The front Room restaurant & Bar
New American Comfort Food | a neighborhood gathering spot
Harding Lee Smith, Chef, Restauranteur
20 Years of Service
The Front Room is a quintessential neighborhood eatery β loud bustling crowds and simple food with rich flavors complemented by The Rooms signature look of an open kitchen and cozy bar. But unlike the other Rooms, The Front Room vetoed the idea of reservations for brunch, opting to be first come, first served (however we do take reservations for dinner!).
Classic, wooden Hancock chairs adorn each table in this quaint iteration of The Rooms restaurant family, now peppered around Portland, Maine. Serving what Chef Harding Lee Smith has coined New American Comfort Food, The Front Room attracts droves of Mainers with its affordable brunch and dinner menu.
βI wanted to make it a neighborhood gathering spot, to have the home feel like when you come into someoneβs living room.β β Chef Harding
Croque Madame p
Fresh fruit, cream
Runny yolk + melty mornay = pure brunch bliss
Our Spaghetti Carbo
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Julie
a day ago
The food was beyond delish! Had the crab pasta and the short ribβ¦no words! I would drive three hours to eat that again! Gerry was our waiter and service was superb from everyone! Highly recommend!!
Jasmin Ortiz-Medina
3 days ago
Eva was great and super helpful! Food was delicious, too! Must see
Matthew LeFauve
11 days ago
Always a great experience coming here! The staff is attentive, friendly, and helpful and the food is absolutely delicious. I look forward to coming back again soon!
Jared Baum
17 days ago
This was a recommendation, and I'm glad someone gave it to me. Generous portions, wonderful and friendly staff, and a short walk away from the waterfront in Munjoy Hill. Loved it. I'm not local, but when I come back, I'm coming back!
Karen Obrien
19 days ago
Took my mom here for breakfast. Food was very good. Service was friendly and attentive
Dylan Mcphetres
25 days ago
Had a great dinner at the Front Room. Everyone left happy, including our 10 and 12 year olds
Rabee Kiwan
28 days ago
Always a good meal. Sometimes your hair and coat smell like fried fat,, but it's totally worth it
Emmerson Artem
a month ago
The food was pretty good but the service was extremely good. The wait time after was short and the waitress personable. Plus, they serve Captain Eliβs sodas!
Gena Sirkel
a month ago
Loved everything about this place. Great atmosphere, energy was great. Noisy but able to have a private conversation so it was the best of both worlds. Service was perfect. Food was divine. Cornbread with chili butter was unmatched, so light and delicious. Farm fresh salad was absolutely perfect. We shared entrees, scallops and wagyu burger with potato salad. Both amazing and packed with flavor.
Taurie Clemons
2 months ago
Food heaven!!! Do yourself a favor and order the bacon gnocchi 
5 stars all around
5 stars all around 
Deborah Booth
2 months ago
Great atmosphere, friendly staff and awesome food
Leesah Patt
2 months ago
Service and atmosphere were really nice. The food was pretty good! We got a Benedict and the egg on top of both of our dishes was overcooked. So no yolk at all but beyond that it was fabulous!
Kylee Webster
2 months ago
Andrea was amazing, and the food is IMPECCABLE. Fresh, flavorful, and came out so quick! Highly recommend if youβre in the Portland area!
Kari Bily
3 months ago
The food was delicious, the service was amazing, and the wait was short!
Becca Kay
3 months ago
Till this day I think about how delicious and perfect the eggs Benedict were and how superb the brioche french toast was. If you love a cool, chill, and cozy and youβre looking for a relax spot to have breakfast/ or brunch, you should definitely try this place. Had their brunch options and 10/10 would recommend. They did a phenomenal job Iβll be back with more friends to try different items off the menu. Just look at the pictures!
Terri Grover
3 months ago
We loved our dinner at The Front Room! The waiter was very friendly and informative. The mussels were amazing and two of us had plenty to share. The crab pappardelle dish was so delicious. The shepherds pie was so huge we brought two servings home. The noise level is a bit high but otherwise it was just right.
Jessica Acosta
3 months ago
My husband and I came for a brunch date - staff was helpful and the food was really good. The atmosphere was nice and calm at the time we went.I wouldnβt say just say they need a good cleaning schedule - cobwebs shouldnβt be a decoration.Other than that - it was great and would go back again.
Jenni Beaulieu
4 months ago
The food was delicious and the staff was so friendly. We will definitely be back.
