Eating in Portland, Maine

Eating in Portland, Maine

There are so many great options when you’re eating in Portland, Maine. As with so many places in the Maine, food establishments in Portland celebrate locally sourced products that are fresh, seasonal and delicious. Portland has such an amazing food scene that continues to thrive and grow and will keep you coming back for more.

Most Important Meal of the Day

When we’re in Portland, I am usually faced with a dilemma. Should I start the day with a very healthful, nutrient-filled breakfast or not? If I choose the healthy path, I always go with Blake Orchard Juicery on Exchange Street in downtown Portland. In fact, it doesn’t matter what time of day we’re in Portland, I always make it a point to stop at Blake Orchard. I’ll pick up a bottle of their housemade chocolate almond mylk for later, a smoothie bowl or a smoothie for an afternoon snack. Everything at Blake Orchard is made with organic and locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. I always feel better and healthier after consuming a Blake Orchard treat.

Holy Donut

If I decide to take a different path for breakfast, it’s usually a few doors down from Blake Orchard on Exchange Street at Holy Donut. O.k., I know I’m not fooling anyone. I never pass up a Holy Donut, especially since their gluten-free donuts are the most amazing things ever. Flavors include maple bacon, holy cannoli and chocolate sea salt (personal favorite). There are also seasonal varieties such as blueberry with blueberry glaze, apple and honey lavender. Made with fresh, mashed Maine potatoes, Holy Donuts are dense, melt-in-your-mouth, flavorful, sugary deliciousness. We’ll usually head to Holy Donut at the start of vacation to stock up for the week. Depending on what time you go, there will probably a long line (usually out the door). Trust me, though, Holy Donuts are worth the wait.

There are two Holy Donut locations in Portland and one in Scarborough. Scarborough has the best and worst thing ever—a drive-through window. We don’t leave Maine without making a stop through the drive-through for a dozen (or more). The ones that survive the ten hour drive to Pennsylvania keep really well in the freezer. I’m happy to say I’ve got a dozen in my freezer right now.

Amazing Graze

Since there are so many great places to eat in Portland, we don’t typically commit to a proper sit-down meal. We find ourselves grazing throughout the city just so we can try a little bit of everything.

For the past few years, a favorite stop has been Duckfat on Middle Street in Portland. The fresh, hand-cut Maine potatoes deep-fried in duck fat are divine. You have a choice of dipping sauces for your fries, but I recommend you try the poutine—fries topped with cheese curd, duck gravy and chives. Duckfat’s milkshakes are also amazing, made with local gelato from Gelato Fiasco. If you need some balance, Duckfat also has soups, sandwiches and salads on the menu. You will not be disappointed with anything at Duckfat. It is a small space, so there will likely be a wait to dine in. If you’d rather not wait for a table, walk ten minutes over to their walk up fry window at Duckfat Friteshack.

We found ourselves wandering around Portland last 4th of July and ended up at the Press Hotel on Exchange Street. We also found more deep-fried potatoes in these truffle-laced potato chips with goat milk ranch dip. They were washed down with the house strawberry shrub mocktail with fresh mint and lemon water.

We had been wanting to go to the Blue Rooster Food Company on Dana Street for a few years now and finally made it. On the menu are locally sourced hot dogs, sandwiches and salads, but we specifically went for the tots, available with different toppings. It was a tough call, but I went for the Thai Peanut tots over the Buffalo. The plain crispy tots dipped in Heinz were no slouch, either.

Personal Cheesus

If you want to switch up your carbs, try Slab Sicilian Street Food on Preble Street. Slab has salads, appetizers, Sicilian and thin crust pizza and Italian desserts. This is a photo of the Sicilian crust with pepperoni right out of the oven. I had the gluten-free cauli crust with vegan cheese, germolata, arugula, red onion and lemon vinaigrette. The threat of being “hangry” was averted.

If you’re in the mood for lobster pizza, try the local chain, Portland Pie Company on York Street (also available on a gluten-free crust). Included in its list of locations in Maine and Massachusetts, Otto has two locations in downtown Portland. Don’t forget about their mashed potato, bacon and scallion pizza that I had at the Yarmouth location. 

Afternoon Pick-Me-Up

In addition to great eating in Portland, Maine, there is also some great coffee. My two favorite spots are Bard on Middle Street and Arabica Coffee, with two locations in Portland. I usually get the Vietnamese coffee at Bard and the Maine Maple Latte at Arabica. If you need a snack, I recommend the peanut butter gluten-free brownie at Arabica. Sadly, I brought home only one of those rich, dense, chocolate brownies with a layer of peanut butter in the middle and it was gone a long time ago…

Maine to Go

Another stop on our way out of town is the Portland Farmers’ Market, which is on Saturdays in Deering Oaks Park from May to November (check the website for exact dates). The market gets crowded, so get there early to grab a free parking spot.

I usually stock up on organic, local, fresh vegetables which I pledge to eat after the overindulgent vacation I just had. If you’re in Maine at the right time of year, pick up some local wild Maine blueberries. The Farmers’ Market also sells local meats, dairy products, eggs and canned products like the six pound jar of honey I bought a few years ago (and, yes, I have used it all).

If you’re interested in taking some fresh seafood home with you, the Harbor Fish Market is the place to go. They are selling product, literally, just off the boats, so you can’t get any fresher. They sell a variety of fish and shellfish, as well as the seasonings and utensils you may need to handle them. Harbor Fish will pack up live lobsters to go or, if you’re not daring enough to travel with live lobsters in your car, they will cook them for you. 

Final Thoughts

A great little walkable city, you’ll be able to work off all you’ll be eating in Portland, Maine. Other than a famous international coffee shop, there aren’t any national chain restaurants in downtown Portland, only local ones. There’s a great art museum in Portland and great shopping, but I love going for the outstanding food. I know you will, too. If you’re like me, get some some goodies to go so you can enjoy Portland, Maine at home long after the vacation ends.

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