Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Greater Portland

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for the best special occasion 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 (4874)

$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

Steve

Dined 3 days ago

Best meal we’ve had in Portland. Highly recommended.

Eighteen95, at The Portland Regency Hotel & Spa

4.9

4.9 (365)

$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

MarilynGold

Dined on Oct 25, 2026

Our “go to” for Sunday brunch! Starting with valet parking to fabulous brunch choices to fabulous service…it’s one of the best in town!! A special shoutout to our server, John, who always takes such good care of us!

Isa Bistro - Portland

4.9

4.9 (2029)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Portland

About the restaurant

Dinner 4-9pm, except closed on Tuesdays. Brunch 11:30-4pm Friday & Saturday.
Isa is a small neighborhood bistro serving an eclectic and seasonally driven menu. 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. INDOOR DINING - Reservations accepted up to 30 days out, for 1-8 guests. Large parties cannot be separated into multiple tables. **Indoor reservations cannot be moved outside upon arrival.** If you need to cancel, please do so before 12:30pm or a late cancellation/no show fee will apply.
OUTDOOR DINING - Reservations are available DAY OF only for 1-6 guests as our private patio is weather permitting (not dog friendly).

Top review

Kathie

Dined 7 days ago

First time at Isa Bistro- loved everything about it. Excellent service from start to finish. Food was delicious. All six in attendance agreed. Can’t wait to return!

Scales

4.8

4.8 (8119)

$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 beginning at 4:30pm, Sunday through Thursday, and 4:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

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.

We offer complimentary valet parking during the time of your meal with us.

Top review

James

Dined 3 days ago

Have been two scales numerous times. The food always knocks it out of the park. The steamers appetizer and the baked halibut were to die for.

Magnus on Water

4.8

4.8 (517)

$50 and over

American

Biddeford

About the restaurant

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2026: CHEF-IN-RESIDENCE IAN COFER
For two months only, Chef Ian Cofer runs our kitchen. Ian is now cooking his own food: whole-animal butchery, fermentation and dishes guided by the Maine seasons. His twenty years of cooking include Michelin-starred stages in Chicago and San Francisco.

November and December: a residency with Ian Cofer, Magnus's longtime kitchen consultant, whose cooking draws on Michelin-starred training, a year at Twelve in Portland, and Maine's farms and seasons.

Magnus on Water is a cocktail bar and restaurant in Biddeford, Maine, with an award-winning beverage program led by Creative Director Brian "Cat" Catapang. Our bar holds two Pinnacle Guide pins (Outstanding), the bar world's Michelin stars, held by fewer than 100 bars worldwide. The restaurant was a 2022 James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef: Northeast. The space is a warm, art-filled room with low light, a beautiful bar and a patio on the Saco River.
Open Thursday–Sunday, 5–9pm.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined 6 days ago

A very cool place! We loved the food, service and vibe.

Street and Co.

4.7

4.7 (4067)

$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 mid-October, depending on weather. We book the majority of the dining room but reserve a few tables for walk in as well.

Top review

Rick

Dined on Nov 3, 2026

Wonderful meal and experience, as always. The lobster fra diavlo was really special!

Discover more

Popular dish

Mussels Marinara

Popular dish

Lobster Diavolo (For Two)

Popular dish

Shrimp with Butter and Garlic

Lucky Cheetah

4.7

4.7 (630)

$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: 1:30h for parties of two, 2 hours for parties of 4 or more. Walk-in seats are available at the bar.

Top review

Kim

Dined 6 days ago

We have dined here multiple times! Spot on each visit. By accident our server brought soup dumplings and even though we wanted the pork buns we LOVED the dumplings! We really love this place and will assuredly return!

Discover more

Spicy Lobster Lo Mein

Solo Italiano

4.6

4.6 (3220)

$50 and over

Italian

Portland

About the restaurant

We currently offer in-house dining Tuesday through Sunday from 4:30-9:30pm (last seating at 9:00pm other than Friday and Saturday).

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

Shannon

Dined on Nov 4, 2026

We had such a wonderful experience at Solo Italiano! Bruce greeted and seated us with such genuine warmth and kindness, setting the tone for a fantastic evening. Our server and food runner were equally impressive—attentive, thoughtful, and incredibly detail-oriented. The level of hospitality and care throughout our experience truly stood out. Exceptional service all around!

Kon Asian Bistro - Portland, ME

4.3

4.3 (355)

$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

Ken

Dined on Sep 25, 2026

Great Friends, Great Food, loads of fun. The chef was very entertaining and very talented in the art of Hibachi cooking. We were entertained the entire meal and the food was delicious.

The Chart Room at Black Point Inn

4.1

4.1 (651)

$31 to $50

American

Scarborough

About the restaurant

Enjoy the warmth and charm of casual dining in The Chart Room Restaurant at Black Point Inn. Our menu features American cuisine using the best ingredients with a commitment to local, sustainable seafood. Enjoy stunning water-views and sunsets and views of Mount Washington over the ocean while enjoying our signature cocktails or a selection from our extensive wine list.

**IMPORTANT DATES FROM THE BLACK POINT INN TEAM**
Lunch hours are shortened on 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/17, and 10/24 . Our last seating will be at 12:30 pm on these dates.

We will be closed for dinner on the follow dates: 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/17, and 10/24.

Top review

Dined on Oct 14, 2026

Beautiful location and exceptional food. Breakfast is incredible with a great menu and unique options. Dinner was also excellent both nights.

Discover more

Popular dish

Wild Maine Blueberry Pie

Explore Diners' Choice best of Greater Portland