Staying at the Longfellow hotel across the street, we gave this place a try on a whim. Excellent vibes and service. Highly recommended: salt cod, foie gras truffles, pasta with guanciale. I had a smash burger (special) which was a bit too much -- needed one fewer item from the rich salty umami family of flavors, every bite good on its own but a LOT as a dish. Service was wonderful; my friend mentioned that she loved chocolate mousse but was too full for dessert, and our server brought us a to go portion as a bonus with the check. And it was awesome (topped with hazelnuts, sea salt, and a drizzle of olive oil, very good idea well executed). read more

Wayside Tavern - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

**November 2025: Thanksgiving Dinner** I made a reservation through Resy about a week before Thanksgiving and was able to successfully secure bar seating for two. We got a text reminder as well as phone call reminder leading up to our reservation. On the day of our reservation we were greeted with a warm smiled and directed to our seats. Since we visited on Thanksgiving Day it was a prix fix menu which included the following: -Bread and Turkey Jam -Winter Squash Soup -Chicory & Arugula Salad -Roasted Turkey Breast -Braised Short Ribs -Ilma's Maple Bourbon Pie -Pumpkin Budin This menu was specifically made for Thanksgiving so I imagine guests who have to wait until the next Thanksgiving to enjoy the fare. What I can say is that the soup was my favorite and the turkey breast was not in the slightest dry. The short ribs were my friends favorite and we both loved the pumpkin budin. Service was polite and efficient and te music was upbeat and lively, despite the restaurant emiting a dark romantic vibe. I'm really thankful that they had reservations available and that the food was delicious since many restaurants in the area were already booked out. Thank you Wayside Tavern for a delicious meal! read more

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Wayside Tavern turned out to be one of our very favorite meals during our weekend in Portland! It's an intimate, cozy little restaurant attached to a hotel. We booked a reservation relatively far in advance, but when we checked into our hotel, this was one of the spots they recommended as a favorite among locals. Personally, I think it easily lives up to the hype. The menu is relatively small, but there's so many mouth-watering options we still found it hard to pick just a few things. There's a whole section of "snacks" that you can order a la carte, which was a fun way to sample several things. We each tried one of the Foie Gras Truffles, Clams Casino, and Broiled Maine Oysters. All three were sooo tasty, but the oysters with chili butter were the winner in my book. Next we went with the Butter Beans, Chicory Salad, and Steak Au Poivre. Again, all three dishes were home runs, I would order them all again in a heartbeat. I also have no complaints about the beer, wine, and cocktail menus. Across the board, everything feels really well curated. I think it would be pretty hard to go wrong here. Overall, it really exceeded expectations. In a city with so many great restaurant options, I think it really holds it's own. Can't wait to come back when I'm in town next! read more

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We chose this place based on location of our air bnb. Loved the decor and coziness of the inside. They do have limited hours so plan accordingly. The food, however was a bit disappointing. We got: -truffle foie gras (no taste of truffle at all) -broiled Maine oysters (way too salty) -smash burger (special of the day) (average burger) We wanted to love the food, but it didn't quite meet our expectations. read more

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Great find after arriving in Portland. Sat at the bar and had a great conversation with the bartender who gave us great recommendations. Wine recommendation was great. Visited back in July. Food was delicious and we took recommendations from the regulars sitting at the bar. Cool, comfortable vibe. Will definitely go back. Loved the muscles and foie gras truffles. read more

Wayside Tavern - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

Excellent food, high quality of ingredients and inventive takes on classic dishes. Great ambience too.

We finally got to Wayside Tavern and I don't know what took me so long! Oddly, there are so many restaurants not open on Monday's and I get it but it is the one night my friends and I can all meet up, so we are limited on trying new places. Wayside is definitely going to be in our rotation now. We each got an appetizer and entree and nothing disappointed us! The daily Crudo was a scallop dish that was amazing. We also had a cabbage salad that sounds so plain in the description but it was delicious and cabbage is not my go-to normally. I was able to try the smash burger and it lives up to all the hype I had heard about it. Staff was super friendly and prices were not crazy. read more

