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Novare Res Bier Café
4 Canal Plaza
Suite 1
Portland, Maine, 04101
United States
(207) 761-2437 | map
novareresbiercafe.com
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Sudcutter:
Reviewed by Sudcutter from Massachusetts
4.14/5 rDev -7.6%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.25 | selection: 5 | food: 4
4.14/5 rDev -7.6%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.25 | selection: 5 | food: 4
I went on a Thursday evening, so I may not have gotten the typical experience, but the place had a slightly unwelcoming atmosphere. It was self-seating, and it took about 15 minutes for a server to approach my table, and it was difficult to get her attention throughout the night.
The beer selection was tremendous.
The food options are very limited. My party ordered several appetizers. They were all good but not great.
The prices were normal for the offerings.
May 10, 2013The beer selection was tremendous.
The food options are very limited. My party ordered several appetizers. They were all good but not great.
The prices were normal for the offerings.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
4.54/5 rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
4.54/5 rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
Visited in Apr 2023 during a road trip to attend NERAX... Did someone in Boston suggest this bar to me or did I find it on BA? No clue... I remember parking being a bit problematic... Basement, billiards hall type of vibe. Low ceilings, dim lighting. Brick walls, flecked with tin ads... I sat at the bar end near the left corner... I may have previewed the menu before arrival, but I was still impressed by the variety in beer and food... looking back through my reviews, I drank Oxbow Dulcette, Rodenbach Grand Cru, and Oxbow Arboreal (I think in that order) and ate 'a board of speck, goat cheese, honeyed craisins and Marconi almonds, etc'. Sounds good. I do recall the tap list being all over the place, in a good way. Tough to make quick decisions... Service was serviceable. I remember chatting a bit with a group next to me. Pleasant time all around... This was my kind of bar, for the most part. Tucked away, dungeon feel, but warm energy. I could get down with this being a regular haunt.
Feb 23, 2024Reviewed by Kgoldsbe from Colorado
4.48/5 rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
4.48/5 rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Excellent beer list, friendly staff, knowledgeable clientele, and tasty food. The only knock on this place is that it can be hard to find for first time visitors. In the long run is this really a negative?
Dec 29, 2023Reviewed by Sheppard from Massachusetts
4.55/5 rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
4.55/5 rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
Novare is one of the best beer bars in the country and that's certainly something that they've earned and have proven time and again why that is the case. The vibe is kind of on the random Belgian/European bar side, it's better at events and when the outside patio is open. Even those events still seem to have a chill, friendly atmosphere. Service can vary and I don't remember if I've had food here beyond a special event. Regardless, a place I visit every time I'm in Portland.
Feb 07, 2023Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
4.25/5 rDev -5.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -5.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
Visited on a Sunday before Memorial Day, one of the few places still open. Inside is quiet, patio is packed. Good selection of Belgian taps intermingled with local craft. Great service. Very laid back vibe. Food available.
Nov 29, 2022Rated by jseidl from New Jersey
4.89/5 rDev +9.2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 5
4.89/5 rDev +9.2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Super chill vibe, great outdoor space, awesome selection of beers. a "must visit" if you are in/near Portland and a beer fan.
Sep 27, 2021Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
4.43/5 rDev -1.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev -1.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
cool beer bar and restaurant tucked back an alley in downtown Portland. We sat outside since it was during COVID times, they have a sizable deck. Great taplist of about 2 dozen beers, mix of New England craft beers and European classic imports. Service was good. We didn't eat, we only came for drinks after dinner.
Sep 05, 2021Reviewed by socon67 from New York
4.83/5 rDev +7.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
4.83/5 rDev +7.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Easily one of the best beer stores I've ever been in. Place does look like it belongs in Belgium; very rustic and chill vibe. Their selection is heavily influenced by imports, but I jumped at the chance to get a crowler and some bottles of Maine locals I'll not see back home. Service was incredible, and while I didn't have food it was evident that the small plates they offered were high quality. So glad to be able to stop by.
