Alice's Guide Book
James Beard Nominees and Winners
This was a James Beard nominee. It is OUTSTANDING although it could be difficult to get into over the summer.
14 locals recommend
Leeward
85 Free StThis was a James Beard nominee. It is OUTSTANDING although it could be difficult to get into over the summer.
ZU Bakery
I have only visited to see the baker make bread. This bakery was a WINNER for 2024.
James Beard WINNER. You have to get here between 8-8:15 to wait in line. There is no sign for the bakery, just a small "Hopeful" sign in the window. I thought the savory items were just OK but the pastries were insanely good. She stays open until she sells out.
Norimoto Bakery
James Beard WINNER. You have to get here between 8-8:15 to wait in line. There is no sign for the bakery, just a small "Hopeful" sign in the window. I thought the savory items were just OK but the pastries were insanely good. She stays open until she sells out.
This was a nominee for outstanding hospitality. I went here years ago and it was really good—comfort food with an elegant spin.
51 locals recommend
Woodford Food & Beverage
660 Forest AveThis was a nominee for outstanding hospitality. I went here years ago and it was really good—comfort food with an elegant spin.
I haven't been here in years but there is quite a buzz for this restaurant.
47 locals recommend
CHAVAL
58 Pine StI haven't been here in years but there is quite a buzz for this restaurant.
My Favorite Places To Eat
This is my new favorite breakfast place. Not only are the baked goods delicious, the actual meals are out of this world! Don't miss out on this!
Bread & Friends
This is my new favorite breakfast place. Not only are the baked goods delicious, the actual meals are out of this world! Don't miss out on this!
This is one of my favorite restaurants. Local food, fantastic owners, outstanding experience!
28 locals recommend
Isa
79 Portland StThis is one of my favorite restaurants. Local food, fantastic owners, outstanding experience!
Forage Market
123 Washington AveFreakin awesome bagels!
This place is literally to-die-for. The egg sandwiches, sticky buns, pies, holy cow! Do not miss it! It is best to order online and go pick up your food. The wait is insanely long due to how popular this is. I recommend ordering online and then going over and picking it up. Online ordering sells out shortly after 8AM.
157 locals recommend
Tandem Coffee and Bakery
742 Congress StThis place is literally to-die-for. The egg sandwiches, sticky buns, pies, holy cow! Do not miss it! It is best to order online and go pick up your food. The wait is insanely long due to how popular this is. I recommend ordering online and then going over and picking it up. Online ordering sells out shortly after 8AM.
This is a beloved restaurant in the city. If you like oysters this is your place.
271 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StThis is a beloved restaurant in the city. If you like oysters this is your place.
Flatbread Company
72 Commercial StBest pizza in the city. Great outdoor dining on the waterfront.
This is rather expensive, but quite literally one of the best lobster rolls I have had in my life.
138 locals recommend
Scales
68 Commercial StThis is rather expensive, but quite literally one of the best lobster rolls I have had in my life.
The Highroller Lobster Co
104 Exchange StGreat lobster rolls!
Good fried fish and fantastic outdoor seating! Right on the water.
136 locals recommend
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
225 Two Lights RdGood fried fish and fantastic outdoor seating! Right on the water.
Belleville
1 North StOh. My. God. Croissants.
Walking towards the beach, in the middle parking lot, there are 14 different food trucks. They are all great! My favorite is Falafel Mafia and Gelato Fiasco.
166 locals recommend
Eastern Promenade
Eastern PromenadeWalking towards the beach, in the middle parking lot, there are 14 different food trucks. They are all great! My favorite is Falafel Mafia and Gelato Fiasco.
The Shop by Island Creek Oysters
123 Washington AveGreat local oysters!
Terlingua
40 Washington AveFun restaurant with fantastic food and great outside eating out back!
Fore Street Restaurant
288 Fore StVery fancy. Very good.
The Honey Paw
78 Middle StGreat food, fun environment. Can be a little loud.
COFFEE!
Bard Coffee
185 Middle StGood coffee!
This cafe serves my favorite coffee, 44 North. The cafe is a bit out of the way but it is a sweet little place.
