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Bread & Friends

4.5 (205 reviews)
Closed 8:00 am - 2:30 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Bread & Friends Photos

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BREAD & FRIENDS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Bread & Friends

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Julie M.

Delicious drinks! Mine had an Ube cream foam SOOO good!! They have seating inside and outside along with a walk up take out counter. We did wait a little bit because they were busy but honestly I enjoyed my drink so much plus it gave me time to use the restrooms

Kylie B.

FANTASTIC brunch spot worth your time in Portland! Despite there being a line, we were sat relatively quickly in this small shop on a saturday morning. There is also an option for to go pickup of pastries and coffees inside. We started with a maple latte which was delicious (although i'm not sure i really tasted the maple). For our food we had the Jonah Crab omlette that was delectable - the eggs were fluffy and soft, the crab flavor was strong and mixed well with the cheese and roe. We also had the dutch baby - this was my first ever savory dutch baby and it was delicious - the pastry was flaky/crisp, the greens were fresh, and the brie was soooo good.

Morning bun latte, chocolate croissant
Sarah H.

Oh my, this place is spectacular! It is so cozy, clean, and cute! The rug decor on the walls is mesmerizing, and the whole vibe of Bread & Friends is incredibly friendly. The staff are so kind and quick to ask if you need anything, but just the right amount of absent for you to enjoy your conversation with friends or a good book. I had the morning bun latte which I can't recommend enough! Just the right amount of sweet, and absolutely gorgeous. And the chocolate croissant is divine. It was so cool to watch the staff make the pastries through the large windows into the kitchen. I will be back! This place is a new favorite for sure.

Theresa S.

Super cute and quaint place! I had the French toast, chai tea latte, and fresh squeezed orange juice. All delicious, however, the French toast was gooey/undercooked in the middle. Some of the prices are high. $15 for 1 slice of bread for the French toast. And $5 for a very small orange juice. The staff is really friendly.

Inside
Danielle V.

Just stopped here for a coffee and I got one of their specialty lattes. It was great! Cute little shop with fun vibes. It can get really busy so be prepared. They do breakfast and then close and switch to dinner. I will be back to try dinner!

guava kouign amann, pain au chocolat, cortado, iced blueberry lemon matcha
Ruby C.

The restaurant was really busy when we visited on a weekend afternoon. We wasn't able to dine in as the wait was at least 30 minutes. We got some pastries and drinks to go instead. The guava kouign amann was DELICIOUS. If you can only get one thing here, go for it!! It was flaky on the crust, while the guava filling was so light, tart and refreshing. The pain au chocolat was also decent. The chocolate almost like hazelnut, which I guessed they made it with dark chocolate as it wasn't too sweet. The drinks, however, were underwhelming. The cortado had a cute latte art which I appreciated, but the espresso base was too sour that it didn't complement with the milk. The iced blueberry lemon matcha just tasted like...blueberry syrup. Matcha flavor wasn't there at all.

Citrus salad
George M.

Definitely one of the best chefs in Maine, deserving that Beard nomination. Our group did restaurant week to experience them for the first time. Atmosphere nice, albeit a bit too dim. Super service, delicious dishes, but way overpriced wine list and exorbitant kitchen wellness fee of 5%. I am ALL in favor of this fee, but the Portland average is 2-3% as of today. This ain't NYC. Grilled oyster, caraflex cabbage, duck and swordfish were outstanding. The ravioli filled with egg a bit odd, and the citrus salad a bland miss. Chocolate Mille-feuille dessert heavenly.

Caramel corn latte
Christine C.

Stopped in right when they opened, however, all the tables were taken right away! So we got some grab and go and it did not disappoint! I got a special latte, caramel corn with a corn cold foam. It was so cool, it even came with popcorn on top! It was different, it was seasonal, it was like being in a corn field! But icy cold and sweet. We also shared some seed bread - which was sourdough and I loved that. They also had croissants, of which we got some but were underwhelmed by them. They looked amazing but they tasted okay. But the breads were great. I would have loved to eat here, but we will be back to sit and eat. The food combos looked unique and enjoyable. Ambiance is bright (lots of windows) and a diverse serving team. It was nice.

Whipped goat cheese
Meg B.

