I’m heading up to Maine on Saturday for 8 days. Mostly in Biddeford and Damariscotta. Look for a full report with lots of pics! Looking forward to going deep into the Biddeford-Saco food scene especially.
Damariscotta: The Rooting Pig (just outside Damariscotta) is a must! Larson’s Lunch Box is not destination dining but always good for a quick bite. Barn Door Breakfast (where Crissy’s used to be) is very good for breakfast.
Thanks, I hadn’t heard of the Rooting Pig. Might do a crab roll at Larsen’s and a lobster roll at Lobster Haul in the center of town. And of course oysters at Shuck Station. Maybe pizza at Oysterhead, and more rolls down the road at Pemaquid Seafood. Love the area!
UGH! A disappointment. An annual “Best of Portland” awards list.
List starts out strong but then becomes overwhelming. It feels very much like the “Voted Best of XXXX” almost a scam things. (Salesman: “Hey, we’re doing a Best of Portland contest. For the low low price of $$$ we’ll make sure you’re a winner & get noted in the paper & receive a trophy plaque!”) And creative ways to ensure winners were thought of-- like “Best Eatery w/ a view of Peak’s Island” or some other unique criteria. Was really annoying since my employer & the contest company had almost the same company name & one of my jobs was making the plaques…and fielding angry calls when said contest never appeared.
Note I think Portlandoldport.com does a generally great job of keeping us up-to-date w/ local news & this is not an actual scam but it really needs editing!
Reviving this to solicit recommendations. Heading up to Portland, Maine this Thursday because I really wanted a Nor’easter and rain throughout my entire vacation. 
It’s been a few years, so I need a refresher and find out more about what’s new. Will be there from Thursday afternoon to Sunday early afternoon. I already have dinner on Thursday night at Fore St (nostalgia - was one of my 1st wow dinner in Portland many years ago) and also have a bar seat at Twelve on Saturday night. No car, so cannot head outside of the main Portland downtown area, but I’m staying downtown, close to old Port.
Is there any place in particular that you think is worth seeking out? I loved wondering around and finding good bites as I go. I have a few lunches and a dinner I need to figure out. Cuisine, I’m open to anything, and love seafood. Would love for something Japanese since I love Japanese food, but also open to anything different that isn’t readily available in Boston or is at a quality where Boston pales in comparison. I like lobster - I don’t love lobster, so not too interested in lobster meals no matter how good it may be.
Are you taking the Amtrak Downeaster? If so, try to grab a seat on the left side of the car (as you are facing in the direction the train moves) for better views. Sorry, can’t help with Portland, my favorite places are out Forrest Street, not walking distance from old Port.
I’m a big Amtrak user (without being a fan), so this is useful intel. But I gotta ask: do you mean on the way up from Boston, or down?
How far out is this area with your favorites? I found a Forest St, but not Forrest St, so want sure if that’s the same area? What are the names of the places?
Just curious. If it is the Forest St on the map that is about 40 mins out, it could be something I tuck in a back pocket if I’m feeling adventurous and up for a walk. Unless it’s really downpours all day, or paths don’t have sidewalks for pedestrians, I’ve made some long walks in some destinations.
And yes the downeaster.
Going north from Boston to Brunswick, on the left (inland). Headed south, of course the left for waterside.
Yes, Forest Street, my mistake. Not sure any of these are worthy of a 40 minute walk, but Po’Boys & Pickles (crazy about their Cauli Po’Boy), Bogusha’s Polish Restaurant & Deli, and Woodford Food & Beverage are all on my repeat list, as is Veranda Asian Market which you will have no need of, since you have closer and better Asian markets. But it sure is helpful for those of us who live in the Maine woods!!
Have a wonderful time and lots of good eating!!
ETA: you night also get some intel from Portland Food Map.
It’s Forest Ave not St which may clear up this confusion. Not at all worth walking 40 minutes for but the bus system heads that way.
Thank you!
For lunches Downtown I’d recommend Dutch’s, Taco Escobar, Marcy’s, Yosaku (<-- locally considered best Japanese Food…I wouldn’t know since I’m anti-sushi. (Portland resident here for 38 years now…gah!)) Lunches in the Old Port-- Diner Becky’s or Pub Rosie’s.
Portland Food Map-- great resource that I peer at almost daily BUT I look askance at the the rating #'s in its List View. IMO ageism is influencing them. I.e., NEW places are getting higher #'s. E.g., for Pizza I’d put Portland Pie right at the top not Otto’s.
Ooh, I love me a good diner. I don’t usually eat bf because of my time restricted eating, but I was willing to break that rule and pig out this weekend. Thanks for the reqs! (but anti-sushi… 
)
I should have put this in my original request – I LOVE blueberries. Like LOOOVE them, and I will sit down and eat 2 lbs of good fresh blueberries on a couch while watching a movie. Is there a definitive blueberry treat/dessert/dish that you think is the best blueberry food item in Portland? What must I have for someone who loves (almost) all things blueberry?
Note: Don’t care for chocolate covered blueberries - chocolate overpowers the blueberry flavor. Blueberries and mint flavor doesn’t work for me (yes, I’ve tried this in an item). Other than that, open to all suggestions!
As an occasional visitor to Portland for many years, I have seen my favorites come, go, and morph over the years.
We had a fantastic meal at Twelve last December. I’m glad it’s on your dining itinerary, @kobuta.
Our favorite Japanese in Portland used to be Miyake, which I would not suggest these days as it’s changed since being sold to the restaurant’s long-time managers in 2024. So, I wouldn’t feel confident suggesting this previous pick of mine to you.
In the Old Port: The original location of Eventide is a treat for oysters and other seafood delights. I insist on ordering the kimchi ice accompaniment with our oysters every time. If we are lucky enough to snag a perch at the window seats for a late lunch, it’s oysters, something on a bao bun (admittedly a small-portion item), and a glass of wine for me. First-come, first-serve seating so we skip it when there’s a line.
Another lunch possibility pretty much across the street from Eventide is Mr. Tuna. Though we’ve only gotten their hand rolls from their Brunswick, ME food truck in summer and haven’t yet visited this bricks-and-mortar location, I have been impressed by the quality of the seafood used. Another first-come, first-serve spot. ETA: Oops, I just read you don’t care for sushi. So probably not. 
If anything on Forest Ave should pique your interest, Uber could be an option. Short trip from the hotels in/near Old Port. We have a hard time resisting a creative BBQ lunch at Terlingua when we’re passing through Portland.
The Old Port area also has the gelato I like the best of any I have tasted in the U.S.: Gorgeous Gelato. Sometimes we call this lunch or opt for a gelato instead of ordering dessert at dinner. (Yes, there is a competing gelato shop with more locations. Can’t say I’m a fan.)
I’ll be interested to read about what you enjoyed, if you decide to report back! Have a great time.
Mr Tuna had not been on my radar so I am very glad you mentioned it!
Ah thank you! Sushi is totally my thing! I was just snidely remarking on how anyone can be anti-sushi! 
I could eat that, and generally most Japanese foods, every day if I could.
Thanks for the great recs!
Why, as a curiosity?
