Location: Portland
Top Restaurants in Portland
Portland Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Portland
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
1. Back Bay Grill
Overall Ratings
5 based on 613 reviews
Reviewed By John M - Scarborough, United States
For the first course we have Pemaquid Mussels with shallots, white wine, leek & chive cream, fine herbs and Maine Crab Cake with smoked paprika aioli, pickled red peppers, arugula. For the main course we both had Lavender Marinated Duck Breast with duck confit, braised radish, roasted cauliflower puree, melted leek. It was all served in a relax manner. The noise level was just enough so that it did not interfere with your conversation.
2. Emilitsa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 692 reviews
Emilitsa is a Greek restaurant located in the arts district of Portland, Maine and boasts a contemporary and casual atmosphere. Emilitsa brings a wide array of Mezethes (small plates), Megala Piata (large plates), and pristinely fresh seafood to the seacoast area. We honor the breadth of traditional cuisine from all regions of Greece. We prepare our Greek dishes with as many local, fresh, organic and natural ingredients as are available to us. We also accommodate those with food allergies.
Reviewed By Jim B - Old Orchard Beach, Maine, United States
Our son's in-laws in Chicago are Greeks by heritage and conviction, so we habe been treeted to their cuisine-- excellent at home and in their favorite restaurants, but mostly traditional and conventional. Emilitsa re-imagines many of those dishes, so they manage to surprise, and to delight in new ways. Service is friendly and professional, and it's a delight to be able converse with friends without cupping your ears or straining to hear. This is one of the favorite restaurants we recommend to friends when they visit Portland.
3. Isa Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 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.
Reviewed By suzinvt - Middlebury, Vermont
Eight of us dined here again, although it was my 1st visit. I am a vegetarian who also does not eat foods made of eggs, so I sometimes have very limited options dining out. That was the case, unfortunately, for me at Isa's. After viewing the menu the day before, I even had called ahead to explore options....but all their vegetarian entrees are made with eggs and they didn't offer to get creative for me. I ended up eating the Cheese Plate starter, a side of brussel sprouts and the Roasted Beet Salad for my main course, which was fortunately sizable and delicious. No dessert for me, not even ice cream.
However, the other 7 of us had wonderful dinners....fabulously chunky lobster chowder, steaks cooked just right with french fries and green beans, lasagna with freshly made egg noodles, and one said "the best ever" pork chop with Dijon mustard/butter sauce. Delicate Flan, liquer-infused Roasted Pear.
This little corner restaurant has lots of charm: black and white tiled floors, tin ceiling painted black, exposed brick walls, and the tables are nicely spaced. We had fine service and a wonderful dinner together. If my family wanted to return, I would be glad to...but unless the menu changes, my options would not increase.
4. The Green Elephant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 525 reviews
Asian-inspired cuisine made with love.
Reviewed By farfromhome2003 - Brewer, Maine
This has long been a favorite restaurant of mine in the greater Portland area. I’ve found their menu to be reliable, consistent, and always rotating seasonally based on what’s available. My favorite dishes are the Brussel sprouts & spicy green leaf salad for starters and the spicy vegetable medley, panang curry, & Siamese Dream for dinner.
5. Vena's Fizz House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
Reviewed By Actondad - Acton, Massachusetts
I enjoy a good cocktail. I enjoy experimenting. But the cocktails we had at Vena's Fizz House were across the board horrible. There's simply no other way to describe them. I ordered the Traditional Old fashion. I got a shot of rye in a glass with a round ice cube and an orange twist. The rye wasn't bad, but it was clearly not an old fashion lacking any evidence of any other ingredient besides the rye. This was our best drink because I could actually finish mine. My son-in-law ordered the Sazerac. It tasted like bitters and absinthe - no hint of rye or sugar. It was undrinkable. My daughter ordered the grandma's bourbon which should have had bourbon and raspberry shrub yet tasted so bad it was impossible to tell what was really in it. She did not drink more than two sips. And my wife ordered something but at this point it not important because it was also bad.
