best places to eat in maine
best places to eat in maine
Restaurant review sites and blogs are very common online which makes it much easier to know where the best places to eat are in Maine. While there may be tons of restaurants for you to choose from one has to stand out from the rest. In this article I will discuss where I believe is the best place to eat in Maine as well as other listing of some other of the best places to eat in Maine. This will be based on my opinion and experiences with some research done. The Best Places to Eat in Maine There are numerous factors that go into determining whether a restaurant is the best. You could be looking at location, price, or something even more specific like food quality or service. The goal of this article isn’t to tell you “the best place to eat” all over Maine, but rather point you in the right direction of those that deserve your consideration.
There is no shortage of places to eat in Maine, but if you’re looking for a great meal, these are the best places to eat in Maine.
- The Dock: Located in Portland, this restaurant has been serving up fresh seafood for more than 30 years. The oysters and mussels are always a treat.
- The Porcupine Café: This café has been serving up classic Maine food since 1985, and the lobster bisque is the perfect way to start off your meal.
- The Oxford Inn: If you’re looking for traditional fare with a modern twist, this is your place! Their lobster roll comes with avocado on top and is served with a side of fries—it’s truly Heaven on Earth!
Maine is a great state to visit, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to go for the best food.
If you’re looking for a place to eat that’s casual and family-friendly, Maine has many options:
The Lobster Pot in South Portland is a local favorite for seafood lovers. Their menu includes lobster rolls, crab cakes, and other Maine favorites like fried clams, which are served with fries or corn on the cob. They also have a kids’ menu and plenty of gluten-free options.
If you want something more upscale, try The Maine Lobster Lady in Cape Elizabeth. This restaurant has been serving fresh seafood since 1969, so they’re definitely doing something right! Their menu includes lobster rolls, fried clams (of course), and mussels steamed in white wine sauce with garlic bread or rice pilaf. You can also order from their extensive wine list if you’d like!
If you prefer Italian food over seafood dishes or just want something off the beaten path of traditional cuisine, check out Paolo’s Italian Restaurant in Lewiston. They serve classic Italian dishes including pizza as well as spaghetti carbonara with bacon and mushrooms over linguine noodles with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top (YUM). They also have
maine restaurants with stunning views
The Boathouse
Located within the Boathouse Hotel, a Kennebunkport Resort Collection property, this restaurant has a front row seat on the water. Choose from seats on the deck overlooking the Kennebunk River or indoors, where floor-to-ceiling windows give you prime views of the downtown area as well.
The Well at Jordan’s Farm
From his diminutive kitchen on Jordan’s Farm, chef Jason Williams turns out meals using what’s fresh from the farm that day. BYOB and enjoy these simple meals on a picnic table in the farm field or call ahead to reserve a gazebo for a group.
The Barn At Flanagan’s Farm
These on-the-farm dinners benefit the Maine Farmland Trust and feature Maine’s best chefs, like those of Back Bay Grill, Central Provisions, Hugo’s, and Nosh. Diners enjoy their fare seated at a large communal table in the barn or overlooking the farm fields.
Saltwater Grille
Wind your way through through a quiet South Portland neighborhood to the waterfront, where you’ll be rewarded with strong cocktails and a great view of the Portland city skyline from this marina restaurant.
River Drivers Restaurant
Stop in for a $10 fish fry on Fridays and gaze upon the majesty of Mt. Katahdin across Millinocket Lake. A tipster revealed, “I recently returned from a wedding there, most comments were along the lines of, ‘I could never get tired of this view,’ or, ‘yeah I had to drive 3 hours (from Portland) but you aren’t going to find anything like this any closer.’ Also, the food is excellent.”
Blair Hill Inn
The dining room of Blair Hill Inn offers a 5-course meal every Thursday through Saturday night, using produce from its garden. The dining room overlooks Moosehead Lake and the porch offers a fantastic spot to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail.
Maine Huts & Trails
This series of eco-friendly huts offers many ways for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the mountains of Western Maine. Hike, bike, paddle, ski or snowshoe into the huts before enjoying a multi-course meal. Many of the huts have on-site gardens, and the chefs use locally sourced and organic ingredients whenever possible.
popular restaurants in maine
Anju Noodle Bar
This noodle bar in a repurposed government building in Kittery serves “free-style” Asian fare. Don’t miss the okonomiyaki, pork buns, or ramen fortified by a 14-hour broth made with meat from the butcher next door. Insider’s tip: Pass through the back of Anju into its sister cocktail bar, the Wallingford Dram, for a drink before or after dinner.
Oxbow Beer Garden
Farmhouse brewery Oxbow Brewing’s third location became an instant classic as soon as it opened in the former home of a cross-country ski center. Yeast lovers flock to the outpost in Western Maine for the tasting room’s 15 taps, wood-fired pizzas, and adjacent bottle shop. Perfect for groups of friends and families, the beer garden is a worthwhile destination all year long.
Palace Diner
If the young geniuses who run this old-school diner car don’t yet have a key to the city, it’s time. They’re probably Biddeford’s most effective ambassadors: From the pancakes and egg sandwich to the tuna melt and fried chicken, portions are just large enough that you probably shouldn’t finish, but they’re too delicious to set aside. If seats aren’t available, Palace Diner also offers takeout, which can be enjoyed in nearby Mechanics Park overlooking the Saco River.
Havana
A longtime favorite of locals and visitors, Havana is perfect for a special night out in Bar Harbor. Chef Cassady Pappas and owner Michael Boland have created a menu that melds Continental cuisine with Central and South American flavors. The bar program, overseen by local favorite Mark “Duffy” Dyer, offers an extensive wine list and expertly made mojitos.
Peter Trout’s Tavern and Inn
On the so-called quiet side of Mount Desert Island, this waterfront tavern serves a menu of Maine seafood and southern fare. Crab cakes, fried chicken, tender biscuits, and a comically large fried fish sandwich are highlights from Georgia-born chef Ryan Lamon. Beverage options include a full bar, wine, and a wide-ranging selection of canned Maine beers.
