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    Bread & Friends

    4.6 (198 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

    Bread & Friends Photos

    Business Info

    BREAD & FRIENDS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Kylie B.

    FANTASTIC brunch spot worth your time in Portland! Despite there being a line, we were sat relatively quickly in this small shop on a saturday morning. There is also an option for to go pickup of pastries and coffees inside. We started with a maple latte which was delicious (although i'm not sure i really tasted the maple). For our food we had the Jonah Crab omlette that was delectable - the eggs were fluffy and soft, the crab flavor was strong and mixed well with the cheese and roe. We also had the dutch baby - this was my first ever savory dutch baby and it was delicious - the pastry was flaky/crisp, the greens were fresh, and the brie was soooo good.

    French toast
    Shayla F.

    Good find! Friendly staff. Busy spot on a weekend. Lots of unique mini eats. Good for shareables to try different things

    Inside
    Danielle V.

    Just stopped here for a coffee and I got one of their specialty lattes. It was great! Cute little shop with fun vibes. It can get really busy so be prepared. They do breakfast and then close and switch to dinner. I will be back to try dinner!

    Theresa S.

    Super cute and quaint place! I had the French toast, chai tea latte, and fresh squeezed orange juice. All delicious, however, the French toast was gooey/undercooked in the middle. Some of the prices are high. $15 for 1 slice of bread for the French toast. And $5 for a very small orange juice. The staff is really friendly.

    Citrus salad
    George M.

    Definitely one of the best chefs in Maine, deserving that Beard nomination. Our group did restaurant week to experience them for the first time. Atmosphere nice, albeit a bit too dim. Super service, delicious dishes, but way overpriced wine list and exorbitant kitchen wellness fee of 5%. I am ALL in favor of this fee, but the Portland average is 2-3% as of today. This ain't NYC. Grilled oyster, caraflex cabbage, duck and swordfish were outstanding. The ravioli filled with egg a bit odd, and the citrus salad a bland miss. Chocolate Mille-feuille dessert heavenly.

    Whipped goat cheese
    Meg B.

    I'm unfortunately obsessed with this spot. On a weekend getaway to Portland I had to drag my husband 2 days in a row. It's tiny and an awkward space that makes it hard to wait in the winter without jamming up the entryway. That's the only downside for me. Food was beautiful and everything had incredible presentation. Best matcha ever and do not skip the French toast!! It's unbelievable. The baristas were so cool and friendly and conversational. Interesting flavor combos and everything was cooked to perfection.

    guava kouign amann, pain au chocolat, cortado, iced blueberry lemon matcha
    Ruby C.

    The restaurant was really busy when we visited on a weekend afternoon. We wasn't able to dine in as the wait was at least 30 minutes. We got some pastries and drinks to go instead. The guava kouign amann was DELICIOUS. If you can only get one thing here, go for it!! It was flaky on the crust, while the guava filling was so light, tart and refreshing. The pain au chocolat was also decent. The chocolate almost like hazelnut, which I guessed they made it with dark chocolate as it wasn't too sweet. The drinks, however, were underwhelming. The cortado had a cute latte art which I appreciated, but the espresso base was too sour that it didn't complement with the milk. The iced blueberry lemon matcha just tasted like...blueberry syrup. Matcha flavor wasn't there at all.

    petite pastrami biscuits, sauerkraut, aged gouda, yellow mustard Yum!!!
    Joanna R.

