Send questions/comments to the editors.
Related Stories
Latest Articles
Best 75 places to eat and drink in Greater Portland in 2025
Former Press Herald restaurant critic Andrew Ross’ picks for the area’s top restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and bars.
Communities:
Font size +
Editor’s Note: Former Portland Press Herald restaurant critic Andrew Ross wrote his last review in January. He is making a return appearance for our annual Best 75 feature.
Portland isn’t a big city. Expand outwards to include the entire metropolitan region, and Greater Portland still winds up with a population barely larger than Amish country. And yet, we’ve built an outsized reputation for food.
By now, everyone has heard apocryphal statistics about our rankings-topping, per capita concentration of restaurants—some say we rival New York, some say San Francisco. Who knows if they’re true. One thing I can tell you for certain is that when I started as restaurant critic in 2016, I began compiling and updating a personal spreadsheet of restaurants and food businesses eligible for a review. Nine years on, that list topped out somewhere between 400 and 500. Take that, other Portland.
But it’s not all about quantity. Those hundreds of restaurants, coffee shops, bars and bakeries operate at such a high standard that winnowing them down to a list of the best 75 means leaving off above-average, even good businesses. Every year, the restaurants get better. And every year, identifying the greatest among them has gotten harder.
Every year too, I get dozens of emails from readers whose favorite spot didn’t make the cut. I’ve never minded the pushback. Locals are passionate about their food. I also know that anyone who cares enough to write to me also cares enough to support their favorite businesses. There might not be enough Portlanders to justify the term “big city,” but “big food city?” That sounds about right.
Businesses are listed in alphabetical order. Want to find Asian restaurants in our Top 10 that have happy hour? Choose all 3 buttons to get your results.
-
A & C Soda Shop
Local bitters, craft soda, boozy milkshakes and nostalgic floats are only part of the story at this casual South Portland sandwich shop. Equal to their top-notch beverage counterparts are chef Joe Fournier’s phenomenal cheeseburgers, onion rings and salads (yes, you read that right). Fournier once made sandwiches on a frustratingly irregular schedule in Munjoy Hill, but in this vibrant, Roy Liechtenstein-inspired former gas station, he and his team are ready for you every day of the week from noon until night. Read the review.
501 Cottage Road
South Portland
207-747-4089
acsodashop.co
-
Another Round
I invited two adults and two children to join me for coffee, wine and hot cocoa on my first visit to Arts District “board game bar and cafe” Another Round. Spoiler alert: We all had a blast. With plenty of clean surfaces to fan out cards, roll dice and unfold boards from the more than 250 games available to rent (at only $3/hour/person), Another Round offers something fun for everyone. And if you’re a game enthusiast out for a night on your own, never fear: Grab a wooden “meeple” figurine and prop it on your table. In a few shakes of the potent Freezer Door Martini, you’re likely to befriend another solo gamer eager to take you on in a pitched battle of Ticket to Ride.
549 Congress St.
Portland
anotherroundmaine.com
Courtesy of Another Round -
Arcadia
For many locals, there’s no better combination than vintage video games and a few cocktails (try the banana bread Manhattan). But Arcadia is more than a Konami-fueled bar with its own Skee-ball league. Pay a visit to its spacious new digs and you’ll also find pizza, hot dogs and an array of affordable, zero-proof beverages to round out your experience. When the 2023 version of this Best 75 list was published, Arcadia’s social media team posted a wry “We were number 76.” What they couldn’t have known is that they were on the money. Now, if they’d just reset the high scores on the Tapper machine….
504 Congress St.
Portland
arcadiaportland.com
Photo by Drew Buerhaus/courtesy of Arcadia -
Banh Appetit
Come to this unassuming Cumberland Avenue shop for some of the area’s best banh mi sandwiches. Options like classic Thit Nguoi (cold cuts and pâté) and spicy Nem Nuong (grilled Vietnamese sausage) show why this cozy, family-run cafe made The Infatuation’s 2024 list of the nation’s “13 Best Banh Mi Across America.” But don’t miss the restaurant’s terrific pho, as well as one of the area’s best comfort-food dishes: bun ga xao, where aromatic stir-fried chicken meets bouncy rice vermicelli.
171 Cumberland Ave.
Portland
207-613-9399
banhappetitme.com
-
Bar Futo
Upscale yakitori dishes like binchotan-grilled chicken wings (or skin, heart, even highly prized bonjiri) meet izakaya-inspired small plates like fluke crudo, schmaltzy agedashi tofu at this skewer-centric Japanese joint that changed chefs in February. Cocktails, sake and appealing nonalcoholic drinks add to Bar Futo’s sophisticated vibe — but it never takes itself too seriously. Just try eating a mammoth syrup-and-toppings-drizzled mountain of shaved ice (kakigori) without cracking a smile. Read the review.
425 Fore St.
Portland
207-956-7373
eatfuto.com
-
Bard Coffee
Locals have long adored this inclusive Old Port café for its commitment to ethical sourcing of its beans, as well as what the talented staff do with them. Perhaps no other coffee shop in the area offers as reliable an espresso shot as Bard does. But don’t stop there. Pourovers and coffee-based beverages like the irresistible juniper mint mocha (a winter exclusive) are also excellent. If you decide not to take your drink to-go, the roomy bay window is an ideal Old Port spot for people-watching.
185 Middle St.
Portland
207-899-4788
bardcoffee.com
Bistro Leluco
You’ve probably driven past this South Portland restaurant without even noticing it’s there. But now that you’re in-the-know, it’s time to head across the bridge for dinner (or brunch). As it has matured, Leluco’s menu has grown a smidgen more Southern Mediterranean, but by and large, it sticks to its strengths: mostly traditional French and Italian bistro classics like roasted boneless, skin-on chicken breast served with pea-and-Parmesan risotto. Read the review.
347 Cottage Road
South Portland
207-536-1690
Bistro-leluco.com
Bite Into Maine
When someone asks, “Where should I go for a lobster roll?” I give them a few options. One is always Bite Into Maine. Partly, that’s because the company’s signature, hand-picked house lobster roll is a local classic for good reason. Partly it’s because Bite serves six styles of lobster roll, including mayonnaise-kissed “Maine Style” and (my personal favorite) the drawn-butter-drizzled “Connecticut Style.” And partly because, with four Bite outposts in operation, it’s easy to get your hands on one of the buttery griddled buns at any time of the year. Read the review.
Commissary: 185 Route 1, No. 2
Scarborough
Food truck: Fort Williams Park
Cape Elizabeth
At Allagash Brewing Co.
