50 Best American Restaurants in Portland

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

“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!“

“Wonderful service and excellent food!“

“Love, love, loved it!!! Definitely get a reservation here as everyone else knows what it's about. We booked a few weeks ago and they do book up. We sat at the bar which was wonderful because that's where the oysters are opened. We received great service and the best food of our entire trip! Oysters followed by the sole francaise with brown butter potatos. It's all special!! Also get the squash gratin. So good!!!“

“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 !“

“The singular best dining experience I’ve ever had. The food was thoughtfully prepared and perfectly balanced, the service was perfect, and the chef’s counter seating was super fun. You made our 22nd anniversary very special. Thank you!“

“Awesome fries with lots of sauces“

“This place absolutely blew me away. For starters we tried the mussels with french fries and aioli dip, pumpkin bisque, and the maple oatmeal bread with maple brown butter. Every single bite was perfection. For our entrees, the mushroom tagliatelle, and veal ragù were rich, flavorful, and beautifully plated. We topped it all off with some Walnut Block wine, pure heaven!

It was my first time in Maine, and fell in love. The food, the flavors, the ambience, everything was incredible. Watching the chefs work in the open kitchen felt like being part of a live Netflix cooking show. I’m officially obsessed.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Great brunch alternative, especially if you tried to go to Becky’s and it was too wild there. Great menu and the coffee is exceptional. What really really set this place apart is that the Jam they make here might be the best jam I’ve ever had. It’s truly next level, tried to buy it, but they make it fresh here lol“

“Every dish was fantastic!“

“I can't really begin to explain how good this food was. I have been to many, many restaurants all over the country and world, and this may be the best food I have ever had. Every dish was served amazing in its own way. Each with its own unique flavor. I melted into each dish. I got the oven roasted mussels, venison steak (seasonal) and cornbread as a side. The worst part was when it was all over. Highly recommend.“

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

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

“I am blown away by the food I ate last night at the Armory! I've come here for years for the fancy cocktails and one time I had an impressive charcuterie board but never came for dinner. I saw the Maine restaurant week menu and knew I had to visit. The bartender informed my husband and I that they have a new chef from Boston and let me tell you, he knows what he is doing! I had the seafood cakes to start and my husband had the arancini. Both were on point! For my main course I had the parsnip risotto. OMG! The risotto was cooked perfectly. It was creamy with a sweet sauce, some crunch, fresh spinach, salty Parmesan, just the right balance! My husband had the pappardelle bolognese which he loved. For dessert I had the raspberry cheesecake. It was rich and smooth with the perfect amount of sauce and fresh raspberries. My husband had the flourless chocolate torte and he devoured it. Our server recommended a bottle of Malbec which was delightful. A fantastic experience!“

“Amazing from start to finish ~ love the decor and everything we tried was delicious 🦩“

“I LOVE that DTL is requiring proof of vaccines to enter!! Keep up the great work!! I prefer to not drink/dine in the company of antivaxxers :)“

“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!!“

“Nick does a great job! ✌🙂“

“One of our favorite places, nice laid back atmosphere with couches & bookcases, reasonably priced beers, and located at the entrance to Portland’s wonderful West End. They serve a great Beyond burger, as well as a black bean burger. They also have a number of other nice options including vegan cheese pizzas, chili, and chili cheese fries! Updated from previous review on 2024-06-25“

“My family loves this place…food is delicious …tried Many menu options.. host always warm, Welcoming and fun, and prices Family friendly!!!“

“If you have not eaten here it is a must. Make sure to ask for Sarah as she is a phenomenal waitress.“

“We had our wedding at Grace, and I’m still speechless when I think about it. The venue itself is so unique and absolutely stunning — it truly speaks for itself. But what made the experience even more special was the incredible team behind it. Kate and her staff went above and beyond to accommodate our large wedding and made the entire day smoother and even more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. Every detail was handled with care, and their professionalism and kindness did not go unnoticed — they made us feel supported from start to finish. I honestly wish we could do it all over again. If you're looking for a breathtaking venue with an exceptional team, Grace is the one. Cannot recommend enough!“

“Unreal sandwich — as messy as it is good. The North Shore didn’t stand a chance; I absolutely dummied it. Friendly staff, beer on tap, and a chill setup with a few tables but mostly bar seating and standing room. Never ate 8 ounces of beef so fast in my life. If you’re in Portland and craving a proper sandwich, Roasty’s is a must.“

“Lobstah Roll a must have and gluten free snack bars yummy“

“This place is great for room service or eating in the restaurant. Friendly staff, friendly guests, and multiple comfortable places to sit and chill. I stay at the adjacent hotel 3+ times a year because of the food options, bar and location.“

“Great Bands like BB & The Silver Screen who care about putting on a great show! Thank you for providing a platform that supports local music!“

“This place is unreal… best roast beef sandwich I’ve ever had…. Onion rings are great aswell“

“Awesome fries with lots of sauces“

“The pizza is great here. Staff is amazing. Have been frequenting here more often.“

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

“Absolutely delicious cheeseburger on gluten free bun!“

“Great decor, food and service. Top spot for dinner.“

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

“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!“

“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!!“

“Thank you Mandy for always being such an amazing person. We love Marcys Marcy's Diner. The food is amazing but the people make it even better.“

“Love this place and the bar tenders are great!!“

“I had the Peaches the Pig sandwich. Best. Sandwich. Ever. It was the type of sandwich that makes you want to dance a little after every bite. Slightly sweet, a little spicy, a whole lot of amazing. But…Good luck picking just one thing. Everything on the menu looked amazing.“

“Stopped in after a show at the State Theater...what an awesome place! Great everything! Don't miss out on this hidden gem. Justin the bartender rocked it!“

“karaoke Wednesday and Thursday nights. Very chill people to hang around with, my favorite place in town to have some beers!“

“We dined with dear friends as a group of four and Mr Dimillo was so gracious to help us reserve a perfect table for some of Portland Maine's best consistant cuisine. With Frankie as our food and drink guide we were taken care of with all the perfect timing and grace that could be expected in any top restaurant. We appreciate him and his whole DiMillo's Team..scallops, salmon, and other yum yums were all on point! Thank you Dimillos...another superb experience!!“

“Completely ignored by bartenders who were too busy taking selfies when their bar wasn't even full. If you want service don't come here, if you want to wait 20 minutes for a drink this is the place for you. Went Bull Feeney's instead and was welcomed and waited on immediately.“

“Great cocktails, food, and atmosphere! We will be back!“

“Nice place, good beer choices and the smash burger was great. Little bit of rain didn’t stop the server from coming outside to serve us with our dog. Thanks again for enduring the rain!“

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“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 😉“

“stopped in to get a meal in the afternoon it was nice and quiet, had the sweet and spicy chicken tenders as an appetizer which were great and as am entree I had the blackened salmon with veggies and mashed potatoes which was phenomenal the salmon was good but I actually enjoyed the veggies and mashed potatoes more, great service and atmosphere“