Such an outstanding dinner!! Every dish is so thoughtfully created with textures and flavors put together to create a unique mouthful, perfectly cooked for the ultimate dining experience. Service is by far the best and genuine, it's always a pleasure! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The size of the restaurant, the vibe, watching the kitchen, it's such an enjoyable evening.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This is a must do every time I visit Portland!" read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]We celebrated an anniversary at the chefs counter - it's our favorite place to sit.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The restaurant flows seamlessly and it's evident that everyone hustles as a team - many different servers cleared and set our places- each kind and affable. The wine pairing is our favorite addition to the chefs menu and our sommelier was lovely and knowledgeable, we were able to purchase bottles of wine that we loved from our pairings. Each course was superb- fresh, and l plate-lickingly good- has us thinking it can't get better than this- but it did. We travel from Massachusetts every year just to eat at 12- and it has never disappoints. Stand out dishes are the lobster roll - lobster melted in our mouths, the sausage (who knew sausage and fine dining went together?!?), and the seared scallops- perfect sear on the outside and tender on the inside. I wish I had pictures to share, but we ate them so fast! Needless to say, we enjoyed our meal. read more

Honestly, I'm not even sure where to start. My girlfriend's cousin recommended Twelve to us and what a wonderful recommendation it was. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat at the Chef's Counter which stares right into the kitchen. It's not everyday you can watch artists practice their craft and that's exactly what this magical experience let us do[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. If you're dining at Twelve, you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't take advantage of this opportunity. Turning to the food, everything was fantastic. For some highlights, the tuna was a star, both in flavor and presentation. The roll for the lobster roll was one of the most beautiful pieces of bread I've ever laid my eyes on and the flavor lived up to the sight. Once I got to the New York Strip, I was pretty full but it was too good to slow down there. Twelve was also extremely accommodating of my girlfriend's celiac. Almost everything on the menu can be made gluten-free with little to no alteration (notable exception being the lobster roll). I highly recommend Twelve to anyone and everyone if you're looking for a wonderful dining experience in Portland. read more

This place is the definition of fine dining and I enjoyed every minute of the 5 course meal. Portions were a bit on the smaller side but packed with flavor and meant to be enjoyed. The first 3 courses were so good that I forgot to take a photo which included- the asparagus, tuna tartare, and mussels. The 4th course I ordered the steak which was perfectly cooked medium rare! I got the 5th course (desert) to go as the flavors were so filling. The person I was with got the scallops with parsnips which were also filled with flavor. Even though we sat at the bar we were well taken care of by the bartender (the nicest Minnesotan with a blonde bob) who also supplied us with recommendations for our stay in Portland. A super fun location and great to walk to if you're staying in downtown Portland read more

Twelve - Steak with bone marrow - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

After reading many many restaurant reviews for the Portland waterfront area I settled on Twelve. I made my reservation a bit close to the date so there was only bar seating available. Perfect as I always think it's better to eat at the bar rather than drink in the restaurant. I started off with a Manhattan which was very well made and opted for the signature menu and wine pairing. The first course was delicata squash with pepitas, mushrooms, and a poblano crema. It was good and not extremely memorable. Course 2 was tuna tartare with potato pave and what I would call a small yellow beet salad on top. The tuna was lightly dressed with an aioli. I thought it was very good. Next came what I felt was the best course of the meal (at a $20 supplement). 2 claws worth of extremely fresh warm buttered lobster on a fresh croissant. Outstanding. Next was seared salmon with several slices of radish atop a creme fraiche vermouth sauce. The salmon was cooked well, it was super tasty. In my humble opinion there was way too much sauce. It filled the bottom of the plate. For dessert I went with a local soft cheese which was a nice and light finish. The decor of the restaurant was great and the service impeccable. I'd highly recommend this spot. read more

We decided to go off the set menu because we prefer appetizers over desserts. The onion dip was amazing, great flavor, fresh herbs and beautiful presentation. Emma was our server, bar seating, she was phenomenal. Vegan Cesar was okay. The beef tartare was a showstopper. The muscles were just meh, prefer not to have lettuce in my hot dish. The couple beside us had the lobster roll and it looked divine. The poached halibut was horrible. Just as it sounds poached halibut with cold cumber. It was very unappetizing. The New York strip was a litter better but something I wouldn't spend this much money on. The best thing about tonight was our wonderful server. Thanks Emma for being so amazing! She was the highlight of our night. read more