50 Industrial Way
Portland
31 Diamond St.
Portland
207-289-6142
biteintomaine.com
BLVL/Belleville
Two Belleville outposts supply Portlanders with dark-gold-hued laminated pastries like croissants, palmiers and pains aux raisin. The French bakery’s original East End location on North Street features a larger menu (including savory items and cookies), as well as a knockout cappuccino, while the smaller Forest Avenue location will satisfy your off-peninsula cravings if all you require is a croissant to-go.
1 North St.
Portland
767 Forest Ave.
Portland
207-536-7463
blvl.me
Courtesy of BellevilleBlyth & Burrows
Oil-rubbed brass ceiling tiles and oil lamps lend Blyth & Burrows a certain maximalist, Victorian-inspired charm that extends to its ever-changing menu of sophisticated, well-composed cocktails. Unusual cocktail ingredients like fenugreek, spinach, marjoram and arrack signpost the bar’s ambitions, but the proof (sometimes overproof) is in the sipping. If you’re on a bar crawl, B&B is a mandatory stop.
26 Exchange St.
Portland
207-613-9070
blythandburrows.com
Bread & Friends
Bread & Friends made last year’s list on the strength of its phenomenal sourdough breads and viennoiserie alone. Sure, brunch in the modernist, ’70s-inspired space helped their case, but this year, these Bay Area transplants are just showing off. Case in point: the restaurant’s thoroughly fantastic dinner service, which kicked off in its current format last year. Creative, locally inspired plates like delicate house-made buckwheat spaghetti “chitarra” with harissa, saffron and mint, or rustic French-inspired braised sunflower blossom with brothy beans make Bread & Friends a mandatory downtown dining destination. Read the review.
505 Fore St.
Portland
207-536-4399
breadandfriendsmaine.com
Central Provisions
Few restaurants remain at the top of their game for more than a decade. That goes double for eclectic, ingredient-driven small-plates spots whose menus demand frequent updating and new inspiration. Paige and Chris Gould seem to have a knack for just that sort of continuous reinvention. The duo also know how to let local sourcing and seasonality guide the restaurant’s cooking without letting it impinge on flavor. The evidence is right there on the plate, in dishes like ultra-savory peppercorn-speckled popovers served with Spanish jam and a poached egg, or a stunningly well-balanced duck rillette salad made with bitter greens dressed with kumquat and hazelnuts. Read the review.
414 Fore St.
Portland
207-805-1085
central-provisions.com
Chaval
Imagine Chaval as the restaurant version of a Donny and Marie song, where the menu has to navigate being “a little bit French” and simultaneously “a little bit Spanish,” while also utilizing local produce, meat and seafood. Chef Damian Sansonetti and pastry chef Ilma Lopez somehow make it all work, just as the married duo has since they debuted this West End gem back in 2017. Several varieties of sherry on tap, inventive cocktails, a terrific burger and world-class desserts are part of the recipe for success, as is the rambling charm of this cozy, converted residence. Read the review.
58 Pine St.
Portland
207-772-1110
chavalmaine.com
The Clam Bar
Earning points for its well-executed menu of Maine fry-shack classics and South American-inflected seafood dishes (think ceviches and tuna crudo tostadas), as well as for its ongoing urban revitalization of a much-neglected stretch of Commercial Street, The Clam Bar deserves all the praise it receives. Laid out across several attractive, low-slung “cabins” that make up The Clam Bar’s “campus,” this casual, seasonal seafood joint is worth a visit. Read the review. Note: The Clam Bar is seasonal. See website for hours and dates of operation.
199 W. Commercial St.
Portland
207-805-1763
clambarportland.com
Cong Tu Bot
Since it first opened in 2017, there have been several, equally distinct iterations of Cong Tu Bot. In its most recent Pokemon evolution, James Beard Award finalist Vien Dobui has taken the best elements of all the iterations that came before and offered diners a few new extras, as well. Evergreen favorites like delicate pho ga, spicy, sweet-and-savory hu tieu xao (pan-fried broad noodles) and goi bop cai (cabbage salad) remain, and are now joined by specials like nose-tickling Vietnamese curry with beans and fermented tofu (ca ri chay). Perhaps the biggest addition so far is weekend brunch service with and airy banh tieu (sesame-sprinkled beignets), simmered egg dishes and an insanely tasty riff on French toast made with Cong Tu Bot’s nutty-tasting pandan loaf. Read the review.
57 Washington Ave.
Portland
207-221-8022
congtubot.com
Coveside Coffee
How much charm and warmth can you fit into a tiny, converted bungalow at Woodfords Corner? Quite a bit, if Coveside Coffee is any indication. This gracious neighborhood-centric cafe keeps its doors open (often literally, when the weather allows) for all sorts of guests, from kids to seniors, locals to tourists, broadcasting hyggelig vibrations to everyone nearby. Pulled in to the counter, as if by a tractor beam of coziness, customers order excellent coffee drinks made from 44 North beans, Belleville pastries, and on Fridays only, Prairie Baking Co. scones.
28 Vannah St.
Portland
207-536-0151
covesidecoffee.me
Crispy Gai
If Southeast Asian-inspired, high-octane cocktails and crunchy fried chicken sprinkled with crisp fried shallots appeals to you, put Crispy Gai on your radar. The linear interior looks small when you peer inside from Exchange Street, but the shotgun-style dining room extends and extends, allowing this to become one of Portland’s busiest weekend brunch destinations. If crowds aren’t your thing, Crispy Gai also serves dinner seven days a week. Don’t skip fiery Hat Yan chicken, grilled ribeye served with tangy, umami-rich nam jim jaew dipping sauce, and the Same Same But Different, a Thai-inspired Painkiller made with aromatic makrut lime leaves, pineapple and a few drops of tom kha essence.
90 Exchange St.
Portland
207-536-1017
crispygai.com
Duckfat
Thanks to the Yoda-like guidance from its original owners, Nancy Pugh and Beard Award-winning chef Rob Evans, Duckfat 2.0 remains at the top of Portland’s restaurant scene. It wasn’t clear for the first few weeks after the restaurant was sold (to a hands-off investor) if general manager Trevor Lilly, a 19-year Duckfat veteran, would be able to keep the restaurant on course. But nearly a year into the new regime, Duckfat’s indulgent menu of gelato-based milkshakes, grill-scored panini and Belgian-style french fries cooked in bubbling duck fat is almost indistinguishable from its predecessors. And thank goodness for that. Read the review.
