Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Start the day off right with a great breakfast. House-made hash, great Benedicts, full breakfast menu and daily specials. Open also for lunch and dinner.
152 locals recommend
Hot Suppa
703 Congress StStart the day off right with a great breakfast. House-made hash, great Benedicts, full breakfast menu and daily specials. Open also for lunch and dinner.
If you must have a diner, try this one. Small, efficient, with good menu and quality. The standards you expect, plus surprises.
19 locals recommend
Marcy's Diner
47 Oak StIf you must have a diner, try this one. Small, efficient, with good menu and quality. The standards you expect, plus surprises.
My favorite seafood destination, a branch of renowned Fore Street. Sit at the bar, or reserve a table for their signature local scallops in Pernod cream sauce. Fish? Of course. Lobster? Oh, yes!
114 locals recommend
Street & Co
33 Wharf StMy favorite seafood destination, a branch of renowned Fore Street. Sit at the bar, or reserve a table for their signature local scallops in Pernod cream sauce. Fish? Of course. Lobster? Oh, yes!
Craving pizza? Stop here. Thin crust, chewy, delicious. Toppings you never knew you'd love. Mashed potato, bacon, and scallions? You bet. Butternut squash, ricotta, cranberries? Pepperoni of course.
192 locals recommend
OTTO
576 Congress StCraving pizza? Stop here. Thin crust, chewy, delicious. Toppings you never knew you'd love. Mashed potato, bacon, and scallions? You bet. Butternut squash, ricotta, cranberries? Pepperoni of course.
Thai, not just for vegetarians, but for carnivores, too. One of the best restaurants in town, and a great value. Spare ribs? Far-east duck? Delicious. Try the ginger noodle.
84 locals recommend
Green Elephant
608 Congress StThai, not just for vegetarians, but for carnivores, too. One of the best restaurants in town, and a great value. Spare ribs? Far-east duck? Delicious. Try the ginger noodle.
With national fame mounting, this place does everything their own way. Potato donuts, with chocolate sea salt, sweet potato-ginger, maple glaze, pomegranate. Second location is Exchange St., Old Port.
220 locals recommend
The Holy Donut
194 Park AveWith national fame mounting, this place does everything their own way. Potato donuts, with chocolate sea salt, sweet potato-ginger, maple glaze, pomegranate. Second location is Exchange St., Old Port.
Peaceful space for work, meeting friends, starting the day with a healthy jolt. Local ownership and great service.
51 locals recommend
Bard Coffee
185 Middle StPeaceful space for work, meeting friends, starting the day with a healthy jolt. Local ownership and great service.
Another great local business, with an additional location on Commercial St. Known for excellent coffee - and toast. Yes, toast!
37 locals recommend
Arabica Coffee House
2 Free StAnother great local business, with an additional location on Commercial St. Known for excellent coffee - and toast. Yes, toast!
Worth the drive. Start at Portland Head Light, then go here: best fried clams anywhere. Lobster, whole or in rolls. Blueberry pies. Crashing surf on Maine's granite shore. Breathtaking.
136 locals recommend
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
225 Two Lights RdWorth the drive. Start at Portland Head Light, then go here: best fried clams anywhere. Lobster, whole or in rolls. Blueberry pies. Crashing surf on Maine's granite shore. Breathtaking.
Italian pasta by Italians from Milan. Ravioli in butter-sage sauce is my favorite. Great lunch spot, with everything fresh and made in-house.
13 locals recommend
Paciarino
470 Fore StItalian pasta by Italians from Milan. Ravioli in butter-sage sauce is my favorite. Great lunch spot, with everything fresh and made in-house.
Gelato! Two competing shops across from each other. Where do you get that! Sample tastings; then choose Resurgam, and spicy passion fruit. Mmm, mmmmm, mmmmmmm.
19 locals recommend
The Gelato Fiasco Old Port
425 Fore StGelato! Two competing shops across from each other. Where do you get that! Sample tastings; then choose Resurgam, and spicy passion fruit. Mmm, mmmmm, mmmmmmm.