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Food and service were amazing. Staff explained every single part of the meal as it was brought out how it was made, and what it was made with. This was our first time here if I had to break anything I wouldn't be able to because it it is already rated at 12 and I couldn't give it anything lower. We look forward to coming back again.. by the way we had Hannah and she was wonderful. We started out with the chicken liver mousse, and the carrot special. They're absolutely delicious. We both had the braised beef. Sorry I don't have a picture of that with the bread with a dessert because when it came out, it disappeared faster than I can get a picture of it, but I will definitely go back for that. Like I said, I would definitely rate this at least a 12!!!!! It's namesake. Debby and Ken read more

Twelve - Chicken liver mousse with onion jam and lavash - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Coming from Brooklyn and we are not usually blown away outside the city (no shade) but this was beyond our expectations. Incredible thoughtful and smart menu. We did the prefix and a bottle of chillled red. Will be back. Highlights were the tuna crudo- (never seen such thick and fresh tuna in my life) and the mushroom consommé - best taste of cheese I've had in years. Five stars! read more

Twelve - Tuna Crudo and Green salad from prefix menu - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

Excellent flavors in the sauces that really carried the dishes to a higher level. Fresh ingredients and creative dishes. Service was great and the room and patio were well appointed. Highly recommend. read more

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What a great place in Portland. The best part of this experience was sitting at the chefs table and the amazing service. The service felt like Michelin star. They take your coats and remember who when you leave, they explain every dish and all the wine. We did it for restaurant week so we got 3 courses with the wine pairing. The dishes we got were fantastic. Even not during restaurant week you have to do a set course for a set price unless you sit at the bar. This place is pricey but worth it for a special occasion or for the random foodie night! read more

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What an incredible experience! We sat at the chefs counter, watching all the fantastic food come out. The lobster un puff pastry was one of the best things I've ever eaten. The staff was wonderfully attentive. The food was exceptional. If you can reserve the chef counter, it was really fun. If you have the opportunity to dine here, we could not recommend it more! Thank you Twelve for an amazing meal! read more

Worth the hype. We had an incredible experience. They have prix fixe and a la carte menu. We opted for the prix fixe. For the appetizer we all added the lobster roll and recommend doing so. One member of our party said that was the best lobster roll and didn't think any others in Portland would compare. It was so flavorful and melted in your mouth. For the main course I thoroughly enjoyed the swordfish. For dessert my favorite was the rice pudding. The ice cream sandwich was also delectable. The banana and bourbon was a very well made cocktail - balanced, not sweet. Food tips: Lobster roll, Parker house rolls, rice pudding Drink Tips: Banana and Bourbon read more

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I visited Portland for a long weekend and chose Twelve for a dinner res after seeing some mouth-watering reviews on TikTok, and I'm so glad I did! It's an upscale, modern take on classic Maine dishes in a reallllyyy nice atmosphere. The restaurant itself is tucked away by the waterfront in a big brick building by some offices, but as soon as you walk inside, you're greeted by an inviting space that's somehow both warm and cozy and super modern at the same time. There's an open kitchen (which I always love) with Chef's counter seating if you're looking for a little more of an experience. Twelve offers both fixed price and al la carte menus, and not everyone at the table has to choose the same option. We had been eating our way through Portland all weekend, so we opted for a la carte for a bit of a lighter, more shareable option. We started with a round of dirty martinis (which I consider myself a bit of an expert on) and were super happy with them. The wine and beer selection for our second round was great too. For our meal, we basically treated it like small plates and split the Chips & Dip, Parker House Rolls, Mussels, Tuna Crudo, and NY strip. Absolutely everything was a must try (especially the mussels with squid ink pasta and the tuna.... still drooling over both!) with the exception of the steak. For a place as good (and as pricey...) as Twelve, I just had much higher expectations for their NY strip. It was under-seasoned and pretty boring in my opinion, but definitely not bad enough to sour the whole experience. Overall, I'd sat Twelve lives up to the hype. Quality, creative food and drinks in a beautiful setting, doesn't get much better than that. read more