6 locals recommend
Coveside Coffee
28 Vannah AveThis cafe serves my favorite coffee, 44 North. The cafe is a bit out of the way but it is a sweet little place.
My Favorite Places To Visit
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqThis art museum is a city treasure!
This is right in our neighborhood. A great way to explore the beauty of Casco Bay.
63 locals recommend
Portland Paddle
1 Eastern PromenadeThis is right in our neighborhood. A great way to explore the beauty of Casco Bay.
This is a brand new children's museum. I haven't yet visited but no expense was spared when creating this. It is just lovely.
114 locals recommend
Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine
250 Thompsons Point RoadThis is a brand new children's museum. I haven't yet visited but no expense was spared when creating this. It is just lovely.
This can be fun to do with kids. It is a short ride along the waterfront. I have never done it but it seems sweet.
31 locals recommend
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum
49 Thames StThis can be fun to do with kids. It is a short ride along the waterfront. I have never done it but it seems sweet.
My Favorite Places To Walk
Morse Mountain
This hike to Seawall Beach is just beautiful!
Nice walk with children. Easy and pretty.
23 locals recommend
Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment
184 Burnett RdNice walk with children. Easy and pretty.
You do have to pay to access this island (I can't remember... but not outrageous). This a wonderful easy walk. Halfway around the short hike, there is a lovely little beach. There is extremely limited parking so this is best for an early morning walk on a nice day.
130 locals recommend
Mackworth Island State Park
U.S. 1You do have to pay to access this island (I can't remember... but not outrageous). This a wonderful easy walk. Halfway around the short hike, there is a lovely little beach. There is extremely limited parking so this is best for an early morning walk on a nice day.
This trail is right at the bottom of the hill towards the water. It is a lovely flat walk. There are some trails woven into the hill that can be nice to walk. This trail can take you right to the Old Port or if you go in the opposite direction it will loop you around Back Cove.
251 locals recommend
Eastern Promenade Trail
Eastern PromenadeThis trail is right at the bottom of the hill towards the water. It is a lovely flat walk. There are some trails woven into the hill that can be nice to walk. This trail can take you right to the Old Port or if you go in the opposite direction it will loop you around Back Cove.
Best Breweries
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
49 Washington AveOne of the prized breweries in the city.
Rising Tide Brewing Company
103 Fox StOne of the prized breweries in the city.
I just went here the other night and it was fantastic. It specializes in hard seltzers. I don't drink so I had one of their non-alcoholic drinks and it was fancy and delicious. The atmosphere was outstanding and fun. Food trucks rotate through so you can always get a bite to eat while you are there!
Après
I just went here the other night and it was fantastic. It specializes in hard seltzers. I don't drink so I had one of their non-alcoholic drinks and it was fancy and delicious. The atmosphere was outstanding and fun. Food trucks rotate through so you can always get a bite to eat while you are there!
Bissell Brothers
38 Resurgam PlI have heard people rave about this beer and this brewery!
My Favorite Beaches
Crescent Beach State Park
109 Bowery Beach RdMy go-to beach all summer.
This is a wonderful city beach. If the right side is crowded, head over to the left side. It is rocky but a nice place to sit and cool off.
93 locals recommend
East End Beach
Eastern Promenade TrailThis is a wonderful city beach. If the right side is crowded, head over to the left side. It is rocky but a nice place to sit and cool off.
Halfway around the island, there is a nice quiet beach. Parking is extremely limited so this is best as an early morning visit.
130 locals recommend
Mackworth Island State Park
U.S. 1Halfway around the island, there is a nice quiet beach. Parking is extremely limited so this is best as an early morning visit.
This is a lovely state park and a really fun beach. It is about a 50-minute drive from our house but well worth it!
130 locals recommend
Reid State Park
375 Seguinland RoadThis is a lovely state park and a really fun beach. It is about a 50-minute drive from our house but well worth it!
Fantastic beach! A bit of a drive (50-minutes) but worth it!
208 locals recommend
Popham Beach State Park
711 Popham RdFantastic beach! A bit of a drive (50-minutes) but worth it!