Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
A celebrated brunch place. Usually a line down the street on Sundays.
52 locals recommend
Bayside American Cafe
98 Portland StA celebrated brunch place. Usually a line down the street on Sundays.
Back Bay Grill
65 Portland StArguably the finest dining experience in town.
Speckled Ax
567 Congress StHigh test, roasted on site!
Coffee By Design
43 Washington AveThis is where we go for coffee. Good solid local cup.
Open until 2am on weekends, this pizza is among the best anywhere, even if you're from New York.
192 locals recommend
OTTO
576 Congress StOpen until 2am on weekends, this pizza is among the best anywhere, even if you're from New York.
Off the beaten path and casual, but authentic and delicious German food.
10 locals recommend
Schulte & Herr
349 Cumberland AveOff the beaten path and casual, but authentic and delicious German food.
Boda
671 Congress StLate night eats of the finest sort, and great cocktails
James Beard rising star finalist. What's more, it's open late: 1am on weekends
63 locals recommend
Bao Bao Dumpling House
133 Spring StJames Beard rising star finalist. What's more, it's open late: 1am on weekends
Green Elephant
608 Congress StReally good, even if you're not a vegetarian.
Portland Lobster Co
180 Commercial StThe Lobster Shack at Two Lights
225 Two Lights RdGreat scenery.
Luke's Lobster Portland Pier
60 Portland PierWater views.
The Highroller Lobster Co
104 Exchange StIn the heart of the Old Port.
Arts & Culture
Portland Stage
25 Forest AvePortland's premier Equity theatre, just around the block.
Free admission every Friday night. Also check out their indie film series.
412 locals recommend
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqFree admission every Friday night. Also check out their indie film series.
Always something interesting going on here, from art installations to concerts, films, lectures and interactive events.
72 locals recommend
SPACE
534-538 Congress StAlways something interesting going on here, from art installations to concerts, films, lectures and interactive events.
Entertainment & Activities
Two pools, basketball, squash and racquetball courts, and a full gym just around the corner. A family pass for the day is $20
Greater Portland YMCA
70 High StTwo pools, basketball, squash and racquetball courts, and a full gym just around the corner. A family pass for the day is $20
It's not far, but the sidewalks and lighting are poor along the way. However the lanes are all new and the atmosphere is great.
93 locals recommend
Bayside Bowl
58 Alder StIt's not far, but the sidewalks and lighting are poor along the way. However the lanes are all new and the atmosphere is great.
Endless entertainment, and just a couple of blocks away. We like to walk through Harmon's Flowers or Springer's Jewelers to get from Congress to Free Street, just for fun.
114 locals recommend
Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine
250 Thompsons Point RoadEndless entertainment, and just a couple of blocks away. We like to walk through Harmon's Flowers or Springer's Jewelers to get from Congress to Free Street, just for fun.
Drinks & Nightlife
It's just a hotel lounge, but you can see Mt. Washington from up here on a clear day. Take the back stairs for a little exercise.
68 locals recommend
Top of the East
157 High StIt's just a hotel lounge, but you can see Mt. Washington from up here on a clear day. Take the back stairs for a little exercise.
Blue
650 Congress StLive music nights a week, including an Irish trad session on Wednesdays.
An excellent small hall for regional and touring acts. Mostly acoustic, original, world and heritage music.
61 locals recommend
One Longfellow Square
181 State StAn excellent small hall for regional and touring acts. Mostly acoustic, original, world and heritage music.
The Dogfish Bar and Grille
128 Free StSmall local music venue with good taps and decent food.
There's no sign on this place because it started as a speakeasy, and still has that funky feel. You'll hear it from outside.
76 locals recommend
The Jewel Box
644 Congress StThere's no sign on this place because it started as a speakeasy, and still has that funky feel. You'll hear it from outside.
For the adventurous, this place is one of a kind. Fridays it's packed for 80's dance night, with a lighted dance floor and everything. Other nights it's locals drinking PBR. The decor is surreal.
47 locals recommend
Bubba's Sulky Lounge
92 Portland StFor the adventurous, this place is one of a kind. Fridays it's packed for 80's dance night, with a lighted dance floor and everything. Other nights it's locals drinking PBR. The decor is surreal.
Enormous martinis- one and done! Atmosphere is subdued and classy, but not too posh.
Katahdin Restaurant
27 Forest AveEnormous martinis- one and done! Atmosphere is subdued and classy, but not too posh.
Sightseeing
There's a secret garden behind the house that's free and open to public during the day. Also the Maine Historical Society Library is here.
76 locals recommend
Maine Historical Society
489 Congress StThere's a secret garden behind the house that's free and open to public during the day. Also the Maine Historical Society Library is here.
Parks & Nature
Tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, playground, water park, baseball, Saturday farmers' market and occasional Shakespeare.
87 locals recommend
Deering Oaks Park
Tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, playground, water park, baseball, Saturday farmers' market and occasional Shakespeare.
Shopping
Our friends Pete and Karen run this funky used bike shop in a cool old brick warehouse. Very Portland.
Port City Bikes
82 Parris StOur friends Pete and Karen run this funky used bike shop in a cool old brick warehouse. Very Portland.
A brisk 90-second walk will get you here for any last-minute needs at any hour of the day or night. Open 24-7.
Big Apple Store
1510 Maine StA brisk 90-second walk will get you here for any last-minute needs at any hour of the day or night. Open 24-7.