Best Places to Eat in Portland, Maine: Restaurants, Bakeries & Donuts
Portland, Maine is one the best foodie towns in the U.S. Every time I visit I find more delicious and creative food spots. The options are endless. Sometimes when visiting such a big food city, it is overwhelming where to start. Don’t worry, I did all the work for you. These are my favorite spots I have stamped with approval. Check out the official Hiking for Donuts food guide to Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine has become one of those cities we keep returning to — and a big reason is the food. I’ve been visiting since 2016 and have experienced Portland in every season, from snowy winter weekends to summer trips and peak fall. My most recent visit was in August 2025, and eating our way around the city is always a huge part of the trip.
Summer and fall are my favorite times to visit Portland, but the city is great year-round. Every place in this guide is somewhere I’ve personally eaten and enjoyed, with recommendations based on what I’d order again, which spots I’d prioritize and which Portland classics I think are worth experiencing at least once.
This isn’t a strict ranking from 1 to 25. I have my current favorites, but after that I’ve organized the guide by what you might actually be looking for: a special dinner, lobster roll, casual lunch, bakery, donuts or something sweet.
Lobster roll from Bite into Maine
My Current Top 3 Places to Eat in Portland
If you don’t want to read through the entire guide, these are the three places I’d prioritize right now. That could always change as I keep eating my way through Portland.
Bread & Friends
Bread & Friends has quickly become one of my favorite places to eat in Portland. We’ve gone back on several recent trips, and if you want a really good breakfast or brunch, I think it’s worth the wait.
The menu changes with the seasons, with local ingredients playing a big part in what they’re making, so there’s always something a little different to try. The breakfast dishes we’ve had have been excellent, but don’t overlook the bakery.
Their almond croissant is up there with the best I’ve had. I also loved the savory everything pull-apart, and they make their own Pop-Tart-style pastries with rotating flavors.
Bread & Friends is on the smaller side, so brunch can get busy depending on when you visit. If sitting down doesn’t work out, I’d still grab pastries to go. It’s absolutely better than missing it altogether.
My picks: Almond croissant, everything pull-apart and whatever seasonal breakfast dish catches your eye.
Beautiful pastries from Bread & Friends
Scales
If I had to pick one Portland restaurant for a special dinner, Scales would be very hard to beat. We’ve eaten here more than almost any other sit-down restaurant in Portland.
You know exactly what kind of restaurant you’re walking into when you see the huge display of fresh fish on ice. Scales is right on the wharf, and the whole experience just feels like Portland. It’s upscale enough for a date night or special occasion without losing that Maine seafood feel.
I usually gravitate toward the fish dishes, and the halibut is outrageous. If you really want to go all-in, the Lobster Frites are another great choice. There are usually two or three orders on our table, and they definitely don’t skimp on the lobster. I just have a hard time turning down the other fresh fish dishes.
The oysters are always excellent too. And whatever you do, save room for the butterscotch sundae. It is a must.
I strongly recommend making a reservation, especially during Portland’s busier seasons.
My picks: Oysters, halibut or another fresh fish dish, Lobster Frites if you’re feeling extra, and the butterscotch sundae.
Pan Roasted Halibut at Scales
Eventide Oyster Co.
Eventide legitimately changed the way I eat.
I went 40 years without ever trying an oyster. We finally ordered them at Eventide, and now I want oysters everywhere we go. We ended up ordering multiple rounds that day, and they’re still some of the best oysters I’ve ever had.
Part of what makes the experience so good is the selection of oysters, but the shaved-ice accompaniments take them to another level. The Pickled Red Onion Ice and Red Wine Mignonette were our favorites. They’re little flavor bombs that completely changed what I thought eating oysters could be.
And Eventide isn’t just about the raw bar. The tuna crudo was delicious, and their lobster roll is one of my favorites in Portland. It’s not a traditional Maine lobster roll — the warm steamed bun reminds me almost of bao — but somehow it just works.
Getting into Eventide can be the hardest part. We once grabbed a 3 p.m. reservation because it was available and built the rest of our day around it. I’ve also seen walk-in waits get long, so flexibility helps.
Is Eventide hyped? Absolutely. Do I think it’s overhyped? Not even close.
My picks: A few different oysters with the shaved-ice accompaniments, tuna crudo and the lobster roll.