I'm unfortunately obsessed with this spot. On a weekend getaway to Portland I had to drag my husband 2 days in a row. It's tiny and an awkward space that makes it hard to wait in the winter without jamming up the entryway. That's the only downside for me. Food was beautiful and everything had incredible presentation. Best matcha ever and do not skip the French toast!! It's unbelievable. The baristas were so cool and friendly and conversational. Interesting flavor combos and everything was cooked to perfection.

petite pastrami biscuits, sauerkraut, aged gouda, yellow mustard Yum!!!
Joanna R.

5+ stars! We arrived early, based on what I had heard the crowds would be like on the weekend. Thankfully there was plenty of street parking (payment required) nearby (parallel). There appear to be two entrances to the restaurant (there are not, read the signs carefully) LOL. In the colder months, there is a wind curtain at the entrance door, which is considerate for those sitting and working by that doorway. It was fun to walk into the restaurant as if we were entering on the big stage. LOL We were seated quickly to the left of the entrance in the other dining area. The seating area is bright and lovely. It's cozy, not too jammed and not to spacious. I liked it as it felt like an upscale diner experience. There were so many things that we wanted to try from the menu. The good news is the menu is almost like a tapas menu. They were perfect smaller plates perfect for sharing amongst two people. We wanted sweet and savory and it was exactly what we got. It's hard to pick a favorite because they all were shining stars for different reasons. In the pictures attached to my review, you can see what we ordered. The pastrami biscuit sandwich - amazing - the sweet items we ordered helped balance the richness. The grilled cornbread muffin was great. What I loved about this was the marmalade! Wow. I don't remember the last time I had marmalade and if I even liked it, but I will say, I loved their marmalade - it's my favorite and wish I could buy a jar of it. The bacon was probably the most surprising. It was not the "traditional" bacon with a light maple coating baked on. They were short, thick cut slices in a light "sauce". They were amazing. VERY RICH. We each could only eat two. Which left us with one. And I will get to that in a just a bit... The french toast with creme fraiche. Yes! get it! If you think it looks burnt. It's not- you can see it in the cross section picture I took. The potatoes - Yes! get them! They were wonderful to alternate bites with the sweet options. While we were eating, we were looking at orders being brought out to other tables to see what we may have missed out on. The table next to us ordered a dutch baby which we audibly gasped and swooned over. They then asked if we wanted to try it. I was a bit taken by surprise, but they were serious. We didn't take them up on the offer, but it was so nice. Those around us didn't seem surprised by what was happening. Remember that last piece of bacon? In kind I offered that to them and they accepted graciously! What wonderful clientele. Our waiter smiled and loved the community dining experience he was seeing as well. I ordered something for my husband via the app the night before and our waiter brought that to me before I left. We loved the bread and the pastry we had for take away. Between the food and the vibe and the location being outside of the chaos of the center of the city...I LOVED IT! I will definitely return this year! Thank you to all that made this a lovely and memorable experience.

Salmon Red Bliss Potato
Anna S.

Came to Bread and Friends on a Saturday for brunch, where they only take walk-ins. I'd heard mixed reviews about this place and wanted to check it out for myself. For our party of four, the wait was about 45 minutes, which wasn't a problem. We were seated very close to other parties, though, and could easily hear their conversations, the space is definitely small. Our server was great, taking the time to explain each dish. Unfortunately, I didn't find much on the menu that appealed to me, aside from their (pricey) deviled eggs. We tried the red bliss potato salmon dish, but it wasn't for me--or anyone in my group. The atmosphere was nice, so maybe I'll stop by for a coffee or pastry next time, but I'll skip the entrées.

French toast
Shayla F.

Good find! Friendly staff. Busy spot on a weekend. Lots of unique mini eats. Good for shareables to try different things

Hiramasa Crudo
Maggie J.

We made a Saturday night dinner res at Bread & Friends after discovering some good reviews online. Only reservation left was for outdoor seating so I snagged it. We were seated right away and placed our drink order with the friendly waitress. Do note that the alcohol is beer & wine only, no full bar. The outside seating is exactly that, tables outside of the restaurant and not really on a true patio. If I went back for dinner, which I likely won't (but only because we live out of state), then I would book a table inside. The good. We really enjoyed the Strawberry & Ricotta, Charred Broccolini, Tortellini, Gnocchi and the Duck Breast. I am not a huge fan of duck and this dish was phenomenal. Loved the green curry and the crispy cabbage. The bad. We reaaaaally did not like the haramasa crudo which we unfortunately ordered two of. We were also pretty meh on the oysters but had friends dining there the same night that loved them. Overall a good experience and would love to come back and try their breakfast at some point.