    5+ stars! We arrived early, based on what I had heard the crowds would be like on the weekend. Thankfully there was plenty of street parking (payment required) nearby (parallel). There appear to be two entrances to the restaurant (there are not, read the signs carefully) LOL. In the colder months, there is a wind curtain at the entrance door, which is considerate for those sitting and working by that doorway. It was fun to walk into the restaurant as if we were entering on the big stage. LOL We were seated quickly to the left of the entrance in the other dining area. The seating area is bright and lovely. It's cozy, not too jammed and not to spacious. I liked it as it felt like an upscale diner experience. There were so many things that we wanted to try from the menu. The good news is the menu is almost like a tapas menu. They were perfect smaller plates perfect for sharing amongst two people. We wanted sweet and savory and it was exactly what we got. It's hard to pick a favorite because they all were shining stars for different reasons. In the pictures attached to my review, you can see what we ordered. The pastrami biscuit sandwich - amazing - the sweet items we ordered helped balance the richness. The grilled cornbread muffin was great. What I loved about this was the marmalade! Wow. I don't remember the last time I had marmalade and if I even liked it, but I will say, I loved their marmalade - it's my favorite and wish I could buy a jar of it. The bacon was probably the most surprising. It was not the "traditional" bacon with a light maple coating baked on. They were short, thick cut slices in a light "sauce". They were amazing. VERY RICH. We each could only eat two. Which left us with one. And I will get to that in a just a bit... The french toast with creme fraiche. Yes! get it! If you think it looks burnt. It's not- you can see it in the cross section picture I took. The potatoes - Yes! get them! They were wonderful to alternate bites with the sweet options. While we were eating, we were looking at orders being brought out to other tables to see what we may have missed out on. The table next to us ordered a dutch baby which we audibly gasped and swooned over. They then asked if we wanted to try it. I was a bit taken by surprise, but they were serious. We didn't take them up on the offer, but it was so nice. Those around us didn't seem surprised by what was happening. Remember that last piece of bacon? In kind I offered that to them and they accepted graciously! What wonderful clientele. Our waiter smiled and loved the community dining experience he was seeing as well. I ordered something for my husband via the app the night before and our waiter brought that to me before I left. We loved the bread and the pastry we had for take away. Between the food and the vibe and the location being outside of the chaos of the center of the city...I LOVED IT! I will definitely return this year! Thank you to all that made this a lovely and memorable experience.

    Caramel corn latte
    Christine C.

    Stopped in right when they opened, however, all the tables were taken right away! So we got some grab and go and it did not disappoint! I got a special latte, caramel corn with a corn cold foam. It was so cool, it even came with popcorn on top! It was different, it was seasonal, it was like being in a corn field! But icy cold and sweet. We also shared some seed bread - which was sourdough and I loved that. They also had croissants, of which we got some but were underwhelmed by them. They looked amazing but they tasted okay. But the breads were great. I would have loved to eat here, but we will be back to sit and eat. The food combos looked unique and enjoyable. Ambiance is bright (lots of windows) and a diverse serving team. It was nice.

    Pastrami biscuit
    Simone P.

    I adore this place! Brunch was delicious as always with the brisket biscuits and soft scrambled eggs being standouts. The congee lacked a lot of flavor which I was surprised by, I also wasn't a fan of the green or pickled veggie on it. There was a lot of tartness and nothing to really balance it out. I think a sweet chili sauce or something could help it out a bit. Regardless, I look forward to trying more of the menu. The drinks really stood out too. The caramel matcha and creamsicle mimosa were very tasty. The "mimosa" was especially equally refreshing and a sweet treat. I think the sparkling wine instead of oj and prosecco was a nice creative touch.

    Salmon Red Bliss Potato
    Anna S.

    Came to Bread and Friends on a Saturday for brunch, where they only take walk-ins. I'd heard mixed reviews about this place and wanted to check it out for myself. For our party of four, the wait was about 45 minutes, which wasn't a problem. We were seated very close to other parties, though, and could easily hear their conversations, the space is definitely small. Our server was great, taking the time to explain each dish. Unfortunately, I didn't find much on the menu that appealed to me, aside from their (pricey) deviled eggs. We tried the red bliss potato salmon dish, but it wasn't for me--or anyone in my group. The atmosphere was nice, so maybe I'll stop by for a coffee or pastry next time, but I'll skip the entrées.

    Hiramasa Crudo
    Maggie J.

    We made a Saturday night dinner res at Bread & Friends after discovering some good reviews online. Only reservation left was for outdoor seating so I snagged it. We were seated right away and placed our drink order with the friendly waitress. Do note that the alcohol is beer & wine only, no full bar. The outside seating is exactly that, tables outside of the restaurant and not really on a true patio. If I went back for dinner, which I likely won't (but only because we live out of state), then I would book a table inside. The good. We really enjoyed the Strawberry & Ricotta, Charred Broccolini, Tortellini, Gnocchi and the Duck Breast. I am not a huge fan of duck and this dish was phenomenal. Loved the green curry and the crispy cabbage. The bad. We reaaaaally did not like the haramasa crudo which we unfortunately ordered two of. We were also pretty meh on the oysters but had friends dining there the same night that loved them. Overall a good experience and would love to come back and try their breakfast at some point.

    Bacon
    Aheli P.

