Following first speculation I saw online of Novel closing then after they confirmed they would be…read moreclosing my wife wanted to make sure we came by before that! She is a book lover and we both love our coffees and cocktails. This is a spot that offers all of that and is a third space I think that has been popular and will in general be missed. We even visited during their opening day back in December 2023. They will be closing their doors on April 17th 2026. I will say that due to them getting their books from a local used bookstore they do not have the latest and greatest selection of books that you'd expect if they were a bookstore. I have not had complaints during any of our visits here. I have enjoyed their coffee as well as their chai lattes along with enjoyed all the cocktails I have tried. I have especially enjoyed the espresso martinis and have liked the fact you could in fact get the coffee drinks and cocktails any time of their hours opened. During the majority of their time open they would offer specialty espresso martinis as well. Some of my favorite cities to visit have many coffee cafe meets cocktail bar and is a concept I wish were more popular in Portland. It is a difficult time currently for all and any local business so with yet another closing I encourage you to support your favorite places when and how you can! Cheers to Novel and thanks for the space you offered to locals and visitors!

A place like Novel was long overdue in Downtown Portland. Coffee, cocktails, and books all day…read morelong? Yes, please. And they're open on Mondays?! The minute I walked in, I was surprised by how big the space was. But heads up, it's already a popular spot. I assumed a Monday visit would mean a quiet, empty cafe, but nope. Every table, couch, and chaise was taken, so I grabbed a seat at the bar. Not a problem, but if you're expecting a hidden gem, this isn't that. The ambiance was cool, hip, and laid-back. It's the kind of place where being solo feels encouraged. The only group chatting while I was there was practically whispering, so if you're looking for a catch-up spot with friends, this probably isn't it. But if you're in town alone and want a good drink and some quiet time, then it's the perfect spot. I ordered The Raven, and it was a delicious and balanced drink, just pricier than expected at $14 (though that's sadly the new norm in Portland). I also got a Negroni, which I just asked for offhand, and surprisingly, it was great and cheaper than my cocktail. Wish I'd known that was an option first. Overall, a fantastic addition to Portland and one I'll absolutely be back to.

I discovered Uncharted back in December 2025 while on dinner break for a show at Merrill…read moreAuditorium. From the moment I walked in, I fell in love with the atmosphere. It's definitely my kind of vibe. The staff were attentive and not put out when I first came in and were incredibly helpful with giving me suggestions (because everything sounded so good). I ended up leaving my first visit with The Abyss bubble tea and meandered my way back to Merrill. Today, I decided to treat my son to an evening out in Portland, and we swung into Uncharted for a quick tea. He got a small regular brown sugar milk tea and I got a large Kraken. I'm just as smitten with the vibe and the space now as I was back in December, & know that whenever I'm in town I'll be coming in to get a tasty drink to walk around town with.

Awesome bubble tea shop that stands out from the other spots in Portland because of its innovative…read moremenu items named after and inspired by the ocean. The zephyr with osmanthus and brown sugar was incredible. The mushroom latte was also outstanding as a caffeine-free option. The space is also really comfortable with abundant seating and charming touches like a bookshelf and board games.

We stopped by Navis Cafe in Portland, Maine and ordered two bagels for breakfast. Overall, it was…read morean okay experience. The service was nice, prompt, and the prices were reasonable, which we appreciated. We're from New York, so we're definitely used to top-tier bagels. That said--considering this was a bagel from Maine--it was pretty A-okay, lol. Nothing mind-blowing, but solid enough for a casual breakfast. The cafe itself is really nice inside and seemed dog-friendly, which is always a plus. In the past, they've also had great pre-packaged dessert options from a local bakery. I didn't see anything that caught my eye this time around, but it's something I've enjoyed before. Overall, a pleasant stop with friendly service and a comfortable atmosphere--just manage expectations if you're a New York bagel snob like us.