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It's taken me a full week to find the right words to describe my experience at Twelve, because I'm still reeling from how extraordinary it was. Without question, this is the most delicious restaurant I've ever been.If they havent already, I truly believe they're on their way to earning a Michelin star. The service was impeccable and the atmosphere was effortlessly cool and comfortable. Too often, fine dining focuses on presentation over flavor, but Twelve achieves the rare balance of both. Every dish was a masterpiece, perfectly executed, beautifully plated and delivered to our table in unison. We opted for the pre fixe menu with the elevated wine pairing. With the first taste of the amuse-bouche, we knew we were in for a real treat. Every course told its own story and brought more joy than the one before. The in-house sommelier elevated the experience even further by pairing each course with wines that complemented every bite. This wasn't just a dinner, it was an experience. The kind that lingers with you long after the last course. Twelve is a culinary gem that makes me wish I lived in Maine just to eat there more often. read more

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Had an incredible dinner at Twelve! I sat at the chefs counter and ordered from the prix fixe menu - Delicata squash, lobster roll, NY steak, and chocolate mousse. The appetizer squash was one of my favorite things!! I understand this is seasonal but I would order this every time. The poblano sauce is incredible. The lobster roll is 100% worth the up charge!! My first bite I couldn't believe someone could make a lobster roll that good. Ambiance is wonderful for an intimate dinner with friends or a date night. I highly recommend a reservation at the chefs counter, it was so fun watching them make this delicious food. Service is so friendly, a tad slow, but I only think I noticed because I dined solo. Overall I highly recommend and wish I lived closer! read more

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Okay. This is my favorite restaurant EVER and I don't say that lightly. The staff is so kind. It's the kind of service that makes you feel genuinely taken care of, not judged or rushed. The vibe is upscale but comfortable, which is such a rare combo. It's nice without feeling pretentious. And the food??? Unreal. Every single thing we ordered was amazing. One of those meals where you're already planning your next visit before you leave. Forever recommending this place. read more

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Fabulous dinner! The restaurant itself is just slightly removed from the main downtown area, so it certainly felt like a hidden gem, though this restaurant is far well-known in the area. The restaurant offered a special tasting menu for Valentine's Day, and every dish tasted delicious! The tasting menu consisted of 4 courses at $125 pp, and we added on an order of the oysters and brioche to supplement our meal. The staff were all friendly and ensured we were well taken care of. The interior aesthetic was very modern, which we loved, especially the open kitchen. Based on the website, it seems walk-ins are always available with the option for a la carte dining. Great place for great food! read more

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We came by for some celebrations again this year and as much as we wanted to love it again it was pretty good but better last visit. Staff had a few hiccups in a few things but were as nice as could be. (They fixed it with a smile as we politely mentioned) It was a little strange though I thought when we first arrived the host pointed us to our table at check-in rather than showing us the way. Some of us did the price fixed while others opted for the regular menu. We had an array of food. My favorite was the bread and butter and that delicious tomato dish. The staff was very helpful with any food allergies we had. We enjoyed a bottle of wine and other various drinks. read more

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Came after a big shower and there was water dripping through the patio tent--unfortunately, none of the staff did anything about it, which wasn't ideal. They automatically hand you the $100 set menu, and you only get to see the à la carte if you specifically ask for it. Felt a bit pushy. As for the food--it was okay. Seems like they're trying to be overly creative with dishes that are already great on their own. * Lobster roll: Served on a croissant-like bread, which was buttery and flaky, but I could barely taste the lobster. * Mussels: Entire dish tasted like Chinese pickled olive greens from the jar--couldn't taste the mussels at all. * Beef tartare: It was fine. Nothing particularly memorable. * NY strip: Surprisingly the most impressive dish of the night--but it's not even from Maine. Overall, not a bad meal, but didn't live up to the price. Wouldn't rush back. read more

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Twelve is a masterclass in modern dining. We sat at the chef's counter (highly recommend!) and watched our steak grilled right in front of us. We've done a lot of chef's table sittings but have never been this close to all the action. If you are a fan of the Bear or good food in general, 10/10 recommend. The menu changes, but if the mussels or squid ink pasta are on--go for it. Service, atmosphere, and plating are all dialed in. Pro Tips - Book early and ask for chef's counter - Best for a special night out read more