43 Middle St.
Portland
207-774-8080
duckfat.com
Eventide
During tourist season, snagging a table at tiny Eventide becomes an extreme sport. But those lines snake around the block for good reason. Big Tree Hospitality Group’s swashbuckling reinvention of the coastal seafood shack is appealing from start to finish, especially the fresh, local oysters from the raw bar, fried seafood sandwiches served on steamed bao-style buns and cocktails that range from bright to savory. It’s hard to admit, but Eventide really is worth the wait. Read the review.
86 Middle St.
Portland
207-774-8538
eventideoysterco.com
Fika
If you told me at the beginning of last year that I’d eat the best Swedish-style cardamom bun of 2024 while standing in a parking lot in Saco, I would have guffawed. Well, the joke’s on me. Tiny “coffee hut” Fika may not have an entrance on the main drag in downtown Saco, but it does have fabulous espresso drinks made with George Howell Coffee beans and tremendous homemade pastries — Scandinavian and otherwise. Four days a week, Fika dishes up seasonally inspired treats for peckish locals, everything from caramel bar cookies (kolasnittar) to gluten-free, individually portioned fig cakes made with honey and just the right touch of lemon.
17 Storer St.
Saco
fika-maine.com
Finestkind
The steep gables on Finestkind’s canary-yellow building seem to point skyward, as if signaling to an orbiting Google Maps satellite. “Drop a pin here!,” they seem to plead. I’m not about to argue. Rather, I’ll be delighted to add this homey, breakfast-and-lunch cafe and bakery to my roster of “must-visit” destinations. Opened last year by Victoria and Tom Barthelmes (alums of Tipo, Central Provisions and Hugo’s), Finestkind has wasted no time reaching its potential. Tender brioche donuts, gingerbread lattes served with gingerbread men, and a mind-bending Monte Cristo sandwich that (impossibly, yet irresistibly) integrates challah French toast with a croque monsieur, are only a few of the reasons why you should be booting up your phone and dropping a pin right now.
17 Pepperell Square
Saco
207-494-7083
finestkindmaine.comFish & Whistle
When you pair up one of the area’s most talented pastry chefs (Kate Hamm, Leeward) with an equally talented seafood chef (Jason Eckerson, Eventide), you get a culinary supergroup that just so happens to perform exclusively in the key of (sustainably sourced) fish-and-chips and dense, velvety soft-serve ice cream. A Biddeford highlight. Read the review.
299 Main St.
Biddeford
207-571-4520
fishandwhistlemaine.com
Five of Clubs
If you’re somebody who only sets foot in a hotel when you’re staying overnight, Five of Clubs would like a quick word. Perhaps this sophisticated lobby lounge will persuade you with its graceful, marble-topped mirrored bar surrounded by framed seascapes, Victorian tiled floor and lofty, double-height ceilings. Or maybe the comfy, yellow sectional nestled into an alcove by the front entrance to the Longfellow Hotel will do the trick. Or perhaps it’ll be the imaginative, Latin-inspired cocktails (like the foamy Maize Runner, made with mezcal, tequila, lime and sweet corn) that seem to march in conceptual lockstep with snacks and nibbles like oysters with salsa verde or chicharrones with a house-made riff on Tajin. Sometimes the lobby is the destination itself.
Longfellow Hotel
754 Congress St.
Portland
207-800-3004
longfellowhotel.com
Courtesy of Longfellow HotelFore Street
If you want to know where a restaurant critic eats on his birthday, it’s here. Reliably excellent, and the site of a few of the best meals I’ve eaten in Maine, Fore Street never seems to flag. Since it opened more than a quarter-century ago, chef-emeritus Sam Hayward’s farm-to-table restaurant has never stopped earning well-deserved local and national praise, starting way back in 2004 when Hayward won a James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Northeast award. By now, Fore Street knows itself and its diners well, serving irresistible takes on wood-oven-roasted proteins (bourbon-brined chicken with juniper butter, Pineland Farms hanger steak with horseradish and green peppercorn jus) and vegetables alike (the carrots with honey thyme butter deserve a ticker-tape parade). Desserts, especially the maple and black-walnut creme brulee, are like everything else at Fore Street, masterful. Read the review.
288 Fore St.
Portland
207-775-2717
forestreet.biz
Friends & Family
Friends & Family has an extensive wine selection, and pretty much every single bottle is on display to the left when you walk in the door. This Arts District wine bar and speakeasy makes choosing a wine easy, whether you’re purchasing a few bottles to take home or picking something to open in the restaurant itself. If you’re dining in, go for something that holds its own against pizza, which is Friends & Family’s signature dish (in particular, the thick-crusted Grandma slice). Or if you’re not in the mood for a slice or two, aim for a glass of something lighter to reinforce the brightness of the citrusy kale Caesar or roasted broccolini seasoned with aleppo pepper, garlic and vin cotto. Read the review.
593 Congress St.
Portland
207-536-4022
friendsandfamilymaine.com
Gross Confection Bar
The last time Brant Dadaleares’ “dessert restaurant and bar” made it to this list, I proposed that he needed better signage so diners could find their way to his underground (literally) dining room. I spoke too soon. Judging by his semifinal nomination for a James Beard Award, it’s clear that at least a few key people made their way into the exposed brick space for a taste of Gross’ chocolate-mint stracciatella gelato, warm ricotta doughnuts and brown butter cake served a la mode with house-made vanilla bean ice cream. If you plan to follow in their footsteps, down the stairs at the corner of Exchange and Middle streets, save a little extra time for a post-dessert nightcap. Sure, there are chocolate martinis and espresso martinis, but the Channel Orange, a creamy concoction of rum-spiked, molasses-sweetened milk and ginger-and-cinnamon syrup is a must-try that stands up well to most of Gross’ appealing confections. Read the review.
57 Exchange St.
Portland
207-956-7208
grossconfectionbar.com
Highroller Lobster Co.
Highroller Lobster started life as a food cart where Baxter Key and Andy Gerry served offbeat takes on lobster rolls. These days, they’re doing the same thing out of a double-frontage storefront decorated in totally tubular ’80s red, white and black. Where their decor has remained dangerously exuberant, their menu has only gotten better over time. It didn’t take the duo (plus partner Peter Bissell) long to tweak recipes for their burgers, lobster rolls, deep-fried lobster tails and their companions: a mix-and-match roster of sauces (e.g. charred pineapple mayo, lobster ghee). Nowadays, Highroller is at the top of its game. Heck, the restaurant even sells its own brand of potato chips seasoned with their signature curry ketchup sauce. Read the review.
