Dave & Greg's Guide to Portland Maine
Food scene
Terlingua
40 Washington AveGreat spot for margaritas and fish tacos, with an amazing garden!
Izakaya Minato
54 Washington AveCozy and tasty Japanese izakaya. Highly recommended.
Brew pub with an interesting variety of beers. Goes great with fries from the nearby Duck Fat Fritte Shoppe
106 locals recommend
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
49 Washington AveBrew pub with an interesting variety of beers. Goes great with fries from the nearby Duck Fat Fritte Shoppe
The Front Room
73 Congress StCasual and comfortable neighborhood bistro. Good for brunch.
Jing Yan
90 Congress StreetInventive and fresh pan-Asian cuisine.
One of our favorite restaurants in Portland. California-meets-Maine. Reservations recommended (Open Table)
REGARDS
547 Congress StreetOne of our favorite restaurants in Portland. California-meets-Maine. Reservations recommended (Open Table)
Boda
671 Congress StAuthentic Thai, great if you're looking for something spicy!
Adorable Spanish themed bistro in the West End. Reservations recommended (Yelp)
47 locals recommend
CHAVAL
58 Pine StAdorable Spanish themed bistro in the West End. Reservations recommended (Yelp)
Stylish and busy Italian restaurant, located on a cobblestone street in the Old Port. Reservations recommended (Resy)
20 locals recommend
ViA VECCHiA
10 Dana StreetStylish and busy Italian restaurant, located on a cobblestone street in the Old Port. Reservations recommended (Resy)
The Porthole Restaurant & Pub
20 Custom House WharfLaid back spot for having a beer and lobster.
Leeward is our favorite Italian restaurant, and offers delicious and inventive cuisine, with a great wine selection. Reservations recommended (Resy)
14 locals recommend
Leeward
85 Free StLeeward is our favorite Italian restaurant, and offers delicious and inventive cuisine, with a great wine selection. Reservations recommended (Resy)
Solid, off-peninsula bistro, with a great menu that offers something for everyone. Reservations through Resy.
51 locals recommend
Woodford Food & Beverage
660 Forest AveSolid, off-peninsula bistro, with a great menu that offers something for everyone. Reservations through Resy.
Cozy bistro next to the Francis Hotel in the West End serving a mixture of small plates, larger dishes, and good cocktails. Reservations via Resy.
Wayside Tavern
747 Congress StreetCozy bistro next to the Francis Hotel in the West End serving a mixture of small plates, larger dishes, and good cocktails. Reservations via Resy.
The Highroller Lobster Co
104 Exchange StIn the mood for lobstah? This is the place!
Noted as being one of the best new restaurants in America by numerous critics. Worth the splurge for a special occasion, reservations are recommended (Resy)
Twelve
Noted as being one of the best new restaurants in America by numerous critics. Worth the splurge for a special occasion, reservations are recommended (Resy)
Laid back and comfortable tapas restaurant. They do amazing things with mushrooms! Reservations through Open Table.
142 locals recommend
Local 188
685 Congress StLaid back and comfortable tapas restaurant. They do amazing things with mushrooms! Reservations through Open Table.
Gilbert's is an institution, an old-school, no-frills chowder and seafood joint. Definitely worth it!
33 locals recommend
Gilberts Chowder House
92 Commercial StGilbert's is an institution, an old-school, no-frills chowder and seafood joint. Definitely worth it!
Hip and inclusive traditional Vietnamese spot, featuring traditional large and small plates. Reservations through Resy.
41 locals recommend
Cong Tu Bot
57 Washington AveHip and inclusive traditional Vietnamese spot, featuring traditional large and small plates. Reservations through Resy.
The most decadent, and delicious fries I've ever tried. Great selection of ketchups and sauces. A good spot to cheat on your diet.
173 locals recommend
Duckfat
43 Middle StThe most decadent, and delicious fries I've ever tried. Great selection of ketchups and sauces. A good spot to cheat on your diet.
Ever popular spot for oysters, raw bar fare, chowder and lobster rolls!
272 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StEver popular spot for oysters, raw bar fare, chowder and lobster rolls!
Upscale raw bar and seafood restaurant, uniquely located on the Maine wharf. Reservations recommended (OpenTable)
138 locals recommend
Scales
68 Commercial StUpscale raw bar and seafood restaurant, uniquely located on the Maine wharf. Reservations recommended (OpenTable)
One of the originals that put Portland on the map, and still going strong. Creatively prepared wood-fired meats, game and fish, always good. Reservations recommended (Open Table)
92 locals recommend
Fore Street Restaurant
288 Fore StOne of the originals that put Portland on the map, and still going strong. Creatively prepared wood-fired meats, game and fish, always good. Reservations recommended (Open Table)
Although Luke's is now an international chain, this spot is their flagship location. The food is fresh and delicious, and being located on a pier makes Luke's a top choice for waterfront dining.
