Portland, Maine, Restaurant Makes OpenTable’s Top 100 List For 2026

For almost two consecutive decades, restaurants throughout the state of Maine have received praise and a spotlight from major publications and influencers around the world.

That has led to an uptick in food tourism across the state but mostly centered around the culinary scene in Portland, Maine.

Over the last couple of years, Portland has been going through a transition of sorts. Many restaurants that had established names and years of history have closed, opening the door for new names, new cuisines and new energy.

Which may explain why only one restaurant from Portland, Maine, was featured on OpenTable's 2026 Best Restaurants in America list.

Scales is The Only Restaurant in Maine to Make OpenTable's 2026 List

For the third straight year, Scales in Portland, Maine, is featured amongst the top 100 restaurants in America for 2026 by OpenTable.

Water taxis and boats on the busy Maine Wharf, Portland, Maine

Scales is consistently bustling and remains a pillar of dining along a busy Commercial Street corridor in Portland.

Scales has been the 'most-booked' restaurant in Maine for consecutive years. If a restaurant is difficult to get into, it usually means what they're serving is good.

Scales does well with OpenTable's methodology on how they put together their list which puts weight on positive customer reviews, reservation rates as well as direct internet searches for a restaurant.

Fore Street in Portland, Maine, Doesn't Make The List in 2026

For the last two years, Scales has been joined by Fore Street on OpenTable's best restaurants in America list.

Fore Street still remains one of the most popular and in-demand restaurants anywhere in the state and it's likely that other restaurants in other cities simply surpassed Fore Street in some of the criteria to determine the list for 2026.