Restaurants in Portland

“Delicious and different! Staff was super nice! I would definitely recommend and visit again!”

“I've been very excited to eat here ever since I started researching restaurants for our trip. It did not disappoint! We ordered 1 of everything. LOL At least it seemed like it. Lots of amazing flavors melded together in some very phenomenal dishes. It was originally just going to be my husband and I but my in-laws arrived early and I didn't know if there would be anything they would want to eat but they ate and enjoyed pretty much everything except for the more raw things. Service was excellent too. Some of my absolute favorites were the foie gras parfait, fried cauliflower and spicy beef salad but we had about 13 different dishes (one being a caviar flight) and the only one we weren't blown away by was the heirloom tomato salad. Quite a memorable meal. Every dish is shared. Honestly, we were completely stuffed. 10 might have been better but I thoroughly enjoyed everything. So yummy! Pricey, but worth it.”

“Our favorite place in Maine!”

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

“The clam bake wasn’t our favorite as the clams were quite sandy/gritty (even after dipping it in the broth). However, the lobster roll was FANTASTIC, the clam chowder and lobster stew were on point. It’s really more like a 4.5 than a 4. Long wait times however. A 30 minute estimate ended up being 1.5 hours… I hear from others that Scales is a fantastic restaurant for around the same price point.”

“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!”

“We stopped here for dessert on a Saturday night after dinner. The line was pretty long at 9:30 but we made it to the counter in under 15 minutes. I love that you can have unlimited samples and that you can choose as many flavors as you want as long as they will fit in the cup! Everyone that worked there was super nice and helpful. I ordered the smallest size (treat) with raspberry truffle and dark chocolate noir and it was absolutely amazing. Tasted like a raspberry dark chocolate bar in the best way possible. Other delicious flavors that I tried - Sweet Resurgum, Special Hazelnut, Maine Wild Blueberry Crisp and Toasted Coconut. We were back in Portland for dinner two nights later and I suggested we try a different gelato spot but my husband loved Gelato Fiasco so much that we doubled down.”

“Went there on Saturday 3/23 and had the most amazing dinner with friends Our server Leah went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed our night She was soo awesome ! Extremely professional, nice and polite . I don’t remember when I had such amazing service last time If you go for dinner please ask for Leah ! You won’t regret ! She rocks !!”

“just amazing in every way”

“Food was phenomenal! I don't think you can go wrong with ANYTHING on the menu. Service was also amazing; our waitress was welcoming, attentive, and knew all about the items on the menu and was able to describe them in such detail. Very impressed with the whole experience. Will definitely be back.”

“?East Bayside/Munjoy Hill, Portland
?Visited: many times, most recently March 2023
?Parking: metered street parking, paid lots nearby
?Seating/Service: bar service
?Menu Favorites: Farmhouse Pale Ale
?Dog-Friendly: yes!
??Kid-Friendly: yes!
➕Pros: great vibes, music and games, proximity to poutine, unique beers
➖Cons: not always a beer for your pick friend who only drinks NE IPAs
⭐️Recommend: a must do on your Portland brewery list”

“Great place! I went to a, "sip and learn" event and loved it! I can't wait to go back and bring my dog. There are lots of nooks and crannies with tables everywhere, and most are under cover from the elements. This arrangement is perfect for being kid and dog friendly! My dog is well behaved, but shy. The layout is great because I'll be able to introduce her to a more social environment but still respect her comfort level. The open air layout is relaxing, with less noise than a crowded building. It's much easier to have pleasant conversations without yelling, lol.”

“Food & atmosphere was amazing .”

“Fabulous service and fabulous food”

“Fantastic food and service. Sat at the chefs counter and watching them prepare food was like watching a well oiled machine. Moving parts and working together perfectly. Chef found out it was our anniversary and sent us an extra dessert. Felt so special to have this kind of personalized touch!”

“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!”

“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!”

“I was initially skeptical because the Tavern had a number of reservations available on a long-weekend Saturday night.

Dumb, right?

