Restaurants in Portland

“Impossibly wonderful food and vibe! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

“We popped into Central Provisions today on our stay in Portland and I was blown away by this restaurant. It was a very intimate, beautiful space with amazing flavor. Our server, Andy, made the experience. They were very kind and made dining with an allergy a breeze. Do not skip Central Provisions when you come to Portland!

Dietary restrictions: Their allergen menu is wildly helpful. It's color coded and makes it very clear what is and is not safe, and whether or not an allergen can be removed from the dish. I have a severe nut allergy and I felt completely safe eating here.”

“just amazing in every way”

“I expected great coffee and got it, but the biscuits and scones were delicious- even better than my own homemade.”

“We highly enjoyed our visit to the area and Eventide! Food was great - oysters and lobster roll were amazing, great atmosphere, and employee serving oysters gave us good info on area. We will definitely make another visit to Eventide from Austin, TX!”

“The Gelato Fiasco was a nice surprise to enjoy an ice cream at the end of the evening. The flavors offered are varied and original, and the waiter, particularly kind that evening, took the time to let us taste those that intrigued us the most. Thanks to his advice, we found our favorite perfumes. Ideally located, it is a perfect address for a delicious dessert outside of a restaurant. Despite the cold, tasting this ice cream was a real pleasure. A big thank you to the waiter for his welcome and his kindness, which made the experience even better!”

“We had such a delicious meal at Scales! Everything was presented beautifully and tasted excellent. Service was on-point and the atmosphere is super chic. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone in the Portland area!”

“Today, I enjoyed lunch with an old friend at Luke's Lobster, situated at the end of Portland Pier on the waterfront. Should you find yourself in Portland, I suggest visiting them; you will not be disappointed.”

“Great food.,,and a great atmosphere!!!! Excellent waitress......very enjoyable experience‼️”

“Brought some of your Maine State Lager home with me to Villa Rica Georgia. What a fantastic beer!!!”

“The best breakfast I have ever had, and I own a breakfast restaurant 😂 Super friendly staff, well worth the wait ! If you don't try the hollandaise I will question all your life decisions. Blueberry Fleur Mimosa ... 12/10! Try this spot if you're in the area, we will travel back 3 hours just for brunch !”

“We brought our soccer team over for a team kick-off party and couldn't have picked a better spot. The staff was so friendly and excited to see us, the food/drinks were delicious, and all our families said it was the perfect spot to gather. We'll definitely be back!”

“We had the always amazing mussels, pork cheeks also amazing ( cut w/ a fork) & special tomato tart which was very special! Entrees were the always wonderful spit roasted chicken and venison which was perfectly cooked & served w/ fantastic steak fries. And the leek sauce was phenomenal. But this is the Portland restaurant I always recommend to anyone visiting area along w/ sister restaurant Scales! I would say among the best in the country!”

“Absolutely amazing! Each time we visit I am reminded of why it’s my favorite restaurant ever - the food, the service and the atmosphere are all top notch, every time! Thank you!”

“Just finished one of the BEST Italian meals ive ever had in my restaurant going life in a place id never have expected to and thats saying something being a 1st Generation Italian coming from NY ! ViA VECCHiA is Portland, Maine was absolutely 10/10 on everything they did! We started with Meatballs, Whipped Ricotta & Grilled Octopus. The meatballs reminded me of my mothers, the ricotta was tremendous with truffle honey & sesame breadsticks and the octopus was grilled perfectly. One dish was better than the next. We shared ravioli with as an entree and we never felt gross like we ate too much. The portion sizes were PERFECT. Wrapped the night off with a espresso infused cheesecake over salted caramel. Wow. Staff was incredibly accommodating, professional and polite. Service was excellent! If youre ever in Portland, ME you must go get a meal here!”

“The chef is a G! I mean genius! Watched him stay cool and delivery fabulous food to sooo many tickets. The food was outstanding and our server was so friendly and efficient. No wonder it so hard to get in this restaurant. It's a winner.”

“Cozy and inviting dining rooms. The food was delicious, every plate from chicory salad, bread asparagus and the entrees! All were absolutely delicious. Just as important were the staff. So so friendly and happy. You can tell they all really like working here and value every detail. Would highly recommend this place for date night!”

“Amazing food, drinks and service, a true gem!!”