Bacon

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2 days ago

Morning bun and chocolate chip cookie's are theeeee best! If you're on the fence, buy both!

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10 months ago

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15 days ago

Food was amazing! Pastries were delicious. The inside was cute and trendy. Service was good.

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Bread & Friends Reviews in Other Languages

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North43Bistro

North43Bistro

4.1
(120 reviews)
1.3 mi
$$

I rarely write reviews, but I had to after our dining experience last night. Everything was perfect…read morefrom the location to the decor, and the FOOD and SERVICE was top notch as well. We are a foodie family who have been to hundreds of restaurants all around the world! The FOOD We ordered 75% of their amazing menu and every bite from the house made cornbread, pork belly, burrata salad, Swordfish, Tuna, Haddock, Sirloin, smash burger, and all [3] desserts we tried were truly amazing. Stephanie [Owner/Chef] was our server and her personality and huge smile made the meal even better. Our family has had a home in OOB for over 30yrs and we have eaten at many different restaurants in that time. We all agreed this was one of our top 5 restaurant experiences here and at home in Connecticut. The portions are huge, and the prices were shockingly reasonable for the menu and location. 10

We were here for a private work gathering…read more What a lovely place, it's not a huge space, so for the 60ish of us, it can get a little crowded and loud. The service was incredible. The team of servers and bartenders were great. The were on the move the whole night. Offering up food, refiling drinks and passing around appetizers the whole night. All with a smile and recognizing you might not want to hold the toothpick and napkin the whole time and taking it from you before you realize you have been holding it for 10 minutes LOL The food was delicious, the views were lovely. Parking can get a little tight with the big crowds, especially in the summer. Always check ahead, or make reservations, as they do cater to a lot of private events. I hope to return at some point without work people LOL

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Inside seating
Inside seating
Sirloin Entrée
Sirloin Entrée
Dining area looking out

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Dining area looking out
The Honey Paw

The Honey Paw

4.3
(787 reviews)
0.4 mi
$$

I had a great dinner experience here last night with my partner. We love love love the honey paw!…read more For starters, it's a great location. Close to more bars for extra drinks, easy to run into other friends. Also, it's a beautiful spot with outdoor seating in the warmer months. We opted to sit outside and enjoyed khao soi, katsu pork sandwich, and the honey soft serve. The portions are generous, as we were able to share and have leftovers. Each plate had so many great textures and flavors. We did experience a long wait between ordering, getting food, and receiving the check. It was a busy summer night so I wasn't upset, but do not plan on having a quick meal here. Get cozy, get an extra drinks and enjoy your time here. Apologies, but phone did not eat first this time-no pics!

Good meal, prices definitely on the high side…read more Vibe: really cohesive, cool, themed decor. Large shared table in the middle flanked by bar seating. Service: Great Food: We started off with soft serve and the seasonal earl gray outshined the house honey. The earl gray had a great flavor topped with an excellent syrup while the honey was mild and the chocolate shell didn't add anything, although the 'honeycomb' bits were delic. Crispy eggplant special - good, very small portion Pork katsu sandwich - pretty solid, interesting pickle Pad mee korat - good, small portion Value: Aside from the soft serve, the portions were very small for ~$17 price point, and the food was good but aside from the earl gray soft serve, didn't amaze to the point of paying a higher price point. Overall I did like this meal but portions were small for prices. I hope they keep the earl gray soft serve around!

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Restaurant
Restaurant
Half Fried Chicken
Half Fried Chicken
Honey soft serve

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Honey soft serve
Central Provisions

Central Provisions

4.3
(1.4k reviews)
0.2 mi
$$$

Great tapas spot in the downtown area! Had such a lovely waiter too during our visit. Liked all the…read moresavory dishes too, each with its own distinct taste! Ranking: 1) Spicy beef salad 2) Suckling pig 3) Pinkytoe crab 4) Lobster pasta 5) Bone marrow toast The desserts were nothing special but I did like the strawberry white chocolate one. The rhubarb one was meh personally; tasted like yogurt I could eat from the grocery store.

