Estimated reading time: 16 minutes

Portland, Maine, is one of the best foodie destinations in the U.S., serving up everything from buttery lobster rolls to wood-fired pizza and craft cocktails. With so many incredible restaurants packed into one small city, it can be tough to know where to start.

That’s why I’ve rounded up 17 of the best places to eat in Portland — from casual spots to local favorites and upscale dining — each with a dish you won’t want to miss.

Where to Eat in Portland, Maine

This Portland, Maine, food tour is designed so you can walk between most stops, with a few that may require a short drive or Uber ride.

Looking for somewhere specific on the list? Choose your spot in the table of contents below!

17 Portland, Maine Foodie Stops

Below, you’ll find must-visit stops and my favorite dish at each place! With insider tips from me, a local who knows Portland’s food scene inside and out.

1. Lobby Pop At High Roller Lobster Co.

📍 Address: 104 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101

Kick off your Portland Maine, food tour with Highroller Lobster Co!

While their lobster roll is fantastic, I recommend the Lobby Pop—a deep-fried lobster tail on a stick!

Pair it with one of their creative dipping sauces for the full experience.

I had to choose the deep-fried version in their cornbread batter, to keep up with the carnival vibe.

You also get a dipping sauce, which they have so many flavors of.

2. Tom Yum Punch Cocktail At Blyth & Burrows

📍 Address: 26 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101

Every great food tour in Portland, Maine, needs a cocktail stop, and Blyth & Burrows makes the list.

This is my favorite cocktail bar in Portland, not just because they serve up creative cocktails, but because they’re always delicious.

They also have a food menu, and every dish I’ve tried has been amazing! So be sure to grab some appetizers to go with your drinks.

Even though I love their seasonal cocktails, the Tom Yum Punch holds a special place in my heart.

Maybe it’s because I absolutely love Thai food, or maybe I just have a thing for savory cocktails.

This drink features gin, lime, and Tom Yum soup—milk clarified.

It truly tastes just like Tom Yum Soup and is surprisingly easy to drink, even with its bold kick of flavor.

If you love skipping handcrafted cocktails, here are The Best Cocktail Bars In Maine: A Local’s Guide!

3. Steamed Lobster Dinner At Scales

📍 Address: 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101

For a true Maine seafood experience, head to Scales. Their steamed lobster dinner, complete with drawn butter and cornbread, is a must.

I love dining at Scales because it’s right on the water, and you can watch the sunset over the ocean from the dining room window.

Cracking open a freshly steamed lobster, paired with cornbread, coleslaw, and drawn butter, was an experience in itself.

Maybe I’m a little biased because it was my first whole lobster dinner in Maine, but it’s one I’ll never forget.

I can honestly say it’s one of the best restaurants in Portland, Maine!

For those who don’t want lobster, their Pan Roasted Halibut is just as amazing.

4. Pizza At Friends & Family

📍 Address: 593 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101

Portland has an underrated pizza scene, and Friends & Family is one of the best.

I recommend their sausage and onion pizza, paired with a bottle of wine on their outdoor patio.

They switch up their specialty pies based on what’s in season, so there’s always something new to try.

5. Spicy Honey Butter Lobster Roll at Luke’s

📍 Address: 60 Portland Pier, Portland, ME 04101

No food tour in Portland, Maine, is complete without a lobster roll!

Luke’s Lobster serves some of the best lobster rolls in Maine, but what really makes it special is the view.

I went for the Lobster Roll Trio, which lets you try three different styles.

Sit outside and watch the lobster boats dock while enjoying their Spicy Honey Butter Lobster Roll.

It’s a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and buttery goodness.

Want to try more of my lobster rolls? Read A Local’s Guide to the Best Lobster Rolls in Maine!

6. Chicken & Waffles at Hot Suppa

📍 Address: 703 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102

If your self-guided food tour lands in the morning, stop by Hot Suppa for their legendary Chicken & Waffles!

Which is drizzled with delicious maple syrup. It’s a classic, but this dish was one of the best I have had!

Don’t forget a Cajun Bloody Mary on the side!

7. Seafood Chowder at Gilbert’s

📍 Address: 92 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101

As summer transitions to winter in Maine, I switch from lobster rolls to chowders.

Out of all the chowders I’ve had in Maine, Gilbert’s in Portland truly serves some of the best.

