Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Local coffee spot on top of the Hill. It's recently had a cosmetic update that kind of white-washed away its character, so the jury is out on whether it will get its groove back, but it is independent and local and serves CBD coffee
55 Einheimische empfehlen
Hilltop Coffee Shop
100 Congress StLocal coffee spot on top of the Hill. It's recently had a cosmetic update that kind of white-washed away its character, so the jury is out on whether it will get its groove back, but it is independent and local and serves CBD coffee
Donuts made from Maine potatoes! Our favorites: chocolate sea salt, glazed ginger, and sweet potato :-)
220 Einheimische empfehlen
The Holy Donut
194 Park AveDonuts made from Maine potatoes! Our favorites: chocolate sea salt, glazed ginger, and sweet potato :-)
Wood-fired pizza with water views. Super family- and group-friendly. Fun vibe, great micro brews. Don't pass on the brownie sundae for dessert!
98 Einheimische empfehlen
Flatbread Company
72 Commercial St Wood-fired pizza with water views. Super family- and group-friendly. Fun vibe, great micro brews. Don't pass on the brownie sundae for dessert!
Fancy a whole steamed lobster right on the water? Or a "classic" Maine lobster roll outside watching the boats come in? Or just a cold beer or glass of wine out on the wharf, listening to local live music? This is the place!! Our own local lobster shack (but the food is really solid). Big bonus for dog lovers: dogs are welcome, and right across the street is The Fish & Bone, our favorite local dog and cat supply store!
131 Einheimische empfehlen
Portland Lobster Co
180 Commercial StFancy a whole steamed lobster right on the water? Or a "classic" Maine lobster roll outside watching the boats come in? Or just a cold beer or glass of wine out on the wharf, listening to local live music? This is the place!! Our own local lobster shack (but the food is really solid). Big bonus for dog lovers: dogs are welcome, and right across the street is The Fish & Bone, our favorite local dog and cat supply store!
Looking for the BEST oysters and one of the best lobster rolls in town? This is the place. Leave plenty of time or go extra-early...there is always a long line to get in. TIP: tell the host you are willing to eat standing up, in the standing-only area on left side as you enter, and you might be able to get right in!
272 Einheimische empfehlen
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StLooking for the BEST oysters and one of the best lobster rolls in town? This is the place. Leave plenty of time or go extra-early...there is always a long line to get in. TIP: tell the host you are willing to eat standing up, in the standing-only area on left side as you enter, and you might be able to get right in!
Creative, chef owned restaurant sourcing only the freshest of ingredients from local farms and producers. Warm, friendly staff. A neighborhood fave! Closed Sundays.
74 Einheimische empfehlen
Blue Spoon
5 Congress StCreative, chef owned restaurant sourcing only the freshest of ingredients from local farms and producers. Warm, friendly staff. A neighborhood fave! Closed Sundays.
Long time local favorite! Large, eclectic menu sure to have something for everyone; vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, meat eaters, and then some! Famous for their homemade cakes and creative milkshakes.
61 Einheimische empfehlen
Silly's
68 Washington AveLong time local favorite! Large, eclectic menu sure to have something for everyone; vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, meat eaters, and then some! Famous for their homemade cakes and creative milkshakes.
Fresh-pressed juices and smoothies in the hip East Bayside neighborhood, right at the base of the Hill
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Flying Fox Juice Bar
98 Washington AveFresh-pressed juices and smoothies in the hip East Bayside neighborhood, right at the base of the Hill
Really excellent fresh Chinese food, microbrews and cocktails on the ground floor, and live music upstairs. TIP: we love the sautéed spicy green beans and the baby bok choy.
102 Einheimische empfehlen
Empire
575 Congress StReally excellent fresh Chinese food, microbrews and cocktails on the ground floor, and live music upstairs. TIP: we love the sautéed spicy green beans and the baby bok choy.
Hip noodle shop serving delicious, fresh Vietnamese comfort fare, including pho & stir-fry, plus beer, sake & wine. And they do takeout! TIP: don't park in the 7-Eleven lot next door, even for a split second...there's a tow truck that hangs out just waiting for cars to park illegally there!!
41 Einheimische empfehlen
Cong Tu Bot
57 Washington AveHip noodle shop serving delicious, fresh Vietnamese comfort fare, including pho & stir-fry, plus beer, sake & wine. And they do takeout! TIP: don't park in the 7-Eleven lot next door, even for a split second...there's a tow truck that hangs out just waiting for cars to park illegally there!!
We have had a couple of sublime meals here in the most intimate of settings, with the best service. Husband and wife team. He cooks, she handles the wine and service. Wine shop in back. TIP: they are serious foodies and wine lovers. Chef was nominated with a James Beard award. The wines are fantastic and interesting and selected carefully toward accompanying their menu, which means they tend to be of the leaner variety. No big buttery chardonnays or fat oaky cabs here.
35 Einheimische empfehlen
Drifters Wife
59 Washington AveWe have had a couple of sublime meals here in the most intimate of settings, with the best service. Husband and wife team. He cooks, she handles the wine and service. Wine shop in back. TIP: they are serious foodies and wine lovers. Chef was nominated with a James Beard award. The wines are fantastic and interesting and selected carefully toward accompanying their menu, which means they tend to be of the leaner variety. No big buttery chardonnays or fat oaky cabs here.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Portland Hunt & Alpine Club
75 Market StCraft cocktails & hip local scene!
Named after the booths (called 'snugs') in classic Irish pubs. Fun local haunt where you can bring your own food if you want to! Grab a slice from Otto's next door and have it with your Guinness!