Gelato made by Italians new to Portland. Excellent, authentic. Across the street from an American gelato shop. Such wealth of decadence!
21 locals recommend
Gorgeous Gelato
434 Fore StGelato made by Italians new to Portland. Excellent, authentic. Across the street from an American gelato shop. Such wealth of decadence!
Thai with a focus on street food, street cart fare. Yes, pad thai is there. But this is not another gas station-turned restaurant. Try the quail egg appetizer. Then browse through the menu and enjoy.
147 locals recommend
Boda
671 Congress StThai with a focus on street food, street cart fare. Yes, pad thai is there. But this is not another gas station-turned restaurant. Try the quail egg appetizer. Then browse through the menu and enjoy.
Excellent Japanese food. The lunch bento box special is one of the best bargains anywhere. The best outside dining space in Portland, starting mid-April (yes, we're intrepid here - the season's short)
44 locals recommend
Yosaku
1 Danforth StExcellent Japanese food. The lunch bento box special is one of the best bargains anywhere. The best outside dining space in Portland, starting mid-April (yes, we're intrepid here - the season's short)
Oysters on ice in a carved granite display. Varieties from here and away - exceptional freshness and variety. Lobster roll is untraditional and exceptional without being sacrilegious.
Very busy; open late.
272 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StOysters on ice in a carved granite display. Varieties from here and away - exceptional freshness and variety. Lobster roll is untraditional and exceptional without being sacrilegious.
Very busy; open late.
Portland's only floating restaurant is a decommissioned ferry. Dine with views and traditional seafood offerings. On a hot summer day, choose the deck and a lobster roll. Inhale the salt air.
101 locals recommend
DiMillo's On The Water
25 Long WharfPortland's only floating restaurant is a decommissioned ferry. Dine with views and traditional seafood offerings. On a hot summer day, choose the deck and a lobster roll. Inhale the salt air.
The bistro version of the famous Miyake sushi restaurant focuses on noodles more than sushi. The menu features Japanese items that don't intimidate, complemented by saki and a rotating beer list. Open late.
148 locals recommend
Pai Men Miyake
188 State StThe bistro version of the famous Miyake sushi restaurant focuses on noodles more than sushi. The menu features Japanese items that don't intimidate, complemented by saki and a rotating beer list. Open late.
Northern Italian cuisine in a stylish environment. High end selections with a menu that changes daily. Known for many specials, but you must try the handkerchief pasta with their amazing pesto. One of Portland's best restaurants.
23 locals recommend
Solo Italiano
100 Commercial StNorthern Italian cuisine in a stylish environment. High end selections with a menu that changes daily. Known for many specials, but you must try the handkerchief pasta with their amazing pesto. One of Portland's best restaurants.
Outstanding seafood and other New England fare. They reserve a third of their seats for walk-ins at 5:00. Exceptional quality from the creators of Fore Street Restaurant.
138 locals recommend
Scales
68 Commercial StOutstanding seafood and other New England fare. They reserve a third of their seats for walk-ins at 5:00. Exceptional quality from the creators of Fore Street Restaurant.
American bistro with exceptional menu, gorgeous outside patio for summer dining. Have the lobster chowder, the steak, the pasta bolognese. Off the tourist route.
28 locals recommend
Isa
79 Portland StAmerican bistro with exceptional menu, gorgeous outside patio for summer dining. Have the lobster chowder, the steak, the pasta bolognese. Off the tourist route.
Remarkable Spanish/French small plates, excellent service, and great outdoor dining room for the summer nights. Up the street and around the corner. A strong favorite.
47 locals recommend
CHAVAL
58 Pine StRemarkable Spanish/French small plates, excellent service, and great outdoor dining room for the summer nights. Up the street and around the corner. A strong favorite.
Gorgeous jewel of a space. Great value. Innovative happy hour.
