Gilbert's Chowder House sits in the Old Port, built around clam chowder — thick, spoon-clinging, the kind of bowl people seek out on a cold Portland day. Beyond the chowder, the kitchen turns out classic New England seafood: fried haddock sandwiches, calamari, and clam cakes.
The restaurant's waterfront location adds to its standing as a fixture in a city that takes its seafood seriously. Regulars point to the lobster rolls and chowder alike, along with service that's kept the place feeling like a neighborhood staple rather than a tourist stop.
The restaurant's waterfront location adds to its standing as a fixture in a city that takes its seafood seriously. Regulars point to the lobster rolls and chowder alike, along with service that's kept the place feeling like a neighborhood staple rather than a tourist stop.