Pan-asian Noodles$$$india-streetDaily 11:00-22:00
The Honey Paw on Middle Street opened 2015, the Big Tree Hospitality pan-Asian noodle counter from Andrew Taylor, Mike Wiley and Arlin Smith next to Eventide.
Signature: Hand-pulled noodles, Coconut curry mussels, Fried rice with house kimchi
Order: Hand-pulled noodles with the kitchen's daily sauce, plus the coconut curry mussels.
Tip: Daily 11:00-22:00. Counter walk-ins move fast at lunch; book tables via Resy for dinner.
New American$$$$east-baysideTue-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; Sun 17:00-21:00
Twelve at Portland Foreside since 2022, now led by Chef Hannah Ryder, runs a Maine-ingredient tasting menu around an open kitchen on Thames Street.
Signature: Multi-course chef tasting, Hyper-seasonal fish course, Bread course
Order: The full chef's tasting; choose the supplement courses if the kitchen is running uni or sea urchin.
Tip: Tuesday to Sunday from 17:00; bookings open six weeks out via Resy.
French fine dining$$$west-endTue-Sat 16:30-21:00
Chaval on Pine Street in the West End opened 2017 from Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez of Piccolo, with a Spanish-French menu around the wood oven and bar.
Signature: Spanish tortilla, Steak frites, Wood oven pizza
Order: The Spanish tortilla with caramelized onions, then the steak frites.
Tip: Monday to Saturday 16:30-21:00. Book via OpenTable; bar seats hold for walk-ins.
Italian$$$$old-portMon-Thu 15:30-22:00, Fri-Sat 15:30-22:30, Sun 15:30-22:00
Solo Italiano on Commercial Street opened 2016 from Chef Paolo Laboa, with Ligurian cooking, hand-cut trofie pesto and house bread from a Genovese-style oven.
Signature: Hand-cut trofie al pesto, House-made trenette, Whole roasted fish
Order: Trofie al pesto Genovese with potatoes and green beans, the canonical Ligurian plate.
Tip: Awarded due forchette by Gambero Rosso in 2025. Reservations through their site; lunch from 12:00.
Belgian$$india-streetDaily 11:00-22:00
Duckfat on Middle Street opened 2005 from Rob Evans and Nancy Pugh and rebuilt the Portland sandwich shop around twice-fried Belgian frites in duck fat.
Signature: Duck fat fries, Panini sandwiches, Beignets
Order: Large duck fat fries with the truffle ketchup, plus the meatloaf panino.
Tip: Open daily 11:00-22:00. Long lines weekend lunch; the Frites Shack on Washington Avenue is the quicker takeout.
New American$$$old-portMon-Thu 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:30; Fri-Sat 11:00-14:00, 17:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:30
Central Provisions at the top of Fore Street, opened 2014 by Chris and Paige Gould (Beard nominee), runs small plates of crudo and pork belly.
Signature: Cured fluke crudo, Beef tartare, Pork belly with pickled vegetables
Order: Whatever fish crudo the kitchen is cutting tonight, plus the pork belly small plate.
Tip: First-come walk-in only downstairs; upstairs takes reservations via Resy. Plan dinner around 17:30 to beat the queue.