Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Creative, chef owned restaurant sourcing only the freshest of ingredients from local farms and producers. Closed Sundays.
74 locals recommend
Blue Spoon
5 Congress StCreative, chef owned restaurant sourcing only the freshest of ingredients from local farms and producers. Closed Sundays.
There is a debate about where to get the BEST lobster roll in town. I say it depends...but I think it's down to either Eventide or Scales. Eventide uses a steamed Korean-style bun, and they have a massive & well-deserved following for their raw bar, all things seafood, craft cocktails and hip vibe. It's a serious foodie and hipster haunt not to be missed if you don't mind the wait!
272 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StThere is a debate about where to get the BEST lobster roll in town. I say it depends...but I think it's down to either Eventide or Scales. Eventide uses a steamed Korean-style bun, and they have a massive & well-deserved following for their raw bar, all things seafood, craft cocktails and hip vibe. It's a serious foodie and hipster haunt not to be missed if you don't mind the wait!
Want a "classic" Maine lobster roll or a whole lobster right on the water? Here's your spot
131 locals recommend
Portland Lobster Co
180 Commercial StWant a "classic" Maine lobster roll or a whole lobster right on the water? Here's your spot
Flatbread Company
72 Commercial StWood-fired pizza with water views!
Duckfat
43 Middle StEast Ender
47 Middle StThe Holy Donut
194 Park AveDonuts made from Maine potatoes!
Hilltop Coffee Shop
100 Congress StFlying Fox Juice Bar
98 Washington Avefresh juices and smoothies made to order!
Long time local favorite serving up an eclectic menu with numerous vegetarian & vegan options (plenty of options for meat eaters as well!). Famous for their giant slices of cake and inventive milkshakes.
61 locals recommend
Silly's
68 Washington AveLong time local favorite serving up an eclectic menu with numerous vegetarian & vegan options (plenty of options for meat eaters as well!). Famous for their giant slices of cake and inventive milkshakes.
Best croissants west of Paris (seriously!). Here's their way too humble description from their website...."Belleville sits atop Portland, Maine's Munjoy Hill and aims to serve its neighbors and community with rustic pastries and pizza." Bonus: they serve Tandem coffee!
25 locals recommend
Belleville
1 North StBest croissants west of Paris (seriously!). Here's their way too humble description from their website...."Belleville sits atop Portland, Maine's Munjoy Hill and aims to serve its neighbors and community with rustic pastries and pizza." Bonus: they serve Tandem coffee!
OK it's not in our 'hood but then it should really tell you that the mere fact we're urging you to go there means that this place is OUTSTANDING. When you go, don't hold back. It's a place that uses butter freely and everything tastes unbelievable...oh and they roast their own coffee and it is fantastic. From their website: "Tandem was lucky enough to find a unique old building - this one built in the 1960’s. Once a gas station then laundromat - now a beautiful place to sip coffee, eat delicious baked goods and chat with friends."
163 locals recommend
The West End Deli & Catering Inc
545 Spring StOK it's not in our 'hood but then it should really tell you that the mere fact we're urging you to go there means that this place is OUTSTANDING. When you go, don't hold back. It's a place that uses butter freely and everything tastes unbelievable...oh and they roast their own coffee and it is fantastic. From their website: "Tandem was lucky enough to find a unique old building - this one built in the 1960’s. Once a gas station then laundromat - now a beautiful place to sip coffee, eat delicious baked goods and chat with friends."
Amazing flavors go into every one of their many small plates on the menu. Worth the wait!
145 locals recommend
Central Provisions
414 Fore StAmazing flavors go into every one of their many small plates on the menu. Worth the wait!
Top notch dining, our original iconic, James Beard award-winning farm-and-forage-to-table restaurant with beautiful rustic dining room, open kitchen, and big cozy bar. Expensive and worth it.
54 locals recommend
Fore Street
Fore StreetTop notch dining, our original iconic, James Beard award-winning farm-and-forage-to-table restaurant with beautiful rustic dining room, open kitchen, and big cozy bar. Expensive and worth it.
Craft cocktails & hand-selected interesting wines to go along with small plates with a Spanish flair. Outdoor tables in warm weather. Great place to rub elbows with the locals, and a hipster fave!
32 locals recommend
Lolita
90 Congress StCraft cocktails & hand-selected interesting wines to go along with small plates with a Spanish flair. Outdoor tables in warm weather. Great place to rub elbows with the locals, and a hipster fave!
Drinks & Nightlife
The Snug Pub
223 Congress StIrish-ish pub where you can bring your own food if you wish!
The Portland Hunt & Alpine Club
75 Market StDelicious and thoughtfully-crafted cocktails
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
49 Washington AveSightseeing
Hop on a ferry to visit Peaks Island, one of the nearby islands in Casco Bay, for the day!
140 locals recommend
Casco Bay Lines station
Hop on a ferry to visit Peaks Island, one of the nearby islands in Casco Bay, for the day!
Portland Observatory
138 Congress StHistoric mansion that has been restored and maintained, truly beautiful!
74 locals recommend
Victoria Mansion
109 Danforth StHistoric mansion that has been restored and maintained, truly beautiful!
Parks & Nature
Beautiful historic neighborhood and park; a great place to check out old Portland architecture.
68 locals recommend
Western Promenade Park
Valley StreetBeautiful historic neighborhood and park; a great place to check out old Portland architecture.
Large public park including playgrounds, tennis courts, walking trails, and the East End beach. Often you can find food trucks parked here.
251 locals recommend
Eastern Promenade Trail
Eastern PromenadeLarge public park including playgrounds, tennis courts, walking trails, and the East End beach. Often you can find food trucks parked here.
Lovely for picnics or walks, home to Maine's oldest light house, Portland Headlight.
229 locals recommend
Fort Williams Park
1000 Shore RdLovely for picnics or walks, home to Maine's oldest light house, Portland Headlight.
This is our beautiful sandy city beach. The water is clear, and you can swim and paddle to your heart's delight. Great for dogs before 9am and after 5pm in summer...and there are lots of dogs during those times so if that's not your thing you'll want to stick to the main part of the day.
93 locals recommend
East End Beach
Eastern Promenade TrailThis is our beautiful sandy city beach. The water is clear, and you can swim and paddle to your heart's delight. Great for dogs before 9am and after 5pm in summer...and there are lots of dogs during those times so if that's not your thing you'll want to stick to the main part of the day.
Arts & Culture
Old church that has been restored and renovated to be used as an arts center to showcase exhibits and performances.
16 locals recommend
Saint Lawrence Arts Center
76 Congress StOld church that has been restored and renovated to be used as an arts center to showcase exhibits and performances.
Contemporary, unique and thought-provoking exhibits and performances. Free to the public the first Friday of every month!
72 locals recommend
SPACE
534-538 Congress StContemporary, unique and thought-provoking exhibits and performances. Free to the public the first Friday of every month!
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqFree admission to the public on Fridays, 4-8pm!
Great place to see works from a variety of successful Maine artists
11 locals recommend
Portland Art Gallery
154 Middle StGreat place to see works from a variety of successful Maine artists
Shopping
The heart of the Old Port shopping scene; find lots of local shops here with unique finds.
36 locals recommend
Exchange Street
Exchange StreetThe heart of the Old Port shopping scene; find lots of local shops here with unique finds.
Essentials
Lila East End Yoga
251 Congress StLois' Natural Marketplace
47 India StTrader Joe's
87 Marginal WayPortland Food Co-op
290 Congress StHannaford Supermarket
295 Forest AveCVS
51 Market StWhole Foods Market
2 Somerset St