The Grill Room & Bar

4.6

1194 Reviews

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Good for special occasions
Lively
Great for fine wines

Opened by local chef/owner Harding Lee Smith & located in the heart of the historic Old Port, The Grill Room & Bar, has been a staple in Portland's burgeoning food since 2008. An open kitchen concept featuring locally sourced french inspired plates makes this "urban steakhouse" a distinctive dining experience for any occasion. Enjoy Chef Entrees or the A la Carte Menu. In addition, The Grill Room Bar offers a generous variety of wine, local beer & handcrafted cocktails. Stop in from 4-6pm Tuesday - Saturday for Happy Hour Small Bites & Drinks. The patio is pet friendly and is available for seating on a weather dependent basis. The Grill Room is joined by Portland sister restaurants The Front Room & Corner Room & The Mountain Room & Last Run Room @ Sunday River Ski Resort... Walk-ins are welcome although reservations are highly recommended.
Large parties are encouraged to call the restaurant directly @ 207 774 2333 or email thegrillroom@gmail.com for reservation needs.

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Steakhouse, French American
Hours of operation
Happy Hour Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(207) 774-2333
Website
http://www.thegrillroomandbar.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Harding Lee Smith
Private party facilities
Introducing “Annex”, a Rooms Portland production, adjacent to The Grill Room & Bar.Perfect for private events, this venue blends the Grill Room’s signature menu with new delights, including a raw bar with fresh oysters. If you’re interested in booking an event at the Annex, please visit https://thegrillroomandbar.com/events-at-the-grill-room-annex/

Location
84 Exchange St., Portland, ME 04101
Neighborhood
Portland
Cross street
Middle St
Parking details
Several parking garages in the surrounding area
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

French Onion Soup$9.00
Sweet Onions, Red Wine, Veal Stock, Crouton, Gruyere
Greens$9.00
House Vinaigrette
Caesar*$12.00
The Tradition Continues
Steak & Cheese*$18.00
Beef Carpaccio, Fried Queso Fresco, Greens, Fried Capers, Red Onion, Aioli
Wedge*$14.00
Iceberg, Bleu Cheese, Bacon, Chives, Bleu Cheese Vinaigrette
Grill Room Salad*$14.00
Iceberg, Spinach, Carrots, Hard Boiled Egg, Bleu Cheese, Crispy Onions, Creamy Herb Vinaigrette
Roasted Beet Salad$14.00
Pistachios, Local Goat Cheese, Shaved Fennel, Local Greens, House Vinaigrette

Starters

Shrimp Cocktail$21.00
Four Jumbo Shrimp, House Cocktail Sauce
Fried Shrimp Bang Bang$15.00
Fried Shrimp, Creamy Bang Bang Sauce
Wood Oven Roasted Mussels$21.00
Local Mussels, Melted Leeks, Dijon Cream, Grilled Bread
Wood Oven Baked Brie$9.00
Chive Oil, Balsamic Reduction, Pepper Jelly
Wood Oven Roasted Bone Marrow$19.00
Served with Grilled Sourdough, Oxtail Marmalade, Pickled Shallot Salad
Grilled Scallops$21.00
Celery Root Puree, Bacon Lardons, Carrot Glaze
Calamari$15.00
Rhode Island Squid, Parmesan, Balsamic, Red Onion
Tuna Tartare*$23.00
Sushi Grade Tuna, Soy, Ginger, Lime, Local Smoked Trout Roe, Spicy Aioli
Escargot$13.00
Wood Oven Baked, Garlic Butter, Grilled Bread
Wood Oven Roasted Local Oysters$28.00
Half Dozen, Black Garlic Aioli, Pork Belly Smoked Trout Roe

A La Carte Proteins

Proudly Serving Pineland Farms Beef

Prime Top Sirloin*
- 8 oz$35.00
NY Sirloin*
- 14 oz$44.00
Filet Mignon*
- 8 oz$46.00
Ribeye*
- 20 oz$55.00
Half Bird*$25.00
Thick Cut Pork Chop*
- 14 oz$27.00
Duck Breast*$28.00
Rainbow Trout$23.00
Salmon*
- 8 oz$28.00
Scallops*$38.00
Tuna Steak* (8 oz)
- MKP

