Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
OK it's not in our 'hood but then it should really tell you that the mere fact we're urging you to go there means that this place is OUTSTANDING. When you go, don't hold back. It's a place that uses butter freely and everything tastes unbelievable...oh and they roast their own coPee and it is fantastic. From their website: "Tandem was lucky enough to and a unique old building - this one built in the 1960’s. Once a gas station then laundromat - now a beautiful place to sip coPee, eat delicious baked goods and chat with friends."
163 Einheimische empfehlen
The West End Deli & Catering Inc
545 Spring StOK it's not in our 'hood but then it should really tell you that the mere fact we're urging you to go there means that this place is OUTSTANDING. When you go, don't hold back. It's a place that uses butter freely and everything tastes unbelievable...oh and they roast their own coPee and it is fantastic. From their website: "Tandem was lucky enough to and a unique old building - this one built in the 1960’s. Once a gas station then laundromat - now a beautiful place to sip coPee, eat delicious baked goods and chat with friends."
We love the Spoon. Warm inviting friendly service, great comfort food prepared with attention and fresh local ingredients. Cozy in winter, outdoor tables in warm weather. Reasonable prices. A real neighborhood vibe. Closed Sundays.
74 Einheimische empfehlen
Blue Spoon
5 Congress StWe love the Spoon. Warm inviting friendly service, great comfort food prepared with attention and fresh local ingredients. Cozy in winter, outdoor tables in warm weather. Reasonable prices. A real neighborhood vibe. Closed Sundays.
There is a debate about where to get the BEST lobster roll in town. I say it depends...but I think it's down to either Eventide or Scales. Eventide uses a steamed Korean-style bun, and they have a massive & well-deserved following for their raw bar, all things seafood, craft cocktails and hip vibe. It's a serious foodie and hipster haunt not to be missed if you don't mind the wait!
272 Einheimische empfehlen
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StThere is a debate about where to get the BEST lobster roll in town. I say it depends...but I think it's down to either Eventide or Scales. Eventide uses a steamed Korean-style bun, and they have a massive & well-deserved following for their raw bar, all things seafood, craft cocktails and hip vibe. It's a serious foodie and hipster haunt not to be missed if you don't mind the wait!
What's better than a lobster shack right on the wharf...with live music, beer and wine...plus they allow dogs should you be traveling with a 4-legged friend? Great update on traditional lobster shack fare...meaning, you'll actually really love the cole slaw, and the lobster roll has butter instead of may...plus fried clams, fish & chips...and they also have a great chicken wrap. So much fun!
131 Einheimische empfehlen
Portland Lobster Co
180 Commercial StWhat's better than a lobster shack right on the wharf...with live music, beer and wine...plus they allow dogs should you be traveling with a 4-legged friend? Great update on traditional lobster shack fare...meaning, you'll actually really love the cole slaw, and the lobster roll has butter instead of may...plus fried clams, fish & chips...and they also have a great chicken wrap. So much fun!
Organic wood-fired pie with a groovy family-friendly vibe, great microbrews on tap and an awesome brownie sundae. Fabulous water views...right next to the ferry terminal. Especially kid-friendly.
98 Einheimische empfehlen
Flatbread Company
72 Commercial StOrganic wood-fired pie with a groovy family-friendly vibe, great microbrews on tap and an awesome brownie sundae. Fabulous water views...right next to the ferry terminal. Especially kid-friendly.
A perennial guest and local favorite. Fries cooked in duck fat with a big choice of artisanal sides like truffle ketchup, homemade milk shakes, burgers, grilled sandwiches. It's chef is James Beard winner 2009 Rob Evans. Plan on a wait...it's a tiny spot!
173 Einheimische empfehlen
Duckfat
43 Middle StA perennial guest and local favorite. Fries cooked in duck fat with a big choice of artisanal sides like truffle ketchup, homemade milk shakes, burgers, grilled sandwiches. It's chef is James Beard winner 2009 Rob Evans. Plan on a wait...it's a tiny spot!
Each of the many creative small plates on the menu are layered with flavors. Favorite plates: Smoked Carrots, Fried Cauliflower, Raw Beef Salad....but be sure to ask the wait staff for their suggestions. James Beard nominee. Worth the money, worth the wait!
145 Einheimische empfehlen
Central Provisions
414 Fore StEach of the many creative small plates on the menu are layered with flavors. Favorite plates: Smoked Carrots, Fried Cauliflower, Raw Beef Salad....but be sure to ask the wait staff for their suggestions. James Beard nominee. Worth the money, worth the wait!
Top notch, excellent dining & service. Our original James Beard award-winning farm-and- forage-to-table restaurant with beautiful rustic dining room, open kitchen, and big cozy bar. Expensive and worth it. Tip: eat at the bar on a snowy winter night if you can get a seat!