104 Exchange St.
Portland
207-536-1623
highrollerlobster.com
The Honey Paw
Its next-door sibling Eventide gets most of the attention, but don’t neglect The Honey Paw, Big Tree Hospitality’s Asian-inspired noodle bar. It is every bit as good. Pull up a bar-height seat anywhere in the sunny, contemporary dining room and pick a few of the restaurant’s vividly seasoned appetizers, dishes like lobster toast with radish, Fresno pepper and tarragon aioli; or crackers served with a schmear of chicken liver mousse and peppery blueberry-honey jam. On the other side of the menu, you can’t go wrong with bigger plates such as Malaysian/Indonesian mee goreng, a noodle stir-fry full of crab, smoked pork and gingery sambal chile paste. And no matter what you do, don’t forget to order a bowl of the house-made soft serve before you head out and snicker at the line next-door.
78 Middle St.
Portland
207-774-8538
thehoneypaw.com
Il Leone
If you know a Portland mainlander who requires a little cajoling to visit the islands in Casco Bay, try luring them with pizza. Indeed, Peaks Island’s Il Leone provides a compelling, mozzarella-topped excuse to hop a ferry during the summer. Once you’re there, follow your nose to Greenwood Garden Park, where under tents and string lights, chef/owner Ben Wexler-Waite and his team conjure one of the region’s best Neapolitan-style pizza restaurants into being. No wicca rituals required. Il Leone’s crust is made from naturally leavened dough, sprinkled with toppings like local heirloom tomatoes and uncured Calabrian salami, then baked off in less than a minute in the portable, 850 degree F Forza Forni oven. Fantastic. Read the review. Note: Il Leone is seasonal. See website for hours and dates of operation.
2 Garden Place
Peaks Island (Portland)
207-370-1471
illeone.me
Indy’s Sandwich
While the Tam & Cam, a banh mi in panini’s clothing, gets all the attention at this cute, cozy South Portland sandwich shop, other sandwiches deserve your consideration – especially the traditional Cubano and the warming Kai Kata, a spicy, Asian-inspired breakfast sandwich. Japanese curry bowls are also a real draw here. Order ahead to avoid the lines.
744 Main St.
South Portland
207-747-4082
indyssandwich.com
Isa
Ask most food-obsessed Portlanders for a list of their favorite restaurants, and you’ll see quite a bit of variance — with one exception: Isa Bistro. This eclectic, French-yet-Latin-inflected stalwart is so widely beloved for good reason. Start with general manager and sommelier Suzie Perez’s thoughtfully composed wine list. Here you’ll find bottles (and a few by-the-glass options) selected by someone who is effortlessly fluent with chef Isaul Perez’s menu. That menu features top-notch versions of traditional bistro options like grilled steak or French onion soup (scattered with Pineland Farms cheddar for a fillip of local flair), as well as clever modifications of classics. Instead of sole meuniere, for example, Isa prepares sole poached in a tomatillo stock with mashed potatoes and a vibrant avocado salsa. Isa lets you choose your own bistro adventure, confident that you’ll wind up with a corking meal.
79 Portland St.
Portland
207-808-8533
isaportlandme.com
Izakaya Minato
For fans of izakaya dining, it doesn’t get much better than Washington Avenue’s Izakaya Minato, especially diners on a budget, for whom the affordable $43 (at time of writing) omakase menu of four or five family-style plates represents one of the best dining bargains in town. Order a bottle or carafe of sake and pick out your own vintage sake cup: an intimate touch that helps make this quaint, rabbit warren of a restaurant feel so homey. Read the review.
54 Washington Ave.
Portland
207-613-9939
izakayaminato.com
The Jewel Box
Thanks to a 2025 James Beard semifinalist nomination for the success of his moody, yet welcoming Arts District bar, the rest of the country is about to learn what a treasure Portland has in Nan’l Meiklejohn. The Jewel Box defies description: It is sort of a dimly lit speakasy with no sign to indicate you’ve found it, while the interior is what you might get if Jules Verne listened to trip-hop and drank one-too-many Back Bay Boulevardiers (bourbon, Speckled Ax coffee, Cynar, Campari). Staff are warm-hearted, with expert-level knowledge of mixed drinks. If nothing on the ever-changing menu of cocktails speaks to you, ask for a recommendation.
644 Congress St.
Portland
207-747-5384
jewelboxportlandmaine.com
Leeward
House-made pastas, a vast (mostly European) wine list featuring bottles you’ll find nowhere else (a dry white vinified from typically sweet zibibbo grapes from Sicily is just one example), and smart, efficient service are only part of Leeward’s charm. Add ’70s boho eclecticism and a spacious dining room that never seems to get too loud, and it becomes clear why Leeward is a national media darling. Read the review.
85 Free St.
Portland
207-808-8623
leewardmaine.com
Lil Chippy
Lil Chippy’s mission statement couldn’t be any clearer: to bring together Maine’s beautiful potatoes and beautiful fish. And that is precisely what you’ll find at this 32-seat, counter-service restaurant on Washington Avenue. Don’t miss the baskets of crunchy-battered, deep-fried hake served with craggy fries made with pre-roasted Green Thumb potatoes. And don’t forget sandwiches (which are called “buddies”) at Lil Chippy. The first-class fried chicken version is slathered with homemade Calabrian chile hot sauce, while the slow-braised brisket buddy is perked up by a zesty chimichurri. Read the review.
52 Washington Ave.
Portland
207-536-4508
lilchippymaine.com
Little Pig
Despite no indoor seating at Little Pig whatsoever, married co-chefs Piyathida and Michael MacDonnell have made the “Thai-ish” place work like a lemongrass-scented dream. The duo keep their menu short, giving them the time and focus to make every plate of food phenomenal. Standouts include…who am I kidding? They’re all standouts, from grapow gai kai dow (minced chicken stir-fried with chile sauce, garlic and riotously aromatic Thai holy basil) to a Maine-inspired banh mi loaded with pickled daikon, cucumber and deep-fried fillets of local hake bathed in a “choo chee” sauce of condensed coconut milk and house-made Thai curry paste. Order over the phone or online, and if the weather allows, take a seat at one of the patio tables beside the restaurant. Simply stellar. Read the review.
722B Congress St.