Plate of oysters from Eventide
More Portland Restaurants I’d Prioritize
These aren’t in my current Top 3, but they’re restaurants I’d still put high on the list when planning a Portland trip.
Street & Co.
Before Scales became one of our regular favorites, Street & Co. was our original Portland date-night spot.
The restaurant is tucked into a cobblestone alley in the Old Port, and the space is small, cozy and intimate. There’s an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs work, which adds to the experience.
The menu changes frequently and focuses heavily on fresh seafood, so I tend to look at the specials. One of the most memorable pasta dishes I’ve had in Portland was almost like a tuna bolognese made with actual fresh tuna. It sounds unusual, but it was ridiculously good.
One thing that doesn’t change for me: the mussels. They’re a must.
My picks: Mussels and whichever seafood or pasta special sounds best that night.
Empire Chinese Kitchen
Empire is one of those restaurants I might not have discovered on my own. A coworker from Portland recommended it years ago, and now we’ve been back multiple times.
It’s an unassuming Cantonese spot, but the food is anything but ordinary. Our strategy has always been to go right when they open for lunch so we can grab a table.
We usually order several smaller dishes to share and then split a larger plate. The lobster rangoons are a must, the soup dumplings are fire, and the duck lo mein is one of my favorites. We’ve also loved the honey walnut shrimp and stuffed bao buns.
What stands out is how fresh everything tastes. Nothing feels overly heavy or greasy.
My picks: Lobster rangoons, soup dumplings, duck lo mein and honey walnut shrimp.
Honey walnut shrimp at Empire Chinese Kitchen
Miyake
Miyake was one of those “wow” dinners where we kept trying things we hadn’t experienced before.
The restaurant feels elegant and intimate, and the food matches the setting. The sushi was incredibly fresh, but what really made the meal memorable were the creative appetizers and small plates.
The hamayaki was excellent, as were the duck nikuman buns. We also really enjoyed the maguro yukke. There were interesting combinations and preparations throughout the meal that felt different from the Japanese restaurants we normally visit.
If you enjoy sushi but also want to explore more inventive Japanese dishes, Miyake is a great place to splurge on dinner.
My picks: Sushi, hamayaki, duck nikuman buns and maguro yukke.
Solo Italiano
Solo Italiano is another Portland dinner that really impressed us and has moved high on my list of restaurants I’d recommend.
It works well for a date night or family dinner, and the handmade pasta was one of the things that stood out immediately.
I ordered a special with prawns and squid-ink sauce that was fantastic. My wife had a pasta and mussel dish that was phenomenal, and we finished with pistachio cake.
If you’ve had your fill of lobster rolls but still want seafood woven into a memorable Portland dinner, Solo Italiano is an excellent change of pace.
My picks: Handmade pasta, one of the seafood specials and something from the dessert menu.
Muscoli alla Genovese - Solo Italiano
Best Lobster Rolls, Seafood & Chowder in Portland, Maine
Scales and Eventide are already two of my favorite seafood restaurants in Portland, but if lobster rolls, chowder or a more casual Maine seafood experience are specifically what you’re after, these are the places I’d check out next.
Luke’s Lobster
Luke’s Lobster sits right on Portland Pier along the working waterfront, making it one of the more photogenic food stops in the city. The lobster roll was fresh, delicious and generously filled — they definitely don’t skimp on the meat. We also tried the crab roll, which was really good.
Luke’s is where I’d go when I want that straightforward seafood-roll experience with a great waterfront setting.
My picks: Lobster roll and crab roll.
Lobster Roll from Luke’s Lobster
The Highroller Lobster Co.
If you want lobster but don’t necessarily want another traditional lobster roll, Highroller is one of the most fun options in Portland.
This place is basically an excuse to see how many different ways you can eat lobster: lobster rangoons, lobster grilled cheese, fried lobster and, of course, lobster rolls.
The menu is creative without taking itself too seriously, and the laid-back atmosphere and back patio make it a good casual stop when the weather cooperates.
My picks: Lobster roll, lobster rangoons and one of the more over-the-top lobster dishes.
Bite Into Maine
Bite Into Maine is one of my favorite lobster-roll stops because they let you move well beyond the usual Maine-versus-Connecticut debate.
They offer several different styles, including curry, wasabi, chipotle, Maine, Connecticut and their Picnic Style. You can even try multiple versions as a flight.
