Portland Maine - Best places to eat / drink?

[mcgster]

I'm heading to portland maine this weekend and i'm wondering if there are any local points of interest i shouldn't miss. Breweries / BBQ places are top on my list

 

[Melana]

have you been to http://www.flavortownusa.com/states

 

[beersk]

Go to Gritty's. I went there a few weeks ago when I was visiting. Good fish & chips, tasty beer.

 

[chickens4life]

allagash brewery is one of my favorites, although it is a little ways out of downtown, so you will need a car to get there (probably worth heading out that way, there are several breweries in the same neighborhood). and there is a nice beer garden called novare res beir cafe, they seem to always have a good variety. for food I like flat breads pizza, they tend to have some good local beer around, and are right on the water by the public peer.

I moved away a couple of years ago though, so there may be some newer places that are also good.

-chickens

 

[mcgster]

allagash brewery is one of my favorites, although it is a little ways out of downtown, so you will need a car to get there (probably worth heading out that way, there are several breweries in the same neighborhood). and there is a nice beer garden called novare res beir cafe, they seem to always have a good variety. for food I like flat breads pizza, they tend to have some good local beer around, and are right on the water by the public peer. I moved away a couple of years ago though, so there may be some newer places that are also good. -chickens

Awesome thanks for the info I will definitely check out allagash. I have been to Portland a couple of times before but they have generally just been day trips. I'm down for the long weekend this time so I will be able to explore.

 

[JonM]

I only had one visit (just a few months ago) but I had a great afternoon at the Great Lost Bear. Huge amount of taps, great beer (lots of Allagash) and good sandwiches.

 

[zachattack]

I'll second Novare Res. Go there and nowhere else and it'll be the best trip of your life

http://novareresbiercafe.com/

Gritty's is OK, not great IMO but a fun place to spend a night for sure. The Allagash brew tour is definitely worth doing.

 

[ScootersAle]

Check this thread. As I said in that thread, Duckfat is a must (it is worth the wait), Mama's Crowbar (cash only beer bar) is a great spot too. Fore Street is great. Big Sky Bakery is so amazing for breakfast/pastries.

Rising Tide is a nice visit - brewer/owner is very friendly, also check out Maine Mead Works which is down the street, and stop into Silly's (not beer related) for a milkshake. All right around each other. Bunker brewing is near there too. Whole Foods is close too which actually has a very good selection of beer.

I agree, skip Gritty's.

 

[zachattack]

Silly's is a great spot, solid (but heavy) food and a fun atmosphere. Good for lunch. You should also check out Nosh if you want a fantastic burger: you can get them with pork belly, foie gras and a fried egg, and they have bacon-dusted fries.

 

[beersk]

I'll second Novare Res. Go there and nowhere else and it'll be the best trip of your life

http://novareresbiercafe.com/

Gritty's is OK, not great IMO but a fun place to spend a night for sure. The Allagash brew tour is definitely worth doing.

Well, I never said it was great. Just said it was a cool place to go. Decent beer, good fish & chips...and it's Maine's original brewpub! So, if you're in the area, stop in for a beer. I didn't go to Allagash because I don't like Belgian beer.

 

[brewmcq]

Gritty's, definitely... they are one of the best breweries in the state, IMHO.

Brian Boru's is good too...

 

[CUrchin]

If you can, go a little further north to the Maine Beer Company's tasting room on route 1 just south of Freeport. No food, but the beer is excellent.

 

[zachattack]

Well, I never said it was great. Just said it was a cool place to go. Decent beer, good fish & chips...and it's Maine's original brewpub! So, if you're in the area, stop in for a beer. I didn't go to Allagash because I don't like Belgian beer.

Fair enough, I meant no offense! If you don't like Belgian styles I'd imagine Novare Res isn't your favorite place either. But I love that place.

 

[LakesideBrewing]

Allagash is definitely worth the short drive and Duckfat is a must!

 

[brewmcq]

I'm not a fan of Allagash. And the fact that they are like 400 miles away from the *actual* Allagash is annoying to me.

 

[BeerGrylls]

While in portland I was able to do a meet and greet with DL Geary, attend Ri-Ra's brewery pairing dinner, and get a tour of the brewery by their brewmaster. What a cool, down to earth bunch, and seeing all of the open fermentors bubbling away with ringwood was a heavenly experience. Helps that it's one street over from Allagash. Me: skip allagash and call Geary's for a tour.

 

[zachattack]

Good to know! I've had some stuff from Geary's that I've definitely enjoyed.