Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Start the day off right with a great breakfast. Homemade hash is their specialty, but they also make a fine eggs Benedict, and have a full breakfast menu. Have a Bloody Mary while you're there!
152 locals recommend
Hot Suppa
703 Congress StStart the day off right with a great breakfast. Homemade hash is their specialty, but they also make a fine eggs Benedict, and have a full breakfast menu. Have a Bloody Mary while you're there!
If you are looking for fast and always friendly service and good food at a great price, this is a fine place for breakfast. Best diner in town.
19 locals recommend
Marcy's Diner
47 Oak StIf you are looking for fast and always friendly service and good food at a great price, this is a fine place for breakfast. Best diner in town.
The bistro version of the famous Miyake sushi restaurant will make you forget your college ramen. The menu features Japanese items that don't intimidate, complemented by sake and great beers.
148 locals recommend
Pai Men Miyake
188 State StThe bistro version of the famous Miyake sushi restaurant will make you forget your college ramen. The menu features Japanese items that don't intimidate, complemented by sake and great beers.
Portland's only floating restaurant is a decommissioned ferry. You'll be eating aboard a vessel with good views and tasty seafood offerings. When I go, I always get the filet oscar. Delicious.
101 locals recommend
DiMillo's On The Water
25 Long WharfPortland's only floating restaurant is a decommissioned ferry. You'll be eating aboard a vessel with good views and tasty seafood offerings. When I go, I always get the filet oscar. Delicious.
Oysters on ice in a carved granite display. Varieties from here and away. Lobster roll is untraditional but exceptional.
272 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StOysters on ice in a carved granite display. Varieties from here and away. Lobster roll is untraditional but exceptional.
The feature here is seafood, and it's great. Sit at the bar and enjoy the oysters. Then order their famous scallops in Pernod cream sauce, a signature dish you will remember.
114 locals recommend
Street & Co
33 Wharf StThe feature here is seafood, and it's great. Sit at the bar and enjoy the oysters. Then order their famous scallops in Pernod cream sauce, a signature dish you will remember.
Even in Portland, you will not find a finer restaurant than this. For $65, try the five course tasting menu. This is a true dining experience. Plan on spending a couple hours here--at least.
15 locals recommend
555 Congress St
555 Congress StreetEven in Portland, you will not find a finer restaurant than this. For $65, try the five course tasting menu. This is a true dining experience. Plan on spending a couple hours here--at least.
The warm atmosphere here is complemented by the open kitchen and wood fired cooking. The foie gras is to die for. The service is always excellent. Voted among the top restaurants in the country.
92 locals recommend
Fore Street Restaurant
288 Fore StThe warm atmosphere here is complemented by the open kitchen and wood fired cooking. The foie gras is to die for. The service is always excellent. Voted among the top restaurants in the country.
Looking for pizza? Look no further. Thin crust, chewy, delicious. Exotic toppings you never knew you'd love. Mashed potato, bacon, and scallion. on PIZZA?! Yes!
192 locals recommend
OTTO
576 Congress StLooking for pizza? Look no further. Thin crust, chewy, delicious. Exotic toppings you never knew you'd love. Mashed potato, bacon, and scallion. on PIZZA?! Yes!
This Thai place is not just for vegetarians, but for carnivores like me. It's one of the best restaurants in town, and a great value. Spare ribs? Far-east duck? They have it. Try the ginger noodle.
84 locals recommend
Green Elephant
608 Congress StThis Thai place is not just for vegetarians, but for carnivores like me. It's one of the best restaurants in town, and a great value. Spare ribs? Far-east duck? They have it. Try the ginger noodle.
You're in Maine. Try potato donuts. Chocolate sea salt, sweet potato ginger, maple glazed, pomegranate. Your sweet tooth will be satisfied.
220 locals recommend
The Holy Donut
194 Park AveYou're in Maine. Try potato donuts. Chocolate sea salt, sweet potato ginger, maple glazed, pomegranate. Your sweet tooth will be satisfied.
This intimate restaurant is one of the closest restaurants to our location. High end food at reasonable prices. Dinner won't disappoint and Sunday brunch features homemade pop tarts. Really.
27 locals recommend
Caiola's
58 Pine StreetThis intimate restaurant is one of the closest restaurants to our location. High end food at reasonable prices. Dinner won't disappoint and Sunday brunch features homemade pop tarts. Really.
Based on a Thai street food concept, Boda incorporates small plates and skewers, coupled with traditional Thai fare, including the best Pad Thai around. Try the quail eggs!
147 locals recommend
Boda
671 Congress StBased on a Thai street food concept, Boda incorporates small plates and skewers, coupled with traditional Thai fare, including the best Pad Thai around. Try the quail eggs!
Great breakfast with great atmosphere. This Portland staple is delicious. Go for the best eggs Benedict in town.
52 locals recommend
Bayside American Cafe
98 Portland StGreat breakfast with great atmosphere. This Portland staple is delicious. Go for the best eggs Benedict in town.
Drinks & Nightlife
Locals are regulars at this spot with a good bar and innovative menu. Specials on the blackboard range from ribs to vegetarian fare. One of the best values in town.
20 locals recommend
Congress Square Park
Locals are regulars at this spot with a good bar and innovative menu. Specials on the blackboard range from ribs to vegetarian fare. One of the best values in town.
