It is with a heavy heart that I have to admit that I was merely whelmed by Eventide. After so many accolades and hearing so many amazing things I finally got to go, but it just didn't live up to the hype for me. First things first - IT IS NOT BAD AT ALL! That's why it's 4 stars. It was tasty, it's got good vibes, service was excellent. But it's maybe too cute by half? I always thought this was like a true sit down dining restaurant but the vibes are way more "casual spot to hang out". No shade there, it just wasn't what I expected at all. The oysters were, as expected, out of this world. The rest of the things we had were all trying to be a little too complex, and while they were good (the green curry Lobster stew was especially fun) they seemed to just kind of miss the mark a little bit because they were trying to get too cute. The crude and the tartare were fine, nothing super special but certainly not bad. The Brown Butter lobster roll is overpriced and tiny but because it comes on a sort of bao bun inspired roll it's supposedly elevated. It just doesn't really live up to the hype for me. You can pay less for lobster rolls twice the size that feel more authentic because it's not trying to be a fusion cuisine. The Maine Lobster Stew was super cool, with green curry and some maitake mushrooms - I appreciated the flavor fusion there, was a very fun way to do a lobster stew. We also got down with the Scallop Waffle-yaki which is basically scallops in a blender and pressed into a patty that gets waffle-ized. It was really fun and very tasty and I wouldn't hesitate to get it again. So overall, it was good. Food was solid and tasty, service and vibes were excellent. It's just...so different than I expected; it's openly leaning into being a fusion place and not just a pure fancy seafood joint. I'm honestly not certain I'd go back - and not because it's bad, but because I'm just not sure that's MY type of place. But at the end of the day Eventide is ABSOLUTELY worth a visit at least once. Go check it out, because there's a lot going on and there's fun to be had for everyone!

I've been wanting to go here for a long time now and my husband wanted a lobster roll and not just any but the best one in town! Now there are two other establishments in his list but Eventide was the top pick for me. No shocker when told the wait for amy seating would be an hour and a half. We walked around and found a place for a drink while we waited. An hour later our seats were ready! We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful summer evening. Our waitress came promptly with water and took our drink order. As a child I remember enjoying Oysters, but have not eaten any in my adult life. It was time and what better place then here. Our waitress helped us make our selection of Oysters based on the information we gave her. Ordered two lobster rolls and a crab bun. In no time at all our Oysters arrived. My husband and I each tried one of each and enjoyed most of them. I did not like the heavy brine flavor of one of them. While one I wanted more of. I found it interesting how many places they acquired their Oysters from, up and down the Maine coast. The lobster roll was divine! Brown butter lobster in a steamed bun! Yes! Oh so delicious leaving me wanting more so in comes the Crab Bun. My husband was disappointed as the crab meat was cold, I am used to crab traditional served cold however it had a brine taste I was not expecting. Many wonderful things to try so I will be back again for more Oysters!

Our waitress was wonderful... suggested some great choices Food was phenomenal. My partner is gluten free vegetarian. Plenty of options and the gf bun is AMAZING

Wonderful hearing at host and given a shared table immediately. Started with amazing oysters, spanning the coast of Maine. Fresh and flavorful. Next was the tuna tartare that was exceptional. Top 3 on the East coast. Perfectly balanced with a slight amount of heat. Crisp wontons accompanied. The clam chowder was excellent and with a twist. Flavorful balance of clams, salted pork and finely chopped potatoes in a light broth. Two full small clams (only fault of this was lack of more clams), but this is not your average chowder. I world go back tonight just for it. Nice selection of wine and craft beer. Minimalist furnishings with outside seating and hefty picnic tables. Not fine dining, but incredibly fine food.

