Portland: Fish Auction Tour & Cultural Seafood Tasting
Discover Maine’s working waterfront on a guided seafood tour. Learn about aquaculture, sustainability, and the local seafood economy, and enjoy a culturally-inspired s...
Leeward is an italian restaurant in Arts District, Portland.
Editorially verified May 31, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: House-made pasta, Wood-roasted vegetables, Daily seafood crudo
Must order: Whatever shape the pasta-maker is rolling today, paired with a glass from the natural-wine list.
Tip: Wednesday to Sunday 17:00-22:00. Resy reservations open 28 days ahead.
Discover Maine’s working waterfront on a guided seafood tour. Learn about aquaculture, sustainability, and the local seafood economy, and enjoy a culturally-inspired s...
Savor a Maine seafood luncheon and learn about Portland’s iconic working waterfront with a knowledgeable local guide.
Glide through the pristine waters of Casco Bay on Bagheera, Wendameen, or Timberwind sailing ships, and experience Maine's historic craftsmanship on this sailing boat ...
Address: 85 Free Street, Portland, ME 04101
Cong Tu Bot on Washington Avenue opened 2017 from Vien Dobui and Jessica Sheahan, a tight Vietnamese menu of pho ga, banh xeo and cha gio in a small space.
Signature: Pho ga, Banh xeo, Cha gio spring rolls
Order: The pho ga chicken broth, then banh xeo with shrimp and pork.
Tip: Wednesday to Saturday 17:00-21:00.
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.
Signature: Handmade tagliatelle, Branzino, Beef short rib agnolotti
Order: A pasta course off the daily list plus a Negroni from the 20-seat bar.
Tip: Monday-Thursday from 16:00. Reservations via the site; walk-in bar seats most weeknights.
Rose Foods on Forest Avenue opened 2017 from Chad Conley, a Jewish deli with hand-rolled bagels, house-cured lox, smoked whitefish and matzo ball soup.
Signature: Lox bagel, Matzo ball soup, Pastrami sandwich
Order: The lox bagel with whipped cream cheese, plus a cup of matzo ball soup.
Tip: Daily 07:30-14:00. Counter ordering; takeout moves fast at peak weekend brunch.
Izakaya Minato on Washington Avenue opened 2017 from Chef Thomas Takashi Cooke, with binchotan-grilled yakitori, donburi bowls and a deep sake list.
Signature: Yakitori skewers, Karaage chicken, Donburi rice bowls
Order: A flight of yakitori from the charcoal grill, then the chicken karaage.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday 17:00-21:30. Resy reservations open 30 days ahead.
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.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, House-made pasta, Wood-roasted vegetables
Order: The margherita from the wood oven, then a bowl of cacio e pepe.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday from 17:00; dinner only. Resy reservations recommended.
Pai Men Miyake on State Street opened 2009 from Chef Masa Miyake of Miyake, with tonkotsu ramen, charcoal yakitori and izakaya plates from the open bar.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Yakitori, Buta no kakuni pork belly
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with the soft-boiled egg upgrade, then yakitori from the charcoal grill.
Tip: Daily lunch and dinner; reservations via OpenTable for dinner, walk-ins for lunch.