abelais is always serving up fine books about food, wine, farming and gardening. We carry a sizable stock of rare, out-of-print and new books, alongside prints, photographs and other ephemera, all concerned with the pleasure of the senses. We host author signings, art exhibitions and other events, some in conjunction with restaurants, farms and other local food organizations. If you want to follow our exploits we have a blog and can be found on both Facebook and Twitter. Check out our press page to see what others have said about us.
At Rabelais on Middle Street you can find thousands of books on food and wine, from comfortable old favorites to haute cuisine, from Southern fried chicken to molecular gastronomy. Whether you are a member of the profession and cook for a living, or a serious armchair epicure who cooks for dinner, we have inspiration for you. Rabelais also serves those inclined towards thirst. We have books on first growth wines and home beer brewing, cocktail culture and saloon society. We’re very pleased to be serving the working cooks of Portland, New England and beyond. Rabelais is intimately involved with Maine’s food community through organizations such as the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and Slow Food Portland. In addition to historical treatises on the importance of animals on the farm, we stock modern literature on seed starting, backyard chickens and season extension, among other agricultural pursuits.

Here in our online store you will find a curated collection from our brick and mortar inventory. If there is ever anything that you are searching for that you do not see here please don’t hesitate to contact us.