Hope you can help

IamChrissa

Hello, my name is Chrissy, I'm from the Baltimore, Maryland area. My hubby and I are going to be vacationing in Maine in about 12 days. We were there for a couple of day on our honeymoon and we fell in love with Maine and with your food. Ok, hubby and I follow our stomach when it comes to vacationing. We will be staying in Poland Springs and we plan on a few day trips to various parts of Maine, Portland being one of them. I was wondering if you could recommend some local places to eat. We always try to stay away from chain restaurants,  we like the local places that the locals like. Any recommendations would be fantastic, and thanks in advance for your help.

AngLK987

Cyndi's Dockside (right down the road from Poland Springs resort) has really good food  

hikingnclimbing

Oh, goodness! There are so many places in Portland that I love. There are tons of good places and my favorites are the ones that are a splurge, but perfect for a special occasion.

555 (555 Congress): Amazing food, but a huge splurge (for us). I loved the espresso and donut dessert. It's been a couple years since I went last, but that has stuck in my mind ever since.

Fore Street: I've heard it's amazing, but I've never been. It's on my list for the next time my cousin comes up.

Street & Company: This is another one on my must go to list. It sounds amazing and has a great reputation.

I'm sure there is more, but my brain just went *POOF!* and I have no idea what else I was going to type. Hmmmm...

MainelyFoolish

If you like beer, the Portland area some good brew pub options. Portland proper has Gritty's and Sebago Brewing Co. South Portland has a Sea Dog Brewing Co. If you venture down to Portsmouth (NH), the Red Hook brew pub is good, too.

If you're looking for fresh fried seafood or lobster, there is a little shack at the end of the road near Two Lights state park in Cape Elizabeth that is good. If you're further south, there is a similar type restaurant in Wells called the Fisherman's Catch that I love to go to.

shuga_23

Two Fat Cats Bakery

Bibo's Madd Apple Cafe

Gritty's

Duckfat

The Green Elephant (vegetarian)

Dogfish

Novare Res (beer/wine and small plates)

Bresca

Hot Suppa (go for brunch)

Local 188 (brunch is also really good)

I love food.

kclouts

The Farmer's Table is also really good and you can sit outside on the deck overlooking the water.

Also, El Rayo Taqueria is great and has yummy cocktails!

lauram730

there is no shortage of good restaurants in Portland (obviously, based on PP replies!)...DH and I just had dinner at Grace last weekend and I was really impressed...plus, it is in an old church, so it is just beautiful inside

we also love getting drinks at the bar at Sonny's...you can also sit outside there and people-watch

Duckfat is always my recommendation for lunch, but it doesn't have a view or anything...we've been heading to the Portland Lobster Company or J's Oyster Bar for lunch outside during off-times, to avoid crowds...both are on Commercial Street, right on the water

another brewery recommendation (just tasting/tour, no restaurant) is Allagash...it is outside of the downtown area, but the beer is amazing and the staff there is great

for wine, try Maine Mead Works, over on the East End...really great people and free tastings

if you're looking for anything specific, just ask!  

maeghan21

Some great places have already been recommended, but I HAVE to ditto The Lobster Shack at Two Lights. Great seafood, but the view is amazing and really the only way you should eat seafood. They also serve burgers and chicken for non-seafood eaters.

Glitzyklm

I am going to add:

The front room and flat bread pizza company. 

IamChrissa

Thank you all so much, you were fantastic.