A Retired Ferryboat In Maine Now Serves Breakfast Right On The Water Where Passengers Once Boarded

A car ferry that once carried cars and passengers across Delaware waters now floats in a Maine harbor and serves lobster stew. I still can’t get over that sentence, honestly.

The boat wore three different names before it ever saw a menu. It worked routes in Delaware, Virginia, and Rhode Island.

Then one family bought it and spent two full years turning it into a dining room.

You can sit on an outside deck with the harbor right below your feet. The floor may sway a tiny bit under your chair.

I like how that small motion reminds you where you really are.

One honest note, though. The kitchen opens at noon, so think late-morning cravings, not sunrise pancakes.

I believe a lobster roll on a floating ferry beats toast any day. So, if you’ve ever wondered what a retired ferry actually feels like inside, this is your chance to find out!

This Floating Dining Room Started Life As The New York

Some boats retire to a quiet dock and fade away. This one got a second career serving seafood instead.

DiMillo’s On the Water in Portland, Maine, sits inside a real former car ferry.

Its first name was The New York. Back then, it hauled cars between New Castle, Delaware, and Pennsville, New Jersey.

That means drivers once rolled their cars onto these very decks. Now you roll in for lobster and harbor views.

That is a pretty big career change for one hull.

The name DiMillo’s On the Water came later, of course. When it first opened in December 1982, it was called DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant.

The new name came with time, but the boat stayed the same.

You are not eating in a building made to look like a ship. You are eating on an actual vessel that did real work.

Kids usually love hearing that, and so do grown-ups.

Here’s a fun tip for your visit. Ask your table to guess what the boat did before lunch arrives.

Very few people guess car ferry on the first try.

Follow The Ferry’s Wild Road Trip Through Three Name Changes

Talk about an identity crisis. The same ferry answered to three different names before it ever landed in Maine.

First came The New York, working the Delaware River route. Then it moved south to Virginia and became The Norfolk.

After that, it headed north to Rhode Island. There, it took the name The Newport and carried more passengers across the water.

Each new home meant a fresh coat of identity.

It’s funny when you think about it. Most of us keep one name our whole lives.

This boat collected place names like souvenir magnets on a fridge.

The ferry also had other uses after its passenger days ended. Then the DiMillo family spotted it and bought it in 1980.

That purchase changed everything about its future.

Why does this history matter to you as a diner? It adds a layer of story to a simple bowl of chowder.

You’re sitting where commuters once stood, watching their cars and checking the clock.

So when you board, give a small nod to the old crews. They kept this vessel moving long before anyone ordered dessert on it.

One Family Turned A Car Deck Into A Dining Room, And It Was Amazing

Two years. That’s how long the DiMillo family worked to turn a retired car ferry into a restaurant.

Think about the size of that job for a moment. Car lanes had to become dining rooms, and a working boat had to become a welcoming place to eat.

The family bought the ferry in 1980. By December 1982, guests were finally sitting down for their first meals aboard.

That’s a lot of patience for one big idea.

Today the inside feels warm and nautical. Large windows let the harbor light pour across the tables.

You get the feeling of a classic ship without any rocking chaos.

Some tables carry a nice local touch, too. A few are made from Maine-grown wood, which fits the setting beautifully.

Here’s a smart move when you visit. Ask for a window seat if one is open.

The view changes as boats glide in and out of the harbor.

It all started with one family seeing a dining room where others saw a tired old ferry. Now you get to enjoy the payoff of that vision, one bite at a time.

Grab A Seat On One Of Three Outside Decks Above The Harbor

Over 600 seats float on this boat. That’s more people than some small towns fit into their school gym.

The space spreads across first and second-deck dining rooms. There’s also the Port Side Lounge and three outside decks for sunny days.

Those decks are the real prize when the weather cooperates. You sit above the water with Portland Harbor stretching all around you.

Sailboats, fishing boats, and ferries keep the view busy.

A quick word of friendly warning, though. Seagulls in Portland take a strong interest in your lunch.

They have been known to swoop down and grab food from the top deck.

The easy fix? Choose a table with a roof above it.

You still get the breeze and the view, minus the feathered thief.

Indoors works great on cooler Maine days. The windows bring the harbor right to your table either way.

Big groups do well here thanks to all that room. Still, reservations are a smart idea, since this floating spot stays popular.

Planning ahead means more time looking at boats and less time waiting.

Spoon Up The Lobster Stew And Lobster Mac And Cheese First

Lobster in a bowl. Lobster in pasta.

Somehow, both feel like the right choice on a floating restaurant in Maine.