45 locals recommend
Luke's Lobster Portland Pier
60 Portland PierAlthough Luke's is now an international chain, this spot is their flagship location. The food is fresh and delicious, and being located on a pier makes Luke's a top choice for waterfront dining.
Upscale and creative Japanese cuisine with fresh and terrific sushi, sashimi, and small plates. Reservations through Resy
34 locals recommend
Miyake
468 Fore StUpscale and creative Japanese cuisine with fresh and terrific sushi, sashimi, and small plates. Reservations through Resy
Maine meets the Mediterranean, with local seafood, meats and veggies. Unique wines, and the chickpea fries should not be missed! Reservations via Resy
28 locals recommend
Evo Kitchen + Bar
443 Fore StMaine meets the Mediterranean, with local seafood, meats and veggies. Unique wines, and the chickpea fries should not be missed! Reservations via Resy
Shopping
3 Huge floors of antiques! Lots of interesting finds.
12 locals recommend
Portland Architectural salvage
131 Preble St3 Huge floors of antiques! Lots of interesting finds.
Find
16 Free StUnique and stylish vintage shop.
Carlson & Turner Antiquarian
241 Congress StInteresting selection of antique books.
Hip boutique on Commerical St. for when you need a little retail therapy.
10 locals recommend
Portland Dry Goods
235 Commercial StHip boutique on Commerical St. for when you need a little retail therapy.
Stylish, new boutique with a good selection of clothes and accessories for both men and women.
Fore & Wharf
Stylish, new boutique with a good selection of clothes and accessories for both men and women.
Viand Mercantile
An eclectic store with both new and antique home goods.
Sightseeing
State park with great views of the Casco Bay. Fun fact: the island was an inspiration for Stephen King's novel 'Pet Cemetery.'
130 locals recommend
Mackworth Island State Park
U.S. 1State park with great views of the Casco Bay. Fun fact: the island was an inspiration for Stephen King's novel 'Pet Cemetery.'
Good for a rainy day! The well preserved, former home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is now a museum with lots of interesting artifacts and a unique piece of New England history.
76 locals recommend
Maine Historical Society
489 Congress StGood for a rainy day! The well preserved, former home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is now a museum with lots of interesting artifacts and a unique piece of New England history.
Maine coast at its finest, and a must-see for all visitors! Beautiful year-round.
144 locals recommend
Two Lights State Park
7 Tower DrMaine coast at its finest, and a must-see for all visitors! Beautiful year-round.
The only beach in the city of Portland, located a short walk away from the guest suite.
93 locals recommend
East End Beach
Eastern Promenade TrailThe only beach in the city of Portland, located a short walk away from the guest suite.
Catch the ferry and head out to Peaks and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Bike rentals available on the island.
176 locals recommend
Peaks Island
Catch the ferry and head out to Peaks and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Bike rentals available on the island.
Willard Beach
Great spot for some beach time!
Picture perfect lighthouse! One of the most photographed spots in Maine.
346 locals recommend
Portland Harbor Museum
12 Captain Strout CirclePicture perfect lighthouse! One of the most photographed spots in Maine.
A great place to stroll and explore the mansions and architecture of the West End.
68 locals recommend
Western Promenade Park
Valley StreetA great place to stroll and explore the mansions and architecture of the West End.
Explore Portland's history with a tour of the city's oldest burial ground, located at the bottom of Munjoy Hill. Open through mid-October.
Eastern Cemetery, Portland, Maine
224 Congress StExplore Portland's history with a tour of the city's oldest burial ground, located at the bottom of Munjoy Hill. Open through mid-October.
Climb the historic maritime signal tower and be rewarded with sweeping views of Casco Bay. Located a few blocks from your accommodation.
132 locals recommend
Portland Observatory
138 Congress StClimb the historic maritime signal tower and be rewarded with sweeping views of Casco Bay. Located a few blocks from your accommodation.
A Portland landmark, interesting and well maintained. Great rainy day activity
74 locals recommend
Victoria Mansion
109 Danforth StA Portland landmark, interesting and well maintained. Great rainy day activity
Not the Met, but it's Maine's largest museum and definitely a good activity for a rainy afternoon. Free admission from 4-8PM on Fridays.
