Don't neglect Portland's bakeries and coffee shops while trolling for budget eats. My favorite bakery in New England is Standard Baking Company at 75 Commercial St. (tel. 207/773-2112), across from the ferry terminal and behind the new Hilton hotel. Allison Bray and Matt James bake the best sticky buns (with or without nuts) and focaccia I've tasted in America, plus top-rate breads, brioche, cookies, and more. There's good coffee, too. The bakery is open 7am to 6pm weekdays, to 5pm weekends.
Among the many coffee shops around the city, I frequent both Arabica at 16 Free St. (tel. 207/879-0792), with house-roasted beans, a good choice of teas, plus bagels, scones, and even toast with peanut butter, and Portland Coffee Roasting Co. at 111 Commercial St. (tel. 207/761-9525), with inventive coffee drinks, a daily trivia quiz, and a display case of fun snacks such as sushi and energy bars.
Finally, for takeout or a picnic, I'm crazy about Supper at Six, 16 Veranda St., near Back Cove and Washington Avenue (tel. 207/761-6600). Their sandwiches, made with Standard Baking Company breads, are the best in the city; they also do a variety of to-go gourmet meals.
