The Knotted Apron delivered the kind of meal that feels effortless, though clearly a great deal of thought is behind it. My guest and I shared the country bread to start, and it immediately set the tone. It had a subtle sweetness against a beautifully salty texture, which made it far more memorable than bread service usually is, comforting and refined at once. I had the steak tartare temaki and the tagliatelle, and both were outstanding. The tartare was clean, balanced, and quietly confident, with excellent texture and flavor. The tagliatelle was just as impressive, rich and satisfying without ever feeling heavy. Both dishes felt composed rather than overworked, which made them all the more memorable. My guest had the salad and the salmon, and those were equally well executed. Everything that came to the table felt thoughtful, polished, and deeply appealing without trying too hard. The dulce at the end was a lovely finish, understated but exactly right. The only small note is that the room was a bit robustly noisy, especially for an early reservation. Even so, the quality of the food and the assurance of the kitchen carried the experience. What stood out most was the consistency. Every dish felt considered, every flavor felt intentional, and the entire meal had a calm sense of confidence that is harder to find than it should be. The Knotted Apron is the kind of place that leaves a strong impression precisely because it does not need to announce itself. read more

The Knotted Apron - Steak Tartare Temaki - French Near Me - Portland, Maine

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We made a reservation at The Knotted Apron because we saw they were taking part in the 2026 Maine Restaurant Week and we figured it was a fantastic reason to go back. We got seats at the bar which gave us the opportunity to chat with Tyler, who was our server and the bartender. He took really good care of us! Our meals were fantastic! The Scottish Trout was perfectly cooked and the Duck Leg Confit was crispy but not dry. We enjoyed sitting at the bar, watching the cocktail action as well as the well organized operation in the kitchen. This is just an amazing restaurant! read more

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Ok, we moved to the area (Yarmouth) in December from 25 years in San Francisco. We had been searching for a good experience that felt familiar and we finallllllly found it - the "Knotted Apron"! Holy shit, a solid 10/10 in my book. It had neighborhood charm, understated ambience, but more importantly the food was amazingly good - fresh, simple but executed flawlessly and perfectly. This felt like our neighborhood gems in SF that locals knew but tourists had to figure out. Surprised this chef had not been James Beard nominated as it torches some of the other places in town that have. We brought a verrrrry nice bottle of Billecart from 2005 to celebrate my birthday. Their corkage is $40 per bottle. We started with the bread. OMFG, the best bread I have had in ages. so crunchy but yet soft and not sweet like American bread tends to be. We then got a salad and I got the chicken liver mouse. The salad was perfectly dressed and fresh. The mouse - seriously, any time this is on the menu, you would be an idiot NOT to order it. We went onward to entrees and got the steak with potatoes and I got the halibut with chorizo, white beans. Both had so much flavor. I actually want to try and recreate the halibut dish at home as it was unexpected and delicious - who would have thought chorizo and a white fish could work so well together? The service was quirky, fun, and perfect. We had a young gentlemen with the most perfect mustache I've ever seen lol! He was so attentive but not intrusive - which is a hard thing to perfect. He helped guide us through the menu and also did not try to oversell us on anything. Overall, this just moved into my overall #1 slot in all of Portland - and frankly, I can sometime be a picky jerk. (I've been working on being more self-aware) read more

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Wow what an amazing experience! Everything was done so well here I had to give them five stars. The restaurant is super cozy, we sat at the bar where you can view the open kitchen which is super cool. Our bar tender was fantastic, super friendly, on top of it and gave us suggestions on the menu. We split a bottle of wine and both got steak. It was cooked to perfection. I can't say enough good things about this place! read more

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My last night in Portland, Maine and dinner at the knotted apron was a must. Bintz was absolutely the usual - Fabulous! Great food, amazing vibe, quaint atmosphere! My time in Maine was wonderful. I'm saddened to leave but I will certainly be back to visit. Great job to everyone on this team! read more