We were happy with the service and speed at which the small plates were delivered to us however…read morethere was a small instance where we got a dish we didn't order (not pictured and it was the special). The lemon sole (fish) and octopus carpaccio (not pictured) were filled with flavor! The pork belly was very underwhelming and I would not order again. The waiter said 2-4 plates per person. I recommend starting on the lower end and adding additional dishes based on how you're feeling. The amount of food was very different from dish to dish. For example the tuna dip had way too much bread and the pork belly was very small in size. Overall I was half impressed. I wish the staff would take a moment to announce the plate as it's placed next to you or point it out on the menu for those hard of hearing and wanting to know what they are about to enjoy. However the music, overall restaurant vibe and half the dishes exploding with flavor made my experience pleasant and I will return again knowing a bit more of what to expect and looking at photos of the menu/meal options beforehand.

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Open kitchen
Open kitchen
CP Frites
CP Frites
Cold Fashioned

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Cold Fashioned
Thames Landing

Thames Landing

4.4
(88 reviews)
0.7 mi
Family-owned & operated
Outdoor seating

The atmosphere is lovely (music was a good volume), lots of light from the big windows, comfortable…read morechairs, nice decor, and spacious...it didn't feel like they crammed as many tables as possible into the place. The service was great. Very attentive and efficient. The food was as great. My party had a variety of items, from the beet & goat cheese salad, deviled eggs, pancetta and Brussels sprouts, cheeseburger, and BLT with Lobster. Everything was high quality and delicious. The fries which came on the side of the burgers and sandwiches were also excellent. The restaurant has a nice outdoor space but the weather was a little rainy the day we went so we didn't sit outside. I do suggest they add more barriers and greenery/plants to separate the beautiful outdoor seating space from the parking lot across the way.

A very good meal. Good service and interesting location in the Casco Bay harbor area. The one…read moredrawback was the ambience. Not sure I like what they did with the space. Looked like more tables outside than inside with a hosts podium in the middle of a wasted area. No character, a cold indoor setting. BTW, while we were serving to last couple to leave on a Sat night, the other restaurants in the area are filled with people. This place if tended to correctly with the right designer, could create more character like their competition. Menu was okay. After spending almost a week in the road in New England, all these menus start looking the same. However, the execution was terrific. Great Caesar salads and big in size and we both enjoyed our entrees, a haddock which was cooked and seasoned perfectly and a scallops in a ginger carrot puree. I would have liked my scallops seared a bit more but it was really delicious regardless. And our server was just lovely. I'm sure she wanted to go home but she never gave us that impression.

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Thames Landing
Thames Landing
Thames Landing

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The Highroller Lobster

The Highroller Lobster

4.3
(2.3k reviews)
0.2 mi
$$
Locally owned & operated
Outdoor seating

Super fun restaurant that touts the best lobster rolls in Portland. Has a fun vibe. Has a cute…read morelittle souvenir shop where you can get some swag. We each got a lobster roll with a side of fries and potato salad. Both sides were excellent! The mayo sides were amazing. Garlic and jalapeño were the winners. Highly recommend. Can be a little long of a wait but they have txt message alert system.

3 different sized lobster rolls based on how much lobster meat you are craving! (2oz, 4oz, 7oz!…read more$19, $34, $57 today, 7/21/26) Solid lobster roll, after having lobster for the past 4 days of our Maine vacation! According my Mainer hubby, this was the best one of the several we've had--buttered and toasted brioche bun, very fresh lobster meat. We tried the mayo-lime sauce, as hubby did not want a "naked" lobsta roll. If you like your lobster rolls classic (light mayo, maybe a squeeze of lemon), this sauce works perfectly! Potato salad was also very much on point. If the wait to sit down and dine in is too long for your liking, they do have a to-go menu (which is what we did today) . Quick and easy, with very friendly service! Do note that their to-go menu is a shorter version of their dine-in menu, as the food is coming from different kitchens! There is also outdoor seating, which is basically 2 curbside parking spots blocked off for picnic tables. Very nice to enjoy the weather if it is pleasant outside.

