New American Restaurants near South Portland, ME

“Very limited lunch menu but the chicken pesto pita pocket was delish. Ordinary shoestring fries followed a tasty appetizer of fried cauliflower. No regular ranch dressing for dipping available. Nothing intriguing enough for a repeat visit.“

“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.“

“Best part: If you squeeze in between the desk and chair, you can sit on the floor right next to the (floor to ceiling) window, and it's like sitting on the edge of a cliff looking out over the Turnpike. The noise level is well-controlled, and it's quite peaceful looking at cars and trucks roll by from six stories high. Needs to be high room on the back of the West tower for this effect. Quietest a/c / air system in any hotel I've stayed in, and the controls were pretty legible. Bed was comfy and slept well. Some mystery spots on the coverlet. If you're a DIY type, take along a scraper and some paint and you can fix the peeling paint in the bathroom. Stay away from the breakfast, if you're not used to a mass-market diet, either way you'll do just as well at McDonald's. 'Fridge is useful if you want to lightly freeze things. If you want the good ol' days of a freshly-made bed every day, get on it immediately. We waited til day 3, and despite obediently ordering 24 hrs in advance, chaos still ruled when we returned at 6 pm. The same fellow running check-in eventually arrived with a few towels; we decided he was probably running the whole place on his own that night.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

“My first time at Jordan’s Farm U Pick. So many strawberries in the field!!! Very friendly staff. Went to the farm market after, nice set up. So many things to choose from. Got fresh lettuce, cucumbers and multiple varieties of radish. Should have grabbed the snap peas. Will be going back for sure.“

“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.“

“Awesome fries with lots of sauces“

“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!!!“

“We stopped in unexpected as we were driving around. We received such a warm reception and were seated immediately. All the food was amazing and delicious. It’s the little things that matter…great coffee, variety of creamers and sweeteners and very attentive service. We’ll be back and recommend when asked for brunch locations.“

“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.“

“Fresh and delicious! Have a margarita! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“My husband, MIL, and myself were visiting Maine all the way from NC and came here TWICE during our visit. First was brunch, then dinner. Both meals were exceptional. Our waitress(I wish I could remember her name, but she has long, red hair), gave the best service I have ever experienced in my life! This will definitely be a spot we must visit everytime we come up ❤️“

“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“

“Wonderful service and excellent food!“

“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!“

“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!!“

“We look forward to our visit and love the food and atmosphere. The wild mushroom ravioli was delicious.“

“Every dish was fantastic!“

“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 🦩“

“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!“

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

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

“Nonesuch has been one of our favorite sports since it opened. This evening we had a party of 12 for my son’s 8th birthday (his choice of location). Even though they don’t take reservations, we called ahead on Thursday to let them know we would have a big group coming. We waited just a couple of minutes for the table, our food and drinks were amazing and the service was fantastic. We have some particular eaters in our party and all were very happy. This experience made me love Nonesuch that much more as I can fully appreciate that serving a big group this well is not easy! Thank you to our server and the team tonight!“

“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.“

“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 :)“

“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!!“

“Rivalries has always been one of my favorite spots, especially in the summertime. Whether I’m hanging out on the deck, stopping by for lunch, or watching a Boston sports game with friends, it’s always a great time. The food may be classic pub style, but it’s pub style on steroids—I’ve never had a bad meal here.

Lance, the owner, is often around and genuinely takes time to check in on guests, which is a great touch. But the real star of the staff is Jen, the head manager. She’s absolutely phenomenal to work with, especially when it comes to planning a function. Whether it’s a small family gathering or a larger group event, Jen’s professionalism, experience, and friendly approach make the whole process easy—and even fun.

They truly do a great job all around, and I always look forward to coming back.“

“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!“

“Quite possibly the best restaurant I have ever dined at. I was looking for something different to celebrate our anniversary and Regards was the place. Small plates to share is all they do. No more wishing you ordered what the other person did. They recommend 4-6 plates for 2 people and 4 was perfect for us. We started with diver caught scallop ceviche which had a nice acidic bite to it. Paired perfectly with the Motivator and LA Nights cocktails both wish are Mezcal and citrus. Our second course was grilled octopus in a spicy sauce. Never had octopus before but wanted to channel my inner Somebody Feed Phil Rosenthal and go do it. So glad we did it was very good. It's been 24 hrs and I am still thinking about that dish. Another round of cocktails. Dish three was the coffee rub fried chicken. At first feeling fancy we started with fork and knives but quickly humbled ourselves and ate with our hands. Everything was well flavored and cooked just right. Our last dish was the miso short ribs and greens. Again cooked to perfection. Sadly we were too full for desert I really wanted the tortilla blueberry ice cream. A reason to come back. Overall very impressed with Regards and we will be back. Thankfully it's only 2 miles from our house. If you are looking for something different to celebrate a special occasion or just splurge with friends this is the place to go to. 10/10 would recommend.“