Solid 4.5 stars! Our friend brought us here for dinner and I love the eclectic menu! We ordered scallops- you order as each scallop, which was interesting. It was very tasty. And it was very sweet that the server brought us three clams as a complimentary taste since it was our first time here. OMG the three share plates we tried - amaaaazing: Delicata squash with a Gorgonzola sauce and a Calabrian chili honey, butter beans with sausage and kale, and roasted cauliflower. Each one amazing and delicious and soooo creative. The pork schnitzel was very good and the fettuccine with lamb ragu special was really very tasty. Really awesome food. The server was very sweet and friendly. It has a nice casual but classy vibe. Great spot!! read more

We were visiting and staying next door. We had a heavy travel day and wanted something easy so we went next door as walk-ins. Although they were not able to accommodate us (Labor Day weekend), we ordered to go. We asked if they could text us when the food was ready since it was going to be 30 mins, they did and boy were we pleased with our choice. The food was delicious and hot. We ordered the cod cheeks, chicory salad, tonnarelli, and pork schnitzel. All was expertly cooked. Plus we were given a sweet note and dessert. The care behind that note took our breath away. We will be back the next time we visit Portland and come with a reservation. Our pictures were not the best because we were hungry and dug in right away. Lol read more

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Delicious, creative, wonderful are just a few of the terms to describe this cozy little place. Let's start with the wonderful service. An empty plate never sat on the table more than a minute before it was cleared. Water glasses were never empty and the waitress was an absolute delight. The place is cozy and warm even on an extremely cold night. The cocktails are good but you must appreciate the classics made in classical ways. The old fashion is a well made in the classic manner with no extra flare. The food is creative in its combinations of flavors and everything we had was wonderful. Highlights were the tuna crisp and the pasta special - made with short rib. Definitely worth the trip and would eat here again. read more

My visit to Wayside was a few months back when it was warm and my friends and I sat outside--and I definitely want to get back there soon! We indulged with wonderful cocktails, followed by a round of appetizers: clams casino seared off with Pernod, which left this amazing green finish and I dunno what else was in there, but taaaaasty; some foie gras truffle balls that were both decadent and spicy; a gorgeous tuna carpaccio; and a salad of perfectly in-season heirloom tomatoes that were pretty much just drizzled with oil and fancy salt, because they needed nothing else. Oh, and a cabbage salad with a drool-worthy ranch dressing and bacon. Mmmmm. Wine time! Some of the above are on the menu under "snacks" and some under "small plates"--and clearly we were hungry and chowing down, and even considered ordering another round of apps and smalls (which with Wayside's seasonally rotating menu, is always going to offer up several great options). But we were tempted by the "large plates" part of the menu too, and in fact all three of us got the exact same thing: roast chicken. Now, you may be thinking why order chicken at a restaurant?! and usually that's what I think, but OMG this. It's a generous roasted airline breast on earthy toast spread with ricotta and toasted pine nuts (and raisins, which normally I loathe but weren't bothersome). It is INSANELY good. These plates all definitely lived up to their large size, and we had leftovers to take home that I wasn't mad about the next day. On top of the fabulous food and wonderful table outside in the front, our server (whose name I am unfortunately forgetting) was amazing! She knew a ton about the menu and in fact talked us into the chicken when we were all wondering about it. I can't wait to come back to Wayside! read more

Wayside Tavern - clams casino and foie gras balls - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Wayside Tavern seems to be the latest "it" place in Portland's restaurant world. There are great reviews, a lot of good buzz and a reservation list that leaves little availability because it's so busy. So, I went to Wayside for the 1st time with great anticipation. Some of my high hopes were met and some were not, however. The food was all very good - high quality, presented beautifully, inventive and - on its own strength - enough to bring me back for another go. The delicata squash appetizer is a huge standout for me. The spicy-sweet balance was perfect. The texture was luxurious. Somehow, in some way, PLEASE turn this small plate into a main course! It deserves to star in the show! My main course was steak in a sauce that was surprising - bone marrow and lemon. Lots of lemon, strong lemon, all lemon, not enough marrow. I am not sure if there was a mistake in the kitchen or what but it was too lemony for my taste (and keep in mind that I LOVE lemon). The atmosphere of the restaurant is good. Located on Congress Street in the never-ending slide down the hill from the old downtown, Wayside is located across the street and next door to a new hotel, in what used to be a funeral home. Pretty interesting digs in my opinion! The dining room is small and separated into different rooms. The ambiance is part bar, part turn of the century (the old century of course since you're in Portland Maine). The lighting is soft and the rooms are quiet enough for great conversation. The furniture is living room quality and comfortable. Our waiter was okay. He did not engage enough with us to make a difference in the dining experience. He certainly took our order and brought our food - nothing more, nothing less. At these prices and in a foodie town like Portland, I expect more from my server. Actually, I expected more staff to be working the tables. All in all, I had a good dining experience but, to be honest, it was mostly because of the wonderful loving people I was with. We would have had a great time no matter where we ate. Wayside neither added anything nor detracted from an evening with my spouse and our BFF. I am certain that I will give Wayside another try but I cannot recommend it at this time. read more

