Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Great little market for a quick bite or some local groceries
223 locals recommend
Rosemont Market & Bakery
40 Pine StGreat little market for a quick bite or some local groceries
Great little cafe to enjoy coffee, tea, smoothies, local baked goods, etc.
21 locals recommend
Rwanda Bean at Deering Center
463 Stevens AveGreat little cafe to enjoy coffee, tea, smoothies, local baked goods, etc.
Awesome little spot for happy hour drinks on the deck or a romantic dinner. One of our favorites!
27 locals recommend
The Treehouse
484 Stevens AveAwesome little spot for happy hour drinks on the deck or a romantic dinner. One of our favorites!
Great lunch stop on your way into town if you want quick and delicious. Awesome hearty sandwiches. Seriously, everything is good.
26 locals recommend
The Corner Room Italian Kitchen & Bar
110 Exchange StreetGreat lunch stop on your way into town if you want quick and delicious. Awesome hearty sandwiches. Seriously, everything is good.
Great brunch spot a short drive or walk away if you don't want to deal with parking and lines in town. Almost their entire menu can also be made gluten free!
21 locals recommend
The Sinful Kitchen
952 Brighton AveGreat brunch spot a short drive or walk away if you don't want to deal with parking and lines in town. Almost their entire menu can also be made gluten free!
Awesome new neighborhood restaurant! Great for a happy hour drink or any meal of the day.
51 locals recommend
Woodford Food & Beverage
660 Forest AveAwesome new neighborhood restaurant! Great for a happy hour drink or any meal of the day.
Sweet little spot off the beaten path and thus away from the morning lines downtown!
Menu Suggestion: Lavender Latte & a fresh blueberry biscuit with warm honey butter.
31 locals recommend
Omi's Coffee Shop
372 Cottage RdSweet little spot off the beaten path and thus away from the morning lines downtown!
Menu Suggestion: Lavender Latte & a fresh blueberry biscuit with warm honey butter.
Best fresh, local seafood you could ask for. If you're into oysters/anything raw out of the ocean this is definitely a stop for you! We suggest getting there at least 20-30 minutes ahead of time since there is almost always a wait.
Menu Suggestion: brown butter lobster roll
272 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StBest fresh, local seafood you could ask for. If you're into oysters/anything raw out of the ocean this is definitely a stop for you! We suggest getting there at least 20-30 minutes ahead of time since there is almost always a wait.
Menu Suggestion: brown butter lobster roll
If you want a classic Maine lobster roll this is your place. No frills but the guys are really nice, lobster is super fresh and rolls are packed full!
6 locals recommend
Fishermen's Grill
650 Main StreetIf you want a classic Maine lobster roll this is your place. No frills but the guys are really nice, lobster is super fresh and rolls are packed full!
These guys know how to do coffee and do it well. Right in the heart of downtown and very popular so expect a line at peak times/busy seasons.
51 locals recommend
Bard Coffee
185 Middle StThese guys know how to do coffee and do it well. Right in the heart of downtown and very popular so expect a line at peak times/busy seasons.
Cavernous watering hole with exposed brick & subdued lighting serving craft cocktails & burgers.
Great list of beers and bourbon.
Menu Suggestion: Kentucky Hot Brown. Just trust me.
47 locals recommend
Bramhall
769 Congress StCavernous watering hole with exposed brick & subdued lighting serving craft cocktails & burgers.
Great list of beers and bourbon.
Menu Suggestion: Kentucky Hot Brown. Just trust me.
Delicious for any meal of the day. Typically has a wait so go 30 minutes before you're famished. Awesome patio in warm months!
Menu Suggestion: Homemade corned beef hash
152 locals recommend
Hot Suppa
703 Congress StDelicious for any meal of the day. Typically has a wait so go 30 minutes before you're famished. Awesome patio in warm months!
Menu Suggestion: Homemade corned beef hash
Great, interesting beers and a good dinner menu. Worth a trip over the bridge or stop on your way back from Portland Head Light!
47 locals recommend
Foulmouthed Brewing
15 Ocean StGreat, interesting beers and a good dinner menu. Worth a trip over the bridge or stop on your way back from Portland Head Light!
Creative, affordable, local food with lots of attention to specific diets!
31 locals recommend
Local Sprouts Co-op
649 Congress StCreative, affordable, local food with lots of attention to specific diets!
Great lunch stop. Delish sandwiches, fries, and milkshakes.
Menu Suggestion: Poutine.
173 locals recommend
Duckfat
43 Middle StGreat lunch stop. Delish sandwiches, fries, and milkshakes.
Menu Suggestion: Poutine.
