Vegetarian$arts-districtTue-Sat 11:30-14:30
Green Elephant on Congress Street runs vegetarian Thai lunches under twenty dollars: vegan coconut soup, mango curry and pad thai across from State Theatre.
Try: Vegan mango curry, coconut soup
Tip: Lunch Tuesday to Saturday 11:30-14:30; dinner from 17:00 nightly except Monday.
Italian$india-streetMon-Fri 09:00-21:00; Sat-Sun 10:00-21:00
Amato's on India Street is the original 1902 Portland sandwich counter where Giovanni Amato invented the Maine Italian sandwich, served under ten dollars.
Try: Maine Italian sandwich, original recipe
Tip: The original 1902 location is the canonical one; the Maine Italian sandwich is the order.
Brunch$old-portMon-Thu 04:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 04:00-22:00, Sun 04:00-21:00
Becky's Diner on Commercial Street runs the cheapest waterfront breakfast in Portland, opening 05:00 daily for fishing crews and the line behind them.
Try: Eggs and hash, short stack with bacon
Tip: Daily 05:00-21:00. Cash and card both fine; queues longest 09:00-11:00 weekends.
Pizzeria$arts-districtMon-Wed 11:00-21:00; Thu-Sun 11:00-22:00
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 11:00-22:00. Slice walks in; whole pies via phone.
New American$east-baysideMon 08:00-13:00, Thu-Sun 08:00-13:00
Forage Market on Washington Avenue runs wood-fired Montreal-style bagels and bagel sandwiches under twelve dollars from the East Bayside counter.
Try: Wood-fired bagel sandwich
Tip: Closes 13:00; bagels often sell out by noon weekends. Cash and card both fine; counter only, no seating.
New American$east-baysideMon, Wed-Thu 11:00-19:00; Tue 11:00-18:00; Fri 11:00-14:00; Sun 11:00-18:00
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.