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Twelve was at the top of my list of restaurants to try while in town on vacation. We arrived for our 4 person reservation on Thursday evening and were seated immediately upon arrival. After telling our waiter that we were first time diners, he walked us through the menu and the prix-fixe options and took our drink orders. 2 of us opted to order a la carte while the other two opted for the prix-fixe. Our waiter brought everyone out the Persian cucumber starter so that we could all break our fast together, even though two of us had ordered a la carte, which was very thoughtful. Dishes that we couldn't get enough of were the Persian cucumber starter, tuna curd, zucchini (grilled and insanely delicious), New York Strip. In fact the steak was so good I forgot to get a photo! The Mushroom main course was good but a little underwhelming. It felt like it needed a bit more heft to be considered a main course like a pasta or polenta etc. My husband was also very impressed with his strawberry dessert. Overall a wonderful evening and I'm looking forward to coming back next summer. read more

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Twelve is quite possibly the best restaurant in Portland (and that's saying a lot for a city with such amazing food)!! We did the 5 course dinner with wine pairing. The sommelier brings you every pairing. She was perfect, very informed, and had the best pairings. My husband knows quite a bit about pairing beverages with meals, although obviously not as much as a sommelier, and he was very impressed. So was I! Even Chardonnay, which I generally don't love, was paired perfectly to complement both the dish and the wine. We added the lobster roll as one of our courses. I can't even begin to explain the obscenity of this lobster roll served on a made in house flakey pastry. One of the best foods that I've ever tasted. The most elevated lobster roll possibly ever. We also had steak, asparagus, steak tartare, and chocolate tart. The dessert was my least favorite course which is saying a lot. The ONLY critique I have is we sat outside on their covered patio (bc it's the only res I could get) which was fine, but the inside is a much nicer atmosphere for sure. I'd recommend adding some serious plants and/or flowers to dress up the patio a bit. Even a light fixture would be nice. Our server was very friendly and informative and different folks bring different courses. They all did a lovely job explaining what we were eating rather than just dropping the dish off. Overall a truly lovely experience. We'll be back (inside) for sure!! read more

The best food I've had in Portland. Nothing else to say beyond that but I apparently need to fill up at least 85 characters for this review. read more

Best dinner I've had in Maine! We were seated very promptly, and they have a coat check. Wonderful service was a motif of the night for sure. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It wasn't too loud inside, and it was packed too so that was nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We went with the prix fixe menu and it was sooo much good, we were stuffed by the end. Our standouts were the nduja sausage stuffed mussels (omg) and the cod was sooo beautiful and truly just melts in your mouth. I follow a gluten free diet and they were SO accommodating. Our waitress let me know that one of/the head chef was super familiar with celiac so they take great care! Only a few things were not available gluten free, it was a treat to have so many options. Even the bread was good! We even brought a loaf home lol The cocktails and desserts were bomb as well. I loved the rice pudding I ordered. They read my mind and knew I wanted to try the ice cream sandwich too, thy brought us an extra one to celebrate our anniversary, it was quite the treat. We were so full at the end, you will for sure get your moneys worth. My partner got the NY strip and it was huge, totally hit a wall eating it lol. We made reservations to come again with family while we were at the restaurant so it's totally a repeat kind of place. read more

Twelve - Broccolini, Mussels, Gluten Free bread - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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My wife and i had dinner here during a weekend stay and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the food/ambiance/service was top notch.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Would highly recommend and we will definitely be back on our next visit. We both tried the 3-course prix fixe menu (without the wine pairings) - she chose the Halibut which was cooked to perfection and I had the Roast Chicken which was delicious. We had requested that the sommelier pick wine to go with our mains and the selection was perfect. Staff was friendly and the service was impeccable. read more

After many times looking at their menu, my husband and I stopped in for dessert. Wasn't sure if we would be able to get in, I asked about two for dessert and there was planet of seating at the bar, perfect! On the small side with all seats taken, the dining room was pleasantly lit and decorated. Lighting fixtures were unique and ample lighting from them. Bartenders were very attentive coming as soon as we sat down. Gave us all menus to look at, asked for drink recommendations to go with my dessert. Looking for a digestive, I am a fan of Grapa. She recommended Meliti to go with my Ricotta cheesecake. Husband had a beer then water with his Ice Cream sandwich. The presentation was beautiful and both were very delicious. We will be back to try some of their other menu items, just not sure if we will participate in the Prefix menu. Al a cart is more our style. Nice that you can do either read more

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Great care in food presentation, quality and flavor arrangements. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The environment is lively and terrific to see the kitchen in action.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Attentive service and care were extended and time in and out was efficient but not rushed. read more

Twelve - Luscious salad starter - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

The prix fixe menu was fun and the wine pairing was exceptional. We loved the food and enjoyed the pace. Lovely ambience and the service was frankly outstanding. read more

