Shop Like a Foodie in Portland, Maine
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Time to read 3 min
Planning a trip to Portland, Maine?
Coming for the food scene, waterfront charm, or small business vibes? One thing is certain: you'll want to carve out time for some shopping in the Portland, Maine Old Port — especially if you're a food lover!
Best Gift Shops in Portland, Maine
Portland’s Old Port is packed with small shops, great food, and local charm. It’s the kind of place you can spend an afternoon wandering cobblestone streets, picking up a coffee, and finding something unexpected. If you’re into cooking, food gifts, or just love a good browse, SKORDO is a must-stop destination right on Fore Street in Portland!
What you’ll find at SKORDO:
- Small-batch spice blends handcrafted in Maine
- Gift sets perfect for hosts, housewarmings, or food-loving friends
- Top food brands like Graza, Fly by Jing, Modica, Algae Cooking Club, Woon, Momofuku and more
- Maine brands like North Spore Mushrooms, Bixby Chocolate, Mumbai to Maine, Maine Gravy, Vena's Fizz House – the list goes on!
- Unique cookbooks by chefs from around the world
- Kitchen tools and accessories selected with home cooks in mind
- Our SKORDO team members are always ready to help you find the right gift — or your next favorite blend. They are proud home cooks who have great suggestions that are up your alley or will help nudge you toward something new.
What makes Portland, Maine a Foodie City?
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Access to Incredible Ingredients
Portland sits on the Gulf of Maine, with some of the best seafood in the world—lobster, scallops, oysters, mussels. Add in Maine’s robust local farming and foraging culture (blueberries, mushrooms, dairy, wild herbs), and chefs have a goldmine of fresh ingredients to work with. -
A Wave of Talented Chefs
Over the last 20 years, a generation of chefs and restaurateurs trained in NYC, Boston, and beyond began relocating to Portland for a slower pace of life and cheaper rent. They brought high culinary standards and experimental mindsets with them. Think: Rob Evans (Hugo’s), Sam Hayward (Fore Street), and more recently, folks like Cara Stadler (Tao Yuan, Bao Bao) and Ilma Lopez (Chaval). -
A Culture of Local Pride
Maine has long had a strong culture of independence and craft. That translates into a community that values local, small-batch, and thoughtfully produced food. Breweries, bakeries, cheesemakers, and distillers all flourished alongside the restaurant scene. -
National Recognition
Starting in the 2010s, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and the New York Times began naming Portland one of the top food towns in America. This fueled foodie tourism, which fed further growth and creativity. -
Supportive Community and Tourism Economy
Locals support their own, and a steady stream of tourists (especially in summer) makes ambitious food businesses sustainable in a small city. The balance between local loyalty and tourist dollars has helped Portland maintain its unique flavor.
In short, Portland became a foodie city by leaning into what it naturally does best: authenticity, quality, and a sense of place.
Visit SKORDO on Fore Street
SKORDO - Portland Old Port
372 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Maine Recipe: Maine Blueberry Pork Tenderloin
We love our Maine Blueberry Pork Rub! It plays perfectly on sweet vs savory and the coarse texture makes this is a seriously flavorful bite with a smoky, caramelized crust. On the side? Beer braised cabbage with sumac + rosemary roasted potatoes to compliment the rub. The entire meal comes together in less than an hour.
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lb pork tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon neutral tasting oil such as vegetable or grapeseed oil
- 3 tablespoons SKORDO Maine Blueberry Pork Rub
- 1/2 pound russet potatoes
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 springs rosemary
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 head red cabbage
- 1/2 cup beer
- 1 teaspoon sumac
Directions:
- Unwrap your tenderloin and bring to room temperature on paper towels.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Slice potatoes, toss in olive oil, chopped rosemary, and 2 teaspoons salt. Transfer to baking tray and roast for 25 minutes until crispy and golden.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Coat tenderloin in neutral oil and then with Maine Blueberry Pork Rub. Press rub firmly into pork to adhere, and cover evenly on all sides.
- Add remaining neutral oil to skillet, and add tenderloin once smoking. Flip after 2 minutes. To get an even color, continue flipping until all sides have been seared.
- Transfer skillet of pork to oven and cook for 15 minutes or internal temperature reaches 140. Remove pork and set to rest.
- Return skillet to stove top over medium heat. Thinly slice purple cabbage and add to skillet. Deglaze with beer, season with sumac + salt, and let cook until just about tender.
- Slice pork, and serve alongside potatoes + cabbage. I finished with a sprinkle of chopped rosemary + Cyprus flaked salt . Enjoy!
Plan Your Visit to Portland, Maine
After exploring the waterfront or grabbing a drink at a local brewery, head to SKORDO for gifts that capture the flavor of Maine. Build your own spice set, browse our favorite cookbooks, or just get inspired in the shop — it’s a stop you won’t want to miss on your trip to Portland!
Abby
