Guidebook for Portland

Kathy
Guidebook for Portland

Food Scene

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 coPee and it is fantastic. From their website: "Tandem was lucky enough to and a unique old building - this one built in the 1960’s. Once a gas station then laundromat - now a beautiful place to sip coPee, eat delicious baked goods and chat with friends."
163 местните препоръчват
The West End Deli & Catering Inc
545 Spring St
163 местните препоръчват
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 coPee and it is fantastic. From their website: "Tandem was lucky enough to and a unique old building - this one built in the 1960’s. Once a gas station then laundromat - now a beautiful place to sip coPee, eat delicious baked goods and chat with friends."
We love the Spoon. Warm inviting friendly service, great comfort food prepared with attention and fresh local ingredients. Cozy in winter, outdoor tables in warm weather. Reasonable prices. A real neighborhood vibe. Closed Sundays.
74 местните препоръчват
Blue Spoon
5 Congress St
74 местните препоръчват
We love the Spoon. Warm inviting friendly service, great comfort food prepared with attention and fresh local ingredients. Cozy in winter, outdoor tables in warm weather. Reasonable prices. A real neighborhood vibe. 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 местните препоръчват
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle St
272 местните препоръчват
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!
What's better than a lobster shack right on the wharf...with live music, beer and wine...plus they allow dogs should you be traveling with a 4-legged friend? Great update on traditional lobster shack fare...meaning, you'll actually really love the cole slaw, and the lobster roll has butter instead of may...plus fried clams, fish & chips...and they also have a great chicken wrap. So much fun!
131 местните препоръчват
Portland Lobster Co
180 Commercial St
131 местните препоръчват
What's better than a lobster shack right on the wharf...with live music, beer and wine...plus they allow dogs should you be traveling with a 4-legged friend? Great update on traditional lobster shack fare...meaning, you'll actually really love the cole slaw, and the lobster roll has butter instead of may...plus fried clams, fish & chips...and they also have a great chicken wrap. So much fun!
Organic wood-fired pie with a groovy family-friendly vibe, great microbrews on tap and an awesome brownie sundae. Fabulous water views...right next to the ferry terminal. Especially kid-friendly.
98 местните препоръчват
Flatbread Company
72 Commercial St
98 местните препоръчват
Organic wood-fired pie with a groovy family-friendly vibe, great microbrews on tap and an awesome brownie sundae. Fabulous water views...right next to the ferry terminal. Especially kid-friendly.
A perennial guest and local favorite. Fries cooked in duck fat with a big choice of artisanal sides like truffle ketchup, homemade milk shakes, burgers, grilled sandwiches. It's chef is James Beard winner 2009 Rob Evans. Plan on a wait...it's a tiny spot!
173 местните препоръчват
Duckfat
43 Middle St
173 местните препоръчват
A perennial guest and local favorite. Fries cooked in duck fat with a big choice of artisanal sides like truffle ketchup, homemade milk shakes, burgers, grilled sandwiches. It's chef is James Beard winner 2009 Rob Evans. Plan on a wait...it's a tiny spot!
Each of the many creative small plates on the menu are layered with flavors. Favorite plates: Smoked Carrots, Fried Cauliflower, Raw Beef Salad....but be sure to ask the wait staff for their suggestions. James Beard nominee. Worth the money, worth the wait!
145 местните препоръчват
Central Provisions
414 Fore St
145 местните препоръчват
Each of the many creative small plates on the menu are layered with flavors. Favorite plates: Smoked Carrots, Fried Cauliflower, Raw Beef Salad....but be sure to ask the wait staff for their suggestions. James Beard nominee. Worth the money, worth the wait!
Top notch, excellent dining & service. Our original 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. Tip: eat at the bar on a snowy winter night if you can get a seat!
54 местните препоръчват
Fore Street
Fore Street
54 местните препоръчват
Top notch, excellent dining & service. Our original 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. Tip: eat at the bar on a snowy winter night if you can get a seat!
