Turns out this historic, progressive New England town has a lot more than just lobster to boast about: it’s a bona-fide foodie’s paradise. Best of all, there are are plenty of family- friendly dining options poised to please not only your sophisticated palette, but also your tot’s budding one.

Here’s a sampling of some of the city’s finest offerings for fun, kid-friendly dining:’

For that lobster fix. the charming and whimsical DiMillo’s On the Wateris surprisingly kid-centric, with plenty to engage the little ones as you wait for your meal. This floating restaurant started out a decommissioned car ferry, and its antique ship wheels and oversized portholes with harbor views garner lots of ooohs and aaahs from kids and grownups alike. The lobster is simple and perfectly cooked, as you’d expect from an established Portland eatery, and there is a good kid’s menu that features plenty of crowd pleasers like Mac and Cheese and Spaghetti and Meatballs.

Located ocean-side in South Portland, The Saltwater Grille offers breathtaking water views inside as well as out with it’s a big saltwater aquarium, replete with pint-sized Adirondack chairs right in front of it, so your children can have an up close and personal look-see at all the fish inside while nibbling on their Chicken Fingers, PB&J, or a host of other children’s entrees. For Mom and Dad, Johnny’s Bouillabaisse or Linguini in Lobster Sauce are both excellent choices, and there is a good wine list to complement the seafood- focused fare.
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