Stopped by on a whim with a couple friends on a busy Sunday brunch, and we were sat in 10ish minutes. The staff were warm and accommodating. I hadn't been to Bayou Kitchen in years (7 maybe?), and my meal left me wondering why it isn't a usual haunt for me. Had a combo plate with two perfectly jammy over-medium eggs with Cajun spice, a split link of zesty andouille sausage, a ramekin of rich rice and bean stew, and a gargantuan side of cornbread. My meal totaled around $16.00 with a 20% tip. Mind = Blown.
This is truly a special destination in a town of pretentious small plates and triple digit bills for two. The charm and quirks of the interior coupled with a meal brimming with Southern soul makes the experience feel like a portal to NOLA. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caleb Pelkey
Never had a bad meal and staff are always respectful. Gumbo and grits are on point here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zoe LeBouef
Jambayala was absolutely amazing - without a doubt the best cajun food I've had in Maine!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dan Rovnak
We sat and waited 10 minutes before anyone came to greet us. Shortly after looking at the menu, I watched a cook drop a spatula on the floor. He picks it up and goes to a hand sink to rinse off (10 seconds tops) and put it back on the grill. I asked him if he used soap and he said he used sanitizer to clean spatula. I asked why you didn't give it to the girl who was washing dishes in front of us? Got no answer. I decided not to order after what I saw. I got up to leave. As I was walking out, I looked at the sink area and there was no soap or sanitizer. I asked him why he lied to me. He shrugged and said he replaced the spatula with a clean one. But you already put the dirty one back on the grill. At that point of being lied to, I told him he should be ashamed of his actions and that I would never eat here after they picked up a spatula off the floor, sort of rinsed it and put it back in use. NOT VERY SANITARY! Just a shame. Not sure who was management. 2 cooks and a server.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Denise Hoyle
Fresh & delicious friendly service. We were here a year ago can’t believe it took us so long to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Huevos Rancheros, The Cajun Scramble, Blueberry Cornbread
Amaury S
New Orleans-style food in Portland?! You bet. The Bayou Kitchen is a slice of the South, right here in Maine. I won’t lie, I was a bit skeptical at first, but after a handful of visits, I can confidently say I’m a fan. This no-frills, diner-style restaurant fills my soul — and my belly — in all the best ways. The portions are huge (we actually had to take some home once, and we’re not usually those people), the Bloody Marys are strong, and the coffee seems to be endless. The service is always great too, in a way that genuinely reminds me of the South — and I mean that as a compliment.
I’ve had their (humongous) omelets, homemade cornbread (so good), andouille sausage, grits, jambalaya… basically half the menu by now. The portions, as mentioned, are generous, but I think the prices reflect that (most dishes range from $16–$20 before any add-ons; ie replacing sides). The flavors are usually on point, and everything is pretty delicious, though I’ve had a few semi-misses — the grits and jambalaya were a little bland on one occasion. Nothing a little hot sauce couldn’t fix, and thankfully, they’ve got plenty of that!
As others have mentioned, they don’t take reservations and it can get packed on weekends, but it’s worth the wait. From the moment you walk in, you’re transported to a place like no other in Maine — and that, plus the food, will keep us coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Janice Jenkinson
Visited many times, usually breakfast which is so DELICIOUSNESS.. .Today a burger. Fabulous! Friendly! No disappointment there. Recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ramiro Espinosa
I ordered two over medium eggs with beacon and home potatoes the eggs had burned butter or oil they where black and the people who ordered next to me had nice looking eggs that’s how they have to serve you at all times not even at my home I would eat those can off eggs this would be last time I come to this establishment that serve you food that you are not satisfied to eat I guess they need a better cook
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Charles Miranda
Real good breakfast
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yash K
Enter this place and you will be instantly transported to a diner in Louisiana. Food, vibe and service...everything was immaculate.
We visit our grandkids in Falmouth 3 to 5 times a year. (Were from So Calif) This is far and away the BEST breakfast in town! Don't miss it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maria
We had high hopes for this place for breakfast, I came all the way from NJ and wanted to give it a try, it was such a nice atmosphere and the waitress was nice as well, however the food was not up to par , I ordered a corn beef hash that was burnt to the crisp and all I tasted was fire , the orange juice was good , my husband had shrimp jambalaya with crawfish inside but the flavor was very odd, he always finishes his food and mine , maybe I’ll try to go back in the future and try another dish
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Peg Becksvoort
Great funky location for delicious breakfast and lunch. The gumbo is excellent and is go-to dish when I need some comfort food. Going on a weekday meant a more relaxed meal. On sunny Sundays there might be a wait. It’s worth it! The music is upbeat and you might even hear a few of the staff singing along. Special bonus today: our wait staff ❤️
Stopped by on a whim with a couple friends on a busy Sunday brunch, and we were sat in 10ish minutes. The staff were warm and accommodating. I hadn't been to Bayou Kitchen in years (7 maybe?), and my meal left me wondering why it isn't a usual haunt for me. Had a combo plate with two perfectly jammy over-medium eggs with Cajun spice, a split link of zesty andouille sausage, a ramekin of rich rice and bean stew, and a gargantuan side of cornbread. My meal totaled around $16.00 with a 20% tip. Mind = Blown.
