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  5. Portland

Fore Street

4.8
4.8
3249 Reviews
$50 and over
Contemporary American

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.




Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 65 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American, Organic, Seafood

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Dinner Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm

  • Phone number

    (207) 775-2717

  • Payment options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Sam Hayward

  • Neighborhood

    Portland

  • Cross street

    Franklin and Pearl

  • Parking details

    Fore Street has free parking from 5pm to 12am in the parking lot behind the building, depending on availability. Street parking is available as well as customer paid parking in 2 parking garages within 1 block.

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 3,249 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Maine

    Best Ambiance

  • Maine

    Innovative

  • Maine

    Contemporary American

  • Maine

    Most Booked

Sort by

  1. Mike

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food quality and service has been consistently excellent over the many years that we've dined here. You won't be disappointed!
  2. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service. Wonderful open vibe. Loved watching the chefs and staff do their magic. Making reservations is the easiest way to get a seat. If not you wait at the bar and hope they can seat you. If you call, their messaging tells you more about it.
  3. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our food was delicious but the staff went above and beyond to make sure we could enjoy a fabulous meal - with our two children (3 and 1) joined.
  4. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely delicious! Every single aspect of our night was perfect.
  5. JosephS

    New England

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great unique spot with yummy food. Location near the water front.
  6. JuliaM

    New York Area

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious! Best meal in Portland! We loved everything.
  7. DarleneS

    New England

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Fore Street seems to be returning to the unique excellence -- acquired through the innovative use of local resources -- from its well-acclaimed past.
  8. AlexKelsey

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely stunning experience for our anniversary. Impeccable service and the food was out of this world. Beautiful space with a lounge and bar area while waiting to be seated. Can't wait to go back.
  9. MonicaM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, service, and atmosphere. Highly recommend!!
  10. DougN

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great atmosphere, tasty craft cocktails, wonderful and friendly wait staff, and the most delicious food! A must visit!
  11. RobertG

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food at Fore Street is always exceptional. The menu changes daily, everything is locally sourced and fresh, and everything is made with care and attention. One of our favorite restaurants.
  12. GrahamG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As the just passed Tina Turner would say, Fore Street is simply the best. It is almost a gift when they run out of a dish (in this case the pork coppa, which was to be served with a ramp pistou and sounded amazing), as it eliminates one of the string choices. Outstanding again all around.
  13. HaleyK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous experience every time we dine here! Service and food are great!
  14. CherieS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went to Fore Street for the first time last night. I had the lamb steak and my husband had hanger steak. From the atmosphere to the server and the food is it was excellent. We enjoyed it so much we cancelled our reservation at another restaurant and going back to Fore Street tonight.
  15. OpenTable Diner

    New Orleans

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was delicious - great service, vibes top, hit with a fire smell as soon as you walk in. Really cool experience and definitely looking forward to coming back.
  16. TroyB

    New England

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing restaurant with some of the best food and service we've ever had. I highly recommend this place. Tip for first timers , they want all the food ordered at once so be prepared to make fast decisions. 10/10
  17. AndrewC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was excellent and the food was fantastic. Our grilled octopus small plate was delicious. Highly recommended.
  18. food2di4

    New England

    76 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    76 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Our first time dining at Fore Street and can not wait to return. Great customer service and the food was outstanding!!! Loved the open kitchen.
  19. Kasey

    New England

    145 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    145 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing as always. Loved the Bees Knees! Our server, Lucas was terrific.
  20. Slugman

    London

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Phenomenal food, service and vibe. Highly recommended. The wines by the glass are a poor selection but everything else is phenomenal
  21. ChadC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, a bit pricey but a great place to eat.
  22. BillH

