Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in Greater Portland

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic in Greater Portland? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Fore Street

4.9

4.9 (4195)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Portland

About the restaurant

Located in Portland's Old Port District, Fore Street opened in June, 1996. The interior surrounds a unique brick and soapstone hearth with a wood-burning oven, grill and turnspit; visible from most tables. We believe that good food travels the shortest possible distance between the farm and the table. Our menu changes every day and is founded upon the very best raw materials from a community of Maine farmers, fisherman, foragers and cheese makers. Most of the Maine foods are organically grown or harvested wild, each brought to us at the peak of its season. In 2002 and again in 2007, Fore Street was named by Gourmet Magazine as one of the Top Fifty Restaurants in the United States. In 2004, Chef-Partner Sam Hayward was named Best Chef: Northeast by the James Beard Foundation.

Top review

Roger

Dined 2 days ago

Outstanding experience - great food, great cocktails, great service, nice atmosphere - and all for around the same price as you would pay fat a lot of places in Southern Maine which are nowhere near as good

Magnus on Water

4.9

4.9 (303)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Biddeford

About the restaurant

Magnus on Water is a cocktail bar and restaurant that features Peruvian-inspired comfort food from Chef Rafael Zimmerman. Bar Director Brian Catapang helms the Pinnacle Award winning cocktail program at Magnus, with rotating, seasonal drinks to compliment the big flavors of Raf's food. Sustainability is paramount to us, and we work with farmers & fisherman who are respectful of Mother Earth, while working diligently to minimize waste.

Our space is polished, but still intimate and cozy, and in the summer Magnus on Water has a large outdoor patio, complete with gardens and fire pits. We also have a private dining room for large parties and are available for full or partial event rentals.

Top review

Kathy

Dined on Apr 4, 2025

The food was excellent and very creative. The service was great. Our waitperson was knowledgeable and attentive without hovering. The space is very comfortable and the noise level was low enough that conversation was easy. We will definitely return often.

Street and Co.

4.8

4.8 (3357)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Portland

About the restaurant

Street and Co. is a Mediterranean, bistro style, all-seafood restaurant with a dynamic atmosphere and 35 years of experience, located right in the heart of the Old Port.
Our chefs focus on serving the freshest seafood and the best ingredients available from local purveyors, fishermen and organic farmers. They prepare a simple yet creative menu that highlights the ingredients.
Our personalized wine list truly complements the cuisine and we offer a classic full bar. We serve our full menu at the bar itself and feature a raw bar with a variety of local oysters. The bar is available to book the majority of the year but only available thru walk in for July/August. Our comfortable lounge is great place to get together for drinks and appetizers or to enjoy while waiting for a table.
Al fresco dining is available thru walk-in only from Memorial Day through September, depending on weather. We book the majority of the dining room but reserve a few tables for walk in as well.

Top review

Jaime

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was utterly delicious, the arugula and macerated cherry salad with Trumpet mushrooms and pecorino was one of the best I’ve ever had- outstanding rice pudding too! Yum !

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Lobster Diavolo (For Two)

David's Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (3889)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Portland

About the restaurant

A long established local favorite at the center of the historic arts district featuring eclectic decor,
and an energetic atmosphere. David's offers broadly appealing menus that highlight familiar dishes with a
creative twist. Open for lunch and dinner, showcasing delectable options for gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan diners. David’s is known for delicious meals, and warm and friendly service. It’s no wonder that Chef David was voted Portland's best chef in 2021 and chef of the year in 2012.

Top review

Dan

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful meal before attending Simon & Garfunkel Story at the Merrill Auditorium which was a short walk away. Our server Jenna was excellent, so friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and the bar choices. When you're in the area, this is the place to go!

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Open Face Lobster Ravioli

David's 388

4.8

4.8 (1409)

$31 to $50

Bistro

South Portland

About the restaurant

From the owner of David's (Portland, ME), 388 is a comfortable and casual neighborhood nook where diners can enjoy a range of bold flavors. Both restaurants share the signature of Chef/Owner David Turin, and David's 388 is built "by the Chef, for the Chef." Every week, David's 388 thrills the palette with new dishes that have both creative and traditional influences spanning the width of the globe. The restaurant seats 42 including seating at a Chef’s counter overlooking the kitchen.

