The Best Places To Eat, Drink, And Caffeinate In Portland, Maine
Published July 13, 2024
Last updated September 15, 2024
Are you planning a trip to Portland, Maine? If you are, I’m giving you one mission: eat a ton of excellent food! My friend Ismael and I (Kevin) recently spent a week in this beautiful city, which gave us the opportunity to try so many restaurants, bars, and cafes. Portland is increasingly known as a top culinary destination in New England. After you read this blog post, you’ll understand why!
Unsurprisingly, Portland’s food scene revolves around lobster and oysters. But there are lots of other equally enticing options, including Thai and Japanese cuisines, a vibrant craft beer scene, cute coffee shops, and much more. To skip down to any particular section of this post, click or tap the corresponding link below!
Eat
I was impressed by the wide variety of dining choices that Portland had to offer, as well as the generally high quality of the food. This section features over a dozen different restaurants to consider during your trip!
Seafood
If you’re visiting Portland for its food scene, rest assured that fresh seafood is available around every corner. During our week here, Ismael and I enjoyed seafood for roughly half of our meals. Lobster is the most prominent offering, and oysters are a close second. Scallops, crab, fish, and clams are all common, too.
Becky's Diner
Address: 390 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.beckysdiner.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Beckys-Diner/100064605436897/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckysdiner207/
Becky’s Diner is great because it’s located at the far (western) end of the waterfront. This sets it apart from many of the waterfront restaurants a few blocks to the east that explicitly cater to tourists. Becky’s Diner feels more local. It’s one of my top recommendations for lunch in Portland.
I walked by Becky’s Diner a few times during my stay in town. Each time, I saw a crowd of people waiting outside for a table. That’s usually a good sign! Upon arrival, we put our names on the list and were given a buzzer that would vibrate when our table was ready. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot to do nearby, so we meandered around the adjacent wharf for about twenty minutes.
Once we got seated, I started off with a local beer and a cup of coffee. I had to try the lobster roll here, and Ismael ordered the “Fried Fisherman’s Platter,” which had clams, haddock, scallops, and shrimp. The lobster roll came with a choice of mayo or melted butter, and I asked for both on the side. We also shared one blueberry pancake and one regular pancake.
During my week in Portland, I probably had about six or seven different iterations of lobster rolls. With that said, the sandwich from Becky’s Diner was one of my favorites. It had a lot of meat, and the butter and mayo on the side was a nice touch. Everything at this cozy, nostalgic diner tasted great. It’s no wonder they always seem to be at full capacity!
DiMillo's On The Water
Address: 25 Long Wharf, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.dimillos.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/portlandmainelobster/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dimillos/
If you’re walking along the waterfront in Old Port, it’s hard to miss the giant sign for DiMillo’s On The Water. I waited until the final day of my trip, but I made sure to try a meal here before flying home. The most notable thing about DiMillo’s is that it’s housed in a giant boat anchored at the end of Long Wharf. Whether you’re seated at the bar, in the dining room, or on the open-air patio, you really will feel like you’re on a ship (because you are). It’s definitely a cool atmosphere!
Since this was the end of my trip, I had already consumed a bunch of lobster. Therefore, I decided to mix things up and order a scallop roll at DiMillo’s On The Water. I have to admit, it wasn’t as good as any of the lobster rolls I had. The fried batter, melted cheese, and bacon bits all made it a heavy sandwich. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the flavor of the scallops wasn’t completely overpowered by all these other ingredients.
Even though I didn’t love this fried scallop roll, I’m glad I tried it. In addition to DiMillo’s unique atmosphere, the service here was exceptionally friendly. I’d gladly go back to this boat-turned-restaurant to try another lunch plate!
Eventide Oyster Co.
Address: 86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.eventideoysterco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EventideOysterCo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventideoysterco/
Seafood enthusiasts won’t want to miss Eventide Oyster Company. Just like Becky’s Diner, Eventide always seems to be busy. Ismael and I were able to find bar seating on their outdoor patio, where we split a dozen and a half oysters from various locations around Maine. Be sure to try their “ice” accoutrements. They add a splash of flavor, but still allow the essence of the raw oyster to shine through.