Gilbert’s Chowder House in Portland is famous for its award-winning chowders!

The Haddock Chowder features generous chunks of fresh haddock in a rich broth.

For those seeking variety, the Seafood Chowder combines clams, shrimp, haddock, and lobster into a delightful medley.

This is my favorite choice because it has chunks of fresh Maine Lobster in it! It was delicious with every bite, especially on a cold winter day in Maine.

8. Buttermilk-masa Pancakes at Ocotillo

📍 Address: 109 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101

Another amazing option for brunch is Ocotillo in Portland.

They feature a fusion of Mexican flavors and Texas-style BBQ, offering dishes like smoked brisket hash, breakfast tacos, and BBQ sandwiches.

My favorite dish here is the Buttermilk-masa Pancakes, which come with caramelized apple syrup, maple sea salt butter, cinnamon sugar, and candied pepitas.

Buttermilk masa is a combination of buttermilk and masa, a type of dough made from cornmeal. Masa is commonly used in Mexican cooking for dishes like tortillas, tamales, and empanadas.

They were out of this world! I should note that all the food here is great, but you simply have to add the pancakes to your meal. You won’t regret it.

9. Lucky Martini With Caviar at Lucky Cheetah

📍 Address: 39 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101

I had the honor of dining at Lucky Cheetah, one of Portland’s newer restaurants, for New Year’s Eve.

The restaurant offers an upscale dining experience that blends traditional Cantonese cuisine with innovative twists.

They feature a variety of tasty dishes, from dim sum and dumplings to lobster lo mein!

While all of their food was delicious, there was one thing that truly blew my mind—and that was their Lucky Martini!

This martini has sesame fat-washed vodka, and I added the caviar-stuffed olives, because why not?

The caviar olives were served on ice, and the sesame flavor paired perfectly with them.

It was one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had, and since there’s technically food in it, it earns a spot on your Portland food tour.

Want to read about my New Year’s Eve dinner here? Check out Lucky Cheetah Portland: A Must-Try Dumpling & Cocktail Spot

10. Brown Butter Lobster Roll at Eventide

📍 Address: 86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

Next, I headed to Eventide for their famous brown butter lobster roll. I’ve heard so much about it, so I had to try it.

The moment it arrived, I knew it was going to be special—the lobster was perfectly tender, and the brown butter added such a rich, savory flavor.

It was served on a soft, slightly toasted bun, and every bite was a perfect balance of buttery goodness and fresh lobster.

Some people get offended by it because it’s not a traditional lobster roll, but you have to understand—that’s not the point.

It’s a creative take with bold flavors, and it melts in your mouth.

The flavors were out of this world, and it lived up to all the hype. If you’re in Portland, this lobster roll is an absolute must-try.

11. Roman-style Pizza At Monte’s

📍 Address: 788 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04103

Alright, next up is one of my favorite food tour stops in Portland, Monte’s Fine Foods.

This Roman-style pizzeria serves up my favorite pie in Portland—and honestly, all of Maine.

It’s SO good. From the olive oil to the sauce to the way it’s cooked, everything about it is amazing.

Monte’s can be a bit tricky to find since it’s not in the Old Port.

It’s located just north of downtown and is easy to reach by car.

But if you don’t have a car, no worries—you can get delivery too.

12. Honey Soft Serve at The Honey Paw

📍 Address: 78 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

Next on your self-guided Portland food tour is The Honey Paw, a trendy spot in Portland known for its creative Asian-inspired dishes and sweet treats.

I couldn’t resist dining at The Honey Paw for dinner and trying their Honey Soft Serve.

Their food was delicious, but the soft serve had this perfect, creamy texture that melted in my mouth. The chocolate shell added a nice, rich crunch.

But the real star was the honeycomb—it was sweet, crunchy, and paired so well with the soft serve.

Every bite was like a little piece of heaven. If you’re in Portland and craving something sweet, this treat is definitely one to try.

For just $8, it was totally worth it.

Want to try weird ice cream in Maine? Don’t miss out on Lobster Ice Cream in Bar Harbor!

13. Belgian Frites at Duckfat

📍 Address: 43 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

I had to stop by Duckfat Frites Shack, and the fries are an absolute must-try on your Portland food tour.

Duckfat is famous for its rich, crispy fries cooked in – you guessed it – duck fat!

