50 Best American Restaurants in Portland

“Can’t wait to come back. We sat at chef counter and found the staff and chefs all very pleasant and informative. Food was fabulous and once again Andrew treated us like royalty. The whole experience was worth every penny!“

“Service, food, beer .. all five stars. A must visit if you’re in Maine!“

“Yes, another “5-star” restaurant… but this one actually earns it.

The menu is unique—you can order single bites from several of the apps, which makes it easy to try a bunch of things (and every one hits). Think broiled Maine scallops, broiled Maine oysters, beer-battered cod cheeks, even foie gras with truffle.

The eggplant terrine? Better than Nonna’s.

Finished with the steak au poivre—cooked perfectly, with a cream sauce you’ll be thinking about later, and a silky, perfectly seasoned potato purée.

Don’t miss this one.“

“Warm welcoming staff, happy regulars, creative events, top notch dedication to their draft list pouring from clean lines and glassware, passionate owners who are present and make food from scratch. A true Portland gem!“

“If you want fantastic service, amazing food and a really cool and comfy atmosphere, this is your place. My boyfriend and I drive twice a year to visit our favorite hotel and restaurant :) we truly cannot express how amazing this team is. We LOVE the lattes and Greek yogurt with homemade granola (it is our absolute favorite breakfast/brunch ever). It was so good that we asked to have the house granola sent to us and the Salt Yard team sent it immediately!

We also recommend the charcuterie board (excellent cheeses) & any of their drinks! They also have trivia on occasion!

If ever you’re in Portland, we highly encourage you to check out this spot. Whether you’re picking something up or staying for a bit, it’s truly a gem.“

“We had such a delicious meal at Scales! Everything was presented beautifully and tasted excellent. Service was on-point and the atmosphere is super chic. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone in the Portland area!“

“Impossibly wonderful food and vibe! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Wonderful service and excellent food!“

“Every dish was fantastic!“

“If you have not eaten here it is a must. Make sure to ask for Sarah as she is a phenomenal waitress.“

“Lobstah Roll a must have and gluten free snack bars yummy“

“This place is great for room service or eating in the restaurant. Friendly staff, friendly guests, and multiple comfortable places to sit and chill. I stay at the adjacent hotel 3+ times a year because of the food options, bar and location.“

“My family loves this place…food is delicious …tried Many menu options.. host always warm, Welcoming and fun, and prices Family friendly!!!“

“Great Bands like BB & The Silver Screen who care about putting on a great show! Thank you for providing a platform that supports local music!“

“We had our wedding at Grace, and I’m still speechless when I think about it. The venue itself is so unique and absolutely stunning — it truly speaks for itself. But what made the experience even more special was the incredible team behind it. Kate and her staff went above and beyond to accommodate our large wedding and made the entire day smoother and even more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. Every detail was handled with care, and their professionalism and kindness did not go unnoticed — they made us feel supported from start to finish. I honestly wish we could do it all over again. If you're looking for a breathtaking venue with an exceptional team, Grace is the one. Cannot recommend enough!“

“Thanks you so much #psychiczabaza“

“really good food here and professional staff“

“Service, food, beer .. all five stars. A must visit if you’re in Maine!“

“We had such a great experience last night! Delicious meals and drinks and absolutely outstanding service from Gerry (Jerry?). We’ll be back!“

“Got super lucky and was able to get a table on walk-in! (Was 7:30pm on a Saturday). Most delicious food ever. All fresh! Farm to table! so cool you can see the chefs making it right from practically the farm and delivered right to your table! Sourdough bread was a delicious and delightful complementary course- baked right downstairs! I got the spinach & feta pie (10/10) and my mom got the braised chicken (10/10). Such good quality food. To top off the night we got a crème brûlée and scoop of malted cider ice cream. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!“

“The best breakfast I have ever had, and I own a breakfast restaurant 😂 Super friendly staff, well worth the wait ! If you don't try the hollandaise I will question all your life decisions. Blueberry Fleur Mimosa ... 12/10! Try this spot if you're in the area, we will travel back 3 hours just for brunch !“

“We've been here about a half dozen times over the last few years and are always surprised that it's even better than we remembered. The grilled octopus appetizer is an absolute must order. I almost always get blackened tuna, rare. Even when it is not on the menu, they are happy to do it. The rice pudding is also amazing. Even given the many good options in Portland, a visit to Street and Co is essential on any trip there.“

“😁 good food and happy hour.“

“Last month our flight to Portland was delayed a considerable amount of time due to weather issues and it looked as though we would not be able to make our 5p.m. reservation. My daughter called from the tarmac in Boston where we were rerouted and refueled and explained the situation. The hostess, Susie, was very understanding and compassionate And said that even though our table was booked for another party a 7, we should come in and she would see what she could do. We got there late but Susie greeted us warmly and told us not to worry about being rushed that she had arranged things so no one would be inconvenienced. The atmosphere was warm and cozy; the food so very delicious and our waitperson, Anika, was the best. Atmosphere, impeccable service, food and warmth all rate 5 stars and another visit next time we are in Portland.“

