Always a treat. We don't live in Portland but we imagine it is such a gift to have a neighborhood…read morewine shop with a carefully curated selection of wines. This is one of the few places in Portland we try to visit every year when we visit and we're never disappointed. The tasting menu is always great and the owner is delightful, offering thoughtful notes on each of the wines. A great place to get out of the heat and relax during the summer. Definitely stop by!

Had a lovely Galicia Spain wine flight (can also make alterations for other wines on the menu if…read morepreferred) with thorough explanations provided for each wine and the process involved for creating the wine and mixture based on the region. Intimate lowkey atmosphere with peaceful music for a quiet speaking ambiance, absolutely will recommend to others on their visit to Portland!

Amazing wine bar in Portland! I love the new concept of serving yourself the quantity and the style…read moreyou want. They have different oz to be served, and more than 20 wines to choose from. The owner and the staff are beyond friendly and personable. The space is beautiful decorated and elegant. I had a great experience at Angoor, don't miss out!

Great selection of wine and great people!!! The owner is kind, helpful, and professional - the…read moreinside is super cute and clean. Definitely a must stop in Portland!!

Visited Novare Res twice in early June. It is tricky to find so walk up Exchange Street and take a…read moreleft onto Canal Plaza. They have a large outdoor space with plenty of tables. The draft list is impressive. I had the Meteor Pils from France, which was very good. They hosted the Portland Pub Sing (first Monday of the month) in a very packed room inside. It was standing room only but I briefly stood outside and heard a few sea shanties.

Novare Res is a convenient and inviting space to get beers with friends while out in Portland. I…read morealways enjoy my time drinking at Novare. The menu is expansive and inclusive, but ovewhelming and the food that I've had the few times I've ventured that far has not been as good as I was anticipating. I have heard good things about their food from other people though, so I guess I'll just have to keep trying!

My best friend and I went to this restaurant while we were in town (we're from Miami), and we tried…read morethe Agnolotti. We absolutely loved it! So much so that we ended up going two days in a row just to have it again. In fact, I actually haven't stopped talking about it since! The appetizer and dessert were also delicious but my entree was the star of the show. Thank you again for such a wonderful dining experience! Wish I lived closer so I could visit more often! PS. To the chef, any chance you'd be willing to share the recipe? Let me know who to email. I'm serious.

This dinner was FANTASTIC…read more I had seen so many recommendations from TikTok and our experience met every one of our expectations. We walked in on a Wednesday and scored a spot outside. Our waitress, Hannah was absolutely incredible - quick, friendly and gave great advice. The entire staff was very helpful and cleared our plates, and brought our food and drinks quickly. The food was stellar- and don't think you can really go wrong with anything on the menu. Would 100% recommend this to anyone visiting Portland.

Great tapas spot in the downtown area! Had such a lovely waiter too during our visit. Liked all the…read moresavory dishes too, each with its own distinct taste! Ranking: 1) Spicy beef salad 2) Suckling pig 3) Pinkytoe crab 4) Lobster pasta 5) Bone marrow toast The desserts were nothing special but I did like the strawberry white chocolate one. The rhubarb one was meh personally; tasted like yogurt I could eat from the grocery store.

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.

Had a life changing little night here as a solo traveler! Came here by recommendation of my tour…read moreguide earlier in the day and had a blast! Unassuming front but a bar with an amazing atmosphere, great service and yes $5 drinks! This is a true hidden gem and I'm grateful to have gotten to experience it

Nice speakeasy in Portland. They even have a bourbon premade cocktail similar to an old fashioned.read more

Everything about this place is lit!…read more Simple but refined, popped in on 4/20 for some grub after celebrating the day. They were busy, 30 min wait, out of a few things but not crippling. It was busy. I had the pulled pork Viking style, side of buffalo dip, my partner had a 6" glizzy ballpark style with side baked beans. They were both fire!! Service was spot on, super friendly I'll be back, grateful I work down the street several days a week!

The restaurant felt more like a bar, which it was also. The food was delightful and the portions…read morewere more than enough. They were temporarily short staff on the day we visited. However the food was delivered very promptly. I'm a lover of hot dog and have traveled a lot, each time visiting a different hot dog establishment in each city and state. The Thirsty Pig was chosen by my wife and as usual she did a remarkable job of finding a place that serves hot dogs and toppings. This place was delicious and the first time I have ever heard of the type of hotdog I ate. I would do it again, the food was great and the environment was very pleasant.