Top review

Michael

Dined on Apr 14, 2025

Great service & food, as always. If you want to know where the locals go to eat, this is the place.

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Popular dish

Seafood pappardelle GF+

Popular dish

Crème Brulee

Popular dish

Beef carpaccio & crispy polenta GF

Solo Italiano

4.8

4.8 (2751)

$31 to $50

Italian

Portland

About the restaurant

We currently offer in-house dining Tuesday through Sunday from 4:30-10:00pm (last dinner seating is at 9:30). Takeout is no longer available at this time. Patio dining is available Memorial Day weekend through September and always subject to weather. Please call us directly to reserve a patio table, but keep in mind that of the six 4-tops available outside, three are kept for walk-ins only.

Our restaurant features Paolo Laboa, international chef from Genova, Italy. His menu consists of simple, flavorful and authentic Northern Italian cuisine. This includes handmade pasta, crudo (raw fish), fresh pizza and an all-Italian wine list. Ingredients are sourced locally, from various Maine farms and from the Gulf of Maine, whenever possible.

Top review

Kathryn

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing food and our server was excellent! Highly recommend !

Roma Portland

4.7

4.7 (995)

$30 and under

Italian

Portland

About the restaurant

The Roma is a throwback, classic American Italian restaurant located in the heart of the West End on Congress St, that pays tribute to the great American Italian restaurants of decades past. The Roma will serve classic Italian-American fare in a relaxed and comfortable dining room. Love for comfort food.

Top review

Mike

Dined on Apr 11, 2025

Nice comfortable atmosphere. Food was delicious and service was very good.

Little Tap House

4.7

4.7 (401)

$30 and under

Bistro

Portland

About the restaurant

A neighborhood gastropub featuring 14 local beverages on tap and scratch-kitchen fare. Menu features shares, entrees and house-made desserts. Reservations available in our dining room; our bar and high-top area is almost always dedicated to walk-ins. For reservations for seven or more, email us at littletaphouse@gmail.com.

Steps away from popular venues such as the Portland Museum of Art, Cross Insurance Arena, and the State Theater. A welcoming dining experience for locals and visitors-alike!

Top review

Amy

Dined on Apr 12, 2025

Great waitstaff and excellent smash burger and apps.

REGARDS

4.7

4.7 (282)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Portland

About the restaurant

Bringing some LA vibes to the northeast. REGARDS draws inspiration from the diverse food culture of Los Angeles. We highlight flavor profiles from Japan and Mexico with the freshest of Maine produce and products.

The menu at REGARDS has bright, zippy ceviches and crudos, rich tamales, plump Argentinian shrimp tacos, along with mezcal cured hamachi collars, crab rice and grilled cabbage with caesar.

Clarified lime margaritas with eucalyptus or our gin and sotol martinis with hibiscus pair with our adventurous menu. We pour natural wine and have a large selection of curated mezcals and tequilas.

A place for us and for you. Might not make sense, but it sure is delicious. Across the street from Reny's. Nearby Maine College of Art, Portland Stage Company, State Theatre, Empire Comedy Club and Blue Jazz Club.

**The 50 Best New Restaurants of 2022, Bon Appetit**
**Plate Magazine Chef's To Watch, 2023**
**Star Chef New England, 2023**

Top review

Peggy

Dined 7 days ago

Creative menu with a clear global influence. Fresh cuisine.

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Taco Night at REGARDS

TIQA

4.3

4.3 (569)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Portland

About the restaurant

TIQA is locally-owned and located within easy walking distance of Portland, Maine’s Old Port. We serve innovative Pan Mediterranean cuisine , which includes more than a dozen countries. We’re known for good food, warm hospitality, good value and our casual yet elegant atmosphere. Lunch, dinner and bites at the bar served daily. Cheers!

Top review

john

Dined 5 days ago

We enjoyed ourselves the food is always good, with a Mediterranean flair. The service was a little slow, (I think the waitress was also the bar tender) but overall, it was a great meal. We will be going back soon.

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