2026

  I love J's Oyster Bar. Been coming for 32 years. I've eaten lobster rolls at 20 different lobster roll places this summer and so far J's is #2. It is excellent:
  But I want to talk about the hostess and waitress yesterday. I came up and asked for a table. My three guests not far behind. Elderly hostess with too much make up says "Your Party has to all be standing right here, you said "about four " I need exact, your confusing me." Well good afternoon to you too Ma'am!
  Then our waitress did an odd thing throughout service. She stood there with both drinks and plates holding them above each of us and waiting for us to take them directly from her hand.
  It was noticed.
  We watched as same waitress placed drinks and plates in front of all other guests at different tables.
  Finally I made her place it in front of me.
  My girlfriend observed that these women seemed drunk.
  Oh well.
  I'll still go to J's, this was a one off day I suppose. The owner is awesome all the time. Normally the weekend is fantastic so perhaps a midweek is to be avoided when the owner isn't there. Nothing insures quality and reputation like the leadership being around to supervise.

• Annie T.

  star star star star star 26 May 2026

  Spent one day and one night in Portland. Had a list of recommendated dinner/lunch spots from a friend, and J's Oyster was one of them. We drove into Portland around 8pm on Saturday night, and the line at J's Oyster was insane. We were told they were no longer placing names on the line, as the line amounted to over 3 hours.
  
  Dejected, we went to Gilbert's Chowder House (another recommendation on the friend's list). If you're intrigued, take a look at my review for Gilbert -- it was pretty good, just very different from J's. The next morning (Sunday before Labor Day), we got to J's half an hour after the restaurant opened. The wait was approximately 25 minutes, and as we ate, the wait only got longer.
  
  4 of us enjoyed a pretty big meal here. Below is everything we ordered:
  
  - rockefeller oysters x2
  - baked stuffed oysters
  - lobster stew
  - swordfish (daily special of the day)
  - crab filled mushrooms x2
  - garlic bread
  - seafood platter casserole
  
  3 things I really want to call out: 1) the Rockefeller oysters were absolutely delicious; extremely flavorful, and they were big oysters, 2) crab filled mushrooms were hands-down all of our favorites. My girlfriend doesn't even like mushrooms much, but she loved this dish so much, and 3) lobster stew-- I've tried several lobster stews before, but this one was the perfect balance between creamy, salty, and fishy. 200% recommend! We loved the rockefeller ousters and crab filled mushrooms so much that we ordered another serving of both :) They're also shown in the photos.
  
  Separately, the swordfish was really great as well. My girlfriend and I shared the entreé, and it was the perfect portion with a side of brussel sprouts. I highly recommend this spot unless you want a nice raw bar. Everything else, J's does an amazing job with. There's even a beautiful harborside view if you chooe outside seating. Lastly, shoutout to our waitress, who was very on top of her game and extraordinarily efficient! Will definitely come again if I'm ever back in Portland!

• Colleen H.

  star star star star star_border 26 May 2026

  This local restaurant right on the water was a fabulous find!
  
  Delicious locally brewed beers, and killer food!
  
  My husband got the Maine oysters, and absolutely fell in love....and he's an ouster snob! Lol
  
  We ordered the lobster claw appetizer, 100% a must get if you stop in, and the steamed clams, which were good but not great.
  
  Main dishes we ordered the the grilled halibut with rice and vegetable, and it was one of the best fish I've ever had... would absolutely order it again!

• Lol F.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 16 May 2026

  exactly as one customer Magnus D. said! the same old lady served us! Super weird omg. After we ordered, she just asked if she could take the menus away and then just wait there...waiting for us to pick them up then hand in for her. I thought I might be too sensitive, but later on just exactly what happened as s she just holding our food and waiting for us to take by ourselves! When we finished some of them, since too many plates, I asked her to take some out, she said take ur fork out of it...I was like...who is the waitress here then??will i be paid by tips? We are here traveling, thought this is how waitress served in Portland
  Seafoods are not bad, fresh lobster, but clams need to be sand purged better...