3 Best Restaurants in South Portland, Portland

Impressively clean and efficient in whipping up bowls of fresh Hawaiian-style poké, Big Fin is a family-owned operation (with another location in the nearby town of Westbrook). The fast, friendly staff churns out dishes of yellowtail, torched salmon, or spicy ahi tuna with customized toppings like shoyu, green onion, avocado, seaweed salad, and fried shallots. 

With a full and lively roster of brews on drafts and in cans, this small brewpub housed in an old auto garage is a friendly place to spend an afternoon. From their citrus-y IPAs and sours to wheat saisons with green tea and local Maine wildflower honey, the creations range from classic to niche. Flights and growers are also offered. Throw in the kitchen's menu of very good comfort food, and there's even more reason to settle in and hang around.

One of two large locations (the other is in Freeport), this stylishly decorated, locally owned, and family-friendly trattoria-inspired spot specializes in wood-fired pizzas and hearty (mostly Italian) entrées. There are also seafood options like Maine mussels and oysters as well as a selection of Maine beers on tap.