Whether you’re planning a trip or you’re a local, here are some of the Best Restaurants in Portland, Maine! From bakeries to speakeasies, this charming coastal city in New England has it all!
There are some truly amazing places to eat in Portland, Maine, the city itself boasts over 400 restaurants!
Best Restaurants In Portland, Maine
Contrary to popular belief, Maine cuisine is about so much more than just lobster (although, our seafood is pretty darn good).
Bon Appétit even named it the 2018 Restaurant City of the Year!
In the Old Port alone, which is the historic heart of Portland, you’ll find restaurants galore!
Modern Asian fusion restaurants, hole-in-the-wall bakeries, barbecue joints, steak houses, Italian gelato shops, hidden cocktail bars, craft breweries, and enough donut stores to do a full-on crawl.
My hope is that you’re already planning a trip to Maine this summer, and you can add these to your itinerary.
Or maybe you’re from here and need a good place to satisfy your appetite, and we want to help you find it.
Most of the places are within the Old Port and within a 15-minute walking radius, and a couple are a quick drive away — yep, we tried them all!
So get your fat pants ready, because it’s time to get tasting!
And if you’re heading north along the coast after your time in Portland, I highly recommend checking out my Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island posts for more restaurant recommendations!
This list will continue to expand as I try (and fall in love with) new Restaurants in Portland, ME!
What are some of your favorite places to grab a bite or a drink in the Greater Portland area? I’ve always got a running list of recommendations!
Portland is literally bursting at the seams with amazing restaurants and I need to try and make it down there more often to try even more!
But in the meantime, these are the ones that have truly wowed me for one reason or another and make it really hard to try new places when these ones keep calling me back for more!
Best Restaurants In Portland, Maine
Delicious spots for main courses in Portland, Maine.
The Corner Room
Brunch is served through 3 pm on the weekends and includes comfort food favorites with an Italian twist. Start with the tomato mozzarella bruschetta, made with warm fire-roasted tomatoes, and order the norcino colazione, or butcher’s breakfast, if you’re really hungry. For those who have a sweeter palette, the brioche french toast with orange hazelnut butter and Maine maple syrup looks incredible.
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Salvage BBQ
Giving off backyard barbecue vibes, Salvage dishes up meats and sides in single servings or to share (you can take out, too). But the thing that really sets this place apart is its wide assortment of sauces — a condiment lover’s dream. If you stop in, don’t leave without trying one of their craft cocktails, perfect for washing down all that comfort food.
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Boda
If you’re a fan of Asian flavors, Boda is a must! Order tapas for the table if you want to taste it all, or get a full entree if sharing isn’t your thing. Try the Thai sticky rice ball, which is seasoned and grilled to perfection, and the pad kee mao (drunken noodles) meal is a delicious take on the tried-and-true classic. This place is also known for its specialty cocktails.
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OTTO
They say you can’t go wrong with pizza, but some pies are definitely superior. Otto is known for its thin crust, homestyle tomato sauce, and extravagant toppings. Fan favorites include mashed potato, bacon & scallion, butternut squash, ricotta & cranberry, and spicy pulled pork with scallion, not to mention their weekly specials. These gourmet pizzas are on the pricier side, however, Otto offers free delivery.
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The Honey Paw
This Asian fusion hot spot is all the rage, specializing in Eastern-inspired comfort foods. The Fried Wings appetizer features a lime and chili glaze and a crust of shredded coconut, while the pork & crab mee goreng includes wok fried mien noodles coated in a spicy, barbecue-like sauce. The finishing touch is a bowl of soft serve ice cream (flavor of the day — ours was honey), topped with chunks of crunchy honeycomb, caramelized honey, and a drizzle of chocolate shell.
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Lazzari
This wood-fired pizzeria offers premium pies like brussels sprouts & pancetta, complete with goat cheese and fresh herbs, as well as white clam, which includes garlic, onion, and fresh parsley. Don’t miss out on small plates like the pork and beef meatballs served with whipped ricotta, along with specialty cocktails like the blackberry basil margarita.
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DuckFat
This hole-in-the-wall’s duck fat-fried Belgian Fries are so famous, they inspired the opening of the Duckfat Friteshack. Needless to say, they’re a menu staple, and you can order them plain or as poutine, and with gourmet mayos infused with garlic, curry, horseradish, or Thai chili, or with truffle ketchup. Another must-try is the homemade doughnut holes, which are duck fat fried and citrus scented, then sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and served with a caramel dipping sauce.
