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The design and overall atmosphere here—part rustic Maine hunting lodge, part chic ski Aspen lodge, all beneath soaring ceilings and in front of a real roaring fire—keep crowds coming back, but the craft beer is very good (pale ales, IPAs, pilsners—you name, they’re pouring it), as are the cocktails (the carefully made spirits include a slightly sweet vodka made from corn; a bourbon, and a gin, among others). And, the food deserves kudos, too—snacks like duck fat cornbread with hot honey, and mains, like the lobster mac ’n cheese with Boursin, do not miss. There are three other locations in Kennebunk, Biddeford, and Wells.
82 Hanover St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Part Maine hunting lodge, part Aspen ski lodge atmosphere
- Very good brews and spirits
- Festive, sophisticated atmosphere
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There are craft cocktails, and then there is Blyth & Burrows, where the alchemy of spirits is taken to the next level with creative concoctions that include the unholy integration of gorgeous (albeit unusual) ingredients such as absinthe foam, house-made black-lime cordial, blackstrap maple-chipotle syrup, and uncommon liqueurs and spirits. Delicious and inspired small plates, like squid ink bao stuffed with tuna tartare, tenderloin with chimichurri, and local meat and cheese boards keep you from falling under the table.
26 Exchange St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Knock-you-under-the-table cocktails
- Nautical-theme atmosphere filled with antique ships and mermaid figureheads
- Adventurous food that goes well with cocktails
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Small plates take center stage at Old Port’s award-winning, always-busy bôite, with chef Chris Gould, who co-owns the place with his wife Paige Gould, cheekily pairing stalwart Maine ingredients with luxurious and global ones. Witness creations like the confit of tomato salad with smoked duck, rice noodles, and Lanzhou oil, or the bone marrow toast with red onion jam, horseradish cream, and fontina. If the rhubarb honey cake is on the menu, don’t even think twice.
414 Fore St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- A busy and excellent brunch
- Use of local ingredients
- Creative small plates
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Follow the scent of chili and sizzling scallions to this highly regarded Vietnamese joint, where the dishes are as authentic as they are adventurous. Beyond the requisite pho (and for the record, theirs is flavorful and addictive) are dishes ready to push your repertoire of Vietnamese cuisine: cold caramel vermicelli with caramel pork and fish sauce; Khmer sour beef sausage; and stir-fried turnips with oyster mushrooms and fermented tofu. Don't come expecting anything fancy; the draw here is the big flavors and the friendly service.
57 Washington Ave., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- National recognition and award nominations
- Big flavors and the friendly service
- Excellent Vietnamese food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
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Even in midafternoon, this small, casual, and cool panini-and-more shop in the Old Port is packed. The focus here is everyday farm-to-table fare: the signature Belgian fries are made with Maine potatoes cooked, yes, in duck fat and served in paper cones, and standards include meat loaf and the BGT (bacon, goat cheese, tomato). Drink choices include gelato milk shakes, French-press coffee, lime-mint fountain sodas, beer, and wine.
43 Middle St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Decadent poutine with duck-fat gravy
- Hopping atmosphere—waits for a table can be long
- Thick milk shakes prepared with local gelato by Gelato Fiasco
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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The emphasis at this cozy neighborhood restaurant is on the superb food rather than the atmosphere, which isn't surprising, given that the owners formerly served their tasty, no-fuss fare from a truck. Lunch and dinner feature locally sourced, sustainable ingredients in dishes that reflect the seasons. The lobster roll, made with big chunks of knuckle and claw meat, is so good deserves its own cult.
47 Middle St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Mouthwatering house-smoked bacon
- Crispy, thrice-cooked fries
- Brunch cocktails that incorporate ingredients from local distilleries and house-made cordials
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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Not only does Eventide have fresh, tasty oysters from all over Maine and New England, artfully prepared with novel accoutrements like kimchi, ginger ices, and cucumber-champagne mignonette, it also serves delicious crudos and ceviches with unique ingredients like blood orange and chili miso. The menu constantly changes, depending on what's in season. So it's best to order a handful of small plates, a glass of bubbly or one of the signature tiki-style cocktails, and, of course, a dozen oysters.
