The Purple House is a pizzeria restaurant in Woodfords Deering, Portland.
Editorially verified June 26, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: A wood-fired bagel and sourdough pizza house in North Yarmouth, 20 minutes from downtown. The bagels routinely sell out by early afternoon.
Tip: Friday to Sunday only. The everything bagel with gravlax is the canonical order.
Address: 378 Walnut Hill Road, North Yarmouth, ME 04097, Portland
Izakaya Minato on Washington Avenue in Portland runs binchotan-charcoal yakitori and a sake list from a 2026 James Beard finalist for Best Chef Northeast.
Why locals love it: A small Japanese izakaya off the Old Port tourist track, with binchotan-charcoal yakitori from a 2026 James Beard finalist (Best Chef Northeast).
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday from 17:00. Resy reservations open 30 days ahead.
The Bearded Lady's Jewel Box at 644 Congress Street in Portland has no sign on the door, creative cocktails and a welcome to marginalised communities.
Why locals love it: No sign on the door at 644 Congress, no bookings, no instagram-bait cocktails. A jewel-box room with creative drinks and an explicit welcome to marginalised communities.
Tip: Look for the street number 644 (no sign on the door). Tuesday to Sunday evenings only, walk up; closed Monday.
Tu Casa on Washington Avenue in Portland is a Salvadoran kitchen serving pupusas, baleadas and pollo encebollado, the East Bayside Latin lunch favourite.
Why locals love it: A Salvadoran kitchen on Washington Avenue serving pupusas, baleadas and pollo encebollado outside the Old Port radar. The East Bayside Latin lunch favourite.
Tip: Closed Mondays. The pupusa revuelta with curtido is the easy first order.
Maine & Loire on Washington Avenue in Portland is a wine-shop counter with the city's deepest natural-wine selection from the Loire and beyond, no tipping.
Why locals love it: A wine-shop counter on Washington Avenue with last call 17:00. Walk-in, no tipping, the city's deepest natural-wine selection from the Loire and beyond.
Tip: Wednesday to Sunday 12:00-18:00. Counter service only; no bookings.
Speckled Ax on Congress Street in Portland is the city's wood-fired coffee roaster, roasting over open hardwood flame and vanishingly rare in the country.
Why locals love it: Portland's wood-fired coffee roaster on Congress Street, hidden in plain sight. Coffee roasted over open hardwood flame, vanishingly rare in the country at scale.
Tip: Daily 07:00-17:00. Ask the barista for the latest wood-roasted single origin.
Scratch Baking Co in Willard Square pulls Portland's deepest Sunday bagel queue, five minutes from downtown but across the bridge in South Portland.
Why locals love it: A South Portland bakery in Willard Square that pulls Portland's deepest Sunday bagel queue. Five minutes from downtown, but most visitors never cross the bridge.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Sunday queues form before 08:00; pre-order online to skip.
