Restaurants in Portland

“Anyone that gives this place less than five stars is delusional, has no idea what they’re talking about, or is just a plain hater. I have been going to this place since they opened. I have never had anything but five star service. The food is always on point, I would recommend to anyone in the weight as well worth it. This place is a treasure in one of Portland. Best places if you’re looking for El Salvadoran comfort food. my favorite thing to order from there is the beef stew dinner it’s not actual stew, but it is delicious”

“What a fantastic evening! Our server Julio (AKA Javier/Dru/MOUTHIE) was amazing. He made excellent drink and food recommendations, was friendly, funny and made the entire experience enjoyable. The food was DELICIOUS, atmosphere was lively. Highly recommend this place!

Parking: We parked at the Fore St Parking Garage and walked. Street has parking but was packed.”

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

“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.”

“Great place to have fresh oysters, lobster roll and hangout with friends. They only accept reservations for party > 6 , so you either come early or get on the waitlist and find somewhere else to have “dinner” first then come here. We get there around 6 and put party of 2 on the waitlist, they said an hour and 40mins but we waited for two hours and thought we just checking in again with the waiter. It turns out they did tried sending out a text but for some reason I am not getting it. They’re able to seat is right away. Had half a dozen different kind of oysters, my favorite was John’s river and Mere point. The lobster roll was the most special one I’ve ever had, soft brioche and the brown butter lobster combination was amazing! The wicked blueberry ale was a nice addition to the meal.”

“Our favorite place in Maine!”

“Very good gelato outside of Italy! We ordered chocolate, mascarpone pistachio caramel (unique and so so good) and the blueberry crisp. The server was so sweet and friendly to everyone that came in. The portion sizes were more generous than I expected!! I wish we were here longer to come back.”

“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”

“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!”

“I had super high hopes for this one. Not totally disappointed but also not eagerly running back for another reservation either. The hanger steak was admittedly delicious and service was top notch. I had fabulous company and we enjoyed our time but at the end of the day it comes down to the food right? Our appetizers fell a little short in flavor and we all agreed we should’ve just skipped the dessert all together. So the entree (the important piece) was great but for the price we were hoping we could’ve said that for the entirety of the meal.”

“I stopped at Oxbow as part of my self-guided brewery tour of Portland. I had grand plans to hit 6 breweries the day our cruise ship was in port, but a delicious lunch at Duck Fat derailed my plans and robbed me of both time and stomach space.
I hit Oxbow on the walk from ShipYard to Lone Pine and Goodfire.
A reason I mentioned Duckfat is because they have a takeout location right next to Oxbow- so you can pair the best fries in Maine with a ton tasty brews.
Speaking of the beers, the ones I tried were delicious. Oxbox has a great mix of Farmhouse ales and barrel-aged sours. Perfect pairings with salty frites!
The inside space is substantial, which is great for Maine's "cold, yet damp" environment. The day I visited, all their garage doors were open, the outside bar was bustling, and their patio was full.
I highly recommend Oxbow- especially for a change of pace from the mainstream hop-heavy breweries. Their offerings of Grisettes, Biere De Garde, Saisons was unparalleled.”

“Fabulous service and fabulous food”

“Had a wonderful 30th Birthday dinner for my oldest son. This establishment was so amazing in atmosphere, service received, and the sheer quality of their food. Prices are not for the faint of heart, but it was perfect for the occasion. Highly recommend this establishment across the board. You can't really go wrong.”

“Food & atmosphere was amazing .”

“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.”

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

“Delicious drinks! Bartenders are knowledgeable and artfully craft fantastic drinks. If you’re looking for a unique drink, try the, “Green Eyes”. It’s made with a unique liquor called, Chartreuse and is a blend of sweet and earthy flavors. The snapper hot dog and pretzel are great items to enjoy. Get the pimento cheese with your pretzel!”

“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.”

“Awesome food, great atmosphere, reasonable prices”

“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!”

“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.”

