Eating out can be hard for Crohn’s patients, but if you’re receiving treatment at our South Portland center, there are a handful of restaurants with options to accommodate your diet.
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that inflames and irritates the digestive tract. Diet plays a crucial role in managing Crohn’s disease, as certain foods can trigger flare-ups and exacerbate symptoms.
Eating out can be hard for Crohn’s patients, but if you’re receiving treatment at our South Portland center, there are a handful of restaurants with options to accommodate your diet. Below, we’re highlighting eight of our favorites in and around the city.
A primer on foods to eat & avoid with Crohn’s
What to prioritize
- Anti-inflammatory foods like oily fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, olive oil
- Low-FODMAP foods, which means avoiding things like onion, garlic, dairy, and beans in favor of eggs, meat, gluten-free grains, and certain fruits and vegetables
- The Mediterranean diet, which is rich in vegetables, fresh fruits, olive oil, poultry, peas, whole grains, fish, nuts/seeds, and limited amounts of lean red meat. It’s naturally low-carb, low in saturated fat, and high in unsaturated fats like omega-3s.
What to avoid (if you can, although we know no restaurant is perfect!)
- Dairy products like margarine, cream, and full-fat yogurt/ice cream
- High-fat meat (red meat, sausage, etc)
- Spices, especially cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic, wasabi, chili powder, and jalapeños
READ MORE: Guide To Crohn’s Diet: Foods To Eat & Avoid
8 Crohn’s-friendly restaurants in and around South Portland, Maine
- B.Good
For breakfast, lunch, or dinner
This casual, counter-serve spot off Gorham Road has the perfect health-conscious — but still varied and hearty — menu. Choose from a selection of acai bowls, smoothies, harvest bowls, salads, and sandwiches (we just recommend avoiding the burgers). We’re also big fans of their transparent ingredient break-down and extensive list of “no-no” ingredients, so everyone knows exactly what’s in their food, and what’s not.
200 Gorham Rd, South Portland, ME 04106 - Sea Glass
For breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Sea Glass is located in a picture-perfect spot along the water in Cape Elizabeth — just a 20-minute drive from Local Infusion’s South Portland center. If you stop by for breakfast, you’ll find a selection of fresh fruit, steel-cut oats, and eggs any style. And for lunch or dinner, we recommend the Farmers Salad, Provencal Fish Stew, Roasted Chicken, or Pan-Seared Sole.
If you’re trying to avoid dairy, keep an eye out for the menu items marked as vegan (there are also markers for gluten free, gluten free modification, and vegetarian).
40 Bowery Beach Rd Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 - Tropical Smoothie Cafe
For breakfast or lunch
If you’re craving a smoothie or hearty breakfast bowl (acai, oats, or yogurt), Tropical Smoothie Cafe is for you. There’s also a range of breakfast sandwiches and wraps if you’re in the mood for something savory or stopping by later for lunch. Consult the nutrition guide for a breakdown of calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugars, and protein per menu item, plus allergen notices.
45 Western Avenue South Portland, ME 04106 - Verbena
For lunch or Saturday brunch
Verbena is a no-frills casual café that specializes in lunch and Saturday brunch. Their signature salad is a hit, especially since it’s so modifiable with the protein of your choice (grilled chicken, chicken salad, local tofu, or vegan black bean patty). If you’re looking to warm up, don’t sleep on the chicken and farro soup!
103 Ocean St, South Portland, ME 04106 - LB Kitchen
For breakfast or lunch
In just around 15 minutes, you can be in Portland at LB Kitchen, a bright and colorful café with smoothies, yogurt bowls, toasts, breakfast sandwiches, and veg-heavy bowls. There’s also a wide selection of warming, nourishing drinks, including bone broth, hot cacao, chai, and more.
255 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101 - City Farmhouse Kitchen & Bar
For lunch or dinner
Not everything at City Farmhouse screams “Crohn’s-friendly diet,” but it’s an extensive menu, so there are definitely a handful of options that are fair game. You’ll find several seafood options (crab cakes, mussels, salmon, scallops, haddock), plus hearty farm salads and vegetable soups.
200 Sable Oaks Dr, South Portland, ME 04106
READ MORE: Best & Worst Exercises For Crohn’s Disease - Jaffa Mediterranean Grill
For lunch or dinner
If you’re a fan of hummus, baba ganoush, grape leaves, and other Middle Eastern flavors, Jaffa is for you. They have a variety of bowls, salads, pitas, and sides — and there’s even an option to build your own in case you want to avoid certain ingredients and double down on others.
364 Maine Mall RD, South Portland, ME, 04106 - Olive Cafe
For lunch or dinner
Olive Cafe dishes out crowd-favorite Lebanese and Mediterranean fare — think mezza, salads, and shawarma. We’re particularly fond of this cozy, family-owned bistro because of how transparent they are about their ingredients — there’s a comprehensive allergen guide on their website that anyone can download.
127 Commercial Street Portland, ME 04101
