50 Best American Restaurants near Scarborough

“Very cool seafood shack on the water with a fresh seafood market and counter bar. Servers were all super friendly. Clams and shrimp were super tender and their chowder is fantastic too. Even on a semi cloudy day in the 60s before beach season really hits it was still pretty full up so I'd recommend doing reservations if you're going to be here in the next few months on weekends. Will definitely return on our next trip to OOB.“

“Wonderful breakfast spot close proximity to Higgins Beach! We stopped by this morning after taking the dog to the beach.

The staff were quite friendly and helpful for two newbies. Limited menu items but the items on the menu were ALL amazingly good - so very much worth the stop!!

We ended up getting the breakfast sandwich and I added sausage (which was crispy but not dry - perfect for the sandwich), a breakfast burrito, and a cinnamon roll with a whipped cream cheese frosting. (See photos)

One thing I noticed was a lot of options for prepared meals! With the amount of vacation rentals in the area, this would be a perfect spot to grab go for dinner with the family while visiting!“

“Wonderful cocktails, house-made breads, delicious meals and dessert, loved our waiter (Johnny), great decor with touches of local seashore atmosphere, very welcoming.“

“We really love this place. Stumbled on it by accident and now its one of our regular haunts when we are in Maine. The food is always delicious, we love trying new things they add. We love this restaurant and can't wait to be back.“

“I loved my salad and the service was good. The place is quite large (and not very busy) but there were long periods of time without service. Not our servers fault. Our booth was very nice and roomy but not visable to the rest of the restaurant. Our server really seemed to care. I was a little annoyed that the “free refillable sodas” that came with the kids’ meals was only for certain sodas. Not clear on the menu and not explained when we ordered. The kids would have been happy with cokes or sprites. $22 later on soda, when the bill came, we realized sofas weren’t so free. I don’t mind spending money but hate wasting it.“

“We stopped here after my husband a job in Scarborough, and wow… what an incredible surprise. The whole place has that true Maine vibe — cozy, welcoming, and super friendly. Our server Eric was awesome from start to finish. My husband ordered the pork schnitzel and absolutely loved it. I had the butternut squash linguine with prosciutto, roasted squash, arugula, and their homemade crostini bread… incredible. I even saved half so I could enjoy it again another day. Hubby tried two of their 5oz beers (Space Ghost and Santa’s Reinbeer) and enjoyed both. But the show-stealer? The apple crisp cheesecake. 🍎 Hubby took one bite and said, “This is so good it should be outlawed.” And honestly, he wasn’t wrong. It was ridiculous in the best way. We left talking about how we’re glad we live two hours away, because we’d be here every day if we didn’t. Highly recommend checking this place out if you’re in the area. Amazing food, great vibe, great service.“

“Food is fantastic, and the staff is very kind and accommodating!“

“Amazing service great broccoli“

“Delicious whole belly fried clams!!“

“The food was exceptional and the service also wonderful, friendly but not fussy. Thanks for a great dinner and experience.“

“Awesome fries with lots of sauces“

“Some like old antique places and find them charming. I do not. Our server was wonderful in my opinion and the food runners. All food was prepared well. My issue was amount of options and flavors. Interesting flavors did not love. Quality preparation. Very few drink options if you aren’t drinking alcohol. Their menu rotates so maybe it’s better on a different menu.“

“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!“

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

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

“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!“

“Wonderful service and excellent food!“

“I worked a 13 hour shift and decided to come in for a few drinks and breakfast to go! Marissa was the BOMB! Such a great personality! I’ve been here for a year and half! When I come in she’s such a delight! I enjoy her smile! She’s a great women. Props to you Marissa! 👏👏👏“

