Ribollita, Portland

Unbelievable food, and in Portland, Maine, no less. Salad, drinks, main course, dessert and coffee, and tip for 2 ran $90. The penne arrabiata (spicy marinara) was incredible and a HUGE portion. The homemade white bean and romano ravioli was unique, tasty, and you could tell it was homemade. If we didn't live in Connecticut, we would frequent this restaurant. Part of its charm is the intimate setting, there are only 10 tables or so, so you can hear everything your fellow diners are saying, but the food was delicious.

Wonderful place for a first, fifth, or last date!!! Food is terriffic!!! Must make a reservation for a good table. Wait staff was wonderful. A great hole in the wall place for any event...I highly recommend.

Hands down the best Italian restaurant in Portland. The food is magnificent, the service is second to none and the atmosphere is romantic. I've been a frequent customer for 8 years and I've never had a bad experience.

Contrary to some other reviews here, we found our servers to be welcoming and attentitive, and the food was remarkable. We both had some of the signature Ribollita soup, and you MUST have this dish if you go. I have never had such wonderful soup. The main courses were just as good, and we were only sad we didn't have room for dessert. All of this food plus some glasses of wine, and our total bill was only around $80 with tip. Make a reservation because the place is tiny, and be prepared to go early or late if you reserve the same day as you are going (we got a table at 8:30, but it was well worth the wait). Another nice factor is that the space is divided up into two rooms, and the larger room is broken into areas, so the noise factor really isn't an issue like it is in some of the larger Portland restaurants.

Ribollita is] by far the best italian spot in portland, great service, very affordable

I recently moved to Maine and longed for the comfort of great Italian food. I searched everywhere and to my disappointment was disatisfied with the so-called Italian cuisine....until I went to Ribollita's. We walked in on a Friday night and was greeted promptly. The woman sat us at the only table available next to the open-windowed kitchen. I have worked in a restaurant for 10 years and did not mind at all. In fact, I enjoyed the quaintness and coziness of a small restaurant. Because of this, I new I wouldn't have to deal with loud people. The clientele seemed to be all in sink. (Relaxation after a long week). Now, don't expect to be rushed right out of there like most restaurants. Sit back and enjoy yourself with your significant other. We began with calamari, lightly battered. For our meal, he had the chicken and I had the gnocci. Delectable. Everything tasted fresh and well-prepared. I can tell the chef takes pride in his/her work. Can't wait to go back.

My lady friends and I recently visited Ribolita. We were seated and then not spoken to for about 25 minutes. The young waitresses continuously walked by not even asking if we would like drinks. Eventually an older lady stopped by our table and asked if we had heard the specials which we hadn't she continued to serve us and was exceptionally professional unlike the two overweight bitchy helpers. Finally our orders were taken, 20 minutes later we received our appetizer and an hour later our food, which was absolutely delicious. The price was fair, the food great, the wait long, but they should really invest in some qualified and friendly staff.

If you are looking for good Italian food and don't care about the service, cost and ambiance this is your place. The food is really good. You may have to wait 45 minutes to get your appetizer and another 45 minutes to get your dinner. My wife and I went there for a birthday. When I made the reservation, I mentioned the birthday and asked if they could take care of us... Instead of great service, we got the cold sholder. Also, the restaurant is very small and if you do not have a reservation, expect to wait a long time. Like so many places in Portland, the food is great and the service leaves so much to be desired.

I had an awful experience here. The service was extremely slow, it took two hours for our meals to come. The waitress did not apologize she kept putting more bread on the table. When the food finally did come out it was not very good.