Are you in Portland, Maine, and looking for a place to eat, while exploring the city’s many attractions?
Portland is a city and the seat of Cumberland County. It is Maine’s most populous city. Portland is notable for its marine industry, which plays a significant role in the city’s economy.
Portland’s exquisite cuisine is one that everybody should try out at least once in a lifetime. Different delicacies await you at the many restaurants in the city.
Let’s explore the best restaurants in Portland, Maine.
Best Restaurants in Portland, Maine
1. Broken Arrow
Broken Arrow is one of the best restaurants in Portland, Maine, primarily because of its refined menu. You can order a four, six, or eight-course meal at Broken Arrow. Yes! You read that right.
Lyle and Holly Aker own this restaurant, and it has been described as a love letter from the couple to Maine.
The restaurant is lit by candles, which are an even more beautiful sight at night. It has a trendy and modern decor.
Broken Arrow serves exquisite dishes, such as burrata, pisco sour, Pemaquid oysters, cucumber salad, rigatoni, and local rabbit rillettes, to mention but a few.
It opens on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5–10 pm, Fridays and Saturdays, 5–11 pm, and Tuesdays, 5–10:30 pm.
Address:545 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, United States Phone:+1 207-808-8938
2. Street & Co
Street & Co. is a Classic Mediterranean restaurant with a bistro style, and an all-seafood menu. It is regarded as one of the best Portland restaurants.
This restaurant was founded in 1989 by Dana Street and focuses on serving the best seafood you will ever taste.
Street & Co. has a modern interior with a decor that gives it a soft ambiance of a home. The restaurant is classy and comfortable. Customers enjoy being here because of the feeling of familiarity that this cozy place gives. Its seating arrangement is group friendly if you’re out with friends.
The menu has a vast array of dishes which include lobster diavolo, local oysters, clams, white sauce, Panna cotta, shrimp linguine, and pecan pie.
It opens on Tuesdays to Thursdays from 5–9:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays 5–10 pm. Sundays and Mondays, 5–9 pm.
Address:33 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101, United States. Phone:+1 207-775-0887.
3. Paper Tiger
If you’re looking for the perfect place to enjoy a variety of dishes, Paper Tiger is the restaurant you should visit for an unforgettable time.
Paper Tiger is an idea of co-owners Michael Fraser, Nace Cohen, and Marcus Alcantara, inspired by traditional fast food, oyster, and Chinese restaurants.
It features large pane windows if you fancy the outdoor scenery but would rather sit in, and depending on the size of your group, there are small and large booths.
Brussel sprouts, lumpia, coconut wings, tuna tataki, whole fish in green curry, cold sesame noodles, and sweet potato are some of the dishes on the menu.
It opens Mondays to Thursdays, from 4 pm–1 am, and Fridays to Sundays, from 11:30 am–1 am.
Address:425 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101, United States. Phone: +1 207-613-9823.
4. The Friendly Toast
The Friendly Toast offers breakfast in a trendy and quirky atmosphere. There are also great vegan options if you’re vegetarian.
In October 2022, Eric Goodwin and Scott Pulver opened The Friendly Toast Maine location in Portland.
The restaurant’s interior features vintage artwork with comfortable seating and classic throwbacks, which aims at taking its customers on a trip back in time. There is also an outdoor patio and a private dining room for meetings.
The Friendly Toast has an all-inclusive, well-packed menu that includes a breakfast burrito, chicken sandwich, sklarmageddon omelet, quiche, medley crue, and Huevos Rancheros with Asian Pulled Pork.
The restaurant opens Mondays to Fridays, 8 am–3 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays, 8 am–5 pm.
Address:211 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101, United States. Phone:+1 207-536-1672.
5. David’s 388 Restaurant
For people who need a casual neighborhood gathering that offers exquisite dishes on order but need help knowing where to visit, David’s 388 Restaurant is the solution to your problems and answers any dining questions you may have.
A food enthusiast, Chef David Turin established this restaurant in 2007 to give people a wonderful dining experience. It has lived up to its purpose, as it is revered as one of the best restaurants in Portland, Maine.
This place is equipped with a nice setup. It is a gem for all who find it. Its seating options are also group friendly and Trendy.
You can order mussels, scallops, seared tuna, arancini, grilled Caesar salad, fresh tuna, ahi tuna, Bacon Mac and cheese, and other varieties.
It opens from Sunday to Thursday, 5–9 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 5–9:30 pm
Address: 388 Cottage Rd, Portland, ME 04106, United States. Phone:+1 207-347-7388.
6. Duckfat
Duckfat is a product of love between chef Rob Evans, a winner of many chef awards, and his wife, Nancy Pugh. They established it in 2005 to make the best French fries ever. The restaurant has evolved from just French fries, as it now offers many other dishes on its menu.
