CONVENTION + VISITORS BUREAU /
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DINING
Long known for serving the freshest of lobster and seafood, Maine has now gained
a national reputation for its innovative restaurants, craft beers, and growing number
of award-winning chefs.
Culinary tourists from around the
country are making pilgrimages to
partake of the creativity of world-class
chefs who have settled in the area
and shaped an epicure’s paradise.
The southern Maine region has a
startling number of restaurants, but
it’s their quality not quantity that’s got
everyone buzzing.
Greater Portland’s dining scene targets
all personalities and tastes, from
sophisticated restaurants to funky,
artsy cafes. Breakfast is one of our
specialties; early risers can start their
day dockside with the fishing crews
at Becky’s Diner or at the retro Miss
Portland Diner. For dinner, enjoy views
of Casco Bay from restaurants that line
the harbor or soak up the ambiance of
venues tucked away inside beautifully
restored historic buildings.
Many of Maine’s restaurateurs are proud
to be part of the authentic farm-to-table
movement and primarily use fish, meat,
organic produce, and naturally grown
fruit that come from local farmers,
fishermen, and suppliers. Local foods
are featured at century-old farmer’s
markets and at a variety of small
specialty stores that offer a blend of
prepared, imported, and local items.
When you add “bold” and “innovative”
to “fresh and local,” you’ve described the
spirit of Greater Portland’s restaurant
scene and its talented chefs.
Micro-brew mania has also infected
the region and you can quaff many
locally-brewed beers and sample Maine
Mead Works’ award-winning wines
made with honey, and other Maine-
grown ingredients. Create your own
brewery and distillery tour or take one
of the regularly scheduled tours offered
by Maine Beer Tours and the Maine
Brew Bus.
Harvest on the Harbor, a celebration of
Maine’s culinary creativity, takes place
October 22-25 this year on the Portland
waterfront. Join us for four days full
of scrumptious edibles, cooking
demonstrations, and over 150 wines,
beers and spirits to sample. Whenever
you visit, make reservations to ensure
you can experience the food and
ambiance at the dining spots that most
intrigue you.
Photo: Corey Templeton
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RESTAURANTS
}
Summer and fall
find our streets
bustling with
activity, including
lots of sidewalk
dining at intimate
eateries.
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