Location: Portland
Top Restaurants in Portland
Best American food near Portland, Maine, United States
Reviews on American food in Portland, Maine, United States. From ornate mansions to ocean views, this charming city - the largest in Maine - will enchant you. Saunter down the brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets of the revitalized Old Port District, where you can browse through bookstores, explore craft shops and eat to your heart's content. Visit the Portland Head Light, which dates back to 1791, and is the oldest lighthouse still in continuous use in the U.S. The great poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is the city's native son, and you can visit his childhood home, the Wadsworth-Longfellow House. With kids in hand, enjoy the highly interactive Children's Museum of Maine. And then go next door to the calmer Portland Museum of Art, a small, but eclectic museum with Impressionist works, Maine landscapes by Homer and Wyeth and other collections. Land or sea is an option here, so if you're tired of the street life, take one of the popular scenic cruises or whale watches, or hop on a ferry to the islands in Casco Bay. At the end of the day, and without kids in hand, unwind and rest your tired feet at one of the city's brewpubs.
Things to do in Portland
10. Street and Co.
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1683 reviews
Reviewed By Lilybdog
Scallops are the one seafood I try wherever I go and this restaurant had probably the best preparation of them I have ever had. Cooked perfectly with just the right amount of light sauce and accompanied by a tasty dark bulgar side (usually I hate bulgar but this was very good). Scallops were atop al dente asparagus accompanied by Standard Bakingâs rustic bread. Perfect service and tasteful but fun decor. Canât wait to return
9. Scales Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 748 reviews
Reviewed By tomm277
Just recently was in Maine for a family getaway traveling through Portland and we decided to eat at Scales. We saw good reviews and were excited to have dinner there. We definitely were glad we did. All around excellent experience. We made reservations and were seated right away. Staff were great. Very prompt and took care of us from beginning to end of our meal. The atmosphere and decor is very modern and very welcoming. Had a partial view of the pier. We had clam chowder and the corn bread. Highly recommend those as starters. For our meals we had the pan roasted lobster, lobster roll and the Arctic Char. They were all excellent! With our meal we had the Portland Pale Ale and Oxbow local ales. Really good! For desert we the Baked Alaska and Chocolate cream pie. Both good but the Baked Alaska is one of the best desserts we have had in awhile. Definitely recommend Scales if you are in Portland looking for a great experience and meal. We definitely will stop back if we are in Portland again. Enjoy!!
8. David's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 547 reviews
Reviewed By briankO9076FV
My wife and I visited the last Friday night in September, never having visited this area before. We were seated promptly, outside as requested. It took ten minutes for the server, Alicia, to pay a visit, take our drink, dinner and appetizer order. When she did, she seemed distracted like she'd rather be elsewhere. After another ten minutes, she appeared with my wife's lobster dinner accoutrements, and our appetizer, calamari, which was ice cold. She seemed perplexed that our drinks had not been served.....she then brought them a few minutes later. The entrees arrived soon after and were hot, but visits to us to periodically check for drinks or water were few and far between. It seems like the kitchen produces good food, but there is a logistical issue getting it to the table at peak quality, and, server attention to detail is lacking. For a meal that will run $100 with drinks, there are likely better options.
7. Central Provisions
Overall Ratings
4 based on 963 reviews
Reviewed By SimbaW
The first thing our waitress told us that ordering was like ordering tapas. OK, I am in. The place was packed, but we were served quickly. They tell you that things come out at different times. No problem. My husband ordered the bacon. I wanted to order another plate; and then another. You get about 4 or 5 strips. Next came the Fried Tomato salad. Excellent with a lot of flavor. The final dish was the Bone Marrow Toast. You get a Texas size cut in half piece of toast that is loaded with a concoctoin of meaty and earthy flavors. Drinks are different and off the chain. Very happy that we worked this restaurant in our schedule.
6. Vinland
Overall Ratings
4 based on 322 reviews
Comfortable. Delicious. Nourishing. Vinland is the first restaurant in the United States to serve 100% local, organic food. The perfect place to make an ordinary night special. Local food for local people.
Reviewed By Pack4me11
Iâm a picky eater. There, Iâve said it. I was skeptical about this restaurant. A lot of chatter about how long it takes to eat there, how small the portions were, how expensive, etc. it was probably THE BEST dining experience Iâve ever had in my life! And Iâm old! And have eaten all over the world. Full disclosure, I like small portions. BUT, you wouldnât order just one item off this menu. I ordered two, my husband and daughter ordered three. The lobster was served on a mushroom reduction that was like umami x10! It was accompanied by this strangely beautiful, shiny brown rice cake that reminded me of brittle. Such deliciously refined flavor! I literally ran my finger around the plate to get it all! Yes, I licked my fingers! My second course was the chicken with crispy skin and grilled broccolini . It was outrageous! Imagine a crispy piece of chicken skin that snaps when you bite into it, then a bite of moist, juicy chicken thigh in some magical sauce. Yes, it took a couple of hours, but it wasnât like I had a meeting to get to! It was dinner, with my family. I would be remiss if I didnât mention the service. Our waiter, Willow, was so helpful, thoughtful and downright kind. How often do you find that these days? He made me a special blueberry spritzer mock-tail that was quite refreshing. Was it expensive? Yes, it was. And worth every penny.I really appreciate you taking the time to share this. Thank you for making this all worthwhile.
