Food scene
They are sadly currently open for take-out only and have a limited menu. From their take-out menu I suggest: Lobster Rangoon, garlic green beans, steamed pork dumplings, spicy
pork belly buns (all their buns are good but the pork is the best), bacon fried rice. When they go back to their normal menu you NEED to try the Szechuan ramen, it will change your life. To drink they have a great beer selection and the dragon’s milk cocktail is amazing.
102 locals recommend
Empire
575 Congress StThey are sadly currently open for take-out only and have a limited menu. From their take-out menu I suggest: Lobster Rangoon, garlic green beans, steamed pork dumplings, spicy
pork belly buns (all their buns are good but the pork is the best), bacon fried rice. When they go back to their normal menu you NEED to try the Szechuan ramen, it will change your life. To drink they have a great beer selection and the dragon’s milk cocktail is amazing.
I am sure you have eaten here before, but just in case I needed to include it. The lobster roll is second to none and the fried oyster rolls is out of this world. Speaking of oysters, try them all! Also try the green salad (the dressing is my favorite of all time) and the tuna crudo. They also serve brunch and the lobster Benedict is bomb.*
271 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StI am sure you have eaten here before, but just in case I needed to include it. The lobster roll is second to none and the fried oyster rolls is out of this world. Speaking of oysters, try them all! Also try the green salad (the dressing is my favorite of all time) and the tuna crudo. They also serve brunch and the lobster Benedict is bomb.*
Speaking of brunch… Isa is the place to go. They also serve dinner which I have never had,
but the menu looks great!*
28 locals recommend
Isa
79 Portland StSpeaking of brunch… Isa is the place to go. They also serve dinner which I have never had,
but the menu looks great!*
Owned by the same people who own Eventide and Hugo’s (they all share a kitchen) this Asian inspired restaurant has an ever changing menu. I have yet to try anything bad! If they happen to have the rice bowl when you’re there PLEASE do yourself a favor and GET IT. *
67 locals recommend
The Honey Paw
78 Middle StOwned by the same people who own Eventide and Hugo’s (they all share a kitchen) this Asian inspired restaurant has an ever changing menu. I have yet to try anything bad! If they happen to have the rice bowl when you’re there PLEASE do yourself a favor and GET IT. *
This is a dive with amazing food. They have specials just about every night. I think Wednesday is burger day where you get a beer, burger and fries for something silly like $10 and
its so good. If they have the masked potato taco, get it (I know, I know, sounds gross but trust me).
24 locals recommend
Tomaso's Canteen
18 Hampshire StThis is a dive with amazing food. They have specials just about every night. I think Wednesday is burger day where you get a beer, burger and fries for something silly like $10 and
its so good. If they have the masked potato taco, get it (I know, I know, sounds gross but trust me).
This used to be my place. They have the best beer selection, usually have live music, a great deck outside, and bomb sausages. The owners are the most friendly and their staff is great!*
19 locals recommend
The Thirsty Pig
37 Exchange StThis used to be my place. They have the best beer selection, usually have live music, a great deck outside, and bomb sausages. The owners are the most friendly and their staff is great!*
Hands down the best sushi on the seacoast. Many will argue they like Sapporo more, don’t believe them. Get the spicy scallop roll. It is NOT good for you but its delicious. *
44 locals recommend
Yosaku
1 Danforth StHands down the best sushi on the seacoast. Many will argue they like Sapporo more, don’t believe them. Get the spicy scallop roll. It is NOT good for you but its delicious. *
The best Tex-Mex around. Their chili is to die for and they have a great drink menu as well! Get the BBQ plate, you won't regret it!
77 locals recommend
Terlingua
40 Washington AveThe best Tex-Mex around. Their chili is to die for and they have a great drink menu as well! Get the BBQ plate, you won't regret it!
This is a new pizza place with creative options. Everything is good but the mashed potato bacon pizza is my favorite!
Brickyard Hollow
9 Commercial StreetThis is a new pizza place with creative options. Everything is good but the mashed potato bacon pizza is my favorite!
Upscale Italian place, their menu changes often but everything is great!
22 locals recommend
Solo Italiano
100 Commercial StUpscale Italian place, their menu changes often but everything is great!
They have the best burnt ends and brisket sandwiches. While you are there make sure to grab a bottle (or 4) of their BBQ sauce. My favorite is the yellow one!