Portland
207-536-0099
Littlepigportland.com
Lucky Cheetah
Imaginative cocktails like the Rabbit’s Foot (made with milk-clarified shochu, Genepy and lavender tea) and a velvety smooth, almost peanut-buttery sesame-oil-washed vodka martini are reason enough to visit this swanky, semi-subterranean, dim-sum-inspired “dumpling lounge.” Food is still a work in progress, but holy cow is designer Susie Coughlin’s interior a jaw-dropper. Wall-to-wall cheetah-print carpet offset by red-lacquered millwork and striped wallpaper emblazoned with prowling felines, framed celebrity portraits, sumptuous velvet banquettes and a ritzy-feeling stone bar? Getting a chance to admire the decor is well worth the price of a cocktail. Read the review.
11 Moulton St.
Portland
207-747-4114
luckycheetahmaine.com
Magnus on Water
Now that it has settled into a comfortable rhythm balancing original cocktails with chef Rafael Zimmerman’s menu of Peruvian-inspired dishes, Biddeford’s Magnus on Water feels all grown up. That’s no bad thing. This design-forward bar/restaurant has always radiated approachable sophistication, and five years into its run (interrupted several times by pandemic restrictions), it wears its maturity well. Cocktails like the tart-and-spicy Dime (made with mango, black pepper, honeydew pisco and calamansi) or Black Mamba (a drink that unites pear eau de vie, tequila and yuzu) seem to have an easy, almost tacit camaraderie with dishes like braised oxtail atop a mound of creamy Maine Grains polenta and pickled shallots, or ceviche-like Toro Tiradito made with shiso, yellow aji peppers and bluefin tuna. Read the review.
12 Water St.
Biddeford
207-494-9052
magnusonwater.com
Mami
Japanese street food and hearty izakaya classics are always in fashion at Fore Street’s Mami. But chef Austin Miller isn’t content to stick to standard techniques and recipes. Instead, he incorporates local ingredients that lend his often iconoclastic plates a Maine twist. Miller is also talented enough to pull it off nearly every time. Check out the delightful beef-and-jalapeno-filled yaki onigiri he grills, then dusts with chili crisp and Parmesan-enriched furikake. Or his crunchy local pollock katsu bookended by toasted slices of Mami’s homemade shokupan bread. Mami is a failsafe favorite. Read the review.
339 Fore St.
Portland
207-536-4702
mamiportland.com
Miyake and Pai Men Miyake
It might be controversial to group both of former chef/owner Masa Miyake’s restaurants together, but since veteran managers Emily Phillips and Courtney Packer took the reins early last year, the two restaurants have been in a culinary probation period for many Portlanders. For the moment, both continue to offer chef Miyake’s menus, and are, in almost every way, identical to their pre-transfer selves. Pai Men still serves up steaming bowls of its appealing, signature Hakodate-style shio ramen; minty, fish-sauce-dressed Brussels sprouts; and affordable cocktails. Over at Miyake, chef Bounahra Kim (brother to Oun Lido’s chef Bounahcree Kim), shares chef Miyake’s refined, considered perspective on fine dining. Sushi and sashimi, as well as dishes like panko-crusted chicken katsu served as a “don” set with tangy sauce and seasoned rice, and the luxurious daily bento (a relative bargain at $35) remain as wonderful as ever.
Pai Men Miyake, 188 State St., 207-541-9204
Miyake, 468 Fore St., 207-871-9170
Portland
miyakerestaurants.com
Monte’s Fine Foods
Half-market, half-Roman pizzeria, owner and chef Steve Quatrucci’s venture is the kind of place that would be mobbed from open to close if it were in a bigger city. Fortunately for you, Portland leaves some breathing room for visitors to sample the superlative “pinsa” pies that range from traditional Margherita to wickedly tasty sopressata with hot honey (and, if you’re lucky enough to read this in the late summer, an heirloom tomato pizza worthy of a picnic in nearby Payson Park).
788 Washington Ave.
Portland
207-613-9873
montesportland.com
Mr. Tuna
Now that Mr. Tuna has taken up residence in its long-awaited, neon-and-pastel, Pop-Art inspired space, it has changed for the better. That’s quite a feat when you recall that chef Jordan Rubin’s sushi-and-temaki-centric restaurant was already great. Over at his new Middle Street address, finely equilibrated cocktails are now on the menu, including the margarita-esque “Mrs. Tuna,” named for co-owner (and his wife) Marisa Lewiecki. Mr. Tuna’s signature conical rolls are still on offer, but they’re now joined by ceviche-inspired torched halibut maki, Maine scallop sashimi in a mushroomy ponzu sauce, and something the restaurant couldn’t do in its previous space: dessert. Come in for sashimi and a glass of wine, or a blowout sushi meal, but whatever you do, don’t miss the miso-caramel toasty: a waffle-iron-pressed Hawaiian milk bread that conceals a scoop of vanilla frozen custard. If this sushi thing doesn’t work out, “Mr. Toasty” has a nice ring to it. Read the review.
83 Middle St.
Portland
207-805-1240
mrtunamaine.com
Norimoto Bakery
When people write about Norimoto owner and baker, Atsuko Fujimoto, they will forever be able to add “James Beard Award winner” to her name. And boy, does she deserve the honor. Fujimoto’s pastries limn the space between traditional European baking and Japanese ingredients and techniques. Hers is an entirely unique approach to sweet (and occasionally savory) treats. This isn’t fusion as much as a playful, reciprocal homage. Who else could have dreamed up a Gateau Basque filled with smooth adzuki bean paste? Or individual, shortcrust yuzu tarts capped with a healthy dollop of torched meringue? Portland must have done something wonderful in a previous life to deserve Norimoto Bakery.
469 Stevens Ave.
Portland
norimoto-bakery.square.site
Nura
The recipient of the Portland Press Herald’s Best New Restaurant for 2020, Nura continues to play to its strengths and has mostly resisted the temptation to tinker with its appealing menu of Levantine dishes. To diners, that means more hummus prepared with just the right dose of tahini, craveable shawarma-spiced French fries and pita-based sandwiches stuffed with crunchy balls of falafel and slathered in terrifically garlicky toum. Read the review.
1 Monument Way
Portland
207-536-0065
nuraportland.com
Ocotillo
Decked out in soft shades of dusky coral paint and warm burgundy velvet, Ocotillo bears little resemblance to its sibling, Terlingua. The distinctions are more than visual. Ocotillo’s curves and fabrics make the space feel cozy and sophisticated, especially booths near the impressive bar stocked with nearly any agave-based booze you can imagine. Ocotillo has also embraced its West End digs, incorporating (fellow Best 75’er and next-door neighbor) ZUbakery bread into its birria-enhanced grilled cheese sandwich. The restaurant also makes a sly reference to its predecessor in this space, The Danforth, adopting and adapting that restaurant’s signature “The Salad” by introducing oregano and avocado to ground the dish in Southwestern/Mexican foodways.
