Fore Street

4.9

4150 Reviews

$50 and over

Contemporary American

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2 people

12 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 65 times today

Good for special occasions
Charming
Innovative

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.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Organic, Seafood
Hours of Operation
Daily 16:30–22:00
Phone number
(207) 775-2717
Website
http://www.forestreet.biz/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Sam Hayward

Location
288 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101
Area
Portland
Cross Street
Franklin and Pearl
Parking details
Fore Street has free parking from 5pm to 12am in the parking lot behind the building, depending on availability. Street parking is available as well as customer paid parking in 2 parking garages within 1 block.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Mixed Organic Salad Greens
Barrel Aged Cider Vinaigrette
Chilled and Smoked Seafood Platter
Ever-evolving selections prepped daily from the sea
Wood Oven Roasted Maine Mussels
Garlic Almond Butter
Charcuterie
House made smoked sausages, confits, rillettes, brawns, terrines and pates. Hand Crafted Daily
Wood Grilled Natural Hanger Steak
Cipollini Onions and Greens, with a tomato and horseradish vinaigrette
Turnspit Roasted and Dry Rubbed Pork Loin
Natural Quebec Pork. Morse's sauerkraut with pickling spices
Turnspit Roasted Organic Maine Half Chicken
From Whitefield Maine. Charred cornbread rusk with toasted black cumin sweet butter
Wood Oven Roasted Whole Fish
Served tail on bone in, varying species

What 4,150 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.9Service
4.9Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Maine
Best Overall
Maine
Best Food
Maine
Best Service
Maine
Best Ambience
Maine
Best Value
Maine
Innovative
Maine
Hot spot
Maine
Contemporary American
Maine
Most Booked
Greater Portland
Best Overall
Greater Portland
Best Food
Greater Portland
Best Service
Greater Portland
Best Ambience
Greater Portland
Best Value
Greater Portland
Innovative
Greater Portland
Healthy
Greater Portland
Hot spot
Greater Portland
Great for fine wines
Greater Portland
Romantic
Greater Portland
Good for special occasions
Greater Portland
Lively
Greater Portland
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Fore Street in Portland, ME, offers an exceptional dining experience with "killer menu and drinks." Guests rave about the "fantastic service" and "amazing ambiance." The menu features creative dishes with "wonderful flavors," and the wood fire concept adds a unique touch. Regulars describe it as "iconic" and "a must-go."

4,150 Reviews

T
T Barton VIP
Greater Boston6 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding restaurant. Great food and service. You have to try the wood roasted turnspit chicken or pork loin.
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A
Adrianne
New York City7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I've been waiting for three years to try Fore Street and it did not disappoint! The second you walk in the aroma that hits you is like nothing I have ever encountered before. From the atmosphere to the food everything delivers. I will be back.
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H
Heather
Greater Boston25 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fore St is a special place. The minute you walk through the doors you enter into the warm and welcoming vibe of the place. Food, service, spirits are simply amazing. My husband and I visit here to celebrate special occasions and we always leave with the glow of having a wonderful time.
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R
Randy VIP
New York City2 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food, cocktails and service as always. Great dinner with friends.
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C
Cornell VIP
Greater Boston21 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our dinner experience was exceptional! We hadn't been to Fore Street in a few years, and were super impressed with the quality of the service and the creative and innovative menu selections. Our meals were extremely well prepared and piping hot! Even the deserts were incredible creative and scrumptious! Fore Street has definitely move to the top of our restaurant list. It won't be several years before we dine there again. Thanks for a wonderful evening out.
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B
Bridget
Greater Boston7 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
You’ll never be disappointed by a meal at Fore Street! It’s one of our favorite spots in Portland and the food, drinks, and service are always exceptional
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KH
KateH11
Greater Boston15 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food and service were amazing! We can’t wait to go back!
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B
Bill VIP
San Francisco22 reviews
5.0
Dined on 4 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fore Street is maybe my favorite restaurant in New England and I have lived in New England all my life. They do everything right. Atmosphere is warm, welcoming and in a way reminiscent of an earlier time. Servers are exceptional. Knowledgable, helpful and very friendly. Support people are super efficient. Open kitchen is a key part of the ambiance. Makes it feel like you are in an old European inn. The food is as good as it gets. We had the mussels, a salad, the scallops, the hangar steak and an incredible dessert. Could not have been better. It is not inexpensive but it is worth every penny. The best dining experience I know.
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AM
AmyM
Greater Boston9 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a lovely meal at the bar which was warm and quiet despite being full. The food came out at good intervals and all was prepared with care and arrived hot. The pacing of the whole meal was perfect and we didn’t want to leave the cozy environment at the end of the meal. This is one of those special occasion restaurants that I forget is as consistently as good as it is. Will return soon!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Go every year for our anniversary. Not once have we had a complaint about anything. Food and service is always spot on.
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FAQs

Fore Street is rated 4.9 stars by 4150 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

12 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 65 times today

288 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101

Additional information

Cross Street
Franklin and Pearl
Area
Portland
Hours of Operation
Daily 16:30–22:00
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Organic, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Fore Street has free parking from 5pm to 12am in the parking lot behind the building, depending on availability. Street parking is available as well as customer paid parking in 2 parking garages within 1 block.
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Sam Hayward
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.forestreet.biz/
Phone number
(207) 775-2717

Fore Street

Make a booking

Additional information

Menu

Appetizers

Garden (Salads and Homemade Soups)

Raw and Chilled Seafood

Wood Oven Roasted and Grilled Seafood

Grilled, Pan Seared and Oven Roasted Meats

Chilled Meats and Offal (Charcuterie)

Entrees

Pan Seared Seafood

Wood Oven Roasted Seafood

Wood Grilled Meats

Turnspit Roasted Meats

Plants

Vegetables to Share

Desserts

Artisan Cheeses

Bite Size and Hand Crafted Cakes, Ice Cream & Pastries

Hand Made Chocolates

Signature Items

Mixed Organic Salad Greens

Chilled and Smoked Seafood Platter

Wood Oven Roasted Maine Mussels

Charcuterie

Wood Grilled Natural Hanger Steak

Turnspit Roasted and Dry Rubbed Pork Loin

Turnspit Roasted Organic Maine Half Chicken

Wood Oven Roasted Whole Fish

What 4,150 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Fore Street restaurant rated?

Is Fore Street currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information