Friendly and welcoming space, cool and relaxed vibes, music. Perfect place to dine, relax, work or socialize. The people are so friendly and warm, and attentive to service. If you're lucky you'll even spot the elusive jimmy who pops in and out of view every so often while he frantically cooks orders. Food was impressive - had the desayuno del sol and it was different and innovative way to present a chorizo and egg breakfast on a sandwich with a little bite and sharp saltiness of the chorizo. The buon giorno was light and hint of creaminess but so good. Nice music and relaxing vibe. Highly recommend! read more

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The Ugly Duckling's homemade English Muffins sounded like the perfect light lunch we were seeking after checking in to our nearby hotel. I was really intrigued by the rye and caraway muffin, and I love a good pastrami. Unfortunately, the thin pastrami was a bit chewy. If there is a meat spectrum that ranges from jerky to moist and tender (such as Sam LaGrassa's), it was too close to jerky. With plenty of butter and melted cheese, it was pretty greasy, though the flavor was enjoyable. I was happy to try it, and my wife really enjoyed the complex Como Se Dice Buon Giorno, with prosciutto, hash brown, banana peppers, etc. Next time, I'd probably grab a package of their English Muffins to bring home and create my own egg sandwich, but it's a quaint neighborhood spot worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

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Cute cute place. Small, quaint, in a cute neighborhood. I came here for the cream puff but ended up taking a whole lot of pastries! The cookies were stuffed with candies inside and were delightful. Perfect texture loved the treat inside. I also got a chocolate peanut butter cream puff which was bit and made in a choux pastry that was deliciously well done. I also indulged in a Trocadero of sour tarts candies and lemon cream filling. The pastry was light and the cream inside was so good - like a lemon custard. The service as also nice. It wasn't busy but they were quick to attend to me and get me a box of pastries together to go. I got smiles all around and a nice welcome and farewell. I would definitely go back to try the regular menu. read more

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Our experience at Ugly Duckling was generally OK - the space is cute in a great neighborhood, fun menu with plenty of homemade goodies (including their delicious english muffins), and spot on with the flavors. However, the service was pretty rough and that definitely soured the whole experience for us. We came in around brunch time on the day after Halloween. The hostess invited us to seat ourselves at the bar. It took a while to get menus... then took a while to get water... then took even longer for someone to take our drink order. When they did, they were of what we tried to order - the menu that we were given was out of date. So we pivoted and ordered different drinks... which took a while to arrive. After we placed our food order, things took a lonnnnggg time to come out. It looked like they were jamming with to-go orders, so that much I can appreciate. But that 40+ minute ticket time can suck either way. And when we did finish our meal, it was like pulling teeth trying to get our check. The loaded breakfast tots and english muffin pizzas were very tasty. We took an oreo cream puff home to enjoy later and it was soooo good. So I really can't knock the food or drinks. But the servers/bartenders were totally checked out and it showed. It could have been an off day (hungover from Halloween maybe?) The menu was pretty torn up and dirty as well and had not been updated to the current offerings. I've heard such good things about Ugly Duckling so I'm hoping it gets some TLC to bring it back up to standard. read more

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Our experience at Ugly Duckling was very interesting -- to say the least. Our immediate impression was that it had a unique vibe and was enticing from the jump. It was unclear whether we should shit ourselves or wait for a host to seat us. The service was friendly but slow. It really seemed like they were understaffed on that day. The food was tasty enough. My latte was absolutely delicious! Pro-tip: just seat yourself... we witnessed so many people just hovering around and getting "cut" in line because other guests would come in and just seat themselves immediately. read more

