Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Greater Portland

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Greater Portland? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Hunt & Alpine

4.9

4.9 (13)

$31 to $50

American

Portland

About the restaurant

Opened in 2013, Hunt & Alpine is a nationally recognized cocktail bar. We feature quality cocktails and spirits, paired with friendly service, a knowledgeable staff, and good food.

For parties of 8 or more, please contact us directly at events@huntandalpineclub.com.

We take limited reservations in order to best serve walk in guests, please stop by - we probably have a spot for you!

Top review

Gabby

Dined on Jun 27, 2026

AMAZING!! Totally totally recommend! You would be missing out if you didn’t come here on your visit to portland!

Crown Jewel

4.9

4.9 (8)

$30 and under

American

Portland

About the restaurant

Our seafood-centric menu is bursting with the best ingredients Maine has to offer and our bright, bustling space is made for celebrating. Whatever the occasion, from milestone birthdays and festive showers to intimate weddings and unforgettable off-sites, we’re ready and waiting to bring your vision to life.

Top review

Katie

Dined 4 days ago

Crown Jewel is incredible, full stop. The food and drinks are all amazing; the staff are so friendly, kind, and accommodating; every detail of the ambiance is magnificent, right down to the bar coasters, the compostable dinnerware, the lighting, the menu booklet covers. They even have special, separate menus for children and for vegans/vegetarians (just ask your server). Every little piece of this restaurant shines with care and thoughtfulness and passion.

Magnus on Water

4.9

4.9 (452)

$50 and over

Comfort Food

Biddeford

About the restaurant

Magnus on Water is a cocktail bar and restaurant in Biddeford, Maine, where Peruvian-inspired comfort food from Chef Rafael Zimmerman meets an award-winning beverage program led by Bar Director Brian “Cat” Catapang. Our cocktail program has been recognized with a Pinnacle Pin, one of the industry’s highest honors, celebrating excellence in craft, creativity, and hospitality.

Our menu and drinks change with the seasons, highlighting Maine’s farmers, foragers, and fishermen who share our commitment to sustainability and respect for the natural world. The space is polished yet intimate — a place to linger over beautiful food, conversation, and cocktails. In the warmer months, our garden patio with fire pits extends that same welcoming spirit outdoors. Magnus also offers a private dining room for gatherings and full or partial event rentals.

Top review

Victoria

Dined 4 days ago

My experience at this restaurant was incredible. It was my anniversary and they went above and beyond to make sure my husband and I were comfortable. The food is also delicious. Biddeford needed a restaurant like this. It’s upscale and everything is clean and brand new. Beautiful! We’ll be back for sure.

Bread & Friends

4.9

4.9 (151)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Portland

About the restaurant

Brunch at Bread & Friends is first come, first served - we do not take reservations. At dinner we accept walk-ins and reservations which can be booked up to 1 month in advance.

We are a bakery and restaurant, specializing in naturally leavened breads, artisan pastries, and elevated sharing plates for brunch (walk-ins only) and dinner (reservations and walk-ins welcome). Complemented by a coffee program at brunch, as well as wine, beer and aperitivi/amari at dinner. Let's eat, together.

Top review

LaurenGold

Dined on Jun 26, 2026

Have loved brunch so was excited to have dinner was amazing. We can’t wait to come back Every dish was great , flavor and prep plating was outstanding We wish you have some kind of coffee service - maybe a press pot service for evening - we loved desert and left wishing we had coffee and missing it

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Experience

Large Party Dining

Fore Street

4.8

4.8 (4701)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Portland

About the restaurant

Located in Portland's Old Port District, Fore Street opened in June, 1996. The interior surrounds a unique brick and soapstone hearth with a wood-burning oven, grill and turnspit; visible from most tables. We believe that good food travels the shortest possible distance between the farm and the table. Our menu changes every day and is founded upon the very best raw materials from a community of Maine farmers, fisherman, foragers and cheese makers. Most of the Maine foods are organically grown or harvested wild, each brought to us at the peak of its season. In 2002 and again in 2007, Fore Street was named by Gourmet Magazine as one of the Top Fifty Restaurants in the United States. In 2004, Chef-Partner Sam Hayward was named Best Chef: Northeast by the James Beard Foundation.

Top review

JeffGold

Dined on Jun 29, 2026

The food was outstanding Every dish was delicious and prepared perfectly

Lucky Cheetah

4.8

4.8 (499)

$31 to $50

Chinese

Portland

About the restaurant

Dumpling enthusiasts and champagne lovers alike can indulge in in the elevated, yet unpretentious fine-dining experience offered in this sexy, and intimate underground hideaway. The menu honors Cantonese classics with dishes Char Siu Bao, while creative offerings such as Lobster Dumplings with Scallion Sabayon showcase culinary innovation in this celebration of Chinese American fare. A deep champagne and wine list complements the menu, and at the 11-seat Pink Italian Stone bar, classic cocktails are shaken up with unique spice combinations and Asian-produced liquors, like an Old Fashioned riff “Old Prosperity” made with Bourbon and Amaro Nonino at Portland, ME

Note: Table reservation durations: 1:30h for parties of two, 2 hours for parties of 4 or more. Walk-in seats are available at the bar.