The interior of this restaurant is small but cozy and gives off a superb ambiance. There are bar stools for your convenience and an atmosphere of friendship. Duckfat is an excellent place to make friends and nurture old friendships while you eat.
You can have poutine, roasted pork belly panino, Belgian fries, Brussels sprouts, shishito peppers, Cubano sandwiches, and meatloaf panini, a few among the plethora of delicacies available.
The restaurant is undoubtedly one of the best places to eat in Portland, Maine. It opens at 11 am–9 pm every day.
Address:43 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101, United States. Phone:+1 207-774-8080.
7. North 43 Bistro
Finding a spot to dine in is arduous because there are numerous outstanding Portland restaurants. North 43 Bistro is, however, a great place to start.
Stephanie Brown and Laura Argitis are co-owners who have been friends for over a decade.
North 43 Bistro has an outdoor patio overlooking the ocean and a spacey interior. The restaurant’s location on water is one of the many features its patrons love.
The menu offers mussels, haddock, swordfish, short ribs, cafe bistro, Brussels sprouts, sesame shrimp ramen, pork chop, strip steak, and polenta, among others.
It opens on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12–7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 12–9 pm, and Tuesdays from 5–7:30 pm.
Address:1 Spring Point Dr, South Portland, ME 04106, United States. Phone:+1 207-747-4009
8. Wayside Tavern
Wayside Tavern sets the pace as a cozy place for a meet-up with friends. The food served at Wayside Tavern is both comforting and exciting at the same time.
Owners Siobhán and Michael Sindoni curated the menu from their sojourn in Italy and Michael’s culinary training. Michael, the chef, divulges that using the word “tavern” was deliberate but insists that the restaurant is more than just a tavern. It is a place where you can order anything ranging from a burger to a Burrito.
The restaurant has comfortable oak furniture with a pleasant ambiance that intrigues anyone who walks into it. It also has the option of an outdoor seating arrangement which makes Wayside Tavern a first choice for both locals and visitors.
Exotic dishes spanning broiled oysters, eggplant terrine, monkfish chop, dry-aged rib steak, Brussels sprouts gratin to fried sunchokes, turkey stuffing, and gravy are available at this restaurant.
The restaurant opens from 4–9 pm on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays and 4–9:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address:747 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102, United States. Phone:+1 207-613-9568.
Are you considering more exploration of Maine? Here is our list of things to do in Freeport, things to do in Old Orchard Beach, and things to do in Camden for a fun vacation.
9. The Knotted Apron
If you love delicious and authentic Italian-inspired dishes and are looking for a place to hang out with friends, this neighborhood café is dedicated to making your wishes come true.
In 2020, Chef Ryan and his fiancée Kate Harvey opened the restaurant. Ryan handles the kitchen, while Kate is the manager of the restaurant. The duo has been working hand in hand to make The Knotted Apron one of the top restaurants in Portland, Maine.
As is usual with most restaurants in Portland, The Knotted Apron has an outdoor seating area which is excellent for large gatherings and ideal for a sit-out during summer. The large pane windows also allow patrons to appreciate the outdoor scenery while they eat.
The restaurant serves focaccia, shrimp cake, french onion tart, duck breast, halibut, trout, chicken Kiev, crab cake, and cod with saffron potatoes.
It opens from 5 pm –9 pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays.
Address: 496 Woodford St, Portland, ME 04103, United States. Phone:+1 207-805-1523.
10. Salt Yard Cafev& Bar
Salt Yard Cafe and Bar is located in downtown Portland, Maine. Famous for its class and unparalleled customer service, this bar is open all year round to cater to your demands. It, however, offers dinner only on Fridays and Saturdays.
One perk about the Cafe is that, apart from the general seating arrangement, there is a reserved lounge for small groups and a private dining room for business meetings.
This dining room is separated from the restaurant hall by a high glass wall which provides privacy and, at the same time, lets you enjoy the classic aura of the restaurant. The lounge accommodates a maximum of ten people, while the dining area takes 14 people at most.
The restaurant is trendy and perfect if you’re looking for a place to hold meetings without interruptions while still enjoying the benefits of a restaurant.
Its exquisite cuisine includes seafood chowder, clam chowder, avocado toast, steel-cut oatmeal, breakfast sandwich, curried chickpea stew, and crispy chicken.
Salt Yard Cafe and Bar is open from 7 am to 2 pm daily.
Address:285 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, United States. Phone:+1 207-791-0013
11. Fore Street Restaurant
Fore Street Restaurant is a people’s favorite and has remained so for many years because of its unique selection of food and excellent staff who provide diners with top-notch services.
Dana Street established this restaurant in June 1996. The idea was born out of a passion for excellent, healthy food. Many years later and passion still drives the restaurant.
Fore Street’s interior features a distinctive brick and soapstone fireside consisting of a wood-burning oven, grill, and turnspit, visible from most tables. The seafood and meat are cooked and flavored by hardwood and apple wood fires.