211 Danforth St.
Portland
207-203-4611
ocotillo.me
Off Track Pizza
Mammoth slices of genuine, beautifully baked New York-style cheese pizza will draw you in to this two-story Exchange Street restaurant, especially when you learn that they go for a bargain $4.50 (at time of writing). But once you’re inside, you’ll be seduced by the display case of 18-inch pies with other toppings: pepperoni broiled into concave “crispy cups,” garlic confit with cherry peppers, and torn balls of burrata over rose-hued vodka sauce. You may also spot an attractive overstuffed, focaccia sandwich or Caesar salad served with pepperoncini-and-Pecorino Romano dressing. And if, on your way up to the dining room, you spy a few vintage arcade games and decide you want to come back for more? I understand completely. It happens to the best of us. Read the review.
15 Exchange St.
Portland
207-808-8007
offtrackpizza.com
Other Side Diner
Modeled after a classic Greek diner, this cozy, welcoming East Deering restaurant ought to be known for its beautifully conceived toasted sandwiches (curried chicken salad, pork belly grilled cheese, Japanese convenience-store-inspired egg salad “sando”) as well as its simple, yet perfectly executed omelets. There’s no better place to finish a walk around Back Cove than here. Read the review.
500 Washington Ave.
Portland
207-772-0002
othersidediner.com
Oun Lido’s
Oun Lido’s has no secret entrance (like its Market Street neighbor, Lincoln’s), but it remains frustratingly unknown to many. It’s time we changed that. Chef/co-owner Bounahcree Kim’s casual, counter-service Cambodian restaurant takes inspiration from the Chinese-influenced Cambodian comfort food he grew up eating at home. That translates to extraordinary dishes like loc lac (garlicky, lime-pepper seasoned steak served with a runny fried egg), neorm (a salad of cabbage and green beans dressed with a delicately sweetened fish sauce) and kathew cha (square-cut noodles stir-fried with chicken, shrimp, and a sticky, savory “caramel” sauce). A sibling to Best 75 honoree Cong Tu Bot, Oun Lido’s has quietly, with no fanfare, made a name for itself. Tell everyone. Read the review.
30 Market St.
Portland
207-554-3111
ounlidos.com
Paella Seafood
What’s that they say about judging books by their covers? Chef/owner Casey Jabrawi proves this old adage true by serving some of the best paella I’ve eaten in North America out of a space that looks like a cross between a train station and a summer camp dining hall. For your own sake, ignore the decor. This is the place you go to impress a chef, or any food-obsessive, for that matter. Jabrawi earned his paella chops cooking side-by-side with a Valencian chef who knew a thing or two about bomba rice, shrimp, chicken and smoked paprika. And don’t skip appetizers: Fried calamari scattered with razor-thin slices of jalapeno will change the way you eat deep-fried seafood. Read the review.
865 Forest Ave.
Portland
207-536-1021
Palace Diner
By now, most people who come to Southern Maine know about Palace Diner, and with good reason. More than a decade after it first opened, this 15-seat space shoehorned into a tiny, 1927 railroad dining car remains one of the best diners in the nation. Co-owners Chad Conley and Greg Mitchell have reimagined what classic short-order dishes might become, if only they were prepared with the highest-quality ingredients. Spectacular, it turns out. Lemon-suffused flapjacks, buttery toasted banana bread and a tuna melt made with homemade pickles and an Everest of iceberg lettuce: all superlative. Visit for breakfast or lunch (no dinner service) on a weekday to avoid waits that can extend beyond the two-hour mark.
18 Franklin St.
Biddeford
207-284-0015
palacedinerme.com
Paper Tiger
Whimsical and welcoming, with plenty of al fresco seating on Fore Street, Paper Tiger serves creative cocktails with witty names, like the “Fort Gorgeous,” a gin, guava shrub, cardamom and cava sipper. The restaurant also serves a risky, yet generally successful menu of comforting, pan-Asian dishes inspired by “late-night Chinese restaurants.” Read the review.
425 Fore St.
Portland
207-613-9823
papertigerme.com
Papi
Puerto Rican bar/restaurant Papi is a bit of a unicorn. Its “diasporican” concept is like nothing else in Maine — from owner LyAnna Sanabria’s clever cocktails (scotch, coconut water and tea-infused simple syrup? A revelation.) to chef Ronnie Medlock’s menu of updated nostalgic dishes. And then there’s the décor, which reads as equal parts rum bar and Beaux Arts salon, with a chunky (and controversial), carved-wood front door, serpentine bar and an ambient tropical vibe that persists even when the weather outside is anything but sunny. Read the review.
18 Exchange St.
Portland
207-808-8008
Papiportland.com
Peng’s Pizza Pies
Deeply blistered pies with sauces and fillings pushed right up to the very edge — that’s the house style at chef Chris Daniels’ Biddeford pizzeria. You won’t go wrong with any of the gorgeous red-sauced pies, but don’t miss out on the Thai/Italian white pie with pickled Fresno chiles, pecorino and crushed pistachios. It’s a revelation. Read the review.
128 Main St.
Biddeford
207-494-7450
pengspizzapies.com
Portland Hunt + Alpine Club
Recently nipped and tucked to show off the best of its open-concept dining room and high ceilings, Portland Hunt & Alpine Club seems ready for its next chapter. That’s good news for Portland, if that means another dozen years of creative, well-balanced cocktails, Scandinavian-inspired snacks and (when it’s too cold to think of anything but cheese), ooey-gooey raclette. Grab a seat at the window for views of Post Office Park as you sip an elderflower-suffused White Noise.
75 Market St.
Portland
207-747-4754
huntandalpineclub.com
Quanto Basta
In this minimally decorated East End restaurant, you’ll find an equally spare menu. But don’t let that dissuade you: Chef/owner Betsy English knows what she’s doing. That concise menu is evidence of her confidence. By concentrating on delivering the finest version of just a few individually portioned pizzas and classic Italian enoteca appetizers, she has turned Quanto Basta into one of the best pizzerias in New England. Quanto Basta’s deeply blistered pies feature seasonal flavors and are calibrated to match well with the restaurant’s well-priced list of Italian wines. Read the review.