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was extraordinary. As always at Fore Street. The ambiance is so inviting. Feels like an old English tavern or inn. The wood fire for grilling and rotisserie cooking creates a warmth and smells great. The open kitchen is mesmerizing. The staff are as knowledgeable and experienced and professional as you will find anywhere. And extremely friendly. Our server Sarah was outstanding. And the food is out of this world. We had oysters and oven-roasted steamed mussels for appetizers. Both were as good as we have ever had. Our entrees were the spit-roasted half chicken, and a spinach and swiss chard pie (think spanakopita). The chicken was the best I have ever had, anywhere. The pie was delicious. We didn’t have room for dessert because we ordered the corn bread as a side and it felt like a dessert. This restaurant is one of our all-time favorites. Cannot recommend it highly enough.
  23. LindaB

    New England

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent dinner last night at Fore Street. Everything was great from the speciality cocktails, bread and butter, entree and dessert. Our server was excellent also, giving us plenty of time to review the menu but not neglecting us. My friend had the vegetarian dish and enjoyed it very much. I had the day boat scallops with seasonal fiddleheads and potatoes. I don't remember what was in the sauce but it was very good. We split the yummy key lime pie. We were celebrating a big birthday and appreciated the birthday wishes written in chocolate on the dish.
  24. Maynovmom

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We loved our meal. Everything was delicious. Our server Ryan was very professional and explained some of the items in more detail to help us choose from many different choices. We thoroughly enjoyed our appetizer, main courses and desserts.
  25. JamaicaG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The atmosphere was great and our server was wonderful. All the food was great besides the broccoli rabe, which was a little too Smokey, but over all we enjoyed the experience and it was a great mothers day
  26. osprey

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding food, loved the pork Wellington. Great experience!
  27. RachelO

    New England

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We’ve been coming to Fore Street for over 20 years. It is by far our favorite restaurant. The constantly changing menu with fresh, in season ingredients is always amazing. It’s a great variety of proteins along with unique pairings and everything is always fabulous.
  28. SamuelG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing cuisine, that comes out all at once, was served family style and had a charming waitress.
  29. SeanT

    New England

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Great food as usual. The service was a little slow - especially being the first seating.
  30. Angus

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    Long wait for drinks and food. Hanger steak was very salty, spit roasted pork was over cooked and not as good as expected, desserts were good, nice waitress.
  31. MichaelG

    New England

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Consistently amazing for the over 22 years that I having been coming here !
  32. Jessica

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went for our 41st anniversary. We wanted it to be special and it surely was. Everything tasted great. The service was exceptional. The best restaurant we have been to in Maine.
  33. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful experience. Warm, comforting and rustic environment. Delicious, uniquely prepared dishes with a variety of different sides. Waitstaff and service was impeccable.
  34. JustinW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    They took care of us! We changed reso kinda last minute and they were able to accommodate graciously. We were celebrating our marriage this weekend with family and they capped off the weekend perfectly! I forget our servers name but she was wonderful. We come every year and never leave disappointed. Thank you!
  35. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food, service and ambiance always excellent. Perfect choice for special occasions!
  36. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Their chicken was the best I've ever had! Our server was wonderful and the food was superb. Best anniversary dinner we could've asked for.
  37. BruceU

    Chicago

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding food and drink served by professionals. It doesn’t get any better. Bravo!
  38. DanP

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a fantastic time. They absolutely know how to elevate food, and provide the perfect dining environment for a special occasion.
  39. PatriciaM

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We really enjoyed our meal at Fore Street. The menu was pretty extensive, the food was very good, and I really enjoyed the vibe of the place. Service was excellent without being snooty. From our table we had a good view of the salad/app chef and enjoyed watching him put together some beautiful and tasty dishes.
  40. TiffanyG

    Salt Lake City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is my favorite restaurant experience. The food, atmosphere, service and noise level are perfect.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

Fore Street is rated 4.8 stars by 3249 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 65 times today
Google Map for Fore Street

288 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Franklin and Pearl

  • Neighborhood

    Portland

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Dinner Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American, Organic, Seafood

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Fore Street has free parking from 5pm to 12am in the parking lot behind the building, depending on availability. Street parking is available as well as customer paid parking in 2 parking garages within 1 block.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Sam Hayward

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
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