Portland, Maine, a gem in New England, has solidified its reputation as a nationally acclaimed culinary destination. For years, food enthusiasts have flocked to this city, drawn by its innovative food scene and the promise of exceptional dining experiences. While Portland is rightly celebrated for its classic lobster rolls and fresh oysters, the city’s gastronomic offerings extend far beyond these iconic dishes. Prepare to be surprised by the diverse range of flavors awaiting you in Portland. From tantalizing pan-Asian noodles to crispy Belgian-style fries, smoky Southern barbecue to authentic Japanese izakayas, Portland’s culinary landscape is as varied as it is vibrant. Whether you’re a first-time visitor eager to explore the city’s food scene or a seasoned traveler seeking out new and exciting tastes, our curated guide to the best food in Portland, Maine, will lead you to unforgettable meals.
Bar Futo
Bar Futo, a standout newcomer since 2023, invites diners into a world of binchotan-grilled delights. Skewers are the star here, featuring both traditional and innovative flavor combinations. Must-try options include the classic grilled fish with ginger sauce, and the playful “Big Mac” skewer, a fusion creation with a special house sauce. Beyond skewers, explore the chilled and hot plates, with the crispy tofu being a highlight. This dish presents generous chunks of tofu, enhanced with salty schmaltz and a soy egg boasting a perfectly jammy yolk, all immersed in a dashi broth so delicious you’ll want to savor every last drop. To complement the food, Bar Futo boasts an extensive sake menu, ranging from accessible canned selections to more adventurous options like the Yamada Shoten Everlasting Roots Tokubetsu Junmai, known for its smoky and vegetal notes.
Bar Futo, 425 Fore St., Portland, Maine, 207-956-7373, eatfuto.com.
Central Provisions
Central Provisions, helmed by Chef Chris Gould, operates on a simple yet brilliant menu structure: raw, cold, and hot small plates. This approach allows for a constantly evolving menu that caters to a wide array of palates. Diners can expect to find dishes like Spanish chopped salad with candied chorizo, delicate bluefin tuna crudo, and rich bone marrow toast with red onion jam. This variety makes Central Provisions an ideal spot for groups who enjoy sharing and sampling diverse flavors. For those seeking the ultimate indulgence, a notable caviar selection and foie gras options are also available. Given its popularity, waits are common, but the lively downstairs bar offers a perfect spot to relax while you anticipate your meal. Consider also visiting Tipo, Central Provisions’ sister restaurant, for exceptional pasta and pizza.
414 Fore St., Portland, Maine, 207-805-1085, central-provisions.com.
Chaval
Chaval, a beloved brasserie run by the husband-and-wife team of Damian Sansonetti and two-time James Beard Award nominee Ilma Lopez, offers a taste of Spanish and French cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients. Located in Portland’s West End, away from the bustling Old Port, Chaval provides a more intimate dining experience. The menu changes daily, ensuring freshness and variety, but diners can typically expect dishes ranging from classic patatas bravas to comforting coq au vin, or perfectly roasted local monkfish. The spacious patio, equipped with heat lamps and a fire pit, extends the dining season. Begin your meal with an aperitif from their well-curated vermouth selection. For a more casual experience, visit their newer sibling spot, The Ugly Duckling, a charming luncheonette just half a mile away, perfect for coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.
58 Pine St., Portland, Maine, 207-772-1110, chavalmaine.com.
Duckfat
Duckfat has carved out a niche for itself in Portland’s Old Port by celebrating the humble yet universally loved French fry. Hand-cut and fried in duck fat, these fries are served in a cone, becoming instantly iconic. While the fries alone are a draw, Duckfat elevates the experience with a selection of dipping sauces, including truffle ketchup and horseradish mayo, or a “flight” of all five. For an even richer indulgence, try the poutine, featuring duck gravy and local cheese curds. Beyond fries, Duckfat’s menu features excellent paninis, from a Montreal-style Reuben to a Cubano with house-smoked pulled pork, and decadent milkshakes in flavors like vanilla bean and sea salted duck fat caramel. While salads are available, Duckfat is the place to indulge in comforting, flavorful fare.
43 Middle St., Portland, Maine, 207-774-8080, duckfat.com.
Eventide Oyster Co.