I’ve always enjoyed oysters, but I’ve never done a deep dive into their flavor profiles or subtle nuances. This trip to Portland allowed us to talk to servers and learn the basics, including here at Eventide. If you’re curious about oyster tasting, you can read more about that here. I tried a wide variety of oysters during this vacation, but I wasn’t really able to discern notes of cucumber, mushroom, mollusk, etc. Maybe I need more practice.
In addition to oysters, Eventide serves other seafood, such as a brown butter lobster roll (pictured above). We also tried scallops on the half shell, a round of dirty martinis, and some oyster shooters. With regard to that last item, I wasn’t sure if we should eat the oyster first and then drink the shot, or use the oyster as a “chaser.” I think we went with the latter option.
Portland Lobster Company
Address: 180 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://portlandlobstercompany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortlandLobsterCompany/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portlandlobstercompany/
Portland Lobster Company was the very first restaurant I went to after arriving in the city. Its outdoor patio on the waterfront served as the perfect place to try my very first lobster roll in Maine and get acquainted with other local menu offerings.
This lobster roll was a nice introduction to the sandwich, with the meat served chilled and brushed with sweet butter. The lobster came on a toasted roll that wasn’t as dense as the bread at Becky’s Diner. After trying a bunch of lobster rolls, the amount of meat in this one seemed to be on the smaller side. In Portland, this sandwich is usually sold at market price. At least in theory, you should be charged more for a sandwich that has more meat. I can’t say if that’s always true.
Portland Lobster Company was the only sit-down restaurant in town that I visited twice. The second time, I got their Sea Burger. The menu says the filling of this sandwich is a clam cake patty. It definitely tastes “ocean-y,” especially after being fried and served with tartar sauce. If you’ve already had your fill of lobster rolls, this burger is a nice alternative.
Scales
Address: 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.scalesrestaurant.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScalesSeafoodRestaurant/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesrestaurantportland/
Scales was probably the most upscale (get it?) seafood restaurant we tried in Portland. We didn’t make a reservation, but we found open seats at their bar. I really didn’t mind, because we got very attentive service from our bartender/server. One cool thing about dining here is that a big groove is carved right out of the bar top. If you order oysters, they’ll be shucked in front of you and served in this little divot! Table seating at Scales doesn’t appear to come with this little extra perk.
The oysters at Scales were delicious, and so were all the other appetizers we tried. Everything from the rolls to the grilled octopus was fabulous. Perhaps the best small plate we got was the tuna crudo from the raw bar. It was incredibly tender and the lemon aioli sauce it was served over was phenomenal. A bit of pickle garnish and fennel chili crisp sprinkled on top rounded out the texture of each bite as well.
After being wowed by the appetizers, we had high expectations for our main plates. I ordered the Fried Whole Fluke with mustard greens and scallion vinaigrette; Ismael got the Stuffed Lobster Frites (lobster & scallop mousseline, buttered crumbs, dijonnaise). Both entrées were okay, but not spectacular. I found the back side of my fluke to be a little too oily.
For dessert, we split an order of Indian Pudding, and I sipped on a Quinta do Noval Tawny Port. I had never heard of Indian Pudding before, and that’s probably because it’s a New England delicacy. I liked how it had a lot of spice and was sort of reminiscent of Thanksgiving.
To sum things up, the appetizers at Scales were much better than the main dishes. If I went back, I would order enough appetizers and items from the raw bar to make a full meal.
The Highroller Lobster Co.
Address: 104 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://highrollerlobster.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehighrollerme/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highrollerlobsterco/
Highroller is a diner that specializes in lobster and has a fitting, distinctive red-and-white checkerboard design scheme. You’ll find it on Exchange Street, which runs right through the heart of Old Port, the city’s historic waterfront district. The Highroller Lobster Co. fits right in among Exchange Street’s lively bars and colorful storefronts.
