Local 188

Established in Portland, Maine in 1999, Local 188 was started by husband and wife Jay and Allison Villani with friends Pat Corrigan and Matt Purington. The cafe offered guests both art and food, and was an instant hit, quickly becoming a favorite among Portland, Maine restaurants. Local 188 features a culinary bar that overlooks the open kitchen, comfortable lounging area and a dining room set amongst local art.

The restaurant is located on busy Congress Street in Portland, and serves dinner starting at 5:30 daily. The bar and lounge open at 4 p.m. and close at 1 a.m. and there is a happy hour from 4-6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close Monday through Thursday.

The restaurant features outdoor seating, lounge seating, two countertop options, street views and kitchen views, clean bathrooms, live music, weekly entertainment. There is also free parking for guests as well.

In terms of food, Local 188 offers diners Spanish-inspired tapas, one-of-a-kind cocktails, local beer and a comprehensive wine list that caters to everyone. Their Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine uses only local ingredients. Their menu includes delicious meals and is printed nightly with frequent changes in steak, soup, tortilla, gnocchi and risotto, as well as appetizer and fish specials.

Local 188 offers a full range from tapas (small plates), raciones (medium plates) to entrees (large plates), creating a set of choices for any size appetite. Additionally, weekend brunch is served from 9am till 2pm, Saturday and Sunday.

Staying true to Maine’s seasonal offerings, Chef Jay Villani constructs a menu that is both innovative and familiar. Ingredients are sourced from local farmers, foragers, and fishermen. Many components of the menu, such as breads, charcuterie, pickled vegetables, and desserts, are prepared in-house. If you're looking for excellent, local cuisine from the Portland, Maine zip code, Local 188 is a must-visit. 

Past menu items have included:

TAPAS

Meatballs - moroccan tomato sauce, pecorino ... 8

Flatbread - hummus ... 8

Chicken Pinchos - pistachio spinach pesto, paprika aioli 11

Goat Cheese Mousse - brown butter crouton, fennel, pickled rhubarb, pea green salad ... 9

Seared Shrimp - tabbouleh, pickled fenel, crispy capers, red leaf lettuce ... 14

RACIONES

Charcuterie ... 17 serrano, pork rillette, pork pate

Potato Gnocchi ... 16 carrot puree, ricotta, crispy shallot, spinach

Clam Stew ... 17 clams, chourico, white beans, tomato broth

Green Salad ... 11

CENA

Confit Chicken Risotto ... 25 north spore mushrooms, pecorino romano, herbs, onion, soft egg

Casco Bay Hake ... 28 creamy polenta, summer squash, pepper puree, fried garlic

Grilled Pork Chop ... 31 creamed spinach, fennel, pickled scallion

Customer have said: “The seafood paella came with perfectly cooked mahogany clams,mussels, salmon and Maine shrimp along with green beans and the requisite long grain rice w/ it’s saffron seasoning and color. There is something soul satisfying about seafood and rice and Local 188 has caught the essence of it with the Spanish classic.” - N.L English, The Maine Sunday Telegram

Explore more information about Local 188 as well as their current menu today.