“This place was amazing the cocktails were unique and generous and we started with the shredded chicken and green beans both fresh and tasty I had the spicy beef ramen which was so good the beef was so tender and veggies fresh with amazing tasting broth and my girlfriend had the duck ramen which was succulent with delicious salty broth the staff were very friendly and inviting and when we called to ask them if we could move our reservation a little due to the fact we got to Maine little later they assured us it was no issue we were only visiting but if I were a local i would be a regular but will certainly revisit when I’m in Portland again!!”

“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”

“Oh man, I’m still thinking about this meal.
So good! They have a few GF options which were DELICIOUS, the dishes were succinct and blend of wonderful flavors. Cocktails were some of the favorites I’ve had in Portland!”

“Had brunch at this restaurant and it was fantastic!! The atmosphere in the hotel is cute. It used to be the newspaper building, so they carried this theme through. They have vintage typewriters on the wall in the lobby, so cute. Our server, Anna, was so sweet and kind! Food was sooooooo good. I would highly recommend this place. This is off the beaten path in Portland, it’s not in the port area, but the walk is so pretty to get to it. You can go up to exchange street, with so many cute shops. Definitely worth the short walk, especially if you’re there on a Sunday and all the other brunch places by the port have 45 minute waits.”

“The grilled lobster linguine was delicious! Perfectly cooked lobster and linguine was buttery and garlicy. Glad we were able to get a reservation our last day in Portland.”

“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.”

“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!”

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

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

“Came for light fare and cocktails. Our waitress (Kylee) helped us choose our cocktails based on our preferences while describing the flavor profiles well enough for us to try something we might normally not gravitate towards.

We were exceptionally pleased with the cocktails, food, and service. 11/10 would go back over and over again. The deviled eggs were the best we’ve ever had, the oysters were fresh and delicious, and the Sleight of Hand cocktail was especially majestic.”

“Best croissant we've had this side of the Atlantic, also had the pan au chocolate, blueberry scone, prosciutto and asiago croissant and walnut roll, highly recommend”

“Stopped in for the first time today and was pleasantly surprised to see some great savory treats alongside their sweet ones. Their meat pie was delicious… can’t imagine what it’d be like if I’d waited to heat it up first!”

“Had the best lobster roll and we are new englanders. Your staff was awesome! Thank you”

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

“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.”

“Stopped for a drink to meet friends before dinner reservations. I absolutely loved the vibes and decor inside the space! And the name was so cute. They had old school Nintendo going on the projector screen so we passed around the controls and played Tetris for a bit. So fun! They also had a Roll For Happy Hour special on Negronis. Not a Negroni girl but I also loved this. Just a cute and engaging bar with the right vibes. Our bartender was also lovely ”

“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.”

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

“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!”

“Tasty and delicious! Never had a bad meal here.”

“I went to the coast of Maine for a couple of days and I saw Geary's Original Pale Ale for sale in a local store, and am I ever glad that I purchased a case! By far the finest pale ale that I have ever tasted in the US of A...it has the qualities of everything that I enjoy in a pale ale, thank you Geary's, I'll be back for more...”

“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”

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

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

“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 !!”

“The team at Forest Ave are the BEST! No matter how busy they are they are kind, recognize their customers as individuals and serve consistently good Starbucks fare. Thank you for bring forward kindness in Portland!”

“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!”

“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 .”

“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”

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

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

“They were SO kind. I felt embarrassed because I don’t know the Starbucks menu. I am converting from DD and they let me sample flavors and took their time educating me on the menu. Thank you Mae! And the other employee was super helpful just started my day right! Not used to such kindness! Starbucks fan, for life.”

“I’m generally a big fan of this location. It’s a Starbucks at the airport, so the prices are significantly higher than non-airport stores. Just be prepared for some sticker shock. Still, the employees are almost always really friendly (a big plus at the pre-dawn hours when I’m usually here), the service is always extremely fast for how busy it is, and I’ve never had any complaints with the food or drinks. It’s by far the best food / drink option at an airport that desperately needs more selection. Keep up the good work, PWM Starbucks!”