    Favorite meal in Portland. Every bite felt clean, intentional, and ridiculously fresh. We walked in mid-afternoon for brunch and appreciated the thoughtful waiting setup--grab a coffee or pastry and sit outside while you wait. Great spot to linger, snack, and savor. We had the chawanmushi (pork belly, steamed eggs, bok choy, beech mushrooms!), the roasted mushroom dutch baby, and the sesame country toast with jamon iberico, honey, ricotta and english. Everything was super fresh and delicious. We even got to sit and watch some croissants getting made! Pro Tips: Try the coffee and any baked good available Don't be afraid of the wait--it's part of the experience

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    Bread & Friends Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bread & Friends

    North43Bistro - Steak and cheese egg roll of the day

    North43Bistro

    4.1(119 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    We were here for a private work gathering…read more What a lovely place, it's not a huge space, so for the 60ish of us, it can get a little crowded and loud. The service was incredible. The team of servers and bartenders were great. The were on the move the whole night. Offering up food, refiling drinks and passing around appetizers the whole night. All with a smile and recognizing you might not want to hold the toothpick and napkin the whole time and taking it from you before you realize you have been holding it for 10 minutes LOL The food was delicious, the views were lovely. Parking can get a little tight with the big crowds, especially in the summer. Always check ahead, or make reservations, as they do cater to a lot of private events. I hope to return at some point without work people LOL

    This was our first time here it was valentines day, a preset meal. Every year we try a new place…read morethis year this was it. Let me just say none of the appetizers appearing to my husband. Secondly, I ordered the crab goat as my appetizer it came with two piece pieces that's it. Then the main entrée we picked was a piece of tenderloin with some kind of lobster. Something on top. Let me tell you it was like a pile of mush with a piece of potato underneath it. The meat was delicious. The lobster part was like mush and to me it had a fishy smell and taste. I don't like that my husband said well it's fish. Well I'm sorry but fish in a restaurant shouldn't really taste fishy or smell fishy. By now, we are ready to go home the preset desserts. We wanted to take home one we were told we couldn't even though we've taken home the same type of dessert before and never had a problem, but that's OK. The first thing we asked for we got him was bread. We normally have bread but not tonight because it's Valentine's Day and it's a preset meal. I explained to him that I am a diabetic, and my sugar was low. The waiter didn't seem to care and we still waited a good half an hour for our food to come. We asked to see the regular menu so that we may go back. Regular prices seemed reasonable for the area but to have a preset meal at $85 a person with stuff on there that we don't even eat and we didn't know about this meal when I made the reservation so we were kind of stuck on a Valentine's Day unless I wanted to eat in a fast food joint, which wasn't going to happen. I think if somebody is coming in there and they specifically ask you for something for a reason because they have a Medical need a piece of bread shouldn't be an issue. I don't know if I would come back here not for the price of the meal a cocktail plus tip. As a bonus, let me add this in our waiter said he only learned the menu 20 minutes before we walked in. He looked like a young kid and I said to my husband it was probably the best boy that they let me a waiter because he definitely did not seem like a seasoned employee.

    Photos
    North43Bistro - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    North43Bistro - Sirloin Entrée

    Sirloin Entrée

    North43Bistro - Dining area looking out

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    Dining area looking out

    The Honey Paw

    The Honey Paw

    4.3(780 reviews)
    0.4 miEast Bayside
    $$

    This. Is. It. Seriously, do not pass go. No notes. If you want to take a journey into tantalizing…read moretastebud adventures you must make it a point to get here. Super funky vibes. There's records being thrown down, cool lighting, nice decor and even super friendly folks. The employees here are beyond nice and welcoming. Like they know what they are doing here and they are offering you an experience that is fun and funky. We started off with two drinks. One was called a salad of some sort (sorry, blacked out) and it was delicious. The other was just as good. Ordered the eggplant app - do not leave without this. Absolutely amazing. For food, we ordered a rice bowl with pork sausage and a noodle bowl (with lobster and clams). Don't remember the names. Both were absolutely fantastic. The flavor profiles are just incredible. The rice bowl had so many things happening. Just terrific. The noodle bowl has a broth that you would drink daily. There wasn't one thing that could have made these dishes any better. Do not leave without dessert. Read that again!!! Get the honey sundae. This is what dreams are made of. You will question reality. No matter how stuffed you think you are, order this. This place is just full of magic and wizardry. Like seriously.