63 locals recommend
Bao Bao Dumpling House
133 Spring StGorgeous jewel of a space. Great value. Innovative happy hour.
Sightseeing
The most photographed lighthouse in the U.S. You have seen it even if you haven't been there. Now, it's your turn. Take a picnic drive. Or get lobster rolls and fried clams nearby. (see Lobster Shack)
346 locals recommend
Portland Harbor Museum
12 Captain Strout CircleThe most photographed lighthouse in the U.S. You have seen it even if you haven't been there. Now, it's your turn. Take a picnic drive. Or get lobster rolls and fried clams nearby. (see Lobster Shack)
Take a ferry to Peaks, walk the island, enjoy lunch. Or take the mail boat from island to island. Nothing beats some time on the open water in summer. Can be cool, so take a jacket. Hat. Sunscreen.
176 locals recommend
Peaks Island
Take a ferry to Peaks, walk the island, enjoy lunch. Or take the mail boat from island to island. Nothing beats some time on the open water in summer. Can be cool, so take a jacket. Hat. Sunscreen.
Play frisbee on the grass or enjoy a picnic. Read on a bench overlooking the river. Watch planes touch down at the airport in the distance. Sunsets. Mansions. Just a short walk.
68 locals recommend
Western Promenade Park
Valley StreetPlay frisbee on the grass or enjoy a picnic. Read on a bench overlooking the river. Watch planes touch down at the airport in the distance. Sunsets. Mansions. Just a short walk.
Two blocks away, this historic Victorian building is ornate and over the top. It is especially stunning in the Christmas season when every room features a tree in extravagant dress for the holidays.
74 locals recommend
Victoria Mansion
109 Danforth StTwo blocks away, this historic Victorian building is ornate and over the top. It is especially stunning in the Christmas season when every room features a tree in extravagant dress for the holidays.
Arts & Culture
Big names in many musical styles, including Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Natalie Merchant, in a recently renovated historical theater. Check the schedule here and at Space Gallery and Port City Music Hall.
116 locals recommend
State Theater
609 Congress StBig names in many musical styles, including Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Natalie Merchant, in a recently renovated historical theater. Check the schedule here and at Space Gallery and Port City Music Hall.
Great bowling space, with squash courts soon to be added. Restaurant food is very good, and the bar serves up great drinks and a fine beer selection.
93 locals recommend
Bayside Bowl
58 Alder StGreat bowling space, with squash courts soon to be added. Restaurant food is very good, and the bar serves up great drinks and a fine beer selection.
Our world-class art museum, designed by I.M. Pei, features an outstanding collection that includes American and European art, with an extensive Winslow Homer collection and his studio at Prouts Neck.
Excellent permanent collection with regular special exhibits. $2 discount available in the apartment.
412 locals recommend
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqOur world-class art museum, designed by I.M. Pei, features an outstanding collection that includes American and European art, with an extensive Winslow Homer collection and his studio at Prouts Neck.
Excellent permanent collection with regular special exhibits. $2 discount available in the apartment.
Everything Else
Summer farmers market at Monument Square on Wednesday. Fresh from local farms. A great gathering of produce and people.
64 locals recommend
Portland Farmers' Market
92 Deering AveSummer farmers market at Monument Square on Wednesday. Fresh from local farms. A great gathering of produce and people.
Saturday the farmers market is in Deering Oaks Park, an experience in itself. It's a social event, a place to plan your home cooking for the next few days, and just across the street from Holy Donut.
64 locals recommend
Portland Farmers' Market
92 Deering AveSaturday the farmers market is in Deering Oaks Park, an experience in itself. It's a social event, a place to plan your home cooking for the next few days, and just across the street from Holy Donut.
Slightly over 3 miles, this loop is a most beautiful way to get some excercise: run, walk, bike - and see the city from a constantly-changing vantage. Park off Forest Avenue next to the cove.
38 locals recommend
Back Cove Trail
Back Cove TrailSlightly over 3 miles, this loop is a most beautiful way to get some excercise: run, walk, bike - and see the city from a constantly-changing vantage. Park off Forest Avenue next to the cove.
Parks & Nature
Escape into the peacefulness of this large park. Ponds, trees, recreational facilities. And with a little cafe so you can stay there and read or think for hours.
87 locals recommend
Deering Oaks Park
Escape into the peacefulness of this large park. Ponds, trees, recreational facilities. And with a little cafe so you can stay there and read or think for hours.