Five Places to Visit While You’re in Portland, Maine

Happy Tuesday everyone! The past two days have been considered mine and Kyle’s “weekend” because he’ll be leaving for a week or so to do some training, so my apologies for the late post. Sometimes I’m a bit torn between putting my phone down and giving everyone my undivided attention, and trying constantly to find more creative ideas for my posts. It’s a balancing act, that’s for sure. But today I was able to do a little bit of both.

Kyle and I decided to explore Portland and go to some of our favorite spots. Portland is a quickly growing city, with its own little hidden gems. It’s always fun to explore and find new favorites each time we go, whether it be a great new club or just a little coffee shop. So if you haven’t visited Portland yet, or you’re planning to soon, here are some of the places you’ll definitely enjoy!

GOOD EATS

Sonny’s

When I first walked in, my immediate thought was that it resembled a scene out of The Great Gatsby. They have long velvet drapes, making the dining room somewhat dark, but in a good way. Tables are fairly spread apart, and red velvet couches are strategically placed throughout the rooms. It strikes me as the type of place where people would go for cocktails and cigars. I was a fan right away.

But the food. That’s what really won me over. If you’re into fresh squeezed limeades and lemonades, followed by a collection of organic dishes, this is definitely the place for you. And I don’t mean just organic salads, but anything from their burgers to their pies. Who doesn’t love pie? Also, it’s conveniently in the courtyard of The Regency Hotel, so if you sit on their patio it’s like being in your own little private garden.

Tiqa 

I actually tried this one for the first time today for lunch, and I knew I had to share it. It’s located at the end of the Old Port, which is the harbor in Portland. It’s in a spot that’s easy to miss, and since its new not many people know about it yet. They have a fairly relaxed setting where you could dress up or dress down and still fit into the atmosphere. They have huge windows that we sat in front of, offering a really nice view of the area.

Kyle is rather simple when it comes to food, and he really doesn’t venture away from his steak and potatoes often. But I convinced him to try a few new things, and he actually loved it! The menu consists of Mediterranean cuisine, so I ordered a dish that resembled what’s in a gyro (Greek lamb kabob) and it was amazing. It’s adequately priced, and they had a good selection of craft beers that Kyle definitely enjoyed.

COFFEE SHOPS

Arabica

I discovered this little coffee shop when I was a junior in college, about 2 years ago now. Some friends wanted to meet there to do a study group for a project, and after searching for a bit, I found it hidden at the end of the harbor. It’s in a simple brick building along with some other little cafes, so it easily goes unnoticed when you’re driving by. But it’s now one of my favorite places to go and get work done, or just relax with friends.

Their menu includes a lot of local coffee ingredients, such as their signature drink, (my personal fav) the maple latte. I’m a coffee addict, so when I figured out that maple and coffee go beautifully together, I was hooked. This is the ideal place for all coffee lovers, from iced to hot.

OUT FOR DRINKS

Portland Hunt and Alpine Club

Yeah I know, weird name for it right? But it definitely sets the theme for this bar. Their drink menu is a leather “guide book”. How cool is that?! They specialize in signature drinks, many of which use local breweries and distilleries, something that’s very popular in Portland. They also have some snack choices if you’re just looking for a quick bite before dinner.

Along with their incredible drinks, there’s a lot to look at in this small hole-in-the-wall. PH&AC features pieces from local artists all over their walls, such as this cool painting. I stopped here with some friends to have a drink before dinner and I couldn’t stop looking all over the place. This little bar has a ton of character, and I would definitely recommend checking it out!

Craft Beer Cellar

I’m not a beer drinker really, except for some occasions. But Kyle loves his beer, so I’m always on the lookout for local places to try. The Craft Beer Cellar features brews from all over the world, including some hard cider and wine options as well. If you’re visiting and want your favorite beverage from home, chances are you can find it here. But if you want to try something new, get ready to choose from hundreds of different options.

Craft Beer Cellar also hosts daily tastings for all of their featured products, adding yet another activity to do while visiting. And if you find one you like, most of the surrounding restaurants carry those products as well. Portland is becoming extremely well known for their craft brewing, and this is the place where you can see it all!

Aside from the amazing food and drink you can find in Portland, there are some beautiful sights to see as well. If you’re planning a trip there soon, don’t miss out on all the activities in and out of the harbor. And while you’re there, be sure to try some things you’ve never tried before. After all, that’s what it’s all about!

Where have you traveled to recently? What places would you recommend?