Harbor Bistro + Terrace

“The criteria searched for that brought us here was actually igloo rentals! 🤣 We wanted to have a dining experience inside a heated igloo (while outside of course), and the options that seemed the best included places in Bethel and Bangor, but Portland was closer.... Anywho, we went there this past Sunday early evening and found the restaurant not too busy inside and out. They have a red themed igloo and blue themed, we took red. I wish I remember our servers name, because she deserves 5 stars on her own. We were well tended to buy a most cherry personality that knew the menu options very well. Everything served between the apps, entrees, signature cocktails, and desert was worth the money and nothing was left behind 🤤 The desert tasted even better as our original selection from the menu wasn't available, but they brought us out 2 of something special that wasn't on the menu and comped the desert entirely! The large fireplace in the courtyard nearby looked just as inviting and warm as the igloo we were in. This is a restaurant worth visiting any time of the year...”

“Nestled within the Portland Harbor Hotel, this seafood restaurant is a great for a quiet but elegant meal. The service was excellent and we felt welcome from the moment we entered. The seafood is only the freshest, including amazingly tender calamari and freshly-made salmon ravioli in a decedant sauce. Desserts were amazing too. And I have to add the bartender makes some of the best cocktails around.”

“Stayed at the Portland Harbor Hotel and decided to try dinner in their restaurant. Only couple eating at the time. Bartender was waiting on our table and as the bar filled with patrons our service became slower. The white wine was definitely too acidic for the mussels and lobster roll. Fruity sweet at first followed by lime zest almost grapefruit bitterness. Just made wrong choice, the wine had good merits but just not with my meal. The Bistro Spritz was good, as the drink was being finished the flavor in the last layer was the best. Soup, salad and mussels arrived and shortly after the lobster roll. The soup was creamy with fresh clams and the crumbled chorizo on top was a nice treat. Had to wait for a spoon though. Salad was fresh and crisp. The buttermilk ranch dressing excellent. Now on to the mussels. I am picky when it comes to my seafood. The mussels arrived in a steaming hot cast iron container. There was enough to make it a meal instead of appetizer. Tender and broth exquisite, great to dip the crusty bread slices in. Fresh and for once the shells were cleaned with no hint of beard on them. The lobster roll was overflowing with claw meat / what a treat! I skipped the roll so I had room to finish it all. One disappointment when the Parmesan fries arrived Luke warm and cooled quickly. Finished meal with decaf coffee and cannolis. Coffee was not bitter like most decaf can be. Again had to wait for spoons. The cannolis had the crispy outer shell and creamy filling with the ends dipped in chopped pistachios. You get two in an order and we ended up only able to eat one a piece. The service would have been higher rated but the bartender was slammed half way through our meal making it harder for him to serve us. No fault of his. Atmosphere would have been higher only a few bar patrons got loud and swearing which made people in their own party uncomfortable.”

“The restaurant is inside the hotel we are staying at. We decided to have dinner so we dont need to come out in the cold evening.The place looks fancy and spacious , few guests at the bar .They are happy and having a nice chat with the bar tender. The food presenation was excellent so was the drinks.Generous enough with alcohol. The crispy pork belly was really good. The linguini with clams could use more flavor and more sauce or gravy.The pkrk chop was dry . Our server was attentive . Otherwise overall experience was good . Was reading other reviews and noticed rental igloos.I will definitely avail on our next visit.”

“This place is awful. We’re staying at the hotel and decided to give it a try since we were starving. It took over 40 minutes to get our food, which was cold when it arrived, despite there only being about 3 tables in the entire place. Our server largely ignored us and never once checked in while we were waiting. With tip we paid $146 for two mediocre entrées and one watered down drink.”