86 Middle St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Brown-butter lobster rolls
- A decent selection of alternatives for nonseafood lovers
- Teaming up with other local restaurants for special cook-offs and menus
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Take a bounty of Maine ingredients, add an ever-changing Middle Eastern menu, and a chef that knows how to subtly blend the two, and you’ve got Evo. Chef Matt Ginn opened this swanky, two-story spot housed in the Hyatt in 2015, and has since earned a following for dishes like bluefin tuna with avocado toum, Fresno, and turmeric. His addictive chickpea fries with harissa and sumac will melt-in-your-mouth and steal your heart.
443 Fore St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Terrific Middle Eastern classics with a Maine twist
- A chic bar scene
- A menu that changes daily with ingredients’ availability
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One of Maine's most legendary chefs, Sam Hayward, opened this much-lauded restaurant in a renovated warehouse on the edge of the Old Port in 1996; today every copper-top table in the main dining room has a view of the enormous brick oven and soapstone hearth that anchor the open kitchen. The menu changes daily to reflect the freshest ingredients from Maine's farms and waters, as well as the tremendous creativity of the staff.
288 Fore St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Turnspit roasted meats
- Handmade charcuterie
- Last-minute planners take heart: a third of the tables are reserved for walk-ins
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential
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With nods from critics far and wide, one of the state’s most celebrated restaurants is also one of its newest. This high-ceilinged, Italian-centric restaurant comes from husband and wife team Jake and Raquel Stevens who turn out exquisite handmade pasta like the spaghettini Nero laced with squid, serrano chile, pork brood, white wine, and bread crumbs—a revelation of flavors both strong and soothing. Gluten-free? Don't fret: There’s also a homemade ricotta gnocchi that the kitchen can sub in for almost any pasta dish.
85 Free St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Thoughtfully chosen wine list
- Delicious handmade pastas
- Happening bar scene on weekend nights
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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Japanese street food takes center stage at this cozy locale. The menu rotates regularly, but you're likely to find uncommon takes on burgers and soba noodles as well as some form of okonomiyaki—a savory pancake filled with crazy-delicious flavor and texture combinations.
339 Fore St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Ramen
- Steamed buns
- Grilled rice balls
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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Some of the richest, most flavorful ramen this side of Tokyo is served at this Japanese gastropub, brought to Portland by chef and sushi wizard Masa Miyake; He's shuttered his nearby fine dining sushi restaurant, Miyake, for renovations and no reopening date has been set. And while yes, there is indeed terrific sushi also being rolled at this, his more casual outpost, it’s the cooked stuff that brings in the crowds. Big bowls of steaming pork and chicken broth laden with roasted pork belly, soy marinated egg, scallion and ginger. Or try the lobster miso ramen with bok choy, corn, and sesame. Wash it all down with one of the brick-walled bar’s local beers and you’re well on your way to a Matsuyama-meets-Maine feast.
188 State St., Maine, 04102, USA
Known For
- Terrific ramen
- Creative sushi
- A fun, casual vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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Seafood purists and adventurers alike find bliss in chef Fred Elliot’s menu of superb pan-roasted, smoked, and grilled fish; fresh-as-can-be seafood crudos; and fried shellfish. Perched on Maine Wharf directly over the harbor, the contemporary-but-comfortable restaurant was opened by two local culinary heroes, restaurateur Dana Street and chef Sam Hayward, in 2016, and has since become one of Portland’s most beloved. There are New England classics like fried clams and fish ’n chips (perfectly crisp outside, tender and sweet in) alongside creative dishes like Bangs Island mussels in hard cider, cream, dill, and locally made Raye’s mustard. If you’ve got time, come a little early and grab a drink at the expansive room’s buzzing bar.
68 Commercial St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Beautiful waterfront location
- Excellent pan-roasted and grilled seafood
- Fun bar scene
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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Let the fact that this incredibly popular outfit doesn’t even bother to call its signature foodstuff “pizza” (but instead, “Sicilian street food”) be your first hint that the pie here is a different animal altogether. And while there are perfectly good sandwiches on offer, almost everyone’s here for the pillowy, chewy, old world--style pizza, by turns smothered in mushrooms or meats, freshly chopped herbs, or graced with a dollop of blue cheese dip. The thin-crusted, designer versions take a tad longer (about 25 minutes), but are always worth the wait—for renditions like pickle and bacon, sausage and bacon, or loaded with prosciutto cotton, black olives, mozzarella, and honey.