I like that Highroller offers a highly customizable lobster roll, with over a dozen sauces to choose from that you can have drizzled over the sandwich or on the side for dipping. Ismael opted to add seared scallops on his, and once I saw it, I sort of wished I had done the same. Even without the scallops, I found this lobster roll to be very satisfying.
My one small complaint about The Highroller Lobster Company was their mac and cheese. It sounded so creamy and delicious on their menu, but came out disappointingly bland.
Finally, we got a dozen oysters at Highroller. These were the first of many I enjoyed during this vacation, and they served as a great first impression!
The Shop by Island Creek Oysters
Address: 123 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://portland.islandcreekoysters.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portlandoystershop/
As you can probably tell from the name, this modern-looking spot is basically just a raw bar. It’s part of the food corridor on Washington Avenue, an up-and-coming dining district that forms the boundary between the neighborhoods of Munjoy Hill and East Bayside. A lot of the restaurants and bars here have an industrial chic vibe. It’s a great place to walk around, especially if you’re hungry but feeling indecisive.
At this spot, we ordered a total of two dozen oysters, largely because they sell them for $1.95 per piece (as of summer 2024). We got a variety of oysters from different farms and locations, and I tried my best to taste the subtle differences. While you’re here, consider trying a few oysters without any sauce to see if you like them on their own. After a week of enjoying oysters across Portland, I think I prefer them this way!
Asian Cuisine
When it comes to international cuisines, Asian food seems pretty popular in this seaside town. Japanese and Thai restaurants are common in and around Old Port, so we tried a few of them.
Crispy Gài
Address: 90 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.crispygai.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrispyGai/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crispygai/
I love when restaurants have creative names that incorporate a play on words, and Crispy Gài delivers in this regard! “Gài” (ไก่) is the Thai word for “chicken.” The thought of crispy, Thai-inspired fried chicken? Say no more. Crispy Gài also has a bright pink storefront and a neon color scheme. It’s very eye-catching and likely to pique the curiosity of any hungry passersby.
After being seated for lunch, we immediately ordered a dozen raw oysters. These were served with bits of fried onions and Thai dipping sauces. I will always give kudos for originality when it comes to oysters. With that said, extra ingredients and strong sauces run the risk of masking the oysters’ flavor. It’s a fine line! I would recommend only a tiny dollop of this green sauce on the oysters at Crispy Gài. Like many Thai sauces, this one was full-bodied.
Since Crispy Gài offers so many different flavors of wings, we shared two: the “Hat Yai Wings” (extra crispy wings with fried shallots) and the “Sichuan Wings” (Thai-Chinese style with numbing spice). I have always loved Sichuan cuisine, so I was very happy to taste legit numbing pepper here! If you love unapologetic spice, you won’t want to miss this Sichuan seasoning!
In addition to excellent wings, this restaurant offers a few different dipping sauces to choose from. I know we got the “NJS Ranch,” and I’m pretty sure we got the “Nam Jim Jaew,” a spicy fish sauce. The creaminess of the ranch paired well with the Sichuan pepper, and the Nam Jim Jaew was great with the Hat Yai Wings.
Pictured above is one small area for improvement, in my personal opinion. We ordered some Siu Mai Dumplings, but found them to be the least impressive part of this meal. Despite that, Crispy Gài was a fun and memorable dining experience! And oh, before I forget, the cocktails here are bold, creative, and delicious! I absolutely loved the “Same Same But Different” with rum and coconut milk!
Dok Mali
Address: 47 India St Suite B, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.dokmalimaine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dokmalimaine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dokmalimaine/
Dok Mali is the other Thai restaurant we tried in Portland. I would say it’s a little more traditional than Crispy Gài, but their menu still featured some unique creations. For example, their “Dumpling Flight” pictured below allowed us to try seven different varieties.
I also appreciated their lobster bao, which was a nice change of pace after trying multiple traditional lobster rolls. I believe this small plate was a special, but maybe they serve it periodically. We also ordered a grilled okra appetizer. It was crispy, split down the middle, and served on skewers.