Photos
SO GOOD. Lobster tasted so fresh and tender. Bread was hefty and a great compliment. (Lobster Roll)
SO GOOD. Lobster tasted so fresh and tender. Bread was hefty and a great compliment. (Lobster Roll)
The Highroller Lobster
Lobster Cheese Crisp Taco, Lobster Roll

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Union Restaurant

Union Restaurant

4.1
(372 reviews)
0.3 mi
$$

Wow... I've been going to Union for over a decade. Tonight, it would seem, may be the last time I…read morevisit. Before I rip them a new one, let me be totally up front and say the service was very good. Like many places in the Portland area, they're short staffed, and the people who work there are doing the best they can. Friendly, like genuinely friendly and nice waitstaff. They're doing the best they can with too few people. So, to be clear if any management read this? Your staff is fantastic. The food? That's another story. They used to have things on the menu like roasted Brussels Sprouts with all kinds of delicious. There was a pot roast, cooked over three days, which melted in your mouth, with truffle oil and parsnips and carrots. The cocktails? WAY above par. Now you may as well go to Applebees. Over seasoned, boring, and generally NOT worth the money by a long shot. It just tastes like all the other places who use Sysco or Gordon foods. I had the burger, which was so average. I mean REMARKABLY average. Yes, the lettuce on it was actually not just boring iceberg, but that doesn't make up for serving someone a mass produced, firmly packed slab with way too much salt. It says it's some fancy farm beef, but it sure as heck didn't taste like it. The dish my wife had was similar. Some decent ingredients but for the most part it was literally no better than what you'd get in something in a mall. WAY too much salt, way too little flavor. I also ordered a Manhattan. In a Manhattan, the forward flavor should be the whiskey (rye or bourbon or whatever). All I could taste was vermouth. AND it was served in a highball glass with a massive ice cube, and it was warm. The ingredients should go in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, with ice, then stirred for at least 15 seconds while stirring. It should be served in a cocktail glass like a coup or a martini glass which has been chilled. Mine was in a highball glass. Not sure what happened, but I'm sure profits had something to do with it. You've got dozens of better choices in easy walking distance.

Nice, friendly service. Enjoyed our meal here. I had the farmers salad with lobster added and it…read morewas very tasty. The lobster was fresh and a decent portion. We also enjoyed the hand cut fries - can add truffle powder to it - and the spelt bread. For cocktails I had the dirty moon martini, which was just the right amount of dirt. Solid place, located at the Press Hotel. A few other things on the menu caught my eye that I'd come back to try.

Photos
Union Restaurant
Scallop risotto
Scallop risotto
Shakshuka

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Shakshuka
Scales

Scales

4.3
(1.3k reviews)
0.4 mi
$$$

Scales delivered one of the best meals I've had in Maine. We were seated right along the window…read morewith a perfect waterfront view of the boats and fishing gear on the wharf below. It gave the entire evening that authentic, working-harbor Portland feel while still feeling polished and comfortable. We started with a crisp, refreshing local Belgian wheat beer that was light, slightly citrusy, and an ideal match for the seafood-heavy meal ahead. For appetizers, the grilled octopus was excellent -- tender with a proper char, beautifully seasoned, and full of flavor. It came with pommes dauphine, pine nut and espelette vinaigrette, and garlic whip. There was a light touch of oiliness toward the end of the plate (typical with generous finishing oil), but it didn't detract from what was otherwise a very well-executed dish. The dozen raw oysters were exceptional. All three varieties were local Maine and served ice-cold: Fare Well (Newcastle), Nautical Sisters (Yarmouth), and Weskeag (South Thomaston). I had them with just the mignonette and was rewarded with clean, sweet, briny flavor. These were some of the freshest, highest-quality oysters I've had in Portland. The main courses were the real stars. The Stuffed Lobster Frites was outstanding. The lobster was sweet and perfectly cooked, the claws were pre-cracked for easy access, and the tail was cleanly split with a buttery, herby breadcrumb crust that added excellent crunch and texture. It was accompanied by scallop mousseline and dijonnaise. This is a premium dish, but the quality and generous portion made it feel worth it. Equally impressive was the seared scallops, served in a cast-iron skillet. The scallops had a beautiful golden crust and were cooked exactly right -- sweet and tender. They were paired with crisp corn, applewood-smoked bacon, kale, and roasted peppers in a light, well-balanced cream sauce. This dish avoided the common issue of being overly salty. Every bite offered a nice variety of textures and flavors, and the cast-iron kept everything hot throughout the course. It was precise, thoughtful cooking. We finished with the Chocolate Silk Pie*, which was rich, silky, and deeply satisfying with lovely hazelnut undertones and a crunchy chocolate-hazelnut topping. The presentation was beautiful, and it made for a perfect ending. Service was attentive and professional without feeling rushed or intrusive. The pacing between courses was ideal. Bottom line: If you're serious about high-quality Maine seafood, Scales is delivering at a very high level right now. The ingredients are pristine, the execution is precise, and the waterfront setting (especially from a window seat) adds real character. This was easily one of the best meals I've had in Portland. I'll definitely be back. Highly recommended for seafood enthusiasts, special occasions, or anyone who appreciates a restaurant that respects its local ingredients.