Top review

LynnGold

Dined 4 days ago

Always an amazing dining experience!! Service was excellent, food was delicious and drinks were sooooo tasty!

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Popular dish

Wagyu Egg Rolls

Popular dish

Spicy Lobster Lo Mein

A photo of Lobster & Black Garlic Pan Fried Dumplings of a restaurant

Mr. Tuna

4.8

4.8 (138)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Portland

About the restaurant

A casual sushi joint in Portland, ME specializing in sustainable, local seafood. Mr. Tuna includes a poppy, pastel-shaded 30 seat sushi bar and seasonal outdoor seating. Chef Jordan Rubin is hyper focused on quality, earning accolades including a James Beard Nominee for Best Chef: Northeast and Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2025. Mr. Tuna was named #6 Best Restaurant in the Country by Food & Wine and was honored with the Innovation Award from Gulf of Maine Research Institute for its commitment to responsible sourcing. The menu is built around super-fresh, seasonal seafood sourced straight from the Gulf of Maine, as the restaurant is just a short walk up from Portland's waterfront. Try the Tuna Tasting, a four-cut journey through local bluefin, or the Tuna de Tigre, a bright, ceviche-style blend of Peruvian and Thai flavors. Don't skip the classics- the hand rolls are what brought Mr. Tuna to fame in the early food cart days. Save room for a hot pressed ice cream Toastie for dessert!

Top review

Chuck

Dined 7 days ago

Hadn't been to Mr. Tuna for almost a year. Somehow it's only gotten better. Absolutely delicious. Super fresh fish and each dish is beautifully prepared. Great service and vibes all around. A definite 5/5 in Portland.

Franciska

4.8

4.8 (136)

$31 to $50

Argentinean

Portland

About the restaurant

Franciska is a wine bar dedicated to Argentine Bodegón cuisine, a culinary tradition deeply rooted in Spanish and Italian influences brought by immigrants to Buenos Aires at the turn of the century. In our intimate 20-seat space in Portland’s Old Port, we bring people together over thoughtfully crafted dishes made with New England-sourced ingredients and house-made specialties.

Please note: Table reservations are for guests joining us for dinner at Franciska. For wine tastings or drinks only, our bar is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Cancellations made within 24 hours of your reservation, or no-shows, will incur a charge of $25 per person. Thank you for understanding and supporting our small restaurant.

Top review

AmyGold

Dined 6 days ago

What a fantastic and creative menu with excellent wines to pair with such delicious food. Can’t wait to go back!

REGARDS

4.7

4.7 (423)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Portland

About the restaurant

Bringing some LA vibes to the northeast. REGARDS draws inspiration from the diverse food culture of Los Angeles. We highlight flavor profiles from Japan and Mexico with the freshest of Maine produce and products.

The menu at REGARDS has bright, zippy ceviches and crudos, rich tamales, plump Argentinian shrimp tacos, along with mezcal cured hamachi collars, crab rice and grilled cabbage with caesar.

Clarified lime margaritas with eucalyptus or our gin and sotol martinis with hibiscus pair with our adventurous menu. We pour natural wine and have a large selection of curated mezcals and tequilas.

A place for us and for you. Might not make sense, but it sure is delicious. Across the street from Reny's. Nearby Maine College of Art, Portland Stage Company, State Theatre, Empire Comedy Club and Blue Jazz Club.

**The 50 Best New Restaurants of 2022, Bon Appetit**
**Plate Magazine Chef's To Watch, 2023**
**Star Chef New England, 2023**

Top review

Kristen

Dined 7 days ago

One of my Portland favorites for fun food in a fun vibe!

Ladyfish

4.5

4.5 (59)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Portland

About the restaurant

A relaxed, summer-only concept from JordanRubin— Food & Wine 2025 Best New Chef—and partner Marisa Rubin, with award-winning chef, Christine Lau at the helm. Open May-October 2026.

“Ladyfish is about celebrating Maine seafood in its most joyful, unfussy form. It’s the kind of food you want to eat all summer long—thoughtful sourcing, simple execution, and a great place to gather. With Chef Christine on board, it’s all of that plus some really interesting flavor profiles that will raise your eyebrows and make you think you’re tasting something familiar, for the very first time.”

Top review

NancyGold

Dined 6 days ago

A GREAT new spot in portland! We had the eggplant dip (A MUST). The scallops in a blanket, garlic coconut noodles, and short rib. Amazing was an understatement!!

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