“We had a lovely dinner a few nights ago at Wayside with our delightful server (sorry, I didn't learn her name). However, our (and our neighboring table) were disturbed by a very loud party of 5 '(birthday group) with no consideration of fellow diners. I understand that Wayside has no control over the behavior of the rude, but it's disappointing to have an enjoyable evening spoiled by the behavior of fellow diners.”

“Unreal experience! Our bartender, Josiah helped us pick some amazing dishes. We can’t wait to return. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

“Last month our flight to Portland was delayed a considerable amount of time due to weather issues and it looked as though we would not be able to make our 5p.m. reservation. My daughter called from the tarmac in Boston where we were rerouted and refueled and explained the situation. The hostess, Susie, was very understanding and compassionate And said that even though our table was booked for another party a 7, we should come in and she would see what she could do. We got there late but Susie greeted us warmly and told us not to worry about being rushed that she had arranged things so no one would be inconvenienced. The atmosphere was warm and cozy; the food so very delicious and our waitperson, Anika, was the best. Atmosphere, impeccable service, food and warmth all rate 5 stars and another visit next time we are in Portland.”

“We had dinner last night and it was excellent!!! Service was wonderful, drinks were perfect and the food was amazing. Highly recommend!”

“Just an excellent experience overall”

“My girlfriend and I had a wonderful dinner on 2-15. We sat at the end of the sushi bar- it was a little tight when it got busy, but it’s definitely the best sushi place we’ve been to. Our server Chad was awesome and made us feel very welcome. I told a few friends and decided to write a review”

“Been talking about Bar Futo for a year now ever since their pop up at the amazing Koji Club in Boston. Here’s how it went. Get one of everything. Drink a bottle of sake. Chat with amazing staff. Order more yakitori. Have some beers. Order a crazy dessert. Buy the kitchen some shots. And listen to the story of the amazing chef and owner on what it takes to open and run the best new restaurant in New England. I said it. Sorry Boston but gonna have to step it up notch. Can’t wait to come back!”

“My favorite cocktail bar got more cozy. We love Portland Hunt and Alpine but have moved away from Portland but love returning for a white noise, green eyes and other cocktails. We heard they changed ownership and were pleasantly surprised of the cozy remodel, cute napkins and same great menu and service.”

“Wonderful service and excellent food!”

“Great brunch spot. The mimosas were delicious. Food was great! I recommend the huevos Ocotillo and Clark Street Eggs Benedict. Churros were an awesome choice for dessert! Busy atmosphere and super friendly and helpful bartender. We will definitely be back.”

“Wonderful service and delicious food. Highly recommend!”

“Our meals were excellent and the wait staff was pleasant and had great recommendations

Dietary restrictions: They offer homemade gluten free gnocchi as a substitute for most pasta dishes.”

“We tried the new cheesey tots. terrible just ick.”

“Food is on par in the local fast food scene. Staff are courteous, only negative remark would be to pay attention when traveling through their drive through, very tight with close curves. If youre not paying attention you may curb your rims”

“Awesome place away from Old Port for fresh oysters.Smoked trout dip was delicious too. Easy parking.”

“Standard Baking Co. is a little gem in Portland 💛

From the moment you enter, the smell of freshly baked bread already wins you. Everything looks incredible, but the financier was something else... crispy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside, with that almond flavor that leaves you in shock 😍
You can tell that they do everything with love and quality. The place has a calm vibe, perfect for a coffee and something sweet.
I would definitely come back just for that financier 🥹🔥”

“Awesome fries with lots of sauces”

“Some of the best beer in Southern Maine, always a ton on tap”

“A great, cozy late night dinner spot! Seems like a family business? The staff is very sweet, hard working, and attentive. The food is always piping hot and fresh! We recommend the chicken sandwich, vegetable pad thai, spring rolls, and thai tea.”

“Meilleur oatmeal EVER parfait petit café🤘🏼”

“Went for Oyster Social/Happy Hour they do on Wednesdays after a local recommended I try…had a little bit of everything and some punch. I’m not easy to impress. It was DIVINE!!! Delicious fresh seafood, excellent quality, great drinks, just a very nice experience I wish I were local to attend every week! Highly recommend!”

“One of the best dining experiences in Portland highly recommend”

“This place is amazing. Very LGBTQ friendly, and wonderfully nice management.”

“The best in Portland. Great beer and wonderful employees. Cannot wait until they can distribute to Minnesota!!”

