Once upon a time, Washington Avenue at the foot of Munjoy Hill wasn’t somewhere the average Portlander wanted to be. There were no breweries. No nationally-renowned restaurants. Only a few hidden gems sprinkled here and there. But what feels like overnight, Washington Ave from the bridge to Congress St is littered with no shortage of delectations and entertainment.
From meaderies to Japanese izakayas to bike shops, you could spend a whole day on this strip of road and not run out of things to do. Let’s take a stroll down the avenue.
Where to Eat & Drink on Washington Ave Extension
Forage Market
Having opened first in Lewiston, Forage prides themselves on a simple bagel consisting of only four ingredients: flour, water, malt, and salt. If there’s anything Portlanders love, it’s a good bagel. So when Forage opened up a second location on the peninsula, they were slated for success from the very start. Hand-rolled, aged for two days, and cooked by a hardwood fire, these bagels surely give Rose Foods a run for their money as the reigning bagel champs of Portland.
Alongside their bagels are cream cheeses made in-house, pastries, fresh sandwiches and a dedication to local ingredients. Although their cafe may be closed to the public, their commitment to outdoor dining and carryout makes sure that you can still have your favorite bagels safely. Start your day at Forage and maybe end it at a brewery, all without leaving Washington Ave!
Visit their website for more information.
Ramona’s
One of the many brainchildren of Chad Conley and Josh Sobel (Conley being the founder of both Palace Diner and Rose Foods) Ramona’s is a Philly-inspired hoagie shop serving lunch and breakfast fare. What began as a pop-up in places like The Portland Zoo, Ramona’s prides itself on providing hoagies who can’t quite get anywhere else in Portland.
Broccoli rabe and roast beef a Philly-style hoagie makes, but they also serve breakfast sandwich specials like the ‘Rosalie’ (prosciutto, eggs, Cooper sharp cheddar, tomato, & basil mayo) and the classic Ramona Roll (eggs, Cooper sharp, broccoli rabe, bacon, and calabrian chili spread) These unique sandwiches make for the perfect pick-me-up on the way to work or a lunch break treat.
Visit their website for more information.
The Cheese Shop of Portland
The Black Box of Washington Ave, having opened in October of 2018, has acted as an incubator for many new and upcoming businesses in Portland. Its structure of refurbished shipping containers acts as the perfect, and affordable, blank slate for a new business to get their footing. One such business was The Cheese Shop of Portland.
The Cheese Shop opened in 2018 as one of the flagship businesses in the Black Box. Within its narrow walls were offered many locally-sourced and imported cheeses, premium prepared foods and even sandwiches to go. That model has now expanded into their new, larger space at 107 Washington Ave where there is now available seating, an expanded sandwich menu, and an array of their familiar cheeses and accoutrements.
Whether you’re preparing a veritable charcuterie spread or need a lunchtime pick-me-up, The Cheese Shop has you covered!
Tu Casa
Tu Casa, in my and many Portland native’s opinion, is the city’s best hidden gem. I’ve met many folks who even claimed this Salvadoran spot to be their favorite place to eat in town. Why might this be? People have yet to even hear of this humble eatery tucked away on Washington Ave behind conservative, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it signage. Despite its unsuspecting appearance, Tu Casa serves up some of the freshest, most authentic Salvadoran food you can get in the Pine Tree State.
When Tu Casa was first recommended to me, I was told to order the Plato Monanero; steak, avocado, plantains served with rice and beans. This plate is a little bit of everything essential and is the perfect entry dish for those who are new to Salvadoran food. The pupusas (thick corn tortillas filled with cheese and herbs) and house-made horchata aren’t to be forgotten either, and worthy of a spot in your takeout box.
If you’re finding yourself getting tired of the same old takeout, don’t be afraid to switch it up with some Latin American flair.
The Shop by Island Creek Oysters
If there’s anything locals and tourists alike love, it’s a fresh mollusk. Featuring a wide array of different oysters from Maine and Massachusetts, littleneck clams, tinned seafood and alcoholic beverages, the menu has a little something for any diehard seafood connoisseur.
Like many other establishments, Island Creek Oysters is currently serving limited outdoor seating only as well as carryout options. Though with one of the most attractive outdoor patios on Wash, you’ll more than likely prefer to throw back one of their rotating beers and a few good Damariscotta oysters.
Visit their website for more information.
Cong Tu Bot
As we all know, Cong Tu Bot is currently closed and has been for the majority of the past year in response to the ongoing health situation. But that doesn’t mean we can’t sing their praises and tell you all about them. This hip, lowkey venue glows at night with its dim lighting and neon sign in the window. Their entryway is marked by a lovely hand painted mural of their name in hot pink letters. From the outside, you can already get a sense for what kind of chill, creative vibe you’ll experience once you’re inside.
