I recently visited Portland and went to Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company with my family. When people search for Portland Maine restaurants, they’re usually looking for something that works for the whole group, and that was exactly our situation: two kids, one vegan partner, and no guarantee the menu would work for everyone. Turns out we didn’t have to make a compromise. The food was great, the beer was excellent, and my meat-eating husband left just as happy as the vegan half of our group.
This is not a vegan restaurant. It’s a brewery that has vegan options, marked on the menu, with customization flexibility. If you’re in a mixed-diet group—or just want a solid brewpub that doesn’t treat plant-based eaters like an afterthought—Brickyard Hollow is worth a trip.
Key Takeaways
Sweet teriyaki bowl with fried tofu is the standout dish, rated a “10plus” by one reviewer and consistently praised across HappyCow reviews, with the option to sub plant-based chicken or omit mushrooms.
Vegan options are clearly marked on the menu, and many items can be made vegan upon request—including pizza with vegan cheese and pepperoni (though pepperoni stock varies).
The atmosphere works for a daytime sports bar with fresh air and evening live music with doors open to the harbor breeze. Service (especially waiter Tondo) gets called out as friendly and attentive.
Table of Contents
Location, hours, and practical details
If you’re planning a visit, here’s the straightforward info:
- Address: 9 Commercial St, Portland, Maine 04101 — right near the water, easy to find
- Hours: Monday–Thursday 11am–10pm, Friday–Saturday 11am–11pm, Sunday 11am–10pm
- Phone: +1-207-808-8247
- Website: brickyardhollow.com/portland
Later close on weekends makes it a solid option for a night out, but the daytime hours work fine for lunch or an early dinner with kids. The brewery is located at coordinates 43.659129, -70.248963, making it easy to find on any map app.
Atmosphere — sports bar by day, live music by night
The vibe here isn’t static. Walk in during the afternoon and you’ll find a fun sports bar atmosphere with fresh air coming through open doors or the patio. One reviewer described it exactly that way: “fun sports bar vibe and fresh air.” It’s relaxed, not too loud, and family-friendly—our kids were totally fine.
Come evening, the place shifts. Another reviewer mentioned live music with doors open to the harbor breeze. That’s a nice touch for a summer evening, but don’t expect a schedule; it’s more of a pattern than a guarantee. Either way, you’re getting a casual, welcoming space that works for a quick bite or a longer hang.
Beer and drinks
The beer is genuinely good. One reviewer called it “excellent beer,” and I’d agree—it’s a brewery first, and they do it right. The drink selection is solid across the board. One reviewer said they had great pub food and excellent beer, and while the menu doesn’t list our server’s recommended IPA by name, it paired well with the teriyaki bowl.
Food — vegan options that actually deliver
This is the main event. Brickyard Hollow is a meat-centric place, but the vegan options aren’t an afterthought. You’ve got pizzas with vegan cheese and pepperoni, bowls with fried tofu, apps, salads, and more. The menu clearly marks what’s vegan, which saves you the awkward “can I eat this?” conversation with the server.
The sweet teriyaki bowl and fried tofu: the star dishes
The sweet teriyaki bowl with fried tofu is the dish everyone talks about. One reviewer gave the tofu bowl a “10plus”. Another said they loved the fried tofu. You can order it with tofu or sub in plant-based chicken, and you can ask them to skip the mushrooms if that’s not your thing. The bowls in general are good, and this one is the winner.
We ordered it with tofu, no mushrooms, and it was exactly what you want: sweet, savory, satisfying. The bell pepper and Brussels sprouts on the side were also solid—one reviewer noted the Brussels sprouts were “cooked to perfection with delicious glaze.”
Pizza options: vegan cheese and pepperoni
The Margherita pizza with vegan cheese got a “delicious” review from someone who ordered it. Vegan pepperoni is also available, but—real talk—it’s not always in stock. One reviewer mentioned it was out on their visit, so if that’s a priority, call ahead. They still enjoyed the cheese pizza and teriyaki tofu, so it’s not a dealbreaker.
And for the omnivores: the regular pepperoni pizza got high marks too. My husband was overjoyed with his.
