Portsmouth to Portland - Best Eats
 

Will be traveling along the coast between Portsmouth and Portland for several days and would love to get recommendations on favorite lunch and dinner spots. Prefer the good food, but no jacket required places. Thanks!

Reds in Wiscasset. Friendly Toast in Portsmouth. Becky's in Portland.

Try www.chowhound.com and check out the N.E. site...

York Harbor Inn; Pie in the Sky Bakery in York; Cape Neddick Lobster Wharf; Maine Diner in Wells; Pizza by Paras in Wells; Anjon's Italian in Scarborough for the stuffed bread.

For lunch or just an ice cream: the Ice House in NewCastle NH (take Rt 1B out of Portsmouth, it's a great drive). In Portsmouth: The Blue Mermaid. Have heard good reports about Jumpin' Jays in downtown.
Portland: Friends love Natasha's. We thought the appetizers were great, but were lukewarm about our entres. Avant garde cuisine.

Went to post a reply -- and all my favorites are already listed !! Rosa's is a good Italian Restaurant in Portsmouth. You might think about Wentworth By The Sea in New Castle for lunch. Dinner might be too dressy or pricey for what you are looking for. But the view is great. www.wentworth.com. There is a new cafe there by the marina - just heard about it during our last visit in August - it's actually on a big pontoon boat at the Wentworth Marina. Might be worth a try. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name - but if you find the Wentworth, you'll find the restaurant.
We love the York Harbor Inn for a nice romantic dinner by the Ocean. Ferry Landing is on the River in Portsmouth- nothing special except the view and atmosphere of sitting on a deck :) Have also had good soup at the Stock Pot also on the River.
Enjoy - great place to visit.

Thought of one more -- Atlantica in Camden.

Jumpin Jays is in Portsmouth and it is wonderufl. There is also a great Italian restaurant there called lbertos--no jacket required but definately upscale and the food is delicious.

In Portland, Benkay has great sushi,
the Great Lost Bear--very casual, funky place with lots of different beers, For Street and Street and Co. for wonderful fish, Beckys for breakfast (already mentioned).

Can't think of anything between the two places but within each many fine choices. Have fun!

I'll second the Blue Mermaid in Portsmouth and not just because my daughter is a waitress there! It's not on the water (which she thinks is a benefit), in a building with exposed brick walls, old wood floors, cozy and, by the way, the food's great!

If you see Jen, tell her Mom says hello!

Linda

Hurricaine in Ogunquit.

Last week we had a casual dinner at the bar at the Hurricane in Kennebunkport, and it was very good.

I would also recommend the York Harbor Inn. York Harbor is worth a visit.

Hurricane in Perkins Cove, definately. In Portland, or South Portland actually is the Saltwater Grille. Excellent Scallops Carbonera.

We were in Maine last week and enjoyed several wonderful meals. We had lunch at Hurricaine in Ogunquit. It was good but not as great as I'd expected from all I'd heard, but then again, it was only lunch and dinner might be more impressive.
In Portland, Fore Street was excellent. We sat at the bar (didn't want to wait for our 9:30 reservation) and enjoyed five courses (we like to eat!). Back Bay Grill was very good. A little more traditional (lots of older couples and young couples with their parents) and a nice wine list. But the star of the weekend for us was Hugos. I'm salivating just thinking about it. The chef used to work at The French Laundry in California, and it shows. One of the best meals we've ever had. It's not the place to go if you're a "meat-and-potato" kind of eater, but if you like inventive cuisine, don't miss it.

The Mediteranneo in Portsmouth is a good, mid priced Italian place. If you want to have a fabulous waterside view but don't want to spend a fortune, try the Stockpot, a casual family place. The Mekong on rte 1 in Ogunquit, and also in Kennebunk, has the best Thai food on the Maine coast.

We drive to Maine every summer to visit our daughters at camp. We always try and stop in Kittery (just over the border from Portsmouth) for lunch. Try Bob's Clam Hut for GREAT fried clams, or Chauncey Creek Lobster Pound for lobster, steamers, and chowder. Bob's is right on Rt. 1 in the middle of the outlets (not very scenic). Chauncey Creek is a little off the beaten path, but no more than 10 minutes from I-95; it is a lovely spot overlooking the water.

I live in Portland and am looking for a place to eat in Portsmouth so this thread was fascinating to me. I strongly agree with the rave for the Great Lost Bear; it is casual with a very varied menu and the closest thing to a pub I have run across this side of the Atlantic. Good food, friendly waitstaff. For more fancy fare I like Natasha's and Back Bay Grill. Fore Street and Street & Company (same owner for both of them) are very good but to me they are overpriced, crowded and too noisy. The restaurant at the Regency Hotel is excellent, tradtional fare. I can't think of where there would be a dress code in Portland, we are too much of a vacation town for that degree of formality. There are countless other places for good food in Portland, the many Thai Resturants and our one African Restaurant reflects the contributions of some of our new immigrant populations. Enjoy!

We recently went to Fore Street for dinner in Portland and were blown away by how good it was. One of the best meals I have ever eaten.