249 Congress St.
Portland
Quantobasta.me
Room for Improvement
Co-owner Nick Coffin and bartender/co-owner Arvid Brown understand the concept of sandbagging. Read about their Old Port dive-bar-themed dive bar online and you’ll see them refer to the business as “halfway decent.” Even the name of the bar itself seems to prepare customers for disappointment. The real surprise comes when they discover that Brown never stopped unspooling the imaginative and ingredient-driven thread he picked up during his tenure leading the cocktail programs at Baharat and Crispy Gai. If it’s on the frequently updated menu, try a Purple Painkiller to get a sense of what I mean. It’s a lurid, Barney-tinted concoction that disguises its tropical appeal. With pisco, rum, pineapple juice and a slug of nutty, ube-infused coconut cream (hence the color), this seriously captivating cocktail won’t allow itself (or anyone drinking it) to be taken too seriously.
41 Wharf St.
Portland
roomforimprovement.me
Rose Foods
When Mainers debate which bagel deserves the state’s top ranking, Jewish-style deli Rose Foods always makes the short list. Chef/owner Chad Conley’s bubbly, open-crumb sourdough bagels might not be ultra-orthodox, but they are tasty, especially when they’re split and filled with whitefish salad or capers and pastrami-style nova lox. Latkes and matzoh ball soup are also menu winners here. Read the review.
428 Forest Ave.
Portland
207-835-0991
rosefoods.me
Rover Bagel
Still takeout-only, with orders collected from a pass-through window in the bakery’s Pepperell Mill space, Rover sells deeply blistered, generously proportioned bagels and out-of-this-world sandwiches like the sweet/savory bacon-stuffed Shift Meal, as well as more straightforward classic pairings. If you’re a fan of char and caramelization, head to Biddeford, stat.
10 W. Point Lane, Suite 10-204
Biddeford
207-710-6248
roverbagel.com
Scales
With wharf views on two sides plus outdoor seating at the back, Scales remains the snazzyiest of Old Port locations to sit and watch the working waterfront in action. The shellfish-exuberant menu, which showcases locally sourced seafood (some of which arrives to the docks just outside) is varied and well-executed, especially fried belly clams, whole fish and Jonah crab fritters. Scales is also an enormous restaurant, so finding a table should be possible, even at the height of the summer. Read the review.
Maine Wharf at 68 Commercial St.
Portland
207-805-0444
scalesrestaurant.com
Schulte & Herr
While comforting, homey German classics — think tangy cucumber salad, bratwurst with sauerkraut and some of the most exquisitely fried schnitzel on the East Coast — sound most appealing when the weather is chilly, don’t neglect this sweet little Bayside restaurant in the summer. Not only is Schulte & Herr a perfect choice for avoiding summertime crowds, it is also BYOB, so bring a bottle of your best chilled Gewurtztraminer and a “Guten Appetit.” Read the review.
349 Cumberland Ave.
Portland
207-773-1997
schulteundherr.wordpress.com
Scratch Baking Co.
To out-of-towners, this Willard Beach institution is known for its coffee cake, brownies, blondies and generous slices of Southern coconut cream layer cake. To locals, it’s all about bagels. Queuing up early on a weekend morning to snag a few became a ritual for many South Portlanders. And because those bagels sold out in mere nanoseconds, walking away empty-handed also became a ritual, with a brownie and a cappuccino as consolation. But rejoice! Bagels are in plentiful supply these days, even for Sunday sleepyheads. If bagels aren’t your thing, and you drop by late in the week, be on the lookout for some of the region’s best homemade English muffins.
416 Preble St.
South Portland
207-799-0668
scratchbakingco.com
Sichuan Kitchen
Portlanders took a few years to warm to Qi Shen’s strictly Chinese (i.e. not Chinese-American) menu of sinus-clearing, tongue-buzzing dishes. But now, locals love to brag about Sichuan Kitchen and its focus on traditional techniques and ingredients. You’ll always find fiery poached fish and soup noodles on the docket, but don’t shy away from subtler dishes like frilly cloud-ear mushroom salad, or my favorite: tender-crisp, buttery-tasting wok-sautéed cabbage. Be on the lookout for a hotpot-centric spin-off later this year. Read the review.
612 Congress St.
Portland
207-536-7226
sichuankitchenportland.com
SoPo Seafood & Raw Bar
SoPo Seafood’s biggest coup might be its division of labor. Rather than append a restaurant onto a seafood market (or vice versa), SoPo treats both businesses as equals. As a result, diners feel well-cared-for by knowledgeable staff who sometimes cross over to double as fishmongers. Shellfish are served plain or doctored — try both. And if The Marshall, a Nauti Pearl oyster with crème fraiche, Hackleback caviar and a splash of gin is on the menu as the OOTD (oyster of the day), order it. Scratch that: Order three. Read the review.
171 Ocean St.
South Portland
877-282-7676
soposeafood.com
Speckled Ax
Wood-roasted coffee beans are Speckled Ax’s stock in trade. You can purchase fetchingly packaged beans at any of the business’s three locations, but before you head home, order a drink and observe how expert baristas treat Speckled Ax’s sustainable, (mostly) organic coffee. At the new Back Cove roastery, coffee drinks are served exclusively on a to-go basis. But the original, tawny-walled café on Congress Street and the Portland Foreside storefront are both inviting spaces to unwind, read a book, or chat with a friend over a surprisingly tasty Fruity Pebbles latte.
567 Congress St.
Portland
207-660-3333
18 Thames St.
Portland
135 Walton St.
Portland
speckledax.com
Sullivan House Bakery & Coffee
After this inclusive, community-oriented coffee shop made this paper’s annual Best of the Year roundup two years running — once for the eggnog crumb cake, then for the crisp, buttery chocolate cruffin (a croissant-muffin hybrid), it was only a matter of time before the cafe itself made it to this list. Gorham might seem off the beaten track to tourists (as well as some locals), but take the leap. Friendly, welcoming staff and a group-friendly communal table (that can be booked in advance) are two of the many attractions, if gooey cinnamon rolls and house-made New England-style potpies aren’t enough to entice you.
102 Main St.
Gorham
207-222-0399
sullivanhousegorham.com
Tandem Coffee/ Tandem Coffee & Bakery
In the beginning, there was only “Little Tandem,” a capsule-sized cafe where Blue Bottle Coffee alums Kathleen and Will Pratt roasted, brewed and poured bespoke, seasonal blends as well as single-origin coffee. Thirteen years on, Tandem has made an outsized imprint on Portland, due in large part to its iconic second location: a revamped former gas station that has become the business’ baking HQ. Here, pastry chef Briana Holt and her team produce some of the state’s very best pies, cinnamon buns, cookies and loaf cakes. A stop at Tandem has become de rigeur for tourists, so if you plan to visit on a warm weekend, expect to wait in line with fellow caffeine-deprived customers.
