Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Whole-belly soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria), dredged in evaporated milk and corn flour, then deep-fried until crisp. Maine clam shacks favour whole-belly over strip; the milk-and-corn-flour dredge produces a lacy crust.
Fried clams trace to Woodman's of Essex, Massachusetts, where Chubby Woodman is credited with the first fried clam in 1916. The Maine variant, almost exclusively whole-belly (not strip clams), spread along the working waterfronts through the 1930s and 1940s. The dredging in evaporated milk and corn flour, rather than batter, gives the canonical lacy crust. Portland's Becky's Diner, Bite Into Maine and the Old Port seafood rooms all run them seasonally; the Mid-Coast clam shacks from Wiscasset to Camden are the day-trip destinations.
4 editor picks for Fried Maine clams in Portland, ranked by editorial score. All Portland signature dishes · Fried Maine clams across every city.
Also in: Boston.
Harbor Fish Market on Custom House Wharf has been the Portland working waterfront's retail fish counter since 1969, with lobster, fresh-cut fish and oysters.
TipOpen daily; shipping is available nationwide for live lobster. The wharf storefront is the landmark Old Port photograph.
Scales on Maine Wharf opened March 2016 from Sam Hayward, Dana Street and Victor Leon (the Fore Street team) with whole local fish, oysters and a raw bar.
OrderThe whole local fish of the day, plus a half dozen Glidden Point oysters.
TipLunch from 11:30, dinner from 17:00. Resy reservations recommended; bar seats hold for walk-ins.
Boone's Fish House on Custom House Wharf reopened 2014 on the site of the 1898 original, with Maine lobster rolls, halibut and fish chowder on the deck.
OrderThe Maine lobster roll on a New England top-split bun, plus a cup of fish chowder.
TipDaily lunch and dinner; the deck fills early summer evenings.
Becky's Diner on Commercial Street has been on Portland's working waterfront since 1991, opening 05:00 daily for fishing crews and one of the longest weekend.
OrderA short stack with bacon and a cup of clam chowder, the diner's classic combo.
TipOpen daily 05:00-21:00. Cash and card both fine; queues longest 09:00-11:00 weekends.
Fried Maine clams makes more sense with someone from Portland explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
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Dive deep into the local brewing scene on this tasting tour to three local breweries in and around Portland, Maine. Choose from a variety of unique tour options to sui...
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The Portland Pub Walk is a leisurely 3-stop, 1 mile stroll through Portland’s Old Port. This is a journey through Maine's unique history with Portland's finest beer in hand.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Savor a Maine seafood luncheon and learn about Portland’s iconic working waterfront with a knowledgeable local guide.
