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Portland, Maine is one of my favorite weekend getaways. Only two hours from Boston, Portland has some of the best seafood, bars and restaurants. I’ve been to Portland many times (mostly during the Winter/ Spring). Here are some of my favorite bars, restaurants, and things to do in Portland you’ll want to check out!

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Best Restaurants + Bars in Portland, Maine 

The Holy Donut

The Holy Donut is THE spot in Portland you’ll want to stop by for breakfast. They have the most delicious donuts and it’s a Portland must-eat. My favorite is the maple bacon donut. They do have two locations in Portland.

Duckfat 

Make sure to get here early because it gets super crowded and the inside is pretty small. Highly recommend the poutine, it’s amazing! They also have two locations in Portland, I prefer going to the Frites Shack (it’s a grab-and-go location), so you can avoid the crowds and eat at the brewery next door, Oxbow Brewing Company.

Vena’s Fizz House

Vena’s Fizz House for the coolest cocktails! Check to make sure they are open because last time I went they were temporarily closed.

Bar of Chocolate  

The Bar of Chocolate has the most amazing desserts and dessert martinis. My favorite is the peanut butter martini and they have so many other fun flavors to choose from.

High Roller Lobster

I am super picky about seafood and the High Roller Lobster is the best one in Portland IMO. The service has always been amazing and they also serve alcoholic drinks. 

Maine Mead Works

I had never heard of mead until my old co-worker recommended this place and we loved it! Mead is honey wine and it was pretty tasty.

Maine Craft Distilling 

Lincolns

Lincolns is a really cool secret speakeasy type bar. All the drinks are $5 and cash only. To enter, look for a pair of red double doors on Market Street between Milk Street and Fore Street. Enter through the red doors, go downstairs, find the bookcase and pull it to reveal the entrance to the bar.

Old Port Slice Bar

Best late night pizza!

Bonfire

Fun country bar downtown. They also have swings here which makes a good picture for the ‘gram.

Pearl

Club downtown (a little bit sketchy) but fun. 

Things to do in Portland

Portland Head Light

We grabbed Holy Donut and brought it here to walk around. 

Shopping in Old Port

This is the downtown area where almost all the bars and restaurants are. 

Where to Stay in Portland 

AC Hotel By Marriott Portland Downtown / Waterfront 

Highly, highly recommend staying downtown. I didn’t stay downtown before (at the La Quinta) and it was a pain in the butt. Getting around Portland isn’t the most convenient (parking is typically terrible and the ubers can get pretty expensive) so staying downtown allows you to walk almost everywhere. We stayed at the AC Hotel the last two times we went and it was perfect because we only had to drive to the Portland Head Light.

Other Maine Locations for Combo-trips

If you want to make your trip longer or include other stops in Maine, here are some options:

Bar Harbor – Acadia National Park:  haven’t been but it’s high on my list to go.

York, Maine: We went to Small Beach (pretty crowded, there’s also Long Beach which is larger) and stayed in a rental near the downtown area. The downtown area has a few cute shops and restaurants . It’s very similar to Hampton Beach IMO but smaller. Make sure to get there super early or you won’t be able to get a parking spot or spot on the beach! 

Old Orchard Beach: About half an hour from Portland, Old Orchard Beach is pretty similar to the York, Maine area. There’s a boardwalk with tons of restaurants and an amusement park. “The Shack” has some good seafood and drinks!

On my Portland list for visiting next time:

Bayside American Cafe

Central Provisions

Bam Bam Bakery 

Standard Baking Co

Gilbert’s Chowder House

Portland Lobster Company 

Portland Recommendations from you:

Top of the East – hotel with city views

Drink Exchange

Hifi Donuts

The Cookie Jar – donuts

Front Room –  breakfast or dinner 

Hot Suppa – breakfast 

Blyth & Burrows – cocktails 

Luna Rooftop Bar – cocktails 

Grill Room – dinner

Scales – dinner 

Street & Company – dinner 

Via Vecchia – cocktails or dinner 

Mash Tun – bar w/snacks 

Blue Rooster – late night food 

Portland Lobster Company – live music with your lobster roll 

Taco Escobar – lunch or dinner 

Nosh – lunch or dinner

Pai Men Miyake – delicious noodle bowls/sushi

Lazzari – pizza

Boda – dinner

Bayside Bowl – roof top bar! (also bowling)