Portland Guide

Portland Guide

June 26, 2019

There’s no more charming a place in the world than Maine. And Portland, its largest city, is a major player in that Maine charm. While you enjoy killer ocean views of Casco Bay from a myriad of vistas around the city, brick buildings paired with cobblestone streets and of course, Mainer kindness, don't forget that Portland was voted the Bon Appetit Restaurant City of the Year in 2018 and is a national craft beer destination. According to data recently released by the Brewers Association, Maine has 7.6 breweries per 100,000 21+ Adults. That means we are ranked 5th in the country for most breweries per capita! In case you were wondering, our neighbors in Vermont are #1 with 10.8 breweries per 100,000 21+ adults.

Below are some of our favorite restaurants, hotels, beaches, boutiques, and everything else we can think of to help you plan a trip to this magical place. We're confident these recommendations will have you falling in love with Portland too!

COFFEE SHOPS

Bard 

185 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

207-899-4788

https://www.bardcoffee.com/

Inviting atmosphere with coffee from all over the world.

Standard Baking Co. 

75 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
207-773-2112

http://standardbakingco.com/

Handcrafted and baked throughout the day in their 12-ton, stone deck oven, you’ll find traditional French baguettes, hearty German Vollkornbrot, fragrant Focaccia, and our all-organic Miche, (and more!) made from 100% Maine grown and milled whole grains.

Arabica (9 Commercial St). 

9 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101

207-210-6473

https://www.arabicacoffee.me/

Great coffee and tea selection with spacious, comfortable seating and water views.

 

BREAKFAST/LUNCH

The Front Room
73 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
207-773-3366


https://www.thefrontroomrestaurant.com/


American comfort food.

LB Kitchen
231 York St, Portland, ME 04102
207-775-2695


https://www.lbkitchenportlandme.com/

 

Delicious health food lunch & breakfast.

Hot Suppa
703 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102
207-871-5005


http://hotsuppa.com/

 

Hearty southern fare. 

Local 188
685 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102
207-761-7909


https://www.local188.com/

 

Classic brunch options with a Spanish flare!

The Corner Room
110 Exchange Street, Portland, ME, 04101
207-879-4747


https://www.thecornerroomkitchenandbar.com/

 

House made Italian brunch. Try the prosciutto eggs benedict...trust us!

Union Bagel (To-Go Only)
147 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME, 04101
207-747-4400


http://www.unionbagel.com/


Bagel goodness!

Maine Squeeze (To-Go Only)
5 1/2 Moulton St, Portland, ME 04101
207-773-7374


http://mainesqueezejuicecafe.com/portland-old-port/

All-natural smoothies, acai bowls & juices.

The Holy Donut (To-Go Only)
7 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
207-775-7776


https://theholydonut.com/

 

All-natural donuts with creative flavors. 

 

LOBSTER ROLLS

Portland Lobster Company
180 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
207-775-2112


http://www.portlandlobstercompany.com/

 

Classic lobster rolls and live music.

Eventide
86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
207-774-8538

 

http://www.eventideoysterco.com/

 

The brown sugar butter lobster roll is a MUST-try! 

High Roller
104 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101

(207) 536-1623


https://highrollerlobster.com/

 

Eclectic lobster roll and grilled cheese flavors and options.

 

Luke’s Lobster

60 Portland Pier, Portland, ME 04101

(207) 274-6097

 

https://lukeslobster.com

 

Grab a lobster or crab roll in this new waterfront space!

Two Lights Lobster Shack
225 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
207-799-1677


http://lobstershacktwolights.com/

 

A 15 minute drive from downtown Portland. Enjoy a classic lobster roll at a picnic table outside overlooking the ocean!

 

DINNER

Solo Italiano
100 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
207-780-0227


http://www.soloitalianorestaurant.com/

 

Authentic Italian cuisine.

Flatbread Company
72 Commercial St #5, Portland, ME 04101
207-772-8777


https://www.flatbreadcompany.com/portland/

 

Delicious wood-fired flat bread pizza with locally sourced ingredients. 

Eventide
86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
207-774-8538

 

http://www.eventideoysterco.com/


The brown sugar butter lobster roll is a MUST-try! But, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu.

The Corner Room
110 Exchange Street, Portland, ME, 04101
207-879-4747


https://www.thecornerroomkitchenandbar.com/

 

House made pastas, pizzas, antipastas and artisal breads.

Boda
671 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
207-347-7557


https://www.bodamaine.com/


Thai kitchen.

Petite Jacqeline
46 Market St, Portland, ME 04101
207-553-7044

 

http://bistropj.com/

 

French bistro.

Fore Street
288 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
207-775-2717


http://www.forestreet.biz/

 

Upscale, rustic American fare. 

Street & Company
33 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101
207-775-0887


http://www.streetandcompany.net/


Hearty seafood bistro.

 

 

BREWERIES

Allagash 
50 Industrial Way, Portland, ME 04103
207-878-5385


https://www.allagash.com/?ao_confirm



Bissel Brothers
4 Thompsons Point #108, Portland, ME 04102

(207) 808-8258


https://www.bissellbrothers.com/

 

Austin Street
115 Fox St, Portland, ME, 04101
207-200-1994


http://www.austinstreetbrewery.com/


Lone Pine
219 Anderson St, Portland, ME 04101
207-536-4952


http://lonepinebrewery.com/

 

Rising Tide
103 Fox St, Portland, ME 04101
207-370-2337


https://risingtidebrewing.com/

 

 

BARS

Portland Lobster Company
180 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
207-775-2112


http://www.portlandlobstercompany.com/

 

Perfect for day time and early evening drinks on a waterfront deck with live music!

