Best Local Spots
Blyth & Burrows
Best cocktails in Portland (and maybe the east coast?!) Their website states, “Our bar is a celebration of life and freedom, set in the historic Old Port district with a nautical atmosphere, commemorating the battle of legendary sea captains Samuel Blyth and William Burrows. Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and carefully constructed small plates with us, 7 days a week.”
Eventide Oyster Co.
Eventide is the place for oysters and lobster rolls with a twist (try the brown butter one—you won’t regret it). We tried a dozen oysters from all over Maine, and it was fun tasting the little differences between each one.
Duckfat
Duckfat is famous for its crispy fries cooked in—you guessed it—duck fat. Add a panini and a milkshake, and you’ve got the ultimate comfort food meal. We’re still drooling over the strawberry rhubarb shake we had there during our recent Maine trip!! This one is also quite close to the Cambria Hotel and Shipyard, where we’ll be having our welcome party on 9/19.
The Maine Souvenir Shop - Portland
This gift shop exclusively features products designed or created by local artists. We stumbled upon this store very late at night (We asked the person at the counter, “Why are you still open?!”), and we were really impressed by the selection of unique sweatshirts, stickers, hats, mugs, etc. Maine is full of kitschy souvenir shops, but this isn’t one of them.
Fore Street Restaurant
Fore Street is a Portland favorite with wood-fired everything—seafood, meats, veggies—all made with local ingredients. The cozy brick-and-wood vibe makes it perfect for a special night out.
Room for Improvement
This place is very much our vibe. It’s a cozy little cocktail bar tucked into a basement on Wharf Street that’s all about serious drinks without taking itself too seriously. Their award‑worthy coconut fat-washed Negroni and espresso martini are the real deal, but the vibe stays laid‑back and fun. It’s a bartender favorite (we asked around), and locals love how it’s both unpretentious and expertly done. We had a blast here, and it’s also where Cole tried his first red hot dog.
Scales
Scales is all about fresh seafood with beautiful waterfront views. Think oysters, lobster, pasta, and seriously good cocktails.
Central Provisions
Central Provisions does small plates with big flavors, mixing local ingredients with global twists. It’s a lively, bustling place—perfect for ordering a bunch of dishes and sharing with friends.