Guidebook for Portland

Chaning
Guidebook for Portland

Food Scene

From drinks to brunch, Local 188 is a fantastic hangout. Great music, food, cocktails and I love the ambience.
142 locals recommend
Local 188
685 Congress St
142 locals recommend
From drinks to brunch, Local 188 is a fantastic hangout. Great music, food, cocktails and I love the ambience.
Located in the Public Market, this is the best soup in town. Served with a giant roll for like, 3 bucks. Plus there's great people watching from the windows overlooking monument square.
Kamasouptra
28 Monument Sq
Located in the Public Market, this is the best soup in town. Served with a giant roll for like, 3 bucks. Plus there's great people watching from the windows overlooking monument square.
Pizza in a pinch. This long standing restaurant/bar is a great stop if you're looking for something close and representational of Mainers.
15 locals recommend
Pizza Villa
940 Congress St
15 locals recommend
Pizza in a pinch. This long standing restaurant/bar is a great stop if you're looking for something close and representational of Mainers.
Very popular Mexican restaurant just a 5 minute walk away.
6 locals recommend
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
242 St John St
6 locals recommend
Very popular Mexican restaurant just a 5 minute walk away.
There are trendier Thai restaurants in the Arts District but this place is what I and my friends consider to be the best tasting.
14 locals recommend
Saeng Thai House
921 Congress St
14 locals recommend
There are trendier Thai restaurants in the Arts District but this place is what I and my friends consider to be the best tasting.
Nifty decor, delicious food and excellent cocktails.
147 locals recommend
Boda
671 Congress St
147 locals recommend
Nifty decor, delicious food and excellent cocktails.
Try the 49er roll. I'm not just saying that because I'm from San Francisco.
9 locals recommend
King of the Roll
675 Congress St
9 locals recommend
Try the 49er roll. I'm not just saying that because I'm from San Francisco.
Sunday brunch (make a reservation or don't go too hungry). The best menu in town, I think.
27 locals recommend
Caiola's
58 Pine Street
27 locals recommend
Sunday brunch (make a reservation or don't go too hungry). The best menu in town, I think.
Wood fired pizza, a cozy atmosphere and a fantastic microbrew menu.
46 locals recommend
Bonobo
46 Pine St
46 locals recommend
Wood fired pizza, a cozy atmosphere and a fantastic microbrew menu.
1 of my 2 favorite cafes. But if you order a bagel ask for it lightly toasted.
37 locals recommend
Arabica Coffee House
2 Free St
37 locals recommend
1 of my 2 favorite cafes. But if you order a bagel ask for it lightly toasted.
Maine potato donuts made with REAL ingredients such as dark chocolate, ginger, Maine berries + delicious breakfast sandwiches & local coffee. Donut fans or not, do yourself a favor & GO :)
220 locals recommend
The Holy Donut
194 Park Ave
220 locals recommend
Maine potato donuts made with REAL ingredients such as dark chocolate, ginger, Maine berries + delicious breakfast sandwiches & local coffee. Donut fans or not, do yourself a favor & GO :)
Great local breakfast joint with a southern twist. Fried green tomatoes anyone? I hear their dinner is good too but I haven't been yet...
152 locals recommend
Hot Suppa
703 Congress St
152 locals recommend
Great local breakfast joint with a southern twist. Fried green tomatoes anyone? I hear their dinner is good too but I haven't been yet...
Quintessential New England dining experience. Converted Victorian. Cozy seating. Plant dripped deck. Extensive menu. Expect to wait a bit for a table on the weekend.
52 locals recommend
Bayside American Cafe
98 Portland St
52 locals recommend
Quintessential New England dining experience. Converted Victorian. Cozy seating. Plant dripped deck. Extensive menu. Expect to wait a bit for a table on the weekend.
My very favorite cafe. A little removed from the action but still central. Great music, ambiance, service..plus fantastic vanilla lattes and fresh lox bagels.
31 locals recommend
Omi's Coffee Shop
372 Cottage Rd
31 locals recommend
My very favorite cafe. A little removed from the action but still central. Great music, ambiance, service..plus fantastic vanilla lattes and fresh lox bagels.
Delicious noodle bowls & super fresh sushi.
148 locals recommend
Pai Men Miyake
188 State St
148 locals recommend
Delicious noodle bowls & super fresh sushi.
Best seafood in town. Period.
114 locals recommend
Street & Co
33 Wharf St
114 locals recommend
Best seafood in town. Period.

