James's Guidebook East Bayside Portland, Maine
Food scene
Best wines in town. Fantastic staff. Pro-leagues without the attitude
35 locals recommend
Drifters Wife
59 Washington AveBest wines in town. Fantastic staff. Pro-leagues without the attitude
This may be my favorite restaurant in the world. Blows my mind every time
61 locals recommend
Izakaya Minato
54 Washington AveThis may be my favorite restaurant in the world. Blows my mind every time
Fish tacos and house margaritas will set you free every time. Lively and friendly. Great staff
77 locals recommend
Terlingua
40 Washington AveFish tacos and house margaritas will set you free every time. Lively and friendly. Great staff
The Shop by Island Creek Oysters
123 Washington AveThis is great pizza and it’s 100 feet from our door. Good beer selection too and a terrific staff
192 locals recommend
OTTO
576 Congress StThis is great pizza and it’s 100 feet from our door. Good beer selection too and a terrific staff
LB Kitchen
255 Congress StFor folks that love yoga and grain bowls - these are your people.
Old school vibes where locals and hipster transplants coexist. I stand by the cocktails and food
108 locals recommend
The Front Room
73 Congress StOld school vibes where locals and hipster transplants coexist. I stand by the cocktails and food
CHAVAL
58 Pine StDamn good. Make a reservation. Deserts will kill
Baharat
91 Anderson StMiddle eastern freshness. Lively scene and amazing cocktails
Bob's Clam Hut
111 Cumberland AveVibe of high end takeout but don’t be fooled. These are pros
Blue Spoon
5 Congress StIntimate and good.
East Ender
47 Middle StMore my winter place but a standby.
It’s great yes but too crowded and pressured for my liking. I prefer the place on Washington. But did I say it’s great. It is
272 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StIt’s great yes but too crowded and pressured for my liking. I prefer the place on Washington. But did I say it’s great. It is
Bagels are great. Vibe is chill. Complicated love/hate relationship with this place but you should go.
44 locals recommend
Forage Market
123 Washington AveBagels are great. Vibe is chill. Complicated love/hate relationship with this place but you should go.
Mami
339 Fore StI get takeout here all the time. Killer poke bowl
Central Provisions
414 Fore StA classic. Never lets me down
Best Italian sandwich in portland. Maybe entire east coast. Don’t give joe shit or he’ll take you out. Tell him I sent you
11 locals recommend
A&C GROCERY
131 Washington AveBest Italian sandwich in portland. Maybe entire east coast. Don’t give joe shit or he’ll take you out. Tell him I sent you
Little Tap House
106 High StMy winter joint
Boda
671 Congress StTough to get a table but worth it
Often a wait but I never mind. Best Chinese food I’ve ever had. With a Maine twist
102 locals recommend
Empire
575 Congress StOften a wait but I never mind. Best Chinese food I’ve ever had. With a Maine twist
Breweries
Awesome space. Super chill with duck fat now. Get the farmhouse ale. That’s the one
106 locals recommend
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
49 Washington AveAwesome space. Super chill with duck fat now. Get the farmhouse ale. That’s the one
Austin Street Brewery
115 Fox StBoard games and beer. Always a great food truck outside. My favorite of the breweries down there
68 locals recommend
Lone Pine Brewing Company
219 Anderson StBoard games and beer. Always a great food truck outside. My favorite of the breweries down there
The Portland Zoo
41 Fox StChillest scene in portland. Love it. Redefining “laid back”
Rising Tide Brewing Company
103 Fox StNewcomer. Germans, Swedes, and people from Vermont really love it.
37 locals recommend
Goodfire Brewing Co.
219 Anderson StNewcomer. Germans, Swedes, and people from Vermont really love it.
Coffee
A local favorite. Serious pros. most peoples favorite. I like a darker roast though to go with my morning pall malls.
28 locals recommend
Tandem Coffee Roasters
122 Anderson StA local favorite. Serious pros. most peoples favorite. I like a darker roast though to go with my morning pall malls.
Coffee By Design
43 Washington AveGreat coffee. Neighborhood meeting house
Bard Coffee
185 Middle StMany regard them as the best
Shopping
High end clothing for the portland scene
Portland Dry Goods
235 Commercial StRenys Department Store
540 Congress StA Maine standby. Get your flannel lined carhardts.
Eclectic mix of mid-century furniture, art and objects. Friendly owners.
41 locals recommend
Portland Flea-for-All
585 Congress StEclectic mix of mid-century furniture, art and objects. Friendly owners.
Sailor Rose Inc.
611 Broadway