Jul 29, 2020Reviewed by tjcarbone from New Jersey
4.47/5 rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Visited spring and fall of 2017. Welcoming, cozy tavern. A very impressive selection. A must visit for any beer lover. Seasonal seating outside available.
Mar 29, 2020Reviewed by Jgitelman from Massachusetts
5/5 rDev +11.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
5/5 rDev +11.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
I could only give this place 5's across the board because it really was that perfect. Wide, eclectic list of draught and bottled beers. I had a great local Maine sour and my buddy had a Weisse beer in his favorite glass that brought him back to Europe. Ourr server, Jasmine, knew her stuff. Surprisingly the pork taco special is the thing that still stands out in my mind - what flavor! Cannot wait to go back to Novares Res and explore more. A happy place.
Nov 16, 2019Reviewed by Rifugium from North Dakota
4.35/5 rDev -2.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
4.35/5 rDev -2.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
I FINALLY got to tick Novare Res off my bucket list last trip to Portland. I almost couldn't find the place because the building it's in didn't look like a bar at all, and at first I didn't notice the stylized letters running down the wall. But once inside, it's a truly genuine Belgian bar vibe. This is probably the only bar in the US that I've been to other than Monk's that really gives me that authentic feeling that I experienced in the bars I visited in Belgium, albeit with an obvious American twist. When I went there was an event going on, I forget what, maybe an anniversary or something. All I know is I got a relatively inexpensive pour of Hommage, and there was also a rare Black Albert variant on tap, as well as a bunch of other stuff. Despite the event, the place wasn't too crowded and service was fine. I did not sample the food or even look at the menu. If I wasn't pressed for time, I could've spent the whole day there, and hopefully one day I will get back.
Jul 19, 2019Rated by ajemianj from Massachusetts
4.88/5 rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
4.88/5 rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
This is the best beer bar in Portland. Can’t believe it hasn’t been rated more.
Dec 11, 2018Rated by spolgrean from New York
4.54/5 rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5
4.54/5 rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5
Great place for Belgian beers, always have unique beers on draft, and a bottle list that is out of this world.
Sep 25, 2018Rated by Harrypotter7 from New Hampshire
1/5 rDev -77.7%
vibe: 1 | quality: 1 | service: 1 | selection: 1 | food: 1
1/5 rDev -77.7%
vibe: 1 | quality: 1 | service: 1 | selection: 1 | food: 1
Not great.
Jun 30, 2017Reviewed by ManapuaMan from Massachusetts
4.54/5 rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
4.54/5 rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
Popped in midday Sunday so there were only handful of folks whom were all at the bar. Looked to be ~ 20 or so taps with a great representation from ME and New England in general. Bottle list is unreal - long, wide-reaching, comprehensive and exotic. Lots of those hard-to-find but oft-heard-of lambics. The vibe is the best part of the place - laid back, comfy but with an air of deep knowledge; like if a beer geek ran a bar: low on fluff, deep on content. These folks know their stuff. Highly recommended.
Oct 30, 2016Reviewed by KEEPonPOURING from Virginia
4.58/5 rDev +2.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
4.58/5 rDev +2.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
First time dropping in at open on a Wednesday. Big place, had it all to ourselves but felt cozy. The bartender was very knowledgeable about the taps and the bottle list, which was INSANE (in an awesome way)! Attentive and welcoming at all times were the staff. Had my first ME lobster roll there. Couldn't beat $12. Best beer bar I've ever been to. I will absolutely be back.
Oct 10, 2016Reviewed by Tommyboy555 from Maine
4.87/5 rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5
4.87/5 rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5
Been here many, many times. A must-stop whenever in Portland. Unfailingly good service and the staff knows their stuff. Beer selection is off the charts with an emphasis on foreign and difficult to find beers. Best times are when it's quiet or slow and you can chat with the super-knowledgable staff about beer. Several times after chatting, they have recommended a beer I had never tried -- and it has always been a winner! Schlenkerla Marzen smoked beer on tap? Great recommendation. Now it's one of my favorites. Novare is just wonderful.
Oct 03, 2016
Novare Res Bier Café in Portland, ME
Place rating:
4.48 out of
5 with
295 ratings
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