A store where fresh cooked meats and cheeses are sold? A made-to-order sandwich shop using the above ingredients? A little bit of both?
Regardless of how you define a deli, there are myriad delicatessen options in the city of Portland, each sporting its own methods, products, service features, and specialties. For the consumer, this is always a good thing—especially if you’re choosy about the specifics in your Italian sub or Reuben sandwich, like me.
Map of Portland Delicatessens
Pining for some pastrami? Craving some corned beef? If so, it sounds like you are looking for a great deli near you! This map of the Portland delicatessens in this article will make finding your favorite meats and cheeses a breeze:
The Other Side
Offering minimal indoor seating, The Other Side is predominantly a take-out establishment, specializing in house-cured meats, custom-butchered cuts, sandwiches, and take-and-bake dinners.
You’ll find classic meats like ham, salami, turkey, and roast beef alongside corned beef, pork belly, steaks, and house-made sausage; The Other Side is also a specialty market and grocery store, complete with wine and beer to go with your repast.
There is a fabulous variety of breakfast and lunch options on the menu, and one of my favorites is the Pork Schnitzel with caper-egg relish and mustard on a bulkie roll.
Location: 164 Veranda St, Portland, ME 04103
Website: The Other Side
Sisters Gourmet Deli
Bestowing “peace, love, and sandwiches” upon all who enter, the folks at Sisters Gourmet Deli can whip up a mean combination of magic and sustenance between two slices of bread (or in a spinach wrap, on gluten-free bread, or on a salad).
While meats and cheeses aren’t sold by the pound here, you certainly get a fair helping of both in many of the items on the creative menu. There is also the option to go vegan with tempeh instead of the above-mentioned proteins, and you can also have Sisters cater your next special event.
As for a recommendation? While I love all of the sandwiches here, I suggest you try the Shore Wrap first: Salmon, avocado, cucumber, carrots, spicy cilantro yogurt, and romaine.
Location: 15 Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Sisters Gourmet Deli
Bogusha’s
This specialty Polish/European market and deli is a family affair, and long-time customers are obsessed with the fabulous, authentic fare.
Along with some familiar suspects in the deli case (ham, cheese, and salami), you’ll be treated to traditional Polish family recipes like house-smoked kielbasa, pierogi, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, and goulash.
There are also classic Polish soups and homemade desserts on offer—so save room, or bring it home.
Location: 825 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Website: Bogusha’s
Rose Foods
Another specialty deli, Rose Foods procures the highest quality fresh and smoked fish and sells it alongside their 6 varieties of house-made-daily bagels…and plenty of other delicious menu options.
Want to create your own bagel masterpiece? It’s easy—just four steps to culinary greatness: Pick a bagel. Choose one of the 10 amazing spreads. Select a variety of fish from the list of 6 options. Finally, pick out your add-ons.
Or, if you’re feeling lazy, go for one of the bagel sandwich specialties. There are also enormous platters on offer if you have a crowd to feed, as well as Matzo ball soup, pickles, and latkes.
Location: 428 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Rose Foods
Leavitt & Sons
The Portland location of Leavitt & Sons features indoor seating and take-out service for all of their fresh, fantastic fare (the second location in Falmouth is take-out only).
Offering a menu of 18 classic and specialty sandwiches (as well as 5 bread options, 4 wrap flavors, and 3 gluten-free wrap flavors), 5 salads, and take-home macaroni & cheese, shepherd’s, or chicken pot pies, nobody will go hungry when you choose Leavitt & Sons.
Location: 200 Kennebec St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Leavitt & Sons
Pat’s Meat Market
Pat’s is a warm, cozy eatery, meat shop, deli, and grocery market all in one. A true one-stop-shopping experience if there ever was one!
The deli features meat and cheese available by the pound as well as lunch and dinner menus; the meat market portion of the shop offers an impressive array of sausage (9 varieties!), meat (chicken, beef, pork, lamb), and other items like bacon, house-made meatballs, and marinated meats.
The produce and grocery departments are nothing to turn up your nose at, either—and you can stock up on gourmet/specialty meats for the holidays in the frozen department.
Location: 484 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Website: Pat’s Meat Market
City Deli
Open Monday through Friday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, City Deli has been in business since 1981—and review after review explains the longevity.
Customers love the friendly service, large portions, and affordable prices—oh, and the mouth-watering food, of course! Sandwiches, wraps, and panini, as well as soups, salads, and baskets—something for everyone at City Deli.
Try the Reuben—and be sure to get an order of spicy fries on the side.
Location: 1 City Center #37, Portland, ME 04101
Website: City Deli
Anania’s
With two locations in Portland, Anania’s has been a family operation since 1963—and has also been voted Portland’s Best Deli & Convenience Store every year since 2004.
Featuring an extensive breakfast (including breakfast pizza—oh, yes, they did) and lunch menu, Anania’s makes Italians (9 versions) and many other hot/cold deli subs, wraps, and sandwiches, as well as fried foods, salads, pizza, calzones, pasta, and homemade desserts.
Location: 1227 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102
Website: Anania’s
Rosemont Market and Bakery
With a focus on supporting local and regional makers and growers, the dairy, meat, and produce available at Rosemont is always as fresh as it gets.
With three other locations in Portland and four other southern Maine stores, the folks at Rosemont are all about helping you eat seasonally and sustainably.
You’ll always know where the meats, cheeses, and produce came from at Rosemont; they post it loud and proud in the display cases.
Location: 832 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Website: Rosemont Market and Bakery
Micucci’s
“Maine’s only Italian specialty foods store” is far more than just a grocery store. Featuring a full-service deli that serves meat and cheese by the pound as well as made-to-order and grab-and-go sandwiches, Micucci’s is a long-time (established in 1949) local favorite.
In addition to the expansive sandwich menu, there is also Sicilian-style pizza—and of course, homemade Italian desserts (cannoli or tiramisu, anyone?)
Location: 45 India St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Micucci’s
Fresh Approach
This old-timey deli and meat market has an in-store café and grinds their own meats.
Featuring many different sizes of combination meat packages to choose from, Fresh Approach is a fantastic option for those with a lot of mouths to feed, a big freezer, and a tight budget.
You can also get made-to-order sandwiches—including breakfast—and grab-and-go meals for dine-in or take-home.
Location: 155 Brackett St Suite #4, Portland, ME 04102
Website: Fresh Approach
Cera
Latin for “honeycomb,” Cera has a three-pronged business approach: Create crave-worthy sandwiches, foment the changes they wish to see in the world, and save the bees. Therefore, all of the ingredients used in Cera’s amazing fare are “good for you, good for the planet.”
I’m all about saving the world and protecting the environment, but for me, it’s all about the flavor—and these sandwiches have that in spades. Like the Peaches the Pig sando: House-smoked ham, cheddar, peach-jalapeño chutney, and Greenleaf lettuce on sourdough or multigrain bread.
Location: One Monument Sq Suite 103, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Cera
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