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Amazing food, perfect timing for each course. Each dish was made with care and the staff was kind, courteous, and swift. Atmosphere was pleasant and not overcrowded and loud like most other restaurants. Would recommend 10/10 times read more

The Knotted Apron - Flat Iron - French Near Me - Portland, Maine

Wonderful overall experience with my beautiful wife. My wife had the Crab Dip, French Onion Soup and the Casco Bay Cod and I had the Poutine, Wild Mushroom Salad and the Duck Breast and we shared the Chocolate Tart. All were amazing, but the Poutine, French Onion Soup and Duck Breast would be our recommendation (a lights out, amazing meal.) Every dish was incredibly well balanced, so much so that if you don't include all ingredients in each bit you're definitely missing out! Lastly, the service was just as amazing and the venue is a warm and cozy atmosphere with music at the right level for great private conversation. read more

The Knotted Apron - Duck Breast - French Near Me - Portland, Maine

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The waitstaff were professional, kind and patient. The vibe was formal and yet, casual. Everyone working so attentive and truly seemed to care about the experiences of each of their guests. The food was phenomenal. We can't wait to go back! read more

5/5 for everything!!! The Knotted Apron is one of the best restaurants I've been to in Portland. I loved everything I ate. And the ambiance and service was excellent. I sat outside with the outdoor lights lit, which gave a perfect calm, fairytale vibe. It was my boyfriend's birthday dinner and we were so happy with how everything turned out. Our waiter was super nice and checked up on us in a timely manner. One of my favorite dishes were the mussels. The sauce was so good that you could slurp it by itself. The bread that came with it was a nice addition to dip in the sauce and add crunch. They do change the menu every now and then so the dishes seen in the pictures may not be there when you go. But that's something I enjoyed because it shows how thoughtful and creative the chefs are when they create a dish. Overall, I will definitely return to The Knotted Apron! read more

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You know when you go to an establishment and before the meal is actually over, you are already planning the next time you go? Knotted Apron was that for my partner and I. Looking for a place to go to for our anniversary, I made reservations for the Knotted Apron based on a recommendation from a friend who had also gone for her anniversary. Looking at the small, but adventurous, menu, I was eager to go. Making a reservation on a Thursday was easy, however, I can imagine that it would get more challenging on the weekend. There is some outdoor seating, about 6 seats at the bar with the open kitchen, and a small dining room space. Although small, the establishment creates a comforting and intimate experience, without feeling like you are sitting on top of other people. My partner and I ended up sitting at the bar, which was perfect, as we got to see the chefs cook in the open kitchen. The service here is one of the best. The bartender was incredibly nice and informative. He was the perfect balance of being attentive and giving us some space. The chefs were also awesome and interacted with us as we discussed food and techniques. The menu, again, although small, packs a punch with a variety of flavors and options. It being in the peak of summer, there were a lot of lobster notes, but there were pasta dishes, salads, apps, etc. My partner and I started by sharing the Lobster Toast and the Tagliatelle. The lobster toast with pickled mushrooms and miso was out of this world, and a cool, unique take lobster. The tagliatelle was so, so good with a little chili oil and amazing meatballs. Entrees are on the larger side. My partner and I both opted for the monkfish with lobster risotto. It was perfectly cooked and incredibly flavorful. I can't say enough about this restaurant. We can't wait to go back and try more of the seasonal offerings! read more

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We chose to dine here to ring in 2024 based on the excellent reviews of food, service and ambiance. The New Year's Eve 6 course tasting menu was not available at the time reservations were made (nor anytime before our arrival) and paid in full: $166.00 dollars per person which included a champagne toast, tax and 20 percent gratuity. The dining area is intimate as well as a bit cramped, but the set up is lovely. We were provided champagne upon arrival. The New Year' s eve menu was provided and much to our dismay, there were no choices and there were 2 fish dishes to be served. The cod fritter was the first course. The salty portion was tiny, accompanied only by a lonely spring of arugula. Next came a broccolini with Hollandaise, followed by poached flounder, veal with potatoes, and then a Tiramisu like cake. All portions were small, even for a tasting menu. I am not sure how broccolini counts as a course.The menu and presentation lacked creativity, innovation, flavor and choice. No party favors were provided. Service was o.k. but like the menu, nothing outstanding. Based on this experience, I would give a 3.5 and I would not look to dine here again. read more