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Service: waitresses were friendly and very helpful beings I made some add ons to my burger. Talkative and respectful, but slow to refill water. I found myself dying of thirst waiting on my refill even after asking once already. Ambiance/atmosphere: small, but well decorated and vibrant colors. Relaxed, but occasionally loud. Being loud isn't an issue as it is a quick grab and chill type of place. Food: my burger was good and with a pound of meat you can imagine how juicy it was too. English muffin bun was toasted nicely and held together very well even on the bottom. This was by no means a top 10 burger, but it hit the spot and wasn't disappointing in the slightest. My grandma got the sausage and egg breakfast sandwich, which was very enjoyable in her opinion and it looked to match as well. The sausage was flavorful and the cheese was well melted paring nicely with the egg. Perfectly toasted English muffin holding things together. read more

Ugly Duckling - Sausage and egg English muffin bun - Bakeries Near Me - Portland, Maine

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There's no reservations or wait list, it's a causal pop in (may have to take to go) kind of spot. Was pretty busy when we went so had to wait for seating, but the food was good and the coffee was too! It's a cute local little spot if you're in the area. read more

Ugly Duckling - Bakeries Near Me - Portland, Maine

My partner loves their english muffins, truly loves them and I'll always come back to buy them every week or so. The different flavors are fun too, the rye is his favorite. However the only option for myself is the gluten free (and vegan) english muffin, which I tried on my first visit. It was hard and tough to eat, and sooo disappointing. It was practically inedible, which was a bummer because the burger fillings I got were pretty okay. I'm glad they tried, but it was a swing and a miss. Not sure if I got an off batch or something but I'd tell the business owner to go ahead and take it off the menu. GF and vegan people dont deserve paying an extra $2 to eat cardboard. Unfortunately, english muffins are pretty much the entire menu so there's not really much choice if your GF or vegan (unless you wanted to take your chances with the muffin). I did get their breakfast tots on another visit, it was a special, and it was yummy! Service is also a bit slow, though it seems like it's part of the vibe. The inside is almost entirely bar seating too, not ideal for groups. read more

Got there around 9am on Sunday. No line. Seated immediately at the bar. Food: Pastrami on Rye was excellent and the sauce made it a little messy. The No. 2 was solid and the ketchup made it a little messy as well. The lattes are good but lukewarm. Overall: Would definitely return! read more

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Wonderful rye muffins and Spanish Mimosas! Service was fabulous- friendly and warm. Great vibe, encourage you to try it. You won't be disappointed! read more

Ugly Duckling - Spanish Mimosa - Bakeries Near Me - Portland, Maine

All around excellent spot! Small space but well laid out. Service was great even though they got very busy right after we arrived. Husband tried a special that was a bbq turkey and coleslaw sandwich. I had the Como se dice buon giorno which was *chef's kiss* 10/10 a perfect breakfast sandwich top to bottom. A genius combination I've not seen elsewhere. It was clear every ingredient was great quality. This just might be my new go to breakfast spot! My husband also really enjoyed his specialty coffee drink too. We'll be happy to return! read more

Ugly Duckling - Como se dice Buon Giorno - Bakeries Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Fantastic breakfast sandwiches here as well as amazing seasonal lattes. Our server was amazing - he was really knowledgeable, kind and patient with our big brunch party! They have eat in and takeout options. read more

This place has a bright, fun and eccentric atmosphere! I ordered a salted honey latte which was delicious and unique, and learned that they make all of their syrups in house which I liked too. A few people arrived while I was waiting, and were greeted by name with a warm welcome, so I'm sure these people were regulars. Throughout my entire time there, I felt awkward and out of place. Like these people knew I wasn't from around here. I guess everyone was nice enough, but I definitely felt like I was not given the friendly welcome that others were. Not sure I would come back, but if you haven't been and like fun, unique spots I would give it a try. read more

