Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Speckled Ax
567 Congress StPour-over coffee kicks ass.
Starbucks
256 US-1Great location to watch the hustle and bustle.
Green Elephant
608 Congress StThe tastiest vegetarian/vegan fare in town!
Great community joint with live music, great drinks, a cool neighborhood vibe, and nice breakfast options.
31 locals recommend
Local Sprouts Co-op
649 Congress StGreat community joint with live music, great drinks, a cool neighborhood vibe, and nice breakfast options.
Cool hipster spot in Longfellow Square. Decent pub fare and a bar. They have brunch!
88 locals recommend
LFK
188 State StCool hipster spot in Longfellow Square. Decent pub fare and a bar. They have brunch!
Great for seafood. Lobster rolls, steamers (clams), etc. Salty waitresses and oversized drinks for bargain prices. Right on the waterfront. Don't expect fancy. Classic Portland.
83 locals recommend
Js Oyster
5 Portland PierGreat for seafood. Lobster rolls, steamers (clams), etc. Salty waitresses and oversized drinks for bargain prices. Right on the waterfront. Don't expect fancy. Classic Portland.
Best Pizza in Portland (according to Mike). Creative toppings and thin crust.
192 locals recommend
OTTO
576 Congress StBest Pizza in Portland (according to Mike). Creative toppings and thin crust.
My favorite!!! You cannot go wrong here. Yummy Asian Fusion in a cool, laid-back urban atmosphere. Live music venue upstairs.
102 locals recommend
Empire
575 Congress StMy favorite!!! You cannot go wrong here. Yummy Asian Fusion in a cool, laid-back urban atmosphere. Live music venue upstairs.
This place makes everyone happy. Locally made Maine potato donuts.
220 locals recommend
The Holy Donut
194 Park AveThis place makes everyone happy. Locally made Maine potato donuts.
For oysters and lobster rolls. One of the best restaurants in town and a fantastic ambiance. Trendy, popular place.
272 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StFor oysters and lobster rolls. One of the best restaurants in town and a fantastic ambiance. Trendy, popular place.
Lobster rolls and live evening entertainment right on the Portland waterfront.
131 locals recommend
Portland Lobster Co
180 Commercial StLobster rolls and live evening entertainment right on the Portland waterfront.
Two Fat Cats
740 BroadwayAmazing pie.
Best breads and pastries in town. Award-winning, from the same owners as Fore Street.
114 locals recommend
Standard Baking Co
75 Commercial StBest breads and pastries in town. Award-winning, from the same owners as Fore Street.
Pizza and craft beer. Have been known to have live music - check their website and Facebook page.
40 locals recommend
Slab
25 Preble StPizza and craft beer. Have been known to have live music - check their website and Facebook page.
Love this place! It used to be a wig shop and Salvation Army-type place, and now it's this large, funky space with a great wine and craft beer selection. The menu is inspired Spanish and the food is pretty darned good. Can eat on couches in the large lounge section or at tables in the dining room. Or just hang at the bar (which is also big). They also serve brunch on the weekends, Lots of choices here.
142 locals recommend
Local 188
685 Congress StLove this place! It used to be a wig shop and Salvation Army-type place, and now it's this large, funky space with a great wine and craft beer selection. The menu is inspired Spanish and the food is pretty darned good. Can eat on couches in the large lounge section or at tables in the dining room. Or just hang at the bar (which is also big). They also serve brunch on the weekends, Lots of choices here.
Drinks & Nightlife
Kick-ass views from the 13th floor of the Eastland hotel of Portland. It's literally 300 feet from your door.
68 locals recommend
Top of the East
157 High StKick-ass views from the 13th floor of the Eastland hotel of Portland. It's literally 300 feet from your door.
That's where Mike and I met. Lit-up dance floor and 80's music on Friday night. Mixed crowd - all ages welcome. It's so much fun. $5 cover charge.
47 locals recommend
Bubba's Sulky Lounge
92 Portland StThat's where Mike and I met. Lit-up dance floor and 80's music on Friday night. Mixed crowd - all ages welcome. It's so much fun. $5 cover charge.
Blue
650 Congress StGreat little joint for live jazz. No cover charge (donations encouraged).
Go here on the name alone! Speakeasy kind of vibe in the Arts District. Not well advertised, so definitely a place where the locals hang out.
76 locals recommend
The Jewel Box
644 Congress StGo here on the name alone! Speakeasy kind of vibe in the Arts District. Not well advertised, so definitely a place where the locals hang out.
Port City Music Hall
504 Congress StSmaller national acts.
The name of the place is Aura (as opposed to what is saved). New addition to the live music scene. You never know who might be playing.
17 locals recommend
Aura
121 Center StThe name of the place is Aura (as opposed to what is saved). New addition to the live music scene. You never know who might be playing.
Arts & Culture
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqWell curated museum with changing exhibits.
Changing exhibits featuring different components of the history of Maine.
76 locals recommend
Maine Historical Society
489 Congress StChanging exhibits featuring different components of the history of Maine.
Portland Observatory
138 Congress StStunning views of the harbor in the East End.
Essentials
If you need to pick up toothpaste or a jacket, this is your place...on the cheap, too.
21 locals recommend
Renys Department Store
540 Congress StIf you need to pick up toothpaste or a jacket, this is your place...on the cheap, too.
Parks & Nature
Within a 5-minute walk. Saturday from 7am to 1pm is the farmer's market (summer/fall). Nice place for a picnic.
87 locals recommend
Deering Oaks Park
Within a 5-minute walk. Saturday from 7am to 1pm is the farmer's market (summer/fall). Nice place for a picnic.
Entertainment & Activities
Kayak in the Portland harbor, with a guide or without (if experienced).
63 locals recommend
Portland Paddle
1 Eastern PromenadeKayak in the Portland harbor, with a guide or without (if experienced).
2-hour trip for around the harbor for around $45 in a schooner. BYOB. It's awesome!
31 locals recommend
Portland Schooner Co.
Maine State Pier2-hour trip for around the harbor for around $45 in a schooner. BYOB. It's awesome!
Go out on a real working lobster boat and see lobster traps hauled. Participate if you like.
40 locals recommend
Lucky Catch Cruises
170 Commercial StGo out on a real working lobster boat and see lobster traps hauled. Participate if you like.
https://themainebrewbus.com/home-mbt/ Sample products from local breweries while having someone drive you around.
43 locals recommend
The Maine Brew Bus
320 Commercial Sthttps://themainebrewbus.com/home-mbt/ Sample products from local breweries while having someone drive you around.
Space Gallery always has something cool going on, whether it's an independent film, an art opening, or a live band. Very eclectic offerings at reasonable prices.
72 locals recommend
SPACE
534-538 Congress StSpace Gallery always has something cool going on, whether it's an independent film, an art opening, or a live band. Very eclectic offerings at reasonable prices.
Sightseeing
Various cruises and tours out to the islands. Inexpensive, BYOB. Rent a bike on Peaks Island. They also have music cruises most weekends.
140 locals recommend
Casco Bay Lines station
Various cruises and tours out to the islands. Inexpensive, BYOB. Rent a bike on Peaks Island. They also have music cruises most weekends.