$$$
Thai restaurant
Portland
Thai street food in a tiny Portland shop: grilled sausages, banh mi, and bold curries.
American
Waterfront seafood spot in Portland's Old Port with a fun frozen drink program and killer oyster happy hour.
Contemporary American
Portland's Fore Street roasts over wood fire, serving daily-changing American fare with real smoke and skill.
German restaurant
Authentic German home cooking in a tiny Portland room run by a German couple.
Restaurant
French-inspired small plates and mains in a Portland neighborhood spot where the staff remembers your birthday.
Bistro
Seasonal New American bistro in Portland with brick walls, tin ceilings, and cooking that keeps regulars coming back.
Coffee shop
Freeport
Fresh juices, bagels, and waffles in a welcoming Freeport spot with vegan options and local art on the walls.
Indian
South Portland
Family-owned Indian spot in South Portland serving chicken tikka masala, biryani, and craft cocktails.
Asian restaurant
Lily's hand-rolled dumplings and scallion pancakes from a beloved Freeport food cart.
Hand-rolled burritos in Freeport, massive, fresh, and done fast with a smile.
Farm-to-table
Portland bakery-restaurant with gourmet brunch and dinner. Try the pastrami biscuit.
Sandwich shop
Cape Elizabeth
Fresh Maine lobster rolls from a food truck at Cape Elizabeth's lighthouse park.
Fine Dining Restaurant
Upscale Portland spot with prix fixe menus, craft cocktails, and service that doesn't feel stuffy.
Scarborough
Craft burgers and pizzas with creative twists at a lively Old Orchard Beach spot.
Japanese restaurant
Japanese small plates and sake in a converted police station. Tableside-torched salmon and killer oysters.
Seasonal New American bistro in a brick-walled room with tin ceilings and consistently sharp cooking.
Seafood restaurant
Spanish paella spot in Portland where the crispy rice bottom isn't a mistake, it's the whole point.
Homemade pasta and seasonal Italian cooking in Portland, with a chef's counter view of the kitchen.
Latin American restaurant
Authentic Colombian fare in Cape Elizabeth. Bold Latin flavors, fresh juices, crispy arrepas.
British restaurant
British pub with Irish flair in Portland's West End. Scotch eggs, bangers and mash, killer happy hour.
Asian fusion tavern in Portland with knockout cocktails and wings in three flavor profiles.
Market
Fresh lobster rolls and live seafood in Freeport, run by an owner who clearly cares.
Portland tavern with fresh seafood and housemade pasta in a cozy, candlelit space.
Sushi & Seafood
Hand-rolled sushi and locally sourced seafood in Portland's most talked-about sushi spot.
Northern Italian
Intimate Portland Italian spot with rotating menus and house-made pesto that keeps regulars coming back.
Italian-American
Italian-American comfort food in Portland. Garlic knots and chicken parm draw crowds to this South Philly-inspired spot.
Argentine Bodegón
Italian-inspired small plates and pasta in a cozy Portland spot with a savvy wine program.
Irish
Yarmouth
Irish comfort food and craft cocktails in a cozy Yarmouth bistro with high-end touches.
French
Contemporary New England cuisine in a restored Victorian inn with a full bar and outdoor patio in downtown Bethel.
Portland brewery with warehouse vibes, killer chicken sandwiches, and house-made seltzers.
American restaurant
Southern breakfast and brunch done right in Portland, from fried chicken biscuits to corned beef hash.
Vegan Restaurant
Portland's Evo serves creative Middle Eastern small plates with local ingredients and serious kitchen precision.
Hamburger restaurant
Butcher Burger Old Port serves thick, loaded burgers with house sauce and crispy fries in a tight bar setting.
Japanese street food in Portland, from ramen to katsu sando. Food truck gone brick-and-mortar.
Hotel
Oceanfront rooms, spa, and restaurant in Cape Elizabeth. Dog-friendly with beach access.
Bar & grill
Down-to-earth bar & grill in Portland where the fish and chips rival the cocktails, and regulars keep coming back.
Puerto Rican kitchen in Portland with sofrito-scented warmth, upscale-cozy vibe, and pernil that passes the grandmother test.
American Restaurant
Contemporary New England cooking in a relaxed hotel dining room. Seafood, steak, and legendary blueberry pie.
Cape Elizabeth bistro serving Greek and Mediterranean fare with grilled fish and inventive cocktails.
Upscale-casual American spot in Cape Elizabeth with inspired dishes, sharp wine list, and warm service.
Greek
Greek kitchen in Portland serving fresh mezze, lamb, and a blueberry-tahini ouzo cake that stays with you.
Farm-to-table fine dining on Cape Elizabeth served under the sky at picnic tables and private gazebos.
Taiwanese and Chinese spot in Cape Elizabeth with hand-made buns and crispy fried chicken.
Japanese
Chef Hiro's sashimi omakase and spicy tuna rolls draw serious sushi fans to this Portland standby.
Hot dog stand
All-beef hot dogs and fresh strawberry lemonade at a beloved Freeport corner stand across from L.L. Bean.
Diner
Waterfront diner slinging lobster rolls and classic sandwiches to fishermen and hungry tourists alike.
Lobster rolls and fresh seafood in a red-and-white diner slinging local brioche and creative sides.
