Portlands hidden gem. You walk in and feel right at home…read more You are greeted with a warm smile and feel like you just arrived at a friends house. The waitstaff is gracious and welcoming, the portion are gracious and the menu is expansive for vegans, pescatarian and gfs alike. Our timing was perfect, and we were able to get right in without an issue, as they don't take reservations. Please be mindful where you park or better yet, leave your car and walk up, as it's worth the stroll! Lovely spot and can't wait to join you at the table again! Understated elegance.

On a whim we decided to try breakfast and we were not disappointed! My wife had the Pesto breakfast…read moresandwich and it was delightful, fragrant and tasty. I opted for the Southwest Beans & Eggs-just the right amount of spice in the beans, a lovely and creamy complement to the pillowy soft scrambled eggs. Don't miss the cinnamon roll either! Definitely adding this one to our breakfast repertoire! Service was on point and we sat in a cozy, sunny booth!

Smalls came highly recommend, but unfortunately I didn't have the most amazing experience…read more The inside is SUPER cute. If I were to come back here I would opt to just get coffee rather than food OR I'd come for a glass of wine because I did like the vibe on the inside. However, the breakfast sandwich was rather disappointing and our service was VERY slow. I ordered a coffee about half way through my meal and had to leave without it because it was taking too long.

My wife and I are attempting to check out any and all coffee places we can and Smalls was our stop…read moretoday on an early Spring Sunday morning. They advertise themselves as all day cafe/bar and market. The vibes were perfect with an overall cozy and welcoming feel. It seemed like a spot many regulars come to often as the workers appeared to know many people who came through! They have a bar with roughly 8 seats, along with some tables. With the back of the store having goodies to buy including candles, self-care items, wines, drinks, and more. Worth browsing before or after your drinks and food. We snagged two bar stools and were immediately greeted and served water along with a menu. All three staff members were friendly and made us feel welcome. Drink wise my wife got an iced mocha while I saw their drink special of the month on social media and had to try it. Named The Blue Rose with Butterfly pea flower, cardamom rose, whole milk, pebble ice and espresso on top. A photo-worthy beverage with a delicious flavor. I would keep coming back for this drink for sure if it were a permanent menu item! Food wise my wife and I both got a breakfast sandwich, only difference she got bacon while I got the impossible sausage. Well made and delicious sandwiches that would make us return as well. I do wish they would have been a little bigger though. If our visit today was any indication of the typical my wife and I would gladly return! Friendly service in a great setting with well made food and drinks. Need to return to give their cocktails a try! A standout space in Portland.

Following first speculation I saw online of Novel closing then after they confirmed they would be…read moreclosing my wife wanted to make sure we came by before that! She is a book lover and we both love our coffees and cocktails. This is a spot that offers all of that and is a third space I think that has been popular and will in general be missed. We even visited during their opening day back in December 2023. They will be closing their doors on April 17th 2026. I will say that due to them getting their books from a local used bookstore they do not have the latest and greatest selection of books that you'd expect if they were a bookstore. I have not had complaints during any of our visits here. I have enjoyed their coffee as well as their chai lattes along with enjoyed all the cocktails I have tried. I have especially enjoyed the espresso martinis and have liked the fact you could in fact get the coffee drinks and cocktails any time of their hours opened. During the majority of their time open they would offer specialty espresso martinis as well. Some of my favorite cities to visit have many coffee cafe meets cocktail bar and is a concept I wish were more popular in Portland. It is a difficult time currently for all and any local business so with yet another closing I encourage you to support your favorite places when and how you can! Cheers to Novel and thanks for the space you offered to locals and visitors!

A place like Novel was long overdue in Downtown Portland. Coffee, cocktails, and books all day…read morelong? Yes, please. And they're open on Mondays?! The minute I walked in, I was surprised by how big the space was. But heads up, it's already a popular spot. I assumed a Monday visit would mean a quiet, empty cafe, but nope. Every table, couch, and chaise was taken, so I grabbed a seat at the bar. Not a problem, but if you're expecting a hidden gem, this isn't that. The ambiance was cool, hip, and laid-back. It's the kind of place where being solo feels encouraged. The only group chatting while I was there was practically whispering, so if you're looking for a catch-up spot with friends, this probably isn't it. But if you're in town alone and want a good drink and some quiet time, then it's the perfect spot. I ordered The Raven, and it was a delicious and balanced drink, just pricier than expected at $14 (though that's sadly the new norm in Portland). I also got a Negroni, which I just asked for offhand, and surprisingly, it was great and cheaper than my cocktail. Wish I'd known that was an option first. Overall, a fantastic addition to Portland and one I'll absolutely be back to.

I discovered Uncharted back in December 2025 while on dinner break for a show at Merrill…read moreAuditorium. From the moment I walked in, I fell in love with the atmosphere. It's definitely my kind of vibe. The staff were attentive and not put out when I first came in and were incredibly helpful with giving me suggestions (because everything sounded so good). I ended up leaving my first visit with The Abyss bubble tea and meandered my way back to Merrill. Today, I decided to treat my son to an evening out in Portland, and we swung into Uncharted for a quick tea. He got a small regular brown sugar milk tea and I got a large Kraken. I'm just as smitten with the vibe and the space now as I was back in December, & know that whenever I'm in town I'll be coming in to get a tasty drink to walk around town with.

