We will be driving up to Bar Harbor and have stopped in the past in Portland for lunch (and walking around checking out the stores). Last time we ate at RiRa, which was fine (had burgers). Looking for a suggestion for a different place to eat. We don’t want anything heavy or that takes long (as we will still have several hours in the car to drive.) By the water would be nice, someplace right in the thick of things so it is convenient. I know several of you on CC are familiar with Portland.
We ate at Vinland a couple of years ago. Was very trendy then. Its deal is they only use local ingredients (so no lemons because they aren’t grown in Maine but use yogurt and other stuff to mimic a lemony taste if needed). Better hype than food, though the food was quite good and interesting because of the restaurant’s approach.
I cannot remember it’s name, but here is this TINY place in the middle of Portland which is a seafood restaurant with counter service. The best lobster roll I have ever had (and I grew up in Cape Cod). I was driving there on my way to Augusta. I am sure I found it via TripAdvisor, etc. which means it must have been highly rated. I actually sought it out during my remaining trips there for work, but can’t remember the name! Sorry. But the owner is the ‘chef’ And he claimed that the lines are around the block at dinner during he summer. So I suspect it is well known?
Another option would be to eat in Brunswick. There are quite a few good restaurants, many of which are on Maine Street right in the middle of Brunswick. Brunswick is quite small so getting in and out is easy. Some good options include the Portland Pie company (which of course also has a site in Portland), the Great Impasta, Henry and Marty, Enoteca Athena, Frontier, Lemongrass.
If you like Asian food, try Bao Bao Dumpling House in Portland. The chef/owner (Cara Stadler) is a four-time James Beard rising chef nominee. She just opened Lio, a full service Italian restaurant in Portland last year. I haven’t tried it, but it got good reviews. Her first restaurant, Tao Yuan, is great too, but it is in Brunswick, ME (home of Bowdoin College). She grew up in the same (small) town in MA where I live; we rented her family’s house when we were building ours. She and her family went to live in China.
Is the 3 Dollar Dewey pub still open in Portland? That place has a funny history to it.
I went to a good Mediterranean restaurant there, but I don’t remember the name oof
Highroller Lobster, Portland Lobster Company (on the water), Luke’s Lobster(on the water), Flatbred (pizza) has a deck on the water. J"s Oyster Bar (on the water) local dive bar with food. For a more upscale lunch- The Grill Room, The Front Room, Central Provisions,. If you want oysters Eventide is the best but hard to get in to . You can also go to The Shop on Washington Ave for $1.50 oysters and of course J’s. I live in Portland, ME
I live just north of Portland and honestly can’t keep track of all the great restaurants in the city. You’re getting some great suggestions! My two favorite restaurants in the area are the Royal River Grill House in Yarmouth and the Tuscan Bistro in Freeport.
We have eaten at Duckfat in Portland a few times. Very casual and tiny, but the food is great.
Funny somebody brought up Tuscan Bistro in Freeport, we stopped there a few times on drives to Bar Harbor and really liked it. I am thinking this time to stop in Freeport on the way up (where we will do Linda Bean’s lobster rolls for lunch) and Portland for lunch on the return trip. I am liking the idea of Flatbread for pizza on the water, but keep the ideas coming.
Following this! We are bringing S19 to Bowdoin this fall. Getting to town three days early to get to know Portland and Brunswick a bit before drop off. 
Last time in Portland we bought bread at Standard Baking Co, a fabulous bakery. You must visit there while getting to know the area.
@homerdog - in Brunswick, our S took us to Libby’s Market for lobster rolls. It’s a convenience store, not a restaurant, but they have a few picnic tables outside and a few tables inside. They were amazing.
Hard pass on Linda Bean establishments. I will give my business to LL Bean, however.
Probably a little heavy but, excellent food
Buck’s Naked BBQ
568 Route 1
Freeport, ME 04032
I used to travel up to Portland for work and the last time I was there I wanted just a local place so I went to Andy’s Old Port Pub. It’s right along the water not too far from RiRa’s which I’ve also eaten at. I liked Andy’s a lot better. The other place I’ve eaten at that had outside seating was Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room. That was nice sitting out on the upper deck.
Both of these places are along the water front but Andy’s was inside only. When I travel I try to eat at local places and avoid the chains. Andy’s was nice in that it was me and a bunch of the local fishermen waiting on the ferry to take them home at the end of the day. It’s more pub type food but I liked what I had and would go back.
There are really a lot of good places just along the river front or up one street so a pretty good variety depending on what you are looking for. Not sure if its still there but one of my favorites for a little nicer meal was Vignola Cinque Terre.
Bao Bao is fabulous! Not on the water, but those places tend to be more about the expensive view than the food. Empire is also excellent, as is Central Provision. For quirky and cheap, we also like Taco Escobar.
Andy’s sounds good. Checked out the menu and we could have a salad or sandwich (keeping it light).
I don’t like Linda Bean’s.