Excellent New American restaurant with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Great food, well-balanced menu, and attentive service make it a standout spot for a relaxed dinner. read more

We had a great dinner at the bar despite a wedding taking up 70% of the restaurant that night. The butter beans were unreal. Chicory salad excellent. Pork schnitzel very good. And the pasta was great too. Really nice restaurant with great food. read more

Wayside Tavern - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Menu was very limited and not appealing. Green interior makes food and people look sickly.

I'm back for a second round on the "Smash Burger" I come to see what's the consistency! Is it the same hit as the last time... I would say no, was it enjoyable... absolutely! This time the onions have changed I can taste a little more acidity in the burger I don't know how to exactly pin point the flavor but it has to be the onions! I now have to come back for the third repeat next week or maybe the week after to see what will it be! The bun is always a simplicity hit don't over complicate a staple being potato or Hawaiian bun this is what makes a smash burger a smash burger! I had the chicory Caesar which was perfectly dressed and a perfect proportion for myself! Stay tuned to see what the next burger will be!!! read more

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A high end dining experience. I went here with friends for my birthday dinner and every dish was absolutely amazing. I'd highly recommend doing a dinner of small plates and share an entree for a good sample of the menu choices. read more

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Such a cozy place to dine during a rain shower. This place just has good vibes, overall. Service was perfect. Both cocktails were expertly prepared and garnished by a bartender who obviously cares. Cod cheeks were amazing. Each person needs their own. Maybe two. Lol. Halibut was absolutely divine perfection. Unfortunately, the scallops lacked any sear and were swimming in mayo-ish sauce. Not sure what the concept was supposed to be but they were not for me. I'd skip those if I had a do-over. It was a wonderful dining experience and we were greeted by a rainbow when we left. read more

Wayside Tavern - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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An absolutely wonderful spot. Came here alone on a Monday night and there were plenty of seats at the bar. Food: Sundays and Mondays are their smash-burger deal (double burger with fries) for $18. Spectacular and very very worth it. Perhaps the best high-quality burger in the city that doesn't break the bank. The other food items on the menu were tempting so I'll have to give those a shot next time I am back! Atmosphere: Darker, not many large tables, bar-top was clean with a nice finish. Generally quieter. Service: Bartender who served me was very helpful! Parking: On the street in front of here. Free but time-limited through 5 or 6 pm or so. For the burger deal alone, I would definitely come back. The other menu items look amazing, so I'll have to drop another review on that next time! read more

Small Portions but tasty. Nice effort to be unique. Next time will get more food. Great service and vibes.

This was my first meal in Maine and it definitely met my high expectations. I loved the scallop, clams, and the best was the oysters. I would order it all again and the vegetables (cucumber and fried sunchokes) were delicious as well. Definitely small portions but the quality makes up for it. The service was attentive and friendly and it was a beautiful, cool building. Definitely aesthetically pleasing, I hope to come back one day! read more

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Small, intimate restaurant with incredible food. Tuna crudo - $18 - 8/10 - local bluefin, delicious but the citrus sauce was a little overpowering, masking the natural flavor of the fish. Scallop - $8 - 10/10 - delicious main scallop with a Benedict-type sauce. Sauce was not overly flavorful, allowing the natural flavor of the scallop to shine. Cod cheek - $6 - 10/10 - battered and fried cod cheek paired with a lemon and a herb tartar sauce. Sauce was incredibly light on the mayo and heavy on the herbs, pairing perfectly with the cod. Beans - $14 - 9/10 - very large plate of beans with fennel sausage and herby sauce. Excellent. Steak - $49 - 10/10 - dry aged bavette steak in a peppercorn and rosemary sauce. Steak was perfectly cooked and seared, and the sauce was full of flavor but not overpowering. Came with a side of smooth mashed potatoes. Dessert looked incredible but we were too full, next time! read more