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4.5 Although I may not agree with the chef's sensibilities in every instance, the execution of the small but creative menu items is flawless. Service is prompt and superfriendly. Dining room is compact; some outside tables relieve the pressure in nicer weather. Portions are modest; if you a hungry all three courses and dessert is the way to go. Such a journey is not, however, without cost. Bathroom makes the most out of the space available. read more

We had the best meal at the Knotted Apron! The staff was friendly and the service was wonderful. And the food! We got the crab cake, steak tamaki, country bread, tagliatelle, and finished with blueberry buttermilk ice cream. Every bite was fabulous. This neighborhood French bistro is not to be missed! read more

The best Caesar's salad I've ever had in my life! No joke. The dressing was perfect and so fresh. I even asked the server and he was stunned because nobody asks what's in the dressing they change their menus but I hope they keep this one. The beef in the beef ragu was perfectly tender. The pasta was awesome. Overall a wonderful place for a date night. We sat outside since it wasn't too cold yet. It's not a regular fare kind of place (not for me) but definitely a gem in Portland. read more

The Knotted Apron - Beef ragu Tagliatelle - French Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Portland is known for its great restaurants, and I've had the opportunity and fortune to dine at all of them. I can say, without any hesitation, The Knotted Apron is one of Portland's best. In many ways, The Knotted Apron is the definition of a hidden gem. It is located within a neighborhood rather than being part of "the scene" in Portland's Old Port. Because of its location, it doesn't get the write up or the attention other restaurants do. There are no lines out the door based on some story in a national publication. But people who know, well, know, which is why I strongly recommend making a reservation. (If you can't get a reservation on line, call them.) The menu varies seasonally and is always sensational. Chef Ryan Hickman likes to source locally, as is evident from the freshness of the flavors. And the staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and enjoyably friendly. If you're fortunate enough to be there on New Year's Eve, Valentines Day, or one of their other special events, you'll discover that restaurant manager Kate Hickman goes all out to make the experience unique and truly memorable. Here's a tip: if you want to dine there for one of those events, get on the mailing list. I've recommended The Knotted Apron to numerous friends and colleagues, as well as people visiting Portland from out of town. I've never received anything but enormous thank yous. Very simply, it's a great place for a great meal. read more

So... over a year later and I think we have become regulars. This is our favorite restaurant in the area. The food is always outstanding and the menu is well-curated, fresh, creative, and changes almost daily. There is something for everyone on it and we always take visiting guests here for what is always a warm and pleasant evening. And I absolutely adore the people who work here. The moment you walk in you can tell that this is a special place run by people who care. We might have to move closer. read more

Staff, food and ambience are all outstanding. Comfortable, relaxed vibe, we always enjoy our visits here.

The Knotted Apron is a great addition to the lively and high quality food world in Portland Maine. This place is a hidden gem and - because of its distance from the touristy areas of the old port - I feel like you get a taste of what real Portlanders love. The restaurant itself is very small and quaint, quirky even. The outdoor tables are a plus because the dining room is small and cramped. It can also be a bit warm due to the exposed kitchen in such close proximity to the tables. The bathroom might be the smallest bathroom I have ever been in. The food at The Knotted Apron is without peer. Fantastic, fresh, good portion size and cooked to perfection. Each item was a winner. The menu is small - maybe there are 3 choices for the main course. But you will be very happy with everything you put into your mouth! The watermelon salad was a winner. I think it could have "looked" better but it certainly could not have "tasted" better. The mussels were among the best I have ever had. OK, so these dishes did not push the envelope too much. They were relatively uninventive offerings but they were presented perfectly. Our main courses were swordfish and steak. Again, each dish was expertly prepared and so filling. And the drinks were fantastic! I asked for some extra sweetness to my drink and they delivered it beautifully. The service, the service, the service!!! Each person we talked to was great. Well spoken, very friendly, interesting and knowledgeable about the menu and the food. Even if the rest of the meal was below par - which it was NOT - the service would have me coming back. The people here are the STARS of the show. The Knotted Apron is worth the Uber drive out of the central business district. You will not be disappointed. It feels like the kind of place that is a neighborhood gem that you were just lucky enough to stumble upon. Please run, don't walk to the Knotted Apron! read more

