The best restaurants in Portland

67 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 67 places · showing the latest additions first

When the week needs a reset, Saigon Restaurant nails the comfort-food brief with fragrant pho, steamy dumplings, crisp spring rolls, and…

795 Forest Ave

When the week needs a reset, Saigon Restaurant nails the comfort-food brief with fragrant pho, steamy dumplings, crisp spring rolls, and grilled skewer plates that actually taste like lemongrass. Bonus points for a solid tea lineup and bánh mì to go, perfect for desk lunches or couch mode.

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Pizzaiolo

Restaurants

Portland’s Pizzaiolo is cranking out authentic New York style pizza that hits exactly right this week. They’ve been serving something…

360 Cumberland Ave

Portland’s Pizzaiolo is cranking out authentic New York style pizza that hits exactly right this week. They’ve been serving something special for over 30 years, and if you’re juggling life stuff, their easy online ordering and catering make feeding a crew delightfully low-stress.

From the Portland newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Mr. Tuna

Restaurants

Portland sushi craving hitting hard this week? Mr. Tuna is dialing in melt-in-your-mouth nigiri and a dedicated Toro Menu, built on…

83 Middle St

Portland sushi craving hitting hard this week? Mr. Tuna is dialing in melt-in-your-mouth nigiri and a dedicated Toro Menu, built on meticulous prep like super freezing and careful aging that keeps pristine local Atlantic bluefin flowing most of the year… your chopsticks will notice.

From the Portland newsletter, August 7, 2026

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Longtime hub for beer enthusiasts has over 70 taps, weekly microbrewery events & a broad food menu.

540 Forest Ave

Longtime hub for beer enthusiasts has over 70 taps, weekly microbrewery events & a broad food menu.

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Solo Italiano

Restaurants

Intimate farm-to-table restaurant presenting contemporary takes on classic Genovese cuisine.

100 Commercial St

Intimate farm-to-table restaurant presenting contemporary takes on classic Genovese cuisine.

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Banh Appetit

Restaurants

Unpretentious outlet showcasing Vietnamese-style sandwiches & noodles, plus drinks & small plates.

171 Cumberland Ave

Unpretentious outlet showcasing Vietnamese-style sandwiches & noodles, plus drinks & small plates.

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Upscale pub serving creative, jumbo-size burgers, sandwiches & other comfort eats till late.

551 Congress St

Upscale pub serving creative, jumbo-size burgers, sandwiches & other comfort eats till late.

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Tuscan Table

Restaurants

Italian with a large central bar cooking up homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza & sharing platters.

390 Gorham Rd (South Portland)

Italian with a large central bar cooking up homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza & sharing platters.

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Trendy hangout serving all-day breakfasts in quirky surroundings, with vegan options.

211 Fore St

Trendy hangout serving all-day breakfasts in quirky surroundings, with vegan options.

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Pai Men Miyake

Restaurants

Refined ramen & soba noodle soups plus yakitori skewers & sake served in a sleek yet warm nook.

188 State St

Refined ramen & soba noodle soups plus yakitori skewers & sake served in a sleek yet warm nook.

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The Thirsty Pig

Restaurants

Cool outpost providing housemade sausages & casual eats, plus craft brews & patio seating.

37 Exchange St

Cool outpost providing housemade sausages & casual eats, plus craft brews & patio seating.

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Easygoing restaurant specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches, plus vegan & gluten-free options.

363 Fore St

Easygoing restaurant specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches, plus vegan & gluten-free options.

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Crispy Gai

Restaurants

Cocktails & Southeast Asian street food like Thai fried chicken in a hip setup with tin ceilings.

90 Exchange St

Cocktails & Southeast Asian street food like Thai fried chicken in a hip setup with tin ceilings.

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Roma

Restaurants

Casual neighborhood outpost for traditional red-sauce Italian & wine in a historical mansion.

767 Congress St

Casual neighborhood outpost for traditional red-sauce Italian & wine in a historical mansion.

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Comfy nook with local art offering made-to-order brunch bites, gluten-free options & Filipino meals.

