Drifters Wife

Restaurant · Portland

Drifters Wife

Restaurant · Portland

4

59 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101

Photos

Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by Kelsey Kobik
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Drifters Wife by Courtesy Drifters Wife
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Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null
Drifters Wife by null

Highlights

Natural wine bar & shop, New American tapas, hyper-local seasonal food  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
Featured on Bon Appetit

59 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101 Get directions

drifterswife.com

$$$

Information

Static Map

59 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101 Get directions

+1 207 805 1336
drifterswife.com

$$$

Features

beer
cocktails
wine
dinner

Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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@infatuation

Drifters Wife - Review - East End - Portland, ME - The Infatuation

"Drifter’s Wife is the kind of spot where you stop by just for a glass of natural wine at the bar, and end up staying all night. It’s attached to a wine store called Maine & Loire, and while that might make it first and foremost a place to drink great wine, it’s also very much a place to eat very good seasonal food. We’d recommend it for a low-key night that’ll still be one of the most exciting dinners you have in Portland." - Katherine Lewin

https://www.theinfatuation.com/portland-me/reviews/drifters-wife
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@cntraveler

15 Best Bars in Portland, Maine | Condé Nast Traveler

"The vibe at Drifters Wife, a gorgeous 60-seat restaurant with an organic and natural wine shop, is at once warm and welcoming; sophisticated without pretense. It echoes the personalities of owners Orenda and Peter Hale, and their close friend and comrade, chef Ben Jackson. The wine comes mostly from limited vintages and Jackson's menu is both hyper-local and micro-seasonal, making a meal at Drifter's on any given night feel like a unique experience. Recognized by just about every major local and national press outlet, and a recent James Beard nominee for Best New Restaurant, the place has garnered a serious cult following." - Joe Ricchio

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-bars-in-portland-maine
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@bonappetit

Portland, Maine, Is the 2018 Restaurant City of the Year | Bon Appétit

"Visit the wine bar of my dreams: Drifters Wife (another Top 50 nominee!). Basically, I want the life of owners Peter and Orenda Hale. They’re constantly popping open bottles of chuggable natural wines from their wine shop and then skipping over to the dining room to feast on mussel toast with nduja and other seasonal plates from chef Ben Jackson. At least this is how I want to believe they live." - ByAndrew Knowlton

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/portland-maine-city-of-the-year-2018
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@bonappetit

The Top 50 Nominees for America’s Best New Restaurants 2018 | Bon Appétit

"Drifters Wife (Portland, ME) is one of the nominees for America's best new restaurants." - ByAndrew Knowlton

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/top-50-best-new-restaurants-2018
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Gregory Merchel

Google
We were not overly impressed by this restaurant. Table location was near the back and you could see into/smell the restrooms. The service was not good, waitress was working hard but there needed to be another server. Most of the food was good but nothing spectacular , only item we really loved was the octopus. Salmon was very fresh and was the second best item we tried. Worth eating at once but with all the other great restaurants in Portland, we will not go back.

Lynn D

Google
Last minute decision to dine at the bar on a snowy/sleety evening and it was perfection. Lovely, warm ambience and absolutely unforgettable food - it's not only inventive, but disarmingly delicious. John Michael at the bar was a treat to chat with - he has an uncanny ability to perfectly describe the flavor profile of the dishes. All of the staff were warm and accommodating. Can't wait to return.

Catherine Vasquez

Google
What a great restaurant! Only a couple of tables so it's very cozy and the staff very friendly. It's a one man kitchen so the menu is small but everything was exquisite.

Christopher Solomon

Google
Lovely small place to enjoy well made wine. The server was able to make great recommendations. Proprietors Peter and Orenda were so friendly and welcoming

Jonah Sacks

Google
Lovely small operation, creative well executed food and unusual curated wines. Both good and wine menus are brief and change daily.

Chris Taylor

Google
The thing I noticed first was just the layout and decor. It felt very inviting, classic, and sleek. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about their wines. While I didn't eat the menu was great and the food I did see looked and smelled incredible.

JoAnna Schultz

Google
Great food, best kale salad I’ve ever eaten. Bartender is knowledgeable about the choices and gave great recommendations. Unassuming location but great choice.

Matt Viens

Google
Over hyped. It was good, not great. Service was decent, wine was great. Food was meh. Maybe we caught it on a bad night but for two people dropping $180 with tip on a bottle of wine a shareable app and two entrees I would have expected more. Also, the ambience was cool but it is so loud in there you can barely hear yourself think. If you do go, I’d recommend drinking some wine and maybe a small appetizer. Again, maybe we caught it on a mediocre menu night but I wasn’t that impressed.