Fore Street Restaurant

Fore Street is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant led by chef Sam Hayward, widely regarded as one of Portland's defining dining destinations. The kitchen's signature is wood-roasting — meats cooked over an open flame in full view of the dining room, filling the space with the smell of the fire itself.

Ingredients are drawn from Maine's farms, waters, and producers, with the New American menu built around what the season and the state's food system can offer. It's a style of cooking that trusts good raw materials and a hot fire over heavy technique.

The open kitchen is a centerpiece of the room rather than a hidden workspace, giving diners a direct view of the wood-fired ovens at work. The stunning setting is warm and industrial-chic, suited to both a special occasion and a serious night out.

Fore Street is open nightly from 5:30 to 10pm, with pricing that reflects its standing as one of the city's most acclaimed restaurants. Reservations are recommended well ahead, especially on weekends.