Emily’s guidebook
Coffee/Quick Breakfast Recs
Portland has lots of local, independent coffee shops that are wonderful! And some recommendations for a quick breakfast before a day of exploring.
This place is a must visit (although, the secret has gotten out and expect a line on weekends especially). A converted gas station, Tandem has incredible baked goods and strong coffee. No wifi here- it 's designed to be more of a social place than a place to work.
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The West End Deli & Catering Inc
545 Spring StThis place is a must visit (although, the secret has gotten out and expect a line on weekends especially). A converted gas station, Tandem has incredible baked goods and strong coffee. No wifi here- it 's designed to be more of a social place than a place to work.
A great local coffee shop in the Old Port. It is located across the street from Starbucks, but all the locals go here because we know the coffee is divine (and we like supporting our local entrepreneurs!).
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Bard Coffee
185 Middle StA great local coffee shop in the Old Port. It is located across the street from Starbucks, but all the locals go here because we know the coffee is divine (and we like supporting our local entrepreneurs!).
One of my favorite spots for a quick breakfast sandwich to go. I love the #1 (egg, proscuitto, and cheddar with hot sauce and maple syrup on a bagel).
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Ohno Cafe
87 Brackett StOne of my favorite spots for a quick breakfast sandwich to go. I love the #1 (egg, proscuitto, and cheddar with hot sauce and maple syrup on a bagel).
There are a lot of CBDs around town. It's a great local company, that is very socially conscious and you can feel great supporting. They responsibly source beans, they support our new Mainers who immigrate here, they are all around good people.
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Coffee By Design
43 Washington AveThere are a lot of CBDs around town. It's a great local company, that is very socially conscious and you can feel great supporting. They responsibly source beans, they support our new Mainers who immigrate here, they are all around good people.
This just reopened this spring as Blue Spoon Cafe. I haven't experienced it yet, but I hear the coffee is great and the atmosphere is very sweet for a quick bite/coffee.
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Blue Spoon Cafe & Catering
64 Pine StThis just reopened this spring as Blue Spoon Cafe. I haven't experienced it yet, but I hear the coffee is great and the atmosphere is very sweet for a quick bite/coffee.
My favorite donuts in town! Made with potato flour, these are real Maine donuts. Can't go wrong with the dark chocolate sea salt, in my opinion...
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The Holy Donut
194 Park AveMy favorite donuts in town! Made with potato flour, these are real Maine donuts. Can't go wrong with the dark chocolate sea salt, in my opinion...
I adore this place. Great bagels, great breakfast sandwiches, they have creative rotating homefry specials. There is a cool outdoor seating area in back that is casual and very sweet on sunny summer days. The Salmon bagel is awesome (loaded with smoked salmon, capers, cukes). A good jumping off place to explore Willard Beach area, en route to Portland Headlight, etc.
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158 Pickett Street Cafe
158 Benjamin W Pickett StI adore this place. Great bagels, great breakfast sandwiches, they have creative rotating homefry specials. There is a cool outdoor seating area in back that is casual and very sweet on sunny summer days. The Salmon bagel is awesome (loaded with smoked salmon, capers, cukes). A good jumping off place to explore Willard Beach area, en route to Portland Headlight, etc.
I don't love the donuts here, but the breakfast sandwiches (and LUNCH for that matter too) are great!
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Hifi Donuts
30 City CenterI don't love the donuts here, but the breakfast sandwiches (and LUNCH for that matter too) are great!
Longer Breakfast/Brunch recs
For your more leisurely breakfast...
The secret it out on this place, so expect a line... Great brunch spot, it's the go to southern creole place in town. Worth the wait, but maybe on a sunny day when you can sit and people watch outside with a coffee.
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Hot Suppa
703 Congress StThe secret it out on this place, so expect a line... Great brunch spot, it's the go to southern creole place in town. Worth the wait, but maybe on a sunny day when you can sit and people watch outside with a coffee.
I adore this place. I feel like it's still relatively underappreciated with tourists, so I usually have an easier time walking in and getting a table quickly. Quality food that you can tell is made with lots of love. And a very sweet atmosphere with lots of plants and light.
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Artemisia Cafe
61 Pleasant StI adore this place. I feel like it's still relatively underappreciated with tourists, so I usually have an easier time walking in and getting a table quickly. Quality food that you can tell is made with lots of love. And a very sweet atmosphere with lots of plants and light.
Local is a great spot in my neighborhood, but I would only recommend the breakfast there (or drinks in the evening -- the dinner offerings have never impressed me). Breakfast/brunch is popular here so expect a bit of a wait if you go after 10 on a weekend.