What a great experience. I recommend the Sazerac, if you're into that kind of thing. The clams Casino, oysters, and crudo were all excellent, and the scallops are a dish I won't soon forget.

The asparagus was also extremely tasty, as was the steak au poivre.

Whomever does the sauces really, really knows what they're doing.

Overall, a wonderful dinner. Service was relaxed, attentive, knowledgable and personable. And the atmosphere was calm and fun, without being overly loud.

Would heartily recommend.”

“Very high quality sushi and service. The inside has a super clean traditional Japanese aesthetic. The dish that really blew us away was the duck nikuman buns —truly one of the most finely crafted dishes that has ever graced our palates. What ever you do, do not miss out on this one.”

“I have been here before and had a 5 star experience, but this visit let me down. On a warm Saturday night this weekend, we went to Hunt and Alpine for a pre-dinner drink and snack. We placed our order quickly, and but the bar service was slow, and our food order lost. After waiting 45 minutes, we asked about our apps, only to discover they hadn't been put in. It should be noted, that the staff were quick to remedy the mistake and fire the apps immediately (as well as comp 2 of them). However it was difficult to get the servers attention and order more drinks. What was most frustrating for us was that the restaurant was only half full (it would be more understandable to have experienced missing food or slower service if the restaurant was at capacity). At 6:30pm on a Saturday, we expected a different experience.”

“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”

“Awesome food, great atmosphere, reasonable prices”

“Wonderful service and excellent food!”

“I love this place. We visited twice during our recent stay in Portland. Cool vibe, amazing food, creative cocktails and a friendly, professional staff. A special shout out to C.A., the bartender, and Myka, assistant bartender and server who took care of us on both visits.”

“Food is fabulous! Creative and unique cocktail program. Fun vibe. Terrific service.”

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

“Been thinking about Leeward since my first visit 3 years ago. Since we were going to be a larger party of 6, I set an alarm for 1 month out to make sure that I could snag a Saturday night reservation. We were seating in a back booth upon arrival and were quickly greeted with waters and menus. We placed our drink orders along with an emergency appetizer order for the gnocco frito and focaccia all of which came out promptly. For our mains we literally just ordered all of the pastas. Unfortunately they were already out of the mushroom pasta but we were able to try all of the rest. Each pasta was beautifully al dente with fresh seasonal ingredients. If I HAD to choose a favorite at the table it was probably the cannelloni but they were seriously all winners. If you made me choose one not to order it would probably have been the rigatoni. It was still great, just not our favorite of the bunch. Anytime people ask me for Portland recs this is absolutely the top of my list. You must make time to go here. Italian food is my bread and butter and this has to be one of the best Italian restaurants in the country. Until next time!”

“⭐️?After wanting to try this place, we finally wandered in on a Friday morning and were pleasantly surprised by the availability! The staff was phenomenal, giving us a tour and letting us choose our seat. We opted for a quaint two-top. The decor screams Southwest, and the seating is super comfortable. ?

We started with the bacon jam taquitos, which were complemented by a vinaigrette salad. The hollandaise for dipping is soooo flavorful! ? I’m not a big breakfast fan, so I chose the brisket sandwich. It’s great to have a brunch menu with egg-less options—thank you! ? My partner went with the brisket hash and really liked the mix of sweet and white potatoes. If you didn't know, this restaurant group has the best brisket in town! We will definitely be back to try other items on the menu. There are so many great options to choose from! ??”

“We sat outside on lovely Wharf Street for a delicious and memorable meal at Street & Co. My husband and I split everything. The crab, mushroom and puff pastry app was indulgent and delightful. The Sole Francaise was exquisitely simply and delicious. The salad of Boston Lettuce and Castelvetrano Olives was super fresh. Our friends could not stop talking about the exquisiteness of their special Cod dish and the grilled scallops. But I just have to shout out to the truly friendly, funny and helpful waitress who smiled throughout and made the night especially fun. We look forward to coming back soon.”

