Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Portland, Maine

Written by:
October 1, 2025
MichielTon // Shutterstock

Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Portland, Maine

The word brunch first appeared in a 1895 issue of "Hunter's Weekly," according to the Smithsonian Magazine. In the article, which was titled "Brunch: A Plea," author Guy Beringer suggested swapping out heavy, post-church meals for lighter spreads served later in the morning.

"Brunch… is cheerful, sociable, and inciting," Beringer wrote. "It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper; it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings. It sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week." As a post-script to the piece, he writes that at brunch, "Beer and whiskey are admitted as substitutes for tea and coffee."

Fast forward 130 years, and brunch is now one of the most popular meals in the U.S. According to a 2025 industry report from Bar & Restaurant News, brunch is the #1 meal for both Gen Zers and parents: 39% of the former go out to eat during that time, and 47% of the latter.

Many brunch locations offer the same type of spread Beringer promoted in his article—pastries and marmalade, coffee and tea (or beer and whiskey), and main courses that include fish or other meats. However, a host of other trends like internationally inspired cuisines, pizza, and mimosa flights have come along to add a little variety.

Whether your preference is for a classic brunch or something with a little more spice, Stacker compiled a ranking of the highest-rated brunch restaurants in Portland using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, a restaurant with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Most chain restaurants were excluded from the ranking. Data is as of Sept. 16, 2025.

Read on to find out if your favorite local spot made our list!

#29. The Works Bakery Cafe

- Rating: 3.9/5 (49 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. Ocotillo

- Rating: 4.4/5 (9 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. Tiqa Pan Mediterranean

- Rating: 4.7/5 (10 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. The Friendly Toast

- Rating: 4.2/5 (26 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#25. Katie Made Bakery

- Rating: 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Rose Foods

- Rating: 4.3/5 (39 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. The Knotted Apron

- Rating: 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Peaks Cafe

- Rating: 4.3/5 (83 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Crooked Mile

- Rating: 4.4/5 (72 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. Woodford Food & Beverage

- Rating: 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Salt Yard Cafe & Bar

- Rating: 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Bayou Kitchen

- Rating: 4.4/5 (87 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Coffee ME Up

- Rating: 4.8/5 (33 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Congress Squared

- Rating: 4.2/5 (161 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. Pom's Thai Taste Restaurant & Noodle House

- Rating: 4.2/5 (163 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Dutch's

- Rating: 4.3/5 (75 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Market Street Eats

- Rating: 4.6/5 (82 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. The Sinful Kitchen

- Rating: 4.6/5 (76 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. Baristas + Bites

- Rating: 4.8/5 (74 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. Artemisia Cafe

- Rating: 4.6/5 (163 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. Miss Portland Diner

- Rating: 4.2/5 (276 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. Porthole Restaurant & Pub

- Rating: 3.9/5 (843 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. Little Tap House

- Rating: 4.3/5 (301 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#6. Marcy's Diner

- Rating: 4.4/5 (453 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#5. Tandem Coffee and Bakery

- Rating: 4.6/5 (200 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Eventide Oyster Company

- Rating: 4.4/5 (2249 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. Bayside American Cafe

- Rating: 4.4/5 (494 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. UNION Restaurant

- Rating: 4.5/5 (634 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. Becky's Diner

- Rating: 4.4/5 (2704 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Trending Now