The restaurant has great ambience. It is very welcoming. Food and drinks were great, but our waitress wasn't. Portland is a friendly town and she was quite cold.
Alex G.
Super cozy, fun new eatery in the West End. We truly enjoyed the food, and the service was both friendly and professional. The foie gras "truffle" was rich, sweet, and nutty - a perfect combination. And only get one each! It's too rich to have any more. The fried sun-chokes were perfectly crisp, with a real "roasted" flavor. Cabbage salad was a table favorite; crunchy and rich, yet almost light in a way. The pork schnitzel was absolutely incredible - breaded crisp with thinly sliced greens on top. My only small criticism was that the aïoli sauce under the pork schnitzel didn't add to the flavor, and I didn't think it was appropriate for that dish. It also tended to get the entire bottom of the pork moist, instead of keeping it super crisp as it should be. We still really loved it, and would order it again, but I would ask that they leave off the tonnato-aïoli the next time. The wine list (per my sommelier wife) was extremely interesting, creative, and fun. Plenty of wines by the glass, along with just a ton of interesting bottles to choose from. Lastly, they had only two dessert choices, neither of which jumped out at us. Tiramisu and chocolate mousse? I was hoping for something with sweet local fruit, maybe a savory option, but not two traditional European sweets. Maybe they'll update the menu for summer. Overall, an absolutely terrific place for a cozy, delicious meal with friends or family.
Uncle J.
Pretty, pretty solid. I don't know why it irks me that the name doesn't suit the atmosphere in my mind. When I think of a "tavern", I don't think of foie gras truffles and eggplant terrine, I think of fish and chips or a big ol burger, which apparently they only do once a week at lunch. So, I never felt like going because the whole thing along with their (and I hate this word, but hipster) marketing and design felt a little pretentious. Well, I was finally dragged here and I have to say, it still ain't like no tavern I've been to, but it also wasn't pretentious in the least. We sat at the bar and the bartender was incredibly sweet, funny, and a delight to talk to. And those foie gras truffles?? Sorry little duck or goose, but holy @#$% were they good. After all my bellyaching, I didn't even get the most tavern-y thing on the menu, the schnitzel, but I did have the chicken and it was enough to feed two people for a pretty reasonable price. Not the cheapest meal in Portland but it won't entirely break the bank and the hearty food won't have you worrying about not leaving full. I'd definitely put it in a date night rotation.
Sonya B.
Spouse and I went here for a birthday dinner, and everything was delicious! We started with a broiled Maine scallop (me) and fried cod cheek (him), which were both superb, and then shared an order of fried sunchokes, all of which I would recommend. The wine selections our server recommended paired well with our meal. The pork schnitzel was incredible - tender and juicy, and the celery was a surprising treat. (Imagine calling celery a treat!) my steak au poivre was also quite yummy, and the portion was enormous. I had enough for two meals to take home. Lastly, my birthday dessert was a salted chocolate hazelnut mousse, which we shared with plenty to take home for dessert the next day, too. I definitely recommend this place, and hope to return soon.
Courtney Cashman
Definitely should have looked at the menu before entering. However, felt obligated to stay once we realized how many employees were standing and staring at us as soon as we walked in. No shortage of attention. The bartender was friendly and attentive, but no cocktails struck our fancy. Other than chartreuse.Oysters and cod cheek were tasty.Atmosphere wasn’t as expected for a tavern, but I could see this being an amazing stop.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe V.
Food was excellent, service was wonderful, and the ambiance is cozy with great music playing. We will be going back again soon. This is one of the very best restaurants in the Portland Maine metro area.
Alyssa Harvey
To start with this place is adorable. I loved the whole vibe of the restaurant. The service was wonderful; our waitress took the time to explain good drink pairings and go over highlights on the menu. She had a great energy in general and was very attentive.We all ordered different appetizers and specials for our dinner and everything was delicious. At first we commented to each other that the menu options were kind of limited but their variety if specials was a great addition and everything was so well made.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu
nick glover
The whole experience was wonderful our Bartender was right there every step of the way honestly some of the better service we have had at a restaurant in a long time. The drinks were exceptional as was the food and it is such a cozy date night vibe 10/10 recommend and will
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ian
Portland has an amazing selection of restaurants, and I think that the Wayside Tavern is one of the best I've eaten at. Amazing food, excellent service and a chill relaxed atmosphere. I'll definitely be going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laura Phillips
We enjoyed wonderful food and service . A beautiful delightful dining experience . Such a warm and inviting atmosphere .
Went here for my birthday. Great atmosphere, delicious food and drinks (both cocktails and wine), friendly and unpretentious wait staff. Would definitely visit again.
Ian S
Best in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Karen Z.
I brought my elderly aunt here for a little dining out adventure and she loved it! Very kind and thoughtful waitstaff, creative and delicious food! A bit pricey, but that's the way it is all over now.
Karen malone
The most gorgeous spot. I don’t want everyone to know!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marlin Pamba
Wayside is one of my boyfriend and I’s favorite places to have dinner. We always think of going here for special occasions. It is an absolute gem of a place. They have amazing service and food and we highly recommend having dinner here!
