Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    C2 - Congress Squared

    3.5 (93 reviews)
    Open 6:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

    C2 - Congress Squared Photos

    C2 - CONGRESS SQUARED ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - C2 - Congress Squared

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Breakfast
    Jamie W.

    I was seated quickly, and offered coffee. It took nearly 10 minutes for anyone to come back to the table to take my order. Then it took about 20 minutes for my food to come out. I never saw the server who took my order again nor did I get a coffee or water refill. There were only 4 tables seated in the restaurant... it was about 10am. I finally waved someone down... she didn't ask how the meal was or if I wanted refills... just saw my credit asked if she could run it and dropped it back off. The person bussing the tables was throwing dishes in the bin so loudly people at the bar were turning around watching and people were making comments about it. Not sure if it was an off day... but not great. Service seemed to be a bit better at the bar.

    Inside
    Rajakumar S.

    Best beer selections. Happy hour chicken dip and chicken wings. Awesome service and always love to come back.

    Berry toast
    Joan H.

    Wonderful meals while I was in town. I was impressed with the chef and the manager. One of the servers was very friendly. Definitely try them out for breakfast and dinner. I heard good things about happy hour too. Add lobster to your breakfast--you won't regret it. Try the yogurt with berries. The mac and cheese with lobster for dinner was to die for--definitely get the half size--I could only eat half of the half. I'm going to miss this place!

    Paul P.

    We stayed at the Westin so we stopped down for the happy hour and it was great. $3 well drinks, selection of beer and wine as well as some apps. The apps were a bit disappointing in size but then again, you get what you paid for. We ordered every app on the menu just to try them out. Overall they were pretty good for the price. If you are staying at the hotel or in the area, I would say definitely stop by for the happy hour. There are a lot of other happy hour options in Portland but if you are staying at the hotel and am tired after a long day. This will be a great option. Afterwards we went to the rooftop bar just to check out the view and a few more drinks.

    Apps!
    Steff D.

    I'm not entirely sure why I'm so into this place... but I am. I was recently in the area with time on my hand between meetings and thought I'd check out their happy hour which happens from 4 to 7 pm: there are $5 select glasses of wine, $4 select bottled beer, and half price apps. So for $12 I got: - a verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry large pour of some red wine ($5) - a cheese plate that had three good sized pieces of different kinds of fromage (a harder cheddar, a softer blue, and one other I can't remember), rosemary roasted nuts (which were crunchy, meaty, and divine), toasted baguette, and a drizzle of honey ($14, but only $7 because of half price apps... for the price, I was VERY pleased; too many places in town are charging $7 to $10 for what's really just a suggestion of cheese; I would come back here again for this without a question). - some of the funnest bartenders I've ever met in my life The two fellas working that night - one as host, I believe, and the other behind the bar stole the show. The host was intrigued that I was there - apparently they don't get a lot of Portlanders, and would love to have more of us come in. Both he and the bartender talked to me about the cocktail list - many of them are chosen by corporate, but each Westin gets to add a couple of their own options to bring a little local flare. I had a bit of a falling out with the girl bartender who took over for a spell - I wanted a bloody Mary, but it had anchovy-based Worcestershire sauce in it. When I asked if she could make me one from scratch sans the Worcestshire, she flat out refused saying she had to use the premade house mix. When the male bartender came back (I think his name was Dana or Jamie... something like that) he told me that she had mis-spoken; they'd be more than happy to make me a fresh one. I never followed through with this request, so I'd like to go back and see if they really will! If you're looking for a new cocktail or happy hour place in town, don't pass this one by (my reason for the four star instead of five is because I can't vouch for the cocktails/bloody mary quite yet... just the happy hour and the cheese plate; but, I will ABSOLUTELY be back for drinks and real food, and will bring along friends with me because locals really are missing out on this one)! There's a lot more than meets the eye at Congress Squared (and if you're feeling brave enough [and the bartenders like you enough] ask what their REAL passions are... they might just divulge).

    This burger is way bigger than it looks
    Brett F.