Their authentic Vietnamese menu is just as eclectic as their aesthetic. From your simple pho ga to the cơm chiên hải sản bursting with local seafood, there is no shortage of flavor and inspiration on this menu. Even if you’ve never ventured outside of drunken noodles before, Cong Tu Bot encourages you to try new things with their ever-changing menu and expert chefs behind the bar.
While they may be closed for now, hopefully the day will come when we can all enjoy some of the finest, well-loved Vietnamese food that Portland has to offer.
Visit their website for more information.
Izakaya Minato
Izakaya Minato may just be my favorite restaurant in Portland, period. I was already a huge fan of Japanese food from the start, but Minato brings something very special to the streets of Portland. An izakaya is an informal type of Japanese bar that serves drinks and snacks, and is a favorite amongst Japanese business men and women after a long day at work. Minato takes this format to a whole new level with fresh, seasonal offerings and an elevated dining space that hits just the right balance between casual and upscale.
Among Izakaya Minato’s most beloved offerings are the JFC (Japanese Fried Chicken), uni spoon, and rotating sashimi, as well as their broad selection of filtered and unfiltered sake served in the cup of your choice (yes, they actually bring you a tray of many different adorable antique sake cups to choose from) But the king of the menu is undoubtedly the omakase; a six-course meal at $30 a person offering you the chef’s choice of dishes for the night. This can include anything from the JFC to grilled mackerel to age dofu.
While not available on their abbreviated menu currently, hopefully someday everyone can enjoy what is arguably the best meal and best deal in Portland.
Visit their website for more information.
Radici
Meaning ‘roots’ in Italian, Radici is the brainchild of Randy and Ally Forrester. These two felt that putting down roots here in Portland was the logical next step for them after closing their restaurant in Allentown, NJ. Drawn to Maine by their love of the land and sea, this culinary couple transformed their James Beard semi-finalist restaurant Osteria into the pizzeria Radici.
Their pizza dough is naturally leavened (meaning no yeast) and hand-mixed. With a commitment to fresh, natural ingredients, low intervention wine and high-quality espresso, this newcomer to the Portland food scene will think twice next time you’re craving Dominos.
Visit their website for more information.
Terlingua
Terlingua’s doors are currently closed as they are undergoing renovations, but it is still a beloved and valuable member of the Washington Ave lineup. Established in 2015, Terlingua sought to bring big Tex-Mex flavor to Portland in their small 52 Washington Ave. space. Having graced many Top 10 Conde Nast Traveler and Bon Appetit lists, Terlingua became a quick favorite with their house-smoked meats and hearty brunches. They even opened up their doors as early as 7:30 at one point to begin offering breakfast tacos, burritos and bowls to eat-in or takeout for the busy business person.
However, when Silly’s closed their doors in 2019, Terlingua saw an opportunity to open some new doors.
This new space will double Terlingua’s small seating capacity to nearly 60 seats. This includes both indoor and outdoor seating, taking advantage of the outdoor decks Silly’s left behind, as well as a beer garden. Not only that, but they will also be operating a prepared foods and goods market alongside their dining. So while they may be closed for now, they recently announced their return was on the horizon.
Hopefully soon patrons new and old can come together to enjoy one of Portland’s most beloved East End eateries.
Duckfat Friteshack
We all know and love Duckfat. Their duckfat-fried french fries, the thick Gelato Fiasco milkshakes…I could go on. But what if I told you that you didn’t need to make a reservation at their restaurant to enjoy some of your favorites? And what if I also told you there may even be new and exciting dishes to try? That’s where Duckfat Friteshack comes in.
Having opened two years ago as a part of Oxbow Brewing Co.’s establishment, the Friteshack gives Oxbow patrons a place to line their tummies and enjoy a taste of Middle St. without having to fight the crowds. They carry the fan favorite Belgian-inspired frites and poutine, as well as some newcomers such as the duck fat-fried donut holes and rotating specials like fried chicken sandwiches. Occasionally they also host special menus such as yakitori nights.
If you’re wandering Washington Ave. with a belly full of brews but don’t feel like shelling out the big bucks, maybe all you need are some frites smothered in aioli (and maybe a fried egg).
Visit their website for more information.
Root Wild Kombucha
I have another foodie confession: I didn’t like kombucha for the longest time. Kombucha to me was, as I like to call it, just ‘spicy juice’. A low ABV, a bitter taste, and what the heck is a ‘mother’? Everything about the probiotic drink turned me right off. However, in one fell swoop, Root Wild Kombucha proved to me just how enjoyable a nice glass of kombucha could be.