For entrées, Ismael and I split a “Crying Tiger” and a “Nam Khao Tod.” The former was marinated ribeye, served with sticky rice and veggie skewers. The latter was crispy curry rice mixed with fresh herbs, ground pork and som moo, topped with roasted peanuts and served with lettuce. The ribeye was incredibly tender, and the Nam Khao Tod was sort of like a rice and salad dish.
In general, I found Dok Mali to serve light and refreshing Thai food. It was probably good for us to have a generous serving of fresh veggies here. The lobster bao and Crying Tiger were my highlights at Dok Mali. The Nam Khao Tod was fine, but it would’ve been a lot better if all that lettuce was coated in just the thinnest layer of some kind of light dressing.
Mami Japanese Street Food
Address: 339 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://mamiportland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mamiportland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamiportland/
In case you can’t already tell, our modus operandi for trying restaurants is to order a bunch (perhaps too many) appetizers. I love tasting as many different dishes as possible in one sitting. And I highly recommend you do the same at Mami Japanese Street Food! We ordered the following “zensai” or small plates: nikuman (bao buns), yaki onigiri (rice ball), sunomono (salad), age nasu (fried eggplant), and pork belly. All were excellent, but the onigiri and eggplant really stood out.
Main dishes at Mami include things like okonomiyaki, a katsu sando, yakisoba, and donburi rice bowls. I got a pork katsudon donburi, and it was as delicious as the appetizers. This was a restaurant where every bite surpassed my expectations and the food was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Don’t miss Mami, especially if you’re looking for something other than lobster or oysters.
Other Restaurants
Even if you’re not the biggest fan of seafood, or if you’ve had too much lobster and need a break, Portland has lots of other great options. Check some of them out below!
Duckfat
Address: 43 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.duckfat.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duckfatmaine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/df.friteshack/
This popular Belgian-inspired restaurant is located on the eastern edge of Old Port. They specialize in frites fried in duck fat, as well as poutine and other plates. The concept is definitely intriguing, pulling inspiration from Belgium, Amsterdam, and Quebec while incorporating local ingredients from Maine.
I found the poutine here to be good, but it would’ve been even better if the cheese curds were larger. Great cheese curds in poutine are large enough to “squeak” in your mouth as you bite down on them, and these were a little small.
Flatbread Company
Address: 72 Commercial St #5, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://flatbreadcompany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flatbreadcompanyportland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flatbreadcompanyportland/
When we decided to try Flatbread Company for our final dinner in Portland, I didn’t realize that it was a chain with locations in far-flung places like Vancouver, BC and Maui. I typically try to stick to local businesses when I travel, but occasionally I’ll end up at a chain without realizing it. Nonetheless, this restaurant originated in the Northeast (out of Amesbury, MA), and their second store is the one we ate at in Portland, ME.
We ordered two Half-N-Half flatbreads (which are basically pizzas). This allowed us to try a total of four flavors. If I remember correctly, we ordered Pepperoni & Mushroom, Street Taco, Pesto Margherita, and Sausage. All four were good, although I found the maple-fennel sausage to be a little too sweet for my liking. The Street Taco was probably the most interesting recipe, and the Pesto Margherita was my personal favorite.
For dessert, we tried the Strawberry Rhubarb Crispy and the Mamma Santos Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. Both were decent, but I’d say dessert here is not a must.
Fore Street Restaurant
Address: 288 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.forestreet.biz/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/288forestreet/
According to their website as of summer 2024, “Fore Street is part of a family of restaurants and bakeries that include Street & Company, Scales Restaurant and Standard Baking Company.” After trying both Fore Street and Scales, I have to say that Fore Street was much more impressive than its sister restaurant. They’re only a block or two away from one another, and if Scales focuses more on “surf,” then Fore Street seems to focus more on “turf.”
Fore Street Restaurant offers a menu that changes daily based on fresh ingredient availability, so it’s ideal for adventurous eaters that don’t mind a bit of spontaneity. We started off with wine and bread, then tried a variety of appetizers, including foie gras, calamari, veal, and scallops. Everything was rich and full of bold flavors!
For my main plate, I ordered a rabbit leg pasta. This was undoubtedly my favorite part of this dinner! The noodles it came with were almost reminiscent of ramen. The combination of the rabbit, cheese sprinkled on top, and a light broth tied this dish together perfectly, both in terms of flavor and texture.