Suzy Lyons
4 months ago
Small but very cozy place. Menu has limited options but the food was amazing. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. Need some NA options for us non-drinkers.
Jeffrey Yorio
4 months ago
Our party of four had an incredible dinner here. Our server, Jerry, was helpful, attentive, and just such a pleasure. Some favorite dishes were the mushroom toast, duck, and schnitzel. The caprese salad, a special, was so fresh and aromatic! The atmosphere was warm and glowing on a snowy night. Everything was just perfect.
Robert Buzderewicz
4 months ago
Food was good little pricy Found parking spot out front good on a very cold day. Nice having a sm restaurant in the neighborhood.
Norman Silver
4 months ago
We had a bit of a wait but well worth it!Great food and service!
Alison Steward
5 months ago
Fantastic brunch spot. The French toast is phenomenal.
Teg Griffiths
5 months ago
Apparently everyone knew about this great place apart from me 
Deighton
5 months ago
Best French toast in New England, if not the worldUpdate: the French toast is still good but not as great as it was. Several thin slices of French toast is much better than 2 big slices. What makes French toast so great is amplified when the toast is thin instead of thick. Please go back to the old wayUpdate 19/29/24: the French toast is back to the way it was and is delicious
Chris Lee
5 months ago
Have you met Jerry? Heβs smart, witty, charismatic, beautiful, and talented. Itβs easy to list those adjectives, but it would take 995 more and another picture to give this man justice. He handles the most difficult requests with ease. He upgrades the ok to fantastic. Your meal and life will be better because of the front room and dining with Jerry.
TJ Hubbard
6 months ago
I went in on a Saturday where I was expecting busy service. Jack was such an incredible server. He was attentive, friendly, and very quick. The front room is a great place to visit when you're in town!
Henry Haynes
6 months ago
The front room is an amazing brunch and dinner spot. At dinner the restaurant is classic upscale neighborhood restaurant. Offering amazing entrees such as duck, scallops, and sirloin steak. But where this place really shines is at brunch. They offer very good benedicts and other brunch staples. But their stand out dish is the incredible bacon gnocchi, which is an amazing and unique dish I have only ever found here.
Jeff Sparkes
6 months ago
Amazing place it is a must. Great food and staff
ΠΠ½Π½Π° ΠΠΈΡΠΈΠ½ΡΠΊΠ°Ρ
6 months ago
I like this place for its home-like atmosphere, very cozy. Especially the summer terrace in the season, a perfect place to spend a warm evening! The food is good. The service is exceptional. Definitely worth visiting!
Kate Wichtman
7 months ago
I have not had such a pleasant dining experience in a long time. The atmosphere as soon as you walked in was just cozy and happy. Everyone was smiling and laughing at their tables - and it smelled sooo good. The hostess was incredibly nice and welcoming and even got us mimosas for our wait - which was super short! The table turnover was really fast! Our meals were both delicious. The waiter (Jerry) was super nice. 5 out of 5 for sure. Loved it so much.
Edwin Giron
7 months ago
The food is delicious and the service friendly and efficient. The Lobster Benedict is worth the 1:45 hr drive! Just out of this world. A little loud when it's packed but totally worth it!
J C
7 months ago
Used to be our favorite restaurant but since returning from covid, the quality of the food has slipped a notch. The increase in price was to be expected, but why the decline? Service is still good and so are the drinks. It's a bit on the noisy side, with the bar so close.
Rediet Deneke
7 months ago
They were so kind and accommodating. Amazing service & food. Definitely recommend!
Thomas Story
7 months ago
The Front Room is an outstanding cozy place for brunch. We recently dined here and were delighted with our selections of French Toast, Omelet, and Eggs Benedict. The food quality was top notch, the serving sizes were more than generous. Shout out to our server Andrea who was very attentive and provided excellent recommendations and outstanding service. Make sure to ask for Andrea/Dre when you go!!
Richard Pavone
8 months ago
My wife and twin infants stopped in on a Sunday morning at around 8:45am and were able to be seated right away. We were greeted with smiles and two high chairs were set up for us at our table β that was very accommodating.It looked like the crowd was rolling in behind us for the morning.The coffee was deliciousβ the best cup I had during my stay in the Portland area.The staff was all very friendly, my boys enjoyed watching the gnocchi get rolled out and cut.We had huevos rancheros, biscuits and gravy, and silver dollar pancakes.Everything was spot-on. The amount of gravy on the biscuits was well portioned! The seasoning was great too.It was a cute neighborhood spot that made me wish I had some place like the Front Room back home.After we ate, we walked down a couple blocks to the park and enjoyed the rest of our morning.Thanks yβall!
