Food Fame: Portland, Maine, Restaurants That Made It to Travel Channel’s ‘Food Paradise’

It's also a wonderful way to discover restaurants in towns or places of travel interest.
However, nothing beats the excitement when a restaurant or chef from Maine is featured. I don’t know if it’s the collective chip on Mainers’ shoulders, but the pride is immeasurable. Our restaurants and people are really like our children—and when they make it big, we feel like we all do.

Portland, Maine has Gained an Incredible Foodie Reputation

It is special, though, especially in Portland. Maine’s largest city has developed a dynamic food reputation and has become quite trendy over the last two decades. Countless articles and television features have promoted Greater Portland to the masses, and there’s no sign of it slowing down. And of course, there’s the impressive number of local restaurants and chefs that have been featured on national television.

One show that always held my attention is the Travel Channel’s Food Paradise series. The premise is simple: seven or eight restaurants connected by a certain theme are highlighted, with one or two featured dishes from each.

It’s a very fun watch. Viewers get to see creative concepts and unique recipe preparations from across the country. It's cool to learn what the restaurants serve and where they’re located. It’s also the kind of show you can jump into at any point—whether you've seen one episode or ten, it doesn’t matter.

Another fun aspect of the show is how often Portland restaurants have been featured over the years. There’s been no shortage of representation from the Forest City.

Portland, Maine, Restaurants That Have Been Featured on Travel Channel's 'Food Paradise'

Below is a closer look at 10 Portland restaurants lucky enough to have been featured on this popular program. It’s no surprise the list leans heavily on seafood, especially lobster dishes. Lobster is Maine currency, so it’s a completely legit strategy by the showrunners.

But there’s much more to Portland’s cuisine than seafood, and that comes through—whether it’s pizza, potato donuts, Southern classics, or beyond.

Is one of your favorite spots on the list? Ready to find a new one?