Brea Lu Café
Brea Lu Café is located just outside of Deering Center parameters, not even a minute’s drive away from Black Cat Coffee. A wood burning fireplace keeps the seating area cozy and warm and the relaxed atmosphere provides respite from the busy, bustling city that Portland can often be. The portions here are massive, especially on brunch Sundays; reviewers rave about how the blueberry pancakes are the size of their face, and how every bite is simply heaven.
Address and telephone number: 428 Forest Ave., Portland, ME 04101 +1 (207) 772-9202
The Bayou Kitchen
The Bayou Kitchen opened over 25 years ago to hungry Portland souls craving Cajun cuisine. The Sunday brunch has been a staple of this restaurant for as long as the locals can remember, especially because it seamlessly incorporates the spicy flavors native to Louisiana with distinctly Maine dishes. For example, each table is set with bottles of locally made hot sauces to complement your Cajun Scramble, made with Andouille sausage and freshly caught crawfish.
Address and telephone number: 543 Deering Avenue, Portland, Maine 04103 +1 207-774-4935
Maelily & Ryleigh’s
Maelily & Ryleigh’s is almost impossible to find on a map: there’s no website and if it weren’t for a spotlight in the local paper, most tourists would never know about it. So consider this an official heads-up. The muffins are homemade, from scratch, every morning and the bacon home fries are made to order and arrive hot and perfectly seasoned. The best part of this venue is how inviting and intimate the atmosphere is; the chatty, smiling waiters make sure everyone feels right at home.
Address and telephone number: 949 Forest Ave., Portland, ME 04103 +1 (207) 878-6575
The Sinful Kitchen
The name pretty much says it all, but if you want to know more about The Sinful Kitchen, look no further than their menu. For those with a sweet tooth, the menu boasts indulgent breakfast options like Belgian waffles topped with blueberry sauce and fresh whipped cream and stuffed French toast. If you tend more towards the savory side of brunch, you can opt for dishes like the pig kahuna, made with slow roasted pulled pork piled onto a Bulkie roll, and the brunch burger, which sandwiches an all-natural ground beef patty inside a grilled English muffin.
Address and telephone number: 906 Brighton Ave., Portland, ME 04102 +1 (207) 536-0611
The Treehouse
The Treehouse reinvented itself as a café and lounge when it was returned to the hands of its original owner, and the Portland crowd has been flocking there ever since. Now equipped with a renovated lounge area that resembles a treehouse, along with a new state-of-the-art kitchen and talented chefs, The Treehouse is an experience you must fully immerse yourself in next time you want an unforgettable brunch.
Address and telephone number: 484 Stevens Ave Portland, Maine 04103 +1 (207) 874-0706
Black Cat Coffee
Black Cat Coffee is awake and alive with energy before most Portlanders have hit the snooze button on their alarm clock – and that’s only part of what makes it a Deering Center staple. The coffee is brewed around the clock, always smooth and strong. With a bold variety of flavors derived from local and international beans, people flock here for the coffee as much as the breakfast treats. The tangy cranberry-citrus muffins are baked fresh right before the doors open, and they’re usually gone within the hour.
Address and telephone number: 463 Stevens Ave., Portland, ME 04103 +1 (207) 956-6686
Saigon
For a brunch with oriental flair, check out Saigon on Forest Avenue for a tantalizing fusion-inspired food. With elements of Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine, the menu serves up authentic bánh mì breakfast sandwiches at unbeatable prices. The omelet bánh mì is a simple egg and bread sandwich that still packs a flavorful Vietnamese punch, but feel free to bring it up a notch by adding grilled beef, fried pork, or steamed mincemeat. There’s no dearth of options at Saigon, so come hungry.
Address and telephone number: 795 Forest Ave., Portland, ME 04103 +1 (207) 874-6666
Crooked Mile Coffee House & Café
The Crooked Mile Coffee House & Café is a hole-in-the-wall spot specializing in breakfast and lunch options. The Crooked Mile is closed on Sundays, but you can treat yourself to brunch any other day of the week. The red brick wall exterior and dark wood furnishings inside lend the Crooked Mile a distinctly rustic, tavern-esque atmosphere to enjoy your eggs and ham croissant breakfast sandwich or your sinfully delicious Snickerdoodle latte.
Address and telephone number: 428 Brighton Avenue, Portland, ME 04102 +1 207-773-8708
Big Sky Bread Company
The Big Sky Bread Company has an offshoot restaurant that shares the same name, and it should be no surprise what their speciality is: bread. There are only two locations in the entirely of Maine, with the main bakery situated at the Deering Avenue Firehouse. Though you can of course get your bread baked fresh here, there’s also a breakfast menu with options like a grilled pesto Panini for vegetarians and a roast beef and Swiss cheese hot sandwich for meatlovers.
Address and telephone number: 536 Deering Ave., Portland, ME 04103 +1 (207) 761-5623
Mister Bagel
For a kooky and eclectic take on your typical bagel, stop by Mister Bagel along Forest Avenue for unusual breakfast sandwiches always served on homemade, freshly baked bagels. You can choose to carry out, but you’ll want to dine in here just for the vibrant atmosphere and the ever-present scent of freshly baked bread. Try the crowd favorite BLT bagel sandwich with a cup of hot coffee, and you’re guaranteed to become a repeat customer at Mister Bagel.
Address and telephone number: 601 Forest Ave., Portland, ME 04101 +1 (207) 775-0718