Are you wondering where to get breakfast in Portland, Maine? Start your morning with wood-fired bagels, potato donuts, buttery croissants, or a savory Lobster-stuffed omelette at one one these local breakfast places in Portland, Maine.
Disclosure: This guide to where to eat breakfast in Portland, Maine, contains affiliate links. When you click on one of these partner links and make a purchase or hotel booking, I may earn a commission. Of course, this is at no extra cost to you.
Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Portland, Maine
If you are visiting Portland, Maine, in the New England region of the United States, you may be wondering where to eat your first meal of the day. When I visited in May 2019, I was delighted to find the following local bakeries and breakfast spots in Portland.
Forage Market
At Forage Market in Portland’s East End, the bagels are hand-rolled, aged for two days, and naturally leavened with wild yeast starter. They are boiled in a large vat of water and then dusted with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sea salt, or everything seasoning before being placed in the wood-fired oven, which takes three hours to heat each morning.
When you go, order your bagel with cream cheese in flavors like caper dill or kalamata olive, or opt for a bagel sandwich loaded with bacon, cheese, over-easy egg, lox, or whitefish salad. In addition to bagels, the bakery offers a variety of hot and iced coffee and tea drinks, as well as a selection of pastries.
Address: 123 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Stay Nearby: Best Bower
Belleville (BLVL)
One bite into my swoonworthy, flaky, buttery croissant, I could have sworn this petite bakery was in Paris, France, like its namesake neighborhood in the City of Light. That Parisian vibe surely comes from the owners, a couple who describe themselves as a Mainer and a Frenchie who learned to bake in Paris in pursuit of their dream of one day opening a bakery. And that dream came to fruition when Belleville opened in 2017 in the Munjoy Hill neighborhood.
In addition to the classic French croissants, the bakery case is full of laminated pastries, including almond croissants, ham and cheese croissants, pain au chocolat, palmiers, morning buns, and more. Once you’ve settled on one of the mouthwatering pastries, pair it with a steamy cup of tea or coffee from the local Tandem Coffee Roasters.
Address: 1 North St, Portland, ME 04101
Stay Nearby: Best Bower
Standard Baking Co.
While the previous two Portland breakfast spots are located in the East End, Standard Baking Co. and my next two recommendations are in the Old Port, a historic district of fishing piers, cobblestone streets, and 19th-century buildings. This scenic location near the waterfront is particularly convenient for travelers staying in one of the Old Port hotels.
During the morning, stop into Standard Baking Co. for a breakfast pastry and a cup of French-pressed coffee or hot tea. The family-run bakery’s diverse array of delicious treats includes croissants, morning buns, and scones in flavors such as blueberry, apricot almond, chili cheddar corn, and raspberry white chocolate.
Address: 75 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Stay Nearby: Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront
The Holy Donut
Another family-run breakfast place in Portland, Maine, is The Holy Donut, known for its unique and tasty potato donuts. What is a potato donut, you ask? As the brainchild of Leigh Kellis, the potato donut was the product of a mom’s desire to create a healthier doughnut for her daughter. They are crafted from potatoes and other wholesome ingredients, making them denser than traditional cake or yeast doughnuts. But potato donuts are just as delicious in their own right!
When you go, arrive early for the best selection. You can try customer favorites like the blueberry glazed, dark chocolate sea salt, and maple bacon, or opt for one of the seasonal flavors. Flavors are rotated, but the donut shop offers about 20 varieties, including some gluten-free and vegan options, each morning. Since space inside the donut shop is limited, you may want to prepare to take your organic coffee and potato donut to go.
Address: 177 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Stay Nearby: Portland Harbor Hotel
The Porthole
Known for its fresh seafood sourced from Casco Bay, The Porthole is the perfect Portland breakfast spot to dig into an omelette loaded with Maine lobster and sip a blueberry mimosa or a shrimp-garnished Bloody Mary as you take in the scenic waterfront views on the deck.
During the daily breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m., this local seafood-centric restaurant at Custom Wharf House offers lobster Eggs Benedict, blueberry buttermilk pancakes, customizable omelettes, and more classic American breakfast dishes. The menu features several gluten-free breakfast options, and, of course, there are plenty of seafood choices for pescatarians.