How did this happen? We walked in 30 minutes before our 8:15 reservation at Fore St (a truly outstand establishment in every way) for a quick cocktail since the Fore St bar was packed. The hostess was the best part of our experience. She told us we could get a drink while waiting for a seat, took our name and pointed us to the standing room area. Before a waitress ever appeared, she told us our table was ready and showed us up stairs to a nice table. The hostess was great. She did her job, we are at a table with 25 minutes to go. 10 minutes later, no waitress. There was one waitress running up and down the stairs to the standing room area and four bar tenders behind a full 12-14 person bar. No sign of a waitress interested in us. After 10 minutes we went to the bar and ordered our drinks. After another ten minutes, two drinks were delivered by the bar tender and briskly slopped (as in they actually spilled) onto the table. Five minutes later the other two were slopped onto our table at which point we asked for the bill. What we did to piss these people off is a mystery to me, but the poor quality of the cocktails and rudeness of the service can not be normal based on the other reviews for this establishment. I do not think it is unreasonable to expect to be served a single round of decent cocktails in a bar in 30 minutes. Beware.
6. Micucci Grocery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 219 reviews
Reviewed By KRISTY B
The tour guide on our duck tour mentioned the Sicilian pizza at Micucci’s season we decided to try it. Monday was buy one “slab” get one free day...one “slab” is enough for two but hey, it was free so we got the second. Crust is amazing and sauce has a sweet taste to it. We’d definitely recommend a stop at this grocery with a visit to the pizza shop in the back!
7. Evo Kitchen + Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 155 reviews
Maine food. Bold flavors. With a chic, energetic vibe, Evo puts an unconventional twist on the traditional. Maine's micro seasons enable our Chefs to play. For you, this means they are always coming up with new dishes and creative ways of preparing the Maine foods you know and love. Immerse yourself in this experience at our open kitchen while the Chefs strive to wow your senses. Evo's dishes are meant to be shared. Modeled after mezze - groups of small dishes that are meant to be enjoyed together - you're encouraged to order a variety of shareable plates. If you're not into sharing, our menu has you covered too. Thanks to our farmers and purveyors, the food in our kitchen is the freshest you can get.
Reviewed By Ricardo V - Seminole, Florida
I believe it was Hana , its a petite pretty hostess that was very attentive and kept checking on us and everyone else plus the door ! The Chickpeas were a generous portion for a app and delicious ...So glad to hear that you enjoyed your experience here at Evo! The chickpea fries are always a favorite!
8. Boda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 362 reviews
Reviewed By DeborahandAndy - Los Angeles, CA
Found Boda for dinner at 10:30pm. Loved the grilled quail and wide rice noodles with shrimp, Chinese broccoli and tomato. The wait person asked what level of spiciness we wanted- 2 being average so we said 3 as we like spicy food- this was very spicy. Also has the grilled mushroom salad- not our favorite as a bit dry. Good beer and service.
9. Empire Chinese Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 324 reviews
Reviewed By km109 - Maine
On a busy night we didn't feel at all rushed. The server was attentive and friendly. Started with excellent hot & sour soup and everything after stayed at a high level. Particularly enjoyed the Chive Shiitake Dumplings and the Garlic Green Beans. Probably wouldn't get the pork pot stickers again. They were very good, but too many other interesting things to try on the menu.
10. Central Provisions
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 780 reviews
Reviewed By JPankratz - Lebanon, Maine
We visited Central Provisions at the “in between” hour of 3PM, and while the upstairs restaurant was closed, the downstairs bar was open and offered a good selection of treats. Our food was amazing. Kim chi, sardines, and frites, all exceptional. The drink choices were unique and excellent as well. Perhaps a bit pricey. The downstairs bartender was humorless and didn’t seem to find any joy in his job. But this did not detract too much from the otherwise excellent experience, and I can’t wait to return for dinner. Perhaps the upstairs bar and seating area has an overall friendlier vibe.
