Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Greater Portland

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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 (4863)

$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

SteveGold

Dined 4 days ago

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.

Bissell Brothers

4.9

4.9 (21)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Portland

About the restaurant

Bissell Brothers is a family-owned and operated brewery & hospitality destination on Thompson’s Point, just five minutes from downtown Portland, Maine. Alongside our award-winning craft beer, Bissell Brothers Kitchen offers creative, seasonal American cuisine, thoughtfully prepared from the finest local ingredients. Favorites include the Hot Maine Maple Chicken Sandwich, scratch-made Bissell Hot Dog, Jerk Fish Tacos, Farro Salad, and our signature Veggie Burger.

Open seven days a week, join us in our family-friendly taproom restaurant or The Garden, our elevated 21+ bar where craft, comfort, and community meet. In addition to our celebrated beer, enjoy house-made hard seltzers and teas, curated cocktails, wine, ciders, and a wide selection of non-alcoholic offerings.

Our steadfast dedication to quality and Maine heritage is evident throughout both the kitchen and brewery, distinguishing Bissell Brothers as a premier food and beverage highlight for locals and visitors alike.

Top review

AnthonyGold

Dined on Sep 25, 2026

The hostess was amazing. It was family feud night and she made it clear how noisy it would be in the regular seating area and suggested we sit in the bar area instead which was perfect. The bartender was friendly and the food and drinks were really good. Wouldn’t expect anything else from these guys!

Hunt & Alpine

4.8

4.8 (26)

$31 to $50

American

Portland

About the restaurant

Opened in 2013, Hunt & Alpine is a nationally recognized cocktail bar. We feature quality cocktails and spirits, paired with friendly service, a knowledgeable staff, and good food.

For parties of 7 or more, please contact us directly at events@huntandalpineclub.com.

We take limited reservations in order to best serve walk in guests, please stop by - we probably have a spot for you!

Top review

JohnGold

Dined 7 days ago

Good food, pleasant and friendly service. Happy hour is very good value.

Magnus on Water

4.8

4.8 (514)

$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

Terry

Dined 5 days ago

The Fried Chicken was AMAZING! Arroz con Leche was also amazing! Great fun!! Thank you. Riley is awesome! 🤩

Bread & Friends

4.8

4.8 (192)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Portland

About the restaurant

Bread & Friends is a bakery and restaurant serving brunch and dinner. During the day, we specialize in naturally leavened breads, artisan pastries, house-milled flour, and elevated sharing plates for brunch (walk-ins only), complemented by a coffee program featuring Enjoy Coffee Roasters.

At night, sharing plates like handmade pastas and an emphasis on wood-fired cooking take center stage (reservations and walk-ins welcome). We offer a natural wine focused beverage list, as well as beer and aperitivi/amari (no liquor).

Brunch at Bread & Friends is first come, first served - we do not take reservations. At dinner we accept reservations up to 60 days in advance, as well as walk-ins when available. We are located in the Old Port neighborhood of downtown Portland, ME, in close proximity to the Cross Insurance Area. Let's eat, together!

Top review

laurel

Dined 5 days ago

Bread and Friends remains one of my favorite restaurants in the Greater Portland, ME area. The chef is very creative, and every dish was spectacular. (I especially loved the pasta dish- braised lamb agnolotti!) I love that they change their menu often. Our server was excellent too, friendly and personable. It is my go to place when I want to treat myself to a special dining experience. Bread and Friends never fails to deliver!

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4.7

4.7 (219)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Portland

About the restaurant

A casual sushi joint in Portland, ME specializing in sustainable, local seafood. Mr. Tuna includes a poppy, pastel-shaded 30 seat sushi bar and seasonal outdoor seating. Chef Jordan Rubin is hyper focused on quality, earning accolades including a James Beard Nominee for Best Chef: Northeast and Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2025. Mr. Tuna was named #6 Best Restaurant in the Country by Food & Wine and was honored with the Innovation Award from Gulf of Maine Research Institute for its commitment to responsible sourcing. The menu is built around super-fresh, seasonal seafood sourced straight from the Gulf of Maine, as the restaurant is just a short walk up from Portland's waterfront. Try the Tuna Tasting, a four-cut journey through local bluefin, or the Tuna de Tigre, a bright, ceviche-style blend of Peruvian and Thai flavors. Don't skip the classics- the hand rolls are what brought Mr. Tuna to fame in the early food cart days. Save room for a hot pressed ice cream Toastie for dessert!

Top review

Erica

Dined 6 days ago

Great food and service. Interesting rolls and delicious toro tasting. We can’t wait to visit again.

Crown Jewel

4.6

4.6 (41)

$30 and under

American

Portland

About the restaurant

Our seafood-centric menu is bursting with the best ingredients Maine has to offer and our bright, bustling space is made for celebrating. Whatever the occasion, from milestone birthdays and festive showers to intimate weddings and unforgettable off-sites, we’re ready and waiting to bring your vision to life.

Top review

Devon

Dined on Sep 2, 2026

Food was absolutely amazing, service was great, and I loved the vibe and atmosphere. Would definitely go again!!

REGARDS

4.5

4.5 (461)

$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

ardisGold

Dined on Oct 28, 2026

This is a hidden gem in Portland. The food is exciting, delicious, and always surprises in the best of ways. And it’s off the beaten track. Enjoy.

Ladyfish

4.4

4.4 (137)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Portland

About the restaurant

A relaxed, summer-only concept from JordanRubin— Food & Wine 2025 Best New Chef—and partner Marisa Rubin, with award-winning chef, Christine Lau at the helm. Open May-October 2026.

“Ladyfish is about celebrating Maine seafood in its most joyful, unfussy form. It’s the kind of food you want to eat all summer long—thoughtful sourcing, simple execution, and a great place to gather. With Chef Christine on board, it’s all of that plus some really interesting flavor profiles that will raise your eyebrows and make you think you’re tasting something familiar, for the very first time.”

Top review

AnastasiaGold

Dined on Oct 12, 2026

Always a blast and incredibly delicious and creative food!

Sweetfern Geometer

4.2

4.2 (21)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Portland

About the restaurant

To taste the core of this locally sourced menu, we encourage you to order for the table. Simply pick your protein and leave the rest to us. The meal will typically begin with a broth, and include fresh baked rolls, two playful seasonal sides, the main and a starch, and will end with a small bite of sweets or cheese. These dishes are served family style, change regularly, and represent the height of seasonal dining.

Or you can choose from our delicious a la carte menu, featuring fresh fish crudo, a damb luck burger, and smoked mussel carbonara and other gustatory delights.

Top review

Alice

Dined on Oct 25, 2026

The food, the pacing, the warmth were all impeccable! We got the chef's choice and were incredibly impressed. The server was clearly very experienced, giving us the impression we were the only guests while serving everyone with the same grace and ease. 10 out of 10 recommend!!

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