Eventide Oyster Co., opened in 2012 by co-owners Andrew Taylor, Arlin Smith, and Mike Wiley, significantly impacted Portland’s restaurant scene and beyond. While they later opened a smaller Boston location, the original Portland restaurant remains a must-visit. Eventide honors the tradition of American oyster bars with a selection of 14 oyster varieties. However, it’s the innovative seafood menu, blending New England classics with pan-Asian influences, that truly sets Eventide apart. Dishes like ginger-scallion tuna crudo with tare and house-made kimchi showcase this fusion, perfectly complementing the richness of their famous brown butter lobster roll. Reservations are limited, with most seating reserved for walk-ins, adding to the spontaneous, vibrant atmosphere of this popular spot.
86 Middle St., Portland, Maine, 207-774-8538, eventideoysterco.com.
Fore Street
Fore Street, a Portland culinary institution since 1996, impresses with its dramatic setting and consistently exceptional food. The restaurant’s ambiance, featuring high ceilings, brick walls, and an open kitchen with a wood-burning oven, grill, and turnspit, sets the stage for a memorable dining experience. Fore Street’s commitment to local sourcing is evident in its daily changing menu, which highlights seasonal produce, meats, and seafood from Maine. Summer might bring salads with Maine wild blueberries, while winter could feature roasted rope-grown mussels. Reservations, available up to two months in advance, are highly recommended. Once seated, guests can relax and enjoy the cuisine that has kept Fore Street at the forefront of Portland’s dining scene for decades.
288 Fore St., Portland, Maine, 207-775-2717, forestreet.biz.
The Honey Paw
The Honey Paw, located next door to Eventide and owned by the same team, has developed its own distinct identity within Portland’s food scene. While sharing some lineage with its oyster bar sibling, Honey Paw shines with its focus on flavor-packed noodle and grain dishes inspired by cuisines across Asia. From Sichuan mapo tofu to braised rare beef rice noodles and Thai-style lamb khao soi in coconut curry, the menu offers a diverse and exciting range of tastes. For dessert, the honey soft-serve, accompanied by real honeycomb, is a must-try. The Honey Paw’s communal table and bar seating, along with a small outdoor patio, create a lively and social atmosphere, best suited for smaller groups.
78 Middle St., Portland, Maine, 207-774-8538, thehoneypaw.com.
Izakaya Minato
Izakaya Minato, opened in 2017 by husband-and-wife duo Thomas Takashi Cooke and Elaine Alden, is a popular Japanese restaurant on Washington Avenue. The menu is focused and refined, featuring Japanese specialties such as fresh sashimi, comforting udon noodles with duck breast, and savory okonomiyaki. Unique dishes like mochi “bacon” and broiled oysters with miso custard add an element of surprise. For a comprehensive tasting experience, consider the $42 per-person omakase, a multi-course, family-style meal curated by the chef. Complement your meal with a carafe of sake to share.
54 Washington Ave., Portland, Maine, 207-613-9939, izakayaminato.com.
Lenora
Lenora, opened in early 2023, brings a vibrant, all-day dining experience to Portland with its Southwestern-inspired decor and menu. With connections to Boston’s Lone Star Taco Bar, Lenora specializes in Mexican street food. Start your day with a breakfast taco featuring their house-made chorizo, known for its flavorful spice. Pair it with the invigorating golden juice, a blend of carrot, turmeric, cantaloupe, and orange. Coffee options include the cafe con cajeta, espresso with steamed milk and spiced goat milk caramel. Beyond breakfast, standout menu items include the Yucatan fish taco and the vegetarian taco with avocado wrapped in Oaxaca cheese crust. Everything is served on handmade tortillas, accompanied by a diverse selection of salsas and sauces.
2 Portland Sq., Portland, Maine, 207-536-0423, lenoramaine.com.
Magissa
Magissa, meaning “witch” in Greek, is a captivating East Bayside restaurant that opened in May, bringing the flavors of Greece to Portland. The dining room evokes the Aegean with its blue and white decor, setting the stage for a menu of souvlaki, salads, and modern takes on Greek mezze. Highlights include the whipped ricotta with thyme honey, pistachio, walnuts, and rosemary, and a Greek-inspired Caesar salad with tahini, pita croutons, anchovies, and salty kefalotyri goat cheese. The halloumi cheese with marinara and hot honey, spiced with smoked chili flakes from Greece, is particularly enchanting.
