The Best Japanese Food in Portland ME
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The best Japanese food in Portland ME, according to the experts: Food & Wine, James Beard Awards, and Eater have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Mr. Tuna comes out on top, and the good stuff runs deepest in Portland.
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Izakaya Minato and Miyake hold the next two places. Portland Press Herald shows up on more of this list than any other guide, with Condé Nast Traveler next.
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Rank 1. Mr. Tuna
Sushi
The chef here built a following on a hand roll cart before graduating to this tight, buzzy sushi shop on Middle Street, where almost everything comes from Gulf of Maine fishermen. Named a Food & Wine Best New Chef and a James Beard semifinalist, Jordan Rubin treats local seafood as a point of pride rather than a compromise. The tuna de tigre, a New York Times-noted dish, makes a pretty strong case for staying close to home.
The awards
- Food & Wine Food & Wine: Jordan Rubin · Best New Chefs
- Food & Wine Food & Wine: Tuna Sashimi Tasting · Best Dishes Our Editors Ate This Year
- Food & Wine Food & Wine: The Top 15 US Restaurants
- Food & Wine Jordan Rubin · Best New Chefs
- Food & Wine Tuna Sashimi Tasting · Best Dishes Our Editors Ate This Year
- Food & Wine The Top 15 US Restaurants
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Rank 2. Izakaya Minato
Japanese
The awards
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Nominee · Best Chef: Northeast · Thomas Takashi Cooke
- Eater The 15 Best Restaurants in Portland, Maine
- Portland Press Herald Best 75 places to eat and drink in Greater Portland
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Rank 3. Miyake
Classic Japanese
The blonde wood sushi bar is the room's focal point, and the chefs behind it move like they've been doing this forever. Miyake is a classic Japanese restaurant on Fore Street where the kitchen fuses traditional sushi with French and Italian technique and leans hard into Maine seafood. Every seat fills fast, and the counter draws regulars who know exactly what they're ordering before they sit down.
The awards
- Condé Nast Traveler Condé Nast Traveler: 15 Best Restaurants in Portland, Maine
- Portland Press Herald Portland Press Herald: Best 75 places to eat and drink in Greater Portland
- Condé Nast Traveler 15 Best Restaurants in Portland, Maine
- Portland Press Herald Best 75 places to eat and drink in Greater Portland
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Rank 4. Mami
Japanese
The awards
- Portland Press Herald Portland Press Herald: Best 75 places to eat and drink in Greater Portland
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Rank 4. Pai Men Miyake
Japanese Noodle Shop
The awards
- Portland Press Herald Portland Press Herald: Best 75 places to eat and drink in Greater Portland