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I finally made it for burger night! Twelve does this in the off season during the week, at the bar only, and I'd heard raves from friends. I joined them last night and was absolutely blown away. Now THIS is a burger: primo beef, combined with Taleggio cheese and steak sauce, and served on a perfect bun with some kind of jam or relish. (They change up the cheese and condiments, so it's always a surprise.) The meat was a perfect *perfect* medium rare with a kiss of char on the outside, and what they do is combine and layer everything so that each bite has it all. And the bun is no afterthought or something blah to get out of the way: it's smaller so it doesn't overwhelm what's inside, with a slightly crisped top; the rest is neither too mushy nor too dry. I shouldn't have been surprised give how good Twelve's Parker House rolls are, but this made an already delicious burger stand out. They change up the fries, too: we had what they call "hashbrown fries," which come in a few long sticks but taste 100% like (very high-end) hashbrowns. These were served with a zippy aioli. I also want to hail the divine scallop crudo I had for an appetizer: when I saw the ingredients (cranberry and walnuts?!) I thought "Thanksgiving" and "odd" but I'm adventurous . . . there were papery thin slivers of black radish and a tart vinaigrette with it, and it was absolutely delicious. This was my first time at the bar too, and I loved it! The wonderful bartender promptly made me a perfect vodka martini, and when my friends and I decided to get a bottle of wine to go with our burgers we roped in the sommelier for his expertise and he recommended an excellent red from Portugal we all loved. Practicalities: you probably do want to make reservations, especially if you're in a group, because burger night is clearly popular! I did see someone on their own too, which is great to know if you just want to drop in, and the whole vibe was chill and local and friendly. And the bar seats are actually *comfortable*, which ain't an easy thing to find. Final note: I couldn't finish everything so I brought part of my burger home and the bartender recommended having it with an egg on top--which I did, along with a dash of Tabasco, after warming it in the oven for a few minutes. Not only did the meat hold up but the leftover bun did too--amazing! read more

Saucey. The open kitchen is buzzing. The bar is expensive but great. Management and hosts are middling. We find the east coast cooking to be over-sauced and this place crowns king of putting sauce over the fresh ingredient upon which the sauce covers. It's a great atmosphere. My cod was basically a sweet corn soup. Tuna crudo recommended. Cheffy and experimental. Some greatness and some misses. Just like this review. read more

Twelve - View from the bar - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

*BEST IN PORTLAND* Back in August it was our first and only night in Portland, before heading south to Boston, and we decided to give Twelve a try. We were a bit skeptical based on the outside looks, but you could consider this to be a "whole in the wall." [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is a bit crowded and noisy when you first walk in, mainly because of the tight enclosed space.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]We would recommend getting a table at the "chefs counter" in order to see all of the action in the kitchen.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] There are only a handful of menu items, so don't expect a variety of choices. We started off with the milk bread (you have to get it), and the lobster roll (you also have to get it). We've had that milk bread at a couple other restaurants and man, I don't know what's so different but it's pretty good. This was my first time having a lobster roll (since we live in North Carolina) and I loved it. It is buttery with that bold lobster taste and other flavors. Just a good combo. I'll be coming back whenever and however I can to get one more of those. I got the swordfish and my grandmother got the cod. She said the cod was a little much because of the cornbread layer, scallops, and cod all in one, but was still pretty good. On the other hand, my swordfish was fantastic (first time ever having swordfish). It was buttery, fishy (but in a good way), and just was grilled perfectly. Afterwards we both shared the chocolate dessert (I cannot remember the name). It had a scoop of chocolate ice cream with a honeycomb pepper shell. I think chocolate and pepper is an odd combination but they still blended pretty well together! The honeycomb adds that natural sweetness and the pepper spruces up the chocolate, crafting a balanced taste. Was great! Our server was very attentive and friendly, and so were the chefs actually! They talk to you about the food and tell you how it's made and what they put on it, helping you make your decision. Very friendly people! If you are in Portland, you HAVE to come to Twelve. read more

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My husband and I dined here on our last night in Portland after a week long trip along the coast. We did the prix fixe along with the elevated wine pairing. We subbed the dessert for an additional appetizer. We were blown away by every course! Each dish was elegant and decadent. Some of our favorite bites were the tuna crudo (melts in your mouth ), mussels and the broccolini. Serving sizes were well portioned for a tasting menu and the wine pairings were excellent. Very special and memorable meal in our books! read more

