4 Places in Portland Where Food-Obsessed Mainers Find the Good Stuff

Much has been said about Portland, Maine, being a food town. It recently landed in the top 10 of America's best foodie cities, lauded for its diverse offerings and for luring chefs from big cities to a small coastal city in Maine.

I do love trying restaurants, and probably my favorite part is enjoying a good meal out and then trying to recreate it at home.

Specialty Food Shopping in Portland, Maine, for Home Cooks

But surprisingly, there are very few specialty food stores for those of us foodies who like to cook at home. No, I don't like the word "foodie," but the only other option is "home cook," and that makes me sound a little, well, trad, if you will. I am not that. I'm just, well, cheap, and I like to cook at home.

MORE: Portland, Maine Named Best Small Food City by Food & Wine

So naturally, as a home cook, I'm always on the lookout for places to buy pantry staples and specialty foods that aren't commonly found in grocery stores, even Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

So I'm sharing my secrets. Here are the places I go to find the ingredients I use most often to make everything from weeknight pasta to takeout-style stir-fries at home. Bonus: With the holidays right around the corner, these are also my go-to stops for stocking stuffers and gift-basket fillers. Nobody's ever mad about a jar of really good pickles.

[Remember: Hours change, so always call ahead.]

Sissel and Daughters (The Cheese Shop of Portland)

Sissel and Daughters of Portland Maine

Sissel's (as I call it) is the quintessential food destination, located on Portland's food-centric Washington Avenue. It's billed as a cheese shop, but that undersells it. Yes, there's the cheese selection you'd expect from a shop like this, but there are also prepared foods, vegetables and a hearty selection of pantry goods.

My first test for any store is whether it stocks Rancho Gordo beans (particularly their butter beans), and you will most definitely find them here. There's also a great selection of tinned fish (that's a big thing now). What do I get every time I visit? A couple of bags of what I call "the good pasta," the aforementioned beans and usually at least one jar of something pickled.

 Sun Oriental Market

Sun Oriental Market Portland Maine

There are a number of Asian markets in the Portland area, but this is the one I frequent most. One word of warning: actually getting inside can be a challenge. The entrance isn't on Congress Street. It's around the back of the building, off a small parking lot, which gives the whole place a bit of a speakeasy feel.

Once you find it, the owners are super helpful when I have no idea what I'm actually looking for or forget what it's called. Don't sleep on the freezer section. It's loaded with dumplings, crepes, rice cakes, scallion pancakes, bao buns, and udon, all perfect for adding to dishes or eating on their own.

MORE: 30 Maine Takeout Spots Locals Can’t Get Enough Of

The vegetable section is well-stocked too, and very competitively priced compared to supermarkets, from Chinese broccoli to eggplant and green onions. My test for Asian markets is Japanese curry. I have a baby mouth, and supermarket international aisles usually only stock the spicy versions of Golden Curry and Vermont Curry roux blocks. Sun always has the mild ones. (Pro tip: Mix the two brands for the best flavor.) What do I always pick up? Dark soy sauce, black vinegar, and lo mein noodles from the freezer.

 Rosemont Bakery and Market

Rosemont Market & Bakery Maine

Best known as a bakery and produce market, Rosemont also has a great selection of jarred items like pickles and other condiments that can really take a dish up a notch. I like to check the small but mighty section when I'm picking up bread, and I often grab something to spread on said bread.

I'm a sucker for condiments, and my pantry is bursting at the seams because of it. I was once browsing the shelves for new finds when one of the employees said, "It's fun looking at all the different foods because it's like a cheap vacation." Boom. On the nose.

 Monte's Fine Foods

Monte's Fine Foods in Portland Maine

I know, I know. Yes, it's the Portland pizza place that got a glowing review from Dave Portnoy and then famously had to shut down temporarily because it was so busy. And yes, the pizza is that good.

I often buy extra because it reheats beautifully. But Monte's also has an excellent specialty food section, with everything from pasta, sauces and canned tomatoes to oils, vinegars, tinned fish, sweets, crackers, wine and beer. The selection leans Italian and Mediterranean, but you'll also find a solid mix of international ingredients, including Asian pantry staples, plus a good lineup of beer and wine. I rarely leave empty-handed.

Looking for more culinary adventures in Maine? Check out this excellent collection of restaurants to add to your bucket list.