Guidebook for South Portland
Food Scene
SO GOOD. Bagels are a massive hit. Plus they have great coffee.
164 locals recommend
Scratch Baking Co
416 Preble StSO GOOD. Bagels are a massive hit. Plus they have great coffee.
Delicious seafood, my aunt Becky's diner. I used to work there. Great breakfast. Can get a bit busy! Go early (4am) to hang out with lobstermen.
EXCELLET (some of the best, not kidding) seafood. Extremely fresh, and I never come to town without getting the fried haddock.
88 locals recommend
Joe's Boathouse Catering
Delicious seafood, my aunt Becky's diner. I used to work there. Great breakfast. Can get a bit busy! Go early (4am) to hang out with lobstermen.
EXCELLET (some of the best, not kidding) seafood. Extremely fresh, and I never come to town without getting the fried haddock.
Great "garlic mashed potatoes" type place. Delicious food. On the expensive side. Great parent place. Not hip but very solid, and consistently delicious.
92 locals recommend
Fore Street Restaurant
288 Fore StGreat "garlic mashed potatoes" type place. Delicious food. On the expensive side. Great parent place. Not hip but very solid, and consistently delicious.
Pai Men Miyake
188 State StGREAT NOODLES. Like ramen I guess.
OK this is a great place for oysters, SO I'M TOLD. I've never been but have only heard good things.
272 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StOK this is a great place for oysters, SO I'M TOLD. I've never been but have only heard good things.
The much hipper sister of Fore Street, Scales is a newly opened dinner a dranks spot right on a wharf. Incredible seafood and lovely views for the right time of year.
138 locals recommend
Scales
68 Commercial StThe much hipper sister of Fore Street, Scales is a newly opened dinner a dranks spot right on a wharf. Incredible seafood and lovely views for the right time of year.
Central Provisions
414 Fore St
Drifters Wife
59 Washington AveOK this place is very touristy but there's a reason: it's a spectacular view with classic take-out, "take-a-number-and-somebody-will-call-it" seafood. Sit inside in the old-timey dining room, or enjoy your crab cakes from a picnic table.
136 locals recommend
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
225 Two Lights RdOK this place is very touristy but there's a reason: it's a spectacular view with classic take-out, "take-a-number-and-somebody-will-call-it" seafood. Sit inside in the old-timey dining room, or enjoy your crab cakes from a picnic table.
A great place for locals and tourists alike. They play music too!
131 locals recommend
Portland Lobster Co
180 Commercial StA great place for locals and tourists alike. They play music too!
"Which Portland am I in?" Delicious brunch and nothing about the decor matches!
142 locals recommend
Local 188
685 Congress St"Which Portland am I in?" Delicious brunch and nothing about the decor matches!
Hot Suppa
703 Congress StComfort food breakfast in an *elevated* diner feel and flavor.
Davids 388 Restaurant
388 Cottage RdDelicious low-key, neighborhood joint
THE PEPPERONI PIZZA IS WHAT YOU WANT.
This is a traditional American pie with thick provolone cheese on a dough that the guys throw up in the air. The pepperoni is where it's at.
Pizza Joint
239 Ocean StTHE PEPPERONI PIZZA IS WHAT YOU WANT.
This is a traditional American pie with thick provolone cheese on a dough that the guys throw up in the air. The pepperoni is where it's at.
OTTO
576 Congress StElevated pizza. Delicious in all respects.
Primarily an atmosphere draw. The ice cream is good but not artisanal.
36 locals recommend
Red's Dairy Freeze
167 Cottage RdPrimarily an atmosphere draw. The ice cream is good but not artisanal.
Willard Scoops
429 Preble StYummy odd flavors!
Drinks & Nightlife
This is kind of the first of the hip new millennium bars in Portland. It's relaxed and they have artisanal cocktails.
22 locals recommend
Sonny's Restaurant
83 Exchange StThis is kind of the first of the hip new millennium bars in Portland. It's relaxed and they have artisanal cocktails.
No idea whatsoever why it's named this. This is another hip place to get a glass of whatever tickles your fancy.
74 locals recommend
The Portland Hunt & Alpine Club
75 Market StNo idea whatsoever why it's named this. This is another hip place to get a glass of whatever tickles your fancy.
IF YOU'RE COMING FROM BROOKLYN to escape Brooklyn, do not come here. There's plenty if whiskey to be had here. Last time I was here there was a special gin bar upstairs where a guy scraped pieces of a plant into my beverage. Delicious, tho! And fun!
