We came to Lenas after our other dinner plans fell through, and I'm so glad we did. The food was absolutely delicious from the garlic knots to the pastas. The portions are HUGE! One plate is enough for two people or for leftovers. The prices are good, especially considering how much food you get. The atmosphere is very cozy, kind of feels like you're in a coffee shop. The staff was so friendly and we were served fast!
Katie O.
Lena's is so good! The garlic knots are literally the best I have ever had! The bakery is so delicious!
Chloe Minagawa
My husband and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner here. We had a pottery class with our guests first, then a dinner (inspired by the Valentine’s event we attended together last year!). The whole staff were so wonderful and it was such a fun night!! Karen led our pottery workshop and she put together an amazing class for us and was a great teacher (along with the rest of the pottery staff helping us). In the cafe, we worked with Lisa who was so lovely and accommodating. She even brought us flowers from her garden to decorate our tables ??. The staff put together an amazing menu for us and did a great job accommodating for the gluten free and dairy free attendees. The food was beautifully plated and in huge quantities. And the staff were great about accommodating all our covid concerns and keeping our guests safe! The entire experience embodied what we love about Maine and the wonderful small businesses we have here. And we can’t forget about Bob the baker who made our wedding cakes!! He made us two cakes, one gluten free and one normal. As I’m allergic to gluten, I can only tell you that other people loved the normal cake but holy cow his gluten free cake was AMAZING. I’m not a huge cake person but his gluten free cake changed my mind. We had a vanilla cake with lemon curd, raspberry jam, and lavender buttercream. The textures and the flavors were both amazing. We love Lena’s and we are going to be lifelong supporters ?
Jen O.
Wow! What outstanding flavor! I had the ape chicken sandwich. The piece of chicken was massive. Flavor was great. The sandwich could have easily been enough for two people. The salted chocolate chip cookie was the size of a dinner plate. Perfectly salty enough to compliment the chocolate. I can't wait to come back!
Chloe H.
I love Lena's!! The staff is so warm and friendly, totally worth the visit just to see them. This is my favorite place to stop for pastries, and they never disappoint. Thank you Lena's for always being so consistently wonderful!!
Simone Michaud
Now open 1pm-7pm for takeout!Cafe hours are 8am-3pm Mon-Thursday. 8am-5pm on Friday-Sunday.
stacey anderson
Great little place. Fresh and made to order dishes. Food and service was excellent.
Georgette Link
We had excellent service from Laurie. Both the lobster ravioli special and the tortellini carbona were so delicious that we literally cleaned our plates! Loved it that all food was served on handmade pottery. Can't wait to go back
Jeff D.
On the outside, it doesn't look like much but a pottery store. Looks can be deceiving. First off, the service was very friendly and accommodating. We were seated immediately and offered water and garlic knots. The knots were instantly inhaled. Delicious. We had meatballs as an app, and thoroughly enjoyed them. My niece had shrimp scampi and wished for less lemon, but was overall satisfied. I had the lasagna which was fantastic. The warden had spaghetti and meatballs w gf pasta. We all enjoyed our dinner and will definitely be back again.
Deedee B.
We were staying in Portland for the long weekend and wanted something yum that was not in a old Port. Happened upon it after google search. Daytime it's a pottery studio - and at 5:00 pm transitions into a yummy Italian bistro. There are 10 tables and very attentive service by the one waitress who handled us all. Dinners are around $20 each - appetizers around $10-$15. Specials on the chalk board. Beers and limited wines available as well as some yummy looking desserts. Our salad and lasagna were served in hand made bowls - lovely touch. It lost a star only because my lasagna had a bit of a grease problem - but it was packed with meats and cheese and I really didn't care to complain. If you're in the area - check it out !!
So we stumbled in here after our first choice fell apart based on a friend's review and I am SO glad we did. The place was SO cute, the service was friendly and prompt, and the pottery store was a fun experience. Now: the food was OUTSTANDING. I was DRINKING pesto! The eggplant parm was amazing. Our greatest regret was that we were too full for desert. I would 100% go back.
Sarah C.
We were traveling around visiting local breweries and decided to stop close by for something to eat. The atmosphere inside was great! It's part of a pottery studio so there was handmade pottery everywhere. Small dessert case was very tempting! We sat and ordered, the garlic knots they brought were killer. Sadly the food took over an hour to get prepared and no more garlic knots were given. The food was definitely tasty, a tad expensive, but I would go back for a nice evening out, as long as I could plan for the wait. And I'd definitely try the dessert next time!
Matthew Rodrigues
Get the tortellini carbonara it was fantastic
Katie P.
Hole in the wall place with amazing food and huge portions. The food is delicious, typical Italian choices that are so so so well made! Salads are large enough for 2-3 people to share, and waitress Annie was very attentive & kind. Would recommend this restaurant to anyone who is looking for a great home cooked Italian meal! The fresh desserts (cakes, cookies, etc) are tasty & huge as well. I will be back!
L. S.
Have to show this place some love after having dinner there last night. This place was a refreshing change from most other restaurants-food is made to order and they take their time to do it well, the wait staff was attentive and very sweet. I had the linguini bolognese and my husband had the lasagna. Both dishes were delicious and huge! We also got two slices of cake to go and they were also delicious. Complimentary garlic knots were also nice! Super low key atmosphere but the food was great. Will definitely go back again.