With flavors ranging from beach rose to pineapple jalapeno, Root Wild makes sure that not a single one of their flavors is boring or unappetizing. My personal favorite is the classic Ginger flavor; good for the tummy and tastes good too! Not to mention they even brew a small handful of their own beers, which is a little more up my alley.
If you ever need a break from the heaviness of a beer, try a flight at Root Wild to cleanse the palate and maybe even find a new favorite.
Visit their website for more information.
Maine Craft Distilling
Boy, do I love Maine Craft Distilling. Within their walls, just about every liquor imaginable is crafted. From the cinnamony Cannon Shot vodka to the beloved Blueshine Liquor, if you have a favorite poison, they make it. Founded in 2012 and with two locations in both Freeport and Portland, MCD quickly became a local favorite. With everything from boozy slushies to a killer fried chicken sandwich, there’s a lot to love on the menu.
But did you know that spirits and snacks aren’t the only things MCD has whipped up? In response to the rising need for hand sanitizer, they were one of the first distilleries to fashion their own hand sanitizer at 80% proof (non-drinkable, obviously) called ‘We Got This’. This trend would quickly be adopted by surrounding distilleries, highlighting the company’s true sense of innovation beyond just liquors.
If you haven’t given them a try yet, stop by their outdoor seating area for a drink or order some canned Blueshine to-go. This is one business I simply must insist you support.
Hardshore Distilling
The liquor train doesn’t just stop at 123 Washington Ave. In 2016, after years of fine-tuning and crafting, Harshore’s flagship product ‘Hardshore Original Gin’ was released and the tasting room soon to follow. And ever since then, that’s been it. Hardshore focuses solely on perfecting their gin and it is the only liquor offered. That may sound discouraging, but trust me, these guys work magic with a little bit of gin and a mixer.
From gimlets to G&T’s, there’s no shortage of creative ways gin can find its way into a cocktail. What could be thought of as a summer drink is transformed here into an anytime liquor with a place in cocktails from smokey to sweet. Not to mention Hardshore also jumped on the hand sanitizer wagon and developed their own concoction in conjunction with neighboring brewers and distillers. A 70% alcohol antiseptic, this will keep your hands as clean as they do smelling good (seriously, smells just like gin!)
Visit their website to learn more!
Maine Mead Works
Before there was Maine Craft Distilling. Before there was Oxbow. In the beginning, there was Maine Mead Works. Back when Washington Ave only had a smattering of local haunts, Maine Mead Works made itself known in 2010 with a giant, welded metal bee for all to see. Mead is a relative unknown for the average person, and finding a place to start may feel daunting, but Maine Mead Works makes that process smooth as…well, mead!
From lavender to chai to blueberry, there’s a flavor for everyone. The elegant bottles invite sharing with friends, and encourage you to stay a while and enjoy their light, wine-like profiles. They even serve mead slushies! Like most other establishments, they currently have outdoor patios available for seating. Maine Mead Works is a true Washington Ave. classic, and isn’t to be overlooked next time you find yourself doing a little drinking tour in this neck of the woods – or, they ship to 35+ states via vino shipper.
Visit Honeymaker to learn more or ship mead to your door.
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
Dim lighting. Wooden barrels for tables. Tucked quietly away from the street for a cozy feel. These are the things that make Oxbow Brewing Co. stand out as a quiet gem on Washington Ave. Accompanied by Duckfat Friteshack, the outdoor patio space is the perfect place to hunker down with some pals (safely!), enjoy some poutine and throw back some deeply satisfying brews. The indoor tasting room may be closed, but the charm of the outdoor space will make you want to stay outside anyway.
With their first location sprouting up in Newcastle, Maine, the move to vibrant Portland was a natural next step. Partnering with a James Beard award-winning restaurant and emphasizing a focus on European-style food and rustic beer, drinking outside has never felt as snug and comforting as it does here.
With three locations, visit them online here.
Anoche
Last but not least, an unexpected delight graced Washington Ave last year. Taking over the old Coffee By Design space at 43 Washington Ave, Anoche is a Basque-inspire cider house and bistro that offers a wide selection of international ciders and spirits as well as innovative modern pintxos. Meaning ‘last night’ in Spanish, Anoche is a place that has an air of being somewhere you come upon when you are lost and discover when you least expect it.
Following CBD’s exit, Anoche received a makeover in the form of a brand new navy blue paint job and a lovely hand painted, hand lettered mural by local mural artist Ryan Adams. Not to mention the lovely hand carved front door with a single light illuminating the entrance inviting people to take a peek into its alluring world. While outdoor seating is the only option right now, enjoying a lovely cocktail slushie on their lavishly-decorated patio has never been so enticing.
Visit their website for more information.