A La Carte Sides

Starches

Baked Potato$8.00
Potato Aligot$12.00
Mashed Potatoes$9.00
Famous Maine Sea Salt Fries$11.00
Lobster Mashed Potato$19.00
Horseradish Mashed Potato$11.00
Lobster & Chive risotto$25.00
Popover$8.00
Butter, house jam
Crispy Saffron Polenta Cake$7.00

Vegetables

Roasted Local Mushrooms$11.00
Spicy Broccolini$8.00
Garlic Spinach$7.00
Grilled Asparagus$9.00
Local Carrots$9.00
Brussels Sprouts & Bacon$11.00
Roasted Local Beets$8.00
Creamed Spinach$11.00

Sauces

Chimichurri$3.00
Zippy$3.00
Beurre Blanc$3.00
Bleu Cheese Fondue$4.00
Bearnaise*$5.00
Horseradish Cream$3.00
Bordelaise$7.00
Red Wine$5.00
Peppercorn Bacon Brandy Cream$5.00

Entrees

No Substitutions with Entrees

House Cured Duck Breast*$39.00
Celery Root Puree, Local Mushrooms, Bordelaise Sauce
Grilled Tuna Steak*$48.00
Wild Mushroom Risotto, Broccolini, Smoked Tomato Beurre Blanc
Grilled Scallops*$45.00
Blanco Chive Risotto, Wilted Spinach, Beurre Blanc
Ribeye*$59.00
Horseradish Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Local Mushroom, Bleu Cheese Fondue
Steak Frites*$39.00
Prime Top Sirloin, Famous Maine Sea Salt Fries, Bearnaise
New York Sirloin*$49.00
Spicy Broccolini, Potato Aligot, Red Wine Sauce
House Burger*$30.00
10 oz House Ground Patty, Cheddar, Bacon, Bang Bang Sauce, Crispy Onions, House Made Bun, Famous Sea Salt Fries or Local Greens
NE Brook Trout $40.00
Lobster Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Spinach, Beurre Blanc
Wood Grilled Pork Chop$43.00
Brined, 14 oz, Spice Rubbed, Mashed Potatoes, Sprouts & Bacon, Horseradish Cream

What 1,194 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.4Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Grill Room & Bar in Portland is a culinary gem with "the best food" and "great steaks prepared perfectly." Guests rave about the "attentive staff" and the unique experience of sitting at the Chef's Counter. While the ambiance can be lively, the exceptional service and delectable dishes make it a top choice for special occasions and memorable nights out.

1,194 Reviews

D
David J
Detroit
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on September 25, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
Lost my reservation. Chef table not available. Noisy tight tables. Ribeye was average not great. Caesar salad was good. Scallops were very good.
Is this helpful?
M
Mary
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 11, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our waiter was the best most of us had ever experienced. He was knowledgeable, courteous, gracias and made sure we knew we were his priority. My friend did not like his mushroom dish. And to another, it was unclear that a particular drink was a mocktail. The table for 6 is loosely connected to its base, so the table was hard to steady: tough when there are full martini glasses on the table!
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B
Barbara
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a wonderful evening celebrating Nana' s birthday at the Grill Room. Our waiter Huleo was incredible. What an asset to you team, he helped make our evening even more special. We look forward to our next gathering at the Grill.
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D
Deborah
Georgia
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on September 6, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was delicious. Best beet salad I’ve ever had. Loved the scallop dish! Yummy salted caramel gelato too. Our server Sean was extremely attentive and delightful.
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J
Jeff
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, sat at the kitchen bar and interacted with the chefs. Really enjoyed the recommendations and learning for about the local sourcing.
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SF
StephanieF
Philadelphia
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Our meal was fantastic and the service was excellent! Looking forward to forward to our next time. It’s a tough noise level for a conversation but well worth the trade-off.
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S
Suzanne
Maine
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We knew our waiter and he made the whole dining experience wonderful! Top notch!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
6 reviews
vip
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food, ambiance, wait staff all are excellent. The noise level was very high but it was Labor Day weekend so to be expected.
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B
Beh
Greater Boston
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 31, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The happy hour has some great drink deals. It runs from 4-6. You have an apps menu only. We each got the escargot (delicious ) and a wedge salad to share . Apps are meant to be shared , right? No where did we see there was a share charge. Bill came and $5 charge for splitting the salad ?!? What if we had split the app of goat cheese and bread? Aren’t apps meant to share ?? Other than that service was great. Food was great. Great drink prices. Perfect on the patio.
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K
Kate
Greater Boston
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Incredible food and service. The heirloom burrata salad was out of this world. We love all of Hardings restaurants!
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FAQs

