157 Cafe & Bar at the Eastland Park Hotel, at 157 High Street in Portland, features a warm and casual atmosphere. The menu sparkles with delicious, freshly-prepared local seasonal offerings, Maine seafood, steaks and more. Serving breakfast daily from 7 a.m.-11 a.m.; dinner daily from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. and lunch daily at Top of the East (Portland’s only roof-top lounge) from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. eastlandparkhotel.com 775-5411
3 Dollar Dewey’s in the heart of Portland’s Old Port is not to be missed. Pub fare includes chowder, appetizers–including beer-battered shrimp, buffalo wings, and glorious nachos–as well as chili, salads, seafood, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and build-your-own pizzas. A beer-lover’s heaven with 36 draft beers and 42 bottled beers. Open every day 11:30 a.m.-1:00 a.m. 241 Commercial Street. 3dollardeweys.com 772-3310
51 Wharf Restaurant Casual fine-dining restaurant by day and posh live entertainment by night. Chef Kevin Soucy’s avant-garde new American cuisine showcases an eclectic mix of seasonal, local ingredients inspired by worldwide cultures in the small-plates menu and regional favorites including twin-lobster dinners and a variety of fresh, indigenous seafood. 51 Wharf Street in Portland’s Old Port. 51wharf.com 774-1151 *
Anthony’s Italian Kitchen, 151 Middle Street, lower level, Portland. Voted “Best in Portland” three years in a row. Pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. All homemade recipes including lasagna, chicken parmesan, eggplant parmesan, meatballs, and Italian sausages. Variety of hot and cold sandwiches. Beer and wine. Catering available. 774-8668 *
Beale Street Barbeque continues a tradition of eclectic American cuisine at their new location in South Portland. Still serving the best hardwood-smoked and grilled meats, poultry, fish, and seafood, as well as tasty appetizers, specialty sandwiches, salads, and creative daily lunch and dinner specials. Full bar featuring Maine microbrews on tap. No reservations needed, children welcome. Open all day, every day at 725 Broadway in South Portland. mainebbq.com 767-0130
Becky’s at 390 Commercial Street, featured in Esquire and recommended by Rachael Ray, is “a slice of diner heaven,” according to Gourmet. Serving classic diner fare within the call of gulls, it’s Maine’s best family-friendly place to keep it real. Open 4 a.m.-9 p.m., 7 days a week. 773-7070
BiBo’s Madd Apple Cafe, 23 Forest Avenue, Portland, in the heart of the Arts District. Focusing on creative, affordable cuisine with an eclectic wine list to match, served in a bright casual atmosphere. Lunch Wed.-Fri. 11:30-2, brunch Sun. 11-2, dinner Wed.-Sat. from 5:30 and Sundays 4-8. Menus change with the local growing season. Menus online atbibosportland.com 774-9698 *
Bonobo restaurant in Portland’s West End bakes up over a dozen tasty varieties of 13-inch wood-fired pizzas–many by-the-slice–along with daily specials and salads. Try the namesake (Bonobo) pizza, topped with mushrooms, prosciutto, baby spinach, leeks, fontina, and creamy sauce; or the Marley, with jerk chicken sausage, roasted red peppers, pickled hot peppers, cheddar, mozzarella, sauce, and scallions. Lunch Wed.-Fri. 11:30-2:30, Sat. 12-4. Dinner Sun.-Thurs. 4-10, Fri. and Sat 4-11. 46 Pine Street at Brackett bonobopizza.com 347-8267
Café Stroudwater has been an award-winning local favorite for many years. Chef Paul L’Heureux features delicious local cuisine using local products based on the season. For a truly unique experience, reserve a “Chef’s Table,” where you and your guest will be seated right in the kitchen while the Chef prepares your six-course meal accompanied by select wines. 1050 Westbrook Street in the Embassy Suites, Portland. 775-0032 *
DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant at 25 Long Wharf off Commercial Street. You can’t beat the location for fabulous water views of Portland Harbor. Escape the hustle & bustle of the city. Watch the boats go by. Enjoy fresh Maine lobster year-round, steak, seafood dishes, & more. Serving 7 days from 11:00 a.m. Children’s menu available. For drinks & a lighter menu, try our Portside Lounge. dimillos.com 772-2216
The Dogfish Bar & Grille, 128 Free Street, Portland 772-5483, and The Dogfish Café, 953 Congress Street, Portland, 253-5400. “Great food, drink, and service in a casual and unpretentious atmosphere.” The Café (Monday-Saturday lunch and dinner, and now serving Sunday Brunch) offers a more intimate setting while the Bar & Grille (open 7 days a week at 11:30 a.m.) offers live music Wednesday-Saturday nights. For a real local feel, reasonable prices, and great food, check out either one or both! thedogfishcompany.com