This will be a first non-cost review until I am on my feet again and can walk in. I first heard…read moreabout Navis Café while attending a yelp elite event at Thames Landing, which is located directly next-door which also has the same owners, the Roy's. My husband and I love Thames Landing, so why not try breakfast and lunch! Located on the waterfront in downtown Portland, they have a nice view of the walkway, railway, and the ocean Gateway. Parking is either on street or in the conveniently located parking area next to the building. I ordered the breakfast sandwich of bacon, egg, and cheese on and everything bagel. Bagel was nicely toasted not overly chewy, cheddar, egg, and bacon well balanced. I ate it so fast I forgot to take a picture! For lunch, I ordered their Bow sandwich which consisted of sliced smoked turkey, cheddar, bacon, greens, and red onion with a chipotle mayo, which I substituted for regular. They give you multiple choices of bread, I chose a wrap, which they kindly cut in half. I found this to be very delicious, the turkey the cheese to be well balanced with the greens making it very refreshing with each bite. I did take a picture of this! I enjoyed my lunch with some kombucha, which also was very refreshing. My hope is that my husband and I will go for breakfast this weekend when I can go out and experience the atmosphere and where I can take more photos.

This cute little donut shop has such unique flavors. We stopped in to order their maple bacon mini…read moredonuts and it was so hard NOT to eat all of them in one sitting. They are freshly made when ordered so they come out pipping hot!! The donuts are so carefully crafted and decorated well it made it hard to touch them, oh but we did! My only gripe is I wish you could mix up a 6 count box. You have to order all the same unless you get a 16 count box and then you can mix 3 or 4 flavors. All the flavors looked amazing! Another nice gem in the town square of Portland, Maine!

The donuts are good but I do not feel they are worth the hype they receive. Also, and this is just…read moremy personal opinion, I'm not a fan of bite sized donuts. I think you're spending too much money on something you're getting just a single taste of. Lastly, I don't like how you can't order a variety. You have to order a 6 pack of just one flavor. Overall, the donuts are just fine, but I'd rather go somewhere else.

Rainy day stop on a day in Portland with my 19 & 12 yo kids. What a great time we had. We each…read moremade a terrarium that came out beautiful. Staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. They gave us instructions and then let us have the freedom to construct our little ecosystems. I enjoyed a glass of rose while taking in the fun and great ambiance of the space.

Such a fun and chill experience in Portland! The shop is beautiful and chock full of gorgeous…read moreplants and greenery at every turn. Pick out a jar and get started, lots of adorable little curated plants to choose from to make your own terrarium. They also have snacks and beverages available if you're hanging out a little longer! I would love to have a place like this local to me but it was such a unique and lovely visit during our time in Portland.

This place has really shattered my expectations for what to expect when ordering something with…read morebacon and avocado. The service was nice and the whole vibe of the restaurant is bright and clean, but the sandwich really blew me away. I ordered the All Day Sandwich and received what felt like two entire avocados and a whole pig in bacon form. This was not only the best use of avocado, and the best cooked bacon I've ever had in a sandwich, but just a phenomenal bang for my buck. I, (an eater), am almost in disbelief over how much I got and I will be going back again soon to double check.

Holy crow! If they have their sesame seed blondie for sale, buy them all!!! This place offers some…read moretruly tasty baked goods including delicious and crisp cookies, we were very pleased with everything we ordered. The service was excellent and the cafe was hopping with a pleasant vibe. This is one of my favorite parts of Portland so it is wonderful to have this cafe here so you can stop and enjoy the city for a bit!

This is one of my favorite cafes in the Portland area. It's very close to SMCC so it's easy to hang…read moreout there in between classes! The baristas are so friendly and funny, and as a queer person I feel right at home. The orange creamsicle syrup they have right now ROCKS in their iced tea. I got the avocado toast with two eggs, and I'm happy to report they were not shy on the seasoning! You'll be seeing me regularly. Happy pride!

Second Rodeo Coffee is a quaint coffeehouse in South Portland, ME. They offer a nice selection of…read morecoffee and non-coffee drinks, as well as pastries and sandwiches. The staff work very quickly and efficiently, and have a friendly, accommodating demeanor. This is a great place to catch up with friends, work or just chill.