On the 15th floor of the Westin, this is a classy place for a date. Friendliest service, great drinks, and small plates. A beautiful panoramic view of Portland.
68 locals recommend
Top of the East
157 High StOn the 15th floor of the Westin, this is a classy place for a date. Friendliest service, great drinks, and small plates. A beautiful panoramic view of Portland.
The perfect place to relax with your favorite drink and a delicious homemade dessert. Go here for the best cheesecake in town paired with your favorite wine.
18 locals recommend
Bar of Chocolate
38 Wharf StThe perfect place to relax with your favorite drink and a delicious homemade dessert. Go here for the best cheesecake in town paired with your favorite wine.
Arts & Culture
The Mansion, seen in a picture in the apartment, has been brought back to its original glory and ornately decorated--especially at Christmas time. Schedule a tour. It's less than a mile away. $15.
74 locals recommend
Victoria Mansion
109 Danforth StThe Mansion, seen in a picture in the apartment, has been brought back to its original glory and ornately decorated--especially at Christmas time. Schedule a tour. It's less than a mile away. $15.
Our world-class art museum, designed by I.M. Pei, features an outstanding collection that includes American and European art, with an extensive Winslow Homer collection and his studio at Prouts Neck.
412 locals recommend
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqOur world-class art museum, designed by I.M. Pei, features an outstanding collection that includes American and European art, with an extensive Winslow Homer collection and his studio at Prouts Neck.
Big names in many musical styles, including Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Natalie Merchant, in a recently restored historical theater. Check the schedule here and at Space Gallery and Port City Music Hall.
116 locals recommend
State Theater
609 Congress StBig names in many musical styles, including Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Natalie Merchant, in a recently restored historical theater. Check the schedule here and at Space Gallery and Port City Music Hall.
Sightseeing
What better way to spend an autumn afternoon than by renting bikes, taking a ferry ride and exploring one of Maine's many islands? Peaks offers dining, beaches, fall foliage, and ocean views.
176 locals recommend
Peaks Island
What better way to spend an autumn afternoon than by renting bikes, taking a ferry ride and exploring one of Maine's many islands? Peaks offers dining, beaches, fall foliage, and ocean views.
Commissioned by George Washington and thought to be the most photographed lighthouse in the world, this is a national treasure. Enjoy the sprawling park, the rocky coast and the ocean views.
346 locals recommend
Portland Harbor Museum
12 Captain Strout CircleCommissioned by George Washington and thought to be the most photographed lighthouse in the world, this is a national treasure. Enjoy the sprawling park, the rocky coast and the ocean views.
Shopping
High quality creations, much of which are hand-made by Mainers. Welded together animals, homemade clocks, creative cards, neat stuff you've never seen. Great store for gifts. Memorable place.
Abacus Gallery
44 Exchange StHigh quality creations, much of which are hand-made by Mainers. Welded together animals, homemade clocks, creative cards, neat stuff you've never seen. Great store for gifts. Memorable place.
Dozens of Maine potters showcase their work here, which is as diverse as it is brilliant. And of course, it's all for sale. Don't worry about breaking it on the way home. They'll mail it to you!
Maine Potters Market
376 Fore StDozens of Maine potters showcase their work here, which is as diverse as it is brilliant. And of course, it's all for sale. Don't worry about breaking it on the way home. They'll mail it to you!
One of the neatest shops to visit downtown. Salt blocks for cooking, or salt blocks beautifully back lit. Get salt soaps or seasonings, or salt lamps in the shape of animals. Unique and fun.
The Salt Cellar
172 Middle StOne of the neatest shops to visit downtown. Salt blocks for cooking, or salt blocks beautifully back lit. Get salt soaps or seasonings, or salt lamps in the shape of animals. Unique and fun.
Everything Else
Frisbee, picnic, reading, the sun setting over the airport. The lights of the highway and the bridges in the distance, the planes landing - a perfect evening spot. Elegant mansions line the street.
68 locals recommend
Western Promenade Park
Valley StreetFrisbee, picnic, reading, the sun setting over the airport. The lights of the highway and the bridges in the distance, the planes landing - a perfect evening spot. Elegant mansions line the street.
Summer Farmers Market, Saturday. Winter skating on the pond. Christmas lights in the gigantic trees. Sprawling green space in the city for everyone at every time of the year.
87 locals recommend
Deering Oaks Park
Summer Farmers Market, Saturday. Winter skating on the pond. Christmas lights in the gigantic trees. Sprawling green space in the city for everyone at every time of the year.
Sunrise views over Casco Bay. Sailboats, kayaking, and a small beach. Summer concerts. Fireworks and Portland Symphony on July 4. Walk the trail from here to downtown or Back Cove. Plentiful parking.
251 locals recommend
Eastern Promenade Trail
Eastern PromenadeSunrise views over Casco Bay. Sailboats, kayaking, and a small beach. Summer concerts. Fireworks and Portland Symphony on July 4. Walk the trail from here to downtown or Back Cove. Plentiful parking.
A runner's paradise. 3.5 nearly flat miles around the cove for running, walking, biking, pushing baby in the stroller. Great views of the water and the city, bird life, sunsets. Lots of parking.
38 locals recommend
Back Cove Trail
Back Cove TrailA runner's paradise. 3.5 nearly flat miles around the cove for running, walking, biking, pushing baby in the stroller. Great views of the water and the city, bird life, sunsets. Lots of parking.