12 locals recommend
Noble Barbecue
1706 Forest AveThey have the best burnt ends and brisket sandwiches. While you are there make sure to grab a bottle (or 4) of their BBQ sauce. My favorite is the yellow one!
The best upscale(ish) Thai food around. Make sure to go late night to get the best chicken pad thai you’ve ever had. Also try the quail eggs.
146 locals recommend
Boda
671 Congress StThe best upscale(ish) Thai food around. Make sure to go late night to get the best chicken pad thai you’ve ever had. Also try the quail eggs.
Just down the street from the unit you'll find the Front Room. Their brunch is amazing and you cannot go wrong with dinner either. If you go for dinner get the cornbread!
108 locals recommend
The Front Room
73 Congress StJust down the street from the unit you'll find the Front Room. Their brunch is amazing and you cannot go wrong with dinner either. If you go for dinner get the cornbread!
If you are looking for legendary Asian Fusion food within walking distance look no further than Jing Yan. The ramen and Korean spaghetti is to die for. To drink try "Journey to the East," its delicious!
Jing Yan
90 Congress StreetIf you are looking for legendary Asian Fusion food within walking distance look no further than Jing Yan. The ramen and Korean spaghetti is to die for. To drink try "Journey to the East," its delicious!
Outstanding Italian eatery. I have no recommendations because the menu is always changing, but I have never had anything bad here. On top of having great food, the aesthetic is unmatched.
19 locals recommend
ViA VECCHiA
10 Dana StreetOutstanding Italian eatery. I have no recommendations because the menu is always changing, but I have never had anything bad here. On top of having great food, the aesthetic is unmatched.
If you're looking for oysters, look no further! Cool space on Washington Ave. great food and great drinks!
41 locals recommend
The Shop by Island Creek Oysters
123 Washington AveIf you're looking for oysters, look no further! Cool space on Washington Ave. great food and great drinks!
This place is a vibe during the summer (all year too, but they have a great outdoor area). They have a summer concert series so make sure to check out their website to see when they have live music! Their brunch is great and their drinks are good too! The slushies are perfect on a hot summer day!
51 locals recommend
Maine Craft Distilling
123 Washington AveThis place is a vibe during the summer (all year too, but they have a great outdoor area). They have a summer concert series so make sure to check out their website to see when they have live music! Their brunch is great and their drinks are good too! The slushies are perfect on a hot summer day!
Bayside Bowl
58 Alder StRooftop tacos, need I say more?
Batson River Tasting Room
12 Western AveGreat food, great drinks, really cool space!
Papi Portland
Scales
68 Commercial StStreet & Co
33 Wharf StTwelve
East Ender
47 Middle StButcher Burger Old Port
The Highroller Lobster Co
104 Exchange StBread & Friends
Neighborhoods
If you're looking for breweries within walking distance head down to East Bayside! My favorites in this neighborhood are: Goodfire; Lone Pine; Austin Street; and Apres (which is a seltzer/cocktail bar but close enough).
10 locals recommend
East Bayside
If you're looking for breweries within walking distance head down to East Bayside! My favorites in this neighborhood are: Goodfire; Lone Pine; Austin Street; and Apres (which is a seltzer/cocktail bar but close enough).
Of course we want you to explore Munjoy Hill while you're staying there! Enjoy all the restaurants in the area, take a walk to the Easter Prom. and enjoy the views (and the food trucks), or head to Washington ave at the bottom of the hill to check out their amazing restaurants/breweries!
26 locals recommend
Munjoy Hill
Of course we want you to explore Munjoy Hill while you're staying there! Enjoy all the restaurants in the area, take a walk to the Easter Prom. and enjoy the views (and the food trucks), or head to Washington ave at the bottom of the hill to check out their amazing restaurants/breweries!
Breweries
If you have a car and want to explore more breweries outside of what you can walk to, head over to Industrial Way. Here you'll find Allagash, Definitive, Foundation, Battery Steele and Austin Street's first ever location.
Industrial Way
Industrial WayIf you have a car and want to explore more breweries outside of what you can walk to, head over to Industrial Way. Here you'll find Allagash, Definitive, Foundation, Battery Steele and Austin Street's first ever location.
They have great beer, dog friendly and have a resident dog, Fiona, who is the best!
37 locals recommend
Goodfire Brewing Co.
219 Anderson StThey have great beer, dog friendly and have a resident dog, Fiona, who is the best!
The staff here is great and we love the beer garden they created.