Delicious, scratch-made food in a friendly, cozy restaurant. The halibut was some of the best I've had locally, and everything else we ordered was simply divine. Great service and a well curated wine selection. Highly recommended! read more

Chef Ryan is seriously talented. His creations are beautiful and scrumptious and never over the top. He mixes, matches and blends without over doing it. His offers a gastronomic treat that keeps bringing us back. The dedicated and loyal Knotted Apron team works like a fine clock. They make us feel at home in their cozy restaurant. read more

The Knotted Apron - Steak tartar as only Chef Ryan can do. - French Near Me - Portland, Maine

What a great experience from the moment we walked in and were greeted to our seats at the bar in full view of the kitchen. We ordered drinks, a red wine and paper crane both drinks were excellent. We ordered the focaccia and onion soup for the first course. The focaccia was "ethereal" and the onion soup was spot on with a nice cheese crust. Our next course was the mixed greens and the cauliflower soup with Maine crab. Salad was exactly as it should be with goat hill blue cheese and candied walnuts. The cauliflower soup was something special, like eating a homogenized flavor emulsion. Every spoonful was fulfilling and satisfying. For dinner we had the flank steak and duck breast. Absolute home run on both. Cooked to perfection as ordered. My wife likes her steak on the medium side and I like the duck rare. The portions were generous as well. Great value for your money!! read more

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WOW! WOW! WOW! Such an amazing evening at the Knotted Apron. We were very fortunate to sit at the Chef's Counter, which was a treat in itself. Not only is the Chef an amazing Chef, he seems like a genuinely great person. Our dinner was outstanding in every aspect. The service, cocktails, wine and of course the food. It was as if we were having dinner in the Chef's home. We enjoyed every moment of this wonderful dining experience! Huge kudos to you and your team!! read more

Excellent food, great service, great vibe. The carrot cavatelli was unbelievable, as was the duck breast. It was the best meal I've had in a restaurant in a very long time. We will definitely return and get seats at the chef's counter. read more

Service and ambiance were excellent but the food was average and expensive. Solid meh for us.

We stumbled upon this neighborhood hangout by chance. So glad we did. Let's start with the appetizers. First we had a chicken liver mousse that was nothing short of amazing. We also had the lamb sausage and onion tart. All of them were outstanding. Our entrees were the ragout of short rib over tagliatelle and the roasted chicken served with a hash of squash. Finally we had the flatiron steak over a mashed potatoes and Brussels. The chef sent out some of his gnocchi that were like air pillows. We were to stuffed to try any desserts. My favorites were the mousse and onion tarts The staff were so very gracious and accommodating. Alex and Tyler made our evening so delightful. read more

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This was our first night out after moving to Deering Center from the midwest. The food was delicious and beautifully presented, the cocktail was lovely. The space was intimate due to its smallness, but not noisy. There was a snafu in the timing of courses, with a long gap before the mains arrived. The manager/?owner was apologetic and graciously comped us a delicious vegetable and dessert, neither of which we had ordered but enjoyed immensely. An explanation by the waiter of the problem would have smoothed our feathers but the manager more than made up for the issue. We will definitely return for another special night. read more

The Knotted Apron - Rocky Raccoon, a margarita variation. - French Near Me - Portland, Maine

