9 editor picks in Portland.
9 italian places in Portland we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Portland | Italian across every city.
Italian cooking in Portland spans two eras: the old immigrant sandwich shops and a newer wave of pasta-focused rooms. Solo Italiano on Commercial Street in the Old Port works in a refined Ligurian style, while Tipo on Ocean Avenue in the Woodfords and Deering area takes a more relaxed, wood-fired approach. Amato's on India Street carries the older tradition, claiming roots in the Italian sandwich that still feeds the city.
Solo Italiano on Commercial Street opened 2016 from Chef Paolo Laboa, with Ligurian cooking, hand-cut trofie pesto and house bread from a Genovese-style oven.
OrderTrofie al pesto Genovese with potatoes and green beans, the canonical Ligurian plate.
TipAwarded due forchette by Gambero Rosso in 2025. Reservations through their site; lunch from 12:00.
Leeward on Free Street opened 2020 from Jake and Raquel Stevens, with a chef-driven fresh-pasta program inside a brick-and-tile Italian dining room.
OrderWhatever shape the pasta-maker is rolling today, paired with a glass from the natural-wine list.
TipWednesday to Sunday 17:00-22:00. Resy reservations open 28 days ahead.
Via Vecchia on Dana Street in the Old Port, a brick-and-ivy small-plates Italian room with handmade pasta, Maine seafood and a velvet-booth wrap-around bar.
OrderA pasta course off the daily list plus a Negroni from the 20-seat bar.
TipMonday-Thursday from 16:00. Reservations via the site; walk-in bar seats most weeknights.
Tipo on Ocean Avenue opened 2017 from Chris and Paige Gould of Central Provisions, a Neapolitan-themed Italian room in Portland's Back Cove neighbourhood.
OrderThe margherita from the wood oven, then a bowl of cacio e pepe.
TipTuesday to Saturday from 17:00; dinner only. Resy reservations recommended.
Tipo on Ocean Avenue, since 2017 from Chris and Paige Gould (Central Provisions), is the wood-fired Italian room in Back Cove with Neapolitan pizza and pasta.
OrderWood-fired margherita and a bowl of cacio e pepe.
TipTuesday to Saturday from 17:00; dinner only. Resy reservations recommended.
Leeward on Free Street, since 2020, from Jake and Raquel Stevens, with a chef-driven fresh-pasta program inside a brick-and-tile Italian dining room.
Solo Italiano on Commercial Street, since 2016, from Chef Paolo Laboa. Genovese cooking with house-made pastas, breads and pesto from a stone mortar.
Via Vecchia on Dana Street in the Old Port, a brick-and-ivy small-plates Italian room with handmade pasta, Maine seafood and a velvet-booth wrap-around bar.
Amato's on India Street is the original 1902 Portland sandwich counter where Giovanni Amato invented the Maine Italian sandwich, served under ten dollars.
OrderMaine Italian sandwich, original recipe
TipThe original 1902 location is the canonical one; the Maine Italian sandwich is the order.
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