Waterfront Restaurants in Portland, Maine

Bon Appetit magazine named Portland, Maine "America's Foodiest Small Town 2009," and with good reason. With hundreds of unique restaurants, fresh local seafood, myriad bars and cafes, it's no wonder why Portland has won this accolade. After spending your day hiking, kayaking Casco Bay or jogging on the Eastern Promenade, there are plenty of options for a unique and delectable dining experience. To savor Portland's ocean breeze, head to a waterfront restaurant in the historic Old Port district.

Old Port Sea Grill

With stunning views of Casco Bay, it is only fitting that this restaurant's motto is "fresh seafood, freshly prepared." Old Port Sea Grill offers simple yet elegant seafood dishes in a picturesque surrounding. Appetizers include tasty bites such as parmesan risotto croquettes and pan-seared creole haddock cakes. The lunch menu consists of burgers, wraps, sandwiches and lighter, less expensive fare. For dinner, the grill goes all out with wood-grilled, baked, fried and pan-seared dishes such as swordfish and haddock. There are a couple of nonfishy items on the menu for those who prefer their ingredients to have been walking on dry ground rather than swimming in the ocean.

Old Port Sea Grill
93 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 879-6100
theoldportseagrill.com

RíRá

Self-proclaimed as an "Irish-bistro," RíRá has been named Best Irish of 2009 according to the Portland Phoenix food and dining guide readers' poll. Along with the waterfront view, RíRá offers a mix of Irish cuisine and American fare with an Irish twist. Open daily for lunch and dinner, locals and tourists alike stop by and enjoy drinks during happy hour. The menu boasts a variety of starters, salads, burgers, sandwiches and entrees. Go for an American favorite like the reuben or try RíRá's "Kilcooly" sandwich with turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, apples and cranberry mayo on grilled sourdough. Try the traditional Irish beef and Guinness stew, corned beef and cabbage, chicken pot pie or Irish fried breakfast.

RíRá
72 Commercial St,
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 761-4446
rira.com

Flatbread Company

This waterfront restaurant was voted Best Pizza of 2009 by the Portland Phoenix. Far from your typical greasy pizza joint, Flatbread prides itself on using fresh organic ingredients, free range chickens and nitrate-free meat. All pizzas are baked in a wood fire cauldron, and there are a variety of pizza types available. If you like your pizza basic, go for the simple cheese and herb. To try something unique, order a "Coevolution" pizza topped with Kalamata olives, red onions, goat cheese, mozzarella, fresh rosemary, cheese, garlic and herbs.

Flatbread Company
72 Commercial St
Portland, ME 04101-4749
(207) 772-8777
flatbreadcompany.com

Article Written By Heather Carreiro

Heather Carreiro is a certified English teacher who has been writing since 2008. The editor of Matador Abroad, her work has appeared online at BootsnAll, Matador Network, GoNOMAD, Journey Beyond Travel and Expat Women. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics and Middle Eastern studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is pursuing a Master of Arts in English at Bridgewater State University.

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