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I have an issue where I follow new openings way too much and struggle to make it to many of them. I have followed Ugly Duckling on social media since before they opened but only just now made it in to try it. There is definitely a reason why this place has a lot of hype and talk about it. A great inviting space with a couple tables and a round bar. Staff is friendly and inviting greeting you with a smile. Due to the rainy day it was not very busy until we were leaving so during peak summer in nice weather expect a crowded building and plan to get here early. Plenty of drink options ranging from a coffee or tea pick me up or cocktails for more brunch vibes. Coffee was good but will need to return for their cocktails. Food wise I went with their No. 2 and my fiancée went with their BLT. Both were very tasty (especially the homemade English muffins) as well as quite messy. Although for the price I know of some larger and cheaper options for breakfast sandwiches. When I return for cocktails I will need to give some of their pastries try as they looked sooooo good! I would still highly recommend this as a must check out spot just the knock off of one star due to the price. read more

Recommended: Yes, for a fun, unique breakfast spot for adultwith indulgent comfort food. Overall: A cool, busy spot for big, flavorful breakfast sandwiches, though not ideal for families with young kids. Snapshot: Food: 4/5 Drink: 4/5 Vibe: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Value: 4/5 ‍‍ Family-Friendly: 2/5 Highlights: Perfect For: A fun, indulgent breakfast with big, hearty sandwiches Don't Miss: The amazing English muffins and creative breakfast options Bonus Tip: Definitely try the "Big Mac" inspired sandwich if you're in the mood for something extra indulgent All The Details: The Ugly Duckling in Portland is definitely a unique breakfast spot, though it leans more towards being a bar than a traditional breakfast place. It's a small space with a horseshoe bar and a few scattered tables, and while the staff was super friendly, it quickly became clear that this isn't a particularly kid-friendly spot. They did their best to accommodate us, but the setup made it a bit tricky with young children in tow. We ordered three breakfast sandwiches. Given how many amazing breakfast spots there are in Portland, it's tough to compare, but these sandwiches were definitely indulgent. My husband opted for the "Big Mac" inspired sandwich, while I got the BLT. They were huge, messy, and piled high--definitely great value for the size. That said, they were a bit on the sloppy side, with more mayo than I'd prefer, which made them hard to eat, especially with the kids. The highlight was the English muffins, which were thick, perfectly cooked, and some of the best I've ever had. While we didn't try their drink selection this time, there's a nice variety for those in the mood for a cocktail with breakfast. The Ugly Duckling is a fun, unique spot with great flavors, perfect if you're craving a big, indulgent breakfast or a hangover cure. However, it's not the best choice for families with kids. I'd definitely go back for those amazing English muffins and would recommend it for a casual, indulgent breakfast with friends, but not for a family outing. read more

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Cute business! Staff super friendly and welcoming. The location is ok...very easy to miss if you aren't from the area. Parking- street, as expected from most establishments in the city. We picked up a few treats...not sure what they all were, but they were cute and SO DELICIOUS!!! Packed with flavors and freshness. If we lived closer and/or within walking distance, this would be such a daily temptation. I need to still come back for a breakfast sandwich sometime. read more

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I got that forRager with the egg and I thought it was OK . However, that being said I'm gonna still get the place because it might've been that I picked up the 5 to 10 minutes later than when it was made. I think it was soggy, but it was only because I picked up later. Was pretty good though. The service is really good as well. I got the other cookie with ganache. The place was super decorated and had a circular bar, which was kind of cool. read more

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Stopped by Ugly Duckling after hearing great things, and I'm glad I did--especially for the sweets! The cream puff was absolutely delicious, light and just sweet enough, and the s'mores bar was rich, gooey, and hit all the right notes. I was a little bummed they were out of the pastel (next time!), and while I really wanted to love the bacon, egg & cheese, it came out a bit dry for my taste. The English muffin pizza also wasn't quite my vibe--but I can definitely see others enjoying it. That said, the baked goods alone are reason enough to return. This place clearly has some magic when it comes to treats, and I'll be back to try more! read more

Lovely place. I feel like there randomly exists these types of cafes (a lot in philly as well) that sell delish bfast fare and funky coffee syrup specials and are like vaguely punk-ish, this one had beach surf punkish (playlist was all the songs i loved in junior year of hs) and i was into it. The english muffins are fresh and perfect, and the coffee is delightful read more

