Boston Foodie Weekend Escapes: Portland, Maine
Summers in Boston are a blast — there’s plenty of outdoor activities to do, plenty to see, and of course, plenty of great food to eat. Even so, sometimes we all need a break from the big city life but don’t have the time or funds to plan a big getaway. So what’s a stir-crazy foodie to do? Introducing: Boston Foodie Weekend Escapes, a series where we will feature some of the best places to eat within a few hours (or less!) of Boston city limits. For the first installation in this series, we’ve chosen to highlight Portland, Maine, a traditional New England weekend destination, located about two and a half hours north of Boston. You’ve heard of its lobsters, seaports, ocean breezes, and art, but read on for some of our favorite must-visit food spots for a weekend away in Portland.
Holy Donut
Holy Donut is known around Portland (and nationwide!) for their decadent doughnuts. The secret ingredient? Potatoes. You read that right — Holy Donut includes locally-sourced mashed potatoes in their doughnuts to create a soft, moist texture unique to the shop. They offer 20 different flavors at the start of each business day, but those flavors deplete quickly as the shop sells out on most days. Our suggestion? Get there early for a breakfast treat before taking on the town of Portland. They offer vegan and gluten-free options too!
Duckfat
Ask anyone you know where to eat in Portland, and they’ll almost definitely direct you to Duckfat. Duckfat got their name from their signature dish — hand-cut Maine potatoes fried in duck fat. On top of this original offering, the restaurant itself has won competitions on the Food Network several times, and one taste of their food will tell you why. The rest of their menu consists of paninis, salads, soups, and poutine. If you’re looking for a fun dessert, the doughnut holes are also fried in duck fat! Put Duckfat at the top of your list if you’re an adventurous foodie looking for a twist on some classics.
Portland Lobster Company
Maine is known for lobsters, and what better way to enjoy them on a summer day than in a lobster roll? There are so many options in Portland for lobster, so it can be a difficult to narrow down your list. Our suggestion? Head on over to Portland Lobster Company to enjoy a traditional lobster roll on the water. If lobster isn’t your thing, but you’re still looking for seafood, the restaurant serves up clam chowder, crab rolls, fish & chips, mussels, and more! Be sure to wash all of this deliciousness down with wine or a local Maine beer!
Taco Escobarr
Happy hour, Mexican street food, and patio seating. What more could you want? If this sounds like an evening well-spent in Portland to you, look no further than Taco Escobarr. If you’re in the mood for tacos, you’ll choose from a soft, crispy, or puffy taco, and pick from one of nine protein fillings. This spot also serves up enchiladas, burritos, taquitos, and a variety of apps. To celebrate happy hour the right way, grab one of their signature cocktails, such as a prickly pear cactus margarita.
Hot Suppa
Last, but certainly not least on our list is Hot Suppa! Hot Suppa prides itself on sourcing local ingredients whenever possible, and in turn serves up some of the best southern food in Maine in the form of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Waffles, corned beef and egg sandwiches, fried chicken sandwiches, hot chicken, and crispy catfish tacos are some of the menu items you can expect when visiting Hot Suppa during your Portland adventure. Sit down and enjoy your meal inside the authentic brick-wall interiors of the 1860 Victorian building in the middle of exploring the city, or to wind down after a long day.