This is truly a special destination in a town of pretentious small plates and triple digit bills for two. The charm and quirks of the interior coupled with a meal brimming with Southern soul makes the experience feel like a portal to NOLA. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Never had a bad meal and staff are always respectful. Gumbo and grits are on point here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jambayala was absolutely amazing - without a doubt the best cajun food I've had in Maine!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We sat and waited 10 minutes before anyone came to greet us. Shortly after looking at the menu, I watched a cook drop a spatula on the floor. He picks it up and goes to a hand sink to rinse off (10 seconds tops) and put it back on the grill. I asked him if he used soap and he said he used sanitizer to clean spatula. I asked why you didn't give it to the girl who was washing dishes in front of us? Got no answer. I decided not to order after what I saw. I got up to leave. As I was walking out, I looked at the sink area and there was no soap or sanitizer. I asked him why he lied to me. He shrugged and said he replaced the spatula with a clean one. But you already put the dirty one back on the grill. At that point of being lied to, I told him he should be ashamed of his actions and that I would never eat here after they picked up a spatula off the floor, sort of rinsed it and put it back in use. NOT VERY SANITARY! Just a shame. Not sure who was management. 2 cooks and a server.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Fresh & delicious friendly service. We were here a year ago can’t believe it took us so long to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Huevos Rancheros, The Cajun Scramble, Blueberry Cornbread
New Orleans-style food in Portland?! You bet. The Bayou Kitchen is a slice of the South, right here in Maine. I won’t lie, I was a bit skeptical at first, but after a handful of visits, I can confidently say I’m a fan. This no-frills, diner-style restaurant fills my soul — and my belly — in all the best ways. The portions are huge (we actually had to take some home once, and we’re not usually those people), the Bloody Marys are strong, and the coffee seems to be endless. The service is always great too, in a way that genuinely reminds me of the South — and I mean that as a compliment.
I’ve had their (humongous) omelets, homemade cornbread (so good), andouille sausage, grits, jambalaya… basically half the menu by now. The portions, as mentioned, are generous, but I think the prices reflect that (most dishes range from $16–$20 before any add-ons; ie replacing sides). The flavors are usually on point, and everything is pretty delicious, though I’ve had a few semi-misses — the grits and jambalaya were a little bland on one occasion. Nothing a little hot sauce couldn’t fix, and thankfully, they’ve got plenty of that!
As others have mentioned, they don’t take reservations and it can get packed on weekends, but it’s worth the wait. From the moment you walk in, you’re transported to a place like no other in Maine — and that, plus the food, will keep us coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Visited many times, usually breakfast which is so DELICIOUSNESS..
.Today a burger. Fabulous! Friendly! No disappointment there. Recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I ordered two over medium eggs with beacon and home potatoes the eggs had burned butter or oil they where black and the people who ordered next to me had nice looking eggs that’s how they have to serve you at all times not even at my home I would eat those can off eggs this would be last time I come to this establishment that serve you food that you are not satisfied to eat I guess they need a better cook
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Real good breakfast
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Enter this place and you will be instantly transported to a diner in Louisiana. Food, vibe and service...everything was immaculate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gumbo, Blueberry Cornbread
Restaurantji Recommends
Great little local spot
Recommended dishes: Bayou Cornbread
Delicious food, kindest staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We visit our grandkids in Falmouth 3 to 5 times a year. (Were from So Calif) This is far and away the BEST breakfast in town! Don't miss it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had high hopes for this place for breakfast, I came all the way from NJ and wanted to give it a try, it was such a nice atmosphere and the waitress was nice as well, however the food was not up to par , I ordered a corn beef hash that was burnt to the crisp and all I tasted was fire , the orange juice was good , my husband had shrimp jambalaya with crawfish inside but the flavor was very odd, he always finishes his food and mine , maybe I’ll try to go back in the future and try another dish
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Great funky location for delicious breakfast and lunch. The gumbo is excellent and is go-to dish when I need some comfort food. Going on a weekday meant a more relaxed meal. On sunny Sundays there might be a wait. It’s worth it! The music is upbeat and you might even hear a few of the staff singing along.
Special bonus today: our wait staff ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Huevos Rancheros, Gumbo, Blueberry Cornbread
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