“Went for the music, stayed for the laughs. Fun place. Chowder was delicious. Us Minnesotains were not so sure on the brown ketchup though 😆“

“I come specifically to Old Orchard Beach every year just to eat at The Bell Buoy. They serve the best seafood and are very closely located to the pier and beach. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but the lobster is a huge selling point. Friendly staff, great food, good service, and a mere walking distance from many of the other attractions. I cannot recommend this place enough, and hope it remains open forever.“

“This place is the definition of real food done right. Everything on the plate is fresh, intentional, and full of flavor-no filler, no fluff. You can actually taste the quality. It’s beautiful, flavorful food that hits differently. The kind of place that makes you want to slow down and enjoy each and every bite.“

“The Foreside Tavern is the place to be! As someone who has been going here on and off since I was a young child with my family, I can happily review that the tav is currently the best it’s ever been in my experience. The menu has such a wide variety for every type of taste. The pan fried haddock, foreside nachos, and Caesar salad with salmon are some of my staple orders that never disappoint. I have never had an even slightly bad experience at the tavern and I recommend it to anyone I know. All staff are friendly and go out of their way to make sure you have a positive experience. I tend to enjoy sitting on the bar side but all areas of the restaraunt are inviting and full of good vibes. The seasonally rotating menus always bring new surprises while holding onto staples. Cocktail and drink menus don’t disappoint either quite a few fun options! I’ve had anywhere from dinner groups of 2 all the way to 20+ via phone call or online reservation and been accommodated kindly!“

“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 !“

“Location beautiful, plenty of parking

Food: delicious had the fish tacos and sword fish stake with a side of grilled zucchini and squash

The fish tacos were packed with grilled haddock and were seasoned really well.

The sword fish stake was perfect, melted in the mouth with the mashed potatoes which had and broccoli.

Grilled vegetables side was more sautéed then grilled but still delicious

Tiramisu was really good too

Service was quick, knowledgeable and kind

Overall a great place for lunch and dinner“

“The prices are reasonable and economic. Good option if you are staying in the holiday inn by the bay and you don’t want to walk in the evening. Good quantity and quality of food here. The menu is small but the service and atmosphere is very good.“

“What a great find! Booked a table after reading the reviews. The meal was perfect, the new to us cocktail was potent and delicious, the servers were amazing, the owner was gracious. Thank you Barb, Dot and Dawn. We will be returning next year at the same time to celebrate my 70th!! Seems it will only allow 1 picture.“

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

“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.“

“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“

“Have always loved Bayside Bowl, but their parking situation is a disappointment. Admittedly it was clearly my fault for not paying attention to the parking signs, but my car was towed yesterday from the premises and I was charged $260 cash to retrieve my car from Riverside Street in Portland. It was my birthday and we were celebrating first at Batson River and then we planned to go to Bayside's rooftop deck to continue our evening's celebrations. After leaving the distillery, after only one hour, I was shocked to see that my car had been towed away. Again, my fault. Please be mindful of the parking signs if you visit this establishment. The money charged for an accidental parking violation is greedily exorbitant and predatory in my opinion. I hope that the owner is not profiting from this, and if he or she is, I hope they are putting the money towards a good community cause to better the Portland Bayside neighborhood.“

“I don't eat seafood but that is not all they sell at Dewey's they also carry things like burgers and fries and chicken tenders mozzarella sticks a selection of these things I normally when i come here order a burger and fries this is the cheapest place price wise for food on old orchard Boardwalk I've been to and the best quality of food on old orchard Boardwalk I've been to“

“MEGS IS GREAT!! it’s my friends and i first time at this bar and it’s a nice vibe! megs is so sweet, shes a great server and her customer service is awesome! she def made our experience here rlly nice and i hope a lot of people meet her and get service from her bc she is great! thank you!“

“What an epic experience! I don't know many better settings in Maine. The owner, Molly, has created a perfect atmosphere with delectable, homestyle food. The chef, from Texas, sure nows how to throw down. While my husband and I enjoyed lovely happy hour martinis, our son was outside helping make pizzas and saying hello to the goats. Bravo to a wonderful place. Can't get more "Maine" than eating in the cutest barn and farm house while being served by the friendliest staff on the most beautiful pond side property chockfull of animals. Will come back ASAP!“