Food Scene
An awesome combination of decor, music choices, and authentic Thailand "street" food. Definitely go if you're here on a Sunday night after 9pm because their discounted menu is an memorable treat.
146 locals recommend
Boda
671 Congress StAn awesome combination of decor, music choices, and authentic Thailand "street" food. Definitely go if you're here on a Sunday night after 9pm because their discounted menu is an memorable treat.
This is where I go for brunch, especially on Sundays when Tandem Coffee is closed. They serve Tandem's coffee in a french-press style. Get the savory pancake entree at brunch or pork buns at night.
147 locals recommend
Pai Men Miyake
188 State StThis is where I go for brunch, especially on Sundays when Tandem Coffee is closed. They serve Tandem's coffee in a french-press style. Get the savory pancake entree at brunch or pork buns at night.
Of course, the oysters. The staff is amazing. Bright blue, clean decor. Wonderful cocktails. Get absolutely anything on the menu and be happy. I love their fried fish bites. Monday brunch? What?!?!?
271 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StOf course, the oysters. The staff is amazing. Bright blue, clean decor. Wonderful cocktails. Get absolutely anything on the menu and be happy. I love their fried fish bites. Monday brunch? What?!?!?
The nicest people in Portland. Also, the best coffee unlike the burnt roasts you get elsewhere. Look for Small Axe truck in the mornings for amazing food, too. Tandem is the best!
49 locals recommend
Bunker Brewing Company
17 Westfield StThe nicest people in Portland. Also, the best coffee unlike the burnt roasts you get elsewhere. Look for Small Axe truck in the mornings for amazing food, too. Tandem is the best!
My "office" away from home. Free WiFi and wonderful coffee. I get so much work done here. Love the staff, too.
45 locals recommend
Speckled Ax
567 Congress StMy "office" away from home. Free WiFi and wonderful coffee. I get so much work done here. Love the staff, too.
In the ol' potato-batter tradition but with modern twists. I won't judge you for making these donuts your breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. Right across from Deering Oaks Park (aka Sat. Farmer's Market!)
219 locals recommend
The Holy Donut
194 Park AveIn the ol' potato-batter tradition but with modern twists. I won't judge you for making these donuts your breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. Right across from Deering Oaks Park (aka Sat. Farmer's Market!)
My favorite burger in Portland. Served on a pretzel dough bun. Get it with the pimento cheese and bacon/potato salad. Beer selection is usually pretty great.
87 locals recommend
LFK
188 State StMy favorite burger in Portland. Served on a pretzel dough bun. Get it with the pimento cheese and bacon/potato salad. Beer selection is usually pretty great.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is where you'll meet the real locals including old-timers looking back on life, Portland restaurant employees after a shift, and people that love jukeboxes and jell-o shots. Come after Eventide!!
24 locals recommend
Tomaso's Canteen
18 Hampshire StThis is where you'll meet the real locals including old-timers looking back on life, Portland restaurant employees after a shift, and people that love jukeboxes and jell-o shots. Come after Eventide!!
Beer heaven for beer worshippers. Go straight to the bar with a flavor profile in mind and they will not steer you wrong. Buy at the bar and bring to your table outside. Table service is not ideal.
85 locals recommend
Novare Res Bier Cafe
4 Canal PlazaBeer heaven for beer worshippers. Go straight to the bar with a flavor profile in mind and they will not steer you wrong. Buy at the bar and bring to your table outside. Table service is not ideal.
While you're waiting for the next ferry, come here to meet super-locals and rock the jukebox. You might "accidentally" miss the next ferry just to stay and finish your game of pool.
American Legion
142 Welch StWhile you're waiting for the next ferry, come here to meet super-locals and rock the jukebox. You might "accidentally" miss the next ferry just to stay and finish your game of pool.
Some of the best beer to come out of Maine. Really fresh, crisp beers. Nice packaging, too. For hours and list of what they're pouring at the brewery: http://www.risingtidebrewing.com/home.html
137 locals recommend
Rising Tide Brewing Company
103 Fox StSome of the best beer to come out of Maine. Really fresh, crisp beers. Nice packaging, too. For hours and list of what they're pouring at the brewery: http://www.risingtidebrewing.com/home.html
Essentials
Their sandwich specials never disappoint, especially the hot, panini ones. Their sweet treats are among the finest in town. The staff of women working there brighten my day with their wit and smiles.
