old-port
Becky's Diner on Commercial Street runs the cheapest waterfront breakfast in Portland, opening 05:00 daily for fishing crews and the line behind them.
Try: Eggs and hash, short stack with bacon
Tip: Daily 05:00 to 21:00. Cash and card both fine; queues longest 09:00 to 11:00 weekends.
arts-district
OTTO Pizza on Congress Street runs Portland's slice counter with unconventional pies (mashed potato bacon scallion, pulled pork mango) and classic margherita.
Try: Slice of mashed potato bacon scallion pizza
Tip: Open daily 11:00 to 22:00. Slice walks in; whole pies via phone.
east-bayside
Forage Market on Washington Avenue runs wood-fired Montreal-style bagels and bagel sandwiches under twelve dollars from the East Bayside counter.
Try: Wood-fired bagel sandwich
Tip: Closes 13:00; bagels often sell out by noon weekends. Cash and card both fine; counter only, no seating.
east-bayside
Tu Casa on Washington Avenue runs Salvadoran pupusas, baleadas and full plates from a small East Bayside counter for under fifteen dollars apiece.
Try: Salvadoran pupusa plate
Tip: Closed Mondays. The pupusa revuelta with curtido is the easy first order.
old-port
The Holy Donut on Commercial Street runs Leigh Kellis's Maine potato donuts under five dollars apiece, in rotating seasonal flavours including wild blueberry.
Try: Maine potato donut
Tip: Sells out by mid afternoon. Pair with a Tandem espresso for under ten dollars.
east-bayside
Duckfat Frites Shack on Washington Avenue is the takeout window with frites, fried snacks, milkshakes and beer under fifteen dollars, picnic-table seating.
Try: Belgian frites cone in duck fat
Tip: Seasonal April to October; cash and card both fine. Shared patio with Oxbow Blending next door, picnic-table seating only.