“This is one of the best cups of coffee I’ve ever had. I love the vibe in this coffee shop, relaxing, music, and a nice ambience. I will definitely be coming back!”

“A must restaurant in Portland. Excellent atmosphere & top notch seafood ❤️”

“I have no idea how I had never come here before, and now we will get burritos and quesadillas from nowhere else. DELICIOUS. NO other local place comes close to the fresh, exceptionally tasty, and generous portion. Staff so lovely. Must return to try empanadas. The vibe inside is so cute, I look forward to coming back to eat in.”

“This is a great little spot for breakfast, lunch, coffee, cocktails. The staff is very friendly and helpful and the service was stellar”

“We are from out of town and wanted to stop by here for the experience. We ordered the raspberry buckle, cinnamon bun, and hojicha? Cake. The raspberry buckle was ok..it was on the drier side. The other two pastries were tasty. I would order the hojicha? Cake again. The fruits on top of the cake were excellent 👌

We would recommend that you go early though..we went around Noon and they were pretty much out of everything.”

“Fabulous crafted cocktails! Great small plates! Wonderful staff!”

“Bartender Mikey is excellent. I had two sparkling drinks and he actually recommended great restaurants very attentive to all the other customers I would recommend to work even in an upscale restaurant.!”

“What a great place to discover!! One of my new favorites! Loved the cool vibe, incredible food, and special cocktails! Can’t wait to go back!!”

“Their dishes are fabulous! The Pad Thai is a must have. The folks who operate the place are the best!”

“So happy I had the chance to stop by this place. Bartender was super friendly, great drink specials, and the hoagie was, by far, one of the best I’ve ever had!”

“Everything was delicious! Owner took special care making the gluten free dishes!”

“A lovely side of vegie fried rice with delicata squash, radicchio, scrambled egg, mushrooms, and scallions. A delicious light, healthy meal after some Portland errands. The hot jasmine green tea is so soothing and uplifting. This places always a great choice for a quick, fresh, solid meal.”

“Staff was very attentive and helpful! Great service and a great place to pop in for some local beers from all over Maine. Highly recommend for a great spot to pop into!”

“Tiny bakery on Clark St near Danforth. Divine croissants! Choc croissant best in world! My fav breads are Rustic, Buckwheat, 60% Wheat.
Love love love candied orange brioche rolls sliced with cheese spread, cream cheese, butter, marmalade or apricot jam! Always find a parking spot but might have to walk a couple blocks! Well worth it!!”

“The Crab Rangoon is amazing!!”

“The food was phenomenal, very tasty, flavorful, cooked to perfection! Friendly server and chill atmosphere. Definitely a favorite!”

“Holy cow, what an awesome find! We enjoyed everything about this place. They have a fun cocktail menu, and the food is AMAZING! Be sure to order the fried chicken, and get at least a couple of their excellent sauces!”

“Awesome breakfast sandwiches! By far the best breakfast I had in New England. A true Portland hidden gem.”

“Best Gelato I’ve ever had! I’ve been to a few different places but none even compare. I had the Hazelnut and Sea Salt Caramel and they were mouth watering. My bf had Maine Wild Blueberry and Oreo and we almost went back for more that night! Eagerly waiting for Boston Creme to come back so I can try it!!”

“So glad this place came up 🆙 n the GPS Great food great vibe and wow it was just wonderful definitely will go back”

“My husband and I had lunch here before an appointment nearby. This restaurant had delicious food. My husband ordered the Down east Ruben, which was made with deep fried haddock with Cole slaw piled high on the bun with melted cheese. He said it was delicious! I opted for the classic BLT. Again, the sandwich was delicious. The lettuce and tomatoes were fresh and ample bacon was piled on top. I watched a young man bus the tables. He was extremely thorough cleaning the tables and seating. He even washed the items on the table (salt & pepper shakers, ketchup and hot sauce bottles). This young man then set the tables for new customers. Being a bit of a clean freak, I appreciated this young man's work. We will definitely be returning to this restaurant.”

“Stumbled upon this cute coffee shop walking around! We stopped in for a cold brew and we were pleasantly surprised by the extremely nice staff and affordable cannabis products. Would definitely recommend and return next time we make our way back to Portland!”

“Where else can you get Belgian beers on tap and get threatened with violence by the server? Happened to me 8-13-23 4pm out on the deck. Never will I bring out-of-Towners there again.”

