Artemisia Cafe

This is definitely a gem a little off the beaten path, but not really that far from the Old Port hub of activity. The first plus was free parking at dinner time and we were there for dinner. My impression walking in on a Friday night was why is this place mostly empty at 6:30 pm? A friend recommended we go there but the lack of patrons made me nervous. We had a very pleasant greeting and were seated promptly. The bread which was promptly delivered was fresh and excellent. I noticed a bakery in the same building so maybe they’re connected? We shared a Boston lettuce salad which was large enough for two and again fresh and delicious. I had the spaghetti with scallops and I have to say the scallops preparation were of the best I’ve ever had. My wife had the hangar steak which was good and she particularly enjoyed the sides of wax beans and potatoes. For desert we shared a very large portion of Carmel salt ice cream which was creamy and delicious. I know Portland is loaded with great restaurants and I can’t figure out why this place isn’t packed. It’s as good as most of the other great restaurants in Portland. Many of the reviews mentioned their brunch with high 5 star ratings. I will be trying the brunch soon.

Artemisia Café for dinner is as good as it gets. We’ve eaten there several times and never had a bad dish and always get exquisite food and wonderful service. They have a very nice wine list as well. On a recent outing we enjoyed a fabulous soup, a great chopped beet salad A crispy chicken dish with carrots, and a lobster pasta.

This has been my go to spot for sometime. Portland’s undiscovered gem, it off the beaten track, but adjacent to the old port. The food is carefully prepared using fresh local ingredients. I’d say it one of Portland’s best without all the hassle. You will not be disappointed.

We had a lovely meal here when we were visiting Portland, ME. It is a little off the beaten path which we liked. Food and service was exceptional.

THIS PLACE WAS GREAT FOR BREAKFAST! We have been staying at The Holiday Inn and wanted to go to something different for breakfast… tried Marcy Diner and then Artemisia. This food was excellent at the Artemisia! Marcy’s diner was o.k. and was an experience to see the staff work. The lady that waited us at Artemisia was so pleasant… PLEASE TRY… you won’t regret.

As a foodie, I love when I find a place that’s a little off the beaten path. The location is not exactly a restaurant spot, but I kind of like that. Food wise, Artemesia is known for brunch. For a town that’s teeming with brunch, this one does its part to stand out with a little Eastern European flavor. The menu is reasonable, making it a perfect spot for catching up with friends. Both times that I’ve been, the food has been fresh and flavorful, leaving me just full enough. The hollandaise sauce is superbly creamy, far from drippy or watery like some places. Try any dish with bread because theirs is great! Overall, I know I’ll come back, both for brunch and to try their Wednesday night spaghetti special!

I don’t really «do» lunch. So when people ask me where to go, I’m often at a loss. But after coming to Artemisia, I could see myself not only coming back here (there are other things on the menu I’d like to try, and I think that’s the mark of a decent restaurant — when you leave thinking about what you would order when [not if] you come back), but recommending it to others!
What I got THIS time:
+ Tomato-​basil soup, $ 3: Creamy tomato soup — everything your heart desires when it’s cold and snowy outside. Although the server was a bit curt with me when I asked her if it was vegetarian or not; she seemed put out that I asked her to double check with the kitchen. Um… sorry? Actually, her attitude was my least favorite part of the meal if we’re being honest. She just seemed so annoyed by our presence, and came off a touch condescending at times.
— Sweet Potato sandwich, $ 9: It was hearty, I’ll give it that. Think thick multigrain bread filled with tomatoes, avocado, sprouts, grilled sweet potato, and lemon poppy seed mayo. That’s how it was advertised on the menu, anyway. I don’t know that the mayo was anything but just runny mayo (there were no lemon or poppy seed flavors to it), and both the sprouts and avocados were just suggestions as the sandwich was primarily thick slabs of tomato and sweet potato. I would NOT order it again. However, the coleslaw that came with it was plentiful and appropriately «coleslaw-​y» tasting!
+ Chocolate chip cookie, $ 3 (I think?): YUSSSSSSS. I think Artemisia does childhood classics perfectly. This chocolate chip cookie was soft, warm, doughy, chocolatey, and possibly the best part of the meal. I could have eaten two or three with reckless abandon, but in polite company I nibbled it as ladylike as I could!
What I would get NEXT time:
+ FOR LUNCH: The Tuscan Grill sandwich for $ 9 (grilled portabella mushroom, roasted red peppers, basil pesto, and chèvre on grilled Tuscan bread).
+ FOR DINNER: Pappardelle (arugula pesto, cannellini beans, cherry tomato, and Parmesan frico) for $ 14 OR the butternut squash tart, with caramelized onions, and goat cheese for $ 8.
+ FOR BRUNCH: Sardou Benedict (poached eggs on a bed of creamed spinach and artichoke hearts on grilled Tuscan bread topped with hollandaise sauce) for $ 10 OR Cinnamon Graham French Toast (slices of peasant bread coated with cinnamon graham crust and topped with Mandarin oranges) for $ 8.