You can order hanger steak, day boat scallops, fore streets dry-rubbed pork loin, key lime pie, creme brulee, whole black bass, halibut filet, duck breast, and fettuccini.
It opens from 5 pm – 10 pm on Sundays to Thursdays and 5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address:288 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101, United States. Phone:+1 207-775-2717
12. Twelve
Twelve is nothing short of a classic and has made a name for itself as it is among the best Portland restaurants. The restaurant was recognized by Vogue when the magazine added it to their must-try places.
Daniel Gorlas manages Twelve as part of the Prentice Hospitality Group, which also owns a chain of other restaurants.
The milk-colored chairs in this restaurant give it a cool and classic ambiance which is a delight to customers.
Twelve serves a distinct cuisine consisting of lamb tartare, milk bread, zucchini, monkfish, NY strip, blueberries, corn, and Lobster Roll on Laminated Croissant.
It opens from 5–9:30 pm every day.
Address: 115 Thames St, Portland, ME 04101, United States. Phone:+1 207-910-7400
13. The Honey Paw
The Honey Paw is a first-of-its-kind restaurant, none as you’ve ever seen. It has a unique personality that makes it difficult to classify into a single category. It is sometimes called a noodle bar, but the restaurant begs to differ as there is so much more to it.
Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley own the restaurant along with their managing partner, Arlin Smith. They have worked together over time to make The Honey Paw one of the best places to eat in Portland, Maine.
Large top-to-bottom windows and communal tables for friends and family characterize the restaurant’s cozy interior to provide you with an unbeatable dining experience.
Delicacies in this restaurant include lobster toast, spicy miso ramen, Smoked Lamb Khao Soi, Lobster Laksa, Mushroom Tom Kha, Napa Cabbage Salad, and more are available on the menu.
It opens from 11 am–10 pm everyday
Address:78 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101, United States. Phone:+1 207-774-8538.
14. Isa Bistro
Isa Bistro is a contemporary American restaurant located on the edge of Portland city. This fantastic restaurant is the place to visit for an enjoyable and fulfilling dining out experience at a great price in a conducive and comfortable dining environment.
This restaurant is one of the top dining spots in the city where you can get to order meals that are freshly made, to tease and please the taste buds of hungry customers.
Isa Bistro has a nice setup with a comfortable arrangement put in place to make navigation easy for all patrons.
The restaurant itself has a nicely decorated interior with a splashy design that catches the eye.
You can enjoy meals like Grilled Octopus, Lobster Toastada, French Onion Soup, Meatballs & Marinara, etc.
Isa Bistro opens from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Thursday’s from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm on Fridays.
Address: 79 Portland St, Portland, ME 04101-2827. Phone: +1 207-808-8533.
15. The Green Elephant
The Green Elephant is a fine Asian and Thai restaurant sitting in a corner of Portland Maine where it serves numerous customers with tasty and satisfying Asian cuisine like no other.
This restaurant is a staple of Portland, Maine, community where it is regarded as one of the best places to unwind and hang out with family and friends.
The Green Elephant has a nice interior set up with its walls painted a dull lemon to add contrast to the modest design.
You can grab a chair to dine alone or seat at one of the tables while you await your order that will be freshly made.
You can try their Vegetarian Spring Rolls, Crispy Wontons, Vegetable Dumplings, Steamed Edamame, Roti Canai (pronounced Roti Cha-Nai), Hot & Spicy Soy Sticks (2 per serving), etc.
This restaurant opens from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 11:30 am to 9:30 pm on Thursdays to Saturdays.
Address: 608 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101-3304. Phone: +1 207-347-3111.
16. Boda
Boda is another Asian restaurant that is known to serve delicious Asian cuisine to the delight of its many customers.
This fantastic restaurant is a place that caters to the food needs of its customers by creating masterpiece meals that are rich in nutrients to ensure that the nutritional needs of its customers are met.
Boda serves as a dining place for you and yours if you need a place to hang out, talk and share hearty laughter while you enjoy your delicious meals.
Alternatively, the restaurant can also serve as an event center where you can host various small events with less than 100 people in attendance as the restaurant is not that large.
The chef at Boda recommends meals like Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup), Som Tum, Tom Kha Kai (Chicken in Coconut Soup), Gaeng Daeng (Red Curry), Pad Thai (Thai style Fried Noodles), Khao Pad (Fried Rice), etc.
Boda opens from 5:00 pm to 1:00 am daily.
Address: 671 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101-3303. Phone: +1 207-347-7557.
Map of the Best Restaurants in Portland, Maine
To get around during your trip to Portland, here is a map of the best restaurants in Portland with markers of the top places to eat in Portland, Maine.
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Plan a Trip to Portland
Portland has so much to offer guests and locals in terms of entertainment and good food that it will be a downside to let the experience pass you by.
Make sure you visit these Portland restaurants. You are bound to enjoy moments that will live with you forever.