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 местните препоръчват
Lolita
90 Congress St
32 местните препоръчват
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!
Excellent seafood, beautiful rustic Provencal-inspired interior with herbs drying from beams, exposed brick, open kitchen on perhaps our most iconic Old Port street/alley Wharf Street. I love their halibut, but if I'm in the mood for fish & pasta I'll get either clams with white sauce or shrimp with red sauce and capers...or Lobster Fra Diavolo (for two). Excellent raw bar, perfect martinis, curated wine list. Pricey but worth it...you will not be disappointed!
114 местните препоръчват
Street & Co
33 Wharf St
114 местните препоръчват
Excellent seafood, beautiful rustic Provencal-inspired interior with herbs drying from beams, exposed brick, open kitchen on perhaps our most iconic Old Port street/alley Wharf Street. I love their halibut, but if I'm in the mood for fish & pasta I'll get either clams with white sauce or shrimp with red sauce and capers...or Lobster Fra Diavolo (for two). Excellent raw bar, perfect martinis, curated wine list. Pricey but worth it...you will not be disappointed!
We love Drifter's Wife for its subtle attention to detail, perfectly prepared food and the feeling we're transported to Brooklyn. Wine shop in the back. Maybe it's because the husband & wife team who own, cook, and serve are from Brooklyn? But it's right in our hood.
35 местните препоръчват
Drifters Wife
59 Washington Ave
35 местните препоръчват
We love Drifter's Wife for its subtle attention to detail, perfectly prepared food and the feeling we're transported to Brooklyn. Wine shop in the back. Maybe it's because the husband & wife team who own, cook, and serve are from Brooklyn? But it's right in our hood.
Pho Ga and Cabbage Salad make a perfect meal, and they do take out! Right in the hood about 10 min walk! Real, fresh, carefully prepared Vietnamese food.
41 местните препоръчват
Cong Tu Bot
57 Washington Ave
41 местните препоръчват
Pho Ga and Cabbage Salad make a perfect meal, and they do take out! Right in the hood about 10 min walk! Real, fresh, carefully prepared Vietnamese food.
The best pie (pizza) in Portland. It's slightly chewy/holds up to sauce...and they have the best red sauce too. My faves: Chicken & Basil, or Eggplant Ricotta. Or maybe Sausage Vidalia Onion. If you get a large, you can split it between two flavors. For some reason one of their most popular is Potato Bacon...I just don't get it. They deliver too! Or just walk down the hill. There are two locations on Congress Street, so if you order, be sure you are calling the one on East End.
192 местните препоръчват
OTTO
576 Congress St
192 местните препоръчват
The best pie (pizza) in Portland. It's slightly chewy/holds up to sauce...and they have the best red sauce too. My faves: Chicken & Basil, or Eggplant Ricotta. Or maybe Sausage Vidalia Onion. If you get a large, you can split it between two flavors. For some reason one of their most popular is Potato Bacon...I just don't get it. They deliver too! Or just walk down the hill. There are two locations on Congress Street, so if you order, be sure you are calling the one on East End.
I don't want to love their donuts but you just can't help yourself I promise. Made fresh, with Maine potatoes instead of wheat flour, which makes them moist and light. My faves: Chocolate Sea Salt, Glazed Ginger, Sweet Potato.
220 местните препоръчват
The Holy Donut
194 Park Ave
220 местните препоръчват
I don't want to love their donuts but you just can't help yourself I promise. Made fresh, with Maine potatoes instead of wheat flour, which makes them moist and light. My faves: Chocolate Sea Salt, Glazed Ginger, Sweet Potato.

Drinks & Nightlife

I suggest you take a walking brewery tour of our neighboring East Bayside neighborhood! Start here: home to the barrels and tanks in which they age their funky and sour beers. All blending and bottling takes place onsite. Fun space with long tables and some outdoor tables too.
106 местните препоръчват
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
49 Washington Ave
106 местните препоръчват
I suggest you take a walking brewery tour of our neighboring East Bayside neighborhood! Start here: home to the barrels and tanks in which they age their funky and sour beers. All blending and bottling takes place onsite. Fun space with long tables and some outdoor tables too.