I am headed to Portland, Maine in July and I'm looking for all the recommendations - coffee shops, restaurants, coastal views, bars, places to shop, hidden gems, etc. What are some of your favorite spots? Thanks!

Question

Clare Bags · Answer

Wayside Tavern: For a delicious meal that you can still actually get a reservation at

Also don’t trust anyone that recommends Via Vecchia.

Mary Frances · Answer

Eventide: Best lobster rolls ever!

Riley Sykes · Answer

Crispy Gai: Fantastic chicken, drinks, bites, full of flavor and adorable vibe inside. 10/10 bathroom

Jenna · Answer

Mr. Tuna: There’s sooo many good places to eat in Portland. I came here during my last trip in October and think about it weekly.

Chandra Ram · Answer

central provisions for dinner! https://www.central-provisions.com: One of the best restaurants in Portland - just fantastic

Kate · Answer

Blythe and Burrows: Best cocktails and friendliest staff who genuinely love what they do.

Yaymie Jamie · Answer

Standard Baking Co: Grab some treats (and then head to the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden…not in Portland, but one of my favs!)

Jennifer Anderson · Answer

folly 101: Beautifully curated, charmingly mechanized homegoods store. I always want to buy everything I see. Store hours are somewhat fickle😝

Hillary Falduto · Answer

The Post Supply: THE best shop, worth a visit!! A little of everything for everyone :)

Clara G · Answer

Zane: This little store has such beautiful things - mostly woman’s clothes but also amazing curation of other stuff

T · Answer

Washington Baths: Public sauna. Excellent vibes.

Morgan Smorgan · Answer

Table Bar: Best unfussy wine bar on the way to points north

megan weisenberger · Answer

Glidden Point Oyster Farms : if you have a car, there's an extremely magical oyster farm about an hour outside of portland (near edgecombe, maine) where you can a) learn to shuck your own oysters and b) lounge about in a sauna afterwards

YooMi · Answer

cuties: The vibe at this Portland, Maine bar/restaurant… just perfect. 🫠

YooMi · Answer

zu bakery: Go first thing in the morning!

E Noll · Answer

Becky's Diner: This is where my local friend takes me for lobster rolls 🦞

Posey · Answer

Duckfat: Get the fennel tomato soup

Jessica Sken · Answer

Leeward: best Portland, Maine Italian.

Jessica Sken · Answer

Tandem Coffee Roasters: best Portland, Maine coffee.

Danielle · Answer

Scales Restaurant Portland: We had a memorable meal here 2 summers ago. If you love seafood, Scales is a vibe and right on the water. Book ahead!

jill mccracken · Answer

honey paw: my best friend and i had a meal here 4 years ago that we still talk about. drinks, apps, main, dessert — do it all and never look back.

jill mccracken · Answer

holy donut: do yourself a favor and get a dark chocolate sea salt donut.

ProutyProuty · Answer

incredible, inclusive sauna house https://washingtonbaths.com

Megan · Answer

maine narrow guage railroad: So… this is not a coffee shop or cool restaurant, but if you’re looking for something a little bit different to do, this railroad trip is cute!

sierra colleen · Answer

norimoto bakery: “European pastries with Japanese sensibility.” and a James Beard award to boot!

Kassi Swallow · Answer

Ocotillo restaurant: The drinks👌🏼the food🤌🏼the atmosphere🙌🏼

Aya C · Answer

Night Moves Bread: Maine terroir in bread form

Kelsy CARLEEN · Answer

JUDITH: An impeccable shop with incredible staff. Go chat them up and try things on in-between wonderful meals and time spent on rocky beaches!

Mary · Answer

Banh Appetit Vietnamese Food: Not fancy but the best lemongrass chicken banh mi ever. My go to for a Portland picnic or for the ride home

Mary · Answer

onggi ferments: You must go. Fermentation shop with cute cafe in the back, incredible miso maple cold brew and matcha lemon shrub tonic

Mary · Answer

CÔNG TỬ BỘT: One of the best meals I’ve ever had. I still dream of their chicken phở and Japanese eggplant. Drinks were also incredible

JV · Answer

The Well At Jordan’s Farm, Portland, ME: A very special chance to dine finely at a farm stand in Cape Elizabeth, Portland. They begin their summer season June 10!

JV · Answer

Casco Bay Ferry to Peaks Island: A magical island! Bring a bike and a bathing suit and get ice cream and ride around admiring the camps.

Abby Phoenix · Answer

Eventide’s Brown Butter Lobster Roll: I spent less than 24 hours in Portland the last time I was there and I still confidently recommend this as one of the best things you could eat in the city — it’s that good! The bun is more like a Chinese bao, which is just a perfect pairing for lobster.

JV · Answer

“West End” Eats: Smalls packs a lot in a tiny space, so you might find yourself driving by to grab a coffee in the AM, or an early evening Orange wine, or a few trinkets and essentials from the market. It’s not a super sceney corner, but it’s a good spot to have on your radar as you map things out.

JV · Answer

A Morning Croissant From BLVL: BLVL or Belleville, it’s a lovely and deliberate croissant.