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Local 188
685 Congress StLocal is a great spot in my neighborhood, but I would only recommend the breakfast there (or drinks in the evening -- the dinner offerings have never impressed me). Breakfast/brunch is popular here so expect a bit of a wait if you go after 10 on a weekend.
This is a great "Old Portland" spot. They open at 4 am for the lobster/fishermen. Typical diner fare. Fun to pop in if you are exploring the Old Port.
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Joe's Boathouse Catering
This is a great "Old Portland" spot. They open at 4 am for the lobster/fishermen. Typical diner fare. Fun to pop in if you are exploring the Old Port.
Dinner
So many great spots in Portland for dinner. I've included some favorites here, but please don't hesitate to ask for specific recommendations.
Great neighborhood Spanish/French restaurant! They have a gorgeous patio, and all the food and drinks are delicious. Don't skip dessert -- some of the best in town!
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CHAVAL
58 Pine StGreat neighborhood Spanish/French restaurant! They have a gorgeous patio, and all the food and drinks are delicious. Don't skip dessert -- some of the best in town!
Another great neighborhood spot, higher end authentic thai food. Cocktails are great, I recommend ordering a bunch of things to share (chicken wings, quail eggs, and brussell sprouts are some favorites, and the grilled rice ball is also really great).
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Boda
671 Congress StAnother great neighborhood spot, higher end authentic thai food. Cocktails are great, I recommend ordering a bunch of things to share (chicken wings, quail eggs, and brussell sprouts are some favorites, and the grilled rice ball is also really great).
Great seafood restaurant in the Old Port. Beautifully renovated, delicious food, right on the water. Reservations recommended.
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Scales
68 Commercial StGreat seafood restaurant in the Old Port. Beautifully renovated, delicious food, right on the water. Reservations recommended.
One of the most popular restaurants in Portland currently. It's wonderful, but be prepared for a long wait. No reservations taken, but they will text/call you when your table is ready.
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Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StOne of the most popular restaurants in Portland currently. It's wonderful, but be prepared for a long wait. No reservations taken, but they will text/call you when your table is ready.
Terlingua
40 Washington AveGreat little spot with delicious mexican food and tasty cocktails.
Great restaurant in the Old Port. Highly recommend the chopped salad and the ever changing "Bread and Butter" special. Good cocktails and shareable plates.
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Central Provisions
414 Fore StGreat restaurant in the Old Port. Highly recommend the chopped salad and the ever changing "Bread and Butter" special. Good cocktails and shareable plates.
This is right next door to Eventide and run by the same owners, and is actually my favorite of the two... You can't go wrong here. Delicious cocktails, delicious food. Best for 2 (they don't have space for big groups).
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The Honey Paw
78 Middle StThis is right next door to Eventide and run by the same owners, and is actually my favorite of the two... You can't go wrong here. Delicious cocktails, delicious food. Best for 2 (they don't have space for big groups).
Lunch
Brand new to the scene, this place is awesome! The empanadas are fresh and great, the fried cheese with pineapple salsa is divine. Haven't yet tried it all, but doesn't seem like you could go wrong...
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Quiero Cafe
3 Deering AveBrand new to the scene, this place is awesome! The empanadas are fresh and great, the fried cheese with pineapple salsa is divine. Haven't yet tried it all, but doesn't seem like you could go wrong...
Great ramen spot. They have a lunch special M-F that is a huge savings for lots of good food.
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Pai Men Miyake
188 State StGreat ramen spot. They have a lunch special M-F that is a huge savings for lots of good food.
Bar/Cocktails
Washington ave is a new hot spot that has tons of great food and drinks. Worth spending some time checking this area out.
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Maine Craft Distilling
123 Washington AveWashington ave is a new hot spot that has tons of great food and drinks. Worth spending some time checking this area out.
This is a fun neighborhood spot for drinks. The menu is always changing and the vibe is pretty unique and fun.
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The Jewel Box
644 Congress StThis is a fun neighborhood spot for drinks. The menu is always changing and the vibe is pretty unique and fun.
This has been recently renovated when the Westin bought this old Portland hotel. Great views from the top.
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Top of the East
157 High StThis has been recently renovated when the Westin bought this old Portland hotel. Great views from the top.
My neighborhood bar. It's cozy and funky (gets a little loud and wild on Friday and Saturday nights, otherwise it's pretty tame and good for conversing over a drink or playing cribbage).
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LFK
188 State StMy neighborhood bar. It's cozy and funky (gets a little loud and wild on Friday and Saturday nights, otherwise it's pretty tame and good for conversing over a drink or playing cribbage).