My favorite nontraditional version is the Picnic Style, made with coleslaw, butter and celery salt. It sounds different, but the combination really works.
One of the classic Portland moves is pairing Bite Into Maine with a visit to Allagash Brewing Company. Grab a beer and a lobster roll while you’re there. We’ve also run into their food trucks at other popular spots around the Portland area over the years.
They now have a Portland brick-and-mortar location too, so there are more ways than ever to track them down.
My picks: Picnic Style lobster roll or a lobster-roll flight.
Gilbert’s Chowder House
Gilbert’s is one of those small Old Port spots you could easily walk past, but I’d stop if you’re craving chowder.
I tried both the clam chowder and seafood chowder, and what stood out were the huge chunks of seafood. These weren’t bowls that felt like mostly potatoes and cream with a few pieces of seafood hiding inside — they were packed with it and full of flavor.
My picks: Seafood chowder or clam chowder.
Seafood chowder at Gilbert’s Chowder House. Look at this thing!
More Portland Restaurants, Breakfast & Casual Eats
Not every Portland meal needs to involve a big reservation or waterfront seafood dinner. These are some of my favorite options for creative small plates, breakfast, lunch and more casual meals.
Central Provisions
We went to Central Provisions for lunch and built our meal around shareable plates.
The menu had a lot of interesting combinations that felt very Portland — creative without trying too hard. We gravitated toward several seafood dishes, and everything tasted fresh and flavorful.
This is a good choice if you like ordering a little bit of everything rather than committing to one entrée.
My picks: A selection of small plates, especially the seafood options.
Duckfat
Duckfat was one of my first real Portland food experiences, so it will probably always have a place on my list.
As the name suggests, this is not where you go when you’re looking for a light lunch. The food is rich, heavy and unapologetically indulgent.
My favorite is the meatloaf sandwich, and I order it pretty much every time.
Everything I’ve had here has been good, but I recommend approaching Duckfat with the proper strategy: enjoy the meal and maybe don’t put anything too strenuous on the schedule afterward. This is very much a clear-some-time-for-a-nap kind of lunch.
My picks: Meatloaf sandwich and fries.
The glorious meatloaf sandwich from Duckfat.
Dutch’s
Dutch’s is one of my favorite options when I want breakfast or lunch that goes beyond the standard diner menu.
They have a lot going on — in a good way. Breakfast sandwiches and burritos sit alongside lunch items, baked goods and donuts, and they tend to put their own spin on familiar dishes.
I had an amazing breakfast burrito here, and the baked goods we tried were really good too.
My picks: Breakfast burrito and something from the pastry case.
Becky’s Diner
We originally went to Becky’s after seeing it featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and it delivers the kind of classic Maine diner experience I was hoping for.
This is more old-school diner than trendy Portland brunch, with the added bonus of some interesting ways to work lobster into familiar dishes.
I wouldn’t come here expecting one of Portland’s big destination dinners. Come when you want something casual, familiar and very Maine.
Lenora
We ended up at Lenora because we wanted Mexican-inspired food one night, and it hit the spot.
The tacos were good, the margaritas were good, and the location made it an easy dinner choice. After a few days of seafood and lobster rolls, sometimes you just want something completely different.
I’d think of Lenora as a solid change-of-pace option rather than one of my must-book Portland dinners.
My picks: Tacos and margaritas.
Monte’s
Monte’s has more of a neighborhood-market feel than a destination restaurant, which is part of why I like having it on this list.
They’re known for pizza and grinders, and it’s a good place to grab something casual without committing to a long sit-down meal.
After a few days of working through Portland’s restaurant scene, sometimes pizza or a good sandwich is exactly what you need.
My picks: Pizza or one of the grinders.
Best Bakeries & Donut Shops in Portland, Maine
Portland’s bakeries and donut shops could easily fill their own food tour. Bread & Friends is already one of my current Top 3 places to eat in the city, but these are the other bakery and donut stops I think are worth knowing about.
Standard Baking Co.
Standard Baking Co. feels like one of those places everyone eventually ends up at when visiting Portland.
There always seems to be a line stretching out the door, with people loading up on bread. The bread may get much of the attention, but don’t overlook the pastries.
The croissants were really good, and so were the cookies. There’s enough variety that it’s easy to walk in intending to grab one thing and leave holding a full bag.
My picks: Croissant, cookies and whatever bread looks best that day.
