Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Besides the coffee, their biscuits are to die for!
163 locals recommend
The West End Deli & Catering Inc
545 Spring St Besides the coffee, their biscuits are to die for!
$$. Everything is local, and the meat tastes better than any other market.
223 locals recommend
Rosemont Market & Bakery
40 Pine St$$. Everything is local, and the meat tastes better than any other market.
$. Did I mention that they won the North East Region barista competition? Get the latte!
51 locals recommend
Bard Coffee
185 Middle St$. Did I mention that they won the North East Region barista competition? Get the latte!
$$$. Best lobster roll (fusion style) and oysters in the city. This line is pretty insane, I'd recommend to get there early and put your name down. They will text you when the table is ready.
272 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle St$$$. Best lobster roll (fusion style) and oysters in the city. This line is pretty insane, I'd recommend to get there early and put your name down. They will text you when the table is ready.
$. Great bagels and their vegetable cream cheese is better than the rest.
24 locals recommend
Union Bagel Company
147 Cumberland Ave$. Great bagels and their vegetable cream cheese is better than the rest.
$$$ 1 of the best restaurants in Portland with amazing open kitchen and view towards the pier. Reservations strongly recommended, or try to walk in at 5pm.
54 locals recommend
Fore Street
Fore Street$$$ 1 of the best restaurants in Portland with amazing open kitchen and view towards the pier. Reservations strongly recommended, or try to walk in at 5pm.
$. Really wonderful bakery in town. Show up early for almond croissants, chocolate croissants. Better yet, pick up some bread from here and some cheese from Rosemont on Commercial Street for a picnic on the Eastern Prom.
114 locals recommend
Standard Baking Co
75 Commercial St$. Really wonderful bakery in town. Show up early for almond croissants, chocolate croissants. Better yet, pick up some bread from here and some cheese from Rosemont on Commercial Street for a picnic on the Eastern Prom.
$$. Literally next door, great for grabbing breakfast bagels and coffee. They also have a fantastic selections of local food, but they are all a bit pricey.
51 locals recommend
Blue Spoon Cafe & Catering
64 Pine St$$. Literally next door, great for grabbing breakfast bagels and coffee. They also have a fantastic selections of local food, but they are all a bit pricey.
$$$. Great seafood, right on the pier. Really romantic vibe especially during sunset hours.
138 locals recommend
Scales
68 Commercial St$$$. Great seafood, right on the pier. Really romantic vibe especially during sunset hours.
$$. Another great restaurant steps away from where you are. Their specialty is Southern food, fried chicken and corn beef harsh.
152 locals recommend
Hot Suppa
703 Congress St$$. Another great restaurant steps away from where you are. Their specialty is Southern food, fried chicken and corn beef harsh.
$$. Only 2 blocks away! This is the top choice for Thai food in town. The trick is to put your name down at the odd hours and grab a drink at LFK. They will text you when a table becomes available.
147 locals recommend
Boda
671 Congress St$$. Only 2 blocks away! This is the top choice for Thai food in town. The trick is to put your name down at the odd hours and grab a drink at LFK. They will text you when a table becomes available.
$. Visit the cool Allagash brewery where you can taste beer for free. They also do free factory tour but you NEED to make advance reservation.
156 locals recommend
Allagash Brewing Company
50 Industrial Way$. Visit the cool Allagash brewery where you can taste beer for free. They also do free factory tour but you NEED to make advance reservation.
$$$. Classy New-England coastal Maine restaurant with fantastic cocktails and food.
52 locals recommend
Royal River Grill House
106 Lafayette St$$$. Classy New-England coastal Maine restaurant with fantastic cocktails and food.
Another Portland institute for lobster (whole) and lobster roll with unique seatings on a deck. However, they don't open in the winter.
131 locals recommend
Portland Lobster Co
180 Commercial StAnother Portland institute for lobster (whole) and lobster roll with unique seatings on a deck. However, they don't open in the winter.