Really fantastic meal at Wayside Tavern for our anniversary. We sat at the bar and the service was so thoughtful. The vibe is casual but special,every bite was packed with flavor, the meal was well paced, and the price felt totally fair for a special occasion date! We can't wait to go back and bring friends! Don't miss food items for us would be the broiled oysters, cod cheeks, crudo, and roasted chicken! We also tried the scallops, butter beans, and chocolate mousse and they were all delicious too! read more

This place has plenty of praise already, but here's some more...Wayside manages to balance casual and fancy, chefy and simple, instagrammable and disposable camera. It's fantastic. The food and cocktails taste amazing. Presentation is simple but the food and drink speak on their own. Maddie and the waitstaff have it down... you're never pressured, but always taken care of. The scallops here compete with Minato's custard oyster for my favorite bite in New England. Combined with splitting a half dozen dishes every time we visit (please don't skip the cabbage salad), Wayside has won me over from the start. I don't even like eggplant, but the eggplant terrine has me wondering "when's the next time?" It's all just a little bit silly, but Wayside really is a wonderful night out. read more

Spouse and I went here for a birthday dinner, and everything was delicious! We started with a broiled Maine scallop (me) and fried cod cheek (him), which were both superb, and then shared an order of fried sunchokes, all of which I would recommend. The wine selections our server recommended paired well with our meal. The pork schnitzel was incredible - tender and juicy, and the celery was a surprising treat. (Imagine calling celery a treat!) my steak au poivre was also quite yummy, and the portion was enormous. I had enough for two meals to take home. Lastly, my birthday dessert was a salted chocolate hazelnut mousse, which we shared with plenty to take home for dessert the next day, too. I definitely recommend this place, and hope to return soon. read more

Wayside Tavern - Broiled Maine scallop with hollandaise and caviar - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

Every dish we ordered was delicious! We started with the cabbage salad, delicata squash, and pickled beet salad. We split the roasted chicken and steak au poivre. I seriously think the chicken was the best I've ever had! The Old Fashions were quite remarkable as well. Great staff and service! Just wish parking was a little easier. read more

Food was amazing and the server was very knowledgeable about the menu, including the wine list.

Southerner coming in for sustenance on an icy night of a road trip passing through Maine. Atmosphere was very cozy and intimate, and flavors were incredible. We have seafood where I'm from, but this was... different. My entree was fresh halibut with a brown butter sauce, capers, and roasted mushrooms. We also enjoyed a small portion size yet still entirely worth the singular flavor-packed bite appetizer of broiled scallops with an impeccable béarnaise sauce. Service was great even though we arrived rather late into the evening. I would definitely return. read more

Wayside Tavern - fresh grilled halibut with a brown butter sauce, capers, and roasted mushrooms - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

This place still hits all the right notes! Excellent food and excellent service in an upscale, intimate atmosphere without being too stuffy. Portland has an often lauded food scene but Wayside is one of the few places that actually lives up to the hype. The service has always been high end without being stuffy fine dining. They also make things right in a way that feels special when something is off. For example, our reservation table was not designed for two strapping lads, as soon as another table became available they offered to move us without being asked and gave us a free hors d'oeuvres. We had accepted our fate of getting a last minute reservation and sat at a table in a tight corner but this is one of the few places in town that actually cared about the dining experience and looked out for us. read more

Great food and great service! My husband and I were in Maine for our honeymoon and we stopped here for dinner and it did not disappoint. The vibes were cozy and cute and the food was fantastic. We got some of the snack bites - the scallop, the clam, and the truffles - all of which did not disappoint. Then we had the chicken breast dish and the delicata squash - both of which were great. They also gave us some bubbly to celebrate our honeymoon! Cassy our server was awesome too and gave us some recommendations for some other local food joints. Would definitely go back! read more

An absolute MUST for dinner. I came with girlfriends for a birthday dinner and everything we ordered was insanely flavorful. It was cozy and intimate, and I loved the small, thoughtful menu. read more

I have eaten here twice. Both times the food was excellent and just as impressive the service was excellent. Mussels, pasta with their sausage, chicken entrees all first rate. The salads are good. The oysters, clam casino, and cod cheek all great as a starter. The wine list is well thought through and offers a good range. The wait staff really knows the food and wine and guides you through the meal beautifully. This is a place that is one of the quiet stars of the Portland restaurant scene and deserves to be better recognized. Highly recommended. read more

