Maine Eats · Portland, Maine · including Peaks Island
Portland restaurants: lobster shacks & Italians
10 lobster shacks and roll stops, 5 clam shacks, 6 red snapper and Italian stops, 5 whoopie pie and donut stops, 4 diners, 3 oyster bars and 5 dairy bars in and around Portland, each checked in business in October 2026. The Maine Eats app's directory has 442 restaurants, cafés, bars and bakeries in Portland and sorts them by distance from you.
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Peaks Island is a village in the town of Portland, so places there are listed under Portland.
Portland at a glance
The app's directory has 442 places to eat and drink in Portland, including 4 in Peaks Island. The most common kinds are Bar & Pub (113), Coffee & Café (53) and Bakery & Sweets (37). 265 are matched to a Maine liquor license on the state's list. 31 are locations of a chain with five or more in Maine. 23 are on our hand-checked lists, 6 of them with James Beard honors; the longest at the same address is Becky's Diner, there since 1991. Portland is in Cumberland County, in the Greater Portland & Casco Bay region.
On our lists in Portland
The places in Portland on our hand-checked lists, most featured first: James Beard honorees and long-running places lead. That order isn't a rating. Longest at the same address: Becky's Diner in Portland, there since 1991; Fore Street in Portland, there since 1996. Maine's oldest restaurants has the 22 places with 40 or more years at the same address.
Fore Street
288 Fore St, Portland
James Beard winner Known for: wood oven roasted mussels; turnspit roasted pork loin; Maine oysters · At this address since 1996
Wood-fired Old Port restaurant (brick hearth with oven, grill and turnspit) opened in 1996 by Dana Street and chef Sam Hayward; the menu changes daily.
James Beard: Best Chef: Northeast 2004 (winner): Sam Hayward, Fore Street; Outstanding Restaurateur 2026 (winner): Dana Street, for Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co. and others; Best Chef: Northeast 2002 (nominee): Sam Hayward, Fore Street; Best Chef: Northeast 2003 (nominee): Sam Hayward, Fore Street; Outstanding Restaurant 2009 (nominee): Fore Street
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle St, Portland
James Beard winnerLobster rollOyster bar Known for: oysters; brown butter lobster roll · At this address since 2012
Big Tree Hospitality's oyster bar in the Old Port, known for its raw bar and a brown-butter lobster roll.
James Beard: Best Chef: Northeast 2017 (winner): Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley, Eventide Oyster Co.; Best Chef: Northeast 2015 (nominee): Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley, Eventide Oyster Co.; Best Chef: Northeast 2016 (nominee): Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley, Eventide Oyster Co.
Scales
68 Commercial St, Portland
James Beard winner At this address since 2016
Dana Street's restaurant on Maine Wharf off Commercial Street, serving dinner nightly; sister to Fore Street and Street & Co.
James Beard: Outstanding Restaurateur 2026 (winner): Dana Street, for Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co. and others
Norimoto Bakery
469 Stevens Ave, Portland
James Beard winner At this address since 2021
Atsuko Fujimoto's bakery on Stevens Avenue, walk-ins only.
James Beard: Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker 2024 (winner): Atsuko Fujimoto, Norimoto Bakery; Outstanding Baker 2022 (nominee): Atsuko Fujimoto, Norimoto Bakery
Zu Bakery
81 Clark St, Portland
James Beard winner Known for: croissants; sourdough bread; baguettes; focaccia · At this address since 2022
Barak Olins's small West End bakery, baking through the day with grain milled in house.
James Beard: Outstanding Bakery 2024 (winner): ZU Bakery
Standard Baking Co.
75 Commercial St, Portland
James Beard winner Known for: baguette; croissant; morning bun
Dana Street's bakery, in the same building as Fore Street, baking breads and pastries daily.
James Beard: Outstanding Restaurateur 2026 (winner): Dana Street, for Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co. and others; Outstanding Baker 2018 (nominee): Alison Pray, Standard Baking Co.
Becky's Diner
390 Commercial St, Portland
Diner Known for: blueberry pancakes; corned beef hash; fried clams; lobster roll · At this address since 1991
Working-waterfront diner on Commercial Street open from 5 a.m., with all-day breakfast and seafood plates.
Miss Portland Diner
140 Marginal Way, Portland
Diner Known for: blueberry pancakes; sausage gravy biscuits; omelets · At this address since 2008
Restored 1949 Worcester lunch car with a dining room annex, serving breakfast and lunch.
Clam Bar
199 West Commercial St, Portland
Clam shackSeasonal Known for: clams · Season: seasonal; check before you go · At this address since 2023
Seasonal clam shack at the west end of Commercial Street, open Thursday to Monday.
Amato's
71 India St, Portland
Maine Italians Known for: Maine Italian sandwich
The India Street shop of the chain that claims to have originated the Maine Italian sandwich.
Anania's
606 Washington Ave, Portland
Maine Italians Known for: Maine Italian sandwich
Washington Avenue variety store known for Maine Italians, the last Anania's still open; its former manager bought it in 2025 and kept making Italians.