Cafe & Roastery (aka Little Tandem):
122 Anderson St.
Portland
207-889-0235
Coffee and Bakery:
742 Congress St.
Portland
207-805-1887
tandemcoffee.com
Terlingua
This Tex-Mex and Southwestern BBQ joint may be one of Washington Avenue’s longest-tenured food businesses, but you’d never guess by looking at it. Named for a Texan ghost town, Terlingua knows how to refresh its spaces. Over the past few years alone, the East End restaurant has added an enchanting desert mural (featuring a mythical jackalope), a well-stocked retail market and an open-air garden patio that seems to make its urban context disappear. Come for the visual attractions, but stay for at least one house-smoked brisket taco …
52 Washington Ave.
Portland
207-808-8502
terlingua.me
Tipo
Eager to escape the tourists on the peninsula without settling for a second-tier meal? Tipo is your solution. In a part of Back Cove with few businesses and even fewer restaurants, this contemporary Italian restaurant has evolved into a locals-only gem. The menu showcases affordable bottles of (mostly) Italian wines, homemade pastas, fire-roasted vegetables and some of the best brick-oven pizzas in New England. Read the review.
182 Ocean Ave.
Portland
207-358-7970
tiporestaurant.com
Twelve
Perhaps the city’s highest profile debut in a decade, Twelve made plenty of waves when it opened in the painstakingly rebuilt Portland Company building in mid-2022. You’d expect it to be a stunner, and indeed, it is. As Twelve has settled into its identity as a destination for an expensive date or a special occasion meal, the restaurant has grown more confident in its strengths and has wisely reframed the menu as a collaboration between sublime pastry chef Georgia Macon (Tartine) and executive chef Colin Wyatt (Eleven Madison Park). Read the review.
115 Thames St.
Portland
207-910-7400
twelvemaine.com
Ugly Duckling
Chef Ilma Lopez refers to her casual cafe/bakery as “the luncheonette of our dreams,” a place where the menu pivots around her extraordinary buttermilk English muffins, pastries, coffee and sandwiches. At this West End hotspot, she and husband Damien Sansonetti have your breakfast and lunch desires covered, whether savory, sweet or both. If you’re around on Friday night, the restaurant stays open for cocktails and a live showing of the latest episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Come to think of it, Cream Puff (one of Lopez’s specialties) sounds like a great drag name.
264 Danforth St.
Portland
207-536-1819
Uglyducklingmaine.com
Wayside Tavern
If you’re after a meal at a restaurant that feels like a secret treasure, you need to book a table at Wayside Tavern. Tucked into an annex of the historic, Victorian-era Francis Hotel on the fringes of the West End, this 40-seat neighborhood bistro is an ideal spot for a date or a tete-a-tete. Start with the gorgeously fried cod cheeks or the eggplant terrine, an eggplant Parmesan that’s done some therapy and gotten in touch with its truest self. Then order any of the phenomenal, evergreen entrees (I’m partial to the pork schnitzel). Don’t skip cocktails, either. Wayside’s bar knows how to shake up (or stir) a classic, as well as how to give their signature versions subtle, invigorating upgrades. Read the review.
747 Congress St.
Portland
207-613-9568
waysidetavernmaine.com
The Well
It’s a mind-bender worthy of the Sphinx: Can a farm-to-table restaurant be located on the farm, itself? Call it farm-to-farm if you must, but regardless, set aside some time in the warmer months for a visit to Jordan’s Farm, in Cape Elizabeth, where an ever-expanding range of seats awaits. From bar seating to porch dining, to cozy gazebos for parties of six or more, you’ve got a better chance of scoring an elusive summer seat for a rustic meal featuring the farm’s own produce than ever before. It’s worth the hassle to make plans far in advance, as there are few places in Greater Portland that marry palate and place better than The Well. Read the review. Note: The Well at Jordan’s Farm is seasonal. See website for hours and dates of operation.
21 Wells Road
Cape Elizabeth
207-831-9350
thewellatjordansfarm.com
Wilson County BBQ
Be ready: Wilson Co. BBQ features the fiery, vinegary pulled pork you’d find at homey restaurants across Eastern North Carolina. Embrace the tang. And while you’re at it, try the insanely crunchy fried chicken, tender hushpuppies and warming Brunswick Stew. If you just can’t get behind the regional specificity of this Bayside joint’s menu, never fear. Wilson Co. acquits itself nicely with sweet-sauced, pit-smoked baby back ribs. And don’t think we haven’t noticed the kitchen’s great dessert leap forward — if there’s a pie on the menu….any pie, order it. Read the review.
82 Hanover St.
Portland
207-956-7788
wilsoncountybarbecue.com
Woodford F&B
We all love a little novelty, but sometimes, it’s lovely to grow attached to a favorite dish, knowing it’s unlikely to leave a restaurant’s menu. Since her tenure as chef at Woodford Food & Beverage began nearly a decade ago, Courtney Loreg has built a menu with real staying power. Loreg (a recent James Beard Award finalist) is a fan of braising (think lamb shanks, cheese-stuffed cabbage) and burgers (her brisket-based hamburger is one of the best burgers in the city), but she’s also no slouch with a fryer. Want proof? Order a basket of fennel-y house-spiced french fries or a plate of chickpea panisses that crackle when you take a bite, only to reveal a steamy, custardy interior. An off-peninsula must-visit. Read the review.
660 Forest Ave.
Portland
207-200-8503
woodfordfb.com
ZUbakery
Lines already snaked around the block at ZUbakery before owner Barak Olins won a James Beard Award for his “micro-boulangerie.” A year on, they’re even longer. But don’t put yourself through more waiting than necessary. Visit his website, choose your baked good (laminated pastry, focaccia, sourdough bread) and peek at the frequently updated schedule so that you’re in the West End at exactly the moment when he retrieves his superb loaves from the oven.
81 Clark St.
Portland
207-409-0117
zubakery.com
Join the Conversation
We believe it’s important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It’s a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. Read more...
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
For those stories that we do enable discussion, our system may hold up comments pending the approval of a moderator for several reasons, including possible violation of our guidelines. As the Maine Trust’s digital team reviews these comments, we ask for patience.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday and limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs.
You can modify your screen name here.
Show less
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.