I came here for brunch with my girlfriend while visiting Portland from boston and had a great experience! The food is reasonably priced and delicious. I ordered the southwestern eggs which included a sweet salsa and my girlfriend had the biscuits and gravy which were some of the best I ever tasted. Their mimosas were huge as seen in the photo and come in various flavors, orange, peach and mango. Fun to have options like that when curbing a hangover. The food was delicious, was served hot and fresh and quickly. I would definitely recommend this place for a Sunday brunch.

We discovered Artemisia Café one night while walking home after having a few cocktails and not enough cab money. We stopped to take a peek in the windows and thought the décor was adorable. After that we pretty much forgot about this place until recently when it popped up on one of my brunch Google searches. A hidden gem in a great location!
The food was delicious! I ordered the huevos rancheros which was loaded with cheese, guacamole, sour cream, beans, perfect drippy eggs and a side of delightful home fries. The squeeze opted for the eggs benny which he enjoyed a lot as well. For $ 10 you couldn’t beat the amount of food on your plate, and anywhere that costs $ 20 to feed two people well makes it to the top of my list.
I did have two gripes with the café. The waitresses didn’t really acknowledge us, we were never really engaged in conversation and they just kinda did the minimum work required of them. There was no customer service connection there. The other thing is there’s no place to sit/​stand/​lean/​breathe when you’re waiting for a table. The café is small and cozy, but when you walk in there’s this itty bitty tiny little coat hanger/​waiting area that isn’t even big enough for two people to stand. There was two of us waiting plus another pair ahead, the four of us had to awkwardly stand around while people were constantly coming and going to get their jackets. Problem is, there’s literally no room to put even two chair so I’m not sure how Artemisia Café would even fix this problem. I can only imagine how bad it gets when it’s busy there.
We’d definitely go back for the food, I just hope service is better next time.

Excellent brunch. Amazing blood mary and Greek scramble. Only complaint… took ½ hour to get our drinks! Food order wasn’t long after, but we were getting really annoyed… Seemed like everyone was operating at half speed.

A delicious breakfast for a great price. If you like eggs Benedict and are in Portland you’ll want to try Artemisia’s Classic Benedict.

I have eaten breakfast and lunch here many times. It is one of my favorites in Portland. Trendy restaurants come and go in Portland, but Artemisia is a stalwart. The atmosphere and vibe is laid back, hippie chic. But not in an ironic way! We were there for breakfast/​brunch a few weeks ago, and when we walked in, all tables were full, but a few tables were clearing. One of the women (seems like the waitresses just take turns being hostess… whoever notices you first, will acknowledge you. Works for me.) told us it would be a few minutes. Having spent 25 years in the restaurant biz, I watched with bemused detachment as they all went about their jobs with nary a concern for clearing off tables as the line grew behind us. I don’t think any of them have an ounce of stress in their lives or high blood pressure, and good for them! We had nowhere we had to get to, and it was cold outside, so the wait was ok. After about 10 mins., we were seated.
The food is the real star here. Amazing. I want to be there right now! We both had the huevos rancheros which were wonderful. Eggs over easy, black beans, tortillas, salsa… YUM! I always get something savory (eggs) and whether it’s an omelet or a scramble, they do it right.
So stay away so I don’t have a long wait.