Gilbert's Chowder House
92 Commercial St, Portland
Clam shack Known for: clam chowder; clam cakes; fried haddock sandwich
Casual waterfront chowder house on Commercial Street that specializes in clam chowder, with clam cakes and fried seafood.
J's Oyster
5 Portland Pier, Portland
Oyster bar Known for: oysters; lobster roll
Long-running waterfront raw bar on Portland Pier, first come first served, known for oysters and lobster rolls.
Lib's Dairy Treats
32 Auburn St, Portland
Dairy barSeasonal Known for: soft serve; Gifford's hard ice cream; sundaes; shakes · Season: early March into the fall (opened March 7 in 2026)
North Deering soft-serve and Gifford's ice cream stand that opens each March.
Luke's Lobster Portland Pier
60 Portland Pier, Portland
Lobster roll Known for: lobster roll; crab roll; steamed clams
Luke's Lobster's flagship restaurant on a working pier, serving its split-top lobster rolls with views of the lobster boats.
Portland Lobster Co.
180 Commercial St, Portland
Lobster shackLobster rollSeasonal Known for: lobster roll; steamed lobster dinner; clam chowder; steamers; fried clams; crab roll · Season: seasonal; check before you go
Seasonal waterfront deck on Commercial Street with steamed lobster dinners, lobster and crab rolls, fried clams and live music.
Room for Improvement
41 Wharf St, Portland
Red snappers Known for: red snapper hot dogs
Old Port bar whose 'Snappy Hour' puts its red snapper dogs (classic, kraut and cheese) at half price Sunday to Thursday evenings.
The Highroller Lobster Co.
104 Exchange St, Portland
Lobster rollRed snappers Known for: lobster roll; lobster roll with butter or flavored mayo; 'The Red Snappah' foot-long red hot dog; corn-dog-battered red snapper
Old Port lobster roll restaurant that grew out of a 2015 food cart; rolls come with mayo variations or butter.
The Holy Donut
194 Park Ave, Portland
Potato donuts Known for: Maine potato doughnuts; maple bacon doughnut
Park Avenue shop of the Portland bakery that makes its doughnuts with Maine potatoes.
The Holy Donut
177 Commercial St, Portland
Potato donuts Known for: Maine potato doughnuts · A branch of The Holy Donut, Portland (194 Park Ave)
Old Port waterfront shop of the Maine potato doughnut bakery.
The Porthole
20 Custom House Wharf, Portland
Diner Known for: Twin Lobster Dinner; breakfast
Diner-style restaurant on Custom House Wharf, serving breakfast and Casco Bay seafood; it came through the December 2025 wharf fire across the way.
The Thirsty Pig
37 Exchange St, Portland
Red snappers Known for: red snapper hot dog; build-your-own hot dogs
Old Port hot dog bar where you pick a dog, including a 9-inch red snapper, and a topping style.
Two Fat Cats Bakery
195 Lancaster St, Portland
Whoopie pies Known for: whoopie pies; pies
Portland bakery known for whoopie pies (it runs a whoopie-pie-of-the-month club) and fruit pies.
Lobster shacks and rolls in and near Portland
In Portland: Eventide Oyster Co., Luke's Lobster Portland Pier, Portland Lobster Co. and The Highroller Lobster Co., listed above. The 5 nearest of the 6 others within 15 miles, closest first. The statewide guide has 37. The app's directory also has 4 places in Portland with “Lobster” in the name that we haven't checked yet: see them in the web search.
SoPo Seafood
171 Ocean St, South Portland · 2 mi from Portland
Lobster rollOyster bar Known for: raw bar; lobster roll; lobster bisque
South Portland seafood market and raw bar with a full lunch and dinner menu built on Gulf of Maine catches; Maine lobster is always on the menu.
Bite Into Maine
1000 Shore Rd, Cape Elizabeth · 3 mi from Portland
Lobster rollSeasonal Known for: lobster roll · Season: April to early November · At this address since 2011
Lobster roll food truck in Fort Williams Park by Portland Head Light, window service only; the business also runs shops in Portland and Scarborough.
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
225 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth · 7 mi from Portland
Lobster shackLobster rollClam shackSeasonal Known for: lobster dinner; lobster roll; fried clams; clam cakes; clam chowder; lobster stew · Season: April 4 to October 25 (2026 season)
Seasonal lobster shack at the end of Two Lights Road with picnic tables on the rocks below the lighthouse; lobster dinners, rolls, fried clams and clam cakes.
Bayley's Lobster Pound
9 Avenue 6, Pine Point (Scarborough) · 9 mi from Portland
Lobster shackLobster roll Known for: lobster roll; lobsters
Fourth-generation lobster pound and fish market on the Pine Point waterfront, with the Bait Shed restaurant on its dock; the family credits itself with some of Maine's first lobster rolls.
Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster
36 Main St, South Freeport (Freeport) · 14 mi from Portland
Lobster shackLobster rollWhoopie piesSeasonal Known for: lobster roll; cooked lobsters; steamed clams; whoopie pie · Season: May to October (last day of the 2026 season: Columbus Day, Oct. 12) · At this address since 1970
Family-run lunch counter and lobster pound on the South Freeport working waterfront; lobster rolls, cooked lobsters and its own whoopie pies, BYOB.