By the time dessert came, I was completely stuffed. I don’t remember exactly what the pastry on this plate was, but I know it had rhubarb and a dollop of cardamom ice cream. Even on a very full stomach, this dessert was the perfect end to one of our best meals in Portland.
Hot Suppa
Address: 703 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102
Website: https://hotsuppa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotsuppamaine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotsuppamaine/
Finding this southern kitchen on the western side of town was a pleasant surprise. Since it’s not anywhere near Old Port, Hot Suppa was perhaps the least-touristy restaurant I dined at on this trip. Regardless of that, I loved the murals here that reminded me of New Orleans, the diner vibe, and the friendly service.
After browsing the menu, I decided to try the cheesy shrimp and grits, plus a side of fried green tomatoes. It was a great, indulgent breakfast, and I appreciated that the grits came with a pretty generous amount of shrimp.
Papi Portland
Address: 18 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.papiportland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PapiPortland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papiportland/
The festive vibe at this Puerto Rican bar and restaurant overflows onto the street, which is how Papi Portland first captured our attention while we were walking along Exchange Street. We stopped in for dinner the next day and were seated at the bar.
Right off the bat, we ordered a few cocktails, which were sweet and strong. Most libations here are rum-based, but Papi Portland also offers a wide variety of drinks that draw inspiration from all over Latin America. Their menu includes tequila, mezcal, and cachaça, among other liquors.
For dinner, we got a few beef empanadas and tostones al ajillo as starters. We also ordered all four of their dipping sauces to use throughout the meal. My entrée was the Pincho, which are marinated skirt steak skewers. Ismael got the Pernil (not pictured below), and we split a Canoa. This sweet plantain filled with chicken picadillo and cheese is pictured last in the gallery below.
All in all, both the drinks and the plates at Papi Portland were awesome. My steak skewers were juicy and tender, and the Canoa was a delicious dish I had never had before. I’ll be keeping an eye out for it the next time I’m at a Puerto Rican restaurant!
Terlingua
Address: 40 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.terlingua.me/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terlinguarestaurant/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terlinguabbq/
Terlingua is mentioned on many Portland restaurant guides online, and they specialize in an admittedly unexpected combo: Mexican food and BBQ. While we were here, I figured we should try both. We started out with chips and salsa, and I ordered a bloody maria.
A good way to try their BBQ is to get a lunch or dinner board. It comes with a variety of smoked meats and classic BBQ sides. Check out the lunch board we got, pictured below.
To try the Mexican food here, we ordered two chicken tacos and a green chili. I was expecting the BBQ at Terlingua to be the highlight and for the Mexican dishes to be less impressive, but it actually ended up being the opposite. The BBQ was only okay, but the tacos and chili were more worthy of praise. All of the meats on the BBQ lunch board were decent, but none of them really stood out as being especially juicy, tender, or seasoned. In contrast, I found the tacos and the chili to be very satisfying, boasting more complex flavors. The meat in these Mexican dishes was also more tender and succulent than the BBQ cuts.
The Grill Room & Bar
Address: 84 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://thegrillroomandbar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrillRoomBar/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegrillroomportland/
This restaurant is one of a handful that all fall under the umbrella of “The Rooms Portland.” We were drawn in by their appetizers, which included things like bone marrow and escargot. We ordered both of these, plus their roasted local oysters, and a banh mi-style rabbit dish. I think this last one was a special, because I don’t see it listed on their website.
I had high hopes for all these plates, and some were better than others. The rabbit was probably my favorite, and the bone marrow came in second. The oysters were decent, but I think after trying them roasted, I prefer this delicacy raw. The appetizer that could’ve been improved was the escargot. It tasted like it was missing salt, and that’s not a critique you’re going to hear me make very often.
Even if the escargot wasn’t amazing, my main plate made up for it. I got the duck breast, and it was so good! Not only did it taste amazing with local mushrooms, but it was a very generous portion. It’s always a little disappointing to order duck and only be served like, five pieces. That was not an issue here at all! On top of that, the meat was cooked to perfection. I am a huge fan of duck when it’s prepared well, and The Grill Room did an excellent job with this plate.