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

“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 :)”

“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.”

“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!”

“Best coffee we had in Portland. I wouldn't recommend the espresso on its own, but they do make good espresso drinks—try the cortado and the cappuccino. Really lovely cider too.

Cute ambience with terrarium plants; nice to read a book by the big windows.”

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

“The drinks were delicious (espresso tonic & Ireland fog)! Even with a full restaurant, they were quick to serve food, friendly, and attentive. It’s a nice cozy spot to start your day in ”

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

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

“Awesome place for beer. So many options from all over New England and the USA. Stop the people are so nice. We’ll be back the next time we are in Portland.

Oh get the pretzel with beer cheese. Good stuff.”

“Atmosphere is 5 stars. Got all the pub artifacts. Get a sub from Sal's. The staff seem cool. Cold, dank, underground, nice televisions. Classic local dive bar vibes. Walk here and order a Guinness.”

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

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

“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.”

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

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

“We stayed at the Westin Hotel in Portland, ME. The pizza was amazing and the service was great! It was cooked perfectly and had a nice crunch to it! No fork/knife needed.”

“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!”

“I am sure Councilman Dion and Mrs Dion were just having an off night - my wife and Granddaughter and I had dinner on Friday night and my veal parmigiana was awesome and my wife’s asparagus and Gorgonzola ravioli was as great ! Jim our waiter must have lit the table candle 50 times for my granddaughter to keep blowing it out ! Brunos rocks !”

“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.”

“The food here is absolutely unique and delicious! I had oysters, whole sea bass (stuffed with rice), green beans with feta, eggplant ... each dish distinctive and perfectly prepared. It's got to be one of the best restaurants in Portland.”

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

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

“Portland Lobster Company has a great atmosphere with plenty of seating and a live band that adds to the vibe. The food comes out fast, which is a plus. I ordered the clam chowder and a lobster roll, but both were kind of meh – not bad, just not memorable. It’s a self-order setup, so it’s pretty laid-back if that’s what you're looking for. Overall, it was a good spot to hang out, but the food didn’t quite hit the mark for me.”

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

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

“Love Empire! Always fantastic!”

“The food is always so yummy! The price, on the other hand, is pricy! Check your receipts for added prices. They also tip the kitchen! A nice gesture, but?! Atmosphere is a bar like, fun place, but the seats are very uncomfortable! I think that should be improved. The place is extremely small, so you may have a wait, but again, the food is worth the wait! The parking is a bit of a challenge due to being right on Congress St but somehow, I always find a spot but unless your in a parking lot or garage, you will be looking at your time for the meters are running! Otherwise, very good food!”

“I was seated quickly, the food was delicious and the service was great as well. I will definitely go back the next time I’m in Portland.”

“Went for dinner, our first time trying this establishment. We were impressed with the menu and freshly made pasta! Had fantastic meals (party of four) with apps and drinks and desserts. Cannot praise enough the quality and care taken by staff both front and back of the house. Thank you for a spectacular time!”

“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!”

“Very good gelato outside of Italy! We ordered chocolate, mascarpone pistachio caramel (unique and so so good) and the blueberry crisp. The server was so sweet and friendly to everyone that came in. The portion sizes were more generous than I expected!! I wish we were here longer to come 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.”

“We had a wonderful dinner there tonight and the food was perfect! Everything about it- chicken Parmesan with spaghetti -fresh grated cheese was so tasty !!! We highly recommend!!!”

“What a nice surprise first visit. Charming, clean and classy restaurant vibe. Terrific knowledgeable service that helped us with our choices of drinks and food. Small plates but we left satiated. The avocado salsa macha with crispy corn tostada was delicious, but the flanked beef ribs with mole were over the top. Wasn't completely sold on the dessert which consisted of outstanding ice cream but a less than overwhelming rye bread something to eat with it, otherwise the food would have been 5 stars for sure. Lesson learned. We will definitely return.”

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