Dry Dock Seafood Tavern Reopens with Four-Star Rating

The revived Commercial Street institution impresses with its seafood standards and creative daily specials.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:17am

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After an extensive renovation, the iconic Dry Dock seafood tavern on Portland's Commercial Street has reopened under new ownership, with veteran hospitality professionals Matt Ginn and Mike Carney at the helm as general manager and executive chef, respectively. The menu focuses on traditional New England seafood dishes executed with expert technique, while also offering more creative daily specials and raw bar offerings.

Why it matters

The revival of Dry Dock, a beloved local institution that had been shuttered since 2018, represents the resilience of Portland's independent restaurant scene. In an era of corporate consolidation, Dry Dock's new owners, who also operate the popular Luke's Lobster chain, have preserved the nostalgic charm of the original while elevating the food and service to a four-star level.

The details

Dry Dock's kitchen team, led by Carney and sous chefs Marsh Elliot and Addie Davis, puts out excellent versions of seafood standards like chowder, calamari, smoked fish dip, and fish & chips. The fried cod cheeks and pan-roasted halibut are standout dishes, while the Catch of the Day specials allow the chefs to showcase their creativity with items like orange-glazed cod in sweet potato-guajillo broth. The bar program, overseen by certified sommelier Stephanie Liddi, features Maine-made brews and ciders, a well-curated wine list, and signature cocktails.

  • Dry Dock closed in 2018 after 35 years of operation.
  • The restaurant was revived and reopened in August 2024 under new ownership.

The players

Matt Ginn

The general manager of Dry Dock, with prior experience at Prentice Hospitality Group.

Mike Carney

The executive chef of Dry Dock, also with a background at Prentice Hospitality Group.

Luke Holden

One of the co-owners of Dry Dock, who also owns the Luke's Lobster chain.

Bryan Holden

One of the co-owners of Dry Dock, who also owns the Luke's Lobster chain.

Stephanie Liddi

The certified sommelier and beverage coordinator at Dry Dock.

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What they’re saying

“We want the technique to be sound, but we're not trying to reinvent the wheel.”

— Matt Ginn, General Manager

“It's not fine dining, but it's still great scratch cooking, and done on a pretty high-volume level.”

— Matt Ginn, General Manager

What’s next

The Dry Dock team plans to continue expanding the restaurant's outdoor seating and deck space to take full advantage of its prime waterfront location, especially as the weather warms up in the summer months.

The takeaway

Dry Dock's revival under new ownership has preserved the nostalgic charm of the original institution while elevating the food, service, and overall experience to a four-star level. The restaurant's commitment to showcasing fresh local seafood through both classic preparations and creative daily specials has made it a must-visit destination for seafood lovers in Portland.