Clam shacks in and near Portland
In Portland: Clam Bar and Gilbert's Chowder House, listed above. The others within 15 miles, closest first. The statewide guide has 11.
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
225 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth · 7 mi from Portland; listed above
Ken's Place
207 Pine Point Rd, Scarborough · 9 mi from Portland
Clam shackSeasonal Known for: fried clams; clam strips; clam roll; clam chowder; lobster roll; fried oysters · Season: about late March to late October (2026: opened around March 20, last day October 25)
Seasonal seafood stand on the road to Pine Point Beach, serving fried clams (batter or crumbs), clam rolls and chowder since its roadside-stand start in 1927.
Huot's Seafood Restaurant
29 Eastern Ave, Camp Ellis (Saco) · 15 mi from Portland
Clam shack Known for: clam cakes; onion rings; fried seafood
Camp Ellis seafood restaurant still using Doris Huot's recipes for clam cakes, onion rings and seafood batter; after three generations of the Huot family, a new team now runs it and says it is keeping the recipes.
Red snappers and Italians in and near Portland
In Portland: Amato's, Anania's, Room for Improvement, The Highroller Lobster Co. and The Thirsty Pig, listed above. The others within 10 miles, closest first. The statewide guide has 11.
DiPietro's Market
385 Cottage Rd, South Portland · 2 mi from Portland
Maine Italians Known for: Maine Italian sandwich; pizza
Family Italian market and deli on Cottage Road that makes Maine Italians and ready-to-go meals.
Whoopie pies and donuts in and near Portland
In Portland: The Holy Donut (194 Park Ave), The Holy Donut (177 Commercial St) and Two Fat Cats Bakery, listed above. The others within 10 miles, closest first. The statewide guide has 16.
Cape Whoopies
185 Cottage Rd, South Portland · 2 mi from Portland
Whoopie pies Known for: gourmet whoopie pies made with butter; seasonal whoopie pie assortments
South Portland whoopie pie bakery, launched through the Fork Food Lab incubator, making butter-based gourmet whoopie pies in rotating flavors; it invites visitors to the bakery and ships nationwide.
The Holy Donut
398 Route 1, Scarborough · 7 mi from Portland
Potato donuts Known for: Maine potato doughnuts · A branch of The Holy Donut, Portland (194 Park Ave)
Route 1 shop of the Portland potato doughnut bakery.
Diners in and near Portland
In Portland: Becky's Diner, Miss Portland Diner and The Porthole, listed above. The others within 10 miles, closest first. The statewide guide has 13. The app's directory also has 2 places in Portland with “Diner” in the name that we haven't checked yet: see them in the web search.
Q Street Diner
9 Q St, South Portland · 1 mi from Portland
Diner Known for: eggs; pancakes
Neighborhood breakfast-and-lunch diner in South Portland, open Wednesday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oyster bars in and near Portland
In Portland: Eventide Oyster Co. and J's Oyster, listed above. The others within 15 miles, closest first. The statewide guide has 10. The app's directory also has 2 places in Portland with “Oyster” in the name that we haven't checked yet: see them in the web search.
SoPo Seafood
171 Ocean St, South Portland · 2 mi from Portland; listed above
Dairy bars in and near Portland
In Portland: Lib's Dairy Treats, listed above. The others within 10 miles, closest first. The statewide guide has 54. The app's directory also has 2 places in Portland with “Dairy” or “Creamery” in the name that we haven't checked yet: see them in the web search.
Red's Dairy Freeze
167 Cottage Rd, South Portland · 2 mi from Portland
Dairy barSeasonal Known for: soft serve; Boston sundae; Nor'easter · Season: early March to the end of the season
Seasonal soft-serve stand in South Portland's east end whose March opening is a local sign of spring.
Willard Scoops
429 Preble St, South Portland · 2 mi from Portland
Dairy bar Known for: homemade ice cream
South Portland ice cream shop with about 20 gourmet flavors.
Kettle Cove Creamery & Shack
2 Bowery Beach Rd, Cape Elizabeth · 6 mi from Portland
Dairy barSeasonal Known for: homemade hard ice cream; soft serve · Season: from about May
Seasonal Cape Elizabeth ice cream stand with more than 30 homemade hard-serve flavors plus soft serve.
Beals Old Fashioned Ice Cream
585 Main St, Gorham · 7 mi from Portland
Dairy bar Known for: homemade ice cream; teaberry ice cream
Original Gorham store of Beals, making about 100 old-fashioned ice cream recipes in small batches; also scoops in Portland.
What Portland eats
The most common kinds of place among the 442 in Portland, from open map data and the state's liquor license list. Each opens the web search, filtered to Portland.
More Maine towns
- Portland
- Bangor
- South Portland
- Bar Harbor
- Lewiston
- Biddeford
- Brunswick
- Augusta
- Auburn
- Scarborough
- York
- Old Orchard Beach
- Ogunquit
- Waterville
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