If you've never been to Portland, Maine, go now. Seriously, you won't regret it. Whether you have to drive, fly, bike, walk, or take a boat there, it's 110% worth it. I'm sure me saying "go now" isn't enough to persuade you, but if one thing will, it's food. Portland and the surrounding towns in Cumberland County are truly some of the foodiest foodie destinations in all of the US.
The Holy Donut
Potato Donuts. That's right, donuts made out of potatoes. Holy Donuts on Exchange Street is hands down the best part of the city. My fave is pomegranate, but if you're feeling adventurous try the maple bacon. For all you bargain hunters out there, word on the street is they do donut happy hour if they have extra donuts before closing.
158 Picket Street Cafe
Long live the breakfast sandwich. Seriously, what's more satisfying than a warm, chewy bagel with freshly-fried eggs and bacon? Nothing. 158 Picket has all sorts of bagels with an equally amazing array of fillings. My fave? The B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato). Lines are often long at peak breakfast time, but it's totally worth it.
Becky's Diner
Ah, the classic New England Diner. If you're looking for the real Maine experience, Becky's is the place to go. It has all the charm of an old diner with all the food you could imagine. If you go for breakfast they have bomb omelets, but lunch is all about the chowder. This place also has the Taylor Swift seal of approval since she dined there back in 2010 when filming for her music video 'Mine.'
Micucci's Grocery
Micucci's is a family owned Italian grocer in Portland and they have the best pizza you'll ever eat. I love all types of pizza—thin crust, cheesy, saucy, deep dish—I don't discriminate. This pizza is called a "Sicilian slab" and is unlike anything else. The slabs are cooked throughout the day in big brick ovens so they're always fresh and hot. The sweet tomatoes and salty cheese is what heaven is made of (their Italian sandwiches are amazing, too).
Street and Co.
There are few things I love in this world more than garlic. A bit on the pricier side, this restaurant serves up enormous pans of delicious pastas with seafood ranging from lobster to scallops and clams. You sure do get what you pay for though. My fave? Mussels Provencal.
#SpoonTip: Save the perfect shell and spoon the garlic and white wine into it at the end.
Silly's
Attention all vegans and vegetarians: there's more to Portland than seafood. Welcome to Silly's, the quirkiest spot in all of P-town. Their menu is huge and offers the most unique breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and dinners for vegs and carnivores alike! You truly can't go wrong here — they have dessert, too.
Scratch Baking Co.
You haven't lived until you've eaten a bagel from Scratch. The bagels are cooked fresh every morning in small batches to make sure every bagel is perf. The cute little store in South Portland is filled with locals, so make sure you arrive before 9 am if you want optimal bagel choices. My top pick: a plain bagel with LOTS of fresh herb cream cheese. But don't stop at one — you have to get at least two, maybe even three. You know, for tomorrow (or now).
OTTO
OTTO pizza is seriously one of my favorite things. It's pizza but it's unlike any other pizza I've ever had. They have all the classics, but they also have the most amazing combinations you've ever seen. Case in point: mashed potato pizza.
The Grill Room and Bar
Go for lunch. Order the plate of fries. Thank me later.Empire Chinese Kitchen
Don't get me wrong, I love greasy take-out Chinese food. But there are times when I have a craving that fried rice can't satisfy...but Empire can. What I like to call "upscale Chinese," Empire serves up classic dishes but with out-of-this-world flavor. I can't explain it, so you're going to have to try it yourself. My fave: candied walnut shrimp.
Bite Into Maine
I couldn't make this list without adding a little bit of tourist in here, could I? Maine is known for its lobster and even more specifically, the Maine Lobster Roll. If you put your lobster on any roll other than a New England-style hot dog bun, don't talk to me (I'm looking at you, Eventide). Grab your preppiest looking outfit, head down to the Portland Headlight (aka that thing in Anna Kendrick's Twitter cover photo), and grab a roll from the food truck.
Flatbread Company
Can you tell I love pizza? This pizza is so rustic you can taste the wood-fired oven when you're eating it. That's a good thing, in case you were wondering. Everything at Flatbread's is locally sourced, so it's pizza you can actually feel good about eating. Attention any suiters: the Casco Bay pizza and Organic Salad is the way to my heart.
Blake Orchard Juicery
After all that pizza, you're going to need something clean to throw into your body. The plus side, it tastes amazing, too. Blake Orchard has the best smoothie bowls and juices in Southern Maine...maybe even all of New England.
Have I convinced you yet? No matter when you visit Maine, you'll fall in love. You won't have any issues finding places to eat, and you definitely won't have any issues finding beautiful hikes, walks, boat rides, and scenery. Now I'm home sick.