Mr. Tuna

A 4.6-rated sushi counter in a fishing town that earns every point

Mr. Tuna sits at 83 Middle St in Portland, Maine, and it holds a 4.6 Google rating across nearly 400 reviews. That number matters here because the venue is, on its surface, a casual hand-roll and espresso martini spot that grew out of a sushi cart. What the rating signals is that the cooking punches well above what the format suggests. If you are trying to decide whether to book: yes, book it, and if you go once, order the tuna sashimi tasting.

What you are booking

Jordan Rubin, the chef behind Mr. Tuna, started the operation as a sushi cart in 2017. The brick-and-mortar location on Middle Street opened in 2024, so this is still a relatively new permanent address in Portland's dining scene. The focus is local Atlantic bluefin tuna — the large, 500-pound fish that come out of these same waters — broken down and served through most of the year. That means the sourcing is genuinely regional, not a romanticised claim. Atlantic bluefin of that size produces meaningful variation across cuts, and the tasting that moves through akami (lean) to toro (fatty) is, according to Pearl's restaurant editor, one of the more instructive things you can eat in Portland. Even for diners who think they know tuna, the cut-by-cut progression is worth paying attention to.

The room opened in 2024 and carries the energy of a place still finding its full rhythm, which in practice means it feels lively without being loud in the early part of the evening. The atmosphere leans casual and social , espresso martinis are a genuine draw, not an afterthought , but the food is precise enough to reward the kind of attention you'd bring to a much more formal counter. This is the core of the Mr. Tuna value proposition: the care in the sourcing and execution does not require you to dress the part or adopt a reverential mood. That combination is harder to find than it sounds, and it makes the venue work well for both a relaxed date night and a more deliberate special-occasion meal.

For comparison, if you want the most technically demanding omakase format in the northeastern US, you are looking at venues like Atomix in New York City or the fish-forward tasting menus at Le Bernardin. Mr. Tuna is not competing in that register, nor is it trying to. What it does offer is a focused, ingredient-led experience at a casual counter, in a city where the fish is coming out of local waters. That is a different and more accessible proposition, and for many diners it is the better evening.

Practical details

Booking at Mr. Tuna is currently rated as easy, which reflects both the venue's relatively recent opening and Portland's position as a smaller city compared to New York or Boston. That said, the sashimi tasting and counter seats are the draws here, and those fill up on weekends. Book a week out for weeknights; give yourself two weeks for Friday or Saturday. The address is 83 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101, in the Old Port neighbourhood, which puts it within walking distance of most central Portland accommodation. No dress code is listed, and the casual-counter format signals you do not need one. Specific pricing and hours are not currently listed in our data, so check directly with the venue before you go. Phone and website details are not available in our current record , your leading approach is to search directly for current reservation availability.

For more of what Portland has to offer, see our full Portland restaurants guide, our Portland hotels guide, our Portland bars guide, our Portland wineries guide, and our Portland experiences guide. If you are building a longer trip around serious eating, Langbaan and Berlu are the other Portland tables worth planning around.

FAQ

• Is Mr. Tuna good for solo dining? Yes, and the counter format actually suits solo diners well. You are close to the action, the tasting progression gives you something to focus on, and the casual atmosphere means you will not feel out of place eating alone. It is one of the better solo dinner options in Portland's Old Port.
• Can Mr. Tuna accommodate groups? The venue opened in 2024 and we do not have seat count data in our current record, which suggests it is a mid-size counter rather than a large dining room. Groups of four or more should call ahead to confirm availability and seating configuration. For larger groups, ask specifically whether the full tasting menu works at a table or is counter-only.
• What should I wear to Mr. Tuna? No dress code is listed, and the sushi-cart origins and espresso martini crowd confirm this is a casual room. Smart casual is fine; you do not need to dress up. If you are coming from a work event or a nicer hotel, you will not be overdressed either.
• How far ahead should I book Mr. Tuna? Booking is currently rated easy, but the tuna tasting and counter seats are popular enough that weekends book up. One week out is sufficient for most weeknights; two weeks is the safer window for Friday and Saturday evenings, particularly during summer when Portland draws more visitors.
• Does Mr. Tuna handle dietary restrictions? The menu is built around raw fish, which means pescatarian diners are well served and the tasting format naturally accommodates that. Beyond that, specific allergen and dietary accommodation details are not in our current data. Contact the venue directly before booking if you have significant restrictions, as a tasting-focused menu leaves less room to substitute than a broad a la carte list.