Drink
Portland’s craft beer and cocktail scene is undoubtedly booming. We got drinks at most of the restaurants we tried, but here are three additional bars to consider if you’re still in need of ideas.
Anoche
Address: 43 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: http://anoche.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anoche.portland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anoche.portland/
This Basque-inspired bar appeared on nearly every Portland food guide I saw, so I had to check it out. Anoche can be found on trendy Washington Avenue, across from Terlingua and a few blocks south of The Shop by Island Creek Oysters.
I’ve never been to Basque Country, but I’ve heard great things about the food scene there. With that in mind, I ordered a Spanish gin and tonic at Anoche. The one I got came with Bimini Gin, hibiscus, lime, cardamom, mint, and bee pollen. As far as G&Ts go, this one was definitely a little on the sweeter side, but it worked. The most unique ingredient by far was the bee pollen, which didn’t really dissolve in the drink due to its cakey yet still powdery texture. Unsurprisingly, it had a strong floral taste.
In addition to their alcoholic beverages, Anoche serves “pintxos,” or Basque small bites. I wanted to try one so badly, but with all the eating we were doing on this trip, I just wasn’t hungry enough to try one. If you order some food at Anoche, leave a comment at the end of this blog post and let me know how it is!
Novare Res Bier Cafe
Address: 4 Canal Plaza #1, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://novareresbiercafe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovareResBierCafe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novareresbiercafe/
I’m a language lover, so I was very curious about this bar’s unusual name. Apparently, “novare res” means “to start a revolution” in Latin. Novare Res is sort of tucked away on Canal Plaza, and sipping a beer here feels like being transported to Europe. Their spacious, covered biergarten is quintessential summer!
Novare Res Bier Cafe has a draft list with a mix of local Maine beers as well as offerings from Belgium, Germany, and other countries in Europe. For my first glass, I tried a local Liquid Riot (it might’ve been the Persuasion?), and for my second one, I tried the De Ranke XX Bitter. This 6% ABV Belgian beer was very unusual, in a good way! It was hoppy for sure, but was much lighter than I expected.
Portland Beer Hub
Address: 320 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.portlandbeerhub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortlandBeerHub/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portlandbeerhub/
Portland Beer Hub is a cozy little spot on the corner of Fore Street and Pearl Street. Its bright interior and picturesque location almost make it feel more like a coffee shop than a bar. I got a flight of Maine beers here. They were all pretty light and refreshing!
Coffee, Breakfast, & Pastries
Before even trying any of Portland’s cafes, I could tell that this was a coffee-lover’s town. With that said, I visited a new cafe or pastry shop for breakfast each morning of this trip. They all had unique concepts, and each one offered smooth, rich coffee and delicious breakfast options.
Belleville
Address: 1 North St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.blvl.me/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellevillemaine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blvlme/
Ismael and I only stopped here for pastries, so I can’t comment on the coffee at Belleville. We bought a few strawberry and rhubarb-based treats, and they were as delicious as they look! The tartness and sweetness were perfectly balanced. Belleville also sells a variety of savory pastries. If we had an extra day in town, I would’ve probably gone back to try one or two of those.
Bom Dia Cafe
Address: 47 India St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.bomdiame.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bomdiame/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bom.dia_me/
If you’ve browsed around my blog, then you probably know that I lived in Brazil for over a year. When I saw Bom Dia Cafe, I simply had to stop in. “Bom dia” means “good morning” in Portuguese, so I figured this was a Brazil-inspired spot.
The vibe and color scheme in Bom Dia is absolutely on point. In particular, I loved the counter made out of white cinder blocks. Bom Dia Cafe sells coffee, açaí bowls, bagels, and more. If you’re in need of a fruit boost at the beginning of your day in Portland, look no further than the açaí! They offer tons of add-ons, including berries, bananas, granola, chocolate, and peanut butter sauce.
