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.”

“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!”

“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!”

“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 !”

“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.”

“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!”

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

“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!”

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

“Everything was perfect, as always! From the minute we arrived to the moment we left! The service and food were excellent! Probably my favorite restaurant in Portland.”

“just amazing in every way”

“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!”

“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!”

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

“Personally, I’m not a big fan of leaving reviews after dining at a restaurant, but I’m going to make an exception for this place. The food I had here could easily rank in the top 10 meals I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Everything was so flavorful, fresh, and well-made, yet fairly priced. The only downside is that I live too far away from Portland; otherwise, I would visit this place very often. I want to say thank you to the owner and staff for such a wonderful experience. I’ll do my best to plan another trip to Portland just to come back.”

“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!”

“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!”

“Just an excellent experience overall”

“Casual space with happy hour options. I enjoyed the winter espresso martini and egg nog on this trip. The small bites are worth ordering, even if you're not there for food; I enjoy the alpine flavors and vibes.”

“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.”

“Truly excellent paella and pleasant service.”

“As soon as you walk in the ambiance feels inviting and not overbearing for a popular restaurant in a central location. The service is attentive and genuine in wanting to create a well-rounded experience for the guests. I felt guided through the menu and confident in choosing the best items for my group and I. As for the food, spectacular. They've perfect the classics, simple goes a long way when you know how to create the perfect flavor profiles. Definitely end with something sweet as it helps balance out the palate before heading back into the real world. 10/10 will be back.”

“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.”

“It was a cold & windy walk home when i passed by Standard Baking Co and decided a hot coffe was needed. Of course, who could pass up a cookie or brownie to go along. I decided on the Raspberry Gallette and I am now addicted!!!! I either need to find an alternate route home...or add another 2 miles to walk off the extra calories! Thank you Standard Baking Co to finding the right the right reward for me keeping my new year resolution to add more activity to my day!”

“Awesome fries with lots of sauces”

“Meilleur oatmeal EVER parfait petit café🤘🏼”

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

“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!”

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

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

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

“Upon landing in Portland, we were greeted by a Nor'easter, but our determination to savor a superior lobster roll remained unwavering. Highroller Lobster Co. exceeded our expectations, serving a delectable lobster roll accompanied by sublime old Bay seasoned fries and an extraordinary whoopie pie. Although we were unable to finish our meal, we gave it our best effort. The staff was extremely welcoming and knowledgeable.”

“We were visiting Portland from Virginia and on our walk back to Airbnb. We stumbled upon this exceptional cool looking hidden gem, and it’s absolutely worth a try! We ordered the crab wontons and spicy chicken wings—both were fantastic. We also had a few drinks, all amazing! The atmosphere is sooo cozy, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed night out. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy great food and drinks, this is it. The service was awesome, and our server was incredibly friendly and attentive. Highly recommended!”

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

“OMG. I wrote this review so long ago. Since then I have had nearly a thousand coffees here. My dog has a locker here. It’s anything but sterile, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable about coffee and cannabis alike. 10/10 would recommend!
—
Coffee was good, great even but the atmosphere was a bit sterile. I was there just after opening, so I'll try again in a few weeks.”

“We stopped by on Christmas Eve for some last minute shopping fuel. We tried a variety of goodies, macaroons, ginger loaf, and more. EVERYTHING was delicious. Everything”

“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.”

“Just had my first meal there - Pad Krapow 4 star w/ chicken. Absolutely FANTASTIC. Flavors were very bold, very fresh, loved the holy basil and the side cup of fish sauce w/ bird chiles. Best Thai I’ve had in Maine, would absolutely recommend to anyone who loves Thai!!!”

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

“We’d got pre-dinner drink and love the Sticky Ribs.”

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

“The Crab Rangoon is amazing!!”

“Yum! Yum! Get in my belly. My daughter and I went here last week. We drive by all the time and have been wanting to try this place. We went inside and ordered two orders of Chicken Pho, Lo-Mein and dumplings. It was a to-go order. The inside of the restaurant was clean. The employees were so nice. When we got home to try the food... I was blown away. Sooooo darn good that I went back the next day and ordered the same thing and a few other items (spring rolls and a smoothie drink). Everything was delightful and delicious. We will definitely come back. Their prices are great and the food is fresh and healthy. Thank you, Sun Vietnamese!!!”

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

“If you are a tourist in the area, go here first!
We are so happy and lucky to have dropped in here! There was a wide selection of drinks of tap, IPAs, pilsners, and ciders.
The best part, was our host. He was so kind, and was able to give us so many ideas and recommendations of what to do around Portland. We essentially planned our whole weekend based on his recommendations, and he even helped us figure out transportation.
Stopping in was the best thing we could have done for our weekend trip to Portland!”

“Fantastic ramen and poke bowls.”

“Loved everything about this place! It’s intimate, charming, and relaxed. The staff is wonderful— friendly, helpful, and deservedly proud of everything they serve. The oysters are sublime! The chowder is the best I’ve had in many years. Can’t wait to go back!”

