Washington Avenue | The Food and Drink Capital of Maine
Portland is in the national spotlight for its assortment of restaurants, breweries, and other culinary offerings, but the greatest concentration of creativity and talent is located on a third of-a-mile strip near a highway ramp. Inner Washington Avenue is home to more than 20 places to eat and drink, ranging from Portland institutions to leaders of the city’s recent restaurant boom. With less than a five-minute walk between the farthest points, there’s no reason not to visit them all.
BOB’S CLAM HUT
Kittery icon since 1956, Bob’s brought its famous fried clams, lobster rolls, and more to Portland in 2018.
RED SEA RESTAURANT
Scoop up the sometimes spicy, always savory Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes with injera bread—no silverware needed.
OXBOW BLENDING + BOTTLING
The farmhouse brewery’s city tastingroom and beer garden is also a cultural and community hub.
DUCKFAT FRITESHACK
This snack shack is tucked in next to Oxbow’s patio—because you want a large cone of Duckfat’s legendary fries with that Oxbow beer.
TERLINGUA
At this iconoclast BBQ joint, smoked meats share the menu with tacos and Southwestern fare.
IZAKAYA MINATO
This convivial Japanese pub has a small-plates menu and an impressive sake list to match.
MAINE MEAD WORKS
Taste modern twists on an ancient beverage made with local honey and other Maine ingredients.
HARDSHORE DISTILLING COMPANY
At this distillery and tasting room, you can try Hardshore’s distinctive, complex gin on its own or in a cocktail.
CONG TU BOT
This hip, diner-like space has a bustling open kitchen that serves up Vietnamese street food, notably chicken pho.
DRIFTERS WIFE
One of Bon Appetit’s “Hot 10” in 2018, this restaurant with an attached natural wine store is revered for its small menu of hyper-local, seasonal food.
TU CASA
This no-frills, family-run restaurant serves Salvadoran cuisine such as pupusas and carne asada.
THE CHEESE SHOP OF PORTLAND
An astonishingly large selection of cheeses, plus sandwiches, wine, and more, is offered from this tiny storefront.
PORTLAND POTTERY CAFÉ/LENA’S ITALIAN
By day, this is a casual breakfast and lunch spot; by night, it’s a homestyle Italian trattoria.
MAINE CRAFT DISTILLING
A tasting room, bottle shop, cocktail bar, and casual eatery share this rustic, indoor-outdoor gathering spot.
THE SHOP
This counter-service hangout offers a variety of raw oysters to eat in or take out, plus wine and beer, tinned fish, and caviar.
FORAGE MARKET
Already a Lewiston landmark, Forage makes Portland fans of good bagels happy.
A+C GROCERY
This new-school neighborhood market is known for its Famous Original “Real” Italian sandwiches.
ROOT WILD KOMBUCHA
Portland’s newest “booch” maker offers 12 rotating taps, including a couple of beers.
ANOCHE (OPENING SOON) | This cider and spirits bar is being opened in the former Coffee by Design space by longtime Novare Res manager Erika Colby.
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