David's 388
Willard Square, South Portland
Restaurant in South Portland, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$50–100per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
David's 388 is worth considering when the priority is an easy South Portland dinner rather than a destination reservation. The draw is practical: dinner service seven days a week and a Cottage Road location that suits locals or travelers staying outside Portland's busier dining core.
About David's 388
Is David's 388 worth considering in South Portland right now? Yes, if the goal is a direct dinner in South Portland. David's 388 is open for dinner every day, with later closing times on Friday and Saturday, and the dress code is casual. Beyond that, specific details such as cuisine, price range, chef, signature dishes, and service format are not available, so the fairest recommendation is practical rather than elaborate.
A practical South Portland dinner pick, not a trophy reservation
The case for David's 388 is strongest for diners who want an evening slot without building the whole night around a heavily documented restaurant profile. It is open for dinner every day, with slightly later service on Friday and Saturday, which makes it useful for weeknight plans, weekend dinners, and travelers or locals who want to stay in South Portland.
The main caution is that the profile is lean: no cuisine label, price range, chef, or signature dishes are listed. The dress code is casual. That does not make it a bad choice, but it changes the recommendation. This is not the pick for someone comparing menus dish by dish before committing. It is better for a diner who already wants to be in South Portland and values a simple evening plan.
Service expectations should stay grounded
Without details on price, award history, menu format, or service format, expectations should stay modest and practical. David's 388 makes the most sense when the priority is a casual dinner in South Portland. If the occasion calls for a different kind of night out, compare it with Scales or DiMillo's On the Water instead.
For diners comparing options, the smartest move is to treat David's 388 as a South Portland dinner choice, then compare it with another restaurant that better matches the desired setting or meal. Bite into Maine, Central Provisions, Scales, DiMillo's On the Water, and Via Vecchia may each fit different plans. David's 388 earns its place when the priority is an easy dinner in South Portland rather than a highly specified restaurant brief.
For more local planning, use a South Portland restaurants guide, then match the meal to the rest of the night through related local guides.
Planning details
- Location
- 388 Cottage Rd, South Portland, ME 04106
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- davidsrestaurant.com
- Phone
- +12073477388
The take
The Take
The Vibe
David's 388 reads like a true neighborhood restaurant—quiet, steady, and unapologetically local. Tucked on Cottage Road in South Portland, it builds loyalty through consistency rather than hype, and the writing emphasizes a low-key, durable character rather than flashy presentation. The kitchen works with Gulf of Maine produce and seafood that rarely needs heavy-handed treatment, and that restraint reinforces the overall mood: relaxed service, focused cooking, and an atmosphere that favors familiar comfort over trend-chasing. It feels like a place regulars return to, the sort of room where the food quietly does the talking.
Best For
This is a neighborhood anchor that suits low-key date nights, casual hangouts with people who appreciate good local seafood, and small special occasions where quality matters more than ceremony. The profile contrasts the restaurant with destination tasting-menu operations, positioning it instead as a dependable spot for nights when you want well-sourced Gulf of Maine fish and shellfish prepared without pretension. Because the kitchen prioritizes local catches and seasonality, visits feel timely and grounded—ideal for diners who value steady, comfortably refined coastal cooking.
Ordering Tips
Let the menu's seafood strengths guide your choices: signature items like the Madras curry lobster, Za'atar seared tuna, Sesame-crusted salmon, and Focaccia Crumb Roasted Haddock highlight how the kitchen treats local product simply and confidently. The copy notes that lobster, clams, oysters, and finfish arrive from the Gulf of Maine within hours of being landed, so ask servers about what’s freshest that day and favor shellfish and daily-caught finfish when available. Expect restrained preparations that foreground the ingredient rather than heavy sauces or fuss.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, welcoming, and cozy with a comfortable casual neighborhood atmosphere and intimate dining room.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
- Kitchen
- Seasonal
- Menu Format
- A la carte, Counter dining
- Wine Program
- Curated
- Drinks Focus
- Craft cocktails, Wine
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Gluten-free options, Pescatarian friendly
Signature Dishes
- Madras curry lobster
- Za'atar seared tuna
- Sesame crusted salmon
- Foccacia Crumb Roasted Haddock
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 388 Cottage Rd, South Portland, ME 04106
Planning details
Location
388 Cottage Rd, South Portland, ME 04106 · Directions
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
If the meal needs a clearer seafood focus, start with Scales or Bite into Maine. If the group wants a more animated Portland dinner with a New American angle, Central Provisions is the stronger alternative.
Restaurant context
How David's 388 compares in South Portland and nearby Portland
David's 388 is the easier, lower-pressure choice when the goal is dinner in South Portland without turning the meal into the main event. Bite into Maine is the clearer pick for Maine seafood specifically, while DiMillo's On the Water makes more sense when waterfront atmosphere is part of the brief.
For a more serious seafood night, Scales is the stronger cross-shop because its seafood identity is explicit. For a more energetic Portland dinner, Central Provisions is a better fit than David's 388 for diners who want New American cooking and a more destination-driven feel.
Via Vecchia belongs in the comparison set for diners choosing by ambiance rather than convenience. Pick David's 388 when the deciding factors are South Portland location, easier planning, and a dinner that does not need to carry the whole evening.
Explore South Portland
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full David's 388 guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare David's 388
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| David's 388 | South Portland | , | No published awards |
| Bite into Maine | Portland | Maine Seafood | Pearl Recommended Restaurants |
| DiMillo's On the Water | Portland | , | No published awards |
| Scales | Portland | Seafood Cuisine | 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2026 James Beard Award Nominees2026 James Beard Award Winners2025 OpenTable Top 100 RestaurantsPearl Recommended Restaurants |
| Via Vecchia | Portland | , | 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Best Bars in Portland, Maine2025 Esquire Best Martinis in America |
| Central Provisions | Portland | New American | 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Best Bars in Portland, Maine2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #5332024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1852023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked · #962023 OAD Casual in North America Highly RecommendedPearl Recommended Restaurants |
How David's 388 South Portland compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is David's 388 good for solo dining?
It can be a practical option if you want an evening meal in South Portland without a long night planned around it. It is open in the evening every day. Solo diners should check current availability and seating details directly with the venue.
Is lunch or dinner better at David's 388?
Dinner, since hours are dinner-only every day. Monday through Thursday and Sunday run 5–8:30 PM, while Friday and Saturday run 5–9 PM.
Is David's 388 good for a special occasion?
It can work for a casual dinner occasion in South Portland, but specific details about pricing, menu format, private dining, or a more formal service style are not available. For a different kind of night out, compare David's 388 with Scales or DiMillo's On the Water.
What are alternatives to David's 388?
Start with other South Portland dining if staying in the city is the priority. If you are comparing more broadly, Bite into Maine, Scales, DiMillo's On the Water, Via Vecchia, and Central Provisions are also worth considering depending on the kind of dinner you want and where you plan to be that night.