Tea is amazing. As someone who doesn't like the texture of boba, I was glad all those teas could be…read moremade without it! The chill environment was perfect for getting a lot of work done before heading out for the night.

We stopped by Navis Cafe in Portland, Maine and ordered two bagels for breakfast. Overall, it was…read morean okay experience. The service was nice, prompt, and the prices were reasonable, which we appreciated. We're from New York, so we're definitely used to top-tier bagels. That said--considering this was a bagel from Maine--it was pretty A-okay, lol. Nothing mind-blowing, but solid enough for a casual breakfast. The cafe itself is really nice inside and seemed dog-friendly, which is always a plus. In the past, they've also had great pre-packaged dessert options from a local bakery. I didn't see anything that caught my eye this time around, but it's something I've enjoyed before. Overall, a pleasant stop with friendly service and a comfortable atmosphere--just manage expectations if you're a New York bagel snob like us.

This will be a first non-cost review until I am on my feet again and can walk in. I first heard…read moreabout Navis Café while attending a yelp elite event at Thames Landing, which is located directly next-door which also has the same owners, the Roy's. My husband and I love Thames Landing, so why not try breakfast and lunch! Located on the waterfront in downtown Portland, they have a nice view of the walkway, railway, and the ocean Gateway. Parking is either on street or in the conveniently located parking area next to the building. I ordered the breakfast sandwich of bacon, egg, and cheese on and everything bagel. Bagel was nicely toasted not overly chewy, cheddar, egg, and bacon well balanced. I ate it so fast I forgot to take a picture! For lunch, I ordered their Bow sandwich which consisted of sliced smoked turkey, cheddar, bacon, greens, and red onion with a chipotle mayo, which I substituted for regular. They give you multiple choices of bread, I chose a wrap, which they kindly cut in half. I found this to be very delicious, the turkey the cheese to be well balanced with the greens making it very refreshing with each bite. I did take a picture of this! I enjoyed my lunch with some kombucha, which also was very refreshing. My hope is that my husband and I will go for breakfast this weekend when I can go out and experience the atmosphere and where I can take more photos.

Eighty 8 Donuts was absolutely FANTASTIC! Having owned a bakery myself, I love trying different…read morebakeries whenever I visit a new place. I read about this shop and decided to give it a try, and the reviews definitely didn't disappoint. The place has a really cool look, and one of the employees, Jason, was one cool cat! The donuts are bite-sized, which makes them perfect for trying multiple toppings--too many to list! I told Jason I was visiting from Kentucky and asked him to pick out some flavors for me. I'm glad I did! I will definitely be back the next time I'm in the area.

These mini donuts were SO GOOD! They're made to order, so they come out fresh and warm, and…read moreliterally melt in your mouth! The pics make them look bigger than they actually are, but don't let that fool you they're definitely worth trying! The staff was super nice, too, which made the experience even better. Definitely recommend stopping by if you're a donut lover!

Rainy day stop on a day in Portland with my 19 & 12 yo kids. What a great time we had. We each…read moremade a terrarium that came out beautiful. Staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. They gave us instructions and then let us have the freedom to construct our little ecosystems. I enjoyed a glass of rose while taking in the fun and great ambiance of the space.

Such a fun and chill experience in Portland! The shop is beautiful and chock full of gorgeous…read moreplants and greenery at every turn. Pick out a jar and get started, lots of adorable little curated plants to choose from to make your own terrarium. They also have snacks and beverages available if you're hanging out a little longer! I would love to have a place like this local to me but it was such a unique and lovely visit during our time in Portland.

I went to LB Kitchen about a month ago and fell in love. Great coffee and a great piece of toast…read more Yup I'm a toast guy. But what really got me was the vibe. Loved the silverware, seating, colors, and the staff was A+. It's my type of place. After going back today, I'm telling everyone. The Green on Grains was SOOOOO good. I added chicken, and the flavor was crazy. One of those meals you're still thinking about later. Very impressed. See you next time LB!

This place is busy and it's easy to see why. Everything I had from the menu was served fresh and…read morehad a very farm to table vibe. I ordered the acai bowl and found it super fresh and flavorful. My husband ordered the eggs and toast, and it was a large portion with eggs, toast, and a side salad. One of my favorite things I ordered was the salted coffee. It was a nice blend of salty and sweet that made it very easy to drink. While tables fill up quickly, there's enough space to be able to find a place to sit. The staff is also very friendly.

Great place for a quick breakfast and lunch. They use real eggs cooked fresh in front of you. Large…read moreselection of Green Mountain coffee. For lunch they have a good size menu, full salad bar, and plenty of place to sit. The workers are very friendly and nice.

Great new find for us. They make an amazing sandwich!! Perfect to share on a boat or at a picnic!!…read more Will definitely be back!!

Very impressed with Sydney. She leaves a great 1st…read moreimpression. Not only is she beautiful on the outside but also awesome niceness on the inside. She's was very accommodating with my deconstructed requests for both Sandwiches. An A+ employee. My Market sandwich (eggplant) was just okay. The bread was for a better word "stale" I could hardly bite into it. The same was true of the turkey ceasar hoagie. However the turkey was very good. I'm going to have to think hard if I ever want to try another hoagie from Ramona's. I know the owners are both respected chefs in their own right but I'm having a tough time justifying whether I will return.