Belgian restaurant
Duck-fat Belgian fries and creative sandwiches in a spirited Portland sandwich shop.
Spacious Portland seafood spot with raw bar, wine, and seared scallops that people plan weeks ahead for.
Italian restaurant
Modern Italian with local ingredients and a brick oven in Freeport's shopping district. Cocktails, cozy tables.
Wood-fired American cooking in a rustic Portland room. Smoked salmon, hangar steak, daily changing menu.
Wood-grilled steaks and seafood with marina views in Freeport. Reserve ahead.
Portland's Central Provisions serves small plates and craft cocktails in a brick-walled space where you taste your way through the menu.
Chinese restaurant
Locally sourced Cantonese dishes and dim sum in a bustling Portland spot with an upstairs music hall.
Pristine local fish simply grilled or roasted in a snug cobblestone alley bistro.
Asian-inspired noodles and bold small plates in a lively Portland bistro with killer cocktails.
Barbecue restaurant
Inventive Texas-style BBQ with Mexican flair and house-smoked meats that'll surprise you.
Thai street food and late-night cocktails in Portland. Order the shrimp skewers and Pad Thai.
Cocktail bar
Scandinavian small plates and craft cocktails in a minimalist Portland bar with serious bartender chops.
Spanish restaurant
Spanish-French brasserie in Portland with seasonal game, craft cocktails, and staff that actually cares.
Taco restaurant
Mexican-inspired breakfast and tacos in Portland. Mexican cold brew and churro french toast are legendary.
Cafe
Freeport breakfast and lunch spot slinging massive portions and clam chowder that keeps people coming back.
Sicilian Table in Freeport serves Italian cooking with fresh seafood and house-made pasta, backed by sharp service.
Tapas restaurant
Portland tapas spot with bold, balanced small plates and a chef who works the room.
Industrial Portland café in the Canopy Hotel with inventive coffee drinks, excellent breakfast, and cocktails.
Upscale-casual Cape Elizabeth spot for inspired American dishes and an impressive wine list in cozy quarters.
Thai Restaurant
Family-run Thai in Freeport with housemade noodles, curries spiced to your heat, and strong imported beers.
Fresh, crunchy Chinese takeout in Freeport. House Rice Noodles and General Tso chicken done right.
Freeport bakery and sandwich shop with custom builds, pastries, and strong coffee.
Moody West End dim sum spot with knockout cocktails and soup dumplings that draw reservations.
Italian
Upscale Italian in Portland with handmade pasta, strong wines, and a welcoming bar scene.
Freeport pub serving crispy fish and chips, haddock bites, and perfectly poured Guinness.
Seafood on a former ferry with harbor views, bacon-wrapped scallops, and attentive service.
Oyster bar restaurant
Tiny Portland oyster bar with shucked-to-order oysters, brown butter lobster rolls, and coastal cocktails.
Seafood Restaurant
Portland pier chowder house slinging lobster BLTs and bowlfuls of clam chowder since forever.
Brewpub with 70+ taps, killer wings, and cabin vibes in downtown Portland.
Homemade pasta and wood-fired pizza in a lively Portland Italian spot with a showstopping central bar.
Dry-rub barbecue and craft drinks in a colorful Freeport cabin with serious ribs and sides.
Brunch restaurant
Upscale comfort food brunch in a quaint Portland spot with killer cocktails and biscuits.
Chic Italian spot in downtown Portland with fresh pasta, seafood, and a buzzing back room that feels like an occasion.
Inventive fish and steaks in a polished room facing Monument Square, with counter seats overlooking the kitchen.
Portland bar and grill with saffron risotto and crispy Brussels sprouts, craft cocktails in a cozy space.
Chicken wings restaurant
Freeport wing spot with a dozen signature sauces, ribs, and a hometown bar vibe.
Freeport burger spot with a brewery next door, killer fries, and a server named Makayla who nails every request.
Pizza restaurant
Family-run pizza spot in Freeport since 1904. Crust done right, subs stuffed thick, ice cream in summer.
Wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas in a bright Portland spot with strong service.
Waterfront American bistro in Portland with deck views, fresh oysters, and event-ready service.
Portland seafood spot with a wildly inventive, constantly rotating menu that surprises.
Freeport lobster rolls on toasted brioche, mayo or butter, plus clam chowder that regulars rave about.
Mexican-BBQ fusion in Freeport with smoked meats and house-made sauces, though execution divides diners.
Fresh sushi and tapas in Freeport with strong service and a welcoming room.
South Freeport Village Market serves fresh bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and pastries at fair prices.
Cocktail Bar
Whiskey bar in downtown Portland with knowledgeable staff and a solid selection.
Farm-to-table coffee shop in Freeport with wood-fired pizzas and fresh breakfast sandwiches.
Portland pier seafood spot known for steamed clams, oysters, and lobster rolls.
Dock-side lobster pound in Freeport serving boiled lobster, fried clams, and rolls with river views.
Housemade sausages and creative hotdogs with craft beer in a casual Portland spot.
Freeport pizzeria with Italian, Greek, and American comfort food. Thick-crust pies and a sprawling menu.
Bar
Smash burgers and South Shore bar pizza till late at this Portland upscale pub.
Casual Italian spot in Portland with housemade pasta, an attached sports bar, and parking that actually works.