This was our first trip to Wayside Tavern. The atmosphere was very warm and welcoming, and all the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Out of the small kitchen came extraordinary food. The small starters of clams casino and oysters were delicious. Next we tasted asparagus with peeky toe crab, green garlic, and beurre blanc which was wonderfully prepared. A large plate of halibut with brown butter, lemon, capers and roasted mushrooms left us wanting to lick the plate! It was an altogether wonderful experience. Make a reservation today. read more

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Such a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and amazing food! Our family was greeted and seated within minutes. The staff made us feel so welcome. We will be back again! read more

DON'T GO TO WAYSIDE. Just kidding! I want to keep this place a secret and all to myself. Standout neighborhood place for unique seafood-forward dishes, although I typically get the crispy pork schnitzel as my entree. LOVE LOVE LOVE the salt cod dip (pictured), mussels with thick piece of garlic toast, and of course those famous deep fried cod cheeks with whatever-the-heck gribiche sauce is. CHEF'S KISS. read more

Wayside Tavern - Salt cod mantecato (fish dip) topped w/olive tapenade. Delicate fish (think whitefish salad) and wonderfully salty. Comes w/ 2pcs focaccia. - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

Super cozy, fun new eatery in the West End. We truly enjoyed the food, and the service was both friendly and professional. The foie gras "truffle" was rich, sweet, and nutty - a perfect combination. And only get one each! It's too rich to have any more. The fried sun-chokes were perfectly crisp, with a real "roasted" flavor. Cabbage salad was a table favorite; crunchy and rich, yet almost light in a way. The pork schnitzel was absolutely incredible - breaded crisp with thinly sliced greens on top. My only small criticism was that the aïoli sauce under the pork schnitzel didn't add to the flavor, and I didn't think it was appropriate for that dish. It also tended to get the entire bottom of the pork moist, instead of keeping it super crisp as it should be. We still really loved it, and would order it again, but I would ask that they leave off the tonnato-aïoli the next time. The wine list (per my sommelier wife) was extremely interesting, creative, and fun. Plenty of wines by the glass, along with just a ton of interesting bottles to choose from. Lastly, they had only two dessert choices, neither of which jumped out at us. Tiramisu and chocolate mousse? I was hoping for something with sweet local fruit, maybe a savory option, but not two traditional European sweets. Maybe they'll update the menu for summer. Overall, an absolutely terrific place for a cozy, delicious meal with friends or family. read more

Pretty, pretty solid. I don't know why it irks me that the name doesn't suit the atmosphere in my mind. When I think of a "tavern", I don't think of foie gras truffles and eggplant terrine, I think of fish and chips or a big ol burger, which apparently they only do once a week at lunch. So, I never felt like going because the whole thing along with their (and I hate this word, but hipster) marketing and design felt a little pretentious. Well, I was finally dragged here and I have to say, it still ain't like no tavern I've been to, but it also wasn't pretentious in the least. We sat at the bar and the bartender was incredibly sweet, funny, and a delight to talk to. And those foie gras truffles?? Sorry little duck or goose, but holy @#$% were they good. After all my bellyaching, I didn't even get the most tavern-y thing on the menu, the schnitzel, but I did have the chicken and it was enough to feed two people for a pretty reasonable price. Not the cheapest meal in Portland but it won't entirely break the bank and the hearty food won't have you worrying about not leaving full. I'd definitely put it in a date night rotation. read more

I brought my elderly aunt here for a little dining out adventure and she loved it! Very kind and thoughtful waitstaff, creative and delicious food! A bit pricey, but that's the way it is all over now. read more

We are in love with Portland, even more after discovering WAYSIDE TAVERN, the place is amazing, not to big not to small, from the moment you go up the stairs and you past the door, you feel comfortable and welcome, we did wait at the bar to have a table ready, the bartender was very pleasant and knowledgeable, I believe we got the BEST seat in the house, table 23 , perfect for 2 celebrating a long BD weekend, the menu is short, with a great mix of appetizers and entrees, you can tell the chef owner and is wife, with the help of the TEAM, are truly working hard to bring you the best. BRAVO. read more

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I've lived in Portland for close to 40 years and thought I had tried all the "best" restaurants. Tried the Wayside Tavern for the first time and was blown away. Everything was delicious, from cocktails, salads, mains and dessert. Portions were generous. We shared mussels and halibut, which were amazing. Our server, Lily, was terrific. Loved the atmosphere and vibe. Portland has an abundance of good restaurants but this will be our new favorite. read more