The Ugly Duckling was wonderful! Such a cute little spot on Danforth Street in Portland. There is a ton of street parking but no parking lot. There is a little step to get inside so not 100% handicap accessible but mostly. The outside and inside were both such a vibe. LGTBQ+ friendly which is always a perk!! They had cute decor on the walls and a ton of merchandise options to purchase. My friend and I had a super cute sit down breakfast and coffee date. We sat at the bar seating and had no wait. They have limited seating but it's perfect for a date or small group. They have mostly just seats around the bar and a couple of tables both inside and outside. The staff was SO nice, friendly, and welcoming. We felt so taken care of. So many options for coffee, tea, or others. Different flavors to choose from and there were specials going on. I opted for an iced vanilla chai latte and man was it good. So refreshing and tasty. We both got the Como se dice Buon Giorno breakfast sandwich which was amazing! They have some delicious pastry options as well although I was too full to try any. We were given plenty of time to chat, peruse the menu, and make decisions. Our waitress was able to give some insight into popular flavors of coffee and tea. It was such a wonderful experience. I will definitely come back to Ugly Duckling! read more

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I actually stumbled into ugly duckling after a long day of flights hoping this quirky coffee shop may have an outlet I could use. It actually had only one or two oddly placed outlets, but with the help of a super kind barista we got me set up. I only ordered a mimosa, but I have to say it was delicious and fresh tasting, and the portion was generous too. I give this place a 5 star rating though because of the over the top kind and courteous staff. Service was prompt and well done. Plus, the interior was ADORABLE and the circle bar made it easy to meet others. They also had tables for those who wished to use them, and even outdoor seating. read more

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Super chill spot! Food was great! The drink was amazing! Service was good. Food: I had the Salmon Sammy. It was so delicious! The rosey drink was bomb! It was strong and delicious, just how I like it. Over all experience was amazing and great! read more

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Cute small cafe shop. The waitress was very nice and provides excellent service. I'm not a huge coffee drinker, however the Ireland Fog drink was delicious! I believe it's an earl gray with milk drink so it doesn't have coffee in it, but the foam at the top was tasty and the drink was warmed to a good temperature! 8/10 The English muffin was everything seasoned, and had smoked salmon cream cheese spread. Absolutely delicious! The smoked salmon spread has chunks of salmon which was amazing and worked perfectly with the English muffin. The English muffin was also toasted perfectly! Loved this one. 10/10 Great cafe shop and highly recommend for anyone wanting a nice drink and a side of good desserts or sandwich. read more

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Cutie spot with great coffee and English muffins! We would totally return; the privately owned vibe is just great and everyone is super kind :) read more

I've been here a few times either alone or in a party of two. Notably only been in the early morning so never had to worry about it being too full or busy... Food/Drink: An awesome spot with great sandwiches, coffee, and cocktails too (even early in the morning!) They have a wide variety including less common drinks like an espresso tonic (at least I've never had this before) but was quite tasteful. Service: Prompt, attentive, and plenty of staff that seem to enjoy their work experience Atmosphere: Quaint appearing decor with some groovy colors. Not a ton of table seating (mostly bar-type seating) so ideal for parties of 1 to 3. Parking: Street parking in front generally available. Overall, very solid spot. I really enjoyed my visits getting a fun drink or two and solid breakfast/brunch food. I will be back !! read more

One of my worst food experiences in a long time. Waited over an hour for an English muffin with cream cheese, dining in at the bar. When it finally came out it was very salty and the inside of the muffin was squishy and tasted like raw flour. I didn't finish it. It was pretty frustrating for them to not acknowledge the wait at all. A simple "fyi the kitchen is backed up" or a "sorry it took 75 minutes for an English muffin and cream cheese" is a low bar for service and would have been appreciated. I understand things get backed up, but there were only 3-4 other parties when we arrived, and so it's pretty crazy to take that long for the sad little plate in the picture. Coffee was nice though. read more