One of our favorite casual dinners stops off the beaten path. Stop in for dinner on your way back from Fort Williams. Decent beer list, great BBQ and smoked meats and always interesting specials.
80 locals recommend
Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill
448 Cottage RdOne of our favorite casual dinners stops off the beaten path. Stop in for dinner on your way back from Fort Williams. Decent beer list, great BBQ and smoked meats and always interesting specials.
Drinks & Nightlife
100+ beers on tap all the time (lots local!) and an exhaustive menu of middle of the road bar food. Sometimes that's exactly what you're looking for!
76 locals recommend
The Great Lost Bear
540 Forest Ave100+ beers on tap all the time (lots local!) and an exhaustive menu of middle of the road bar food. Sometimes that's exactly what you're looking for!
Everything is $5, cash only. Live music some nights
This place is a hidden gem. Literally. I can't tell you exactly where it is (that's cheating) and it has no sign but I will tell you the door is built/hidden in a wall in a stairway. Watch where people are coming and going from long enough and you'll find it.
19 locals recommend
Lincolns
36 Market StEverything is $5, cash only. Live music some nights
This place is a hidden gem. Literally. I can't tell you exactly where it is (that's cheating) and it has no sign but I will tell you the door is built/hidden in a wall in a stairway. Watch where people are coming and going from long enough and you'll find it.
Maps
64A Market StBeer & Cake...
Bissell Brothers
38 Resurgam Pl Brews: IPAs and Pales
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
49 Washington AveBrews: Saisons and Farmhouses
Full bar, full menu, live music, late night upstairs and/or down depending on the night...your essential "night life" stop in Portland.
24 locals recommend
Bull Feeney's
375 Fore StFull bar, full menu, live music, late night upstairs and/or down depending on the night...your essential "night life" stop in Portland.
Parks & Nature
Short walking trail and off-leash dog park. Great for letting your pup romp with the locals! Avoid the swampy area at the far end of the park to the right!
22 locals recommend
Mayor Baxter Woods Park
555 Stevens AveShort walking trail and off-leash dog park. Great for letting your pup romp with the locals! Avoid the swampy area at the far end of the park to the right!
Rent kayaks to check out the lake or head to the state park to relax at a beautiful sandy beach.
91 locals recommend
Sebago Lake State Park
3 Park Access RdRent kayaks to check out the lake or head to the state park to relax at a beautiful sandy beach.
Pretty little beach, convenient for a quick trip. Dogs allowed off leash after dusk so not a good option for an evening picnic!
135 locals recommend
Willard Beach
Pretty little beach, convenient for a quick trip. Dogs allowed off leash after dusk so not a good option for an evening picnic!
Island hiking trail; easy access via car-friendly bridge.
130 locals recommend
Mackworth Island State Park
U.S. 1Island hiking trail; easy access via car-friendly bridge.
Shopping
Exchange Street
Exchange StreetCentral point to all the shops and galleries in the Old Port.
Entertainment & Activities
Portland Sea Dogs
271 Park AveReserve in advance! Awesome tours of local brew operations within the city and beyond! These guys (and gals) do a great job. Even as locals we consider this well worth the $$ and have taken more than a few tours with them...
43 locals recommend
The Maine Brew Bus
320 Commercial StReserve in advance! Awesome tours of local brew operations within the city and beyond! These guys (and gals) do a great job. Even as locals we consider this well worth the $$ and have taken more than a few tours with them...
Bring a bicycle out to the islands for a day or just take a ride out around the islands. Bring your own blanket, snacks and beverages on the sunset cruise and get an awesome casual tour of Casco Bay.
87 locals recommend
Casco Bay Lines
56 Commercial StBring a bicycle out to the islands for a day or just take a ride out around the islands. Bring your own blanket, snacks and beverages on the sunset cruise and get an awesome casual tour of Casco Bay.
Acadia National Bar
504 Congress StOld school arcade bar...
Essentials
Hannaford Supermarket
295 Forest AveWhole Foods station
Sightseeing
Home of Portland Headlight (oldest lighthouse in Maine) and historic forts.
Bite Into Maine food truck also perches here and serves up killer lobster rolls in the summer months!
229 locals recommend
Fort Williams Park
1000 Shore RdHome of Portland Headlight (oldest lighthouse in Maine) and historic forts.
Bite Into Maine food truck also perches here and serves up killer lobster rolls in the summer months!
Eastern Promenade Trail
Eastern PromenadeBeautiful views of Casco Bay. Great picnic spot!