76 locals recommend
The Jewel Box
644 Congress StIF YOU'RE COMING FROM BROOKLYN to escape Brooklyn, do not come here. There's plenty if whiskey to be had here. Last time I was here there was a special gin bar upstairs where a guy scraped pieces of a plant into my beverage. Delicious, tho! And fun!
This place is HILARIOUS. If I had to describe it, It's like, a look into somebody's hoarder fantasy/nightmare. Fun and old-fashioned Portland. You will see what *some* of the locals are like.
47 locals recommend
Bubba's Sulky Lounge
92 Portland StThis place is HILARIOUS. If I had to describe it, It's like, a look into somebody's hoarder fantasy/nightmare. Fun and old-fashioned Portland. You will see what *some* of the locals are like.
Sightseeing
Must see lighthouse! Make sure to walk the path around the park (if you're facing the headlight, it runs along the cliff to the left) and drink in the sights and smells.
346 locals recommend
Portland Harbor Museum
12 Captain Strout CircleMust see lighthouse! Make sure to walk the path around the park (if you're facing the headlight, it runs along the cliff to the left) and drink in the sights and smells.
**this is a bit far** If you're looking for a nice drive, take a few hours and head up to Bailey's. There's not much to actually do on the island, but you can either take the Casco Baylines to get there and walk around, or you can go for a meal at Cook's Lobster House. I predict you will not be disappointed.
28 locals recommend
Bailey Island General Store
2124 Harpswell Islands Rd**this is a bit far** If you're looking for a nice drive, take a few hours and head up to Bailey's. There's not much to actually do on the island, but you can either take the Casco Baylines to get there and walk around, or you can go for a meal at Cook's Lobster House. I predict you will not be disappointed.
In a few minutes you can walk or bike to Bug Light. From this perspective, you can look out into Casco Bay and see where you are – facing Portland to the left, and the islands to the right.
105 locals recommend
Bug Light Park
In a few minutes you can walk or bike to Bug Light. From this perspective, you can look out into Casco Bay and see where you are – facing Portland to the left, and the islands to the right.
Lovely to take a ferry (Casco Bay Lines) out to Peaks and rent a bike. Last time I was there, you walk up the hill from the ferry, and take a left onto the *main* road. Before long you'll come across some rental bikes. Get this: the rental is an honor system - you leave a few bucks in a coffee can, and then grab a decent bike for a few hours to explore the island. This is Maine, folks! Places like this do still exist!
176 locals recommend
Peaks Island
Lovely to take a ferry (Casco Bay Lines) out to Peaks and rent a bike. Last time I was there, you walk up the hill from the ferry, and take a left onto the *main* road. Before long you'll come across some rental bikes. Get this: the rental is an honor system - you leave a few bucks in a coffee can, and then grab a decent bike for a few hours to explore the island. This is Maine, folks! Places like this do still exist!
Eastern Promenade Trail
Eastern PromenadeNice place to take a walk
Essentials
Hannaford Supermarket
295 Forest AveSam Di Pietro Market
385 Cottage RoadWine, liquor, Italian Sandwiches
Pratt Abbott
109 Cottage RdCVS
51 Market StParks & Nature
FREE public beach. Not the absolute most gorgeous but a solid, free beach a stone's throw from my home.
135 locals recommend
Willard Beach
FREE public beach. Not the absolute most gorgeous but a solid, free beach a stone's throw from my home.
Gorgeous beach. You'll want to devote a good chunk of the day because of prepping, parking, hauling stuff up the walkway. But it's beautiful!
110 locals recommend
Scarborough Beach
Black Point RdGorgeous beach. You'll want to devote a good chunk of the day because of prepping, parking, hauling stuff up the walkway. But it's beautiful!
Casual, no waves beach. Great for little kids to play in the sand.
10 locals recommend
Ferry Road Beach
50 Ferry RdCasual, no waves beach. Great for little kids to play in the sand.
OK I'm letting you in on a not secret but not publicized cliff walk. It's right by the Winslow Homer studio, and you can walk along the outside of the tony Prout's Neck. Good luck finding parking, but the walk is stunning!
10 locals recommend
Winslow Homer Studio
5 Winslow Homer RdOK I'm letting you in on a not secret but not publicized cliff walk. It's right by the Winslow Homer studio, and you can walk along the outside of the tony Prout's Neck. Good luck finding parking, but the walk is stunning!