“Every dish was fantastic!“

“We had the passing of an older relative. I was desperately trying to plan an after services luncheon for a small group of about 30 people. It was nearly impossible . The owner of Cat Face Cafe was incredibly kind and understanding and accommodated us by closing a little bit early and allowing us to do a buyout. He was very fair and reasonable with the cost and so accommodating. I cannot stress what an excellent job he and his team did. The food was delicious, the place was perfect for our group and it was nice to celebrate our family member in such a cozy comfortable spot. Everyone was thrilled with ordering special coffees and having the unique sandwiches and delicious salads. I should add that this was all done with 48 hour notice. I wish we lived in town so that I could support this business. Great food, yummy drinks, kind staff and comfy environment. Support Cat Face Cafe! Thank you all again :)“

“Every time I go to a new city I try to find a nice place to have a cigar and relax. This place is JUST the spot for that. You can have coffee or liquors depending on what you want with your cigar, and the people are lovely. Wonderful atmosphere and the perfect way to kick off a vacation.“

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

“Amazing establishment. Great people. Great food. Would highly recommend. #fowler“

“Our Garden Suite was awesome! Super comfortable and well appointed, awesome soaking tub, the nicest robes, great views and quick walk to the beach. Loved how dog friendly it is. Dog bowls, dog blanket, dog towel, ball, poopie bags and a giant biscuit greeted our pup. Dogs are even allowed in the tavern. Hot chocolate and cookies in the lobby at night. Chocolates in the room. Free use of the steam room and experience shower in the spa for guests. Staff is great! That’s just to name a few things that makes the Inn by the Sea great! We can’t wait to go back!“

“Been 15 years since I have been here. Food hasn’t changed. Still amazing. Craig and the gang have done an amazing job keeping the tradition alive! Highly recommend!“

“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“

“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.“

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

“The wood fire aroma envelops you as soon as you enter the restaurant. There were many enticing items on the menu, which made choosing what to eat a pleasant challenge. The food did not disappoint. Everything was delicious. The only areas where we were a little disappointed were 1) timing - our entrees arrived moments after we got our appetizer; 2) willingness to make a simple substitution - we asked if an ice cream could be substituted with sorbet in a dessert due to a lactose issue. The wait staff said the head chef doesn't like to make substitutions. While we understand that approach in general, this was a simple change. However, this didn't dampen our resolve to return again.“

“Food was good but my brocollini wss barely cooked and hardly warm. Service was great. Wine pour was scant. The middle room is where we sat and it was hot and noisy. Street and Co is surviving on its reputation but now I remember why we haven't been in years.“

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

“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.“

“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 !“

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

“Awesome fries with lots of sauces“

“Great service and excellent food! My favorite weekend breakfast spot.“

“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!“

“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“

“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.“

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

“This little hole in the wall restaurant was a great surprise. It's a short walk from the main area of OOB and is located right on the beach. The tables are literally set in the sand. Beyond that is dune grass and the ocean. I had the best tacos in my life! They featured cole slaw, pulled chicken and sweet Thai chili sauce. Delicious!“

“Sharing a few words about our incredible dinner recently. I had the best Bolognese ever. The Caprese salad was amazing as well. My lovely lady raved about the salmon she had. And the service was outstanding. Outstanding experience in every possible way. Thank you! We will be back soon!“

“Friendly staff and the lobster roll was delicious.“

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

“We did take out the steak&cheese sandwich was excellent and I loved the fries“

“😁 good food and happy hour.“

“My husband and I came almost 2 hours away to try this place, and let me tell you; it did not disappoint!! I love the overall energy of the staff; everyone was very friendly and it felt like getting together with friends at home. The locals even sparked up conversation. My husband and I tried the spicy burger (true to the name), the special “stuffing balls” (YUM), and the Korean BBQ Burger. Fresh food, fast service, and quality experience. We will be frequenting this restaurant in the future.“

“What a true Gem. New to the area and we were very pleased with everything. The prices were amazing for what we ordered. The Ruben was Outstanding. Our server( Dawn) was very nice. We Loved the Old time Irish Pub feeling. A must stop for food,beverages and shot a game of pool. We will be back and we will refer all of our campers .“

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