Skyler Cook
8 months ago
Absolute hidden gem. Do not pass this place up!
Sandra Clarke
8 months ago
Great food, great drinks and great service
Amy Dreher
8 months ago
The simple eggs, home fries, and toast with sausage was amazing. Good strong coffee. It is also a cozy place to eat. Staff was cheerful and helpful.
Rory Brolly
9 months ago
Nice spot for brunch. Fun menu with all the classics. Looks like a fun place for a pint to watch the football as well.
scott herrick
9 months ago
The Mushroom Toast was Exrodinary 
The Duck breast & Salmon were cooked perfectly . Jake was an Awesome server!
The Duck breast & Salmon were cooked perfectly . Jake was an Awesome server! 
Daiane Lyons
9 months ago
Great food and excellent service!
Kajn Suga
9 months ago
The place filled up fast. The food was yummy. I really enjoyed the biscuit. The portions are plentiful. My only gripe is I would have liked some AC. It was a cool-ish day.
Yuliya M
9 months ago
Small cozy place with a pretty good menu selections. All of the staff was extremely attentive and accommodating. Full bar with lots of drink options. Blueberry Sangria was very tasty. The reason for a bit of a disappointment was that pretty much oversalted
Allison
9 months ago
Brunch was so good!! One of the best brunches we've had in a long time!
Rick Wobbe
10 months ago
Second time eating brunch here and it did not disappoint. Bacon gnocchi was delicious, service was courteous and prompt, and the atmosphere was friendly and inviting. Itβs remarkable what they have done with this small space. Weβll be back next time weβre in Portland!
Jenny Cooper
10 months ago
Amazing customer service by Elise and the food was exceptional. One of the best breakfast meals our family has ever eaten and we are foodies. Highly recommend the Eggs Benedict (one of the best Egg Bennyβs ever), Pancakes (these pancakes were as great as our favourite pancakes in Hawaii) and the 2 egg breakfast (the sour dough bread was homemade and so delicious as were the potatoes and sausage). Thanks to The Front Room for such an exceptional breakfast experience. 
Steve Rottinger
10 months ago
Service was a little slow, but all the food was excellent
Sarah Flaherty
10 months ago
They were a bit short staffed, but they made it work and everyone clearly was working hard. Great brunch. Nice atmosphere. Neighborhood feel.
Heather N
10 months ago
French toast was amazing. Service is great
Sory Martinez
10 months ago
Best Pancakes everFrom Orlando (Winter Haven) Florida to enjoy a delicious breakfast 
here in Portland.Totally recommended 
here in Portland.Totally recommended 
stephanie holfus
11 months ago
Hostess and wait staff were very friendly, hostess even offered to get coffee before our waitress was able to approach the table. Coming from the South, not used to sausage being sweet and sweet sausage in the gravy was just not my thing. Food needed a little more seasoning. Everything plated well.
Matthew Conner
12 months ago
My wife and I had an awesome experience here. The food was delicious and Eva and the staff provided great service. Eva also took the time to tell us about other attractions that Portland had to offer. Looking forward to going to the "Rooms", (Grill and Corner.)
Austin Winchell
12 months ago
The food and the service was incredible, best breakfast I have ever had!
Pallavi Shrestha
12 months ago
I loved my Bacon gnocchi. We went on a beautiful Sunday. It was a bit busy but we got an outdoor table quickly.
Patricia Gonzalez
a year ago
Nice cozy spot. Good Bloody Mary
Josh Friedlander
a year ago
Exceptional oysters. Very good crab pasta. Good cocktails. Friendly service. Iβm a fan.
erika frisbie
a year ago
One of the best places in Portland..the food is amazing and the great service..we could eat here every day..tuna appetizer salmon and Reubens entries and creme brule..sooooo good
Hannah Ferguson
a year ago
Our waiter was incredible! All the staff were great. We all tried each other's dishes, and bowls were spotless by the time we finished. Second time here was even more incredible than the first!
Angel L Pesante Velez
a year ago
Cozy and beautiful place. The food extraordinary 
recommended
recommended 
Alexis D
a year ago
My partner and I really enjoyed our dining experience here. The tuna tartar and burger were excellent. House reds were quite good as well.Good food & good service. Will be back next time we visit.