Coffee By Design
Address: 1 Diamond St, Portland, ME 04101 (I visited a branch on India Street location, which permanently closed in August 2024)
Website: https://coffeebydesign.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeebydesign/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeebydesign/
Coffee By Design is a traditional coffee shop that prides itself as being a community hub. Local artists’ work was displayed on the walls, which was a nice touch. I enjoyed sitting by the windows, watching pedestrians and traffic go by, and sipping on an iced coffee at this wholesome spot.
Coffee ME Up
Address: 221 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://coffeemeupportland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Coffee-ME-Up/100063279081841/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeemeupportland/
You’ll find this bustling cafe a few blocks inland from Old Port (walk up either Franklin Street or Pearl Street from the waterfront). I ordered a caramel iced latte with oat milk and a bagel with chive cream cheese from Coffee ME Up. The beverage was good, but the toasted bagel was phenomenal! I’d highly recommend both a coffee and a breakfast item here.
Double Great Coffee
Address: 100 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.doublegreatcoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Double-Great-Coffee/61559793375261/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doublegreatcoffee/
If you’re staying in or around Munjoy Hill, Double Great Coffee is an ideal place to get your caffeine fix. The interior is bright and modern, and the dining area is a comfortable place to relax. This might’ve been the only place I ordered a hot latte on this trip, but it was smooth and delicious!
Moonday Coffee
Address: 93 Washington Ave Unit 1, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.moondaycoffee.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moondaycoffee/
If you love small businesses, consider getting your morning coffee at Moonday on Washington Avenue. The store itself is physically small, with no space for indoor seating. However, there are a couple tables on a small patio directly outside. Despite (or perhaps because of) Moonday Coffee’s cozy setup, there’s no shortage of charm here. In fact, they even sell jewelry here! I got an iced maple latte with oat milk, a refreshing coffee treat that wasn’t overly sweet.
The Holy Donut
Locations: multiple (I visited the Commercial Street location)
Website: https://www.theholydonut.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theholydonut/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holydonutmaine/
This donut and coffee shop has about half a dozen different locations, and they’re all in Maine. They sell “potato donuts,” which I found noteworthy right off the bat. I ordered one vegan pomegranate donut, an “Everything Bagel Holy Cannoli,” and a cold brew.
I will say, I couldn’t really taste the potato. Regardless, I liked the coffee here and the pomegranate donut. In contrast, the Everything Bagel Holy Cannoli really missed the mark. The cashier told me it was sweet and savory, and it looks interesting. But I found the everything bagel seasoning to be extremely salty, to the point that I couldn’t finish it. I would say stick with the sweet flavored donuts here, and you should be good.
Prices & Final Thoughts
I’m hoping this blog post has convinced you that Portland’s food scene is one of the city’s best features! There are so many great options no matter what types of cuisines you prefer. Now, the only caveat I’ll mention is that restaurants in the city are pretty pricey. I live in Chicago, and dining out in Portland was much more expensive than at home. I haven’t traveled much within New England (or even on the East Coast) in the last few years, so I’m not sure if that’s true for the entire region or not.
For what it’s worth, Ismael (who lives in the DMV) agreed that restaurants in Portland were expensive. I’m sure a major factor is the seafood. For example, all the lobster rolls I had were between $30 and $40 before tax and tip. However, it seemed like some non-seafood restaurants in town cost just as much as the touristy spots on the waterfront. Maybe they simply charged more, knowing that many patrons would be tourists.
If you’re planning on ordering drinks, appetizers, and/or desserts in addition to main dishes, budget between $50 and $100 per person for lunch. Most of our dinners ended up being between $100 and $150 per person after tax and tip. I know… it’s a lot. You could definitely bring those numbers down if you’re willing to just order main plates.
Have you been to any of the restaurants mentioned in this post? Are you planning a trip to Portland, ME soon? Or do you have any favorites in town that I missed on my trip? Leave a comment below and let me know! If you’re headed to Maine, enjoy the gorgeous scenery, and bon appétit!
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This post was published on July 13, 2024
This post was updated on Sept 15, 2024
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Where I’ve Been
The Spanish cheese & olive board at Anoche was so good!