    Happy hour review only...but happy hour runs from 4-7 every day of the week, so I don't know who wouldn't take advantage of this. It's one of the best (if not the best) deal in the city. The restaurant is in the Westin, which in any big city would be a big plus, but Portland hasn't embraced hotel restaurants yet. It's a minimalist but upscale atmosphere with a horseshoe bar and many traditional tables. The happy hour deals are simply incredible. 3/4 of the bottle beer selection (not the best ever, but think Allagash White/Black, Frye's Leap, etc) are all $4, there's a $5 wine selection, and a $6 cocktail of the day. Today it was 1800 tequila with maple sage syrup and soda. Unbelievable drink and very strong. Of course you can order off the extensive and great cocktail list, but the prices are high at $12-$15. On Wednesdays all of the wine bottles are half off. Combined with the food deals this would be an amazing date night. And the happy hour food! The whole bar menu is half off and the portions are enormous. The fancy mac and cheese sounded sublime, tasted even better and surprisingly came with a full salad that was just as good. The burger was also delicious with a heaping portion of bacon and jam. The fries were homemade but a little disappointing. Still, for the happy hour price of $7 it's a steal. Flatbread pizza, lobster sliders, pork sliders, mussels, scallops, etc are a great reason to come back. And basically everything is $5-$8 with the happy hour deal. For an upscale happy hour with huge portions, great food and classy atmosphere, I can't think of anywhere better. Plus it seems to be unknown to locals, so you don't have to fight the crowds. At least for now...

    Oops... I ate it all...
    Vikkie N.

    This was a birthday dinner and being a hotel restaurant we realized it would be expensive, but being new in town we need to try most things at least once - twice if we like it :-) The birthday boy had the awesome looking Pork Chop and I had the Wild Boar Fettuccine. The wild boar was a tasty bolognese but this was the first time in a restaurant (EVER) that I've been served more meat than pasta. The $8 chocolate torte was definitely hotel restaurant sized (tiny) and I didn't find it very nice - which was a shame because the rest was great. The service was attentive - until the very end when we felt a little invisible once we needed the bill.

    Wine -Big Fire
    Itzzy V.

    We stayed at the Westin Hotel and ate at Congress squared lDINNER- My husband ordered the Pork Chops with polenta and squash. It was good, but was served in a HUGE platter. The dish kind of looked awkward on the platter. I should have taken a picture :( I ordered the scallops with risotto. The price was outrageous for 3 scallops... It was very good, but needless to say, we left the restaurant hungry. The Wine -Big Fire was decent for its price and tasted very good. They were busy and understaff, but the customer service was great! The Manager kept coming to our table to ensure we were taken cared for. BREAKFAST- the restaurant redeemed itself, as the breakfast portion was huge! We ordered The Lobster Sliders and Irish Boiler Breakfast. Service was great!

    Rustic hash
    Chris C.

    This is the restaurant in the Portland Westin Harborview, and we had breakfast there during a stay. It's a clean minimal space, maybe a little "hotel restaurant"-ish, but still quite nice. I had the excellent "Rustic Hash". Being a corned beef hash aficionado, i have to say this is among the better versions I've had as far as ingredients - the corned beef was big chunks of corned beef, along with potato and some onion, with a couple over easy eggs, and i asked for English muffin on the side. Everything was cooked well, though the hash could have been crispier and more charred (but that's a personal taste thing) and overall it needed seasoning, but better under- than over-seasoned. My partner had blueberry Yogurt pancakes and said they were delicious We loved the awesome china and flatware. and for a hotel restaurant, the prices were reasonable. The service was friendly and prompt.

    Joe's Scramble Skillet

    See all

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Congress S.

    Congress S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joan H.
    154
    157
    69

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Service is the slowest in the country, bad management, long time of waiting , the food is fine

    Business owner information

    Photo of Congress S.

    Congress S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of r r.
    0
    30
    0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Congress S.

    Congress S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yegor M.
    83
    47
    167

    13 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob L.
    4
    35
    0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John B.
    349
    607
    2835

    9 years ago

    Helpful 19
    Thanks 0
    Love this 23
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David P.
    1046
    1072
    120

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - C2 - Congress Squared

    You might also consider

    Luke's Lobster Portland Pier

    Luke's Lobster Portland Pier

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    STEPH JUDGEMENT: Great place for New England classics…read more The hubby and I stopped in to get some food to go. Located at end of a pier, it was a pleasant bright, light space overlooking the ocean. We were pleasantly surprised to see some veggie options, and the hubby got the kelp burger, which he enjoyed. I got the 4 oz lobster roll (plenty big for me), which came with potato chips and a pickle. It was excellent, with just the right amount of butter on the roll and mayo in the lobster. Also great friendly service. We shared a cider at the bar while waiting for our order and had a nice time chatting with the bartender. Highly recommend.

