Portland is a seaside feast for the eyes. With sights like a verdant park atop a bluff affording elevated views of a beautiful river and majestic mountains, streets lined with ornate Victorian-era houses, a historic waterfront showcasing working fishing wharves, and former warehouses transformed into appealing restaurants and charming shops, Portland is a true gem of the United States’ New England province. Portland’s culinary landscape makes use of lots of locally grown produce, farm-raised animals, and top-notch fishmongering to create an enticing homegrown cuisine. To experience fresh goodness and inspiring flavors, here’s a must-see list of the top farm-to-table restaurants in Portland, Maine.
1. Fore Street
A pioneer in bringing locally sourced cuisines to Portland, Fore Street offers rustic handcrafted seasonal meals from a wide-ranging menu of meat, seafood, and more. Every piece of food on the menu is roasted or grilled over a large wood-fired hearth. Freshly harvested greens make up the mixed organic Maine salad and the juicy wood-grilled quail are raised in nearby Vermont State. Fore Street’s locale is inviting as well, residing just moments from the waterfront in Portland’s Old Port District.
Fore Street
Address: 288 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Fore Street
Opening hours: Sun - Thurs: 5.30 pm - 10.00 pm; Fri - Sat: 5.30 pm - 10.30 pm
2. Miyake
Providing what many consider the freshest fish in Portland, caught exclusively from Maine waters, Miyake is definitely the go-to place for sushi lovers. Sourced from the owner’s farm, Miyake’s menu is a fantastic blend of Japanese, French, and Italian influences. The omakase meals and plates - items selected by the chef - offer a nice element of surprise to dining at Miyake. The delightful Bento Box lunches provide plenty of variety, or go for the marinated salmon with a mustard vinaigrette if you arrive at dinnertime.
Miyake
Address: 468 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Miyake
Opening hours: Sun: 4.30 pm - 8.30 pm; Mon - Thurs: 11.30 am - 2.00 pm, 5.30 pm - 9.00 pm; Fri - Sat: 11.30 am - 2.00 pm, 5.30 pm - 10.00 pm
3. Sur Lie
Located in the heart of downtown Portland, Sur Lie is a tapas-style eatery offering tantalizing bites from the freshest ingredients. Buying local for the proprietors of Sur Lie means providing its faithful patrons with top-quality food prepared with the greatest of care. Start with the tasty Sweet Pea Hummus served with lavash for an appetizer, before you move on to more substantial fare. For chocolate lovers, finish your meal with a mouthwatering gluten-free chocolate tart.
Sur Lie
Address: 11 Free St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Sur Lie
Opening hours: Tues - Thurs: 4.00 pm - 9.00 pm; Fri - Sat: 4.00 pm - 10 pm; (closed on Sun & Mon)
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4. Vinland
Vinland offers food that is not only delicious but very attractive. Vinland boasts a creatively prepared menu comprised of 100% fresh ingredients from Maine. Every choice of the menu is gluten free and guests should definitely take advantage of the tasting menu to truly experience Vinland’s flavorful cuisine. For a surprising and additional treat, Vinland’s delectable homemade ice cream is served, at the back door of the establishment, on weekends between 12.00 pm and 5.00 pm.
Vinland
Address: 593 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Vinland
Opening hours: Thurs - Sun: 5.00 pm - 9.00 pm; (closed on Mon, Tues, & Wed)
5. Street & Co.
Found at the heart of Portland’s Old Port area on a charming cobblestone street, is the delightful and local favorite Street & Co. This Mediterranean-style bistro provides an ambiance that’s rustic and cozy. Street & Co. serves an all-seafood menu filled with delicious simplicity and made with the freshest of ingredients. The house specialty is the heavenly Lobster Diavolo in a spicy tomato sauce with fresh pasta.
Street & Co.
Address: 33 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Street & Co.