91 Anderson St., Portland, Maine, magissaportland.com.
Pai Men Miyake
Pai Men Miyake, the more casual sister restaurant to chef Masa Miyake’s upscale Miyake, is a ramen destination in Portland. While Miyake offers a refined Japanese dining experience, Pai Men focuses on delivering exceptional ramen in a more relaxed setting. With nearly a dozen ramen varieties, including the signature paitan ramen made with rich chicken and pork broth, Pai Men also offers bao buns, donburi, and sushi. This restaurant provides comforting and expertly prepared Japanese fare, ideal after a day of exploring Portland.
188 State St., Portland, Maine, 207-541-9204, miyakerestaurants.com/paimen.
Papi
Papi, a Puerto Rican restaurant that opened in early 2023, has quickly become a beloved part of Portland’s culinary scene. The restaurant’s menu is inspired by the childhood memories of founder and executive chef Ronnie Medlock and beverage director LyAnna Sanabria, who both grew up in New England Puerto Rican families. Start with beef empanadas and tostones in garlic sauce, then explore larger dishes like slow-roasted pork shoulder with rice and pigeon peas, or traditional beef stew. The flan, a blueberry version with brown sugar caramel, jam, and lemon whipped cream, is a creative take on a classic dessert. LyAnna Sanabria’s cocktails, featuring unique elixirs, are as innovative and delightful as the food.
18 Exchange St., Portland, Maine, 207-808-8008, papiportland.com.
Rebel Munchies & Libations
Rebel Munchies & Libations, evolving from a cheesesteak food cart and pop-up, opened as a full bar and restaurant in March 2024, embracing a fun, nostalgic vibe. The decor, with Pokémon card-decorated tables and 90s Nickelodeon-inspired murals, creates a playful atmosphere. The menu caters to the inner child with elevated versions of comfort food classics. The hand-breaded chicken nuggets, far superior to any frozen version, are a must-try, especially tossed in buffalo sauce with buttermilk ranch. Enormous cheesesteaks, loaded with caramelized onions and peppers, are another highlight, alongside house-made chips and pudding cups. The drinks menu, including creative beer-and-shot combos, adds to the playful and unpretentious experience.
649 Congress St., Portland, Maine, 207-536-0109, rebel207.com.
Regards
Regards, opened in 2022, draws inspiration from Los Angeles’ Mexican and Asian street food, with Chef Neil Zabriskie also incorporating his Afro-Cubano and Polish heritage. Masa, used for tamales, tostadas, and tortillas, is a central element of the menu, made from local flint corn soaked overnight and ground daily, resulting in a deep, rich flavor. Seasonal menu highlights might include wagyu beef tartare with black trumpet mole sauce and oysters topped with smoked trout roe and yuzu kosho mignonette granita.
547 Congress St., Portland, Maine, 207-747-5940, regardsmaine.com.
Terlingua
Terlingua, located in East Bayside, offers a welcome departure from Portland’s seafood-centric dining scene, specializing in Texas barbecue and Latin American cuisine. Diners can enjoy tacos filled with smoked brisket and pork carnitas on homemade tortillas, or barbecue boards featuring house-smoked meats and Mexica-inspired mac and cheese with poblano pepper. The heated outdoor deck and a selection of margaritas and mezcal enhance the experience. Terlingua also has an on-site market where you can purchase smoked meats, local products, and to-go margaritas.
40 Washington Avenue, Portland, Maine, 207-956-7573, terlingua.me.
Twelve
Twelve, opened in summer 2022, is a modern New England restaurant offering a refined prix-fixe dining experience in a beautifully restored brick building. The four-course feasts showcase seasonal, local ingredients in dishes like dry-aged duck with leg confit and beet jus, Atlantic cod with roasted onion and whey broth, and lion’s mane mushrooms with pickled ramps and buttery potatoes. The menu changes frequently, reflecting a commitment to highlighting the best of in-season produce. Reservations are highly recommended to experience this sought-after dining destination.
115 Thames St., Portland, Maine, 207-910-7400, twelvemaine.com.