Eve’s at the Garden, 468 Fore Street, Portland, promises a unique experience and a fresh, local approach to food. Chef Jeff Landry and his team utilize products from Maine’s coastal waters and farms: jumbo diver-harvested scallops, naturally-raised organic pork and beef, sustainably raised fish and shellfish, and fresh Maine lobster prepared in Mediterranean style. Free valet parking during dinner. Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., dinner 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. portlandharborhotel.com 523-2040
Fresh! aims to keep the food local and organic, the atmosphere friendly and casual, and everything about the dining experience FRESH! The menu changes weekly, and is influenced by the availability of the freshest produce, poultry, meat, and seafood. Open for lunch Tuesday-Friday and dinner Tuesday-Saturday. Fresh! is located in Knightville in South Portland at 171A Ocean Street. wonderfullyfresh.com 699-2646
G & R DiMillo’s Bayside is nestled between downtown Portland and Back Cove at 118 Preble Street. You’ll find a comfortable atmosphere, excellent food, and fine dining during lunch and dinner. Featuring creatively prepared and classic appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, pizza and delectable Italian entrees. Catch the season’s most exciting games on the multiple wide screen flat panel TVs. Full bar. Open Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.,
Sun. 12 p.m.-8 p.m. grdimillos.com 699-5959
The Great Impasta, Premier Italian Restaurant in Brunswick, recognized as one of the “Top 25 Italian Restaurants in all of New England.” Intimate dining room setting, fun and varied wine list, and creative Italian & Mediterranean-inspired dishes at surprisingly reasonable prices. Open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday. 42 Maine Street, Brunswick. thegreatimpasta.com 729-5858
Great Lost Bear, 540 Forest Avenue in the Woodfords area of Portland. A full bar with over 60 draught beers from local micro-breweries and imported specialties. Our menu features salads, sandwiches, steaks, a large vegetarian selection, the best nachos & buffalo wings in town. Discover where the natives go when they’re restless! Every day 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. greatlostbear.com 772-0300
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Jacqueline’s Tea Room and Gift Shop, experience authentic Afternoon Tea in an exquisite English setting. Select from over 70 of the finest quality loose-leaf teas to accompany your four-course luncheon of scones with Devon cream, preserves and lemon curd, finger sandwiches of all kinds, and desserts. Great for intimate conversations and parties. 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and alternating weekends. 201 Main Street, Freeport. Reservations only. jacquelinestearoom.com 865-2123
Jameson Tavern, with a casual bar, lounge & dining room. The building is the site of the signing of the Constitution for the state of Maine when it broke away from Massachusetts. Classic preparations served in a graceful & elegant setting make this a fine retreat from frenzied outlet shopping. 115 Main Street, Freeport. 865-4196
La Familia–best Latin American cuisine north of the border. Classic appetizers like empañadas and ceviche, and generously plated entrées: jumbo pan-fried shrimp in butter with garlic and onion served with fried plantains and salad, and rotisserie chicken with Latin seasonings. Try homemade flan for dessert. Lunch and dinner Monday-Thursday noon-8 p.m, Friday noon-10 p.m. Saturday noon.-8 p.m. 906 Brighton Avenue, Portland. 761-5865
Lotus Chinese and Japanese Restaurant, 251 U.S. Rte. 1, Falmouth, Maine (Falmouth Shopping Plaza). We feature full-service bar and lounge area, sushi bar, Chinese traditional food not available outside of Boston, friendly atmosphere and courteous service. 781-3453
Margaritas Mexican Restaurants & Watering Hole! Two locations in Portland, others in Lewiston, Augusta, Orono & Portsmouth, serving oversized meals & colossal drinks. Always free hot chips & salsa, legendary margaritas, & the house specialty, the sizzling fajita. Happy hour M-F, 4-7 p.m., free hot appetizers. In Portland at 242 St. John Street, Union Station Plaza, 874-6444 & 11 Brown Street near the Civic Center. 774-9398