 

Porthole

20 Custom House Wharf, Portland, ME, 04101

(207) 773-4653

 

https://www.portholemaine.com/


Another great spot for day time and early evening drinks on a waterfront deck with live music! This spot is more ideal for larger groups with more space.

 

Novare Res

4 Canal Plz Ste 1, Portland, ME 04101

(207) 761-2437

 

https://novareresbiercafe.com

 

The Beer-lover’s bar in Portland. Outdoor courtyard with picnic benches and cornhole!

 

Hunt & Alpine

75 Market St, Portland, ME, 04101

(207) 747-4754

 

www.huntandalpineclub.com

 

Specialty hand-crafted cocktails in downtown Portland.

 

Bonfire

37 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101

(877) 653-7678

 

www.bonfire.country

 

Portland’s country bar.

 

Oasis

42 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101

(207) 772-0179

 

www.oasisportlandmaine.com

 

Outdoor courtyard with live music and games with dancing upstairs.  

 

HOTELS

The Press Hotel

119 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101

207-808-8800

 

https://www.thepresshotel.com/

 

4-Star boutique hotel with top-notch restaurant.

 

Courtyard Marriott Portland Downtown/Waterfront 

321 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101

207-780-6000

 

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pwmcd-courtyard-portland-downtown-waterfront/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2

 

3-Star hotel

 

The Portland Regency

20 Milk St, Portland, ME 04101

207-774-4200

 

http://www.theregency.com/

 

4-Star Hotel

 

The Westin Portland

157 High St, Portland, ME 04101

207-775-5411

 

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pwmwi-the-westin-portland-harborview/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2

 

4-Star Hotel

 

The Danforth Inn

163 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04102

207-879-8755

 

https://www.thedanforthportland.com/

 

4-Star Boutique Inn

 

The Black Elephant Hostel

33 Hampshire St, Portland, ME 04101

207-712-7062

 

https://www.blackelephanthostel.com/

 

Hostel option for those traveling on a shoestring.

 

ACTIVITIES

HIGGINS BEACH

Higgins Beach, Scarborough, ME, 04074
Nestled in between Prout's Neck and Cape Elizabeth, Higgins is a long, sandy beach perfect for walking, sunbathing, looking for sand dollars and surfing! Be sure to stop by the Higgins Beach Market Roadside Stand (82 Spurwink Rd, Scarborough) for coffee or snacks on your way to the beach!


PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT

12 Captain Strout Cir, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
The most photographed lighthouse in America and the oldest lighthouse in Maine is definitely worth a visit! Just 15 minutes from downtown Portland.

 

PEAK'S ISLAND

(Ferry Terminal) 56 Commercial Street, Portland, Maine 04101
207-774-7871
Only a short ferry ride from downtown Portland, Peak's Island is a perfect half day trip. Rent bikes (or a golf cart) available next to the ferry terminal on the island and tour the flat, 4 mile coastline and enjoy beautiful Casco Bay. 

EASTERN PROM.

Eastern Promenade, Portland, ME
Grab a coffee at Hilltop Cafe (100 Congress St) or a bagel at Union Bagel (147 Cumberland Ave) and grab a bench on the Eastern Prom to take in the breathtaking views of Casco Bay!

PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ART

7 Congress Square, Portland, ME, 04101 (207) 775-6148
Consider a trip to the oldest art museum in Maine, which curates the work of both local Maine artists and international artists. 

 


WORK OUT STUDIOS

 

OrangeTheory Portland

23 Marginal Way #5, Portland, ME 04101

(207) 536-5833

 

https://portland-me.orangetheoryfitness.com/

 

This is a must-try workout whether you live in Portland and have never been, or if you are traveling and want try a new studio!

 

Greener Postures

740 Broadway, South Portland, ME 04106

(207) 210-6525

 

https://www.greenerposturesyoga.com/yoga-class-schedule-portland-maine

 

Friendly yoga studio with a range of classes.

 

Reve Cycling

559 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04101

https://www.revecyclingstudio.com/

 

Boutique spin, yoga and HIIT studio.

 

Barre Method

1 Dana St, Portland, ME 04101

(207) 805-1637

 

https://barmethod.com/locations/portland-old-port/

 

Challenging and fun Barre studio.

 

SHOPPING

Lisa Marie's Made in Maine

35 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101

207-828-1515

 

https://lisamariesmadeinmaine.com/

 

You'll find the best Maine art and gifts here!

 

Sea Bags

25 Custom House Wharf, Portland, ME, 04101

888-210-4244

 

https://www.seabags.com/

 

Bags crafted in Maine from recycled sails!

 

Bliss 

58 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
207-879-7125

 

https://www.blissboutiques.com/

 

Upscale Women's Fashion.

 

Little

42 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101

207-274-2100

 

https://www.boutiquelittle.com/

 

Curated clothing and toys for the little one in your life.

 

Leyland

While we are an online shop and don’t have a brick-and-mortar store front, you can shop our website and follow our social media to stay up to date on pop-ups!

https://www.leyland.com

 

SPAS

Health Resonates

773 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102

(207) 613-9233

 

https://www.healthresonates.com/

 

Health Resonates offers a full range of spa services including health, wellness, energy work, massage, skin care, and beauty services.

 

H & E Paint Bar

15 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

207-536-0698

 

https://www.hepaintbar.com/

 

Friendly, comfortable and clean nail services in downtown Portland.