Creative, skillful yet simple… can’t get better than this.

Do NOT let the décor fool you. Guy and Heather do foodies a fav: creative food, presented with skill at a reasonable price and variety.
We can’t vouche for the breakfast or lunch menu /​experience. We’re there for dinner. Indeed the menus/​experiences are likely to be very different. Guy and Heather essentially borrow the place from its owner. Thus their dinner menu is sort of a pop up restaurant.
We’d go back. We loved it.

Wandered into Artemesia, being slightly lost in Portland while looking for a different restaurant, and had the most amazing meal… a completely unexpected gem. The risotto dish was spectacular, the service was very attentive, and the ambiance was casually comfortable… this is a must for people who enjoy elegantly presented fare with extremely reasonable prices.

Have long enjoyed breakfast and lunch (lunch is fabulous!!) at Artemesia — spent a wonderful evening with friends last night– The food was outstanding– very «different»
choices– especially the appetizers… we could have had seconds on the apps and called it good., but we didn’t do that. Variety of entrees ordered and everyone loved their meals.
Quiet, pleasant atmosphere– Recommended– and they do take reservations.

Came to Artemesia for dinner and was equally impressed. Made a reservation a week before for a birthday dinner for my dad and I on a Saturday night. They were happy to promise me a window booth for the two of us.
So we come in about 10 minutes early and were seated immediately. The chef sent out a little «amuse bouche» (is that what you call it?) which was just a little taste of pulled pork with a type of salsa on top. I don’t eat meat so my dad ate both of them. It was a really nice touch.
The bread was warm and crusty, came with cinnamon sugar butter and we were offered more after we finished it.
My dad had a cup of coffee which he said was excellent, definitely not sitting around all day.
For an appetizer we shared the avocado, Maine-​crab dish which was good but not amazing. If you really love avocado, this is for you.
The dinner menu isn’t very extensive although it hits all the classics with the right amount of different options.
My dad had the spaghetti with scallops and I had the shells with lobster. Neither were terribly expensive, under $ 20. Both were fresh-​made and delicious. Also, filled with meat which was cooked perfectly.
Our server was genuine and kind, very attentive but not overbearing. She recited the deserts and my dad picked the chocolate caramel ice cream. I did not make any mention of his birthday to anyone the entire time we were there.
Our wonderful waitress came back with a candle in the ice cream and wished him a happy birthday. She didn’t even charge for it.
Great food, service, and atmosphere. If you want a great place for brunch or dinner that is not a hip tourist spot with a three month waiting list, try Artemesia!

Must try the Tuscan grill sandwich! It was the best sandwich I had in a while. The only reason I would give it a 4 star is because we walked in wanting breakfast but learned that they only serve breakfast on the weekends… weird but the sandwich made up for it!

We came here for brunch after arriving in Portland and based only on our Unilocal reviews. The restaurant sits in a quiet street close to Old Port, the atmosphere is nice and the staff very attentive an helpful.
We ordered the eggs Benedict that were greatly cooked but the potatoes coming with them were slightly undercooked. Also a little more diversity in the brunch menu should be nice.
Overall this is a nice place for brunch but a little too expensive for what you get.

This restaurant is the Rodney Dangerfield of Portland’s restaurants, it gets no respect. I don’t understand it.
Went there the other night and had a really great meal for a very reasonable price. I had house made pasta with slow cooked pork shoulder, arugula and parmesan. Wow, pasta was perfectly al dente and the pork shoulder and sauce was spicy but not overwhelming, with the nice crunch of the arugula. Really great plate. My wife had the Ravioli with mushroom, butternut squash, sage and pecorino tartuffo. She loved it. It the kind of meal you WANT to go out for. Not something I could make at home.
Don’t understand why the place was ¾ empty on a Friday night. All I can come up with is that there are too many great places to eat in Portland.
Also try their brunch, one of our favorite spots for that as well.