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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. You can’t walk
down the street in Portland without
bumping into several ways to treat your
taste buds, which is why Maine Foodie
Tours now offers culinary walking and
trolley tours, so you can sample delectable
foods while getting a behind-the-scenes
look at the craft makers and their industry.
In the past couple of years, a fanciful
fleet of food trucks has emerged on the
Portland scene, serving everything from
tacos to cupcakes; fast food is definitely
more fun when discovered outdoors
from these mobile urban eateries. Ethnic
offerings are also prolific with new
restaurants fusing modern interpretations
with traditional Middle Eastern,
Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines.
Harvest on the Harbor, a celebration of
Maine’s culinary creativity, takes place
the 4th week of October on the Portland
waterfront. Join us for four days full of
scrumptious edibles, cooking demon-
strations, 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: Tim Greenway, Harraseeket Inn
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RESTAURANTS
}
With so many
tempting tastes
to choose from,
you’ll agree
Greater Portland
has great eats!
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