Opening hours: Sun: 5.00 pm - 9.00 pm; Mon - Thurs: 5.00 pm - 9.30 pm; Fri - Sat: 5.00 pm - 10.00 pm
6. Scales
Stretched along the wharf, the spacious industrial-style setting of Scales exudes an adventuresome feel. This superb seafood eatery is replete with large windows affording great views of fishing boats in the working Maine harbor. Grilled Dorade with roasted almond butter, baked haddock with morel mushrooms, and warm-buttered lobster rolls easily lure hungry patrons. The Seaboard plate on the raw bar menu offers a nice variety of chilled and cured seafood and there’s excellent libations: local beers, fine wines, and seasonal cocktails.
Scales
Address: 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Scales
Opening hours: Sun - Thurs: 5.00 pm - 9.30 pm; Fri - Sat: 5.00 pm - 10.00 pm
7. Solo Italiano
Intimate and inviting, Solo Italiano showcases a modern twist on classic Genovese cuisine. This wonderful farm-to-table establishment features simple genuine Northern Italian foods from homemade pasta to a completely Italian wine list. All ingredients are sourced locally from an array of Maine farms and from the Gulf of Maine’s pristine waters. Standouts include the succulent duck confit with parsnip puree and the tortellini stuffed with ricotta, walnuts, greens, and herbs and served with memorable walnut pesto.
Solo Italiano
Address: 100 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Solo Italiano
Opening hours: Sun: 4.30 pm - 9.30 pm; Mon - Thurs: 11.30 am - 2.30 pm, 4.30 pm - 9.30 pm; Fri: 11.30 am - 2.30 pm, 4.00 pm - 10.00 pm; Sat: 4.30 pm - 10.00 pm
8. Little Tap House
Not your usual pub fare, Little Tap House provides farm-fresh eats from an awesome seasonally inspired menu. Dishes are made from scratch with only the best local ingredients. In-demand items include the Tap House Burger, Reuben Egg Roll, Braised Beef Poutine, Hummus Board, and Fish & Chips. With Little Tap House’s huge selection of craft beers from a collection of local breweries, suds fans will think they have died and gone to ale heaven.
Little Tap House
Address: 106 High St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Little Tap House
Opening hours: Sun: 11.00 am - 9.00 pm; Mon: 4.00 pm - 9.00pm; Tues - Wed: 4 pm - 9.30 pm; Fri: 4.00 pm - 11.00 pm; Sat: 11.00 am - 11.00 pm
9. Union Food + Drink
A buzzworthy establishment that oozes casual elegance, Union Food + Drink is situated in the historic Old Port district in the upscale Press Hotel. Wonderful aromas greet you as you stroll pass Union Food + Drink open-concept kitchen that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eating at Union Food + Drink guarantees you a flavorsome taste of the region’s best local and seasonal ingredients. Don’t miss the chance to try the rich and savory Fois Gras Risotto or the local-braised rabbit with pasta, tomatoes, orange, olives, and whipped mozzarella.
Union Food + Drink
Address: 390 Congress St, Portland, ME 04103
Website: Union Food + Drink
Opening hours: 7.00 am - 11.00 pm (daily)
10. Vignola
Restaurant Week is just around the corner! March 1st through the 12th we will be offering a three course menu for $35....
Posted by Cinque Terre and Vignola on Friday, 26 February 2016
Mixing refined and rustic elements with a dash of Old World charm, Vignola offers sophisticated Italian pasta and antipasti using strictly local ingredients. Highlights of any meal at Vignola is the stuffed calamari with Maine mussels and duck sausage rigatoni with mushrooms, thyme butter, and crushed tomato. To complete your meal, try the scrumptious tiramisu paired with coffee ice cream or the traditional vanilla bean pannacotta with blood orange marmalade, butterscotch, and whipped cream!
Vignola
Address: 10 Dana St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Vignola
Opening hours: Sun - Thurs: 5.00 pm - 9.00 pm; Fri - Sat: 5.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Portland's fresh fabulous feasts
For foodies looking for the freshest ingredients, Portland has become a mecca. With the ease of obtaining local fresh fish and a popular farm-to-table campaign, Portland’s chefs have really kicked it up a notch by taking traditional fare and adding an eclectic and delectable flair. Homegrown produce and proteins are what Portland’s dining landscape is all about. So eat well with Portland’s ample bounty.
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