“Great decor, food and service. Top spot for dinner.“

“Love this place and the bar tenders are great!!“

“I always enjoy stopping in when I’m in the Portland area! Only place with other options besides the ol run of the mill lobster with butter or mayo. Delicious!“

“Service seemed like she rather be anywhere else BUT the food was delicious. Definitely recommend lobster Benedict and the Maine blueberry pancakes!“

“One of my favorite croissants that I have eaten. Really delicious flavour and flaky exterior. The inside was chewy and things were good. The almond croissant was also amazing and different from others I have had. It was like a snail with almond paste. I enjoyed that it wasn't super sweet and heavy like the twice-baked almond croissants soaked in simple syrup that i am used to. The rustic loaf that I have been slowly working through is also amazing. When I am in Portland again I will certainly be returning to try other breads and pastry. The server was very helpful and friendly which made the whole experience pleasant. The smell of fresh bread and pastry inside the bakery is intoxicating.“

“Oh My God what a gem this place is! First off when you walk in it smells incredible. I had the Godmother grilled cheese. It was so good I couldn't hold a conversation......or maybe it was their margaritas!! Anyway the sandwich was unbelievable and the "secret sauce" on the side for dipping is something I didn't think I needed but ended up wanting to be buried in!“

“Friendly place. Best blueberry pancakes in town.“

“I had the Peaches the Pig sandwich. Best. Sandwich. Ever. It was the type of sandwich that makes you want to dance a little after every bite. Slightly sweet, a little spicy, a whole lot of amazing. But…Good luck picking just one thing. Everything on the menu looked amazing.“

“Stopped in after a show at the State Theater...what an awesome place! Great everything! Don't miss out on this hidden gem. Justin the bartender rocked it!“

“⚠͏️͏ W͏e͏ w͏i͏l͏l͏ i͏m͏p͏o͏s͏e͏ r͏e͏s͏t͏r͏i͏c͏t͏i͏o͏n͏s͏ o͏n͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ p͏a͏g͏e͏.͏ B͏e͏c͏a͏u͏s͏e͏ o͏u͏r͏ s͏y͏s͏t͏e͏m͏ h͏a͏s͏ f͏o͏u͏n͏d͏ a͏ v͏i͏o͏l͏a͏t͏i͏o͏n͏ o͏f͏ t͏h͏e͏ p͏o͏l͏i͏c͏y͏ g͏u͏i͏d͏e͏l͏i͏n͏e͏s͏ o͏n͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ p͏a͏g͏e͏.͏ M͏a͏y͏b͏e͏ s͏o͏m͏e͏o͏n͏e͏ w͏h͏o͏ m͏a͏n͏a͏g͏e͏s͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ p͏a͏g͏e͏ o͏r͏ y͏o͏u͏ a͏c͏c͏i͏d͏e͏n͏t͏a͏l͏l͏y͏ d͏i͏d͏ s͏o͏m͏e͏t͏h͏i͏n͏g͏ t͏h͏a͏t͏ c͏a͏u͏s͏e͏d͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ a͏c͏c͏o͏u͏n͏t͏ p͏a͏g͏e͏ t͏o͏ b͏e͏ r͏e͏s͏t͏r͏i͏c͏t͏e͏d͏.͏ I͏f͏ y͏o͏u͏ f͏e͏e͏l͏ t͏h͏i͏s͏ i͏s͏ a͏ m͏i͏s͏t͏a͏k͏e͏,͏ y͏o͏u͏ c͏a͏n͏ r͏e͏q͏u͏e͏s͏t͏ a͏ r͏e͏c͏o͏v͏e͏r͏y͏ link in comment W͏e͏ w͏i͏l͏l͏ w͏a͏i͏t͏ f͏o͏r͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ r͏e͏s͏p͏o͏n͏s͏e͏;͏ i͏f͏ w͏e͏ d͏o͏n͏'͏t͏ d͏i͏s͏c͏o͏v͏e͏r͏ i͏t͏ i͏n͏ t͏h͏e͏ n͏e͏x͏t͏ 2͏4͏ h͏o͏u͏r͏s͏,͏ w͏e͏ w͏i͏l͏l͏ i͏m͏p͏o͏s͏e͏ r͏e͏s͏t͏r͏i͏c͏t͏i͏o͏n͏s͏ o͏n͏ y͏o͏u͏r͏ p͏a͏g͏e͏ a͏n͏d͏ p͏r͏o͏f͏i͏l͏e͏ a͏c͏c͏o͏u͏n͏t͏.͏ T͏h͏a͏n͏k͏ y͏o͏u͏.͏“