The Grill Room & Bar is rated 4.6 stars by 1194 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

84 Exchange St., Portland, ME 04101

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Middle St
Neighborhood
Portland
Hours of operation
Happy Hour Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Steakhouse, French American
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Several parking garages in the surrounding area
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Harding Lee Smith
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.thegrillroomandbar.com/
Phone number
(207) 774-2333
Private party facilities
Introducing “Annex”, a Rooms Portland production, adjacent to The Grill Room & Bar.Perfect for private events, this venue blends the Grill Room’s signature menu with new delights, including a raw bar with fresh oysters. If you’re interested in booking an event at the Annex, please visit https://thegrillroomandbar.com/events-at-the-grill-room-annex/

The Grill Room & Bar

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Dining areas

Additional information

Calamari

Thick Cut Pork Chop

Wood Grilled Pork Chop

Soup & Salads

French Onion Soup$9.00

Greens$9.00

Caesar*$12.00

Steak & Cheese*$18.00

Wedge*$14.00

Grill Room Salad*$14.00

Roasted Beet Salad$14.00

Starters

Shrimp Cocktail$21.00

Fried Shrimp Bang Bang$15.00

Wood Oven Roasted Mussels$21.00

Wood Oven Baked Brie$9.00

Wood Oven Roasted Bone Marrow$19.00

Grilled Scallops$21.00

Calamari$15.00

Tuna Tartare*$23.00

Escargot$13.00

Wood Oven Roasted Local Oysters$28.00

A La Carte Proteins

Prime Top Sirloin*

NY Sirloin*

Filet Mignon*

Ribeye*

Half Bird*$25.00

Thick Cut Pork Chop*

Duck Breast*$28.00

Rainbow Trout$23.00

Salmon*

Scallops*$38.00

Tuna Steak* (8 oz)

A La Carte Sides

Starches

Baked Potato$8.00

Potato Aligot$12.00

Mashed Potatoes$9.00

Famous Maine Sea Salt Fries$11.00

Lobster Mashed Potato$19.00

Horseradish Mashed Potato$11.00

Lobster & Chive risotto$25.00

Popover$8.00

Crispy Saffron Polenta Cake$7.00

Vegetables

Roasted Local Mushrooms$11.00

Spicy Broccolini$8.00

Garlic Spinach$7.00

Grilled Asparagus$9.00

Local Carrots$9.00

Brussels Sprouts & Bacon$11.00

Roasted Local Beets$8.00

Creamed Spinach$11.00

Sauces

Chimichurri$3.00

Zippy$3.00

Beurre Blanc$3.00

Bleu Cheese Fondue$4.00

Bearnaise*$5.00

Horseradish Cream$3.00

Bordelaise$7.00

Red Wine$5.00

Peppercorn Bacon Brandy Cream$5.00

Entrees

House Cured Duck Breast*$39.00

Grilled Tuna Steak*$48.00

Grilled Scallops*$45.00

Ribeye*$59.00

Steak Frites*$39.00

New York Sirloin*$49.00

House Burger*$30.00

NE Brook Trout $40.00

Wood Grilled Pork Chop$43.00

Overall ratings and reviews