Mediterranean, Mezze$$$old-portSun 16:00-20:30; Tue-Thu 16:00-20:30; Fri-Sat 16:00-21:00
Evo Kitchen + Bar at the Hyatt Place Old Port, since 2016, runs a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern menu of wood-fired flatbreads, mezze and grilled kebabs.
Signature: Wood-fired pita, Lamb kefta, Mezze plate
Order: The full mezze plate with wood-fired pita, then lamb kefta off the grill.
Tip: Daily from 17:00. Reservations via OpenTable; bar seats hold for walk-ins.
Vietnamese$$east-baysideWed-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri 17:00-22:00; Sat 11:00-14:00, 17:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00; Mon 17:00-21:00
Cong Tu Bot on Washington Avenue, since 2017 from Vien Dobui and Jessica Sheahan, a 30-seat Vietnamese room serving pho ga, banh xeo and cha gio spring rolls.
Signature: Pho ga, Banh xeo, Cha gio spring rolls
Order: Pho ga chicken broth, then banh xeo with shrimp and pork.
Tip: Wednesday to Saturday 17:00-21:00.
Pan-asian Noodles$$$india-streetDaily 11:00-22:00
The Honey Paw on Middle Street is the Big Tree Hospitality noodle counter, with hand-pulled noodles, dumplings and seafood served through a pan-Asian lens.
Signature: Hand-pulled noodles, Crispy chicken katsu, Coconut curry mussels
Order: Hand-pulled noodles with the daily sauce, plus the kimchi fried rice.
Tip: Daily 11:00-22:00. Book tables via Resy for dinner; the bar takes walk-ins through last call.
Belgian$$india-streetDaily 11:00-22:00
Duckfat on Middle Street, since 2005 from Rob Evans and Nancy Pugh, is the Portland sandwich shop built around twice-fried Belgian frites cooked in duck fat.
Signature: Duck fat fries, Meatloaf panino, Beignets
Order: Large duck fat fries with truffle ketchup, plus the meatloaf panino.
Tip: Open daily 11:00-22:00. The Frites Shack on Washington Avenue is the quicker takeout window.
American diner$$old-portMon-Thu 04:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 04:00-22:00, Sun 04:00-21:00
Becky's Diner on Commercial Street has been on Portland's working waterfront since 1991, opening 05:00 daily for fishing crews and one of the longest weekend.
Signature: Becky's pancakes, Eggs with hash, Fish chowder
Order: A short stack with bacon and a cup of clam chowder, the diner's classic combo.
Tip: Open daily 05:00-21:00. Cash and card both fine; queues longest 09:00-11:00 weekends.
Thai Street Food$$arts-districtDaily 17:00-22:00
Boda on Congress Street, since 2010 from Bob Wongsaichua and Dan Sriprasert, is Portland's Thai street food room with grilled meats, curries and noodles.
Signature: Grilled chicken with sticky rice, Pad see ew, Khao soi
Order: Grilled chicken with sticky rice and nam jim jaew dipping sauce.
Tip: Daily 16:00-22:00. Reservations via their site; walk-ins at the bar.