Eventide has been on my radar to try pretty much since immediately after my last trip to Portland in 2021. A combination of crowds and naiveté led to me not checking it out, however I have heard nothing but good things about it in the ensuing years. That being said, I made it my priority to try during my most recent trip - so we made plans to grab dinner here out first night in the city. Eventide is located just off the main touristy core of Portland; they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more, and due to the popularity of the place we were prepared for a wait. I put my name in and was told 60 to 90 minutes, which was fine since we went to grab a drink at a nearby bar. When I got the text that our table was ready, we were given the choice of indoor or outdoor so we chose the former. The layout of the restaurant is interesting - the main room has a large oyster bar with stool seating, as well as some more stool seating along the perimeter. Additionally, there are tables scattered throughout as well as in a side room. There isn't much decor and a mostly neutral color scheme, but it allows for the oyster bar to be the main focal point which it does a great job doing. It's loud inside, so speak up. The menu has lots of seafood - there's a good combination of apps, specials, and mains as well as a selection of oysters (because, you know, the name). We decided to start with the smoked fish dip, New England clam chowder, and one of the specials - tomato salad. The fish dip was great - really tasty and paired with picked vegetables and homemade crackers. The chowder was interesting - thinner than other ones I've had, and the potatoes were chopped up finely vs. being super chunky; it's definitely a unique spin on NECC. The tomato salad was great - a refreshing reprieve after the creamy dip and chowder we consumed. The starters were all a buildup for one of the main reasons we wanted to come to Eventide - the brown butter lobster roll. I had heard this is one of the best rolls in Maine so we each ordered one. It was interesting - it's smaller than a traditional roll, and they use a bao bun in place of the standard carb vehicle. I gotta say, the roll was delicious - that brown butter took the lobster to another level, and the bao added an interesting texture. I've seen rumblings online that their take on a lobster roll is somewhat controversial due to the non-traditional preparation - but I'm not complaining, I could easily eat like four of them. Service was great - our server was friendly and food came out at a good pace. Overall, I had a great experience at Eventide - the food had great flavor and was high quality. The lobster roll is definitely worth the hype and makes up for the long wait you'll have for a table. I would definitely return the next time I'm in Portland.

We came in early and were seated at the bar. We started off with a dozen Maine oysters. Loved them! Next, we had the bluefin tuna crudo. The ginger-scallion on top didn't work for me at all. It's basically the sauce used in a Cantonese chicken dish. Their signature brown butter lobster roll was small, but good with a soft bun. Overall, the oysters were the best thing here. 2017 James Beard for Best Chef: Northeast

This place is everything you heard about and more. Best selection of oysters you're going to get anywhere in Portland. We were able to go to the standing room only knowing that we wanted to just eat our oysters and leave. It worked out great and the waitress was so nice and helpful. Got 4 different kinds of oysters with very unique sides. Cocktail sauce and mignonette are normal but they have shaved ice in red onion and horseradish flavor and it was amazing! I cannot recommend the red onion and horseradish shaved ice combo enough! It is a staff favorite. The oysters were expertly shucked and so dang good!

My first stop for every visit in Portland, Maine. It feels like foods are so much better than the branch in Boston.Oysters are so fresh and well presented. Staffs are very knowledgeable on different oysters , which was super helpful on picking ones to try. Lobster rolls in Eventide is so unique. It looks so small whenever I receive my rolls but it's filling once you have it as rolls is delicious and great combination with lobster meats. They don't take reservations but since many people have raw bars and quick bite size of the foods, you will get your table soon enough. I am glad to visit again this year again!

Eventide lived up to everything people said about it. In route to Maine I stopped in New Hampshire and several people said I HAD to have oysterd at Eventide. And it came highly recommended by an number of people in Portland. I don't typically order oysters but I made an exception and I am now a connoisseur of Maine oysters. They were so delicious!!!! I had the Lemon Stone, Norii, and Chebeague Island oysters and they were so good. So so good. I also ordered the Brown Butter Lobster roll and it was one of the best of the 4 lobster rolls I tried around town. I came late afternoon during a week day and was able to get seated at the bar pretty quickly, but almost as soon as I sat down I noticed the line getting longer. I loved the oyster bar up front with the oysters labeled. Overall great experience and glad I took the advise of so many and ate at Eventide.