Neighborhoods
There are numerous points of interest in walking distance from the house!
The neighborhood is historic and beautiful. We are just down Park St. from the Victoria Mansion and the Row Houses.
21 locals recommend
West End
The neighborhood is historic and beautiful. We are just down Park St. from the Victoria Mansion and the Row Houses.
Walk from the house to the historic neighborhood and old cemetery.
68 locals recommend
Western Promenade Park
Valley StreetWalk from the house to the historic neighborhood and old cemetery.
The East-end is one of the up-coming areas for great food and drink.
10 locals recommend
Eastern Promenade Trail
Eastern Promenade TrailThe East-end is one of the up-coming areas for great food and drink.
Food scene
Portland was named restaurant city in 2018 by Bon Appetit magazine and offers so much more than great lobster. This list is not exhaustive, by any means, but here are some standouts!
We coded for: East and West-End and Old Port.
West-end: Wonderful dim sum and dumplings right down the road. Very popular with locals. Get the Asian slaw! *mid-range/casual
56 locals recommend
Bao Bao Dumpling House
133 Spring StWest-end: Wonderful dim sum and dumplings right down the road. Very popular with locals. Get the Asian slaw! *mid-range/casual
West-end: Exceptional Chinese food usually with a wait - they don’t take reservations so, belly up to the bar and enjoy the people watching. Family friendly. *mid-range/casual
102 locals recommend
Empire
575 Congress StWest-end: Exceptional Chinese food usually with a wait - they don’t take reservations so, belly up to the bar and enjoy the people watching. Family friendly. *mid-range/casual
West-end: One of our favorites and definitely a locals spot. They have incredible Thai food and solid drinks. They also feature a late night happy hour starting at 10 pm. Not to be missed! *mid-range
146 locals recommend
Boda
671 Congress StWest-end: One of our favorites and definitely a locals spot. They have incredible Thai food and solid drinks. They also feature a late night happy hour starting at 10 pm. Not to be missed! *mid-range
Old Port: Stalwart locals favorite for no-muss, no-fuss seafood on the wharf. Stiff drinks, female-run, and a place where you can really take in the local Mainer scene. Anthony Bourdain ate here when he visited Portland. *mid-range/casual
82 locals recommend
Js Oyster
5 Portland PierOld Port: Stalwart locals favorite for no-muss, no-fuss seafood on the wharf. Stiff drinks, female-run, and a place where you can really take in the local Mainer scene. Anthony Bourdain ate here when he visited Portland. *mid-range/casual
Old Port: Solid Japanese street food at very reasonable prices. Casual and chill vibe. One of our go-to’s. *casual
9 locals recommend
Mami
339 Fore StOld Port: Solid Japanese street food at very reasonable prices. Casual and chill vibe. One of our go-to’s. *casual
Old Port: Exceptional seafood and on-point service. Beautiful spot, located right on the water - the place to splurge on Maine seafood in a fine dining experience. *high-end
138 locals recommend
Scales
68 Commercial StOld Port: Exceptional seafood and on-point service. Beautiful spot, located right on the water - the place to splurge on Maine seafood in a fine dining experience. *high-end
Old Port: This is the original restaurant that put Portland on the foodie map - everything here is perfectly prepared and memorable. Great happy hour drink specials (bloody Mary’s and mimosas) on weekdays and Sunday downstairs (not sure if they still have this after COVID). Located on historic cobblestone Fore street. *high-end
145 locals recommend
Central Provisions
414 Fore StOld Port: This is the original restaurant that put Portland on the foodie map - everything here is perfectly prepared and memorable. Great happy hour drink specials (bloody Mary’s and mimosas) on weekdays and Sunday downstairs (not sure if they still have this after COVID). Located on historic cobblestone Fore street. *high-end
East-end: Unforgettable Japanese food in the hip East-End. We always take guests here on their first trip!
61 locals recommend
Izakaya Minato
54 Washington AveEast-end: Unforgettable Japanese food in the hip East-End. We always take guests here on their first trip!
