Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Greater Portland

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Greater Portland? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Fore Street

4.9

4.9 (4208)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Portland

About the restaurant

Located in Portland's Old Port District, Fore Street opened in June, 1996. The interior surrounds a unique brick and soapstone hearth with a wood-burning oven, grill and turnspit; visible from most tables. We believe that good food travels the shortest possible distance between the farm and the table. Our menu changes every day and is founded upon the very best raw materials from a community of Maine farmers, fisherman, foragers and cheese makers. Most of the Maine foods are organically grown or harvested wild, each brought to us at the peak of its season. In 2002 and again in 2007, Fore Street was named by Gourmet Magazine as one of the Top Fifty Restaurants in the United States. In 2004, Chef-Partner Sam Hayward was named Best Chef: Northeast by the James Beard Foundation.

Top review

Barbara

Dined 6 days ago

We had a wonderful time and a delicious dinner. The menu had so many great options!

Magnus on Water

4.9

4.9 (307)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Biddeford

About the restaurant

Magnus on Water is a cocktail bar and restaurant that features Peruvian-inspired comfort food from Chef Rafael Zimmerman. Bar Director Brian Catapang helms the Pinnacle Award winning cocktail program at Magnus, with rotating, seasonal drinks to compliment the big flavors of Raf's food. Sustainability is paramount to us, and we work with farmers & fisherman who are respectful of Mother Earth, while working diligently to minimize waste.

Our space is polished, but still intimate and cozy, and in the summer Magnus on Water has a large outdoor patio, complete with gardens and fire pits. We also have a private dining room for large parties and are available for full or partial event rentals.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

It was a lovely dinner, great atmosphere, fantastic drinks and thoughtful delightful food!

Isa Bistro - Portland

4.9

4.9 (1466)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Portland

About the restaurant

Isa is a small neighborhood bistro serving eclectic and seasonally driven menu. Reservations are available inside the dining room up to 30 days out, with a maximum of 8 guests. Our private outdoor patio is open seasonally with same day reservations available only, as it is uncovered and weather permitting (not dog friendly). Please provide 24 hours notice for cancellations or a late cancellation fee may apply.
Friday lunch available 11:30-4pm. Dinner daily 4-9pm, except closed on Tuesdays.
A husband and wife duo! A 2023 James Beard nominated chef, Isaul Perez brings his experience cooking French and Italian food in NYC to life with a splash of his Mexican heritage. His wife Suzie is a certified sommelier and face of the front. They showcase local farms and purveyors, offer craft beers and house specialty cocktails. The dining room is cozy and quaint with an original black tin ceiling. Be sure to order any of the Mexican dishes, whatever they may be!

Top review

Matt

Dined 1 day ago

Isa Bistro is a gem! The food is delicious and the service is lovely. The cocktails are delightful and unique.

Scales

4.9

4.9 (6720)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Portland

About the restaurant

A traditional New England restaurant with modern touches, Scales is located on Maine Wharf next to the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal. Enjoy classic fried seafood as well as locally sourced land fare, while enjoying the view of a quintessential working Maine harbor.

Bar seating is available for dinner service by reservation only. Please check with the host to inquire about bar seating.

Our lounge is open for cocktails and raw bar every day beginning at 4:30pm Sunday - Thursday, and 4:00pm Friday - Saturday.

We are only able to seat complete parties at this time. Please note: our patio reservations are weather dependent. If we need to make a change because of weather, we will call you on the day of your reservation to cancel or reschedule your booking.

Top review

Jo-Ann

Dined 5 days ago

Duncan was very attentive and made our evening more enjoyable!

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4.8

4.8 (298)

$30 and under

Mexican

Portland

About the restaurant

We are a neighborhood Taco and Margarita bar. We would love to feed you. Located in the middle of Woodfords Corner, tucked away on the Corner of Deering Ave. and Revere St. Our creative tacos and margaritas use the freshest ingredients and we have something on the menu for everyone.

You deserve Tacos.