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Noble Barbecue
This gem may be located outside the heart of Portland, but if you’re a carnivorous barbecue lover, it’s worth the extra mileage. Eat in or take out comfort food favorites like buttermilk fried chicken and beef brisket (served as sandwiches), along with sides that include cornbread with “fancy” butter and mac n cheese with pimento. Don’t forget a side order of the scrappy fries, which are twice-fried French fries topped with baked beans, cotija cheese, meat scraps, scallions, and poblano sauce. (Are you drooling yet?)
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Gilbert’s Chowder House
For those in search of a meal with a view, this waterfront restaurant fits the bill. Given the name, their famous chowders are worth a taste, plus they’re touted as being “award-winning.” Here, you can enjoy a host of other Maine classics, too: clam chowder, lobster rolls, fried oysters, craft beer, and stunning harbor scenery.
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Eventide Oyster Co.
It’s all in the name: oyster lovers must add this spot to their itinerary. Slurp ocean-fresh oysters from Maine and beyond with a handful of accouterments including cocktail sauce, horseradish ice, and red wine mignonette. But of course, oysters aren’t all they serve. Other seafood dishes include tuna crudo and Maine lobster stew, then there’s American classics like a fried chicken sandwich and the Eventide burger.
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You guys know I love my sweets and this guide originally started as a Best Sweets In Portland post a few years back.
There are so many amazing places to curb your cravings, but these are my favorite!
Best Sweets In Portland, Maine
The best places to grab dessert in Portland, Maine!
The Holy Donut
Guys, these are no ordinary donuts. They’re POTATO donuts! Made with Maine-grown potatoes from Aroostook County and other wholesome ingredients. With a huge variety of flavors from fruity to savory, you’re in for a serious treat! Made fresh every morning, get the early to get a warm one! They have gluten-free and vegan donuts too!
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Eighty 8 Donuts
And speaking of donuts, Eight 8 Donuts, formerly Urban Sugar Cafe, is a food truck that’s definitely worth tracking down. What’s unique about these treats is they’re mini and served in packs of six or more. They are made to order and serve hot. And with tons of fun flavors, you can sample a bunch — or just get a handful of your favorites! Personally, I’m partial to the maple flavor.
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Standard Baking Co.
A Portland landmark, no trip to the Old Port is complete without a stop at Standard Baking Co. (Bonus: they have their own spacious parking lot so you don’t have to find a street spot.) Fans of savory goods will love the Asiago or sesame-studded fougasse, and the almond croissant is to die for. But one of my absolute favorites is the chocolate rye cookies — they sound strange, but they’re so good.
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Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream
This artisanal, hand-crafted ice cream shop has earned itself quite a reputation. Known for concocting up unexpected flavors like Chocolate Wasabi and Cereal Milk, you can also snag classics like Madagascar Vanilla and Maine Sea Salt Caramel (just note: flavors may change). I tried a scoop of the London Fog (which is basically a latte made with Earl Grey tea) along with Lemon Poppyseed Raspberry Swirl, and both flavors tasted scrumptious on their own and together.
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Two Fat Cats Bakery
Pie, it wouldn’t be a complete sweets tour without this staple dessert! And there’s only one place you should even think about grabbing one in the Old Port. They have a daily flavor that they serve by the slice, or you can buy a whole pie in any flavor, or get the personal sampler with four of their most popular flavors! They serve savory pies too! I recommend Blueberry (because it’s kind of required), Sour Cherry, and the New England Bog, if they’re serving it that day.
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Gelato Fiasco
We tried both gelato places in the Old Port, and Gelato Fiasco was a clear winner! So many flavors to choose from, including Netflix and Chill, which is a vanilla bean gelato loaded with peanut butter cups, brownie bits, and a caramel swirl with the occasional kiss ;). You can try all the flavors before you choose and some of them might surprise you. The sizes are enormous, so get a small, it’s probably more than enough. They don’t do scoops, so you can get as many flavors as you want in any size and can get pints to go!
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Belleville
This bakery is run by a married couple (one from France, one from Maine), who’ve brought authentic French baking to Munjoy Hill via decadent Danishes and flaky croissants. Stop in for breakfast or a pick-me-up treat, or grab a pizza for lunch or dinner. And, if you’re there on the weekend, be sure to snag a cruffin or two. No matter what you order, you’ll enjoy savoring a taste of Europe.
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HiFi Donuts
Mainers have a thing for donuts, and while there are lots of local specialty shops, HiFi is definitely worth a stop. Serving up light-as-air crullers as well as dense cake donuts, this joint is always baking up new flavors like Mexican Hot Chocolate, S’mores, and Key Lime Pie. If you’re looking for a caffeine kick, you have to try the Salted Honey Latte — it’s a personal favorite.
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Portland has some truly excellent places to sit down for a sip be it coffee, fine wines, or something harder.
And you can’t talk about Restaurants in Portland Maine and not mention the huge up-and-coming craft beer scene.