27 Einheimische empfehlen
The Snug Pub
223 Congress StNamed after the booths (called 'snugs') in classic Irish pubs. Fun local haunt where you can bring your own food if you want to! Grab a slice from Otto's next door and have it with your Guinness!
Sightseeing
Portland Observatory
138 Congress StHop on a ferry to visit Peaks Island, one of the nearby islands in Casco Bay for the day!
140 Einheimische empfehlen
Casco Bay Lines station
Hop on a ferry to visit Peaks Island, one of the nearby islands in Casco Bay for the day!
Parks & Nature
Lovely for picnics or walks, home to Maine's oldest light house, Portland Headlight.
229 Einheimische empfehlen
Fort Williams Park
1000 Shore RdLovely for picnics or walks, home to Maine's oldest light house, Portland Headlight.
Large public park including playgrounds, tennis courts, walking trails, and East End beach. Often you can find food trucks parked here.
251 Einheimische empfehlen
Eastern Promenade Trail
Eastern PromenadeLarge public park including playgrounds, tennis courts, walking trails, and East End beach. Often you can find food trucks parked here.
Beautiful historic neighborhood and park; a great place to check out old Portland architecture.
68 Einheimische empfehlen
Western Promenade Park
Valley StreetBeautiful historic neighborhood and park; a great place to check out old Portland architecture.
Arts & Culture
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqFree admission to the public on Fridays, 4-8pm!
Contemporary, unique and thought-provoking exhibits and performances. Free to the public the first Friday of every month!
72 Einheimische empfehlen
SPACE
534-538 Congress StContemporary, unique and thought-provoking exhibits and performances. Free to the public the first Friday of every month!
Old church that has been restored and renovated to be used as an arts center to showcase exhibits and performances.
16 Einheimische empfehlen
Saint Lawrence Arts Center
76 Congress StOld church that has been restored and renovated to be used as an arts center to showcase exhibits and performances.
Shopping
The heart of the Old Port shopping scene; find lots of local shops here with unique finds.
36 Einheimische empfehlen
Exchange Street
Exchange StreetThe heart of the Old Port shopping scene; find lots of local shops here with unique finds.
Our original Portland pet supply opened as an alternative to big box stores almost 20 years ago, and it's got everything you can think of for dogs and cats. Right across from Portland Lobster Company on Commercial Street. Free delivery, self serve dog wash! TIP: try the treat bar where you can buy an array of drool-worthy dog treats by the ounce, or pick up a lobster squeaky (or catnip) toy for the furry pals at home!
6 Einheimische empfehlen
The Fish & Bone, Portland ME
5 Commercial StOur original Portland pet supply opened as an alternative to big box stores almost 20 years ago, and it's got everything you can think of for dogs and cats. Right across from Portland Lobster Company on Commercial Street. Free delivery, self serve dog wash! TIP: try the treat bar where you can buy an array of drool-worthy dog treats by the ounce, or pick up a lobster squeaky (or catnip) toy for the furry pals at home!
Indoor antique market with some of the coolest finds. Did you see the black leather mid-century couch in the bedroom? That's Flea for All treasure! Only open Friday-Sunday. TIP: get a cup of house-roasted craft coffee at Speckled Axe near by to bring inside while you browse the many wares, and leave yourself a good amount of time to stroll.
41 Einheimische empfehlen
Portland Flea-for-All
585 Congress StIndoor antique market with some of the coolest finds. Did you see the black leather mid-century couch in the bedroom? That's Flea for All treasure! Only open Friday-Sunday. TIP: get a cup of house-roasted craft coffee at Speckled Axe near by to bring inside while you browse the many wares, and leave yourself a good amount of time to stroll.
Essentials
Lois' Natural Marketplace
47 India StPortland Food Co-op
290 Congress StHannaford Supermarket
295 Forest AveTrader Joe's
87 Marginal WayCVS
51 Market StLookin Good Laundromat
292 Congress StLila East End Yoga
251 Congress StOur local Italian grocery has provided imported goods including cheeses, deli meats, olives, oils, vinegars, wine, pastas and fresh bread forever. It's stubbornly resisted selling out or moving from its slightly too small spot on India Street. You'll find often find chefs picking up buckets of olives and bulk spices. TIP: best prices on cheese and olives anywhere in Portland.
41 Einheimische empfehlen
Micucci Grocery Store
45 India StOur local Italian grocery has provided imported goods including cheeses, deli meats, olives, oils, vinegars, wine, pastas and fresh bread forever. It's stubbornly resisted selling out or moving from its slightly too small spot on India Street. You'll find often find chefs picking up buckets of olives and bulk spices. TIP: best prices on cheese and olives anywhere in Portland.
Jacques started his wine shop oh about 10 years ago at 223 Commercial Street, and quickly became everyone's friend. He loves wine, food and cigars, and he loves what he does. Great selection and great prices. He's actually got two shops, both on Commercial Street. If you are looking for spirits, go to the other one (Old Port Spirits & Cigars at 79 Commercial). TIP: though both shops sell wine, the best wine selection is at this one, his original wine shoppe.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Old Port Wine Merchants
223 Commercial StJacques started his wine shop oh about 10 years ago at 223 Commercial Street, and quickly became everyone's friend. He loves wine, food and cigars, and he loves what he does. Great selection and great prices. He's actually got two shops, both on Commercial Street. If you are looking for spirits, go to the other one (Old Port Spirits & Cigars at 79 Commercial). TIP: though both shops sell wine, the best wine selection is at this one, his original wine shoppe.