Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Maine

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Maine? 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 (3932)

$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

Lynn

Dined 2 days ago

Dinner and service were excellent! Highly recommend

Scales

4.8

4.8 (6202)

$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

Liane

Dined 3 days ago

This was our second dining experience at Scales during our ten day trip home to Portland. Once again, 5 stars right across the board. Both of us had the Seafood Stew, which was perfectly prepared and served in a cast iron skillet with toasted sourdough bread for capturing every bit of the delicious sauce. The anadama bread (very traditional in Maine) is not to be missed. The crab fritters appetizer and the evening's special appetizer of pear and goat cheese with arugula were both delectable. My rating of the restaurant as quiet with 5* ambiance is based on patio dining (the flameless candles as evening falls over the harbor are a lovely and romantic touch). The inside dining room is much more lively and louder. Insiders tips: If you cannot get a reservation online (they begin accepting reservations two months in advance), stop by the restaurant at 4pm to try for a walk in table that evening. They begin serving at 4:30pm. Use their FREE valet parking service. Just drive down the wharf to the valet station and drop off your car. This is a HUGE benefit as parking in Portland's Old Port area is expensive and difficult to find.

Discover more

Dunstan Tap And Table

4.8

4.8 (647)

$31 to $50

American

Portland

About the restaurant

A neighborhood joint serving elevated pub food and drink with an upscale casual vibe.

Top review

Pat

Dined on Sep 11, 2024

The food was delicious. I was a delightful day outside enjoying the sun. The waitstaff was attentive and pleasant. A very enjoyable experience.

Rosella

4.8

4.8 (220)

$31 to $50

Asian

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Rosella, part of the Kennebunkport Resort Collection, has expanded from New York City to Kennebunk, Maine! As NYC's only sushi restaurant committed to sustainable ingredients, Rosella now brings its eco-friendly sushi to the beautiful Maine Coast. Enjoy the best sushi in southern Maine, crafted by Executive Chef Matt Kramer.

Nestled in the Grand Hotel in Lower Village Kennebunk, Rosella offers a unique and intimate dining experience with warm hospitality. Our mission is to serve authentic sushi while inspiring our community to embrace sustainability through our delicious creations.

Join us for a memorable meal and explore our monthly events on our website. Don’t miss out on this special culinary journey!

Top review

Bradvip

Dined 1 day ago

Matt Chris Stacy and support staff could not have been more gracious. We had a wonderful evening. Delicious food and professional service. Highly recommend!

Magnus on Water

4.8

4.8 (246)

$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

Gregory D.

Dined 5 days ago

A quality establishment with thoughtfulness and taste directed to every aspect of the dining experience. Better than most Portland restaurants. Highly recommended.

Lucky Cheetah

4.7

4.7 (51)

$31 to $50

Dim Sum

Portland

About the restaurant

Dim sum 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 like Xiaolongbao and Char Siu Bao, while creative offerings such as Foie Gras Blackberry Dumplings with Brown Butter Miso Crumb showcase culinary innovation in this celebration of Chinese American fare. A deep champagne and wine list complements the menu, and at the 14-seat Pink Italian Stone bar, classic cocktails are shaken up with unique spice combinations and Asian-produced liquors, like a Manhattan riff “Doyer’s Street” made with Chinese five-spice infused Burbon and Fernet Michaud from Portland, ME

Note: Table reservation durations: 1,5 hours for parties of two, 2hours for parties of 4 or more. Walk-in seats are available at the bar.

Top review

Amy

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely will go back, excellent food, cocktails and vibe!

REGARDS

4.6

4.6 (227)

$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

Robertvip

Dined 6 days ago

First time back in a couple of years. Still wonderful. Each item is distinctive. Food is awesome. Service is terrific.

Discover more

Jonathan's - Ogunquit

4.5

4.5 (3356)

$31 to $50

Continental

Ogunquit

About the restaurant

With over 48 years in business serving the local and traveling public fresh, local cuisine in a casual yet elegant atmosphere.

If you are searching for the perfect place to indulge in an elegant yet comfortably casual dining experience look no further. Jonathan's Restaurant impresses in every way making it the perfect destination for any special occasion.

Jonathan's Restaurant is Ogunquit's premiere destination for local cuisine and impeccable service. Accented by soft lighting and elegant décor, Jonathan's Restaurant aims to please and succeeds in doing so. The professional staff caters to its guests'; every need making sure not to cut corners and only offering the finest, highest quality ingredients.

The menu is vast and eclectic showcasing an impressive selection of upscale New England specialties.

Top review

Bernard

Dined 6 days ago

Started in the bar for a cocktail prior to dinner. The Manhattan was great and the bartenders were very nice. The live piano player playing old classics was an additional bonus! The food is always five star here. My wife's steak was excellent and my seafood over linguini was phenomenal. Pepe, our waiter was super, no details missed! We make a reservation here every year when we stay in Ogunquit!

Discover more

Ocean Point Kitchen at Bluebird Ocean Point Inn

4.4

4.4 (58)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Boothbay Harbor

About the restaurant

Come gather at Ocean Point Kitchen and take in Maine's most commanding ocean front restaurant views. Look back at your day of adventure while enjoying locally-sourced seafood choices, seasonal salads, and crafted handhelds you seek in a Maine getaway. Whether you are pulling up at our bar or bringing another chair over to your group by the ocean's edge, make your memories and break bread into the night with us.

Top review

Maryvip

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

Great service and fresh outstanding food. We had a cocktail by the water first and then enjoyed lovely scallops, salmon entrees. The spinach salad was a great starter. The bartender Donovan was charming! We will be back!!!

The Frog and Turtle

4.0

4 (1798)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Westbrook

About the restaurant

What is a gastro pub?” Gastronomy is the study of preparing and consuming food. A pub is a neighborhood spot for affordable food and good times. When you combine the two you get a neighborhood spot with a focus on food prepared from scratch with fresh ingredients.

Top review

Gail

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

The service was great and the food was delicious

Explore Diners' Choice best of Maine

Explore more Diners' Choice lists