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

“Stopped here for breakfast while traveling. There was only one car in the parking lot so we were a little suspicious. We took the chance and were not disappointed! The place seemed to have been recently renovated, and was very clean. The food was delicious. We were in and out in a very short amount of time. We were traveling with a camper, and there was plenty of parking area. We were on and off the interstate quickly.”

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

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

“Must try fries! We read about this being the can’t miss food item in Portland and everyone was right! Hot crisp and amazing! Got the flight of sauces and we were in heaven! Well done!”

“Great breakfast sandwiches away from the tourist waterfront - not a long walk and definitely worth it!”

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

“This place was dope as you can already tell! Very laid back, classy vibe inside. Food was good, and a great drink list. You must stop in when you’re in Portland. You will not be disappointed.”

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

“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.”

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

“Excellent bakery with a selection of delicious treats and beautiful boules and assortments of breads. It's so wonderful to have the option to buy the highest quality fresh bread weekly making it a genuinely relevant neighborhood gem. I always look forward to my trips to the Standard Baking Co!”

“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. Got there at 7:15. One person already ahead of me creating the line. Was a bit tricky to find. From the quiche to the sticky pecan pastry was excellent.”

“I already can’t wait to eat here again!!! I got the 3 empanada meal with chicken, beef, and cheese empanadas seasoned and fried to perfection. My partner is vegetarian and got the veggie and rice/bean empanadas. The veggie ones use a different dough - I prefer the shells mine had, but the veggie ones were still nice and crispy.

I highly recommend the churros and garlic aioli as well!

Everyone was very nice and the atmosphere was peaceful and clean.

Vegetarian options: There are vegetarian options, but I would ask for help with the menu to be sure.”

“Great vibe, kind employees. A little challenging to find, it's across from Rigby yard in case that helps.
Just got a latte - they have oat milk and honey available.
Amazing art on the walls.
They carry local CBD and herbals.
They also compost & use compostable to-go cups/containers.
The world needs and deserves more of these conscious, healthier places!”

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

“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.”

“Great place. I had the oyster sampler and it was delicious! Highly recommend!”

“This was a small tasting room compared to most other breweries I’ve visited in the past. However, this is where size really doesn’t matter as it boils down to the potency and flavor of their brews. I have never heard of them previously (also did not even know they were the first NE craft brewery) but noticed patrons walking in and out from the other side of the street. I asked a local friend that I was with and he simply told me to go get a flight in, which I did not hesitate in the least to do.Definitely was worth checking out when in the area. There were a bunch of locals hanging out in there with various brews in their hands. They were obviously proud of the place and welcomed me in as I ordered two flights to taste most of what they had to offer. $20 to taste 8 brews with lovely locals to chat with? Absolutely worth it.Good stuff. Definitely stop by if you’re traveling through.”

“Sweet relief! What a joy to see people of all ages coming together to enjoy a summer treat! Yummy flavors of ice cream served with a smile!”

“I work at this location an I work my butt off! I try an make all my customers happy.”

“Good food, great service and top notch staff. Maisie is our absolute Favorite! She’s very friendly, knowledgeable, quick and provides service with a smile! Its always a FUN time when she’s working!”

“Starbucks was so good I tried there unicorn Frappe for the second time and it still tasted good”

“My 4 star on atmosphere is simply because this location is non-stop busy. That is not remotely anything the staff can change. Tip on food...when ordering food and beverage, make the food requests first, the food comes out usually faster. As for the staff, I think they're awesome. 90% of the time they are awesome - depsite having a job where you stand all day and there is a constant stream of requests! Sure there may be a surly one every once and awhile...but just take a moment to let them know you're glad they're there and they do a complete 360 flip. And...the dog treats are a huge bonus!”

“Love this Dunkin !!I live near the Dunkin in the main mall and refuse to buy from there. This is go to place. Love the service and their food,drink are always good !!”

“I LOVE DUNKIN DONUTS BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND REALTY.SUGAR IS POISONOUS WHERE SWEETNERS ARE IT'S ANTI DRUG .

