Portland’s Old Port is packed with places to grab a slice or sit down for a longer lunch, from classic clam shacks to wood-fired pizzerias tucked along cobblestone streets. If you are set on finding the best lunch Portland Maine pizza lovers will enjoy, it helps to narrow your search to spots that balance great food with a relaxed midday vibe. That is where brewpubs stand out. When you choose a place like Brickyard Hollow’s Old Port location on Commercial Street, you get hand-crafted pizza, a full lunch menu, and local beer in one stop, all within walking distance of the working waterfront.
What started as a community-focused brewery and pizza restaurant in Yarmouth has grown into a Maine-wide operation, and our Old Port location carries that same welcoming energy into the city. Whether you are on a quick break, entertaining guests from away, or fueling up before more exploring, this guide will help you plan a pizza-first lunch that still feels like a mini vacation.
Why Pizza and a Brewpub Lunch Work in the Old Port
During lunch hours, the Old Port fills with a mix of locals on break and visitors discovering downtown. Restaurants along Commercial and Fore Streets serve everything from lobster rolls to farm-to-table plates, and there is no shortage of pizza on nearby lists of Portland’s best pies. A brewpub adds something extra. It gives you the flexibility of counter or table service, a menu that works for groups, and a tap list that makes the midday meal feel like part of the trip rather than just a quick bite.
At Brickyard Hollow’s Portland location on Commercial Street, you can tuck into a table just a few steps from the harbor. The lunch menu looks a lot like what you would expect from a neighborhood brewpub, with shareable appetizers, soups, salads, handhelds, and signature craft pizzas that match the brewery’s Maine-grown personality.
Because the Old Port is so compact, you can also treat lunch as a built-in pause between shopping on Exchange Street, strolling the piers, or visiting downtown galleries and museums without needing a car in between stops. For a sense of how walkable the area is, you can skim an Old Port overview on the Portland Downtown site or a recent Old Port travel guide before you arrive.
Portland Maine Lunch: What to Order at Brickyard Hollow Portland
If you are looking for a reliable Portland Maine lunch in the Old Port, it is hard to go wrong starting with snacks and pizza at Brickyard Hollow. For something to share at the table, Brickyard Pretzels with warm Pratt’s Brook Pilsner beer cheese and mustard sauce are an easy crowd-pleaser. Crispy Brussels Sprouts tossed in sweet Thai chili sauce and finished with sesame seeds give you a slightly lighter option that still eats like comfort food. Either one buys you time to look over the menu and decide how much room you want to save for pizza.
When it is time to order mains, three pizza types cover a lot of ground. A Cup and Char Pepperoni pizza scratches the itch for classic, cheesy, and crisp. For something a little more Maine-forward, the Maine Blueberry pie layers blueberry, shallot, and lemon rosemary ricotta for a sweet and savory combination that still pairs well with a pint.
Vegetarians or veggie-curious guests will feel at home with options such as the Mediterranean Veggie, which leans on roasted vegetables, cheese, and herbs for plenty of flavor without meat. If you prefer to customize, the build-your-own pizza option lets you choose your sauce, cheese, and toppings so you can split a pie down the middle and keep everyone happy.
Not in a full pizza mood at lunch? The menu at Brickyard Hollow Portland also includes salads and bowls that are easy to pair with a slice or small share. A Maine Maple Harvest style salad, with mixed greens, seasonal produce, nuts, and a maple-based vinaigrette, gives you something fresh alongside the richer items on the table. If you are eating solo or on a tighter schedule, a salad plus a slice or small pizza still feels like a proper Old Port lunch without slowing you down. You can preview the full lineup and check hours any time on the Brickyard Hollow Portland page before you head downtown.
Brewpub Portland Maine: The Lunch Pint, from Sessions to NA
One of the advantages of choosing a brewpub Portland Maine locals already love is that beer is part of the experience even at lunch. Brickyard Hollow’s tap list features a mix of year-round and seasonal beers, which you can explore in more detail on our beers page and on the Locations page. Expect crisp lagers and Kölsch, juicy New England IPAs, pale ales, and darker styles like red ales and stouts, along with rotating limited releases.
For lunch, many guests gravitate toward lower-ABV options and smaller pours. A light lager or Kölsch is a natural partner for margherita-style pies or salads, while pale ales and session IPAs stand up well to pepperoni, buffalo chicken, or meat-heavy pizzas. If you want to try a few styles without overdoing it, a flight of small pours lets you taste through multiple beers while you eat. Brickyard Hollow also keeps non-alcoholic choices and soft drinks on hand, which makes it easy to include designated drivers or anyone who prefers flavor without the buzz. You can see what is on tap and what is available to go by browsing the craft beer list and checking your closest locations on the main
One-Hour Old Port Itinerary Before or After Lunch
You do not need a full day to enjoy the Old Port around your lunch stop. In fact, one focused hour can give you a nice snapshot of downtown Portland. Before or after you eat at Brickyard Hollow, start with a walk along Commercial Street to take in the working waterfront and watch ferries and fishing boats move in and out of the harbor. From there, you can duck up one of the side streets to browse shops on Exchange and Fore Streets, where independent boutiques and Maine-made goods sit next to cafés and candy shops.
If the weather is cooperative, consider a short stroll toward the Eastern Promenade to catch harbor views, or cut over to the Portland Museum of Art and nearby galleries for a quick culture break. Travelers who prefer a more structured experience can look into walking tours that focus on food, history, or breweries and use lunch at Brickyard Hollow as their anchor stop in the middle. Because the Old Port is compact and walkable, you can comfortably fit lunch, a browse through a few shops, and a waterside photo or two into an hour without feeling rushed. For additional ideas, you can reference a downtown Portland guide or a recent pocket guide to the city’s pizza scene, where pizza in Portland Old Port favorites appear alongside other must-try stops.
Plan Your Portland Lunch Stop
Choosing the best lunch Portland Maine pizza fans will remember starts with matching your meal to the neighborhood. In the Old Port, a brewpub like Brickyard Hollow gives you a lot in one stop: craft beer, hand-crafted pizza, shareable starters, and a comfortable place to rest between walks along the waterfront.
If you are planning a day of shopping, museum visits, or meetings downtown, start with the Portland location page to confirm hours and menu details. Then check the broader Locations and Menus overview if you want to compare options in other Maine towns. Once you pick your time, all that is left to do is show up hungry, order a pie, and enjoy a lunch that feels a little like a mini vacation in the heart of Portland’s Old Port.