While most of our meals were taken at hotels, we did manage to eat well at other restaurants along the coast of Maine. Here are three we recommend.

Scales

It was with great regret that we only had time for one dinner in Portland, but we chose well in Scales, an upmarket seafood restaurant in the city’s historic waterfront district. Its weathered exterior fits right in on the Maine Wharf. Inside, the well-worn floors and wooden ceiling beams recall its former life as a warehouse, while big multipane windows look out onto the water and nearby fishing boats. Our reservation was early, at 5:30 p.m., but the restaurant, with its open kitchen and raw bars, was already buzzing. We began with fresh Johns River Oysters (unique in that they are started in the Damariscotta River and then grown 10 miles away in Johns River, where they develop their briny-creamy flavor). Next were light and fluffy crab fritters, an appropriately autumnal sweet potato-lobster bisque and, our favorite, baked haddock with chanterelles in an indulgent fumet-cream sauce. This is how all Maine vacations should begin. Dinner only.

Scales
68 Commercial Street, Portland. Tel. (207) 805-0444