Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Greater Portland

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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 (4255)

$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

Josh

Dined 4 days ago

This is an amazing restaurant!!! Highly recommend and highly amazing! Food was amazing, great and amazing service, atmosphere is amazing and overall this is a 10/10!

Scales

4.9

4.9 (6802)

$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 4:00pm.

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

Austin

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding! Celebrating our 15 year anniversary and our waitress, Paige, was superb! She went above and beyond to make jt a great experience for us! A memorable meal for sure.

Street and Co.

4.8

4.8 (3410)

$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

MichaelVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Great meal. Great environment. The service is excellent and the site is amazing.

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Lobster Diavolo (For Two)

The Foreside Tavern

4.8

4.8 (361)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Falmouth

About the restaurant

The Foreside Tavern, located in Falmouth, Maine, is a neighborhood restaurant and sports bar where everyone can join over a great meal featuring fine American cuisine along with a few Asian fusion and French-inspired dishes. The chef at Foreside Tavern is dedicated to providing a menu that everyone will enjoy.

For a casual night of watching the game and enjoying a drink, diners can try the Foreside nachos, and deep fried wings. Quick lunches on the Foreside Tavern menu include fish and chips, Classic Reubens and an amazing Cobb Salad. Finally, head in for an elegant dinner with the Hanger Steak, Pan Fried Haddock or Cavatelli.
Curbside Pickup is always an option!

Top review

Susan

Dined on Jun 11, 2025

It was a little chilly dining inside. Air was on too low of a temperature.

Bird & Co.

4.8

4.8 (311)

$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

liz

Dined on Jun 11, 2025

Bird &Co did not disappoint. We had dinner with some friends and the host was incredibly caring about finding us a table we liked. The tacos were yummy, as were the chips and guacamole. The brussels sprouts were also amazing. Really yummy margaritas too.

Lucky Cheetah

4.7

4.7 (282)

$31 to $50

Chinese

Portland

About the restaurant

Dumpling enthusiasts and champagne lovers alike can indulge in in the elevated, yet unpretentious fine-dining experience offered in this sexy, and intimate underground hideaway. The menu honors Cantonese classics with dishes Char Siu Bao, while creative offerings such as Lobster Dumplings with Scallion Sabayon showcase culinary innovation in this celebration of Chinese American fare. A deep champagne and wine list complements the menu, and at the 11-seat Pink Italian Stone bar, classic cocktails are shaken up with unique spice combinations and Asian-produced liquors, like an Old Fashioned riff “Old Prosperity” made with Bourbon and Amaro Nonino at Portland, ME

Note: Table reservation durations: 1.5 hours for parties of two, 2 hours for parties of 4 or more. Walk-in seats are available at the bar.

Top review

holly

Dined 2 days ago

Great cocktails and great food with a number of gluten free options. Excellent waitstaff!

REGARDS

4.6

4.6 (293)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Portland

About the restaurant

Bringing some LA vibes to the northeast. REGARDS draws inspiration from the diverse food culture of Los Angeles. We highlight flavor profiles from Japan and Mexico with the freshest of Maine produce and products.

The menu at REGARDS has bright, zippy ceviches and crudos, rich tamales, plump Argentinian shrimp tacos, along with mezcal cured hamachi collars, crab rice and grilled cabbage with caesar.

Clarified lime margaritas with eucalyptus or our gin and sotol martinis with hibiscus pair with our adventurous menu. We pour natural wine and have a large selection of curated mezcals and tequilas.

A place for us and for you. Might not make sense, but it sure is delicious. Across the street from Reny's. Nearby Maine College of Art, Portland Stage Company, State Theatre, Empire Comedy Club and Blue Jazz Club.

**The 50 Best New Restaurants of 2022, Bon Appetit**
**Plate Magazine Chef's To Watch, 2023**
**Star Chef New England, 2023**

Top review

Anne MarieVIP

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Incredible menu--so innovative. And delicious! Each dish was curated for distinct flavors and were a treat for the palate!

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Kon Asian Bistro - Portland, ME

4.5

4.5 (331)

$30 and under

Asian

Portland

About the restaurant

Kon Asian Bistro Steakhouse & Sushi Bar is an upscale Asian restaurant with a new, modern flair. We offer a truly amazing dining experience. Japanese, Sushi, Thai, Chinese, and Japanese Hibachi cuisine offers tastes of the orient that leave you wanting more. Kon Asian Bistro is a truly exciting place to socialize and enjoy yourself.

Have a cocktail, glass of wine, beer, or other delightful beverage and relax and have fun. Experience our entertaining and delicious hibachi tables. They are something you won't soon forget! Our unique private party room can accommodate larger parties, from business meetings to birthday parties and more!

Please advise if your reservation is for the dining room or Hibachi.

Top review

Kristen

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

We always have a great experience at Kon! We especially love when we are seated with Candice - she always provides excellent service and is friendly and helpful.

Little Tap House

4.5

4.5 (405)

$30 and under

Bistro

Portland

About the restaurant

A neighborhood gastropub featuring 14 local beverages on tap and scratch-kitchen fare. Menu features shares, entrees and house-made desserts. Reservations available in our dining room; our bar and high-top area is almost always dedicated to walk-ins. For reservations for seven or more, email us at littletaphouse@gmail.com.

Steps away from popular venues such as the Portland Museum of Art, Cross Insurance Arena, and the State Theater. A welcoming dining experience for locals and visitors-alike!

Top review

MandaVIP

Dined 7 days ago

The arancini is outstanding. We also had deviled eggs, Smashburger and fries, and mushroom risotto. All excellent too. Happy hour is well drinks only, wish they had some premium offerings. Service was excellent.

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