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Had the best dining experience at Twelve. Went as a group of 4, and each did the prix fixe menu, picking different items. Every single course was incredible -- beautifully plated, full of bold and balanced flavor. For dinner I had the cod and it was perfectly cooked and paired nicely with the lobster crab bisque. Parker house rolls, a total must! The wine pairing is definitely worth it and complements the dishes perfectly, but honestly, the dessert was the real star of the night if you asked me. This is truly a special occasion restaurant -- from the stunning atmosphere to the exceptional service, everything felt elevated and memorable. Pro tip: If you're planning a trip to Portland, book weeks (or even a month) in advance. Tables fill up quickly and walk-ins aren't really option. It's absolutely worth planning ahead for! read more

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Twelve did a wonderful job honoring my dear friend on her birthday with a special slice of cake with a candle AND a complimentary cheese plate simply because she showed an interest! So thoughtful and it made her feel very special. Also our sommelier was a delight and her pairings were so on point! We had a wonderful evening at Twelve! read more

By accident, hubby and I BOTH booked a dinner on the same night though 3.5 hours apart. I contemplated canceling Twelve because we were here for hubby's birthday, after all. Our days of bang bang dinners are fewer and far between due to getting older lol. But I consulted with him and both agreed we can do it. So at 5, we strolled over from our nearby hotel and were promptly greeted and seated at the chef's counter. We explained to our server Andrew who was very nice that we weren't super hungry and wanted to do just the a la carte menu. At the end of the day, we realized, we ordered probably just as much food as the prix fixe but the dishes were heavily weighted in the appetizers section. We started with the bluefin tuna and the tomato galette. Both were delicious in different ways. The bluefin was nice, fresh and clean...the heavy lifting on the seasoning was left to the pickled veggies on top so don't snooze on those. The tomato galette was comforting and rich, cheesy. Hubby enjoyed this a lot. We also ordered the mussels which was on the app list but they served it to us as a main alongside our cod order. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of mussels but if I had to describe the "jus" in this dish, it would be that of sour cream and onions. The whole thing was perfection. So glad Andrew asked if we wanted Parker House rolls because they were the perfect vehicle for mopping up all that sauce. The cod was also sublime. The fish itself was tender and delicate. The sauce it was served atop was also very good, just not as wow as the mussels' sauce. This was possibly one of the best cooked fish dishes I've ever had. For dessert, we went with the ice cream sandwich. It was a wild blueberry flavor I think? They very kindly cut it in half when serving and hubby ate his up in no time. He even dipped his piece back into the scattered sprinkles. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience here. Definitely some place we would 10/10 recommend to anyone. Their prix fixe a great "deal" for a spot that we think is Michelin star level. Biggest regret: Not getting the lobster roll. It looked amazing but we didn't know if we could do that and then be able to enjoy dinner #2. Favorite dish: Mussels (unanimous) read more

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On a scale of 1-5 stars...they are a Twelve!! Surprised my wife with a quick adventure from southern New Hampshire up to Portland, Maine - to cap off our trip and finally experience Twelve--a place I'd heard so much about. I honestly don't know how I'll ever top this birthday dinner for her. We left in a euphoric food coma-speechless and amazed. From the moment we walked in, every detail was dialed in. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The golden ambiance, the open kitchen, the energy electric! Classy without a hint of pretension.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Arguably the best in town, yet completely humble about it. The entire team was engaging from the Executive chef and kitchen team, to the GM, to the host to every server and mixologist --warm, genuine, attentive, and deeply knowledgeable. Service here isn't just good--it's effortless and intentional. We chose the five-course prix fixe, and it was, without question, the best meal we've ever had! As avid New England food lovers--traveling all over from Providence to Boston, Portsmouth to Woodstock and Kittery to Freeport-we've experienced a lot. Twelve stood out above them all! The menu speaks for itself, but it's the unseen work that sets it apart. A green buttermilk dressing delight with the asparagus layered with 30+ herbs--paired with asparagus and mushrooms in a way that stops you mid-bite. A vegan Caesar with fermented tofu and meticulously prepared cashews that outshines any classic version. Perfectly seared Maine fresh sea scallops, floating atop a green goddess emulsion with ramps and potatoes- a rich yet refreshing balance of flavor. A NY strip with truffle jus that melted in your mouth effortlessly. Banana foster that lingered long after the last bite. Cocktails- like the delicious Espresso martini made with Tequila to the "Jefferson Lives"a sweet blend of scotch, bourbon, lime and hint of strawberry - each precisely balanced, each unforgettable. That's the difference here: creativity meets calibration. Every dish and drink is crafted with watchmaker precision--mosaic layers of flavors, somehow both vivid and perfectly in balance, yet refined and composed! We found ourselves slowing down, knowing we were in the middle of something special. Our server, Andrew, elevated it even further--thoughtful, engaged, and intuitive. He listened, guided, and anticipated--right down to surprising us with a birthday cake for her after a single mention earlier in the evening. That kind of care sticks with you. The entire team moved as one-like a perfectly timed piece of music, each course arriving in harmony. It's rare to see that level of cohesion. I don't usually write reviews--let alone ones this long--but then again, I've never experienced anything like Twelve. It's now our #1 restaurant in all of New England--and easily among the best in the country. Make the trip-it is far beyond worth it! Kudos to Hannah, Dave, Andrew, Jenn and the entire team! Wow! All the best! - Damien Davis read more