952 Brighton Ave

Comfy nook with local art offering made-to-order brunch bites, gluten-free options & Filipino meals.

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Trendy, spacious restaurant serving burgers & comfort side dishes, plus sodas, shakes & cocktails.

83 Exchange St

Trendy, spacious restaurant serving burgers & comfort side dishes, plus sodas, shakes & cocktails.

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Leeward

Restaurants

Informal Italian restaurant serving pasta, seafood & meat dishes, plus desserts & a large wine list.

85 Free St

Informal Italian restaurant serving pasta, seafood & meat dishes, plus desserts & a large wine list.

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Miyake

Restaurants

Creative Japanese cuisine including sushi, omakase meals & dishes sourced from the owner's farm.

468 Fore St

Creative Japanese cuisine including sushi, omakase meals & dishes sourced from the owner's farm.

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Scales

Restaurants

Spacious seaside venue for local seafood, raw bar, wine & New England comfort classics.

68 Commercial St

Spacious seaside venue for local seafood, raw bar, wine & New England comfort classics.

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The Front Room

Restaurants

Quaint, local restaurant for upscale American comfort food, with popular bar & brunch scenes.

73 Congress St

Quaint, local restaurant for upscale American comfort food, with popular bar & brunch scenes.

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Specializing in pho, this relaxed Vietnamese eatery offers a wide menu of traditional dishes.

245 Commercial St

Specializing in pho, this relaxed Vietnamese eatery offers a wide menu of traditional dishes.

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Smoked Portland

Restaurants

Laid-back eatery serving slow-smoked meats, wings and sauces in creative flavors.

951 Forest Ave

Laid-back eatery serving slow-smoked meats, wings and sauces in creative flavors.

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Flagship of a regional pizzeria & pub known for flavored crusts, from basil or beer to gluten-free.

51 York St

Flagship of a regional pizzeria & pub known for flavored crusts, from basil or beer to gluten-free.

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Duckfat

Restaurants

Small European-leaning sandwich shop & cafe known for its duck-fat Belgian fries & milkshakes.

43 Middle St

Small European-leaning sandwich shop & cafe known for its duck-fat Belgian fries & milkshakes.

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Pizza Villa

Restaurants

Low-key, old-fashioned family pizzeria offering pan-baked pies, sandwiches & a cash-only bar.

940 Congress St

Low-key, old-fashioned family pizzeria offering pan-baked pies, sandwiches & a cash-only bar.

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Eclectic restaurant serving small plates & cocktails in a rustic, brick-walled setting.

414 Fore St

Eclectic restaurant serving small plates & cocktails in a rustic, brick-walled setting.

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Wood-fired pizzas with organic ingredients & free-range meats, made in traditional clay ovens.

72 Commercial St #5

Wood-fired pizzas with organic ingredients & free-range meats, made in traditional clay ovens.

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Popular marina mainstay in a huge former car ferry offers seafood, nautical decor & harbor views.

25 Long Wharf

Popular marina mainstay in a huge former car ferry offers seafood, nautical decor & harbor views.

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UNION Restaurant

Restaurants

Seasonal New American fare, house cocktails & craft beer offered in a casual, sophisticated space.

390 Congress St

Seasonal New American fare, house cocktails & craft beer offered in a casual, sophisticated space.

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Stylish Middle Eastern bistro for creative riffs on classic cuisine with focus on local ingredients.

443 Fore St

Stylish Middle Eastern bistro for creative riffs on classic cuisine with focus on local ingredients.

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Asian art & paraphernalia hangs on the walls of this neighborhood Thai restaurant.

267 St John St

Asian art & paraphernalia hangs on the walls of this neighborhood Thai restaurant.

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Leonardo's Pizza

Restaurants

Local pizzeria chain offering classic & gourmet pies, plus roasted chicken, in a low-key setting.

415 Forest Ave

Local pizzeria chain offering classic & gourmet pies, plus roasted chicken, in a low-key setting.

