BREAKFAST. It’s my favorite meal to cook, my favorite meal to eat out – honestly, it’s just my favorite meal.
Of course, Portland, Maine being the foodie town it is, has some absolutely delicious options for breakfast/brunch. I personally tend to enjoy diner-style breakfast a little more than the trendy and “high-end” meals.
But, whatever style of meal you prefer, there is thankfully no shortage of breakfast spots in Portland.
With that being said, here’s one tip for all of you: if you go out for breakfast in Portland, get there EARLY.
The hot and trendy brunch places fill up almost as soon as they open. Even the not-as-popular restaurants will have a long wait by 9:30 am.
So without further ado, below is my list for the best breakfast in Portland, Maine. Happy eating!
Check out our latest post about Maine travel: The Best Pick Your Own Apple Orchards in Maine
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1. Miss Portland Diner
Miss Portland is your new go-to for breakfast on the weekend (they’re open on weekdays too, though!). They’ve earned the very competitive and coveted title of my boyfriend’s favorite biscuits and gravy.
Look out for some amazing specials that aren’t on their regular menu, too. One time they had a breakfast flatbread with caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes, bacon, cheese, and 3 sunny-side-up eggs. It was hands-down the best breakfast I’ve ever eaten at a restaurant – a meal I will truly never forget.
Not to mention, their bloody mary’s are uh-mazing. The food is excellent, prices are unbeatable, service is top-notch, and it’s always fun to eat in a diner car! You will not be disappointed.
Current hours (as of 6/22/22):
Weekdays 7am – 2pm (Closed Wednesdays), Weekends 7am – 2:30pm
Website: https://missportlanddiner.com/
Address: 140 Marginal Way
2. Artemisia Cafe
This is the cutest little restaurant in Portland. Artemisia Cafe stays under the radar, tucked away only a few blocks from the bustling downtown area.
Their fresh ingredients are crafted into artisan dishes that showcase the simpler side of breakfast. They have absolutely amazing hashes – both the veggie and kielbasa hash are refreshingly different (and delightful) from other popular restaurants.
I would also recommend the Florentine – I am vegetarian, so anytime I see a vegetarian benedict dish, I jump for joy!
Every dish comes with some delicious and fresh bread toasted to perfection. They also serve lunch and dinner, which I’m sure are amazing! I have only gotten breakfast at Artmesia, so that’s all I can comment on.
Current hours (as of 6/22/22):
Wednsday – Sunday 9am – 2pm
Website: https://www.artemisiacafe.com/
Address: 61 Pleasant Street
3. Hot Suppa
Okay, this is definitely one of those trendy “high-end” breakfast spots I mentioned in the intro… but it totally lives up to the hype.
Hot Suppa, a southern-style restaurant and bar, served me the best, most fluffy, and creamiest omelet I’ve ever eaten.
At arguably the busiest brunch spot in town, you definitely pay more for the quality of food you’re getting. This is to be expected… especially if you plan on getting some of their specialty brunch cocktails.
My boyfriend ordered the chicken and biscuits, which I never thought I’d be on board with, but they were scrumptious. Another delectable and unique dish is the Local Mushroom Scramble!
Mushrooms are not only delicious but in my experience, rarely incorporated into a dish well. Especially a breakfast dish!
Especially for this restaurant, I again recommend getting there early. Shake off that hangover and get your butt to Hot Suppa. It is better to suffer waking up and be able to eat right away than to suffer waking up and have to wait an hour for food!
This restaurant is pretty small and incredibly popular, so you will surely have to wait if you get there past 9 am on the weekends.
Current Hours (as of 6/22/22):
Sunday – Monday: 8 am – 2 pm
Website: http://hotsuppa.com/
Address: 703 Congress Street
4. Dutch’s
Dutch’s is a quirky breakfast spot located a little off the beaten path from busy Congress Street in downtown Portland.
The creative dishes on their menu match the interesting interior decor. Don’t let that fool you, though – the food is certainly delicious.
Think grilled banana bread drizzled with rich, creamy caramel sauce. Think mashed potatoes reshaped into large squares and fried as your side of hash browns.
Although prices can be a little steep (in my mind), every trip to Dutch’s is a delightful treat.
Current hours (as of 6/22/22):
Monday – Friday: 7 am – 3 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 8 am – 2 pm
Website: https://www.dutchsportland.com/
Address: 28 Preble Street
5. Bayside American Cafe
I cannot stress this enough for breakfast in Portland – get there early. My boyfriend and I got a late start the morning we tired Bayside, and it cost us a nearly 50-minute wait.
Their menu is quite diverse, and anything you order will be delicious. I got the bacon cheddar scallion pancakes with bourbon maple sauce.
This was me venturing outside of my usual breakfast favorites of hash and scrambles. It was very yummy, but I’m excited to try something else next time!
Current hours (as of 8/26/21):
Closed Tuesday
Wednesday – Monday: 7 am – 2 pm
Website: https://www.baysideamericancafe.com/home
Address: 98 Portland Street
Places I’ve heard good things about, but haven’t had a chance to try yet:
- Sinful Kitchen, 906 Brighton Ave, Portland, ME 04102
- Becky’s Diner, 390 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04105
- Ruski’s, 212 Danforth Street, Portland, ME 04102
Rosemary
Wednesday 7th of July 2021
Portland Pottery Cafe' had the BEST scrambled eggs I had during my whole trip to New England and my daughter had a delicious breakfast there too. Also, Becky's Diner was the quintessential diner experience with great food right by the pier. Some of these look great too, just adding my own experiences. I think Becky's gets enough exposure due to location but Portland Pottery Cafe' was in a less touristy area and was worth a mention for sure. It's adorably cute too.
Michael
Tuesday 8th of December 2020
Bayou Kitchen should certainly be included!