Absolutely AMAZING!!!!!! my husband and I just came home from eating at some of the best restaurants in Paris - and we felt like we were right back there! All of the food is made with the freshest ingredients and was bursting with flavor. We tried multiple appetizers and desserts - and the salads and main dishes were out of this world. The service was outstanding. our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and charismatic. The ambience was like a European corner cafe - understated fancy with candles, fresh flowers, and cloth napkins. The sense of community was remarkable. There was laughter and a casual elegance in this gem of a restaurant in a Portland, Maine neighborhood. The Knotted Apron is not to be missed!!!!!! Hurry up and go....& save us seat!!!!! Our new favorite restaurant. read more

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We visited The Knotted Apron as part of Maine Restaurant week. What a terrific meal! The focaccia bread was light and flavorful. Our server was attentive and pleasant. We'll be back! read more

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Is your take out lacking presentation? Of the gourmet places close to home this is one of our favorite take out places. They have a limited menu but our dishes were all delicious. Phone order was easy and food was hot and ready on time for curbside. When we got home another surprise, stellar take out container presentation! There are so many excellent food options in most Portland neighborhoods now but one problem we have with takeout is presentation. You are so excited walking back with this bag exuding aromas that you find yourself jaywalking to dangerous levels. Biking or driving is even more hazardous! Then you get home to a bit of a chore having to plate it, but if you lack the artistic skill it looks blah. These guys make it look good. We had french onion cheese tart, Jerusalem artichoke crab soup, chicory salad and roasted chicken. Looking forward to the next menu. read more

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I took a chance at finding a last minute reservation via open table and stumbled upon The Knotted Apron. We haven't been in Portland long and I wanted to do a special dinner for my husbands birthday. Upon arrival the hostess and the server both said happy birthday which was really nice. The menu is small and well curated. The house focaccia was good, crunchy yet airy? My husband said the steak tartare was really interesting with the addition of pickled cabbage mixed in within the steak. The Chicory Caesar was delish! The star of the show was the steak frites. The maine potato frites were dead on fantastic. Perfection. To round out the night was the best f**king apple donuts and salted caramel I have ever eaten. Bitz our server was both attentive and homey. It felt like we were dining in someone's home kitchen. The quality of the food they are pumping out of a kitchen that is 8x8 is insanely good. Bitz mentioned that the menu is seasonable with many of the items coming from local farms. We will 100% be back. read more

My fiancée and I had our plans for the evening fall through on a Friday in the peak of summer. We were on an hour long wait list for tacos but I was able to secure a late reservation here. I knew it was the right place when I saw the Bourdain portrait on the wall and it ended up being the perfect dinner date. The best piece of focaccia I've ever had in my life as an appetizer, steak frites and homemade tagliatelle were shared as mains, chocolate cake for dessert. Every dish was simple yet expertly crafted and also had a little extra something that put it over the top. The bread served with aged balsamic and perfectly salty. The steak sauce they make was superb. And the tagliatelle with meatballs had whipped ricotta and Calabrian chili. They used dark coffee in the cake and amaro in the ice cream to use bitterness to counteract the sweetness of dessert. The entire meal came to around $100 and we were perfectly satiated afterwards. Neither of us felt over-served. It was a wonderful experience, and look forward to coming back. read more

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Thoroughly enjoyed my first meal here. The duck breast with pickled rhubarb was fantastic and the dessert had layers of texture, very good. I'll be back as often as I can. read more

A must try! Seriously the best meal I've had in Portland recently. The food is beyond amazing. The service and atmosphere were so enjoyable! I can't wait to eat here again. read more

Very good. At the Knotted Apron you can expect friendly service and a cozy atmosphere. And for the food, expect quality over quantity. The nicely presented pork chop that I had was perfect -- lean as chicken breast with no fat. And the cabbage along with it was some of the best I've ever had. I was also pleasantly surprised that they acknowledged my note in the reservation about it being a wedding anniversary dinner. Thank you Knotted Apron for a fantastic evening. read more