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Taco Escobarr

Restaurants

Funky, colorful tavern with creative cocktails, outdoor seating & a Mexican menu.

548 Congress St

Funky, colorful tavern with creative cocktails, outdoor seating & a Mexican menu.

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Easygoing chain serving Alabama-style pulled pork & other meats smoked in-house.

450 Payne Rd (Scarborough)

Easygoing chain serving Alabama-style pulled pork & other meats smoked in-house.

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Colorful, cheerful local chain with a large bar & lively scene specializes in dry-rub barbecue.

568 US-1 (Freeport)

Colorful, cheerful local chain with a large bar & lively scene specializes in dry-rub barbecue.

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Ribollita

Restaurants

Cozy & quaint spot for upscale Italian dinners featuring housemade pasta & Italian wines.

41 Middle St

Cozy & quaint spot for upscale Italian dinners featuring housemade pasta & Italian wines.

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Rustic-chic hangout offering a country theme & music videos, plus a self-serve beer wall & bar food.

37 Wharf St

Rustic-chic hangout offering a country theme & music videos, plus a self-serve beer wall & bar food.

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Artemisia Cafe

Restaurants

Easygoing eatery with a warm ambiance offering locally sourced new American fare, plus beer & wine.

61 Pleasant St

Easygoing eatery with a warm ambiance offering locally sourced new American fare, plus beer & wine.

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Upscale wood-fired chops, seafood & pizza in a welcoming corner spot with outdoor parkside seating.

84 Exchange St

Upscale wood-fired chops, seafood & pizza in a welcoming corner spot with outdoor parkside seating.

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ViA VECCHiA

Restaurants

Chic Italian eatery offering brunch staples, small plates, seafood & steak, plus wine & cocktails.

10 Dana St

Chic Italian eatery offering brunch staples, small plates, seafood & steak, plus wine & cocktails.

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Cong Tu Bot

Restaurants

Hip noodle shop serving Vietnamese comfort fare, including pho & stir-fry, plus beer, sake & wine.

57 Washington Ave

Hip noodle shop serving Vietnamese comfort fare, including pho & stir-fry, plus beer, sake & wine.

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Off Track Pizza

Restaurants

Casual, counter-serve joint serving New York-style pies and slices for lunch and dinner.

15 Exchange St

Casual, counter-serve joint serving New York-style pies and slices for lunch and dinner.

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CRUNCHY POKÉ

Restaurants

Compact eatery fixing up Hawaiian & Japanese staples including poke bowls, ramen & sushi burritos.

426 Fore St

Compact eatery fixing up Hawaiian & Japanese staples including poke bowls, ramen & sushi burritos.

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Trendy hotel eatery offering comfort food and happy-hour drinks in a cozy setting.

200 Sable Oaks Dr (South Portland)

Trendy hotel eatery offering comfort food and happy-hour drinks in a cozy setting.

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Casual restaurant for Vietnamese offerings such as pho and banh mi, plus Thai dishes.

699 Forest Ave

Casual restaurant for Vietnamese offerings such as pho and banh mi, plus Thai dishes.

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Tipo Restaurant

Restaurants

Bright neighborhood venue offering elevated Italian fare such as wood-fired pies & handmade pastas.

182 Ocean Ave

Bright neighborhood venue offering elevated Italian fare such as wood-fired pies & handmade pastas.

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Izakaya Minato

Restaurants

Cozy, understated spot for izakaya-style Japanese small plates, creative cocktails, beer & sake.

54 Washington Ave

Cozy, understated spot for izakaya-style Japanese small plates, creative cocktails, beer & sake.

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Yosaku

Restaurants

Japanese eatery & lounge with a tranquil vibe is known for its sushi rolls & lunchtime bento box.

1 Danforth St

Japanese eatery & lounge with a tranquil vibe is known for its sushi rolls & lunchtime bento box.

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Laid-back hamburger joint also serving lobster rolls, tacos, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, fries and more.

7 Union St

Laid-back hamburger joint also serving lobster rolls, tacos, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, fries and more.