Scales delivered one of the best meals I've had in Maine. We were seated right along the window…read morewith a perfect waterfront view of the boats and fishing gear on the wharf below. It gave the entire evening that authentic, working-harbor Portland feel while still feeling polished and comfortable. We started with a crisp, refreshing local Belgian wheat beer that was light, slightly citrusy, and an ideal match for the seafood-heavy meal ahead. For appetizers, the grilled octopus was excellent -- tender with a proper char, beautifully seasoned, and full of flavor. It came with pommes dauphine, pine nut and espelette vinaigrette, and garlic whip. There was a light touch of oiliness toward the end of the plate (typical with generous finishing oil), but it didn't detract from what was otherwise a very well-executed dish. The dozen raw oysters were exceptional. All three varieties were local Maine and served ice-cold: Fare Well (Newcastle), Nautical Sisters (Yarmouth), and Weskeag (South Thomaston). I had them with just the mignonette and was rewarded with clean, sweet, briny flavor. These were some of the freshest, highest-quality oysters I've had in Portland. The main courses were the real stars. The Stuffed Lobster Frites was outstanding. The lobster was sweet and perfectly cooked, the claws were pre-cracked for easy access, and the tail was cleanly split with a buttery, herby breadcrumb crust that added excellent crunch and texture. It was accompanied by scallop mousseline and dijonnaise. This is a premium dish, but the quality and generous portion made it feel worth it. Equally impressive was the seared scallops, served in a cast-iron skillet. The scallops had a beautiful golden crust and were cooked exactly right -- sweet and tender. They were paired with crisp corn, applewood-smoked bacon, kale, and roasted peppers in a light, well-balanced cream sauce. This dish avoided the common issue of being overly salty. Every bite offered a nice variety of textures and flavors, and the cast-iron kept everything hot throughout the course. It was precise, thoughtful cooking. We finished with the Chocolate Silk Pie*, which was rich, silky, and deeply satisfying with lovely hazelnut undertones and a crunchy chocolate-hazelnut topping. The presentation was beautiful, and it made for a perfect ending. Service was attentive and professional without feeling rushed or intrusive. The pacing between courses was ideal. Bottom line: If you're serious about high-quality Maine seafood, Scales is delivering at a very high level right now. The ingredients are pristine, the execution is precise, and the waterfront setting (especially from a window seat) adds real character. This was easily one of the best meals I've had in Portland. I'll definitely be back. Highly recommended for seafood enthusiasts, special occasions, or anyone who appreciates a restaurant that respects its local ingredients.

Scales was an incredible disappointment. I'd been looking forward to this experience for a few…read moremonths. Scales is lively and vibrant and the host staff was friendly. My server was nice enough, though a bit aloof. When I booked, there was only bar seating available, which is not my preference, but I was so excited to dine here that I did not care. I wish I had made a different decision. I found the cocktail list uninspiring, so I started with a lovely Albariño. I ordered the halibut ceviche, swordfish, and griddled brown bread. Being a Bay Stater, I was looking forward to the brown bread. It never arrived. No one noticed. My server did not say anything until the end, where I was offered a free coffee and ice cream/sorbet. Insulting does not begin to describe it. The halibut ceviche was delicious. It was briny and salt and tasted of the sea. I loved it. The swordfish was rich, heavy, and overcooked. I am always cooking heirloom beans, so maybe that is why I did not love the beans. I don't think I even ate half of my entree. At dessert, my server noted the missing bread and offered a sorbet or ice cream. However, he offered after I had ordered the strawberry cream puff, so it seemed like it was an option for that, not an in lieu of offer. It was not clear until the sorbet arrived along with my cream puff. The strawberries had no flavor. I took a few bites of dessert and was over the whole experience. My server did clearly offer a complimentary coffee though, which again, was insulting. From what I can tell, the kitchen never saw the mostly untouched food, due to my seat the bar. The server placed my dishes below the bar. However, he didn't ask any questions about why I didn't finish the dishes, so it must have been clear to him. I do wish the kitchen had been informed as well. I have never regretted a meal as much as the one I had at Scales. I was looking forward to a delicious dinner with a few glasses of wine. Instead, I left hungry and sad. Scales is a waste of time and money. It's a definite skip in Portland.