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Service was amazing- Very impressive. Drinks and apps were top notch. Great experience.

5/29/25 My wife's 75th- The positives: the beef tartare is a ten, against which all other dishes must be rated. The bratwurst an eight- interesting but I wished I'd gone for the mushrooms main course. Chef Colin is gone from the kitchen having moved up to a management positive; Hannah has taken over as head chef and the kitchen has not missed a beat. The negative: and the reason for the loss of a star: construction immediately surrounds the building; the close parking lot is gone; the immediate approach road is blocked off; wherever you are coming from, leave an additional half hour travel time; leave your partner at the door so she doesn't have to negotiate a long loose- gravel road to the more distant lot. I regret the detraction, but this is a major change and you should be warned. read more

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Twelve was first brought to my attention from one of my brother's friends - he recently took a trip to Portland and had great things to say about the restaurant. I had never heard of this place before, and after a little research I discovered that this was a somewhat fine-dining restaurant that had only opened this year. After mulling it over, we decided to have dinner here our final night in Portland. Twelve is located close to the water in the East End section of the city. We were staying in Old Port, and it took us about 15 or so minutes to walk to the restaurant. The exterior is somewhat inconspicuous - the restaurant is housed in a recreation of a historic, industrial-looking building and the surrounding area is a combination of offices, businesses, and apartments. The interior is lovely - there's a good amount of space in the dining room but not enough to make it seem impersonal - tables are scattered throughout with a bar lining one of the walls and an open kitchen in the back. Color scheme was mostly light woods with pale blues that kept the aesthetics fresh. Our server explained that the menu is prix-fixe, where we choose our appetizer, entree, and dessert - I saw an a la carte option on their website but the prix-fixe was the full experience so we went with that. There was an option for wine pairing, but we decided on cocktails instead - I had their alpine margarita which had a light, refreshing flavor. Before apps, we were all served gazpacho - this was unique as it was smooth/pureed and paired with slices of cucumbers and a single cherry tomato. It was good - really fresh and a great way to start the meal. For my app I went with the tomato galette which had a good balance of tomato and cheese - this was calling my name. The app section also had the option to get an additional bread course to share which we opted for - the carbs were quite good and paired with a butter-shallot confit. For my main I went with the swordfish - the fish was cooked well and it was topped with almost dried slices of eggplant and peppers which added good flavor. It was also paired with a lobster sabayon which complemented the fish well, as well as what was almost a tapenade that had very strong flavor. It wasn't bad, but I had to take it in small bites as it could easily have overtaken other flavors in the dish. For dessert I went with the chocolate sundae - the ice cream was rich (a compliment) and was paired with a tasty tasty sauce and crispy caramel to cut through the texture. Service was great - our waiter was super knowledgable, each course came out at a reasonable pace, and everyone made sure we were taken care of throughout our meal. Overall, I had a great time at Twelve; while I don't think this is everyone's cup of tea, I thought the meal was great and appreciated the entire experience. I would definitely return if given the opportunity. read more

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horrifically slow and poor service with the most rude, disinterested waitstaff i've ever met. patrons don't come to spend 100s at an establishment to be talked to like that. the food was mostly unmemorable other than the steak, which was genuinely very good, and the lobster roll, which mostly just tasted of the "roll" it came on. NOT recommended read more

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