West-end: Delicious Spanish food with a cozy vibe and extensive drink list, including Spanish sherries, great wines, and unique cocktails. A walk from the house. *mid-range/high-end
47 locals recommend
CHAVAL
58 Pine StWest-end: Delicious Spanish food with a cozy vibe and extensive drink list, including Spanish sherries, great wines, and unique cocktails. A walk from the house. *mid-range/high-end
East-end: Affordable Mediterranean food with a fun and forward craft cocktail menu. They started out as a food truck and recently moved into this sleek new space. *mid-range
37 locals recommend
Baharat
91 Anderson StEast-end: Affordable Mediterranean food with a fun and forward craft cocktail menu. They started out as a food truck and recently moved into this sleek new space. *mid-range
Old Port: Another place to treat yourself to excellent seafood - extensive raw bar and famous lobster rolls with brown butter sauce. Can be busy. *high-end
271 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StOld Port: Another place to treat yourself to excellent seafood - extensive raw bar and famous lobster rolls with brown butter sauce. Can be busy. *high-end
Old Port: Locals say they have the best lobster rolls for the price! *casual
61 locals recommend
The Highroller Lobster Co
104 Exchange StOld Port: Locals say they have the best lobster rolls for the price! *casual
Peaks Island: Hop on a 15 minute ferry ride to Peaks Island and ditch the crowds by walking to this solid restaurant and bar on the water with a view of Portland. *mid-range
19 locals recommend
The Cockeyed Gull Restaurant
78 Island AvePeaks Island: Hop on a 15 minute ferry ride to Peaks Island and ditch the crowds by walking to this solid restaurant and bar on the water with a view of Portland. *mid-range
East-end: Great locally made kombucha tasting room; ping-pong and games to play in this new super fun space!
30 locals recommend
Root Wild Kombucha
135 Washington AveEast-end: Great locally made kombucha tasting room; ping-pong and games to play in this new super fun space!
East-end: One of the famous food joints for fries cooked in duck fat. *causal
172 locals recommend
Duckfat
43 Middle StEast-end: One of the famous food joints for fries cooked in duck fat. *causal
East-end: Neighborhood spot on the east-end; great for breakfast. Quality food at much more affordable prices. *casual/mid-range.
108 locals recommend
The Front Room
73 Congress StEast-end: Neighborhood spot on the east-end; great for breakfast. Quality food at much more affordable prices. *casual/mid-range.
Old Port: Super food; locals fave for fine dining. *high end*
92 locals recommend
Fore Street Restaurant
288 Fore StOld Port: Super food; locals fave for fine dining. *high end*
Bayside: Hugely popular locals spot for brunch - try one of the many Benedicts. *casual*
52 locals recommend
Bayside American Cafe
98 Portland StBayside: Hugely popular locals spot for brunch - try one of the many Benedicts. *casual*
Old Port: Insanely addictive Bangkok inspired food. This new eatery has amazing wings, delicious sides, and great cocktails!
9 locals recommend
Crispy Gai
90 Exchange StreetOld Port: Insanely addictive Bangkok inspired food. This new eatery has amazing wings, delicious sides, and great cocktails!
East-end: Great BBQ, clean healthy sides, full bar, and amazing outdoor area! mid-range
77 locals recommend
Terlingua
40 Washington AveEast-end: Great BBQ, clean healthy sides, full bar, and amazing outdoor area! mid-range
Old Port: Super affordable and dope Mexican food in the iconic Wharf street alley, popular with locals and visitors, alike. Order the shrimp tacos and enjoy the sightseeing.
12 locals recommend
Portland Mash Tun
29 Wharf StOld Port: Super affordable and dope Mexican food in the iconic Wharf street alley, popular with locals and visitors, alike. Order the shrimp tacos and enjoy the sightseeing.
West-end: Rad punk rock legit dive bar, popular with locals. Super cheap yummy Happy Hour food menu
7 locals recommend
Downtown Lounge
606 Congress StWest-end: Rad punk rock legit dive bar, popular with locals. Super cheap yummy Happy Hour food menu
West-end: AMAZING Chinese food. Order the Zhong dumplings and for an honest and enduring food memory. Great lunchtime special for $14, on weekdays - Wed.
7 locals recommend
Sichuan Kitchen
612 Congress StWest-end: AMAZING Chinese food. Order the Zhong dumplings and for an honest and enduring food memory. Great lunchtime special for $14, on weekdays - Wed.
East-end: This authentic Vietnamese joint shows up on EVERY best of Portland list. For affordable and seriously good food, check it out. cheap-eats.
41 locals recommend
Cong Tu Bot
57 Washington AveEast-end: This authentic Vietnamese joint shows up on EVERY best of Portland list. For affordable and seriously good food, check it out. cheap-eats.
Sightseeing
Victoria Mansion
109 Danforth StPortland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqFor a modest price you can island hop on the Casco bay ferry system. Pack snacks and byob (yep, you can enjoy your own alcoholic beverages!) to sit back and take in the gorgeous views! Very popular in the summer.
140 locals recommend
Casco Bay Lines station
For a modest price you can island hop on the Casco bay ferry system. Pack snacks and byob (yep, you can enjoy your own alcoholic beverages!) to sit back and take in the gorgeous views! Very popular in the summer.
The narrow-gauge trains takes you visitors on sites of the city.
31 locals recommend
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum
49 Thames StThe narrow-gauge trains takes you visitors on sites of the city.
Radical bowling alley with lots of lanes, a great vibe, and an amazing rooftop bar. They show movies on the rooftop bar during the summer season - so make sure to check out their events page.