Drinks & Nightlife

It's hip without pretension, has a fantastic beer selection, yummy snacks and is in the heart of the arts district just about a 15-20 min. walk from the apartment.
88 locals recommend
LFK
188 State St
88 locals recommend
It's hip without pretension, has a fantastic beer selection, yummy snacks and is in the heart of the arts district just about a 15-20 min. walk from the apartment.
Cute wine bar with live acoustic music.
71 locals recommend
Blue
650 Congress St
71 locals recommend
Cute wine bar with live acoustic music.
Super funky bar with original 70's light up dance floor. Fridays is 80's night & is packed with fun.
47 locals recommend
Bubba's Sulky Lounge
92 Portland St
47 locals recommend
Super funky bar with original 70's light up dance floor. Fridays is 80's night & is packed with fun.
This & LFK are my favorite bars. Both have great music, sidewalk seating, a nice food menu, fantastic ambiance and here is home of one ridiculously good pear martini.
19 locals recommend
The North Point
35 Silver St
19 locals recommend
This & LFK are my favorite bars. Both have great music, sidewalk seating, a nice food menu, fantastic ambiance and here is home of one ridiculously good pear martini.

Everything Else

Great central park just a 15 min. walk away. Farmers Market, kid's splash pool, tennis, concerts....Grab the most amazing donuts (made from potatoes) from Holy Donut on Park Ave in route and ENJOY
87 locals recommend
Deering Oaks Park
87 locals recommend
Great central park just a 15 min. walk away. Farmers Market, kid's splash pool, tennis, concerts....Grab the most amazing donuts (made from potatoes) from Holy Donut on Park Ave in route and ENJOY
Nice bike ride or walk with a view of the city.
38 locals recommend
Back Cove Trail
Back Cove Trail
38 locals recommend
Nice bike ride or walk with a view of the city.

Shopping

Support local book stores! This one's great.
25 locals recommend
Longfellow Books
1 Monument Sq
25 locals recommend
Support local book stores! This one's great.
A 3 level haven for all things vintage.
41 locals recommend
Portland Flea-for-All
585 Congress St
41 locals recommend
A 3 level haven for all things vintage.

Essentials

No recommendation needed. It speaks for itself.
148 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
87 Marginal Way
148 locals recommend
No recommendation needed. It speaks for itself.
Great "everything" supermarket. And Trader Joe's is just 1 block away.
280 locals recommend
Hannaford Supermarket
295 Forest Ave
280 locals recommend
Great "everything" supermarket. And Trader Joe's is just 1 block away.
It's pretty pricey but if you're looking to pack a great picnic, it's worth it.
51 locals recommend
Blue Spoon Cafe & Catering
64 Pine St
51 locals recommend
It's pretty pricey but if you're looking to pack a great picnic, it's worth it.

Arts & Culture

If I'm seeing music or dancing, it's usually here.
21 locals recommend
Yordprom Coffee Shop
722 Congress St
21 locals recommend
If I'm seeing music or dancing, it's usually here.

Sightseeing

1.5 mile in circumference with stunning views of Caso Bay & Portland, a faery village and a West facing beach for sunset picnics.
130 locals recommend
Mackworth Island State Park
U.S. 1
130 locals recommend
1.5 mile in circumference with stunning views of Caso Bay & Portland, a faery village and a West facing beach for sunset picnics.