We came to Lenas after our other dinner plans fell through, and I'm so glad we did. The food was absolutely delicious from the garlic knots to the pastas. The portions are HUGE! One plate is enough for two people or for leftovers. The prices are good, especially considering how much food you get. The atmosphere is very cozy, kind of feels like you're in a coffee shop. The staff was so friendly and we were served fast!
Lena's is so good! The garlic knots are literally the best I have ever had! The bakery is so delicious!
My husband and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner here. We had a pottery class with our guests first, then a dinner (inspired by the Valentine’s event we attended together last year!). The whole staff were so wonderful and it was such a fun night!! Karen led our pottery workshop and she put together an amazing class for us and was a great teacher (along with the rest of the pottery staff helping us). In the cafe, we worked with Lisa who was so lovely and accommodating. She even brought us flowers from her garden to decorate our tables ??. The staff put together an amazing menu for us and did a great job accommodating for the gluten free and dairy free attendees. The food was beautifully plated and in huge quantities. And the staff were great about accommodating all our covid concerns and keeping our guests safe! The entire experience embodied what we love about Maine and the wonderful small businesses we have here. And we can’t forget about Bob the baker who made our wedding cakes!! He made us two cakes, one gluten free and one normal. As I’m allergic to gluten, I can only tell you that other people loved the normal cake but holy cow his gluten free cake was AMAZING. I’m not a huge cake person but his gluten free cake changed my mind. We had a vanilla cake with lemon curd, raspberry jam, and lavender buttercream. The textures and the flavors were both amazing. We love Lena’s and we are going to be lifelong supporters ?
Wow! What outstanding flavor! I had the ape chicken sandwich. The piece of chicken was massive. Flavor was great. The sandwich could have easily been enough for two people. The salted chocolate chip cookie was the size of a dinner plate. Perfectly salty enough to compliment the chocolate. I can't wait to come back!
I love Lena's!! The staff is so warm and friendly, totally worth the visit just to see them. This is my favorite place to stop for pastries, and they never disappoint. Thank you Lena's for always being so consistently wonderful!!
Now open 1pm-7pm for takeout!Cafe hours are 8am-3pm Mon-Thursday. 8am-5pm on Friday-Sunday.
Great little place. Fresh and made to order dishes. Food and service was excellent.
We had excellent service from Laurie. Both the lobster ravioli special and the tortellini carbona were so delicious that we literally cleaned our plates! Loved it that all food was served on handmade pottery. Can't wait to go back
On the outside, it doesn't look like much but a pottery store. Looks can be deceiving. First off, the service was very friendly and accommodating. We were seated immediately and offered water and garlic knots. The knots were instantly inhaled. Delicious. We had meatballs as an app, and thoroughly enjoyed them. My niece had shrimp scampi and wished for less lemon, but was overall satisfied. I had the lasagna which was fantastic. The warden had spaghetti and meatballs w gf pasta. We all enjoyed our dinner and will definitely be back again.
We were staying in Portland for the long weekend and wanted something yum that was not in a old Port. Happened upon it after google search. Daytime it's a pottery studio - and at 5:00 pm transitions into a yummy Italian bistro. There are 10 tables and very attentive service by the one waitress who handled us all. Dinners are around $20 each - appetizers around $10-$15. Specials on the chalk board. Beers and limited wines available as well as some yummy looking desserts. Our salad and lasagna were served in hand made bowls - lovely touch. It lost a star only because my lasagna had a bit of a grease problem - but it was packed with meats and cheese and I really didn't care to complain. If you're in the area - check it out !!
Restaurantji Recommends
So we stumbled in here after our first choice fell apart based on a friend's review and I am SO glad we did. The place was SO cute, the service was friendly and prompt, and the pottery store was a fun experience. Now: the food was OUTSTANDING. I was DRINKING pesto! The eggplant parm was amazing. Our greatest regret was that we were too full for desert. I would 100% go back.
We were traveling around visiting local breweries and decided to stop close by for something to eat. The atmosphere inside was great! It's part of a pottery studio so there was handmade pottery everywhere. Small dessert case was very tempting! We sat and ordered, the garlic knots they brought were killer. Sadly the food took over an hour to get prepared and no more garlic knots were given. The food was definitely tasty, a tad expensive, but I would go back for a nice evening out, as long as I could plan for the wait. And I'd definitely try the dessert next time!
Get the tortellini carbonara it was fantastic
Hole in the wall place with amazing food and huge portions. The food is delicious, typical Italian choices that are so so so well made! Salads are large enough for 2-3 people to share, and waitress Annie was very attentive & kind. Would recommend this restaurant to anyone who is looking for a great home cooked Italian meal! The fresh desserts (cakes, cookies, etc) are tasty & huge as well. I will be back!
Have to show this place some love after having dinner there last night. This place was a refreshing change from most other restaurants-food is made to order and they take their time to do it well, the wait staff was attentive and very sweet. I had the linguini bolognese and my husband had the lasagna. Both dishes were delicious and huge! We also got two slices of cake to go and they were also delicious. Complimentary garlic knots were also nice! Super low key atmosphere but the food was great. Will definitely go back again.