Maria’s Ristorante, est. 1960, 337 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, one street down from Congress Street. Portland’s finest Italian Cuisine. Maine Sunday Telegram’s four-star restaurant. Homemade sausages and finest meatballs around, thick Veal Chops a la Maria, Zuppa De Pesce Fradiavolo, homemade gelato, and Italian-style cakes. Lunch and Dinner Tuesday-Saturday, $13-$25. “Preserving the authentic Italian dining experience.” mariasrestaurant.com 772-9232
MJ’s Grille and Tavern offers casual fine dining in a comfortable environment, with a variety of dishes–from small plates and seasonal salads to steak and local seafood. Handcrafted wooden bar offers a wide selection of beers from around the world, local beers, fine wines, and martinis. Private rooms for parties. Downstairs Tavern open Friday and Saturday nights with DJs and bands. 94 Maine Street, Brunswick. mjsgrille.com 729-6574
North Star Music Café, 225 Congress Street, at the base of Munjoy Hill in Portland. A coffee shop and café offering soups, sandwiches, salads, and specials made from scratch. Eat by our sunny windows or take your food to go. A full coffee bar, sodas, beer, and wine available. Music most nights. Check northstarcafe.net for calendar and hours. 699-2994
O’Naturals serves natural and organic flatbread sandwiches, tossed salads, Asian noodles, soups, and kids’ meals. Quick service, but our leather couches, wireless internet, and comfortable atmosphere will entice you to stay. Flatbread pizza after 4 p.m. and pesto chicken, roast beef, wild bison meatloaf, wild Alaskan salmon, and many vegetarian items–something for everyone. Portland 321-2050 and Falmouth. 781-8889
The Pepperclub is a prize-winning restaurant (“Best Vegetarian” & “Best Value” in Frommer’s Guide to New England) with creative world cuisine. Blackboard menu lists five vegetarian, three fish, & three meat entrées, including an organic beef burger. Relaxed, affordable dining on the edge of the Old Port w/free parking. Open nightly at 5 p.m. 78 Middle Street. pepperclubrestaurant.com 772-0531
Pom’s Thai Taste Restaurant, Noodle House, and Sushi Bar at 571 Congress Street in Portland (772-7999) uses only high-quality, fresh ingredients in all of their 90+ menu selections, guaranteed to satisfy. Featuring a kids’ menu, monthly specials, made-to-order noodle soup, and $1 SUSHI every Monday & Tuesday. Other locations in South Portland: Pom’s Thai Restaurant at 209 Western Avenue (347-3000) and Thai Taste Restaurant at 435 Cottage Road (767-3599). thaitastemaine.com.
SeaGrass Bistro, 30 Forest Falls Drive, Yarmouth, an intimate 40-seat dining room with an open kitchen. Chef Stephanie’s style of American Bistro Cuisine, with Asian, French, and Tuscan influences, uses fresh local ingredients. Menu changes frequently. Music while you dine Thursdays in October & December. Open Wednesday-Saturday for dinner, reservations starting at 6 p.m. Visit our website for Cooking Class Information. seagrassbistro.com 846-3885
Twenty Milk Street, in the Portland Regency Hotel, is proud to serve U.S.D.A. prime and choice steaks and the freshest seafood, combining award-winning classic American cuisine with fine wines in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Featuring crab cakes with lemon shallot mayonnaise, baked escargot, charbroiled chili-lime scallops, and sumptuous desserts. Dinner seven nights a week; also serving breakfast, lunch and brunch. Complimentary valet parking. theregency.com 774-4200
Walter’s, 15 Exchange Street, Portland. Cuisine with “worldly” influences–casual fine dining with a metropolitan flair. Menu changes seasonally with popular blackboard specials. Bar manager Steven Lovenguth’s wine list complements Chef Jeff Buerhaus’s menu selections. Interesting cocktails and dessert drinks, also. Open Mon-Sat 11:30-2:30 for lunch; dinner from 5:00 seven nights a week. Private room available for up to 26 guests. walterscafe.com 871-9258
Wells Beach Steakhouse and T-Bone Lounge serves prime steaks, fresh seafood, and delicious salads, featuring Kobe sirloin steaks, stuffed smoked salmon and grilled swordfish in an upscale, plush atmosphere. Enjoy a selection from the highly allocated new world wine list, or a signature 28-ounce Wells Beach martini under the starry ‘sky’ of the lounge. 73 Mile Road, Wells. wellsbeachsteakhouse.com 646-2252
Yosaku, at 1 Danforth Street, is an authentic Japanese culinary experience, designed by owner Sato Takahiro and lead chef Matsuyama Masahiro. Premium sushi, sashimi, and rolls, including Yosaku roll, spicy scallop roll, Godzilla roll, Portland Pirates roll, and traditional cooked Japanese cuisine for the sushi-shy. Enjoy a bento box beside a tranquil Japanese waterfall. Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30-2, Saturday-Sunday 12-3. Dinner 5-9:30, Friday-Saturday 5-10:30. 780-0880 |