“Had absolutely an amazing experience at N to Tail Restaurant today! From delicious food to drinks and exceptional service—we will absolutely be back! Thank you!”

“If you are looking for some of Portland's most amazing foods come here. Today I had their special which was a softshell crab dish that was out of this world. I have never had the same thing twice at MaMi because all of the dishes look and smell and taste so amazing I want to try them all. It's truly an experience.”

“Delicious 😋 tried the chorizo quesadilla, steak quesadilla AND the pulled pork quesadilla all were wonderful!”

“The pineapple fried rice is 👌👌👌”

“Friendly staff, great prices and the yummiest smoothies! I give 10 stars!”

“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!”

“Excellent coffee. Reasonably priced.”

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

“Delicious Empanadas very flavorful. Great customer service and good Mango Margaritas.
Quaint & cute atmosphere. This will certainly be our go to for authentic empanadas:)
Good portion at a reasonable price point.”

“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.”

“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!”

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

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

“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!”

“Best local bar you'll ever encounter!! The best, most attentive bartenders you'll find anywhere. Great hang spot! Also they have Salvadors hoagies being sold out of their bar. Best hoagies/grinders/subs/italians...whatever you wanna call them! Go here!”

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

“My husband and I have been going to Gorgeous Gelato for years. It's been a while since we've been but last weekend, we decided to introduce our granddaughters to it. The older one enjoyed trying blueberry sorbet and ended up ordering it. The little one is 3 so she opted for vanilla and chocolate. It's just as delicious as we remember. They really make the best gelato in New England. It's the closest one to the ones we had in Italy. Oh, and they have sfogiatelle (pastry filled with sweet ricotta) which was legit. Had one of those in Naples, Italy in 2017. This is not Naples level but it brought me back to the experience nonetheless. It's a bit pricey though (almost $7 each). Their prices have gone up and parking in the the city could be a challenge. These are the only reasons why we don't go more often.”

“I have been buying 5 lb batches of Alonzos Double Dark for years now and I am so impressed with the coffee and the customer service. Top Notch! Thanks for all you do and I highly recommend the delicious beans.”

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

“I visited ZuBakery 4 times in a row while visiting Portland this week. This bakery places a strong emphasis on the quality of the dough and their efforts are well reflected in the wonderful texture of the bread and sweet smell of yeast.

The apple galette is phenomenal. The apples on top are beautifully caramelized and not soggy (!). The crust is the best part and it is perfect; light and crunchy, but yet retains its structure and texture.

I had their ham and cheese croissant and it is excellent. This is not a butter heavy (I am sure a lot of butter goes in here, but you know what I mean) croissant where everything is impossibly buttery. And no, this is a not an airpocket filled croissant (horror) with a rockhard (or) sad droopy shell.
The outer shell is light and crispy. The quality of the dough really shines in the inner layers of the croissant-- the flavor of the dough comes forward and it is so delightful. Ham and cheese are generously added, and they are of a good quality.

Currant scone.. wasn't my favorite. Too dry.

Challah (Fridays only) was very good. It is dense (as it should) and the texture is on point. Flavor-wise, it is not sweet at all. (Personally, I like slightly sweeter challah).

If I had more time in Portland, I would have tried out their fresh baguettes... maybe next time.

Lastly, what the other reviewers say is true. They sell out quickly.. within 30min of the bakery opening time, crowd favorites are gone.”

“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!”

“Couldn't have been a better meal. The service was a 10...ask for Cassi as a server. The support staff was so helpful. Our food couldn't have been better. Great portions with a great price. My girlfriend's birthday was celebrated that night. The whole restaurant sang her Happy Birthday. Best meal we have had in Portland. The owners deserve a pat on the back.”

“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”

“The Food & Staff!!🤗🌞🦞... We've been coming here for many years & keep coming back for more at least 3x's a year! On our way up from CT today! Can't wait!!🦞🌞”

“We first ended up here as a late night stop to listen to Thursday live music. The next day we also had lunch and drinks. Both experiences were pleasant and the staff is friendly.”

“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!!”

“It was a cold & windy walk home when i passed by Standard Baking Co and decided a hot coffe was needed. Of course, who could pass up a cookie or brownie to go along. I decided on the Raspberry Gallette and I am now addicted!!!! I either need to find an alternate route home...or add another 2 miles to walk off the extra calories! Thank you Standard Baking Co to finding the right the right reward for me keeping my new year resolution to add more activity to my day!”

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

“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!”

“My husband and I have been going to Gorgeous Gelato for years. It's been a while since we've been but last weekend, we decided to introduce our granddaughters to it. The older one enjoyed trying blueberry sorbet and ended up ordering it. The little one is 3 so she opted for vanilla and chocolate. It's just as delicious as we remember. They really make the best gelato in New England. It's the closest one to the ones we had in Italy. Oh, and they have sfogiatelle (pastry filled with sweet ricotta) which was legit. Had one of those in Naples, Italy in 2017. This is not Naples level but it brought me back to the experience nonetheless. It's a bit pricey though (almost $7 each). Their prices have gone up and parking in the the city could be a challenge. These are the only reasons why we don't go more often.”

“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 😉”

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