The Continental in Portland, Maine

The Continental is a modern British and Irish pub tucked into Portland's West End with big west-facing windows, a full bar, and an open kitchen you can see from most tables. It draws locals and travelers alike for affordable comfort food, a solid beer list, and happy hour pricing that's hard to beat (3 to 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight daily). The menu is small but deliberate, and the kitchen takes pride in what lands on the plate.

• Happy hour deals, twice daily, every single day
• Scotch eggs and bangers done right, not shortcuts
• Views of the bar and kitchen from your seat
• Good beer selection, strong cocktails, fair pricing overall

Start with scotch eggs if you've never had them. Bangers and mash is solid comfort food. The Bibb salad comes with a dressing that tastes like nothing else on the menu, in a good way. French onion soup carries actual weight. If you want heat, the vegetable curry with chicken won't disappoint. Curry fries are crispy and worth a side order.

Bright and open with big windows facing west. You can see the bar and kitchen from most seats. It fills up during happy hour but never feels cramped or loud.

Order the scotch eggs, bangers and mash, or the vegetable curry if you want something with a little spice. The Bibb salad dressing is uncommonly good, and French onion soup shows real care. Prices are lower than you'd expect for the quality, which keeps regulars coming back on work nights and weekends alike.

Guests praise the affordable pricing relative to food quality, the warm staff, and the uncluttered menu that doesn't try to do too much. One recent visitor called the bartender Mike a 'vibe curator' who made the night feel special. Another noted the cooks clearly take pride in their work. Service is generally attentive, though one visitor did mention a flat night behind the bar.