68 locals recommend
Lone Pine Brewing Company
219 Anderson StThe staff here is great and we love the beer garden they created.
Portlands only "home brew" brewery, this place has a back yard vibe and the beer is great! The owner, Jeff is amazing and very accommodating!
Newscapes brewing
163 Washington AvenuePortlands only "home brew" brewery, this place has a back yard vibe and the beer is great! The owner, Jeff is amazing and very accommodating!
A Hidden gem in East Bayside. This place has great beer, is dog friendly and usually has live music.
9 locals recommend
Belleflower Brewing Company
66 Cove StreetA Hidden gem in East Bayside. This place has great beer, is dog friendly and usually has live music.
This is the place to be for a fun, outdoor environment with live music! They recently started serving food and its dog friendly!
137 locals recommend
Rising Tide Brewing Company
103 Fox StThis is the place to be for a fun, outdoor environment with live music! They recently started serving food and its dog friendly!
This is their second location, the original location being on Industrial Way. Great beer, great atmosphere.
70 locals recommend
Austin Street Brewery
115 Fox StThis is their second location, the original location being on Industrial Way. Great beer, great atmosphere.
Ok, technically this is a seltzer brewery which serves great cocktails using the seltzers they brew, BUT, its not to be missed! The inside is stunning and their outdoor area is the cutest!
10 locals recommend
Après
148 Anderson StreetOk, technically this is a seltzer brewery which serves great cocktails using the seltzers they brew, BUT, its not to be missed! The inside is stunning and their outdoor area is the cutest!
Bars
This is one of my favorite upscale places to grab a drink. Their staff is knowledgable, creative and their signature cocktails are down right good! Try the Green Eyes, I know it sounds weird to have egg whites in a drink, but trust me on this one!
74 locals recommend
The Portland Hunt & Alpine Club
75 Market StThis is one of my favorite upscale places to grab a drink. Their staff is knowledgable, creative and their signature cocktails are down right good! Try the Green Eyes, I know it sounds weird to have egg whites in a drink, but trust me on this one!
Blyth & Burrows is another favorite of mine. They are owned by the same people who own Via Vecchia and not unlike Via, their aesthetic is incredible. Their drinks are creative and there is even a secret passage to get to the speakeasy downstairs! During the summer you can even grab a drink outside in their newly constructed pirate ship!
51 locals recommend
Blyth & Burrows
26 Exchange StBlyth & Burrows is another favorite of mine. They are owned by the same people who own Via Vecchia and not unlike Via, their aesthetic is incredible. Their drinks are creative and there is even a secret passage to get to the speakeasy downstairs! During the summer you can even grab a drink outside in their newly constructed pirate ship!
Lincolns is a speak easy in Portland and every drink is only $5! Part of the fun is finding it, ask a local for a hint to find it!
19 locals recommend
Lincolns
36 Market StLincolns is a speak easy in Portland and every drink is only $5! Part of the fun is finding it, ask a local for a hint to find it!
If you're in the mood for an after dinner drink head here for a chocolate martini!
18 locals recommend
Bar of Chocolate
38 Wharf StIf you're in the mood for an after dinner drink head here for a chocolate martini!
The Independent Ice Co.
52 Wharf StCool vibe and an impressive selection of whiskey!
This is Portland's newest rooftop bar. The vibe is very cool and the drinks are good (although a little small). Worth going to check it out.
7 locals recommend
Luna Rooftop Bar
285 Commercial StreetThis is Portland's newest rooftop bar. The vibe is very cool and the drinks are good (although a little small). Worth going to check it out.
Sightseeing
Rent a kayak or a SUP (stand up paddle board) and explore Casco Bay!
63 locals recommend
Portland Paddle
1 Eastern PromenadeRent a kayak or a SUP (stand up paddle board) and explore Casco Bay!
Jump on a ferry and head over to Peak's Island! Rent a bike or a golf cart and explore everything the island has to offer. Sunday they host reggae fest which is fun but can get a little wild.
176 locals recommend
Peaks Island
Jump on a ferry and head over to Peak's Island! Rent a bike or a golf cart and explore everything the island has to offer. Sunday they host reggae fest which is fun but can get a little wild.
Head down to the Ferry Terminal and get a mailboat ticket. This is a longer cruise that takes you around the Casco Bay Islands!
Ferry Loading Ramp
Ferry Loading RampHead down to the Ferry Terminal and get a mailboat ticket. This is a longer cruise that takes you around the Casco Bay Islands!