Portland Recommendations (2022)

When's your birthday? Mine's May 20th.

I think Crispy Gai does reservations?

 

The 18th.

I messaged them on IG but I don't see anything about reservations on their website and everyone's favorite website, Yelp, says no reservations. Worst comes to worst, we do takeout from there and sit somewhere cool.

 

Just put in your name and grab beers at Novare, which is a block away.

 

Happy Birthday!!!

I'll be back in Portland myself in a couple weeks. Look forward to hearing how it was.

 

And I look forward to your post trip write-up!

 

Hey all, Trying to get up to Portland for my first trip this summer. Looks like the only time I can make it happen is right in the middle of tourist season, probably the third week in July. ABNBs and hotel prices are nuts, but I was able to find a decent place from Sunday-Wednesday.

My question is: am I missing out on much if I come early in a weekday? I know sometimes restaurants and breweries are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays, but I Googled a handful of the recs here, and it looks like most places are open all week.

Thanks! This is a super helpful thread. I grew up in Mass, have been to Maine a million times, but never Portland. Excited to visit!

 

I don’t think you’ll be missing much of anything. In fact, you may have just slightly less crowds at the breweries/restaurants. Enjoy the trip!

 

Granted, things may have changed but I randomly ended up passing through Portland a few times last summer early/mid-week and some of the places I wanted to visit were closed (taking a quick look, it seems like Tuesday/Wednesday some of my go-tos are closed - Allagash, Duckfat, Slab)

That being said, as long as you plan you'll be fine and there are so many great options in Portland that you can't hit them all anyway so if some are closed there's still plenty that's open.

 

I think whatever is closed early-mid week you can hit up on Sunday. Just bear in mind they close earlier than on Friday/Saturday.

 

Thanks all. I’m aiming to go up Sun-Wed so I think whatever is closed Tues-Wed, I can hit up on the first two days. Great information to know! One more quick thing, any recs for moderately priced seafood? Like somewhere in between Scales and a food truck. Mostly looking for oysters, fried clams, and some fish options. We might want to go to a high end place like Scales or Eventide but I have a feeling most people in my party will opt for something a little less $$$.

 

The Shop by Island Creek is the answer for oysters. A great inexpensive option for oysters and other fun snacks.

 

just gotta get through one more day of work and I'm onto Portland

 

This is the answer @travis224. And the Shop is a 3 minute walk from Oxbow and the Duckfat Frite Shack, which I highly recommend as well.

 

The Shop is my go-to as well.

I've heard good things about this place too.

https://themaineoystercompany.com/

 

Will be there too, and Happy Day-Late Birthday!

 

Oh shit, yeah happy belated @Sheppard !!!

Don't forget Saturday is Orval day. Gotta imagine something will being on at Novare.

 

Saturday seems like a blast for a Novare visit…

 

I will do a third rec for The Shop.
You can hit Terlingua, Belleflower, newer Austin St, Portland Zoo around the Fox St area too.
I did a sort of pre dinner at The Shop, put my name down at Terlingua and hit a couple of places off Fox St while waiting.