Whether you’re visiting for the first time and wondering where to get your food and drink on or you’re a local looking for your next hangout spot, here are 4 places to eat and drink in Portland, Maine this July 2023.
From a new bakeshop and luncheonette to high-end fish, Portland’s favorite bathroom, and the fried rice king of Maine, you don’t want to miss these spots.
The Newbie: Ugly Duckling
Portland has no shortage of great places to grab a bite and a coffee while getting some work done, and this small West End gem is a must-add to the list. Owned and operated by Ilma Lopez and Damian Sanosnetti (aka the Lopesettis), the Venezuelan Italo-American family behind Chaval, Ugly Duckling aims to be “your daily stop for coffee, wine, cocktails, grab and go, sit down, brunch, [or] that something savory and sweet you didn’t know you needed.”
This luncheonette serves up incredibly fluffy, homemade buttermilk english muffins in flavors like everything seasoned, rye and caraway, and sea salt (they also have a gluten-free and vegan option), plus a daily special. Whether you want yours toasted with butter, slathered cream cheese, or as part of a sandwich is up to you—the Pastrami on Rye with house made beef pastrami, a fried egg, aged provolone, and horseradish-red eye espresso aioli is always a good choice.
Did we mention the sweets? Ugly Duckling offers a rotating menu of flavored eclairs, trocaderos (think a brioche bun stuffed with pastry cream), egg tarts, and more, but they’re available at different points throughout the day. For the best chance of getting the treat you want (and, let’s be honest, deserve), grab a coffee or espresso drink made from Speckled Ax beans, a fruity mimosa, or a house cocktail and settle in at the horseshoe bar for a few hours. You won’t regret it.
Open Monday – Sunday, 7 AM – 2 PM
Great for: breakfast and lunch, coffee, cocktails, creative pastries, getting work done, solo dining, small groups
246 Danforth Street
Most people know Via Vecchia as the incredibly gorgeous, ivy-covered building on the cobblestoned Dana Street, but my favorite fact to share is that the chic Italian eatery is also home to the city’s best bathroom, according to our Portland, Maine Best of 2022 Awards (also the best ambiance, best wine list, best restaurant service, and best date spot—talk about a sweep!).
Once you’ve taken the perfect bathroom selfie for Instagram, set your sights on the seasonal menu: from steak and seafood to pizette, pasta dishes, and small plates, (plus Italian staples like risotto and pork Milanese) you can’t go wrong with any option. The chefs at Via Vecchia, Italian for “the old way,” find inspiration at the intersection of old world Italy and coastal Maine, and the cocktail program brings new techniques to classic flavors. The boozy Caprese Milk Punch with dry Vermouth, tomato, basil, and white balsamic (clarified with milk) is something you’re unlikely to find anywhere else, and the extensive wine menu includes 11 pages of Italy’s finest reds, whites, and bubbles.
If you’re looking for a post-work bevvie Tuesday – Friday from 4 PM – 6 PM, Via Vecchia hosts Aperitivo with discounts on cocktails like the Aperol Spritz, Vesper, and Shakerato. While the interior design at Via Vecchia oozes luxury (hello, velvet booths), the patio is divine for summertime meet-ups with friends.
Closed Monday, opens at 4 PM Tuesday – Sunday
Great for: dinner with friends, out-of-town guests, fancy cocktails, Italian dishes, first dates, wine
10 Dana Street
The Food Truck: Barry Larry’s
New to the local food truck scene, Barry Larry’s comes from a skilled hibachi chef with a passion for fusion flavors and Asian-inspired cuisine. The self-proclaimed “Fried Rice King,” Barry Larry began his culinary journey as a busboy and graduated to selling food in the dorms at St. Joe’s during his college years. After successful catering and pop-up gigs led him to open N to Tail, a Korean BBQ spot where he’s worked for years, Larry decided to venture into the land of food trucks.
Barry Larry’s menu includes varieties of fried rice (beef, chicken, Chinese sausage, or veggie), Korean corn dogs, popcorn chicken, and chef’s specials like lemongrass beef sticks and li hing pineapple (pineapple tossed in salted plum powder).
You can find the truck at local events, breweries, and more—follow Barry Larry’s on Instagram for the latest updates.
Great for: Asian fusion, Korean hot dogs, fried rice
Personal Pick: Scales
Sure, it’s one of the pricier restaurants in town, but Scales is well worth the cost. Not only do you get fantastic seafood dishes and great drinks, but the floor-to-ceiling waterfront views are incredible and the service is top-notch. In fact, it’s one of my favorite restaurants when family members are visiting Portland and want to hit up somewhere special that I don’t go to on the reg (looking at you, mom and dad).
If you’re celebrating a birthday, graduation, or anniversary any time soon—or you’re just hoping for an upscale night on the town—make a reservation, stat. Scales is popular for a reason: the restaurant is part of a family that includes Street & Company, Fore Street Restaurant, and Standard Baking Company, meaning the chefs know what they’re doing. The pan roasted halibut, which comes with fingerling potatoes, brown butter, hazelnuts, and lemon, is one of my top three favorite dishes in town, and the seared scallops arrive with bacon chunks the size of a quarter. Scales’ raw bar menu features local oysters and clams on the half shell, and the ramp rolls are an absolute must-order.
Its post-industrial warehouse space on the working waterfront means Scales is bright and airy, not cramped and dark like upscale restaurants tend to be. The open kitchen is always a joy to watch, as is the crushed ice (for keeping the seafood cold, of course) that gently falls from the ceiling.
Open Sunday – Thursday 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM, Friday and Saturday 4:30 PM – 10 PM
Great for: upscale dinner, raw bar, seafood, out-of-town guests, celebrations
68 Commercial Street