Breweries are popping up all over Maine and Portland is at the heart of them all.
I’m not a huge beer drinker myself, although I do enjoy a good stout from time to time, so I sourced these recommendations from my friends – Erin, Katie, and Tor – who frequent the breweries to see what they recommended.
Best Drinks In Portland, Maine
From coffee to cocktails and craft beer – Portland, Maine has it all and they know how to do it right!
Allagash Brewing Company
If you are going to Allagash I love that they have outdoor seating that allows dogs. You can choose to take a brew tour or just sit and get a flight. They have a rotating tap and seasonal beers to try. They also feature Bite Into Maine: a Maine Style lobster roll served with the classic Allagash White – Katie & Erin
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Definitive Brewing Company
Definitive is a newer brewery that opened in May of 2018 but they have some great beers like cookies and cream and a vanilla boisonberry. You’ll also find a variety of Ales, IPAs, Stouts and Sours! – Katie
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Vena’s Fizz House
By far my new favorite place in Portland, Vena’s evokes the charm of an old fashioned soda shop and is full of vintage touches, antique glassware, and copper accents. The unique establishment mixes up cocktails and mocktails with all-natural fizz sodas, bitters, herbs, and syrups, and is also home to a brick-and-mortar shop with specialty ingredients and glassware. The spiced ginger mocktail is perfect for hard-core ginger lovers, but it’s not for the faint of heart. I enjoyed sipping the fluffy fizz, which combines citrus and cherry flavors and is topped with a wad of cotton candy.
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Tandem Coffee Roasters
There are a lot of great coffee roasters in Maine, but Tandem is my favorite! If you like your caffeine cold, try the malted iced coffee for a dessert-like twist that’s not too sweet. And although it may sound basic, these chocolate chip cookies are out of this world and definitely worth the splurge. Don’t forget, Tandem serves up a slew of other yummy baked goods, too.
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Blyth & Burrows/The Broken Dram
There are a handful of nooks with secret doors and hidden entryways in the Old Port, and sister bars Blyth & Burrows and The Broken Dram are two of them. The former is more upscale and marked by a conspicuous sign on Exchange street; The Broken Dram is a speakeasy that’s accessible through a rotating bookcase within B&B. Sip unique drink concoctions like the Yuri (gin, Galliano aperitif, apricot, lemon sour top) or the Bobby (vodka, ginger, grapefruit, pineapple-rosemary shrub), and enjoy gourmet munchies like the Asian-inspired pork belly bao and the buffalo cauliflower.
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Cellardoor Winery
I think it’s safe to say that Cellardoor is the most popular winery in Maine and likely in large part to it’s beautiful tasting room located at Thompson’s Point in Portland. Each of their wines are made in small craft batches and they offer over 20 different varieties.
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Lone Pine Brewery
Lone Pine is probably my favorite right now they have some sours and IPAs that are really good. They have two locations one in Portland and one is Westbrook (the actual brewery). – Katie
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Bissell Brothers
While Allagash might be the most well known, Bissell Brothers seems to be the brewery taking that state by storm in the last couple of years. I remember seeing friends posting pictures of lines wrapped around the building of people waiting just to get a taste of this stuff. And apparently, it’s worth it for the top notch IPAs, ales, and more. The tasting room is located at Thompson’s Point next to Cellardoor. And if you’re really lost, you might just stumble upon the tasting room in Milo, ME in my neck of the woods ?
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Fore River Brewing Company
Everyone is very friendly every time. Many locals/regulars that spark up conversations. I like the skeleton in the canoe they have up in the rafters. They play good music at a reasonable volume. Many times I have been there have been kids running around. I don’t really approve of the kids but it’s nice to see it’s a safe enough environment for that. – Tor
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Liquid Riot Bottling Co.
Liquid Riot has chill atmosphere in the midst of busy Commercial Street. My favorite spot to relax is the couch in the corner. This Brewery/Distillery/Resto-Pub serves up some amazing menu items from pork belly bites, roasted cauliflower, mushroom toast, house pretzel with beer cheese to any of the beer schnapps ? and the Vinlandic, Persuasion, Saison L’amour. – Erin
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Rising Tide Brewing
There’s something special about Rising Tide that elevates the brewery experience. The Mutha Truckah food truck and Fork Lab is a nice touch – I’m able to support two local businesses while catching up with friends, or meeting with clients. I recommend getting the Spinnaker, Waypoint, Maine Island Trail Ale (locals call it MITA [my-ta]. – Erin
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Portland Hunt & Alpine Club
Another great bar in the city that serves up unique and delicious craft cocktails and a Scandinavian-inspired small plates menu. The restaurant in a two-time James Beard Award semi-finalist for Outstanding Bar Program.
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