    Monday night... pretty quiet. Expecting great hot food! Ordered a beer for hubby and wine for me!…read more Asked waitress, for best appetizers, fried calamari, (yeah, we live calamari) ok, not hot a layer or balsamic is over calamari... ok, however the breading has no taste. Then order large Caesar salad and fish and chips... to be split and shared. Both came out at same time... shame on me for not telling the waitress how to bring out. Both arrived at the same time. Caesar salad the lettuce was warm and wilted, croutons burned. Fried fish, the fries were tough and cold! The fish had the same breading as the calamari! The fish was warm, not much taste. Funny, at end of meal... where the waitress clearly sees we did not eat our food... she asks how the drinks were (remember we ordered beer and wine) The manager shows up, we told him we did not want comped food. Did tell him all of the above.... His bigger concern was "was the fish cooked correctly" The table behind us got the clams comped... no idea why! We will not recommend nor will we ever return!

    Photos
    Ain't she a beaut?
    Ain't she a beaut?
    Welcome!
    Welcome!
    Our classic lobster roll - not to be missed!

    See all

    Our classic lobster roll - not to be missed!
    The Highroller Lobster

    The Highroller Lobster

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

    The Lobster roll from The Highroller is pretty up there! It's not the best I've had but it is very…read moregood. I guess I learned that I don't like mayo with the roll because it overpowers the flavor and this place specializes in sauces so of course I tried their mayo. I'm sure the classic butter on a roll would be just right. Potato salad was great though! And I love that they have a vast n/a drink options. A little something for everyone. The easy QR code ordering allows you to order on your own so you don't have to split the bill later. Much appreciated for those who come in a big group. Truly worth trying!

    Everything was exceptional, starting with the bread which was fluffy, soft, and buttery. I enjoyed…read moremy meal so much that I ordered two of the lobster flights. For my selections, I chose the sweet red pepper mayo, charred pineapple mayo, mango habanero mayo, drawn butter, jalapeno mayo, and garlic mayo. I also appreciated the option of the 2oz flight sandwich sizes and chose warmed rolls for all of them. Furthermore, the waiters and host were warm and friendly. They were incredibly helpful in guiding us as tourists toward items they knew we would enjoy. Very casual and family friendly space. I will absolutely be recommending Highroller Lobster Co. to others. Thank you for the great service and delicious food.

    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

    See all

    Lobster Cheese Crisp Taco, Lobster Roll
    Street & Co.

    Street & Co.

    4.4
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    I recently had a most wonderful dinner at Street and Co with wonderful company!…read more Our servers were all excellent, and the food came in exactly the right amount of time. We started with burrata, a bluefish pate, and mussels for apps, and then moved right into: Bluefish tuna Lobster Fra Diavlo for two, and Roasted Branzino (which was FANTASTIC) After that, we still pursued dessert and ordered a pecan pie with in-house made ice cream and one of the most delicious rice puddings I have ever had. Overall, it was a GREAT night. 100% recommend.

    I'd like to give Street and Co a 4.5 as I'm not sure it deserves a full 5 but it was very very…read moregood. One of the best meals we had in Portland. We liked it more than Scales which I think might be a less popular opinion. The ambiance was very rustic and cozy. It did feel a little cramped and the first table they sat us at was in the middle of a bunch of other tables and I really don't think it would be a nice table for anyone. Thankfully they moved us to a corner/booth which was very nice of them. Even in the corner it was still a little cramped which is my reason for not giving it 5 stars. The pasta dish with lobster in a red sauce was divine. Full of other seafood in addition to the lobster like mussels and clams too. It was definitely messy but the flavor was fantastic. Tons of garlic which we love. The octopus appetizer was also delicious. Very charred which normally I wouldn't like but it worked very well with this dish. We also got hummus which was a special appetizer. It was ok- not very memorable. The desserts didn't appeal to us (maybe we were just too full). Would love to return if we find ourselves back in Portland!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Clam linguine
    Clam linguine
    Grilled Lobster with Butter and Garlic

