An Insider’s Guide to the Best Dining in Portland, Maine

Our hometown has so many fantastic dining options to choose from, and we’re happy to share this guide to the best dining in Portland, ME. In this guide, we share our overall favorites, as well as our favorite seafood, lobster roll (which we’re treating as separate from seafood because there are too many great options), American, Italian, pizza, Asian, and Mexican restaurants. Tip: a good number of restaurants take reservations on Resy or Opentable, and we recommend making reservations as early as possible! If a restaurant doesn’t take reservations, we recommend arriving close to opening time for the shortest wait.

If you’re visiting Portland, we recommend also checking out our Best Places to Drink in Portland, Maine and Rise & Dine in Portland, Maine guides.

Seafood

• Eventide Oyster Co.: A must-visit seafood spot in Portland, known for their fresh oysters and elevated lobster rolls. The casual atmosphere and friendly staff make it a perfect spot for lunch or dinner.
• Street and Co.: Located on Wharf St. on the cobblestone alley, this restaurant checks all the boxes with location, ambiance, food, and drinks. This is an upscale seafood restaurant that is one of our favorites to bring our out-of-town guests to. 
• Scales: Scales is another upscale seafood restaurant featuring fresh seafood dishes, including a variety of raw bar options. Its waterfront location, which has a small outdoor patio and a spacious and airy indoor dining room, makes for a scenic dining experience.
• The Shop by Island Creek Oysters: A seafood-centric eatery with a raw bar and creative small plates. The bloody mary comes topped with an oyster! You order at the counter and the food is brought to your table shortly after.

Lobster Rolls

• Highroller Lobster Co.: Featuring indoor and outdoor dining with a spacious and secluded patio behind the restaurant, Highroller Lobster Co. has every flavor for your lobster fix while you’re in Portland, ME. They offer inventive menu creations like the Lobby Pop, a lobster tail on a stick with your choice of warmed butter or covered in corn bread batter and deep friend.  
• Luke’s Lobster: If you are looking for a lobster roll on a deck, you can’t go wrong with Luke’s Lobster. It offers classic lobster rolls and great drinks right on the water. We recommend going for lunch. 
• Portland Lobster Company: Portland Lobster Company is a Portland staple, often packed with locals and tourists alike. It’s a great place to enjoy a lobster roll on a deck together with live music. 
• Bite into Maine: Bite into Maine offers two locations as a lobster roll food truck in Cape Elizabeth and Portland at Allagash Brewing Co. and takeout in Scarborough. We recommend visiting the Cape Elizabeth location in Fort Williams Park with a beautiful view of Portland Head Light.
• Eventide: See description above.

American

• Fore Street: A farm-to-table restaurant with a menu that changes daily based on what’s in season. The dishes are simple, but expertly prepared and bursting with flavor.
• Duckfat: A popular spot for locals and visitors alike, Duckfat is known for their crispy fries and creative sandwiches. Be sure to try their famous poutine – a dish of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Tip: they have a second location, Duckfat Frites Shack, at Oxbow Brewing Company. 
• The Grill Room & Bar: A classic steakhouse featuring an a la carte menu, The Grill Room is a great option right in the heart of the Old Port.
• Woodford Food & Beverage: A quick Uber from the downtown area, this American farm-to-table restaurant shouldn’t be missed. They have parking on the premises.

Italian

• Leeward: Leeward’s menu features fresh ingredients and handmade pastas, all with a creative and contemporary flair, together with delicious and interesting cocktails and wines. Their intimate and cozy atmosphere makes for a great date night spot or special occasion dinner. Also, as of writing this, their menu features a drink called “pto,” which we of course love.
• Via Vecchia: You can’t miss this beautiful building location in the Old Port from the outside – and the inside is just as beautiful. Via Vecchia is an Italian restaurant known for its handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza. We recommend stopping here for appetizers and cocktails!
• Solo Italiano: Solo Italiano is an upscale restaurant featuring authentic Italian cuisine with a menu that changes daily, as well as craft cocktails, local beers, and a great wine selection.
• Roma Café: Roma Café is one of Portland’s oldest restaurants that has stood the test of time. Located in the West End, it offers freshly made pastas and other Italian fare in a cozy dining room.