    Good meal, prices definitely on the high side…read more Vibe: really cohesive, cool, themed decor. Large shared table in the middle flanked by bar seating. Service: Great Food: We started off with soft serve and the seasonal earl gray outshined the house honey. The earl gray had a great flavor topped with an excellent syrup while the honey was mild and the chocolate shell didn't add anything, although the 'honeycomb' bits were delic. Crispy eggplant special - good, very small portion Pork katsu sandwich - pretty solid, interesting pickle Pad mee korat - good, small portion Value: Aside from the soft serve, the portions were very small for ~$17 price point, and the food was good but aside from the earl gray soft serve, didn't amaze to the point of paying a higher price point. Overall I did like this meal but portions were small for prices. I hope they keep the earl gray soft serve around!

    Photos
    The Honey Paw - Restaurant

    Restaurant

    The Honey Paw - Half Fried Chicken

    Half Fried Chicken

    The Honey Paw - Honey soft serve

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    Honey soft serve

    Central Provisions - Popover

    Central Provisions

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    0.2 miOld Port
    $$$

    Dinner at Central Provisions was such a standout experience. The small plates format made it fun to…read moretry a variety of dishes, and everything felt thoughtful and well-executed. The flavors were creative without being overcomplicated, and each dish had something that made it memorable. The atmosphere struck a perfect balance--lively but still intimate enough to enjoy conversation. Service was attentive and knowledgeable, with great recommendations that really elevated the meal. Definitely one of those places you leave already thinking about what you'll order next time.

    We were happy with the service and speed at which the small plates were delivered to us however…read morethere was a small instance where we got a dish we didn't order (not pictured and it was the special). The lemon sole (fish) and octopus carpaccio (not pictured) were filled with flavor! The pork belly was very underwhelming and I would not order again. The waiter said 2-4 plates per person. I recommend starting on the lower end and adding additional dishes based on how you're feeling. The amount of food was very different from dish to dish. For example the tuna dip had way too much bread and the pork belly was very small in size. Overall I was half impressed. I wish the staff would take a moment to announce the plate as it's placed next to you or point it out on the menu for those hard of hearing and wanting to know what they are about to enjoy. However the music, overall restaurant vibe and half the dishes exploding with flavor made my experience pleasant and I will return again knowing a bit more of what to expect and looking at photos of the menu/meal options beforehand.

    Photos
    Central Provisions - Open kitchen

    Open kitchen

    Central Provisions - CP Frites

    CP Frites

    Central Provisions - Cold Fashioned

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    Cold Fashioned

    The Highroller Lobster - The HighRoller (captured by @a.bite.of.life)

    The Highroller Lobster

    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    0.2 miOld Port
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    From the minute we walked in, the staff could not have been more delightful! We sat at the bar and…read moretalked to one of the bartenders for suggestions, so we ordered 2 jumbo lobster rolls, with jalapeño and lime sauces, a basket of fries and coleslaw. All of the food was spectacular!! We loved the addition of the two sauces to the lobster ! My husband also had an ice cream sandwich and devoured it. Highly recommend!! Will definitely return next time I'm In town !

    We came here super excited about this place with its cool outside look and decor inside. We were…read morepretty disappointed leaving and wished we had gone elsewhere for dinner. We checked in and were sat down and told promptly to let anyone know if we needed anything and we would be helped. Went to order and there was some confusion amongst staff, and instead of taking our order then figuring it out, they had us wait and watch while they sorted things. Sat back down and realized we might have not ordered the lobby pop fried how we wanted but instead regular and went back up to change. Was charged an additional $2 when we had waited through the ordering scuffle and already paid $150. Food was brought to table in an okay span of time, and after drinking my soda, asked for a refill with one of the staff members that brought my food. She said I could go to counter and be helped - ironic after being told anyone could help if we needed anything. Know lobster is expensive, but felt it was overpriced for the experience we had. Seems as though they need to figure out if tables should be served or a kiosk system should be in place. Would not come back or recommend to anyone.

    Photos
    The Highroller Lobster - SO GOOD. Lobster tasted so fresh and tender. Bread was hefty and a great compliment. (Lobster Roll)

    SO GOOD. Lobster tasted so fresh and tender. Bread was hefty and a great compliment. (Lobster Roll)

    The Highroller Lobster
    The Highroller Lobster - Lobster Cheese Crisp Taco, Lobster Roll

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    Lobster Cheese Crisp Taco, Lobster Roll

