Three Maine restaurants named to OpenTable Top 100 list
Photo / Renee Cordes
Despite its unassuming exterior, Fore Street restaurant, located at 288 Fore St., has been a Portland mainstay since 1996.
OpenTable’s “Top 100 Restaurants in America List” for 2023 features three eateries in Maine, including a Portland mainstay that’s been around since 1996.
Using an updated methodology using diner reviews and new metrics, the list spotlights some of the most in-demand restaurants by the booking and review website this year.
Spanning the urban to the more rustic, Pine Tree establishments on the list are Fore Street in Portland, Earth at Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport and Franny’s Bistro in Camden.
"This year's Top 100 list features neighborhood gems, hotspots like Bad Roman [in New York], Michelin-starred venues like Jeune et Jolie, and restaurants new to the list from coast-to-coast," said Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable."
"We also see representation across the culinary spectrum — with cuisines like Mediterranean, French and Japanese included,” she added.
Word on the Street
OpenTable users have posted close to 3,500 reviews of Fore Street and 400 photos, leaving positive comments on dishes from house-made smoked sausage to a turnip-roasted organic Maine half chicken. Fore Street is owned by Dana B. Street, who also owns Street and Co., Standard Baking Co. and Scales restaurant in Portland.
Elsewhere in New England, OpenTable’s Top 100 list includes one establishment in Connecticut, four in Massachusetts, one in Rhode Island and none in Vermont or New Hampshire.
Notably missing from the list are newer, trendy places like Twelve and Bar Futo in Portland, whose online reservation sections takes users to the Resy booking platform.
And in Monson, the James Beard Award-winning Quarry restaurant doesn't appear to offer online bookings nor does the name come up in an OpenTable search.
What's trending
The OpenTable report includes insights into shifts in diners’ behaviors and tastes over last year.
While year-round dining remained flat year-on-year, diners showed renewed interest in dining on special occasions, particularly on Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.
Solo is also on the rise, with Thursday and Friday the most popular days for self-dates.
Other findings:
- West African, African and Lebanese were among the top trending cuisines:
- Menu items with East Asian ties garnered an increase in reviews and mentions of ingredients such as crispy rice, yuzu, ramen and kimchi;
- Cocktails and mocktails remain in vogue, including cocktails popular on social media including the espresso martini, Aperol spritz and negroni.
Find the full OpenTable Top 100 Restaurants for 2023 list here.
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