Tandem Coffee in the West End, get there early there is always a line becuase the coffee and freshly baked goods are amazing. This place was so good, we went every single morning! They are known for their buscuits and for good reason! I had to have the loaded savory: Buttermilk biscuit with Fredrikson Farm goat cheese and house made tomato jam and it was 100/10! They also have cookies, scones, pie and quiche!
Matchamood, the first dedicated matcha bar in Portland, Maine. Their menu is a matcha girl's dream, featuring flavors like strawberry, purple ube, black sesame, coconut cloud, Biscoff, yuzu lemonade, and more. You can customize your drink with coffee jelly, order it iced, hot, or blended as a frappe, making it easy to find your perfect matcha mood. I went with the Purple Matcha, an iced matcha with ube and lavender and it was just as delicious as it was photogenic.
Don't skip the croffles (croissant + waffle). Whether you're craving sweet options like strawberries & cream, cookies & cream, or Biscoff, or savory favorites like egg & bacon or ham & cheese, they're the perfect pairing with your drink. And if you're traveling with someone who's not on the matcha train, they also serve rich Vietnamese coffee, so everyone leaves happy. It's one of those cafés that's just as fun to photograph as it is to sip your way through. 💚
Start the day with famous gourmet potato donuts at Holy Donut! Started by a a visionary single mother, who her apartment kitchen into a donut laboratory fueled by a desire to offer a healthier donut that she felt comfortable sharing with her daughter. With so many fun flavors to try, I opted for the Lavendar donut!
Lunch at Highroller is a must! Known for their lobster rolls and beer, the menu has also expanded to include oysters, red snappah red hot dogs, grilled cheese, whoppie pies and more! We opted for hot lobster rolls with butter, red hot dogs, chicken nuggets and a variety of fries.
Sur Lie is a tapas style restaurant with a unique and local flare. We did the Chef’s Choice Tasting and it was amazing! Some of the dishes we tried had such unique touches like mussles with bruschetta, Shakshuka made with lamb, fried brussel sprounts with tastes of pistashio and pomergrante, tuna tartare with shaved foie gras and a vanilla ice cream made with olive oil was my favorite!
Crispy Gai is a small local spot not to be missed! Orignally went for the variety of crispy wings but realized they have so many great options! Rangoon spring rolls, Maine crab, cream cheese, sweet chili sauce - say less. The thai basil mushroom Pad See Ew was packed with so much flavor, I’m still dreaming about it! They also donate $1 for each item with a small heart on the menu to different local community organizations, so you are helping give back to the community when you dine there!
Just walking distance from the pier you can get the best Italian food at ViA VECCHiA. Located in an iconic brick and ivy covered building overlooking cobblestone streets, it has the perfect evening out vibe. All of their wine is imported but our server was so knowledgeable in helping each of of find something that went well with our meal and that we would love! The focaccia and aranchini is a nonnegotiable to start with, both were amazing! The chicken marsala and campanelle were table favorites but everything was fresh, flavorful and delicous!
For a special night out, Fore Street is the place. In 2001 and 2006, Fore Street was named in Gourmet Magazine's Top Fifty Restaurants of the United States. In 2004, Chef-partner Sam Hayward was named “Best Chef – Northeast” by the James Beard Foundation. Oysters & steak for the best surf & turf you’ve ever had!
Enjoy a local brew at Austin Street Brewery. Open concept vibe with both indoor and outdoor seating. They are known for their corn dogs and you can do a happy meal on Wednesdays and get a corn dog and beer for a discounted price! I enjoyed a glasss of “After the Glitter Fades” Tart Blonde Ale with Mint & Lime and it was so refreshing!
The Grill Room & Bar needs to be on the list if only for the best espresso martinis! This urban steakhouse has a great vibe and the bar was so much fun! The staff was fantastic, bartenders made the best drinks, shoutout to Karl! Another favorite was the Maine Blueberry Gin & Tonic but they also have a mocktail list and variety of beers. They are known for their beef tartare and steak but also have oysters, pizza, and lobster mashed potatoes that were great!
Shipyard Brewing & Tasting Room was a great stop for the group, lots of seating and a variety of drink options. Beers on tap, prosecco or vodka, CBD or THC drinks and sodas give a wide range so everyone can find something. I mixed their Blue Lobster Prosecco with the Blueberry Seltzer with 10mg of CBD for a relaxing refreshing drink.
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