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J's Oyster


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating:
  • A summary score based on quality, quantity and age of traveler ratings.
4.5 of 5 stars 69 ratings
69 ratings
5.0 of 5 stars
30
4.0 of 5 stars
21
3.0 of 5 stars
3
2.0 of 5 stars
4
1.0 of 5 stars
11
TripAdvisor Popularity Index:
  • Measures overall traveler satisfaction based on ratings, reviews and other sources.
#20 of 322 restaurants in Portland
  • Cuisines: American, Seafood
  • Address: 5 Portland Pier, Portland, ME 04101-4713
  • Phone:  (207) 772-4828
Traveler Description: www.myspace.com/j... more »

Traveler Reviews

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
Save Review
5 of 5 stars
SeekingGreatBeer 1 contribution
Gardiner
Jul 9, 2009

Great local ambience. Excellent lobster chowder. Good stiff drinks. What more do you need? more

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5 of 5 stars
EcoRover 4 contributions
Montana
Jul 5, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

Mrs EcoRover & I stumbled upon this place after a tip from a local. Unless you are specifically looking for it, you won't likely find it. Definitely worth seeking out: we ate a couple of dozen fresh oysters and a plate of mussels, and both were fantastic. Certainly the best oysters we've had in the Northeast, and almost as good... more

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3 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Contributor
Jun 29, 2009
0/1 found this review helpful

Food was average. Service was average. Local dive. more

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5 of 5 stars
Juan77 2 contributions
Portland, Maine
Jun 24, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

Jay's offers fantastic seafood at an affordable price. For a city located on the waterfront, there aren't too many options where you can get decent seafood. Perhaps this is why Jay's is frequented mostly by locals, and doesnt have the 'toy city' feeling that has permeated throughout the rest of portland over the past two decades. Instead it maintains a... more

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5 of 5 stars
vinomanfla 14 contributions
Florida
Jun 23, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

I have been to J's 3 times this year - Jan alone on business, then two dinners in a row while on vacation with my wife in June. It is not for everyone! Not for large parties (more than 4). Not for families. It was recommended to me by a co-worker from Wells, ME when I was first in Portland.... more

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5 of 5 stars
BillPamNYC 1 contribution
New York City
Jun 21, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

I was really suprised to see these bad reviews? But then again Jays Oyster Bar is not a family style restaurant chain, if you are impatient or snappy with the staff they will most likely show you the error of your ways. My wife and I try to get up to Maine every other month or so for a weekend... more

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5 of 5 stars
seaf00deater 1 contribution
Portland, ME
Jun 19, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

J's is a place to experience the real Portland waterfront. It's usually filled--with locals, not tourists. Although the clientele is a mix of fishermen and professionals, J's maintains a decidedly working class feel. Located right on Portland's waterfront, it has indoor and outdoor seating. Serves great fresh seafood. more

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1 of 5 stars
vivera_rte1 1 contribution
New York
Jun 2, 2009
0/1 found this review helpful

The food was not good and made my mother ill causing her to spend the rest of the day in the hotel next to a bathroom.The lobster was dirty and many of the clams in the allotted serving failed to open.The scampi was loaded with spices. This negative experience was compounded by the most obnoxious waitress we have ever encountered.When... more

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1 of 5 stars
vickyccc 1 contribution
kentucky
May 14, 2009
0/2 found this review helpful

The waitress was the worst I've ever seen. My family of 6 went there because it was recommended. My husband got served flat beer. My drink was made wrong and my mother, a native Maine-iac expected a traditional lobster roll. What she got was lobster she had to mix herself with mayo. When she asked the waitress for a bowl,... more

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3 of 5 stars
mgrowdon 14 contributions
Indiana
Mar 26, 2009
0/1 found this review helpful

As many of the reviews state, this place has amazing food. We had a bucket of Steamers to share at the table. They were fabulous. My lobster was huge and came with its own pile of steamers on top (which I couldn't eat). It seems that $24.00 is a going market price for a lobster at this restaurant whatever the... more

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J's Oyster Address

5 Portland Pier, Portland, ME 04101-4713
Tel: (207) 772-4828
* Restaurant price information is based on meal cost per person, excluding drinks, tax and tip.