DiMillo's On the Water
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Tony DiMillo |
| Headquarters | Portland , United States |
Key people | Steve DiMillo, Dan DiMillo, Johnny DiMillo, Stephanie Quattrucci, Melissa Bouchard (head chef), Arlene DiMillo (former president) |
| Products | Seafood dining |
DiMillo's On the Water is a floating restaurant located in Portland, Maine, permanently moored at Portland's Long Wharf. This dining establishment operates aboard the former New York car ferry, which once serviced routes between Norfolk, Virginia and Hampton, Virginia, and subsequently between Newport, Rhode Island and Jamestown, Rhode Island. The vessel spans 206 feet in length, 65 feet in width, and has a weight of 700 tons. Additionally, the DiMillo family owns the marina surrounding the restaurant.
History
Established in 1982 by Tony DiMillo (1933–1999), this restaurant carries forward the name of his previous venture, DiMillo's Lobster House, which was founded in 1965 on the opposite side of Commercial Street, Portland, Maine. The longstanding slogan "The clams you eat here today slept last night in Casco Bay" has remained a hallmark throughout its operation.
Menus preserved from 1982 and 1989 at the Portland Public Library reveal prices such as $18.95 for a full shore dinner and $4.75 for a lobster roll back in 1982.
A renovation completed in 2015 included tables made from reclaimed river logs sourced from Millinocket, Maine.
In January 2024, flooding during the 2024 Portland flood caused damage to the restaurant’s pilings and pier structures.
Management
The restaurant’s management team includes Steve DiMillo along with three of his siblings: brothers Dan and Johnny and twin sister Stephanie Quattrucci. Arlene DiMillo, widow of founder Tony DiMillo, held the position of company president until her retirement in 2015.
Melissa Bouchard has been the head chef since 2022, leading a kitchen team she joined in 1998. The establishment has seating capacity for approximately 550 patrons. Chris DiMillo oversees the yacht sales division associated with the business.