Delicious food but portions are extremely tiny for the price. Very small menu. No kids options so please leave children at home. Also if your deciding to sit out at the patio bring bug spray. I've gotten bitten 6 times from how close the tables are to the greenery. great selection of wine but please be prepared to drop almost $200 on small portions of appetizers and main dishes. Very surprise because Italian portions are quiet larger. I understand French isn't so just keep the French portion that tiny size. However the duck was amazing and the liver pate . read more

The Knotted Apron - Duck peach marmalade - French Near Me - Portland, Maine

First time in Maine, and the knotted apron was the anointed one for us to try first. W-O-W! End of review. Just kidding. The restaurant is not huge, but not small enough to be crowded everywhere, there was enough space for me and my wife to talk and not feel like the people next to us were listening to our conversation. The ambiance was fantastic, music at comfortable levels, candles, and you could hear the bustle of the kitchen from where we were sitting. The servers and hostesses were fantastic as well. We had the French onion tart and lobster risotto to start off, and the flavors were amazing. Each dish presented cleanly, Instagram worthy for all of you foodie bloggers. The portions were fitting so that you could savor the dish but not get too full before the main course. For the main course we had the Parisian gnocchi, and the Atlantic swordfish. The Parisian gnocchi was not for my palette, a little too sweet, but the sauce was so rich that I found myself finishing and wanting to lick the plate clean afterwards. The swordfish was perfectly cooked, not too soft not too firm, and the eggplant caponata just brought the taste of the polenta together with the swordfish beautifully. In a nutshell, DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS PLACE. Will be back soon, thank you knotted apron! read more

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I dragged my husband to brunch here a few months ago even though it was very much not his ideal breakfast or lunch spot. That said: we both really liked it (me more then him. It was very much my kind of brunch spot :)) The good: Staff was A+++ nice and helpful, for a small space, I loved the set up they had going on inside. I LOVE the open kitchen and would def like to sit at the bar and get a snack and watch them cook sometime. Lots and lots of outside seating. Bloody Mary & food were both delicious. Husband liked the non-bloody mary brunch drinks (a point of contention in our brunch feelings). He had steak and eggs and really liked it, despite there being ingredients on it he typically would not go for. I honestly forget what I gotm, but it was good. The menu for brunch was small and they were out of several items when we were there, but we had a nice experience overall. Neg: Parking lot gave me anxiety haha. It felt precarious on a semi-busy road and cars whipping in and out. Can't wait to go back with some girlfriends. There was a bachlorette party when we were there that seemed to have a good time and had the private party space, so perfect for small gatherings. read more

Everything we had was so delicious. I had the beet salad, onion tart and one of the pastas. So amazing. Husband had the steak and gave me a bite. Wow. I am still thinking about how perfect that one bite was and will definitely be coming back for it. I ordered the special cocktail with aperol and liked it so much I ordered it again. read more

Delicious dinner tonight at The Knotted Apron. The menu is small and the place is a bit out of town, but it's well worth the trip! Intimate eatery, with a great server, "Bits", whose enthusiasm, and friendliness was infectious, and went a long away toward making our dinner enjoyable. Food and drinks were great. We had the vichyssoise, the bread (yum!), the Rilette, all of which were excellent, and the Rillete was very inventive (extra points)! I had the escargot and hubby had the halibut which was delicious! Profiteroles for dessert put us over the top. This is a place to come if you appreciate really good food that is prepared with great love and attention. We recommend it in a minute! read more

What a terrific place. The staff is very professional and friendly. While the restaurant is very small, the atmosphere is welcoming and classy while staying casual enough to feel comfortable. The wine list is small, but every wine we have tried is excellent, and the choices are broad enough to find something you will like. But finally, I get to talk about the food. Everything is a little more creative and delicious than you would expect. Combinations of flavors are well thought out and executed. For example, I had salmon cured with pastrami spices, and it was superb! I have been there three times now and never had anything that was not excellent. Congratulations to the staff, you have a gem here. read more