Pizza

• Brickyard Hollow: A craft brewery and restaurant with multiple locations, including Commercial Street in Portland, this is a fantastic family and dog friendly option. In addition to beer, they serve craft cocktails and wine.
• Otto: A Portland favorite that first opened in 2009 on Congress Street in downtown Portland, they offer pizzas that they describe as having “creative and comforting” toppings. Make sure you try the mashed potato, bacon and scallion pizza.
• Flatbread Company: Offering wood-fired pizzas on Commercial Street in downtown Portland, this family friendly spot offers a local beers on tap, which often includes Maine Beer Company.
• Quanto Basta: Discover Neapolitan pizza, delectable bites, and refreshing spritzes at this new gem and embrace its charming cafe vibes (order at the counter). We recommend going for lunch.
• Monte’s Fine Foods: They offer Roman-style pizza, sandwiches, and house-baked treats. Additionally, Monte’s doubles as a local food market, offering a range of high-quality goods.

Asian

• Boda: A casual Thai restaurant offering a large menu with options for everyone in your group. The service is fantastic and the food is incredible. Our favorites include the beef skewers, the spicy thai chicken wings, and pad thai.
• The Honey Paw: Asian inspired noodle bar and other rotating dishes, including black tea soft serve ice cream for dessert. The inside of the restaurant is very small, so we recommend this spot for groups of 2 or 4. Seating options inside one large communal table or a bar counter that circles the entire restaurant. 
• Pai Men Miyake: A Japanese noodle with a variety of ramen dishes! Perfect for a cold fall or winter night. 
• Miyake: We recommend dining at Miyake for an upscale date night or celebration. The menu has a focus on sushi with other traditional dishes and delicious cocktails to compliment the food.
• Crispy Gai: Crispy Gai has a focus on Southeast Asian street food and cocktails in a trendy setting. Despite its small menu, the restaurant delivers big on flavor, featuring standout dishes like their Thai fried chicken. Don’t miss the crispy chicken wings served with a mouthwatering spicy ranch dipping sauce – it’s a must-try.
• Mr. Tuna: For a casual yet high-quality sushi experience, head to Mr. Tuna, where you’ll find some of the best hand rolls and sushi in Portland. Located in the heart of the city, this spot offers fresh, locally-sourced ingredients with a focus on traditional Japanese flavors.

Mexican

• Lenora: One of Portland’s newest restaurants, this Mexican restaurant is in a great location near downtown Portland and one of our favorites. They’re open 7am-10pm and offer creative tacos and an impressive breakfast selection, including a breakfast margarita and breakfast tacos. 
• Terlingua: This BBQ and Southwestern style restaurant has one of our favorite patios for outdoor dining in Portland, ME. They offer several options for a freshly made margarita with tequila, lime, and agave and flights of tequila. 
• Bird & Co.: Bird & Co. is a short drive from downtown, but an easy drive or Uber. The menu features both classic and inventive tacos and other Mexican fare.
• Ocotillo: The menu features creative tacos, shareable plates, and bold cocktails that highlight ingredients like smoky mezcal and house-made salsas.

Prix Fixe

• Twelve: Twelve is a stylish and upscale new restaurant in Portland that offers an ever-changing, prix fixe menu that highlights the flavors of the season. Its executive chef comes from the famous Eleven Madison Park in NYC, which achieved the title of “The World’s Best Restaurant” in 2017.

Other

• Chaval: Located in the West End, Chaval provides a cozy, neighborhood atmosphere with Spanish and French inspired food made from local ingredients, along with craft cocktails, beer, and wine.
• Papi: Papi is one of Portland’s newest restaurants, featuring Puerto Rican small plates, craft cocktails, and a beautifully designed tropical decor that makes you feel transported.
• Magissa: Magissa offers a warm and inviting dining experience with a focus on Greek cuisine. The menu features a variety of mezze, house-made loukaniko sausage, and classic dishes like moussaka, all served with an amazing wine and cocktail list.

– Karen and Kasey