This winter, two of the city’s finest restaurants are redefining outdoor dining with private, heated igloos—cozy, stylish retreats that turn frosty evenings into unforgettable culinary adventures. If you’re dreaming of sipping cocktails under the stars, it’s time to make a reservation.
The Igloo Experience
The igloo experience is a personal heated sanctuary, complete with soft blankets, glowing heaters, and Bluetooth speakers to set the mood. These igloos can comfortably host up to six guests, making them ideal for everything from romantic date nights to festive gatherings with friends. Once settled in, guests peruse menus spotlighting Maine’s freshest ingredients, paired with inventive cocktails to warm both body and soul.
These igloos are about celebrating the ingenuity of New England hospitality. With chic decor and a vibe is equal parts cozy and upscale, proof winter dining can be just as enchanting as summer nights on the coast.
Harbor Bistro + Terrace
Harbor Bistro + Terrace at the Portland Harbor Hotel delivers a dining experience inspired by the essence of coastal Maine. From sustainable seafood to fresh produce sourced from local purveyors, every dish here tells a story of Maine’s rich culinary heritage. Pair meals with warm, attentive service and a terrace setting that’s pure postcard perfection, and the Bistro is a must-visit spot for any food lover.
Seasonal menus celebrate the region’s bounty at Portland’s only AAA Four Diamond property. Get lush and reserve a room with dinner! The boutique charm of the Portland Harbor Hotel, complete with Maine-inspired décor and art, ensures a stay is as delightful as the meal.
468 Fore Street, Portland, ME / harborbistroandterrace.com
ALTO Terrace Bar + Kitchen
Perched on the 4th floor of the Cambria Hotel Portland Downtown Old Port, ALTO Terrace Bar + Kitchen offers a dining experience as elevated as its height. Whether soaking in the city’s historic charm in an igloo, from the outdoor terrace, or savoring sips indoors, ALTO pairs its sophisticated ambiance with locally inspired flavors.
A lively evening crowd enjoys locally brewed craft beers and thoughtfully curated wines. ALTO’s prime location just steps from Portland’s cobblestone streets and bustling piers, this destination restaurant makes it easy to become fully immersed in the energy of Old Port.
25 Hancock Street, Portland, ME / altoportland.com
Growing Trend
This fun and funky trend of igloo dining is growing nationally, and the most popular reason why is because igloo dining is a special experience.
Mike Whatley of the National Restaurant Association told the Portland Press Herald, “dining out in an igloo is an experience. You talk about it; you Instagram it. For restaurant operators who are always busy, the igloos allow them to seat more customers.”
Most igloo experiences in the Great State come with a seating fee, ranging from $5 per person to $100 per 2-hour block.
Maine? Why Wait!
Portland, Maine, isn’t just a summer destination. With these heated igloo dining experiences, the city transforms winter into a season of flavor, warmth, and charm. Portland’s outdoor dining scene is calling. Book an igloo, bundle up (or don’t), and get ready to toast to winter magic in the heart of New England.
Other outdoor dining experiences to try:
- Yosaku’s heated outdoor deck is coming soon to Portland.
- Rooftop at The Envio in Portsmouth, NH offers a guest-tailored igloo experience.
- Clay Hill Farm in York rents two igloos.
- Earth at Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport offers heated dining sheds.
- Pineland Farms in New Gloucester has held service in igloos since 2021.