    Union Restaurant - Farmers salad with lobster

    Union Restaurant

    4.1(372 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Port
    $$

    Wow... I've been going to Union for over a decade. Tonight, it would seem, may be the last time I…read morevisit. Before I rip them a new one, let me be totally up front and say the service was very good. Like many places in the Portland area, they're short staffed, and the people who work there are doing the best they can. Friendly, like genuinely friendly and nice waitstaff. They're doing the best they can with too few people. So, to be clear if any management read this? Your staff is fantastic. The food? That's another story. They used to have things on the menu like roasted Brussels Sprouts with all kinds of delicious. There was a pot roast, cooked over three days, which melted in your mouth, with truffle oil and parsnips and carrots. The cocktails? WAY above par. Now you may as well go to Applebees. Over seasoned, boring, and generally NOT worth the money by a long shot. It just tastes like all the other places who use Sysco or Gordon foods. I had the burger, which was so average. I mean REMARKABLY average. Yes, the lettuce on it was actually not just boring iceberg, but that doesn't make up for serving someone a mass produced, firmly packed slab with way too much salt. It says it's some fancy farm beef, but it sure as heck didn't taste like it. The dish my wife had was similar. Some decent ingredients but for the most part it was literally no better than what you'd get in something in a mall. WAY too much salt, way too little flavor. I also ordered a Manhattan. In a Manhattan, the forward flavor should be the whiskey (rye or bourbon or whatever). All I could taste was vermouth. AND it was served in a highball glass with a massive ice cube, and it was warm. The ingredients should go in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, with ice, then stirred for at least 15 seconds while stirring. It should be served in a cocktail glass like a coup or a martini glass which has been chilled. Mine was in a highball glass. Not sure what happened, but I'm sure profits had something to do with it. You've got dozens of better choices in easy walking distance.

    Nice, friendly service. Enjoyed our meal here. I had the farmers salad with lobster added and it…read morewas very tasty. The lobster was fresh and a decent portion. We also enjoyed the hand cut fries - can add truffle powder to it - and the spelt bread. For cocktails I had the dirty moon martini, which was just the right amount of dirt. Solid place, located at the Press Hotel. A few other things on the menu caught my eye that I'd come back to try.

    Photos
    Union Restaurant
    Union Restaurant - Scallop risotto

    Scallop risotto

    Union Restaurant - Shakshuka

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    Shakshuka

    Scales - Seafood stew

    Scales

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    0.4 miOld Port
    $$$

    Loved everything about this restaurant. The decor was…read morecostal casual with wood beam accents, a rustic feel. The service was on point. Our server was very helpful and attentive. I dont eat seafood but I keep trying .He gave me a couple of suggestions and explained why he picked the dishes he suggested. I ended up ordering the carrot appetizer. It had a middle eastern flair, the flavors popped and it was one of my favorite dishes while in Portland. My entree was the potato crusted cod over a lemon cream shaved brussel sprout sauce. The cod was mild and flakes. The lemon brussel sprout mixture was delicious. This dish made me a fan of cod. I also added the garlic butter rolls. I saw them going by and they were a great add on. Soft, warm with delicious melted herb butter. Scales is a winener on every point. Definitely a must go to.

    Unfortunately Scales did not live up to the hype for us. While we were seated right away at 7pm for…read moreour reservation, the rest of the service during the evening could have been better. Our server described to us the specials for appetizers but never said anything about entree specials (maybe there weren't any?). We ordered the cloverleaf rolls, a cup of clam chowder, a cup of lobster bisque, and the maine mussels before our entrees. Both the clam chowder and the lobster bisque were just ok.. nothing special. The bisque was too sweet and had very little lobster. The mussels were the highlight of the meal. The sauce of cider, mustard and dill was very interesting and had deep flavor. The bread served with the mussels was also delicious. The cloverleaf rolls were great too, but perhaps a little too soggy/greasy from the butter at the bottom of the skillet. For our entrees we had the scallops and the halibut. The scallops were delicious- nicely seared and served with mushrooms and a green pea sauce which was bright and flavorful. The halibut however was not my favorite. The fish itself was cooked very well with a crispy skin, but it was swimming in brown butter and hazelnuts and lacked depth of flavor. It also seemed like an odd choice of flavors for a spring menu. It was served with potatoes that needed a bit more salt. We were too full for dessert and also didn't finish our meals. We sat around for a fairly long time not touching our meals without the server checking on us. Eventually we had to flag them down to get boxes and pay the check. While the ambiance was very nice, for the price and the reputation we expected more. Everything else we have eaten in Portland so far has been fantastic so it was a bit of a letdown.

    Photos
    Scales - Open concept kitchen

    Open concept kitchen

    Scales - Buckwheat brownie

    Buckwheat brownie

    Scales - Peach & Blueberry Cobbler

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    Peach & Blueberry Cobbler

    Bread & Friends - bakeries - Updated May 2026

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