I grabbed a serving to go, and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. The fries are hand-cut and fried in duck fat, making them extra crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Make sure to add the truffle dipping sauce!

I’ve also been to their main restaurant, and it’s great for a sit-down meal. They have other menu items too, including cocktails and milkshakes!

14. Oysters at Island Creek Oysters

📍 Address: 123 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101

The Shop by Island Creek Oysters is a must-visit spot in Portland, especially if you’re a fan of fresh oysters.

When I stopped by, I had the pleasure of trying their freshly shucked oysters, which were absolutely delicious.

They’re so fresh, you can taste the ocean in every bite.

One of the highlights was their Bloody Mary, which comes with an oyster right on top.

Whether you’re a seasoned oyster lover or just looking to try something new, this place is definitely worth adding to your foodie list.

I also love visiting OystHERS in Bath for fresh oysters, if you are heading north of Portland!

15. Sonoran Hot Dog at El Corazón

📍 Address: 190 State St, Portland, ME 04101

If you’re looking for a game-changing hot dog, you have to try the Sonoran Hot Dog at El Corazón.

It’s an incredible creation made with a ¼ lb. bacon-wrapped hot dog, and loaded with chihuahua cheese, refried beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, mustard, and mayonnaise – seriously, it’s a meal in itself.

This hot dog was even featured on the Cooking Channel with celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez, and it’s every bit as amazing as it sounds!

El Corazón also has a location in South Portland, where you can enjoy all their bold flavors, from tacos to burritos and more.

Want to try more of my hot dog foodie spots in Maine? Here are The Best Hot Dogs in Maine!

16. Irish Scone with Currants at Zu Bakery

📍 81 Clark St, Portland, ME 04102

Zu Bakery in Portland, which has earned a James Beard Award nomination, is known for its incredible pastries.

One of the standout items I tried was the Irish Scone with Currants.

It was perfectly light and crumbly, with a sweet burst of currants.

This bakery truly lives up to its reputation, offering delicious baked goods that make it a must-visit in Portland!

They also sell bags of coffee and bottles of wine to go!

17. Mandilli al Vero Pesto at Solo Italiano

📍 Address: 100 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101

If you’re craving authentic Italian food in Portland, Maine, Solo Italiano is the place to be.

Their Mandilli al Vero Pesto Genovese is a must-try.

It’s a delicate handkerchief pasta coated in traditional Genovese basil pesto, made with extra virgin olive oil from Riviera Ligure and Pecorino Sardo.

Every bite is silky, herbaceous, and packed with rich, nutty flavors.

This dish is a true Italian classic, and if you love pasta, it’s one of the best meals you’ll find in Portland.

Pair it with a glass of wine, and you’ll feel like you’re dining in Italy—without leaving Maine.

Plan Your Portland Food Tour

Ready to take your Portland, Maine food tour? Here are some tips:

• Explore Beyond the Old Port – Some of the best eats are outside the main tourist area!
• Start Hungry – There’s a lot of food to try, so pace yourself!
• Wear Comfortable Shoes – This is a walking food tour for the most part.
• Make Reservations Where Needed – Some spots get busy, so call ahead. For example, Eventide, Honey Paw and Hot Suppa.
• Bring a bag for leftovers! You do not have to eat all of your food at every stop, instead save the rest for later. You will be happy you did in the morning!

Portland, Maine Food Tour Map

Take yourself on a self-guided foodie tour of the best restaurants in Portland, Maine!

Whether you hit all these spots in one weekend or spread them out over multiple trips, this map will help you plan.

The map below highlights 9 of the 16 foodie spots in the main downtown area, all within a 26-minute walk. The rest are either a longer walk or a short drive away.

Explore More of Maine

Ready to eat your way through Portland, Maine? I hope you get the chance to try all of these amazing foodie spots on my list!

If you have any favorites of your own, feel free to share them in the comments below. I’d love to hear what you’ve discovered.

If you want more foodie spots, here is my guide to the Best Lobster Rolls in Maine!

Check out all of my Maine Travel Guides for the best tips on hiking, dining, exploring, and so much more!

Eat your way through Brunswick! The Best Restaurants In Brunswick, Maine To Try!

Heading to Acadia National Park? Before you go, check out my Acadia National Park Travel Guides!

They’re packed with helpful tips, must-see spots, and the best ways to explore the park.

Want to travel right from your computer? Here are all of my Foodie Destinations!