412 locals recommend
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqNot the Met, but it's Maine's largest museum and definitely a good activity for a rainy afternoon. Free admission from 4-8PM on Fridays.
Cocktails
The Portland Hunt & Alpine Club
75 Market StHip spot for before or after dinner drinks.
Cocktail Mary
229 Congress StLocal queer bar, with a great cocktail menu!
A nautically themed, vintage cocktail bar, also serving small plates.
51 locals recommend
Blyth & Burrows
26 Exchange StA nautically themed, vintage cocktail bar, also serving small plates.
Bar of Chocolate
38 Wharf StOld Port bar specializing in deserts and cocktails.
Cozy and candlelit upscale, West End bar featuring craft-made classic cocktails.
76 locals recommend
The Jewel Box
644 Congress StCozy and candlelit upscale, West End bar featuring craft-made classic cocktails.
West End lounge featuring unique seasonal cocktails and small snacks.
7 locals recommend
Sagamore Hill Lounge
150 Park StWest End lounge featuring unique seasonal cocktails and small snacks.
Nothing fancy, but a fun place to hang out and play pinball, arcade, console and board games while enjoying a few drinks.
25 locals recommend
Acadia National Bar
504 Congress StNothing fancy, but a fun place to hang out and play pinball, arcade, console and board games while enjoying a few drinks.
A Commercial St. institution. Local pub with a long list of beers and traditional fare.
10 locals recommend
Three Dollar Deweys
241 Commercial StA Commercial St. institution. Local pub with a long list of beers and traditional fare.
The Independent Ice Co.
52 Wharf StOld port pub with a notable selection of fine whiskeys.
Bramhall
769 Congress StWest End basement speakeasy, with a great selection of beers and drinks!
New and fun neighborhood cocktail bar from the owners of Jing Yan across the street. They have some bar nibbles and have an ice cream window for the warmer months.
Low Key
New and fun neighborhood cocktail bar from the owners of Jing Yan across the street. They have some bar nibbles and have an ice cream window for the warmer months.
Breakfast & Coffee
Forage Market
123 Washington AveSome of the best bagels you will ever try! Also, great for coffee.
The best croissants outside of France, also the closest spot for coffee. They open at 8AM, be sure to get there early for the best selection.
25 locals recommend
Belleville
1 North StThe best croissants outside of France, also the closest spot for coffee. They open at 8AM, be sure to get there early for the best selection.
Coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches in the AM. Oysters, wine, cocktails and small plates in the PM. Located in the West End
Smalls
Coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches in the AM. Oysters, wine, cocktails and small plates in the PM. Located in the West End
Speckled Ax
Good coffee and breakfast nibbles.
Rose Foods
428 Forest AveBagels so good they make New Yorkers cry. Not to be missed!
The Holy Donut
Potato flour donuts! The chocolate sea salt donut can't be beat.
Ramona's
98 Washington AveHearty and filling breakfast sandwiches!
Bard Coffee
185 Middle StThe best lattes in Portland!
Coffee By Design
Local chain with small pastries and coffees.
A bit off the beaten path, but a unique spot featuring an ever-changing menu of European and Japanese baked goods. Recommended by Martha Stewart, so you know it's good!
Norimoto Bakery
A bit off the beaten path, but a unique spot featuring an ever-changing menu of European and Japanese baked goods. Recommended by Martha Stewart, so you know it's good!
Newly expanded and remodeled. Featuring lots of healthy and tasty options for breakfast.
27 locals recommend
LB Kitchen
255 Congress StNewly expanded and remodeled. Featuring lots of healthy and tasty options for breakfast.
Pullman style diner, with an all-day traditional breakfast menu. A Portland favorite!
16 locals recommend
Miss Portland Diner
140 Marginal WayPullman style diner, with an all-day traditional breakfast menu. A Portland favorite!
A Portland institution for brunch, featuring delicious Southern fare. Located in the West End.
152 locals recommend
Hot Suppa
703 Congress StA Portland institution for brunch, featuring delicious Southern fare. Located in the West End.
Becky's Diner
390 Commercial StNothing finer! Traditional diner on Commercial St.
Munjoy Hill's new and stylish local coffee shop. Fantastic lattes, and small nibbles. Early birds rejoice, they open at 6:30AM!
Double Great Coffee
Munjoy Hill's new and stylish local coffee shop. Fantastic lattes, and small nibbles. Early birds rejoice, they open at 6:30AM!