Portland Activities
Catching a Portland Sea Dogs game is pretty fun, especially on an evening when they have fireworks. Small city sports at their finest!
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Portland Sea Dogs
271 Park AveCatching a Portland Sea Dogs game is pretty fun, especially on an evening when they have fireworks. Small city sports at their finest!
Fun to catch concerts at this outdoor venue, or check out Bissell Brothers brewery or the International Cryptozoology Museum.
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Thompson Point
Thompsons PointFun to catch concerts at this outdoor venue, or check out Bissell Brothers brewery or the International Cryptozoology Museum.
Catch a ferry to one of the Casco Bay Islands for a fun day of exploring. Peaks Island is one I'd recommend; you can rent bikes at the bike shop and ride around to island. Super scenic with cute beaches and an old fort to explore. Sundays there is Reggae music on Peaks that is a scene and fun to check out.
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Casco Bay Lines station
Catch a ferry to one of the Casco Bay Islands for a fun day of exploring. Peaks Island is one I'd recommend; you can rent bikes at the bike shop and ride around to island. Super scenic with cute beaches and an old fort to explore. Sundays there is Reggae music on Peaks that is a scene and fun to check out.
On a sunny summer day, there isn't a more beautiful Maine beach. When the tide is low you can walk out to an island to explore. Worth the drive, but watch out for the seagulls that seem to be overly confident about trying to steal lunch from bags when people go walking...
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Popham Beach State Park
711 Popham RdOn a sunny summer day, there isn't a more beautiful Maine beach. When the tide is low you can walk out to an island to explore. Worth the drive, but watch out for the seagulls that seem to be overly confident about trying to steal lunch from bags when people go walking...
This place is one of Portland's gems for dancing. It's super wild inside and very Old Portland. Light up dance floor, a very fun mixed crowd. Don't ask for fancy beverages, this is a "white or red wine," domestic beer kind of place.
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Bubba's Sulky Lounge
92 Portland StThis place is one of Portland's gems for dancing. It's super wild inside and very Old Portland. Light up dance floor, a very fun mixed crowd. Don't ask for fancy beverages, this is a "white or red wine," domestic beer kind of place.
Saturday Farmer's Market in Deering Oaks are wonderful. Stop on the way down the hill for a donut at the Holy Donut. Market runs from 7am - 1pm.
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Portland Farmers' Market
92 Deering AveSaturday Farmer's Market in Deering Oaks are wonderful. Stop on the way down the hill for a donut at the Holy Donut. Market runs from 7am - 1pm.
Sea kayak rentals, guided tours (kayak or stand up paddleboard), etc. This is a great local company that let's you experience Portland from the water! (If you can make it on a trip out to Fort Gorges, you will not regret it -- that Fort is magical!)
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Portland Paddle
1 Eastern PromenadeSea kayak rentals, guided tours (kayak or stand up paddleboard), etc. This is a great local company that let's you experience Portland from the water! (If you can make it on a trip out to Fort Gorges, you will not regret it -- that Fort is magical!)
Lobster
Because you can't really visit Portland without having a lobster roll...
Great location and generous lobster rolls, right on a pier in the Old Port. Highly recommend on sunny days with the outdoor seating. They often have a band playing on the patio on the weekends.
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Portland Lobster Co
180 Commercial StGreat location and generous lobster rolls, right on a pier in the Old Port. Highly recommend on sunny days with the outdoor seating. They often have a band playing on the patio on the weekends.
These rolls are delicious and a bit more unique than your typical mayo/lobster rolls. Good location in the middle of the Old Port. This grew into a brick and mortar storefront after years as a food truck -- good quality and great local business.
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The Highroller Lobster Co
104 Exchange StThese rolls are delicious and a bit more unique than your typical mayo/lobster rolls. Good location in the middle of the Old Port. This grew into a brick and mortar storefront after years as a food truck -- good quality and great local business.
Brand new lobster spot in the Old Port, just opened beginning of June 2019. I haven't been yet, but it looks impressive and is right on the end of a pier in the harbor.
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Luke's Lobster Portland Pier
60 Portland PierBrand new lobster spot in the Old Port, just opened beginning of June 2019. I haven't been yet, but it looks impressive and is right on the end of a pier in the harbor.
A lobster shack with lots of picnic tables overlooking scenic Casco Bay! If you have a car, this is a great place to check out on your way to/from the Portland Headlight.
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The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
225 Two Lights RdA lobster shack with lots of picnic tables overlooking scenic Casco Bay! If you have a car, this is a great place to check out on your way to/from the Portland Headlight.