Ugly Duckling - Bakeries Near Me - Portland, Maine

Super cute spot in the West End with a old classic vibe. They serve a variety of pastries and brunch foods and a small list of caffeinated drinks. Ordered the peach ginger cream bun and the "Ireland Fog" which is just a tea latte with Irish breakfast blend tea. It was very nice and refreshing. The peach ginger cream thing was made with sugared crystallized ginger which was disappointing but it wasn't too sweet which made it palatable. The atmosphere was really nice but at the same time there was something a little strange about the setting -- maybe the people, the service, can't quite put my finger on it. It is definitely a popping joint in the area and probably quite welcome for the community. read more

Ugly Duckling - Peach ginger something and an Ireland Fog - Bakeries Near Me - Portland, Maine

We had a quick stop to grab breakfast. English muffins are the best, fresh and delicious. The ambiance is unique. Service was quick. Only downside it was hard to find street parking. read more

What a special place this is. Wonderful food. An incredible latte. Great atmosphere. There is something special about it that I really can't put my finger on, but I loved it. It's in a very unassuming spot and has everything you need. Got to go dessert as well that I certainly don't need but really couldn't help myself here and will most certainly be back. The gal behind the bar was great. Didn't catch her name but was super friendly and helpful. Thanks guys :) PS my only recommendation would be updating your business hours on yelp to match the actual :) read more

I have loved English Muffins since I was a child. Over the years, i've tried to make them myself, with varied results. Stepping into Ugly Duckling last week, supported one of my long held beliefs...that EVERYONE loves English Muffins!!! And excellent coffee and delicious egg custard tarts and trocaderos and Tosi inspired cereals and purple walls and VERY cool light fixtures and... Yes, it was crowded the morning I visited, but not impossible. I ordered a toasted rye EM with smoked salmon cream cheese, three egg tarts, one trocadero, 6 EM's to go and one notable cup of coffee to go. The wait was not long at all and while I waited and watched, I wondered why I hadn't ordered a breakfast sandwich. I also wondered a LOT about the homemade cereal case with flavored milks. I watched as Ilma Lopez and the most lovely staff of servers and cooks served up delicious food made from their hearts and hands. Thank you Ugly Duckling! read more

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Okay - this place is great!! I only wish I'd found it sooner - before everyone else found out about it. I dropped in here on a Friday morning around 9 AM and the line was almost out the door. The upside - most people were ordering food to go, so I was able to snag a seat at the wrap around bar and set up camp! I worked a couple hours here while enjoying some yummy breakfast and watching the hourly release of amazing pastries. For my breakfast, I ordered the BLT breakfast sandwich and an iced maple latte. The breakfast sandwich came on a housemade everything English muffin. That's right - a savory English muffin. I LOVE THIS! (Side note - they sell their English muffins!) It was also stacked high with fresh greens, tomato, and pickled onions with an egg, bacon and mayo. This was just a perfect sandwich. After watching the pastries roll out every hour, I finally caved and ordered the daily napoleon which was dulce de leche and was so good. As I was finally wrapping up to leave - I commented to one of the nice men working behind the counter that I had taken up space long enough and he said - no, we want you to come, relax and stay!! LOVE IT. Can't wait to come back and try more of the menu - along with the breakfast cocktails!! read more

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Great service, friendly staff, and great vibe. REcommend the cookies and the lattes. Very nice neighborhood as well.