Kid-friendliness: THE STAFF BELIEVES AND ENFORCES A POLICY OF PROGRESS TOMORROW STARTS TODAY.

Wheelchair accessibility: ROLL IN ROLL OUT WOTH A WARM AND FUZZY FEELING ON THE TUMMY .”

“Although a little pricey (all Starbucks are), the food and drinks here are delicious. I got a chai with oat milk and a spinach feta wrap. I highly recommend both!”

“Nice bar and restaurant. Upstairs is best for nice dinning.”

“The person working drive thru was friendly And they weren't too busy at the time I went.

Dietary restrictions: They carry almond milk.

Parking: There are a decent amount of parking spots for a dunkin”

“this location is a new store it's beautiful”

“The barista at the drive through was so freaking sweet. I was having a bad day and she was so cheerful and kind when giving me my coffee. It made my day!The coffee was also excellent I had an iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso and it was exactly what I needed on this unseasonably warm Friday.”

“Amazing, hidden gem of a restaurant! Love the vibe, service, and, of course, the food! The chicken wings are outstanding., but you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu! 10/10 recommend :)”

“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.”

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

“Little hidden gem! A lovely cafe for breakfast/brunch serving Bulgarian ?? food
First experience with Bulgarian food and I have to say it was delicious! Some similarities with Middle Eastern cuisine however with a twist of flavours!
The traditional stuffed pancakes were amazing, their homemade garlic butter is delicious and has a special texture, Shakshoka was great and very different from Middle Eastern one, the fried eggplant was a bit too salty for me but the sauce served with it was delicious.
Not many vegetarian options! Would be great if more vegan/vegetarian options are offered. Coffee was freshly made and juices were okay, but served in very small portions.

Parking: Paid parking right next to the restaurant. A bit expensive though”

“Very busy location, good selection of coffee the Chai is great here good flavor and not too overpowering. Would recommend the walk to drink here only 3mins from the main waterfront and worth the walk”

“Really cool concept menu. Definite must try if in the area.”

“Ugly Duckling should be a stop! Not going to lie- stopped in for the vibe & was blown away by the coffee. Funky, fun & such an amazing vibe here! Stopped in for coffee & enjoyed it so much! Really loved the neon aesthetic & decor. Staff was friendly. They made an amazing oat milk latte.”

“Absolutely amazing… got the dumplings. I’m sensitive to spice so they were able to sub about the chili oil for garlic oil and it was incredible!! So so so good would highly recommend”

“Wooooooooooow! Hands down THE BEST BAR I'VE EVER BEEN TO, EVER! And that's saying a lot being from NYC. I met the FRIENDLIEST staff: to the point where i felt like i was in a real life scene of the show cheers( where everybody knows your name) . I honestly felt like I met some wholsome, genuinely nice people who I want to hang out with again!... the vibe and drinks were phenomenal! Please sit at the bar and see Jim and/ or Abby... and let them make you the most DELICIOUS DRINK I THINK THAT COULD EVER EXIST. I had the chocolate caramel and it literally tasted like dessert. It had the perfect balance of flavors. It was so well excuted and not heavily reliant on JUST sugar to get you hooked but you can taste the effort and talent of the art of mixology. I'm EXTREMELY picky about my drinks and I'm hard to satisfy and they got me hooked! I just wish I lived in Portland Maine! Thanks guys, you ROCK! The vibe is so chill and homey! I really felt like I met my crew! :)”

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

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

“Becky's is a good restaurant for locals and visitors alike!”

“Coffee By Design in Portland boasts exceptional customer service, with consistently friendly and polite staff. The coffee quality is unparalleled, arguably the best in Southern Maine. The only downside is the wait time, attributed to the shop's perpetual popularity. Despite the minor inconvenience, the overall experience is worth the brief delay for a sip of their outstanding brew.”

“had an absolutely delicious blueberry green tea lemonade + sesame bagel with cream cheese! a little pricey but worth it

Vegetarian options: it's a coffee shop, so there are tons of pastries/other veggie breakfast options”

“Good food, rooftop patio. Arcade games fun times”