Portland Restaurants

Q: What are the best restaurants in Portland for a special occasion?

Celebrate special occasions at the best restaurants in Portland. Our customers recommend Fore Street , Isa Bistro - Portland and Solo Italiano

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Check out diners' favourite restaurants in Portland

Updated on 5/11/2024

Diners’ Choice Awards are based on where your fellow diners book, dine, and review. Only verified diners get to review restaurants on OpenTable, so our data doesn’t lie.

Isa Bistro - Portland

Isa is a small neighborhood bistro serving eclectic and seasonally driven menu. Reservations are available inside the dining room up to 30 days out, with a maximum of 8 guests. Our private outdoor patio is open seasonally with same day reservations available only, as it is uncovered and weather permitting (not dog friendly). Please provide 24 hours notice for cancellations or a late cancellation fee may apply.
Friday lunch available 11:30-4pm. Dinner daily 4-9pm, except closed on Tuesdays.
A husband and wife duo! A 2023 James Beard nominated chef, Isaul Perez brings his experience cooking French and Italian food in NYC to life with a splash of his Mexican heritage. His wife Suzie is a certified sommelier and face of the front. They showcase local farms and purveyors, offer craft beers and house specialty cocktails. The dining room is cozy and quaint with an original black tin ceiling. Be sure to order any of the Mexican dishes, whatever they may be!

Fore Street

Price: Very Expensive

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Contemporary American

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4.9

(4021)

Located in Portland's Old Port District, Fore Street opened in June, 1996. The interior surrounds a unique brick and soapstone hearth with a wood-burning oven, grill and turnspit; visible from most tables. We believe that good food travels the shortest possible distance between the farm and the table. Our menu changes every day and is founded upon the very best raw materials from a community of Maine farmers, fisherman, foragers and cheese makers. Most of the Maine foods are organically grown or harvested wild, each brought to us at the peak of its season. In 2002 and again in 2007, Fore Street was named by Gourmet Magazine as one of the Top Fifty Restaurants in the United States. In 2004, Chef-Partner Sam Hayward was named Best Chef: Northeast by the James Beard Foundation.

A traditional New England restaurant with modern touches, Scales is located on Maine Wharf next to the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal. Enjoy classic fried seafood as well as locally sourced land fare, while enjoying the view of a quintessential working Maine harbor.
Bar seating is available for dinner service by reservation only. Please check with the host to inquire about bar seating.
Our lounge is open for cocktails and raw bar every day beginning at 4:30pm Sunday - Thursday, and 4:00pm Friday - Saturday.
We are only able to seat complete parties at this time. Please note: our patio reservations are weather dependent. If we need to make a change because of weather, we will call you on the day of your reservation to cancel or reschedule your booking.

Dunstan Tap And Table

A neighborhood joint serving elevated pub food and drink with an upscale casual vibe.

Established at the top of Portland's Old Port since 2009, The Corner Room offers guests a convival & socialable atmosphere with exceptional service. A gathering spot where friends & families can share a snack or a meal. Enjoy seating at the taps, antipasti bar, or table service -all with views of the open kitchen.
Head Chef Greg Wilson & Sous Chef Jason Macguire create staple dishes using local & Italian ingrediants with authentic techniques. The menu is pleasingly varied. Delight in the Bruschetta, Verduras, Procsciutto & Greens Pizza or Fettucini Bolognese to name a few - all served with a well rounded wine, spirit, & beer selection. Founded By Chef/Owner Harding Lee Smith, The Corner Room, is part of "The Rooms" Restaurant Group.
Parties of 5 or more & guests with any questions are asked to call (207) 879 4747 during regular buisness hours & we will be happy to assist you. Please note that tables will be held for 10 minutes after reservation time.

We are a neighborhood Taco and Margarita bar. We would love to feed you. Located in the middle of Woodfords Corner, tucked away on the Corner of Deering Ave. and Revere St. Our creative tacos and margaritas use the freshest ingredients and we have something on the menu for everyone.
You deserve Tacos.