54 Einheimische empfehlen
Fore Street
Fore StreetTop notch, excellent dining & service. Our original James Beard award-winning farm-and- forage-to-table restaurant with beautiful rustic dining room, open kitchen, and big cozy bar. Expensive and worth it. Tip: eat at the bar on a snowy winter night if you can get a seat!
Craft cocktails & hand-selected interesting wines to go along with small plates with a Spanish flair. Outdoor tables in warm weather. Great place to rub elbows with the locals, and a hipster fave!
32 Einheimische empfehlen
Lolita
90 Congress StCraft cocktails & hand-selected interesting wines to go along with small plates with a Spanish flair. Outdoor tables in warm weather. Great place to rub elbows with the locals, and a hipster fave!
Excellent seafood, beautiful rustic Provencal-inspired interior with herbs drying from beams, exposed brick, open kitchen on perhaps our most iconic Old Port street/alley Wharf Street. I love their halibut, but if I'm in the mood for fish & pasta I'll get either clams with white sauce or shrimp with red sauce and capers...or Lobster Fra Diavolo (for two). Excellent raw bar, perfect martinis, curated wine list. Pricey but worth it...you will not be disappointed!
114 Einheimische empfehlen
Street & Co
33 Wharf StExcellent seafood, beautiful rustic Provencal-inspired interior with herbs drying from beams, exposed brick, open kitchen on perhaps our most iconic Old Port street/alley Wharf Street. I love their halibut, but if I'm in the mood for fish & pasta I'll get either clams with white sauce or shrimp with red sauce and capers...or Lobster Fra Diavolo (for two). Excellent raw bar, perfect martinis, curated wine list. Pricey but worth it...you will not be disappointed!
We love Drifter's Wife for its subtle attention to detail, perfectly prepared food and the feeling we're transported to Brooklyn. Wine shop in the back. Maybe it's because the husband & wife team who own, cook, and serve are from Brooklyn? But it's right in our hood.
35 Einheimische empfehlen
Drifters Wife
59 Washington AveWe love Drifter's Wife for its subtle attention to detail, perfectly prepared food and the feeling we're transported to Brooklyn. Wine shop in the back. Maybe it's because the husband & wife team who own, cook, and serve are from Brooklyn? But it's right in our hood.
Pho Ga and Cabbage Salad make a perfect meal, and they do take out! Right in the hood about 10 min walk! Real, fresh, carefully prepared Vietnamese food.
41 Einheimische empfehlen
Cong Tu Bot
57 Washington AvePho Ga and Cabbage Salad make a perfect meal, and they do take out! Right in the hood about 10 min walk! Real, fresh, carefully prepared Vietnamese food.
The best pie (pizza) in Portland. It's slightly chewy/holds up to sauce...and they have the best red sauce too. My faves: Chicken & Basil, or Eggplant Ricotta. Or maybe Sausage Vidalia Onion. If you get a large, you can split it between two flavors. For some reason one of their most popular is Potato Bacon...I just don't get it. They deliver too! Or just walk down the hill. There are two locations on Congress Street, so if you order, be sure you are calling the one on East End.
192 Einheimische empfehlen
OTTO
576 Congress StThe best pie (pizza) in Portland. It's slightly chewy/holds up to sauce...and they have the best red sauce too. My faves: Chicken & Basil, or Eggplant Ricotta. Or maybe Sausage Vidalia Onion. If you get a large, you can split it between two flavors. For some reason one of their most popular is Potato Bacon...I just don't get it. They deliver too! Or just walk down the hill. There are two locations on Congress Street, so if you order, be sure you are calling the one on East End.
I don't want to love their donuts but you just can't help yourself I promise. Made fresh, with Maine potatoes instead of wheat flour, which makes them moist and light. My faves: Chocolate Sea Salt, Glazed Ginger, Sweet Potato.
220 Einheimische empfehlen
The Holy Donut
194 Park AveI don't want to love their donuts but you just can't help yourself I promise. Made fresh, with Maine potatoes instead of wheat flour, which makes them moist and light. My faves: Chocolate Sea Salt, Glazed Ginger, Sweet Potato.
Drinks & Nightlife
I suggest you take a walking brewery tour of our neighboring East Bayside neighborhood! Start here: home to the barrels and tanks in which they age their funky and sour beers. All blending and bottling takes place onsite. Fun space with long tables and some outdoor tables too.
106 Einheimische empfehlen
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
49 Washington AveI suggest you take a walking brewery tour of our neighboring East Bayside neighborhood! Start here: home to the barrels and tanks in which they age their funky and sour beers. All blending and bottling takes place onsite. Fun space with long tables and some outdoor tables too.