Portland's Food Scene

In the Press

Travel + Leisure, Forbes, Bon Appétit, Outside, Coastal Living, and People magazines, along many others, have sited Greater Portland, Maine as a top travel destination.

With a stroll on the cobblestone streets, the fresh salt air blowing in from the rocky coastline of Casco Bay, and the sounds of the working waterfront, you will quickly realize that it’s the food and so much more that makes this part of Maine such a unique experience.

Home of four James Beard Award Winners

We are honored to have in our own backyard four James Beard Award winning chefs: Sam Hayward of Fore Street, Rob Evans of Hugo’s, and Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier of Arrows, along with countless other talented food artists who have built up a culinary foray of amazingly talented chefs for everyone to experience.

We’ve recently become known for more than just our postcard appeal. We’ve become a foodie favorite! With more than 250 restaurants in the Greater Portland area, you will find a variety of cuisines with superb chefs to bring out the fresh flavors of our local seafood, meats and produce, always prepared to perfection using locally harvested products whenever possible.

Farm to Table

Harvest on the Harbor is our compliment to the increasingly influential farm-to-table movement in which chefs create their culinary masterpieces from the freshest locally grown and responsibly harvested ingredients. Maine has long been renowned for its succulent lobster and impeccably fresh seafood. Today, creatively presented vegetables and herbs, organic meats, farmstead cheeses and artisanal breads have become epicurean favorites that have helped propel Maine into the culinary limelight.

Responsibly Harvested Seafood

Working with organizations such as the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and the Maine Aquaculture Association, Maine chefs have the luxury to personally work with the local harvesters to provide the freshest products while knowing that they are featuring under-utilized, abundant and responsibly harvested seafood. This partnership has provided new seafood products for the chef’s menus, opportunities for diners to learn new ways to prepare delectable dishes, provided needed resources for our fishermen all the while jointly working to create a more sustainable community for everyone.

Maine Breweries and wineries are popular among locals and visitors alike

Maine is home to more than 20 different breweries producing more than 100 beers, ales, and lagers. This year’s Harvest on the Harbor will feature some of the best! Since the 1980s, Maine brewers have been at the forefront of this burgeoning phenomenon.

Brewery tours have become increasingly popular in Maine, and the Maine Beer Trail provides the where-with-all to get you started.

Maine wineries are making wines mainly from apples, blueberries, pears and raspberries- most have tasting rooms where visitors can sample their creations.  The Maine Wine Trail has members from Casco to Cheeryfield and from Berwick to Brooksville, so you can travel throughout Maine and taste wine along the way.