Maine Restaurant Icon Dana Street Wins Prestigious James Beard Culinary Award

A very deserving honor has been awarded to one of Maine's most iconic figures in the culinary industry.

Congratulations to Dana Street, who has won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur. This is a remarkable achievement for a man who has helped pave the way for culinary excellence in Portland and throughout Maine.

What are the James Beard Awards?

Based in New York, the James Beard Awards recognize the very best in culinary achievement. These are world-class honors. Outside of earning a Michelin star, a James Beard Award is considered one of the highest accolades in the restaurant industry. Simply being nominated is a tremendous accomplishment.

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Street is the owner of Street & Co. and co-owner of Fore Street and Scales. All three restaurants are absolute powerhouses in Portland's dining scene.

Street & Co. has been serving exceptional seafood from its cozy Wharf Street location since 1989. The restaurant even gained national attention when Anthony Bourdain dined there during his visit to Maine for an episode of No Reservations.

Street co-owns Fore Street and Scales with another Portland culinary icon, Sam Hayward. Both restaurants are located in the Old Port and are widely regarded as two of the best dining destinations in the city. I've been fortunate enough to dine at both on numerous occasions and can personally attest that their reputations are well deserved.

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Street beat out an impressive field of restaurateurs from culinary hotspots such as San Francisco, Asheville, New Orleans, and Houston. That's a murderers' row of foodie cities, making it even more exciting to see a Portland restaurateur take home the award.

When did Maine Chefs Last Win a James Beard Awards?

Street is the first James Beard Award winner from Maine since 2023, when the state celebrated two winners: Atsuko Fujimoto of Norimoto Bakery and the team behind Zu Bakery.

While Street took home the award, he wasn't the only Mainer recognized as a finalist. Thomas Takashi Cooke of Izakaya Minato was nominated for Best Chef: Northeast. That honor ultimately went to Evan Hennessey of Stages in Dover, New Hampshire. You can view the complete list of winners on the James Beard Foundation website.

READ MORE: These Are the Best Seafood Restaurants in Portland, Maine—According to TripAdvisor Reviews

Congratulations again to Dana Street on this incredible achievement. It's a true testament to the quality of his restaurants and the lasting impact he has made on Greater Portland's food community. Here's to many more years of outstanding dining from one of Maine's culinary legends.