Scales was an incredible disappointment. I'd been looking forward to this experience for a few…read moremonths. Scales is lively and vibrant and the host staff was friendly. My server was nice enough, though a bit aloof. When I booked, there was only bar seating available, which is not my preference, but I was so excited to dine here that I did not care. I wish I had made a different decision. I found the cocktail list uninspiring, so I started with a lovely Albariño. I ordered the halibut ceviche, swordfish, and griddled brown bread. Being a Bay Stater, I was looking forward to the brown bread. It never arrived. No one noticed. My server did not say anything until the end, where I was offered a free coffee and ice cream/sorbet. Insulting does not begin to describe it. The halibut ceviche was delicious. It was briny and salt and tasted of the sea. I loved it. The swordfish was rich, heavy, and overcooked. I am always cooking heirloom beans, so maybe that is why I did not love the beans. I don't think I even ate half of my entree. At dessert, my server noted the missing bread and offered a sorbet or ice cream. However, he offered after I had ordered the strawberry cream puff, so it seemed like it was an option for that, not an in lieu of offer. It was not clear until the sorbet arrived along with my cream puff. The strawberries had no flavor. I took a few bites of dessert and was over the whole experience. My server did clearly offer a complimentary coffee though, which again, was insulting. From what I can tell, the kitchen never saw the mostly untouched food, due to my seat the bar. The server placed my dishes below the bar. However, he didn't ask any questions about why I didn't finish the dishes, so it must have been clear to him. I do wish the kitchen had been informed as well. I have never regretted a meal as much as the one I had at Scales. I was looking forward to a delicious dinner with a few glasses of wine. Instead, I left hungry and sad. Scales is a waste of time and money. It's a definite skip in Portland.

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Beautiful !
Beautiful !
Endive & Stilton Salad
Endive & Stilton Salad
Buckwheat brownie

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Buckwheat brownie
Standard Baking

Standard Baking

4.6
(802 reviews)
0.4 mi
$$

Wonderful! They have a great system down to efficiently manage the amount of visitors. We ordered a…read morebaguette and blueberry lemon tart. Both were fantastic! We will definitely be back next time we are in Portland and try some new items.

How does one spend over $100 at a bakery - come to Standard and you'll find out! And it was…read moreabsolutely worth the wait in the rain on a Sunday morning. After having some of the bread prior to our meals at a few restaurants, we found out the bread is locally sourced at a sister business right around the corner from where ate the night before. There is parking avail for customers in the lot for 30 mins, we prob waited about 20 mins and crossed the threshold into baked goods heaven. There was so much to select from - we got pastries, cookies, pizza and bread - and we pretty much liked everything. Our least favorite was the morning bun with walnuts - we didn't have it right away so that might've been part of the issue. Just note that the bread served at the restaurants aren't available until 2pm - we were leaving that morning so we weren't going wait for it. We opted for other loaves instead and they didn't disappoint. If you want something yummy and fresh - make sure to stop by here before heading out of Portland. I do wish the setup was a bit more conducive to the big crowds as there isn't much space from the front door to the counter but still a fantastic find!

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Inside
Inside
Almond croissant
Almond croissant
Croissant

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Croissant

Bread & Friends - bakeries - Updated July 2026

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