Address: 20 Custom House Wharf, Portland, ME 04101
Stay Nearby: Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront
More Casual Yet Good Places for Breakfast in Portland, Maine
Becky’s Diner – This family-run Portland diner in the Old Port district caters to local lobstermen and lobster-craving visitors alike with a breakfast menu served from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily along the working wharf. Try the Maine lobster Eggs Benedict or the cheesy, eggy Commercial Street Sandwich on an English muffin!
Dutch’s – This casual breakfast-and-lunch eatery serves made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, hearty hashes, blueberry pancakes, pastries, brunch cocktails, and more from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Miss Portland Diner – Set in a restored Worcester Lunch Car Company dining car, this Bayside neighborhood diner serves classic American breakfast dishes, including breakfast sandwiches, buttermilk pancakes with Maine blueberries and maple syrup, and corned beef hash.
Best Places for Brunch in Portland, Maine
Bayside American Cafe – Open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, the menu of this Bayside neighborhood brunch spot features a variety of sweet French toasts and waffles, savory Eggs Benedicts like the Louisiana Bayou Benedict with grilled andouille sausage, lobster rolls, fresh salads, and more breakfast and lunch dishes. Brunch cocktails include alcoholic coffee drinks, mimosas, bellinis, Bloody Marys, and more.
Hot Suppa – If you’re craving Southern comfort food for brunch, head to Hot Suppa in Portland’s West End. Served from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, brunch features chicken & waffles, Eggs Bendedicts with barbecue pulled pork, biscuits & gravy, a fried green tomato BLT with pimento cheese, and more Southern breakfast and lunch fare. The Southern flair also extends to the drink menu, which features a Cajun Bloody, a Breakfast Julep, a Hurricane, and more.
The Front Room – This quaint restaurant in Portland’s East End serves New American comfort brunch foods from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The menu features a fried egg sandwich on grilled sourdough, brioche French toast with Maine maple syrup, sirloin steak and eggs, apple cider mimosas, and more brunch dishes and drinks.
Where to Stay in Portland, Maine
During my trip, I earned Hilton Honors points by staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront, and it was particularly convenient for going out to breakfast and brunch in Portland.
The Porthole is just across the street, and Standard Baking Co. is right next door. The Holy Donut and other downtown eateries are within a short walk, and venturing to Portland’s West End or East End is quick and easy when using ride-share services.
If you are still planning your trip, here are my recommendations for where to stay in Portland, Maine.
Luxury: In Portland’s charming West End, the Longfellow Hotel, an SLH Hotel has a fabulous lobby bar and spa, and the Blind Tiger Portland – Danforth St. offers contemporary comforts in a 19th-century house. If you’d rather stay closer to the historic Old Port, consider The Weldon Hotel with luxurious apartment-style rooms.
Upscale: In Downtown Portland, stay in the boutique Portland Harbor Hotel, earn Marriott Bonvoy points at The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection, or book a modern apartment at The Docent’s Collection.
Mid-range and budget-minded: Hilton Honors members have several well-located options in Portland, including the Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront and Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront. For the budget-conscious traveler, the Black Elephant Hostel offers shared dormitories, private rooms, and a private apartment-style suite.
Conclusion
In this guide, I shared where you can find a good breakfast in Portland, Maine, with options for a quick brekkie and sit-down a.m. meals.
If you prefer a breakfast of hot coffee with a pastry or a bagel, check out Forage Market or Belleville in the Munjoy Hill neighborhood. Otherwise, head to The Holy Donut or Standard Baking Co. in the Old Port for more grab-and-go breakfast options.
When you want a full breakfast dining experience, The Porthole is an eggscellent option with a waterfront view and outdoor dining on the deck. Alternatively, try one of Portland’s highly rated casual diners or boozy brunch spots.
If you own, manage, or run the marketing efforts for a Portland breakfast or brunch spot and would like your business or client to be featured in this guide, please contact me via my work with me page.
Read Related Posts
- Droolworthy Breakfast and Brunch Spots: Favorite A.M. Meals from My Travels
- Bagels, Bloody Marys, and Brunch Spots in New York City
- Where to Eat in the USA: 29 Local Dining Guides to the Best Restaurants in America
- Best Donuts in Dearborn, Michigan
- 30+ Best Things to Do in Boston for First-Time Visitors
- Five Best Things to Do in Nantucket for First-Time Visitors
Still planning? Save the pin below to your Maine travel board on Pinterest for later!