50 locals recommend
Blue Spoon Cafe & Catering
64 Pine StTheir sandwich specials never disappoint, especially the hot, panini ones. Their sweet treats are among the finest in town. The staff of women working there brighten my day with their wit and smiles.
Saturday's only from 7am to 12am (usually goes later than that). Large selection of organic farm goods. Deering Oaks Park is a wonderful place to wander around. Cool your feet off in the wading pool!!
64 locals recommend
Portland Farmers' Market
92 Deering AveSaturday's only from 7am to 12am (usually goes later than that). Large selection of organic farm goods. Deering Oaks Park is a wonderful place to wander around. Cool your feet off in the wading pool!!
Sightseeing
Take the ferry. Have a beer on the trip over. I can give you directions to a great secluded spot with views of old forts, a small island you can swim to, and a tree you can climb. I call it "The Spot"
10 locals recommend
Peaks Island
Take the ferry. Have a beer on the trip over. I can give you directions to a great secluded spot with views of old forts, a small island you can swim to, and a tree you can climb. I call it "The Spot"
The view!!!! Views of the bay, islands, interesting people, and kids rolling down the steep hill. Includes playgrounds, courts, grassy areas, a pebbly beach, and a trail for bikes and runners.
251 locals recommend
Eastern Promenade Trail
Eastern PromenadeThe view!!!! Views of the bay, islands, interesting people, and kids rolling down the steep hill. Includes playgrounds, courts, grassy areas, a pebbly beach, and a trail for bikes and runners.
Run, run, run. Also a good view of the city. Avoid during low-tide at all costs.
38 locals recommend
Back Cove Trail
Back Cove TrailRun, run, run. Also a good view of the city. Avoid during low-tide at all costs.
Shopping
Only open on Friday/Saturday, but Bob and Chris have the coolest selection of antiques. They know their stuff, but they're not trying to get rich, either. They often will go down on any price.
Allen & Walker Antiques
684 Congress StOnly open on Friday/Saturday, but Bob and Chris have the coolest selection of antiques. They know their stuff, but they're not trying to get rich, either. They often will go down on any price.
Buy something handsomely stylish or something that smells good. Then go across Commercial Street to Infiniti and have a drink made with my homemade bitters called a "Haute Fashioned".
10 locals recommend
Portland Dry Goods
235 Commercial StBuy something handsomely stylish or something that smells good. Then go across Commercial Street to Infiniti and have a drink made with my homemade bitters called a "Haute Fashioned".
A real selection of old vinyl. Buy some records and play them back at my apartment on my big record player in the main room. Most of my older records are from this shop.
Enterprise Records
4 Pine StreetA real selection of old vinyl. Buy some records and play them back at my apartment on my big record player in the main room. Most of my older records are from this shop.
Arts & Culture
Look at their schedule to see if an upcoming event piques your interest. I love this venue because it's accessible, but modern and cheap. www.space538.org
72 locals recommend
SPACE
534-538 Congress StLook at their schedule to see if an upcoming event piques your interest. I love this venue because it's accessible, but modern and cheap. www.space538.org
Free on Friday nights from 5 to 9pm. Rotating exhibits can be pretty awe-inspiring. http://www.portlandmuseum.org/exhibitions-collections/current.shtml
412 locals recommend
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqFree on Friday nights from 5 to 9pm. Rotating exhibits can be pretty awe-inspiring. http://www.portlandmuseum.org/exhibitions-collections/current.shtml
Everything Else
A huge selection of flea market-type goods. Retro/funky stuff, vintage clothes, hand-made crafts, and tons of antiques. Open Fri/Sat/Sun. Architectural Salvage is also impressive but, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!
41 locals recommend
Portland Flea-for-All
585 Congress StA huge selection of flea market-type goods. Retro/funky stuff, vintage clothes, hand-made crafts, and tons of antiques. Open Fri/Sat/Sun. Architectural Salvage is also impressive but, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!
Rent a bike for $25-40/a day. Store located seconds away from my apartment.
25 locals recommend
Gorham Bike & Ski
693 Congress StRent a bike for $25-40/a day. Store located seconds away from my apartment.