5. Becky's Diner
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2181 reviews
Becky's Diner is located on the Portland waterfront. We are casual and friendly and we welcome families. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Fresh, local seafood is served here and even at breakfast we offer lobster omelettes. Becky's
Reviewed By Patrick C
Becky's diner is a must when you're in Portland. It is a true "local" restaurant with great service, a very friendly and welcoming staff, upstairs dining with a view and without question an absolute amazing lobster roll and clam chowder.
4. Flatbread Company
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1150 reviews
Reviewed By Mare1208
Stopped here on our first night into Portland. As expected for a Friday night, it was mobbed and we had an hour plus wait. Got some seats at the bar and befriended another couple which passed the time. Ordered the house salad each and shared the large Casco flatbread which was perfect. Good service and food was delicious. Highly recommend for a casual dinner.
3. Isa Bistro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 237 reviews
Isa is a cozy neighborhood bistro serving an eclectic, yet seasonally driven menu. Open for lunch and dinner daily and closed Tuesday. We offer a brunch menu in addition to the lunch menu on Saturday and Sunday. Open all day. We accept reservations for la
Reviewed By WMSME
We eat here occasionally (and would come more often if they took reservations), and it is always better than good. This week it was excellent.My last review mentioned that the starters were skimpy, and that has been remedied. We had an octopus dish which was terrific as usual (I mentioned last time that Isa is amazing with octopus) and an excellent quesadilla as starters. I usually avoid ordering spaghetti bolognese since it is too often a see of indifferent tomato sauce over gummy noodles. At Isa, the noodles seem house-made and the balance with the sauce is perfect -- enough to moisten and flavor the noodles but not to be the only taste experience in the dish. A rabbit pasta dish was similarly excellent.I had mistakenly developed a sense that the menu here did not change much. What I have realized is that the categories stay pretty much the same but the preparations differ. The octopus once again had chick peas, but the dish was different than the last time, and the rabbit pasta was also a new approach.Also noteworthy are the craft cocktails. The two that we tried were outstanding -- creative but not showy. One I will replicate at home since I liked it so much (mezcal with lime and Dolin's sweet white vermouth).This place is consistently good, and more attractively priced than most of the better Portland restaurants. We always enjoy coming here, but only do so when we feel open to dining early enough to be sure of being able to get a table.The low mark for service ws unusual, by the way. Our server was new, and brought one incorrect entree. The restaurant's response was thoughtful and we were appreciative. They seemed to be down a served this particular night, and the small staff were working hard. Poor service has not been our problem here in the past and will not deter us from returning in the future.
What to do and see in Portland, United States: The Best Places and Tips
2. Back Bay Grill
Overall Ratings
5 based on 732 reviews
Reviewed By LandALot
Based on our visit here 18 months ago, we were looking forward to dinner at Back Bay Grill. We were disappointed by the food and the service. Our mains arrived 50 minutes after our starters and several dishes were cold. When a server puts a plate in front of you clutching it in a napkin, you think âhot plateâ. When itâs actually cold, you think âfood theatreâ. Even the coffee was served at room temperature. This was a weeknight. No unusual crowd. Whatâs up?
Portland Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Portland
1. Union
Overall Ratings
4 based on 509 reviews
At UNION we believe that being supplied by the best local farms allows you to enjoy ingredients at their peak of flavor. We partner with farms and producers across New England to ensure that when you dine with us you are truly getting a taste of the regio
Reviewed By 354irenee
Will return.This restaurant is at the Press Hotel - if you like old typewriters which it has many in their lobby, then do make a bathroom trip.The decoration of the restaurant is simple and woody. The serving staff are efficient and professional. They serve their oysters with cocktail pearls - nice touch. The scallops entree is heavenly good: succulent, lively and tasty, it's bit salty but you still can taste the sweetness. The Bangs Island mussels (house green curry, lemongrass, lime leaf, chili - oh my ... ) is served with a warm baguette - oui - is excellent too. Both entrees are on the salty side, which fit my palate, -:)When we ask for bill, are told is paid for it. The restaurant is relatively empty because we got there a little after 5. When we press the staff, does he reveal is the next table, with two ladies. After a little debate, I walk over and thanked them. The younger one is a little surprised but the older lady said, "you're welcome. I never forget a beautiful face... have we met somewhere?"She does look like a relative I had, grandaunt Lucy. Although Lucy was Chinese but their similarity lie in the way they present themselves: starting from nicely coiffed hair down to matching earrings, not to mention the makeup.On the second thought, she does look like my editor and a good friend Lynda. But I don't think we've met and I told her so. Maybe we've met but I'm senile ...In any case, thank you lady, you made my day. Hope we'll meet one day, somewhere.