Customization and menu flexibility
This is where Brickyard Hollow stands out for mixed-diet groups. Vegan options are clearly marked—no guessing. But beyond that, many menu items can be made vegan if you ask your server. Protein swaps (tofu for plant-based chicken, etc.) are standard. The flexibility means you’re not stuck with one sad option while everyone else eats well.
One dish to skip
The Greek salad got a specific thumbs-down from one reviewer: “too vinegary.”
Service — the Tondo factor
Good service makes a huge difference when you’re wrangling kids. Multiple reviewers independently praise the staff as friendly and attentive. But one name came up repeatedly: Tondo. One reviewer wrote that Tondo was “nice and funny,” and another mentioned him by name as their waiter.
That kind of specific shout-out in a review says a lot. We had a great experience with our server too—attentive without hovering, patient with the kids. It’s not a guarantee every visit, but the pattern is strong.
What others are saying — the 4.0 rating and balanced feedback
On HappyCow, Brickyard Hollow holds a 4.0 out of 4 stars—that’s perfect on their scale. One reviewer, ccahill, made an interesting point: they said the rating is “truly worth 4 stars,” noting that vegan-friendly places often get overrated because people are just excited to find options. But Brickyard Hollow’s rating feels earned. The positive themes across reviews are consistent: food quality, beer, atmosphere, service.
One reviewer, ccahill, noted that vegan-friendly places on platforms like HappyCow sometimes get inflated ratings because diners are just relieved to find options. They said Brickyard Hollow’s 4.0 is genuinely earned, which aligns with the consistent praise across food, service, and atmosphere.
The few negative notes are isolated. The Greek salad was too vinegary for one person. The vegan pepperoni was out of stock on one visit. That’s it.
No systemic complaints. For a place that’s not a vegan restaurant, that’s a pretty good track record.
How it stacks up — nearby options
Portland has several vegan-friendly restaurants within easy reach, and if you’re comparing it with other coastal dining towns, the scene feels a little broader and more casual than many Ogunquit Maine restaurants, especially when you want brewery food, vegan options, and a kid-friendly atmosphere in one stop. For context:
- The Friendly Toast (4.0 stars)
- Bom Dia Cafe (4.0 stars)
- Eventide Oyster Co. (4.0 stars) — popular but not particularly vegan-friendly
- The Honey Paw (3.5 stars)
- Heritage Seaweed (5.0 stars) — niche option
Brickyard Hollow ties with three others at 4.0 stars. Its unique advantage is the brewery atmosphere combined with quality vegan options in one place. Most of the competitors don’t offer that combination. If you want a beer, a relaxed vibe, and food that works for everyone, this is your spot.
Final verdict
Brickyard Hollow is worth a visit, especially if you’re in a mixed-diet group. The vegan options are good—not token. The sweet teriyaki bowl and fried tofu are wins. The atmosphere works for a relaxed afternoon or a livelier evening. Service is a standout.
One practical caveat: if vegan pepperoni is a priority for you, call ahead to check stock. Otherwise, go knowing you’ll find something to eat, something to drink, and a place that doesn’t make you feel like a hassle.
My family had a wonderful time, and I’d go back in a heartbeat. That’s the best recommendation I can give.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Brickyard Hollow Brewing?
Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company is a Portland, Maine brewery. The specific owner is not widely publicized, but the brewery operates as a local establishment known for its craft beer and vegan-friendly menu.
What vegan options does Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company offer?
Brickyard Hollow offers clearly marked vegan options including pizzas with vegan cheese and pepperoni, bowls with fried tofu or plant-based chicken, apps, and salads. Many items can be customized vegan upon request.
Is Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company family-friendly?
Yes, Brickyard Hollow is family-friendly with a relaxed sports bar vibe during the day and live music in the evening. Reviewers mention it works well for families with kids, and the staff is attentive.
What is the standout dish at Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company?
The sweet teriyaki bowl with fried tofu is the standout dish, consistently praised by reviewers. It can be customized with plant-based chicken or without mushrooms, and is described as sweet, savory, and satisfying.
