- $ = unexpensive
- $$ = moderate
- $$$ = expensive
Amato's has been serving Italian take-out in Portland for 100 years. Amato's "real" Italians are actually a Maine version of the popular Italian sandwich, served in a soft, foot-long roll instead of crusty Italian bread, but they've been voted Portland's best Italians for years. Don't overlook Amato's pizza, cheese pazzo bread, buckets of spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, other hot and cold sandwiches, roll-ups, calzones, and fresh salads. Amato's is located at 74 India Street in the East End, 312 St. John Street, and 1379 Washington Avenue in Portland, as well as other locations in surrounding towns. $
Anthony's Italian Kitchen has been appearing on Portland popularity polls for years. Their huge menu includes a wide selection of salads, pizzas, sandwiches, pastas, and other Italian food at affordable prices. Anthony's Italian Kitchen is located at 151 Middle Street in Portland's Old Port. $
Bella Cucina is too far from the Old Port to benefit from its charm, but it shouldn't be ignored. The rustic Italian menu changes frequently and often includes regional dishes as well as traditional Italian foods. A generous wine list is available. Bella Cucina is located at 653 Congress Street in Portland. $$
Cinque Terre which describes itself as "casually elegant, passionately Italian," is a relative newcomer to Portland but has received rave reviews for its northern Italian dishes featuring Italy's finest cheeses, olive oils, and cured meats that compliment handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and select meats. They've also received the coveted "Wine Spectator" award for their excellent wine selection. This small restaurant with its brick, copper, and rustic wood beam interior is located in an old ship chandlery building at 46 Wharf Street in Portland's Old Port. $$$
Maria's Ristorante's extensive dinner menu includes Old Italian dishes like veal saltimbocca, classic pasta dishes (spaghettis, linquinis, raviolis), seafood, and pizza, complimented by their lengthy wine list which includes reds and wines from both Italy and California. Their lunch menu has a wide selection of Italian dishes at very reasonable prices. Maria's is located at 47 Oak Street in Portland. $$
Ribollita is a small, intimate Italian restaurant at 41 Middle Street in Portland, between the Old Port and the East End. It serves traditional Italian fare with a flair, inlcuding homemade pasta, fresh vegetables and seafood, and excellent cheeses. $$$
The Roma Cafe, voted Portland's most romantic restaurant for many years, serves northern Italian and new American dishes in the beautiful old Rhines mansion on 769 Congress Street in Portland. $$$
Soffritto Creative Italian, which bills itself as an "upscale casual, family-style" restaurant, is popular for its location in the heart of the Old Port at 29 Wharf Street, its creative rustic Italian food, and reasonable prices.$$
Village Café on 112 Newbury Street in the East End is another Portland old-timer that always shows up on the popularity polls. Voted Portland's favorite family restaurant year after year, Village Café serves traditional Italian food like lasagna, linguine, and ravioli, as well as fresh Maine seafood and a variety of steaks. $$
Have you eaten at any of Portland's Italian restaurants? Post your comments in the Portland Maine Forum or email them to me.