50 Best American Restaurants in Portland

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

“Wonderful service and excellent food!“

“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!“

“Enjoyed our evening at Street & Company, as always. The two of us shared a fresh heirloom tomato salad, the swordfish, and the scallops. All were delicious. Topped it off with bourbon pecan pie and the rice pudding for dessert. We visit Portland once or twice a year, and Street & Company is always one of the highlights of the trip. Highly recommended.“

“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 !“

“Absolutely amazing! Each time we visit I am reminded of why it’s my favorite restaurant ever - the food, the service and the atmosphere are all top notch, every time! Thank you!“

“Had brunch at this restaurant and it was fantastic!! The atmosphere in the hotel is cute. It used to be the newspaper building, so they carried this theme through. They have vintage typewriters on the wall in the lobby, so cute. Our server, Anna, was so sweet and kind! Food was sooooooo good. I would highly recommend this place. This is off the beaten path in Portland, it’s not in the port area, but the walk is so pretty to get to it. You can go up to exchange street, with so many cute shops. Definitely worth the short walk, especially if you’re there on a Sunday and all the other brunch places by the port have 45 minute waits.“

“Awesome fries with lots of sauces“

“We had a lovely dinner a few nights ago at Wayside with our delightful server (sorry, I didn't learn her name). However, our (and our neighboring table) were disturbed by a very loud party of 5 '(birthday group) with no consideration of fellow diners. I understand that Wayside has no control over the behavior of the rude, but it's disappointing to have an enjoyable evening spoiled by the behavior of fellow diners.“

“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!“

“Great brunch alternative, especially if you tried to go to Becky’s and it was too wild there. Great menu and the coffee is exceptional. What really really set this place apart is that the Jam they make here might be the best jam I’ve ever had. It’s truly next level, tried to buy it, but they make it fresh here lol“

“Every dish was fantastic!“

“The menu is creative and interesting and every dish delivered was wonderful. Our entrees took a long time and at least two of them arrived cold (but still delicious.) The noise level is high, but it always is and matches this venerable restaurant's energy level.“

“A must restaurant in Portland. Excellent atmosphere & top notch seafood ❤️“

“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!!“

“Awesome breakfast sandwiches! By far the best breakfast I had in New England. A true Portland hidden gem.“

“Cocktails were not our favorite. The jalapeño margarita was bitter didn’t taste good. Enjoyed the hummus good price point generous portion. Cozy lounge good music and plenty of seating available. Nice ambiance and excellent customer service.“

“Amazing from start to finish ~ love the decor and everything we tried was delicious 🦩“

“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 :)“

“Nick does a great job! ✌🙂“

“One of our favorite places, nice laid back atmosphere with couches & bookcases, reasonably priced beers, and located at the entrance to Portland’s wonderful West End. They serve a great Beyond burger, as well as a black bean burger. They also have a number of other nice options including vegan cheese pizzas, chili, and chili cheese fries! Updated from previous review on 2024-06-25“

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

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

“So happy for one of their first pop ups from their brick and mortar at Bunker for our convenience for parking being SoPo residents. Exceptionally tender and juicy beef and Jus for dipping and would be shocked if there was a better Italian Beef in Maine than their’s . Took me back to my first time at Portillo‘s.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Grace in Portland, Maine, is a venue that blends historic charm with modern elegance, offering a truly unique setting for weddings and special events. Housed in a beautifully restored former church, Grace combines soaring cathedral ceilings, original stained-glass windows, and a stunning mezzanine, creating an awe-inspiring atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression. It easily lends itself to a bouquet toss.

The staff at Grace is nothing short of phenomenal. Their attention to detail and commitment to creating a seamless event experience make planning stress-free. They go above and beyond to accommodate every request and ensure the day unfolds perfectly.

The food is another highlight. Their catering team delivers an impressive menu that pairs elevated flavors with fresh, local ingredients. Guests raved about the inventive dishes and impeccable presentation. See the Lobster Rangoon at this Maine wedding shot by JMorr Photo

What sets Grace apart is its ability to feel both grand and intimate. Whether hosting a large wedding or a smaller, more private celebration, the venue can adapt beautifully. The combination of breathtaking architecture and exceptional service makes Grace a top-tier choice for any couple looking for a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of Portland.“

“This place is unreal… best roast beef sandwich I’ve ever had…. Onion rings are great aswell“

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

“Awesome fries with lots of sauces“

“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.“

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

“Food was very good. Got a buffalo chicken salad and it was a whopping 8 dollars to add two medium size pieces of chicken to the already 14 Cesar salad.. but over priced to me. The fish and chips were cooked good, but again, it was mostly just fries and felt like I paid too much for the meal.“

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

“i stopped in on my lunch break. the food was delicious. the service was amazing! i will be back“

“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!“

“Tiny bakery on Clark St near Danforth. Divine croissants! Choc croissant best in world! My fav breads are Rustic, Buckwheat, 60% Wheat.
Love love love candied orange brioche rolls sliced with cheese spread, cream cheese, butter, marmalade or apricot jam! Always find a parking spot but might have to walk a couple blocks! Well worth it!!“

“Thank you Mandy for always being such an amazing person. We love Marcys Marcy's Diner. The food is amazing but the people make it even better.“

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

“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!“

“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!“

“First time ordering was about a week ago and boy was I starving! I was so pleasantly surprise at how good the food tastes! I got a Good Ol' Burger and I'll tell you what... it was delightful. So good that I ordered another one today with crispy fries. The portions were spot on, price was good and the staff was friendly when I picked it up. I love trying new places and this is one I will continue to go to. Great Job Guys!“

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

“The best seafood, great service and setting.“

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

“took my kids (18,17,7) out for my sons 17th birthday. friendly waiter. great tasting food! made the wrong sub at first and comped it automatically and let me keep the wrong one. would definitely recommend!“

“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!“

“I loved the place and the good. Great service and atmosphere too. Joe from Virginia Beach.“

“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 😉“