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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
William Harding
I have been to the Union Restaurant several times since it opened a decade ago. I like to bring friends there because I live close by, and the acoustics at the restaurant keep the noise level down, so that conversation is possible. I have no complaint about the food or the service. My companion and I arrived late afternoon when the restaurant opened, and we appeared to be the only customers for the first half-hour or so. We both noticed that the music was loud right away, and asked the server to request that it be lowered. The music itself was hardly the kind I would choose for background music for dinner, but that's not the point. When the server returned, she commented that the music seemed even louder, and we agreed, and asked her to try again. The third time she returned to the table, I asked again to turn the music down. My companion and I both agreed that the volume was never adjusted. I don't know if the server failed to act on our request, or her own request was ignored. It's hard to enjoy ANY meal when conversation is difficult. What's the problem at the Union Restaurant?
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Nick VZ
Union Restaurant in Portland is an absolute standout. The lobster Benedict is unreal—pillowy eggs over a heap of sweet Maine lobster with silky hollandaise. Cocktails are smart, balanced, and downright fun. And the staff? So nice and genuinely great—attentive without hovering and happy to help. A must-visit; I’m already planning my return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stuart Campbell
We came here after getting a recommendation from a bar tender at another restaurant earlier in the day. We made a reservation and came for dinner. We first got a drink at the bar area before getting seated, and they were made perfect. I had the rabbit paella, and it was absolutely amazing. Definitely a place I would come back to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tom Williams
Attached to the press hotel Marriott autograph I had a lovely Christmas dinner here once. Special memories.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Brent Sites
The food was not as advertised. Very disappointing. There are so many good restaurants here and I was very disappointed that I ate here because it was where I was staying and it looked great. That was not the case. Cannot recommend.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
WayneDaniels
Nice environment in a totally reworked newspaper building. Excellent server provided first-rate service. My wife had the swordfish, which was excellent! My scallops were very good but portion was unacceptably small.
Sam Gibson
This was a great place to go before a show at Merrill. Service was friendly though it took a bit long for entrees to come out for Prix Fixe but we made it in plenty of time. All was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samnina
The restaurant has convinced several times in all matters! The menu for breakfast is rich. The food served excellent. This also applies to dinner. We ate very well. The kitchen crew understands their craft. What is very pleasing: the kitchen is open - everything is prepared à la minute. Also pleasant: the restaurant is not supercooled by air conditioning.
Trish Lee
Loved the ambience, with printing press decor touches, at this restaurant. Food tasted fairly good. Service was prompt and courteous. We went for both dinner and breakfast. Staying at the Press hotel, this was a convenient eatery.
Worst breakfast in years. Toasted blueberry muffin that butter would not melt on. Cold eggs. Complementary fair at other chains are better and this was exorbitantly priced.
Tracy Zanfardino
Good food, pleasant servers, scenic views both inside and out
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ryansim1
Jada was great - drinks were perfectly made. Lobster bucatini was very good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elena Conroy
Servers Amira and Jaida greeted me very warmly at the door. I sat at the bar with Jaida serving/bartending and she made me an excellent negroni. The atmosphere was very calm and relaxed, service is fantastic.
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have been to the Union Restaurant several times since it opened a decade ago. I like to bring friends there because I live close by, and the acoustics at the restaurant keep the noise level down, so that conversation is possible.
I have no complaint about the food or the service.
My companion and I arrived late afternoon when the restaurant opened, and we appeared to be the only customers for the first half-hour or so. We both noticed that the music was loud right away, and asked the server to request that it be lowered.
The music itself was hardly the kind I would choose for background music for dinner, but that's not the point.
When the server returned, she commented that the music seemed even louder, and we agreed, and asked her to try again.
The third time she returned to the table, I asked again to turn the music down.
My companion and I both agreed that the volume was never adjusted.
I don't know if the server failed to act on our request, or her own request was ignored.
It's hard to enjoy ANY meal when conversation is difficult.
What's the problem at the Union Restaurant?
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Union Restaurant in Portland is an absolute standout. The lobster Benedict is unreal—pillowy eggs over a heap of sweet Maine lobster with silky hollandaise. Cocktails are smart, balanced, and downright fun. And the staff? So nice and genuinely great—attentive without hovering and happy to help. A must-visit; I’m already planning my return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came here after getting a recommendation from a bar tender at another restaurant earlier in the day. We made a reservation and came for dinner. We first got a drink at the bar area before getting seated, and they were made perfect. I had the rabbit paella, and it was absolutely amazing. Definitely a place I would come back to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Attached to the press hotel Marriott autograph I had a lovely Christmas dinner here once. Special memories.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
The food was not as advertised. Very disappointing. There are so many good restaurants here and I was very disappointed that I ate here because it was where I was staying and it looked great. That was not the case. Cannot recommend.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Nice environment in a totally reworked newspaper building. Excellent server provided first-rate service. My wife had the swordfish, which was excellent! My scallops were very good but portion was unacceptably small.
This was a great place to go before a show at Merrill. Service was friendly though it took a bit long for entrees to come out for Prix Fixe but we made it in plenty of time. All was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The restaurant has convinced several times in all matters! The menu for breakfast is rich. The food served excellent. This also applies to dinner. We ate very well. The kitchen crew understands their craft. What is very pleasing: the kitchen is open - everything is prepared à la minute. Also pleasant: the restaurant is not supercooled by air conditioning.
Loved the ambience, with printing press decor touches, at this restaurant. Food tasted fairly good. Service was prompt and courteous. We went for both dinner and breakfast. Staying at the Press hotel, this was a convenient eatery.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great quick service right before a show.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Worst breakfast in years. Toasted blueberry muffin that butter would not melt on. Cold eggs. Complementary fair at other chains are better and this was exorbitantly priced.
Good food, pleasant servers, scenic views both inside and out
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jada was great - drinks were perfectly made. Lobster bucatini was very good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Servers Amira and Jaida greeted me very warmly at the door. I sat at the bar with Jaida serving/bartending and she made me an excellent negroni. The atmosphere was very calm and relaxed, service is fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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