Rise & Dine in Portland, Maine

As Portland locals, we’re excited to share some of our favorite food and drink options to start your day right. Whether you are looking for a full breakfast or brunch, coffee or other morning beverages, bagels, donuts, or breakfast pastries, we’ve got you covered.

If you are looking for food options for the rest of the day, check out our Insider’s Guide to the Best Dining in Portland, Maine post.

Latte and croissant at Bread and Friends

Shakshouka at Nom Cafe

Iced Americano from Coffee by Design

Full Breakfast and Brunch

• The Front Room: The Front Room is popular among locals for brunch, with a menu that features classic American breakfast dishes as well as creative twists on traditional favorites. If you are waiting for a table, grab a coffee at nearby Rosemont Coffee & Bakery and go for a stroll down the hill for sweeping views of the Portland harbor.
• The Friendly Toast: The Friendly Toast is one of Portland’s newest brunch spots. It has an extensive brunch menu, with mimosa and bloody mary flights, with quirky, 90s-vibes decor.
• Becky’s Diner: A Portland staple, Becky’s diner offers classic diner food, with breakfast served from 6am-4pm, by the waterfront of the Old Port. The food does not disappoint.
• Bread and Friends: One of the newest options in Portland, Bread and Friends is a bakery and breakfast and lunch restaurant. Pick up pastries and a Bolt Coffee Co. coffee or Rare Tea Co. tea to go or enjoy your breakfast in the restaurant with full service. In addition to the breakfast and lunch menu, they also serve wine and beer.
• Nom Cafe: A cozy brunch spot with mimosa flights, strong coffee, and creative dishes, like eggs panagura, shakshouka, and crumpets with Maine honey.
• Ugly Duckling: Another newcomer to the Portland food scene, this small coffee and lunch shop in the West End offers baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, brunch and lunch items, and specialty coffee drinks.
• Salt Yard: Located inside The Canopy by Hilton, this breakfast spot offers a menu full. You order at the counter and your food is delivered to your table.

Coffee

• Smalls: Smalls is an all day cafe and bar in Portland’s West End that serves up a selection of coffee drinks, as well as a variety of freshly baked pastries and desserts. In addition to morning beverages, such as your latte or cappuccino, they have a full bar, making this the perfect spot for your morning coffee and bloody mary!
• Tandem Coffee Roasters: With two locations in Portland, Tandem is a popular coffee shop that specializes in high-quality, locally roasted coffee. The cozy and inviting atmosphere, complete with rustic decor and friendly staff, makes it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. Tandem also offers a selection of delicious pastries and breakfast items that are made in-house.
• Coffee by Design: Coffee by Design is a Portland staple, with craft made coffee and multiple locations in Portland.

Donuts

• The Holy Donut: The Holy Donut is known for its unique and tasty potato-based donuts, which are made fresh daily with quality ingredients. The Holy Donut is known to have a long line, especially during peak tourist season, so we recommend getting there early before they sell out. There are multiple locations in Portland. The one on Commercial St. is right in the Old Port. 
• Hi-Fi Donuts: Hi-Fi Donuts also offers a wide range of creative and delicious flavors, made with high-quality ingredients and a cool atmosphere, right in the Old Port.

Bagels

• Forage Market: Forage Market takes pride in their bagel-making process, which involves baking them next to a hardwood fire, and the result is a heavenly bagel. 
• Rose Foods: A house made bagel shop with breakfast and lunch sandwiches and traditional jewish dishes, including my favorite, matzo ball soup. In the warmer months, pick up a breakfast or lunch sandwich and enjoy it on the Eastern Promenade overlooking the water.

Breakfast Pastries

• Standard Baking Co.: Fresh handmade breads and pastries on Commercial Street. This is a popular spot, so arrive early or plan ahead for a line. 
• Belleville: Freshly made croissants and other breakfast pastries. Belleville has two locations, but if you are looking for a sit-down option, go to its East End location (North Street).
• Ugly Duckling: See description above.
• Tandem Coffee Roasters: See description above.

Croissants at Belleville

Pastry from Ugly Duckling

– Karen and Kasey