Travel + Leisure names Portland one of the 14 best US food cities
Portland’s culinary reputation earned a national nod when Travel + Leisure placed the city among the country’s top 14 foodie destinations. The magazine’s September issue highlighted the Maine metropolis for delivering an “outsized punch” in dining, noting that its restaurants serve everything from the classic lobster roll to inventive dishes like pork belly yakitori.
The feature singled out three local spots that exemplify the city’s range: Katie Made Bakery, known for its pastries; Eventide, celebrated for its seafood‑centric menu; and Fore Street, a downtown eatery that was photographed bustling on the evening of July 7.
Travel + Leisure’s list ranked Portland as the smallest city included, with Greenville, South Carolina—home to roughly 80,000 residents—following it. The remaining entries were major metropolitan areas: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Louisville (KY), New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Tucson, AZ.
The recognition adds to a springtime accolade from Food & Wine, which named Portland the best small city in the nation for food and drink. Together, the honors underscore a growing perception of Portland as a destination where high‑quality, diverse dining thrives despite its modest size.