Joe's Boathouse Catering
$. Waterfront, no-nonsense American diner!
$. If you are craving tacos in Maine (why would you though?) this is THE place to go. Their steak burrito is so good, and the salsa options are certified authentic. Very casual vibe.
62 locals recommend
Taco Trio
60 Ocean St$. If you are craving tacos in Maine (why would you though?) this is THE place to go. Their steak burrito is so good, and the salsa options are certified authentic. Very casual vibe.
Belleville is recently opened and has taken Portland's croissant scene by storm. The baker is French, and specializes in making just a few items at a level that is unmatched. I am originally from Europe and cannot help vouching for his croissants!
25 locals recommend
Belleville
1 North StBelleville is recently opened and has taken Portland's croissant scene by storm. The baker is French, and specializes in making just a few items at a level that is unmatched. I am originally from Europe and cannot help vouching for his croissants!
Drinks & Nightlife
$$. Amazing light and cocktail. Scandinavian vibe. It's a great place to rewind from a busy day walking around Portland.
74 locals recommend
The Portland Hunt & Alpine Club
75 Market St$$. Amazing light and cocktail. Scandinavian vibe. It's a great place to rewind from a busy day walking around Portland.
The crowd is unexpected, to say the last, and they take cash only, but I guarantee a memorable night dancing in 80s music.
47 locals recommend
Bubba's Sulky Lounge
92 Portland StThe crowd is unexpected, to say the last, and they take cash only, but I guarantee a memorable night dancing in 80s music.
LFK
188 State St$$. Cozy and just a few minutes walk from pine street.
Sightseeing
Where the actions are, filled with gift shops, amazing harbor and boat view
223 locals recommend
Old Port
Where the actions are, filled with gift shops, amazing harbor and boat view
Walk along the eastern prom for some amazing pano view as well as boat watching.
251 locals recommend
Eastern Promenade Trail
Eastern PromenadeWalk along the eastern prom for some amazing pano view as well as boat watching.
$. Take the ferry from Casco Bay to peak's island. The ride is a treat in itself.
176 locals recommend
Peaks Island
$. Take the ferry from Casco Bay to peak's island. The ride is a treat in itself.
Very cute headlight in South Portland that offers the full peninsula view of Portland. There is also a free museum nearby. Great point to start your day in South Portland before you head over to Portland Headlight and Scratch bakery for their infamous bagels.
29 locals recommend
Bug Light
South Portland Greenbelt PathwayVery cute headlight in South Portland that offers the full peninsula view of Portland. There is also a free museum nearby. Great point to start your day in South Portland before you head over to Portland Headlight and Scratch bakery for their infamous bagels.
Parks & Nature
Portland Harbor Museum
12 Captain Strout Circleiconic lighthouse, most photographed in the US
Arts & Culture
Merrill Auditorium
20 Myrtle Stcheck out if Merrill has any shows!
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress Sq$. Amazing collections for a small museum
If you make it over Brunswick, make sure to stop by Bowdoin College's Art Museum. It's free yet offers a great way to spend 2 hours admiring the collection.
44 locals recommend
Bowdoin College Museum of Art
245 Maine StIf you make it over Brunswick, make sure to stop by Bowdoin College's Art Museum. It's free yet offers a great way to spend 2 hours admiring the collection.
Shopping
Portland Dry Goods
235 Commercial St$$$. Neat curated selections, a bit hipster.
$$. If you are in Maine..you need to check out L.L.Bean main store and Home store. They also have Outdoor programs that offer very reasonable archery, clay shooting, kayak, SUP classes.
270 locals recommend
L.L. Bean Factory Store
95 Main St$$. If you are in Maine..you need to check out L.L.Bean main store and Home store. They also have Outdoor programs that offer very reasonable archery, clay shooting, kayak, SUP classes.
Entertainment & Activities
Portland Paddle
1 Eastern PromenadePaddle and Kayak Rental right next to Eastern Prom beach