3 Best Restaurants That Vanished From Portland, Maine, We All Want Back

I've had to teach myself how to love the culinary turn-over rate that's happened to Maine in the last few years.

Change is hard, and Portland especially has been shaken up by permanent closures that are always followed by temporary replacements.

Why are so many restaurants permanently closing in Maine?

In more obvious terms, we obviously have covid to blame, and according to portlandpressherald,

"More than half a dozen venues from Portland to Yarmouth have permanently closed their doors due to staffing challenges and rising expenses".

One day we'd lose our favorite dive bar and the next another one would be setting up to take its' place. Sometimes for the better, but most times for the worst.

Restaurant closures Portland, Maine 2023 to 2025

It came to a point you'd either hold a grudge or try to embrace the change (which yes I know, can't be extremely hard for some people), or you keep wishing back a place you'll just never get. Here's a few I think we can all agree we just can't get over losing just yet.

Silly's Restaurant Permanently Closed

Burried right across the street from some awesome local breweries like Oxbow Brewing on  Washington Ave and right at the bottom of Munjoy Hill in Portland, we lost Silly's in 2022.

They would put the most ridiculous things on their menu but somehow it always worked. It was always.."silly". They also would put a sign out front nudging you to put your phone down and engage in real humans and I always thought that was badass.

Henry's Public House Permanently Closed

A block away from downtown's main road Commercial Street, Henry's took on a huge role in the footsteps of the infamous Bull Feeney's.

With a dance floor by night upstairs, and a more chill vibey band downstairs, this is one we're all going to miss on a Saturday night.

Sister's Gormet Deli Permanently Closed

I would stand outside the courthouse all day and rally if it meant one more day with Sister's Deli in Portland.

Their colorful sidewalk always brightened my day even before I knew how insanely delicious their sandwiches were.

However, if you live near Bath, you're in luck as they've decided to keep only their Bath location open.

It takes a lot to survive a small business in the old port lately, so if your business is still up and running after 5 years consider yourself doing something right. Boss behavior.

ALSO READ: 19 Portland, Maine Restaurants That Sadly Closed in 2024

Actually, here's tons of more restaurants and bars that have since closed in Maine and some that will take you down a nostalgic road for sure.