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Fore Street

$50 and over

Contemporary American

288 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101

Make a reservation

Fore Street

4.9

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Portland

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 5, 2026

7:30 PM

Booked 59 times today

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Lively
Innovative

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.

OpenTable Icon

2026

From the OpenTable editors: Sam Hayward was championing Maine's farm-to-table movement long before it became the norm, and that instinct still drives Fore Street, set inside a converted factory in Portland's Old Port. The wood-fired hearth turns out rope-cultured mussels in garlic-almond butter and dry vermouth. Drink the house Manhattan alongside it. Soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and dark wood beams frame a bustling tavern room, the same space where Hayward earned Maine's first James Beard Best Chef Northeast award and Dana Street later won Outstanding Restaurateur.

Executive chef: Fred Elliot

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Organic, Seafood
Hours of operation
Daily 4:30 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(207) 775-2717
Website
http://www.forestreet.biz/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
288 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101
Award-winning
1. OpenTable Icons 2026
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, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Mixed Organic Salad Greens
Barrel Aged Cider Vinaigrette
Chilled and Smoked Seafood Platter
Ever-evolving selections prepped daily from the sea
Wood Oven Roasted Maine Mussels
Garlic Almond Butter
Charcuterie
House made smoked sausages, confits, rillettes, brawns, terrines and pates. Hand Crafted Daily
Wood Grilled Natural Hanger Steak
Cipollini Onions and Greens, with a tomato and horseradish vinaigrette
Turnspit Roasted and Dry Rubbed Pork Loin
Natural Quebec Pork. Morse's sauerkraut with pickling spices
Turnspit Roasted Organic Maine Half Chicken
From Whitefield Maine. Charred cornbread rusk with toasted black cumin sweet butter
Wood Oven Roasted Whole Fish
Served tail on bone in, varying species

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Fore Street.

4.9

(4863)

4.9Food
4.8Service
4.8Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Portland / Maine
Best Overall
Portland / Maine
Best Food
Portland / Maine
Best Service
Portland / Maine
Best Ambiance
Portland / Maine
Best Value
Portland / Maine
Innovative
Portland / Maine
Hot spot
Portland / Maine
Great for fine wines
Portland / Maine
Good for special occasions
Portland / Maine
Most Booked
Greater Portland
Best Overall
Greater Portland
Best Food
Greater Portland
Best Service
Greater Portland
Best Ambiance
Greater Portland
Best Value
Greater Portland
Innovative
Greater Portland
Hot spot
Greater Portland
Great for fine wines
Greater Portland
Good for special occasions
Greater Portland
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Fore Street offers an "unbelievably creative and delicious" dining experience with its farm-to-table approach and wood-fired ovens. Guests rave about the "sumptuous cocktails," "amazing" service, and the vibrant atmosphere. The menu changes daily, ensuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. Reservations are recommended for this "top-notch" Portland gem.

4,863 Reviews

P
Patricia Gold
Washington DC5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food and the service were phenomenal. The duck with pecans was delicious.
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J
Jeffrey Gold
Unspecified2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A menu with so many delicious options it took me 15 full minutes to decide. The ambiance is perfect with wood smoke, wrought iron, and finger-print-less windows that scream lumber mill turned barndominium. It’s hegge (cozy). The foie Gras was to die for and the pork presse with spaetzle was amazing although I just have easily could have selected the pork belly or the mussels or the bone marrow. Each dish was executed well and the service was on point. Portland punches above its weight in the food scene and Fore Street is a serious contender.
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D
Dana
Naples11 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food is terrific but it’s the great service and warm ambiance that puts fore st over the top
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S
Steve Gold
Nashville12 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Phenomenal dining experience with some of the best food we’ve had. The swordfish was the best I’ve ever had and the pork was outstanding. Great service, atmosphere, and value. Highly recommend.
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D
Dan
Detroit33 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great flavors, huge menu, service knowledgeable and so helpful. Might be our new #1 in Portland, but so hard to get a reservation.
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G
Gina
Greater Boston4 reviews
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
I had an incredible meal at fore st during my last visit , so I was looking forward to returning. This most recent visit had some definite highlights, but unfortunately not everything lived up to my previous experience. The kale salad was excellent, and the pecan butterscotch cream pie was absolutely outstanding. Definitely highlight of the meal. The mussels were good as well. However, the swordfish was rather unremarkable and didn’t leave much of an impression. The hotdog appetizer was also very disappointing and fell below the standard I had come to expect. Overall, there was some wonderful dishes , but the meal was a bit inconsistent.
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D
Devon
Cancun8 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Comfortable. Delicious. Great service. Perfect ambiance.
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N
Naomi
Greater Boston19 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent as always. Service is outstanding. Wine choices excellent. Amazing food.
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M
Mark
Greater Boston11 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Always good food, but variation increasingly limited. Service ok, but also declining. Not as attentive as they used to be.
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L
Lisa Gold
New York City40 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 29, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Great food, great atmosphere. Highly recommend. Be sure to make a reservation.
Is this helpful?

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Organic, Seafood
Hours of operation
Daily 4:30 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(207) 775-2717
Website
http://www.forestreet.biz/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
288 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101
Award-winning
1. OpenTable Icons 2026
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, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Guests commonly describe Fore Street's main portions as generous, reviewers note fairly generous mains and 'ample portions' that sometimes leave leftovers.

Casual dress is the guide, neat, comfortable clothing is appropriate for dining at Fore Street.

Fore Street is warm and wood‑fire driven, a brick and soapstone hearth and an open kitchen fill the room with wood‑smoke aroma, creating a cozy, energetic dining space that feels intimate and rustic.

Yes, Fore Street is frequently chosen for anniversaries and special evenings, praised for its cozy, hearth‑centred dining room and memorable celebratory meals.

Aim for right at opening, around 4:30–5:00 pm, if you hope to snag a walk‑in and enjoy the intense wood‑fire aroma at first seating; otherwise reserve well in advance, especially for evening dinner.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a reservation

Fore Street

4.9

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Portland

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 5, 2026

7:30 PM

Booked 59 times today

Fore Street

Make a reservation

Fore Street

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

OpenTable Icon

Additional information

Appetizers

Garden (Salads and Homemade Soups)

Raw and Chilled Seafood

Wood Oven Roasted and Grilled Seafood

Grilled, Pan Seared and Oven Roasted Meats

Chilled Meats and Offal (Charcuterie)

Entrees

Pan Seared Seafood

Wood Oven Roasted Seafood

Wood Grilled Meats

Turnspit Roasted Meats

Plants

Vegetables to Share

Desserts

Artisan Cheeses

Bite Size and Hand Crafted Cakes, Ice Cream & Pastries

Hand Made Chocolates

Signature Items

Mixed Organic Salad Greens

Chilled and Smoked Seafood Platter

Wood Oven Roasted Maine Mussels

Charcuterie

Wood Grilled Natural Hanger Steak

Turnspit Roasted and Dry Rubbed Pork Loin

Turnspit Roasted Organic Maine Half Chicken

Wood Oven Roasted Whole Fish

Loved For

Review summary

Additional information

FAQs

What are the portion sizes like at this restaurant?

What is the dress code for Fore Street?

What's the ambience/atmosphere like in this restaurant?

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When is the best time to go to Fore Street?

Make a reservation

Fore Street

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