Portland, Maine’s Best-Kept Secrets: 20 Places to Eat and Drink Right Now

Our lovely Portland, Maine, has swiftly become an absolute powerhouse in the food and beverage scene.

Countless articles, hit TV shows, and an amazing word-of-mouth campaign have taken the Portland culinary scene and lifted it to an epic level.

Portland, Maine is One of America's Best Foodie Towns

All I have to say is: "It's about time." Portland has been a top-tier food and beverage destination for far longer than the national media has given it credit for—and we locals certainly know that.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in spending massive amounts of time discussing and dissecting every little aspect of Portland’s restaurant scene. Quite frankly, it deserves it. Whether it’s downtown, the Old Port, Libbytown, or the West End, you’ll find excellent food and beverages.

With that in mind, it’s only natural for us to find our favorites. Maybe it’s an established joint, or perhaps it’s brand new—but either way, Portland isn’t lacking in great spots.

But what about Portland’s fine establishments that don’t get as much attention? The breweries that stay out of the spotlight. The bars that carry the underappreciated moniker. The restaurants that deserve recognition but always seem to fly under the radar.

What are Portland, Maine's Best Under-the-Rader Establishments?

I decided to put together a list of some of these establishments. These 20 places are diverse in concept, culture, and location, but they all deserve the same thing: more attention and acclaim. Hopefully, this post will help make more people aware that Portland is more than just its name-brand and popular establishments.

READ MORE: 20 Maine Restaurants in Greater Portland Seen on Food TV

How many of these have you been to? What’s your favorite under-the-radar spot in Portland?