Why does tiny Portland, Maine, pack such culinary punch? Because food here isn’t a fad — it’s a way of life. Decades of small farms, working waterfronts, and independent kitchens have created a scene that prizes seasonality, craft, and plain good taste. From celebrated pioneers who put the city on the map to newer kitchens interpreting global flavors with local produce and seafood, Portland rewards both casual bites and full-sensory meals worth a trip.
Below are 15 restaurants that capture the city’s range — intimate izakaya-style sushi, wood-fired seafood temples, inventive neighborhood trattorie, and bold fusion kitchens. Each entry lists neighborhood, price range, a recommended dish, and a short note on what to expect.
1. Aomori — Bayside | $
Dish to order: Garlicky grilled oysters or uni temaki hand roll
Why go: A son-and-partner project from sushi lineage, Aomori brings izakaya-style small plates and global-leaning sushi. Expect thoughtful shareables, yakitori, and daily seafood finds sourced straight from Portland docks.
Address: 52 Hanover St Ste D, Portland, ME 04101
2. Bread & Friends — Old Port | $$$
Dish to order: Petite pastrami biscuits with sauerkraut, gouda, and mustard
Why go: Built around an artisan micro-bakery, this all-from-scratch kitchen serves refined multi-course dinners and standout lunch dishes. Wood-fired desserts and grilled oysters are highlights.
Address: 505 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
3. Tipo — Back Cove | $$
Dish to order: Green garlic risotto with squash and smoked ricotta salata
Why go: A neighborhood Italian that honors simplicity and exceptional ingredients — house-made pastas, a brick oven for pizza, and a ricotta pie that’s worth the trip.
Address: 182 Ocean Ave, Portland, ME 04103
4. Franciska Wine Bar — Old Port | $$
Dish to order: Mi’kmaq trout with salsa verde
Why go: Auberge-style comfort with influences from Spanish, Italian, and South American tavern cooking. Expect a seasonal menu relying on Maine farms and bright, precise flavors.
Address: 111 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
5. Scales — Old Port | $$$
Dish to order: Bangs Island mussels with hard cider, cream, dill, and Raye’s mustard
Why go: A seafood specialist that does everything well: raw bar, smoked and grilled fish, and classic seaside preparations elevated by technique and top-quality local shellfish.
Address: 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
6. Sur Lie — Old Port | $$
Dish to order: Bucatini with lump crab, lemon cream, herby breadcrumbs and tobiko
Why go: Cozy, neighborly dining with a warm interior and a menu of comforting, refined plates — think tender porchetta, smoky romesco, and seasonal pastas.
Address: 11 Free St, Portland, ME 04101
7. Dry Dock — Old Port | $$
Dish to order: Whole roasted branzino with dill yogurt and salsa verde
Why go: Reimagined waterfront classic in a restored 1920s building. Contemporary spins on old-school seafood — fried cod cheeks, inspired ceviches, and an excellent raw bar.
Address: 84 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
8. Mr. Tuna — East End | $$$
Dish to order: Tuna de Tigre — diced tuna with coconut, avocado, cilantro, and crispy shallots
Why go: From a street-cart origin to a modern sushi beacon, Mr. Tuna focuses on sustainably sourced Gulf of Maine seafood served as vibrant hand rolls, donburi, and creative crudos.
Address: 83 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
9. Twelve — East End | $$$
Dish to order: The lobster roll (a revelatory version)
Why go: Dinner here is an occasion: composed, inventive dishes, a refined touch with mostly local ingredients, and playful, exacting small plates like caviar-topped “chips & dip.”
Address: 115 Thames St, Portland, ME 04101
10. Union at the Press Hotel — Old Port | $$$
Dish to order: Littleneck clams with sweet potato, green garlic, cilantro, nduja, and cream
Why go: Hotel restaurant with ambitious, farm-forward cooking — from decadent lobster bucatini to paellas studded with local shellfish and surprising ingredients like rabbit.
Address: 390 Congress St, Portland, ME 04103
11. Wayside Tavern — West End | $$$
Dish to order: Eggplant terrine with Calabrian chili ricotta
Why go: A beloved neighborhood spot that turns familiar components into standout dishes — excellent small plates, precise seafood, and rich, comforting mains.
Address: 747 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102
12. The Honey Paw — East End | $$
Dish to order: Lobster toast with fermented chili nuoc cham
Why go: Vibrant New England–influenced Asian cooking around communal tables: noodle bowls, fried wings, lobster wontons, and a rotating selection of playful desserts.
Address: 78 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
13. Woodford Food & Beverage — Back Cove | $$
Dish to order: Brisket burger with bacon, cheddar, and house-made pickles
Why go: Housed in a midcentury building, Woodford blends diner nostalgia with chef-driven craft — famous brisket burger, croque-monsieur, and cult-favorite charcuterie items.
Address: 660 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103
14. Fore Street — Old Port | $$$
Dish to order: Tomato-goat cheese tart (when available)
Why go: A multi-award-winning institution centered on live-fire cooking. Watch chefs at a bustling open kitchen turn local produce and rope-grown mussels into iconic, soulful plates.
Address: 88 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
15. Terlingua — East End | $$
Dish to order: Brisket burnt ends with coffee-agave barbecue sauce
Why go: A buzzy neighborhood barbecue and Southwest–meets–Caribbean kitchen churning out house-smoked meats, bold tacos, tostadas, and craveable sides like jalapeño cornbread.
Address: 40 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Whether you’re craving pristine sushi, shellfish straight from the dock, wood-fired cooking, or global street-food riffs, Portland’s restaurants deliver. Book ahead for the popular spots, arrive hungry, and leave ready to plan your next meal.