Magissa

Top-rated hospitality

A taverna style Greek restaurant combining traditional preparations with local ingredients to create dishes that are authentically Greek and uniquely Portland, Maine.

David's Restaurant

Price: Moderate

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Contemporary American

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4.7

(3783)

A long established local favorite at the center of the historic arts district featuring eclectic decor,
and an energetic atmosphere. David's offers broadly appealing menus that highlight familiar dishes with a
creative twist. Open for lunch and dinner, showcasing delectable options for gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan diners. David’s is known for delicious meals, and warm and friendly service. It’s no wonder that Chef David was voted Portland's best chef in 2021 and chef of the year in 2012.

Due to volume we are unable to accept reservations for Brunch. Tables are available on a walk-in basis. Reservations are available for Dinner. For parties over 6, please call 773-3366 during business hours to make reservations.
Nestled atop Portland’s Munjoy Hill neighborhood, The Front Room, offers dishes & drinks with comfort in mind.
A local Brunch destination, enjoy plates such as house-made Corned Beef Hash, Veggie Gnocchi, & Eggs Benedict. Pancakes & French Toast are always a go to. Serving a variety of Mimosas & Bloody Marys, local coffee & teas.
Dinner at TFR is relaxed & pleasurable. Plates are made with local components & thoughtful recipes. Enjoy the Casco Bay Scallops, Braised Shortrib, Mushroom Toast, or neighborhood favorite Roasted Pork Loin with JJ's famous bacon jam.
Serving a variety of local beer, wine, and cocktails to suit every taste- Come get Happy 4-6 !

Dim sum enthusiasts and champagne lovers alike can indulge in in the elevated, yet unpretentious fine-dining experience offered in this sexy, and intimate underground hideaway. The menu honors Cantonese classics with dishes like Xiaolongbao and Char Siu Bao, while creative offerings such as Foie Gras Blackberry Dumplings with Brown Butter Miso Crumb showcase culinary innovation in this celebration of Chinese American fare. A deep champagne and wine list complements the menu, and at the 14-seat Pink Italian Stone bar, classic cocktails are shaken up with unique spice combinations and Asian-produced liquors, like a Manhattan riff “Doyer’s Street” made with Chinese five-spice infused Burbon and Fernet Michaud from Portland, ME
Note: Table reservation durations: 1,5 hours for parties of two, 2hours for parties of 4 or more. Walk-in seats are available at the bar.

Bringing some LA vibes to the northeast. REGARDS draws inspiration from the diverse food culture of Los Angeles. We highlight flavor profiles from Japan and Mexico with the freshest of Maine produce and products.
The menu at REGARDS has bright, zippy ceviches and crudos, rich tamales, plump Argentinian shrimp tacos, along with mezcal cured hamachi collars, crab rice and grilled cabbage with caesar.
Clarified lime margaritas with eucalyptus or our gin and sotol martinis with hibiscus pair with our adventurous menu. We pour natural wine and have a large selection of curated mezcals and tequilas.
A place for us and for you. Might not make sense, but it sure is delicious. Across the street from Reny's. Nearby Maine College of Art, Portland Stage Company, State Theatre, Empire Comedy Club and Blue Jazz Club.
**The 50 Best New Restaurants of 2022, Bon Appetit**
**Plate Magazine Chef's To Watch, 2023**
**Star Chef New England, 2023**

We currently offer in-house dining Tuesday through Sunday from 4:30-10:00pm (last dinner seating is at 9:30). Takeout is no longer available at this time. Patio dining is available Memorial Day weekend through September and always subject to weather. Please call us directly to reserve a patio table, but keep in mind that of the six 4-tops available outside, three are kept for walk-ins only.
Our restaurant features Paolo Laboa, international chef from Genova, Italy. His menu consists of simple, flavorful and authentic Northern Italian cuisine. This includes handmade pasta, crudo (raw fish), fresh pizza and an all-Italian wine list. Ingredients are sourced locally, from various Maine farms and from the Gulf of Maine, whenever possible.

Street and Co.