Top review

MacVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Best tacos in Portland, Maine...period. Highly recommend.

Street and Co.

4.8

4.8 (3367)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Portland

About the restaurant

Street and Co. is a Mediterranean, bistro style, all-seafood restaurant with a dynamic atmosphere and 35 years of experience, located right in the heart of the Old Port.
Our chefs focus on serving the freshest seafood and the best ingredients available from local purveyors, fishermen and organic farmers. They prepare a simple yet creative menu that highlights the ingredients.
Our personalized wine list truly complements the cuisine and we offer a classic full bar. We serve our full menu at the bar itself and feature a raw bar with a variety of local oysters. The bar is available to book the majority of the year but only available thru walk in for July/August. Our comfortable lounge is great place to get together for drinks and appetizers or to enjoy while waiting for a table.
Al fresco dining is available thru walk-in only from Memorial Day through September, depending on weather. We book the majority of the dining room but reserve a few tables for walk in as well.

Top review

Kim

Dined 2 days ago

Best scallops I’ve ever had!! Absolutely delicious!!

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Lobster Diavolo (For Two)

David's 388

4.8

4.8 (1410)

$31 to $50

Bistro

South Portland

About the restaurant

From the owner of David's (Portland, ME), 388 is a comfortable and casual neighborhood nook where diners can enjoy a range of bold flavors. Both restaurants share the signature of Chef/Owner David Turin, and David's 388 is built "by the Chef, for the Chef." Every week, David's 388 thrills the palette with new dishes that have both creative and traditional influences spanning the width of the globe. The restaurant seats 42 including seating at a Chef’s counter overlooking the kitchen.

Top review

Matt

Dined on Apr 25, 2025

Great service and food. Can be a pricey meal, but the food and drinks are always solid.

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Popular dish

Seafood pappardelle GF+

Popular dish

Crème Brulee

Popular dish

Beef carpaccio & crispy polenta GF

Solo Italiano

4.8

4.8 (2760)

$31 to $50

Italian

Portland

About the restaurant

We currently offer in-house dining Tuesday through Sunday from 4:30-10:00pm (last dinner seating is at 9:30). Takeout is no longer available at this time. Patio dining is available Memorial Day weekend through September and always subject to weather. Please call us directly to reserve a patio table, but keep in mind that of the six 4-tops available outside, three are kept for walk-ins only.

Our restaurant features Paolo Laboa, international chef from Genova, Italy. His menu consists of simple, flavorful and authentic Northern Italian cuisine. This includes handmade pasta, crudo (raw fish), fresh pizza and an all-Italian wine list. Ingredients are sourced locally, from various Maine farms and from the Gulf of Maine, whenever possible.

Top review

Suzi

Dined 5 days ago

Amazing food and excellent service from Zoey. Friendly staff, welcoming. Definitely our go-to

David's Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (3891)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Portland

About the restaurant

A long established local favorite at the center of the historic arts district featuring eclectic decor,
and an energetic atmosphere. David's offers broadly appealing menus that highlight familiar dishes with a
creative twist. Open for lunch and dinner, showcasing delectable options for gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan diners. David’s is known for delicious meals, and warm and friendly service. It’s no wonder that Chef David was voted Portland's best chef in 2021 and chef of the year in 2012.

Top review

Michele

Dined 2 days ago

Watching the chefs cook at the counter was so much fun and they interacted with us which was great. The food was fabulous but the head chef was the true star for me.

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Open Face Lobster Ravioli

Eighteen95, at The Portland Regency Hotel & Spa

4.7

4.7 (339)

$30 and under

American

Portland

About the restaurant

eighteen95 offers warm, intimate décor, punctuated by softly lit chandeliers and a lovely brick fireplace.
Located on the Lobby level of the Portland Regency Hotel and Spa. Complimentary Valet Parking is available.
Currently serving breakfast or brunch 7 days a week. eighteen95 serves special menus on most holidays, check our website for details.

Top review

Dale

Dined on Apr 13, 2025

Impeccable service, great food, great atmosphere and ambience

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