During a snowy weekend in Portland when many other businesses were just too hard for us to trek to, my family had breakfast here two days in a row. Ugly Duckling really came through for us! We absolutely love the concept and the cute, fun vibes this adds to the neighborhood! The food is, for the most part, really good as well. My first trip I got a BLT, which was super tasty with nice high-quality bacon and fresh veggies. Not the best BLT I've ever had, but a solid breakfast sandwich. Even though the combination of mayo and pickled red onions made this a complete mess to eat, I'd get this again. I also got a coconut yuzu eclair which was top-notch and easily one of the best pastries I've had all year. My husband got a plain English muffin with smoked salmon cream cheese and was pleasantly surprised by how generously salmon-packed the cream cheese was. Our second visit, I got the Yinzer, which was also nice but not quite as good as the BLT. It's hard for chipped ham to compare to bacon, and I found the Yinzer sauce just a little too mustardy for my taste. My husband got the same English muffin with salmon cream cheese, but this time there was less salmon, which was a little disappointing. We also got some pastries which weren't quite as great, including some kind of lemon almond cake and a pastel de nata. Overall, I'd say the food is very good, even if there are some things we loved and some things we just enjoyed. The cafe itself is beautifully decorated with a large wraparound bar and a couple of tables (be forewarned, if you come with a larger group you will likely have to wait). The service is great. Even though we were at a table instead of the bar, the waiter was attentive and very friendly. I'm super excited that this place has opened, and I really hope they continue to do well. read more

Cute place with a nice atmosphere and service. We got a pistachio white mocha latte and a chai both were great. For food we got the no.2 breakfast sandwich that has local pork sausage that was outstanding, eggs cheese and ketchup on their homemade English muffin that were great as well. We also got the pastel de nata which was good as well. read more

Ugly Duckling - The No. 2 - Bakeries Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Visited Ugly Duckling for the first time and enjoyed my experience! The staff was super attentive and helpful. I got one of their latte specials and special tots - they both were great. This was an awesome neighborhood spot with a lot regulars, awesome vibe. Want to try the pastries on my next visit! read more

Incredible spot for brunch. I stopped in early on a Sunday morning right after opening and ordered the croque monsier to go. It came on a homemade asiago cheese english muffin which was to die for. Seriously one of the best breakfast sandwiches i've ever had. Staff was excellent read more

LITERALLY the yummiest breakfast sandwich of my life! They don't skim out on the extra ingredients to take their dishes to the next level. Service is also great; our server was very helpful! Last but not least, the vibe is adorable! Very femme with a Latin undertone feel--absolutly perfect for a lovely breakfast! read more

Ugly Duckling - Blueberry Lemonaid - Bakeries Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Ugly Duckling has quickly became one of my favorite brunch spots since its recent inception. Known for their house made English buttermilk muffins, I actually appreciate and love their limited breakfast sandwich menu. It's my 3rd time here, got the Yinzer twice and the No. 2 once (classic safe option) and my friend got the Forager which was delicious and definitely sourced from fresh, local ingredients. Their pastry selection is amazing as well -- don't miss out on the trocaderos! Loved our coffee drinks : ) we were lucky this time to get seats for two, it's a bustling place that also offers take out. I also love the U shaped bar and our server was really friendly and attentive. read more

Ugly Duckling - Dulce de Lèche Latte - Bakeries Near Me - Portland, Maine

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The Ugly Duckling is a super cute cafe with a variety of drinks and food items. I was pleasantly surprised with the various cakes they offer. The ambiance is cozy and the pops of pink is what makes the decor! The bar area that's shaped like a U adds to the cozy fun environment. Our waiter was friendly, gave us all a timely manner to order, and was very helpful when we asked questions about the different types of drinks. Chocolate cake was a 4.5 out of 5 - it was delicious and moist. Dulce de leche iced latte was a 3.5 out of 5 - the dulce de leche flavor was there but I would've like if there was an added element to make it even better. Overall, I would definitely come back with friends for drinks or brunch. read more

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I really enjoyed the fun and hip atmosphere of Ugly Duckling, as well as their creative concept. They have good breakfast sandwiches served on english muffins, each of which are twists on classic sandwiches. I found the bread to be a bit dry and the portions a bit lacking compared to the price, but it tasted great nonetheless! read more

Ugly Duckling - Salmon Sammy - Bakeries Near Me - Portland, Maine