93 locals recommend
Bayside Bowl
58 Alder StRadical bowling alley with lots of lanes, a great vibe, and an amazing rooftop bar. They show movies on the rooftop bar during the summer season - so make sure to check out their events page.
Catch a game with our minor league baseball team, right in town.
79 locals recommend
Portland Sea Dogs
271 Park AveCatch a game with our minor league baseball team, right in town.
If you are into the ‘unexplained’ and a huge curated collection of all things Sasquatch - GO HERE!
23 locals recommend
International Cryptozoology Museum
32 Resurgam PlIf you are into the ‘unexplained’ and a huge curated collection of all things Sasquatch - GO HERE!
Portland Harbor Museum
12 Captain Strout CircleThe iconic and picturesque spot for a photo.
Drink
There are numerals places to grab drinks and happy hour deals around the house - here are some of our faves!
West-end: The Bearded Lady - Jewel Box, has fantastic cocktails and a really cool vibe; definitely stop in for a drink!
76 locals recommend
The Jewel Box
644 Congress StWest-end: The Bearded Lady - Jewel Box, has fantastic cocktails and a really cool vibe; definitely stop in for a drink!
West-end: Super hipster scene with great drink specials and decent food at a good price. Often crowded on weekends.
87 locals recommend
LFK
188 State StWest-end: Super hipster scene with great drink specials and decent food at a good price. Often crowded on weekends.
Ruski's
212 Danforth StWest-end: Longtime dive favorite of West-Enders. Full food menu, too.
East-End dive favorite with stiff drinks at cheaper prices and plenty of local color always on tap.
7 locals recommend
Munjoy Hill Tavern
189 Congress StEast-End dive favorite with stiff drinks at cheaper prices and plenty of local color always on tap.
West-end: Punk rock vibe at this locals favorite bar and diner. Great happy hour, 5-7, drink specials and $5 food items (all day Sunday).
7 locals recommend
Downtown Lounge
606 Congress StWest-end: Punk rock vibe at this locals favorite bar and diner. Great happy hour, 5-7, drink specials and $5 food items (all day Sunday).
Lincolns
36 Market StOld Port: speakeasy where all drinks are $5! Enjoy finding the entrance!
Old Port: Fun, spirited, popular locals favorite. Limited to beer, wine, and desert.
21 locals recommend
Maps
64A Market StOld Port: Fun, spirited, popular locals favorite. Limited to beer, wine, and desert.
Tomaso's Canteen
18 Hampshire StOld Port: Cool dive with great food.
Monument Square: $5 martini specials during happy hour and cheap eats then, too.
22 locals recommend
David's Restaurant
22 Monument SqMonument Square: $5 martini specials during happy hour and cheap eats then, too.
West-end: Super fun arcade bar; good drinks and tons of games.
25 locals recommend
Acadia National Bar
504 Congress StWest-end: Super fun arcade bar; good drinks and tons of games.
Bubba's Sulky Lounge
92 Portland StBayside: Locals favorite dive; funky and super eclectic.
East-end: Super fun spot on east-end; you can crawl many of the east-end spots from here. Huge outdoor area.
137 locals recommend
Rising Tide Brewing Company
103 Fox StEast-end: Super fun spot on east-end; you can crawl many of the east-end spots from here. Huge outdoor area.
Allagash Brewing Company
50 Industrial WayEast-end: The place that started the Maine beer scene.
Old Port: A huge spot in the Old Port that can get very rowdy (and crowded) during the summers.
34 locals recommend
Liquid Riot Bottling Company
250 Commercial StOld Port: A huge spot in the Old Port that can get very rowdy (and crowded) during the summers.
Novare Res Bier Cafe
4 Canal PlazaOld Port: Incredible “deep tracks” beer offerings...300+
Libbytown: Great New England style IPA’s with a locals cult following.
102 locals recommend
Bissell Brothers
38 Resurgam PlLibbytown: Great New England style IPA’s with a locals cult following.
Old Port: Excellent cocktails and on Wednesday incredible $1 oyster night - but get there early. There is also a speakeasy in back: The Broken Dram.
51 locals recommend
Blyth & Burrows
26 Exchange StOld Port: Excellent cocktails and on Wednesday incredible $1 oyster night - but get there early. There is also a speakeasy in back: The Broken Dram.
Live Entertainment/Music
State Theater
609 Congress StReally cool historic venue - check out the shows when in town.
The Apohadion Theater
107 Hanover StReally cool, hidden, music venue.
New music venue perched a panoramic point on the peninsula. Great views and they have been bringing in really good lineups; great biergarten.
18 locals recommend
Thompsons Point
Thompsons PointNew music venue perched a panoramic point on the peninsula. Great views and they have been bringing in really good lineups; great biergarten.