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King of the Roll

Restaurants

Simple Japanese restaurant with sushi, bento & hot-entree favorites like teriyaki & udon.

675 Congress St

Simple Japanese restaurant with sushi, bento & hot-entree favorites like teriyaki & udon.

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Terlingua

Restaurants

Inventive takes on BBQ & Southwestern dishes are served in a homey space decorated with pale wood.

40 Washington Ave

Inventive takes on BBQ & Southwestern dishes are served in a homey space decorated with pale wood.

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LB Kitchen

Restaurants

Bright counter-serve cafe for health-centric breakfast, lunch & Sunday brunch dishes.

255 Congress St

Bright counter-serve cafe for health-centric breakfast, lunch & Sunday brunch dishes.

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Summer kitchen on Jordan's Farm serving fine sustainable fare at picnic tables & in private gazebos.

21 Wells Rd (Cape Elizabeth)

Summer kitchen on Jordan's Farm serving fine sustainable fare at picnic tables & in private gazebos.

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Warm, welcoming setting for inspired, upscale Italian cuisine plus wine & cocktails.

110 Exchange St

Warm, welcoming setting for inspired, upscale Italian cuisine plus wine & cocktails.

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Craft beers, gourmet pizza & protein bowls in an airy, industrial-chic venue with exposed pipework.

9 Commercial St

Craft beers, gourmet pizza & protein bowls in an airy, industrial-chic venue with exposed pipework.

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Laid back restaurant with a casual feel dishing up BBQ basics, plus fried chicken, mac 'n' cheese and more.

82 Hanover St Ste 8

Laid back restaurant with a casual feel dishing up BBQ basics, plus fried chicken, mac 'n' cheese and more.

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Casual, kid-friendly restaurant featuring pizza and Greek gyros, plus burgers, fries and more.

89 Ocean Ave

Casual, kid-friendly restaurant featuring pizza and Greek gyros, plus burgers, fries and more.

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Laid-back pizzeria featuring thin-crust pies, BBQ platters and burgers.

476 Stevens Ave

Laid-back pizzeria featuring thin-crust pies, BBQ platters and burgers.

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This rustic spot's open wood-fire grill, oven & spit lend smoky flavors to upscale American fare.

288 Fore St

This rustic spot's open wood-fire grill, oven & spit lend smoky flavors to upscale American fare.

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Sur Lie

Restaurants

Cozy, contemporary restaurant & bar specializing in small plates, with locally sourced ingredients.

11 Free St

Cozy, contemporary restaurant & bar specializing in small plates, with locally sourced ingredients.

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Long-standing local Japanese restaurant with traditional decor prepares sushi & other favorites.

16 Middle St

Long-standing local Japanese restaurant with traditional decor prepares sushi & other favorites.

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Hot Suppa

Restaurants

Hearty Southern fare dominates a menu that also runs to comfort-food favorites from other regions.

703 Congress St

Hearty Southern fare dominates a menu that also runs to comfort-food favorites from other regions.

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Eggs Benedict & mimosas star on the daily brunch menu at this longtime local meeting spot.

98 Portland St

Eggs Benedict & mimosas star on the daily brunch menu at this longtime local meeting spot.

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Casual eatery, also featuring a seasonal menu and outdoor seating, serving creative fare.

868 Roosevelt Trail (Windham)

Casual eatery, also featuring a seasonal menu and outdoor seating, serving creative fare.

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Bayside Bowl

Restaurants

20-lane bowling alley offering varied food options, craft beer & cocktails & occasional live music.

58 Alder St

20-lane bowling alley offering varied food options, craft beer & cocktails & occasional live music.

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Spacious, industrial-style establishment offering breakfasts, light meals & pastries, plus drinks.

285 Commercial St

Spacious, industrial-style establishment offering breakfasts, light meals & pastries, plus drinks.

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Lazzari

Restaurants

Warm, low-key outlet serving Italian fare from pasta to wood-oven pies & veggies plus a full bar.

618 Congress St

Warm, low-key outlet serving Italian fare from pasta to wood-oven pies & veggies plus a full bar.

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