The lobster stew is a menu favorite at DiMillo’s On the Water. It’s creamy, warm, and loaded with that famous Maine catch.

On a chilly harbor afternoon, a bowl of stew makes total sense. You get comfort food with an ocean view, which is a rare combo.

It feels like a hug that happens to contain lobster.

Then there’s the lobster mac and cheese. It takes a kid-friendly classic and gives it a fancy coastal upgrade.

Cheesy pasta and sweet lobster? That is a hard pairing to resist.

If you can’t decide, bring a friend and share. One person orders the stew, the other grabs the mac and cheese.

Everybody wins, and nobody has to choose.

The lobster roll also shows up often on tables here. Clam chowder is another strong pick for soup lovers.

My advice is simple. Make lobster the star of at least one plate.

You came to eat on a boat in lobster country, after all.

Hook Some Haddock, Scallops, And A Few Italian Surprises

Haddock might be the quiet hero of this menu. It shows up in more ways than you’d expect, from baked to fried to pecan-crusted.

Fresh haddock is a classic fish in Maine waters. Here, it gets the respect it deserves on the plate.

Bacon-wrapped scallops are another crowd-pleaser. Sweet scallops plus salty bacon makes a pretty convincing argument.

It’s the kind of appetizer that disappears fast.

Not a seafood person? No problem at all.

The menu also offers Italian dishes and choice cuts of beef.

That mix makes this spot handy for families. One kid can order pasta while a parent goes for fried clams.

Everyone stays happy, and nobody sulks at the table.

The fried fisherman’s platter is great for big appetites. It brings a pile of seafood that may be hard to finish alone.

Plan on sharing or taking leftovers home.

Here’s a tip for picky eaters. Look at the Italian section before you rule anything out.

A floating seafood house with gnocchi on the menu surprises plenty of first-timers in the best way.

Set Your Alarm For Noon, Not Sunrise, Before You Head Aboard

Breakfast lovers, a small reality check. The kitchen here starts serving at noon, so your morning meal becomes a waterfront lunch.

Honestly, that’s not a bad trade. Swapping scrambled eggs for a lobster roll feels like a promotion.

You’ll find the boat at 25 Long Wharf, Portland, ME 04101. It sits right on the working waterfront, close to the Old Port.

Walking there is easy if you’re already exploring downtown.

Hours run Monday through Saturday, from 12 PM to 9 PM. The boat is closed on Sundays, so plan around that.

Checking hours before you go is always smart, since schedules can change.

Arriving right at opening can work in your favor. Early lunch crowds are usually lighter than the dinner rush.

Reservations help a lot, especially during summer in Maine. The bar area also offers another seating option if tables fill up.

Driving in? Ask about parking when you arrive, since the waterfront gets busy.

A little planning saves you from circling the block while your stomach complains. Then you can relax and let the harbor do the entertaining.

The Gentle Sway Proves You’re On A Real Boat

Did your water glass just move a little? Nope, it’s not your imagination.

The deck at DiMillo’s On the Water can sway very slightly with the waves. It’s gentle enough to feel charming rather than seasick.

That small motion is part of the fun. It reminds you that you’re floating, not sitting on solid ground.

Few lunch spots can make that claim.

Here’s a cool history bit. In 1994, the boat got a brand-new hull.

The work happened at the Bath Iron Works dry dock in Bath, Maine.

Bath Iron Works is a famous shipyard with deep roots in the state. So this restaurant got its fresh underside from serious boat builders.

A new hull helps keep the vessel steady and strong on the water. That’s great news for anyone who wants calm seas under their chowder.

If you’re nervous about motion, don’t worry much. Most guests barely notice it until someone points it out.

Then everyone at the table starts paying attention to their drinks, which is half the fun.

Toast A Family Story That Began Way Back In 1954

Long before the ferry, there was a single eatery. Tony DiMillo opened his first restaurant in 1954.

That small start grew into something much bigger. Decades later, the family took a bold leap and bought a retired car ferry.

Today, the business is still family-owned and family-run. That kind of staying power is rare in the restaurant world.

It says a lot about the care behind each plate.

Family members still show up and greet guests at times. It’s a nice touch that makes a big place feel personal.

The service style leans warm and friendly. Servers often share menu tips and stories about the boat.

If you’re curious, ask about the history, since the crew is used to the question.

Families visiting Portland, Maine, often make this a special-occasion stop. Birthdays, anniversaries, and last-night-of-vacation dinners fit right in here.

So what makes this place stick in your memory? It’s the mix of good food, old ship stories, and a family that never let go of its dream.

That recipe has been cooking since 1954, and it still works.