“Excellent coffee. Reasonably priced.”

“Like going into your cool grandmother's house late at night. Love all the lace and dried flowers. Nintendo games like Tetris that you can play, projected onto the wall. Neat vibe. Nice service.”

“Amazing food. I went here in August and it’s now November and I can’t wait to go back to Portland to go here again. Very friendly service and amazing and fresh food!”

“Very cool place to grab some great beers! Definitely stop in if you get the chance. We loved the sours on tap (Frusch!)”

“Wonderful coffee spot, great little meat and veg pastries and cool French music!”

“Best sandwiches in Portland! Staff is always super friendly, would recommend the Reuben!”

“Warm welcoming staff, happy regulars, creative events, top notch dedication to their draft list pouring from clean lines and glassware, passionate owners who are present and make food from scratch. A true Portland gem!”

“i stopped in on my lunch break. the food was delicious. the service was amazing! i will be back”

“Great chicken parm calzone.. Courtney was great at the bar she made us a mean margaritas.”

“It was fun. Bartender was really good. She handled the whole place alone and it was busy! I gave a 4 star only because the outside seating allows smoking and I don’t care for breathing that in.”

“Great tasting, healthy food. Lots of plant-based options and awesome service,”

“I came for the shakshuka and was very pleased with the taste. The owner is from Bulgaria and the shakshuka had an authentic flavor that had me craving for more. Thanks Nom Cafe!”

“Love this location. Jayme and her crew rock! So nice orders are great!”

“Best sandwich in town , always always fresh rolls not from the day before or two days before like the other stores , filled with great and fresh ingredients, try a gabbagol and provolone Italian , forgetaboutit five stars every time. I don’t usually write reviews but I took the time to for this family You need to get your a** over there now , no really !”

“authentic, clean, fresh! excellent, Go!”

“Never had a bad meal here. Food is great. Service is always friendly.”

“Last month our flight to Portland was delayed a considerable amount of time due to weather issues and it looked as though we would not be able to make our 5p.m. reservation. My daughter called from the tarmac in Boston where we were rerouted and refueled and explained the situation. The hostess, Susie, was very understanding and compassionate And said that even though our table was booked for another party a 7, we should come in and she would see what she could do. We got there late but Susie greeted us warmly and told us not to worry about being rushed that she had arranged things so no one would be inconvenienced. The atmosphere was warm and cozy; the food so very delicious and our waitperson, Anika, was the best. Atmosphere, impeccable service, food and warmth all rate 5 stars and another visit next time we are in Portland.”

“My girlfriend and I had a wonderful dinner on 2-15. We sat at the end of the sushi bar- it was a little tight when it got busy, but it’s definitely the best sushi place we’ve been to. Our server Chad was awesome and made us feel very welcome. I told a few friends and decided to write a review”

“Great food and drinks. Cozy and comfortable atmosphere. My favorite place in Portland!”

“Great chicken parm calzone.. Courtney was great at the bar she made us a mean margaritas.”

“My friend and I went to Noble for lunch it was my very first time and I loved the food. When we arrived we were greeted with a smile. Ordered our lunch which was so delicious. The staff was very friendly, helpful and went above and beyond for us. I would highly recommend this place.”

“Awesome ! thank you so much for doing our summer picnic at Mmp 5 Bucknam Road”

“Oh My God what a gem this place is! First off when you walk in it smells incredible. I had the Godmother grilled cheese. It was so good I couldn't hold a conversation......or maybe it was their margaritas!! Anyway the sandwich was unbelievable and the "secret sauce" on the side for dipping is something I didn't think I needed but ended up wanting to be buried in!”

“My family went to the Maine mall to stop by bestbuy and we noticed Soul Food Paradise. We decided to try it and were blown away. The catfish melts in your mouth, and the mac and cheese and mashed potatoes were excellent. The chicken, both j**** bbq, and fried was all great, and each meal came with a corn muffin. 5/5, will go again.”

“Truly excellent paella and pleasant service.”

“Best place to eat on Peaks Island. This is the only restaurant on Peaks that is not a tourist trap.”

“We stopped last Thursday for breakfast and we all loved it!!!! The food and service were great, but the atmosphere was awesome!!!!! I can't wait to go back.”