Tandem Coffee & Bakery
Tandem is another bakery that can get very busy, and there’s one order everyone seems to talk about: the biscuit with jam.
Sometimes the most hyped item at a popular bakery ends up being a letdown. This isn’t one of those times.
It sounds almost too simple — a biscuit and jam — but they absolutely nail it. We’ve gone back to Tandem more than once, and I think it’s worth dealing with the crowds.
If it’s your first visit, don’t overthink it.
Get the biscuit.
My pick: Biscuit and jam.
Biscuit & Jam at Tandem Coffee & Bakery.
Norimoto Bakery
Norimoto is one of the more unique bakeries I’ve tried in Portland.
The pastries, cakes and tarts have Japanese influences, and there are both sweet and savory options. It’s a very different experience from walking into a more traditional bakery.
The kouign-amann was excellent, as was the plum and almond danish. On the savory side, the kale, feta and potato pie was another standout.
If you’ve already hit some of Portland’s classics and want something a little different, I’d put Norimoto on your list.
My picks: Kouign-amann, plum and almond danish, and kale, feta and potato pie.
The Holy Donut
The Holy Donut is probably the food stop we’ve returned to the most in Portland because, well, donuts.
Their signature donuts are made with Maine potatoes, which gives them a denser and heavier texture than a traditional yeast donut. They’re different, and I think that’s a big part of why everyone visiting Portland should try them at least once.
There are regular flavors along with rotating and seasonal options, so there’s usually something different depending on when you visit. I especially like them fresh, and maple and dark chocolate sea salt are two of my regular favorites.
My picks: Maple, dark chocolate sea salt and whatever seasonal flavor catches your eye.
Stack of donuts from the Holy Donut.
Tony’s Donut Shop
Tony’s is the old-school side of Portland’s donut scene.
The flavors are more traditional, the prices are more approachable and the appeal is simply that they make familiar donuts really well.
Sometimes you don’t need a donut covered in five toppings or built around a monthly theme. You just want a good classic donut and coffee. That’s where Tony’s fits into the list.
Eighty 8 Donuts
Eighty 8 is my pick when you want small cake donuts made fresh to order.
They have standard dipped and glazed flavors along with rotating monthly specials, so there’s usually something new to try. Because they’re made fresh, you get that warm cake-donut experience rather than something that has been sitting in a case all morning.
They also operate a food truck, so you may come across Eighty 8 elsewhere around Portland.
My pick: Mix a few classic flavors with whatever monthly specials sound best.
Fresh made donuts from Eighty 8 Donuts.
Belleville
Belleville is the bakery I’d choose if you’re specifically craving a French-inspired croissant.
The croissants were legit. I also really liked the chocolate chip cookie — thin, chewy and crispy in the right places.
My picks: Croissant and chocolate chip cookie.
Worth the Short Drive From Portland: Red’s Dairy Freeze
Red’s Dairy Freeze
Red’s Dairy Freeze is technically in South Portland, but I’m including it because it’s an easy dessert detour and the soft serve was that good.
This is the only dedicated ice cream spot we’ve tried in the Portland area so far, so I’m not calling it the definitive best ice cream around. I can tell you the soft serve we had was unreal.
My wife ordered one of their blended, McFlurry-style treats and that was really good too.
Red’s has that classic seasonal ice-cream-stand feel, making it an especially fun stop during the warmer months. I already know we need to go back because there are plenty more flavors I want to try.
My pick: Soft serve — then branch out based on whatever flavors are available.
Creamsicle soft serve from Red’s Dairy Freeze.
Final Thoughts on Eating in Portland, Maine
Portland is one of those cities where the food is reason enough to keep coming back.
If it’s your first visit and you only have a weekend, I’d start with my current Top 3 — Bread & Friends, Scales and Eventide — and then build the rest of your meals around whatever sounds best to you. Maybe that means a lobster roll on the waterfront, a bag of pastries for the road or an afternoon brewery stop with Bite Into Maine.
And don’t feel like you need to cram every famous Portland restaurant into one trip. I’ve been visiting since 2016 and I’m still finding new places I want to try.
That’s part of what keeps Portland interesting.
My favorites will probably keep changing as I eat at more places, so I’ll continue updating this guide as I go.
HIKING FOR DONUTS
A blog for the outdoors foodie enthusiast
Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.
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