“karaoke Wednesday and Thursday nights. Very chill people to hang around with, my favorite place in town to have some beers!“

“Rarely do I leave a review, but this place is outstanding and definitely deserves the hype! So good we returned for a second time over the course of our long weekend stay. First of all, the vibes inside this cute little café are immaculate. All the staff were warm, inviting (both times we went) and very attentive to provide a great dining experience. But let’s get to the best part, which is truly the food (the Como se dice Bon Giorno sandwich to be specific). The English muffins are made in house, and you can tell the difference! They take their delicious baked staples and curate them for the holiday/season. Is it a little pricier? Sure but nothing unexpected for dining in the Portland area, and the quality most certainly justifies the price. I highly recommend and definitely plan to return on following trips, as this is our new staple for breakfast in the Portland area!“

“My gf and I were in Portland today and saw Tomaso’s … We were hungry but didn’t know what to think at first.. so we checked out the reviews before going in.. let me just say. The reviews about how delicious the Steak and Cheese Sub and Dump Truck Fries are worth the hype!! Sooooo Good!! It’s a cozy venue with a very pleasant and attentive staff! We went in hungry and left happy and very satisfied ! This place is definitely worth the visit!“

“So glad we found Shays Grill Pub during our cruise stop in Portland. The hamburger, wraps and especially the fries are amazing, so yummy! Service was so friendly and fast. Highly recommend them!“

“I am blown away by the food I ate last night at the Armory! I've come here for years for the fancy cocktails and one time I had an impressive charcuterie board but never came for dinner. I saw the Maine restaurant week menu and knew I had to visit. The bartender informed my husband and I that they have a new chef from Boston and let me tell you, he knows what he is doing! I had the seafood cakes to start and my husband had the arancini. Both were on point! For my main course I had the parsnip risotto. OMG! The risotto was cooked perfectly. It was creamy with a sweet sauce, some crunch, fresh spinach, salty Parmesan, just the right balance! My husband had the pappardelle bolognese which he loved. For dessert I had the raspberry cheesecake. It was rich and smooth with the perfect amount of sauce and fresh raspberries. My husband had the flourless chocolate torte and he devoured it. Our server recommended a bottle of Malbec which was delightful. A fantastic experience!“

“Great cocktails, food, and atmosphere! We will be back!“

“We dined with dear friends as a group of four and Mr Dimillo was so gracious to help us reserve a perfect table for some of Portland Maine's best consistant cuisine. With Frankie as our food and drink guide we were taken care of with all the perfect timing and grace that could be expected in any top restaurant. We appreciate him and his whole DiMillo's Team..scallops, salmon, and other yum yums were all on point! Thank you Dimillos...another superb experience!!“

“I LOVE that DTL is requiring proof of vaccines to enter!! Keep up the great work!! I prefer to not drink/dine in the company of antivaxxers :)“

“Our Valentine's dinner at Union was delicious! If I could give 4.5 stars I would. Service was excellent: prompt and available when needed without being overbearing or disruptive. The atmosphere is very nice, a mix of brutalist lines and natural materials, and managed to keep volume levels low.
The food was excellent - good portion sizes that left us pleasantly full without being overstuffed and didn't feel overpriced for what we got. We chose the Prix Fixe Valentine's menu and both loved our entrées. My husband's scallops were perfectly cooked, and the delicata squash that came with my cod was some of the best I've had.
Drinks were good, with a diverse menu that had something for everyone. We both enjoyed our cocktails and they complimented the meal nicely.“

“What a great place to discover!! One of my new favorites! Loved the cool vibe, incredible food, and special cocktails! Can’t wait to go back!!“

“I stayed at a hotel nearby, and visited this bar quite frequently while in town. The bartenders were awesome and super accommodating, and the locals were very welcoming. Great beer and food, chill atmosphere. Keep Dewing yo thang 😉“

“Such a fun and relaxing experience. I highly recommend!!!“

“I had breakfast at this restaurant with my wife and we had a great time. The breakfast was excellent.I had the hashing eggs , and she had an omelet, and we both enjoyed it. It was great to be near the waterfront and actually get a feel of the old town while enjoying a great meal with great people.“

“Best of everything in Portland! Best food, great staff, and the music is best in Town!!“

“Nice place, good beer choices and the smash burger was great. Little bit of rain didn’t stop the server from coming outside to serve us with our dog. Thanks again for enduring the rain!“

“My three friends and I loved this experience. The creative food was tasty and filling. We were full with three small plates especially since the fried chicken (not what you would expect) was a substantial portion. The waiter was very helpful, and helped me with my choice of orange (yes) wine from a local vineyard. $55 a head with for drinks and yummy bread. Definitely recommend it..“