“i stopped in on my lunch break. the food was delicious. the service was amazing! i will be back”

“always enjoy our oysters & lobster rolls at J's. we've been coming here for over 20 years. great ppl watching too!”

“FANTASTIC food at a GREAT price! The portions were MUCH bigger than expected!”

“Incredible vibe where everyone was there, drinking, eating,singing and dancing side by side for hours”

“The Gelato Fiasco was a nice surprise to enjoy an ice cream at the end of the evening. The flavors offered are varied and original, and the waiter, particularly kind that evening, took the time to let us taste those that intrigued us the most. Thanks to his advice, we found our favorite perfumes. Ideally located, it is a perfect address for a delicious dessert outside of a restaurant. Despite the cold, tasting this ice cream was a real pleasure. A big thank you to the waiter for his welcome and his kindness, which made the experience even better!”

“Went today for the first time. Food was top notch!! I would 100% recommend!!”

“My husband and I had lunch here before an appointment nearby. This restaurant had delicious food. My husband ordered the Down east Ruben, which was made with deep fried haddock with Cole slaw piled high on the bun with melted cheese. He said it was delicious! I opted for the classic BLT. Again, the sandwich was delicious. The lettuce and tomatoes were fresh and ample bacon was piled on top. I watched a young man bus the tables. He was extremely thorough cleaning the tables and seating. He even washed the items on the table (salt & pepper shakers, ketchup and hot sauce bottles). This young man then set the tables for new customers. Being a bit of a clean freak, I appreciated this young man's work. We will definitely be returning to this restaurant.”

“We had such a great experience last night! Delicious meals and drinks and absolutely outstanding service from Gerry (Jerry?). We’ll be back!”

“Standard Baking Co. is a little gem in Portland 💛

From the moment you enter, the smell of freshly baked bread already wins you. Everything looks incredible, but the financier was something else... crispy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside, with that almond flavor that leaves you in shock 😍
You can tell that they do everything with love and quality. The place has a calm vibe, perfect for a coffee and something sweet.
I would definitely come back just for that financier 🥹🔥”

“I would just like to tell a very short story about how my friend Rex who is 65 years old he is a homeless man out of the Portland area. I took him in to Denny's in Portland to get breakfast on a cold Winter's day in January 2022. We ordered our food with our server who was very rude and after eating our cold yucky breakfast my friend Rex was refused a bathroom to use and then the manager came out and told us for NO REASON, to leave and never come back! It was the worst experience because all my friend Rex needed was a hot breakfast he doesn't bother anyone and never sticks up for himself or creates a fuss! So in looking for another breakfast place to eat we found IHOP in Portland and from the start of walking into that restaurant was so nice and clean the hostess was amazing and sat us immediately with a smile our server Bethany she was amazing so nice and kind she took our order and treated us like human beings she was not judgmental and she took our order the same way she takes everyone's orders with a smile and gracious heart! My friend Rex absolutely loves his fried eggs and his bacon so we now visit the Portland IHOP twice a week. I had told the servers about what had happened to us with our experience at Denny's and the server from IHOP told Rex and myself that we were allowed at IHOP anytime and that they would love to have us!! I can't even tell you how much this warms my heart knowing that I can take my friend who has fallen on some hard times into a restaurant to eat a very nice warm meal and have the best servers in the best wait staff around us! You are amazing IHOP and we love you so much! We will be there every Tuesday and Friday for bacon and eggs comforted by the graciousness and smiles of everyone in the restaurant at IHOP! Keep on being the most amazing restaurant in the world because from my point of view you absolutely are! We love you IHOP thank you so much for your hospitality!”

“An absolute gem in the heart of the old port. The margaritas are the best in all of Portland and served by the friendliest / warmest locals around. Not enough space to talk about the divine cuisine. ¡Salud!”

“I stayed at a hotel nearby, and visited this bar quite frequently while in town. The bartenders were awesome and super accommodating, and the locals were very welcoming. Great beer and food, chill atmosphere. Keep Dewing yo thang 😉”

“Best Gelato I’ve ever had! I’ve been to a few different places but none even compare. I had the Hazelnut and Sea Salt Caramel and they were mouth watering. My bf had Maine Wild Blueberry and Oreo and we almost went back for more that night! Eagerly waiting for Boston Creme to come back so I can try it!!”

“Great fresh fried seafood, unpretentious atmosphere. All about the quality.”