From American to Bakery to modern cuisine, Portland Maine features 15 award-winning restaurants that make it a hidden culinary gem. The city boasts James Beard Awards across its restaurant scene. Portland Maine is a quietly impressive food destination.
The Best Restaurants in Portland Maine
15 expert-reviewed restaurants, with what makes each one stand out. Track 40+ global award systems in one place, updated continuously.
1.Chaval
Chaval is a neighborhood brasserie with Spanish and French-inspired cuisine, craft cocktails, local brews, and decadent desserts. Chaval is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
58 Pine St, Portland, ME 04102
2.Cong Tu Bot
Cong Tu Bot is a Vietnamese restaurant specializing in comfort fare, including pho, noodles, stir-fry, and pastries. Cong Tu Bot is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Vietnamese · 57 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
3.Eventide Oyster Co
A revival of the great American oyster bar, Eventide offers pristine oysters and shellfish and their famed Brown Butter Lobster Roll, showcasing classic New England fare. Eventide Oyster Co is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
4.Fore Street Restaurant
Fore Street Restaurant is a rustic eatery with a wood-fire grill serving upscale American fare. Fore Street Restaurant is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, Wood-Fired · 288 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
5.Hugo's
Hugo's is a sophisticated eatery serving an ambitious farm-to-table cuisine. Hugo's is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
88 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
6.Isa
Isa is a cozy neighborhood bistro serving an eclectic, seasonally driven menu. Isa is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
French · 79 Portland St, Portland, ME 04101
7.Izakaya Minato
Izakaya Minato brings the lively spirit of a Japanese neighborhood izakaya to Portland’s East End — a casual, welcoming place to share seasonal dishes, sashimi, and Japanese fried chicken alongside sake, cocktails, and local beer. With an open kitchen, small bar, and intimate dining spaces, Minato offers an authentic yet approachable dining experience rooted in Japanese tradition and Maine hospitality. Izakaya Minato is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese, Izakaya · 54 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101, USA
8.Leeward
Leeward is a restaurant in Portland, Maine, with an Italian focus and a fondness for fresh pasta. Leeward is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Italian · 85 Free St, Portland, ME 04101
9.Mr. Tuna
Mr. Tuna is a casual sushi joint specializing in sustainable Maine seafood. Mr. Tuna is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
83 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
10.Norimoto Bakery
Norimoto Bakery offers unique handmade baked goods made-from-scratch, daily. Norimoto Bakery is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Bakery · 469 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME 04103
11.Sur Lie
Sur Lie is a tapas-style restaurant in downtown Portland, Maine. The cuisine is American contemporary — an eclectic mix of influences from worldwide. Sur Lie uses the tapas trend to bring people together and create a unique dining experience. The food focuses on the amazing and beautiful bounty of locally sourced ingredients that Maine offers. Sur Lie is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, Global Cuisine, Tapas · 11 Free St, Portland, ME 04101
12.The Jewel Box
The Jewel Box crafts bespoke cocktails and offers a snack menu in a moody, candlelit environment with vintage decor. The Jewel Box is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American · 644 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
13.Twelve
Twelve is a seasonal American restaurant that pays homage to Maine's best ingredients. Housed within a historic building recently rebuilt brick-by-brick, Twelve is an intentional study in farm-to-table dining featuring "Modern New England" cuisine. Twelve is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, New England · 115 Thames St, Portland, ME 04101
14.Woodford Food & Beverage
Woodford Food & Beverage is a neighborhood bar and dining room steeped in New England and classic regional cooking and drawing inspiration from Maine’s natural bounty. Woodford Food & Beverage is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
660 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103
15.ZU Bakery
ZU is a bakery in Portland, Maine by artisanal bread baker Barak Olins. ZU Bakery is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Bakery · 81 Clark St, Portland, ME 04102, USA