The restaurant has great ambience. It is very welcoming. Food and drinks were great, but our waitress wasn't. Portland is a friendly town and she was quite cold.
Super cozy, fun new eatery in the West End. We truly enjoyed the food, and the service was both friendly and professional. The foie gras "truffle" was rich, sweet, and nutty - a perfect combination. And only get one each! It's too rich to have any more. The fried sun-chokes were perfectly crisp, with a real "roasted" flavor. Cabbage salad was a table favorite; crunchy and rich, yet almost light in a way. The pork schnitzel was absolutely incredible - breaded crisp with thinly sliced greens on top. My only small criticism was that the aïoli sauce under the pork schnitzel didn't add to the flavor, and I didn't think it was appropriate for that dish. It also tended to get the entire bottom of the pork moist, instead of keeping it super crisp as it should be. We still really loved it, and would order it again, but I would ask that they leave off the tonnato-aïoli the next time. The wine list (per my sommelier wife) was extremely interesting, creative, and fun. Plenty of wines by the glass, along with just a ton of interesting bottles to choose from. Lastly, they had only two dessert choices, neither of which jumped out at us. Tiramisu and chocolate mousse? I was hoping for something with sweet local fruit, maybe a savory option, but not two traditional European sweets. Maybe they'll update the menu for summer. Overall, an absolutely terrific place for a cozy, delicious meal with friends or family.
Pretty, pretty solid. I don't know why it irks me that the name doesn't suit the atmosphere in my mind. When I think of a "tavern", I don't think of foie gras truffles and eggplant terrine, I think of fish and chips or a big ol burger, which apparently they only do once a week at lunch. So, I never felt like going because the whole thing along with their (and I hate this word, but hipster) marketing and design felt a little pretentious. Well, I was finally dragged here and I have to say, it still ain't like no tavern I've been to, but it also wasn't pretentious in the least. We sat at the bar and the bartender was incredibly sweet, funny, and a delight to talk to. And those foie gras truffles?? Sorry little duck or goose, but holy @#$% were they good. After all my bellyaching, I didn't even get the most tavern-y thing on the menu, the schnitzel, but I did have the chicken and it was enough to feed two people for a pretty reasonable price. Not the cheapest meal in Portland but it won't entirely break the bank and the hearty food won't have you worrying about not leaving full. I'd definitely put it in a date night rotation.
Spouse and I went here for a birthday dinner, and everything was delicious! We started with a broiled Maine scallop (me) and fried cod cheek (him), which were both superb, and then shared an order of fried sunchokes, all of which I would recommend. The wine selections our server recommended paired well with our meal. The pork schnitzel was incredible - tender and juicy, and the celery was a surprising treat. (Imagine calling celery a treat!) my steak au poivre was also quite yummy, and the portion was enormous. I had enough for two meals to take home. Lastly, my birthday dessert was a salted chocolate hazelnut mousse, which we shared with plenty to take home for dessert the next day, too. I definitely recommend this place, and hope to return soon.
Definitely should have looked at the menu before entering. However, felt obligated to stay once we realized how many employees were standing and staring at us as soon as we walked in. No shortage of attention. The bartender was friendly and attentive, but no cocktails struck our fancy. Other than chartreuse.Oysters and cod cheek were tasty.Atmosphere wasn’t as expected for a tavern, but I could see this being an amazing stop.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was excellent, service was wonderful, and the ambiance is cozy with great music playing. We will be going back again soon. This is one of the very best restaurants in the Portland Maine metro area.
To start with this place is adorable. I loved the whole vibe of the restaurant. The service was wonderful; our waitress took the time to explain good drink pairings and go over highlights on the menu. She had a great energy in general and was very attentive.We all ordered different appetizers and specials for our dinner and everything was delicious. At first we commented to each other that the menu options were kind of limited but their variety if specials was a great addition and everything was so well made.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu
The whole experience was wonderful our Bartender was right there every step of the way honestly some of the better service we have had at a restaurant in a long time. The drinks were exceptional as was the food and it is such a cozy date night vibe 10/10 recommend and will
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Portland has an amazing selection of restaurants, and I think that the Wayside Tavern is one of the best I've eaten at. Amazing food, excellent service and a chill relaxed atmosphere. I'll definitely be going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We enjoyed wonderful food and service . A beautiful delightful dining experience . Such a warm and inviting atmosphere .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Went here for my birthday. Great atmosphere, delicious food and drinks (both cocktails and wine), friendly and unpretentious wait staff. Would definitely visit again.
Best in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I brought my elderly aunt here for a little dining out adventure and she loved it! Very kind and thoughtful waitstaff, creative and delicious food! A bit pricey, but that's the way it is all over now.
The most gorgeous spot. I don’t want everyone to know!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wayside is one of my boyfriend and I’s favorite places to have dinner. We always think of going here for special occasions. It is an absolute gem of a place. They have amazing service and food and we highly recommend having dinner here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roasted Chicken, Broiled Oysters