25 Preble St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Good sandwiches
- Dough and pizza fixings to make at home
- Excellent thick- and thin-crust pizzas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
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Named for the finest grade of flour milled in Italy and owned by the same husband-and-wife duo behind Old Port's wildly popular Central Provisions, Tipo is a Back Cove gem and a neighborhood favorite. The Italian flour is put to excellent use in homemade pastas (like the buccatini with local mussels, fennel, and preserved lemon) and brick-oven pizzas (don't bypass the Casablanca, loaded with merguez sausage and roasted tomato). Service is swift and friendly—including on the sunny, bustling patio—and there's an emphasis on simple, intense flavors throughout the menu.
182 Ocean Ave., Maine, 04103, USA
Known For
- Handmade pastas
- Creative cocktail program
- Refined but rustic wood-fired pizzas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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One of the splashiest restaurants in town (Executive Chef Colin Wyatt returned to Portland to open Twelve after sharpening his knives for years at Daniel and Eleven Madison Park in New York City), this is a place to indulge in some of the best food Maine has to offer. Don't let the pedigree, the beautiful dining room, or the gastronomically ambitious menu fool you, either; Wyatt's dedication to real Maine ingredients and the purest of flavors shines in dishes like monkfish with trout rose and whey broth, and the spectacular cherry galette with almond and crème frâiche.
115 Thames St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Fine dining
- Local ingredients sourced
- A beautiful dining room and celebratory atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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In the Press Hotel, Union Restaurant has a sophisticated but unpretentious air that is reflected in its menu, which focuses on local ingredients, many of which are foraged and fished, or gathered from its on-site greenhouse. Most dishes are modern comfort food; breakfast and brunch are a treat: you'll find maple pain perdu served alongside smoked-salmon tartines and classic dishes like eggs Benedict.
390 Congress St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Sustainable ingredients
- Decadent "chef's table," a multicourse meal with wine pairings of the chef's choice
- Signature truffle beef pot roast
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Sparkling and gigantic crystal chandeliers aren't exactly the first thing you'd expect to greet you in a brick-and-ivy building tucked into a cobblestoned street, yet here they are—along with myriad other unapologetically glamorous touches. Settle into a green velvet booth and order up a meticulously made craft cocktail, or tuck into small Italian-inspired plates such as juicy lamb belly skewers or bucatini with spicy ‘nduja cream. If the weather cooperates, the alfresco patio is a primo spot for people-watching.
10 Dana St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- People-watching
- Italian small plates
- An excellent craft cocktail program
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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The casual, retro vibe at this charming restaurant about 2 miles north of the Old Port makes it worth the journey, as do chef Courtney Loreg's superb offerings—all of them spotlighting locally sourced ingredients from land and sea. There's something for everyone on the menu, including steak tartare, sumptuous deviled eggs, croque madames and monsieurs, homemade pâtés and charcuterie, and killer brisket burgers that are to die for. Meanwhile, the craft cocktail program out of the gleaming zinc bar is worth a visit in its own right.
660 Forest Ave., Maine, 04103, USA
Known For
- Family-friendly environment
- Laid back but efficient service
- Pâté du jour
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
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In a historic town house with traditional Asian decor (a 30-foot copper dragon watches over diners) in Portland's quaint West End, this dumpling house serves deeply satisfying Asian-inspired comfort food in an intimate setting. Start with the house-made Asian slaw, then move to dumplings filled with tried-and-trues such as pork and cabbage or something less traditional, like beef bulgogi or shrimp and bacon. For a change from dumplings, consider the zha jiang mian (Beijing noodles) or lo mai gai (pork, sausage, chestnuts, and sticky rice wrapped in a lotus leaf).
133 Spring St., Maine, 04101, USA
Known For
- Dishes integrating local, seasonal ingredients
- Tap takeovers by local brewmasters
- Dishes other than the namesake dumplings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