    See all

    Grilled Lobster with Butter and Garlic
    Bite Into Maine

    Bite Into Maine

    4.6
    (116 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    We have a Bite into Maine in Scarborough but they're not open yet. Decided to go to Diamond st,…read morePortland location to have a flight of three lobster rolls. Maine with mayo & chives Connecticut with just butter Picnic with coleslaw, butter, celery salt. Sensational lobster rolls- love them all Extremely fresh & 4.5z seems to be plenty for me. I couldn't finish the 3rd one so I'll be eating it later. Served with cape cod potato chips. I believe that cape cod chips will be no longer. The question is what company will replace the chips?? (BTW) I didn't catch her name but the young lady who took my order was a spot on employee!! The only bad news was, I asked for a taste of the lobster bisque & sorry to say I didn't like it at all. Will I be back- damn sure about that. I'm taking one of my flights home with me to eat it later. Damn I'm in heaven. I hope Bite into Maine will add lobster ghee to their menu. HighRoller lobster ghee is the most incredible add on. Figure out how to come up with a clone.

    We saw a high score and thought it would be a good place to go to. Asked if they could warm up the…read morelobster as we don't like it cold and when they said "Yes"...we thought we were good to go! Food was delivered and when we bit into it, the lobster was cold. When we took it back and asked them to heat it up, they said they could not...then she reiterated that they served it cold. Duh, that's why we asked if we could have it heated!! Very disappointing that they could not do something so simple to make us happy customers!

    Photos
    Bite Into Maine
    Maine Lobster Roll (4.5-oz)
    Maine Lobster Roll (4.5-oz)
    Bite Into Maine

    See all

    Scales

    Scales

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.7 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.

    Great place ! Cant wait to go back for dinner . Make reservations early hard to get…read more Decor was on point ! Service great Food was delicious and presented beautifully !

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

    See all

    Buckwheat brownie
    The Shop

    The Shop

    4.5
    (261 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    This place came recommended by multiple people, and now that I've been, I can really see why this…read moreis a must-visit in Portland. Once you are seated, you're handed a paper menu on which you mark your selections, then bring that marked-up menu to the counter, where you order and get a number. Food is brought up to you, and you can order subsequent rounds of food by crossing out previous orders and marking up the menu anew. I would highly recommend multiple rounds of oysters -- the first to try one of each and figure out which varieties you prefer, the second to get more of the ones you like, and the last to go all in on your favorite. They've got a varied selection that will suit various tastes, whether you favor a large creamy oyster, a small briny guy, or somewhere in between. All from Maine, which made me feel better about having oysters in a non-ber month. The oysters here are top notch, and the shuckers are, too. Not a single speck of shell in there! I love oysters, and this was my paradise. The non oyster items are also worth trying, so if you have a friend who isn't into oysters, there's something here for them, too. The smoked fish dip and french onion dip are awesome, and the chips they get from another local producer are fantastic. Whether you're a beer lover, a wine person, or a cocktailer, they've got something for you here. Any of those could be the perfect company for your favorite oyster, or you could go for their cucumber mint lemonade slushy, which is insanely refreshing and a great palate cleanser between oysters. Service is efficient, welcoming, and friendly. I think anyone from an oyster novice to an aficionado would feel right at home here. If I didn't live on the opposite side of the country, I'd be here all the time. Unfortunately for me, I'm relegated to pining for these oysters from a distance. If you live nearby, take advantage of your proximity and eat some oysters for me.

    5/29/26 A special note- a new dish added to the menu- the…read moreseafood cocktail- is a winner. This is the go-to dish for the partner who doesn't care for oysters- it it superlative, and I hope it remains on the offerings. The service today- especially fine. I have become, as the French would say, "an habitué"

    Photos
    Bloody mary (already ate the oyster, oops)
    Bloody mary (already ate the oyster, oops)
    From the street- plenty of parking
    From the street- plenty of parking
    Oysters

    See all

    Oysters

    C2 - Congress Squared - newamerican - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...