Great budget-friendly spot

Street and Co. is a Mediterranean, bistro style, all-seafood restaurant with a dynamic atmosphere and 35 years of experience, located right in the heart of the Old Port.
Our chefs focus on serving the freshest seafood and the best ingredients available from local purveyors, fishermen and organic farmers. They prepare a simple yet creative menu that highlights the ingredients.
Our personalized wine list truly complements the cuisine and we offer a classic full bar. We serve our full menu at the bar itself and feature a raw bar with a variety of local oysters. The bar is available to book the majority of the year but only available thru walk in for July/August. Our comfortable lounge is great place to get together for drinks and appetizers or to enjoy while waiting for a table.
Al fresco dining is available thru walk-in only from Memorial Day through September, depending on weather. We book the majority of the dining room but reserve a few tables for walk in as well.

See what locals rave about in Portland

From verified diners like you

E
Elivip
Washington, D.C. Area •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Fantastic menu front to back - incredible assortment of highly seasonal ingredients that were largely locally foraged. Michael was personable, well versed on the menu and offered great insight to the philosophy of the restaurant. Definitely a new neighborhood regular spot. Thanks Regards team.
More info
REGARDSPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Portland
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4.6
N
Nona
Greater Boston •3 reviews
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
Timely and pleasant service. Menu options were plentiful and the ones we ordered were delicious. Wines by the glass selection was a bit limited but overall worth a return visit especially if heading to Merrill auditorium for a performance.
More info
David's RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Portland
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4.7
G
Gina
Maine •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
I cannot say enough glowing things about Lucky Cheetah. From the moment I walked through the door, the music, the colors and the atmosphere had me! The servers were professional, knowledgeable and friendly. The food and drinks were top notch! Don’t miss the martini with caviar stuffed olives and the king mushroom! So delicious. I can’t wait to go back!
More info
Lucky CheetahPrice: Expensive• Dim Sum• Portland
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4.7
V
Valerievip
Greater Boston •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We a had a wonderful dinner before attending a show. Our waiter Sean was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. Everything was delicious from our antipasto platter, cocktails, pasta dishes and crème brûlée with biscotti. I had the pasta with mushrooms and I would definitely order it again. Homemade biscotti was to die for! Looking forward to returning.
More info
The Corner RoomPrice: Expensive• Italian• Portland
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4.8
J
Jeffvip
Minneapolis - St. Paul •7 reviews
5.0
Dined on 10 Aug 2024
Nice spot to go, wine was a good value and staff were very good
More info
The Armory Lounge, at The Portland Regency Hotel & SpaPrice: Moderate• American• Portland
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4

Restaurant experiences trending in Maine

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Discover Portland

If you are going to visit Portland, Maine, make sure to plan your day around your meals so you can experience as many Down East restaurants as possible. In addition to the classic New England clam chowder, Portland is renowned for its fresh oyster bars. Competing with seafood fresh off the fishing boats, some of the best steakhouses in New England can be found in Portland. For the more adventurous diner, the international selections include French, Italian, Thai, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisine. For a more casual dining experience, you can indulge in comfort foods like macaroni and cheese or Belgian fries fried in duck fat and made with local potatoes. Complete your meal with the perfect cocktail and a view of the water, and you'll be wondering how soon you can eat again.

Frequently asked questions

Celebrate special occasion at the best restaurants in Portland. Our customers recommend Fore Street, Isa Bistro - Portland and Solo Italiano

As of 23 Nov 2024 there are 23 restaurants in Portland. Filter by ‘outdoor dining’, ‘romantic’ or ‘dog friendly’.

On OpenTable we support all cuisines. Find Seafood, Contemporary American, Italian, American, Mexican and more. Use our filters to find exactly what you’re looking for and make your booking today.

Yes! We partner with restaurants in Portland who deliver with Toast, Postmates, Uber Eats, Olo, ChowNow.

Yes, you can also see restaurants near you offering takeaway.

Yes! OpenTable provides free, convenient and trusted options to book the best restaurants in Portland either on OpenTable or directly with the restaurant.

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Portland Restaurants

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