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The 17 Best Restaurants in Portland, Maine & Beyond
When it comes to coastal Maine, lobster rolls aren't even the half of it.
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49 Comments
Bevi
July 8, 2019
I would include Little Giant in Portland for dinner, and the Thistle Inn in Boothbay Harbor for dinner as well.
paseo
July 6, 2019
Nina June in Rockport is not to be missed. The chef (Sara Jenkins) is the daughter of a great food writer Nancy Harmon Jenkins and a marvelous cook (she can write as well). Fabulous Mediterranean food with local ingredients.
Sonya C.
June 10, 2019
Willard Scoops in South Portland cannot be missed. Get the salt caramel ice cream. Better yet, walk across the street to Scratch Bakery first for two chocolate chip cookies (theirs are SO good!) and make an ice cream sandwich. For an amazing farm-to-table meal, visit The Well at Jordan's Farm in Cape Elizabeth. A fun tip for getting into Eventide without waiting in line is to go for late night happy hour, which starts at 9 pm. OR, you can get there an hour before they open. Seriously. It's worth it, especially the tuna crudo. Mr. Tuna makes amazing hand rolls and was parked in front of The Shop (good for oysters) last summer.
Heading to Maine next month for our wedding! We're from Texas and live for our Maine getaway every summer.
Heading to Maine next month for our wedding! We're from Texas and live for our Maine getaway every summer.
Sammi J.
June 8, 2019
Oh my! We just took that trip driving from Boston up to Bar Harbor and many of the mentioned restaurants/food spots on this list were places we tried. Glad to see that so many of the places recommended to us were on this list as they were incredible. McLoon's Lobstah Shack was amazing and worth the drive there. Duckfat, Central Provisions, Holy Donut, Primo were all so good. Lots of great brewery's too! Coming from the West Coast, we had an amazing time on the East Coast!!
jennrockn
May 30, 2019
Personal breakfast favorite: Main Street Markets in Rockland. Great spot for fresh flowers, groceries, provisions and prepared foods too.
Ada’s Kitchen in Rockland has the best pasta in New England, maybe even north of NY. Handmade pastas, and Italian specialties. Great bar and lounge.
Also in Portland: 2 favorites
Izakaya Minato: best Japanese small plates
Baharat: Lebanese heaven
Stockton Springs:
The Hichborn: a hidden gem. Some of the freshest food in Maine, beautifully crafted and don’t forget the coconut cream pie for dessert (seriously)
Ada’s Kitchen in Rockland has the best pasta in New England, maybe even north of NY. Handmade pastas, and Italian specialties. Great bar and lounge.
Also in Portland: 2 favorites
Izakaya Minato: best Japanese small plates
Baharat: Lebanese heaven
Stockton Springs:
The Hichborn: a hidden gem. Some of the freshest food in Maine, beautifully crafted and don’t forget the coconut cream pie for dessert (seriously)
brunobunny
May 29, 2019
Francine's closed. There is a new restaurant named Franny's Bistro. The menu looks great.
Ryan M.
May 28, 2019
Next time you're in Maine, visit Cabbage Island Clambakes. We are a family owned and operated restaurant with four generations working together including my 13 year old cousin and 98 year old grandmother.
The trip includes a harbor tour and a traditional Downeast clambake with fish chowder, two lobsters, a pound of steamers, corn on the cob, baked potato, onion egg and a massive slice of blueberry cake.
The trip includes a harbor tour and a traditional Downeast clambake with fish chowder, two lobsters, a pound of steamers, corn on the cob, baked potato, onion egg and a massive slice of blueberry cake.
Winifred R.
May 28, 2019
Only eating clams fried? While those are good you have to have steamed clams once in awhile. Personally I prefer them to fried, and when I can get them clams casino. And try lobster pie if you can get it up in Maine (or New Hampshire, where I'm originally from) - lobster pieces covered with buttered cracker crumbs. Doesn't sound like much, but it's so decadent it's hard to finish a portion; wish I could remember the place in southern Maine I had it last time I was up there. Now I live on the Chesapeake Bay and people here have their own specialties like sugar/blow toads and softshell crab. There's good stuff lots of places, don't get stuck in a rut (although I'm still not big on raw oysters even though I have a Ph.D. in fisheries and know people who grow them).
Carole
July 27, 2017
Nice list, but really is missing an essential Portland spot -- Eventide. Next door to Hugo's and owned by the same folks, but in my mind the only place I must visit on every trip for their wide variety of oysters, the best lobster roll ever (non-traditional -- just brown butter and lobster on a steamed Bao) To. Die, For.
Nicole
June 26, 2017
Food52: I would LOVE a guide like this for more drives and regions! I make a lot of road trips and this one of these for the east coast or west coast, or cross country would be amazing!
GC
July 10, 2016
Nosh Kitchen & Bar in Portland... very creative stuff there and the amazing Apocalypse Now Burger
Laurie T.
July 10, 2016
Frosty's donuts in Freeport.... If you don't want to wait in line at Red's Eats in Wiscasset, go across the street to Sprague's for a lobster roll or dinner.
paseo
July 6, 2019
As a resident of the Midcoast, never stop at Red's (not worth the wait or the hype). You are right, Sprague's is better.
Andrea B.
July 10, 2016
Little Bigs in South Portland makes the best donuts I've ever had! Try the maple bacon crueller for sure. Plus, they sell savory hand pies that we always grab for a long drive.
Tucker &.
July 10, 2016
Moose island Bakery and Quddy Bay Lobster in Eastport. If you're near Jonesport and are doing some cooking you can get your lobsters right off the boats and the freshest mussels at Moosebec Mussels at an incredible price. Truly Downeast gems.
Shari B.
July 10, 2016
Some great suggestions, but Red's really doesn't belong with these other restaurants. People wait on long lines for very average food there. Skip it and come to Harraseeket Lobster in Freeport Harbor or also in Freeport Azure Cafe or the Broad Arrow Tavern, or stop at one of the great Brunswick restaurants, like Tao Yuan (Top notch--James Beard award winning chef), Little Tokyo, to name a few.
Marguerite T.
July 10, 2016
Things can change in a year for eateries. I wouldn't base a trip on recommendations in an article from a year ago. A recent update would be convincing.
Ginny
June 10, 2016
Three Tides part of the Marshall Wharf Brewing Co. in Belfast is where we go to indulge ourselves with Pemaquid Point Oysters (a dozen each, please!) while watching Belfast Harbor activities. Morse's Sauerkraut & Euro Deli in (outside of) North Waldoboro is incredible if you feel the urge to take a short break from Maine seafood!
melissav
May 20, 2016
I know this is an old post but I'm planning a getaway with my husband in late June and I'm a little overwhelmed figuring out where to go and stay. We'd like to spend a couple nights in Portland and then head north but cannot figure where to stay for the rest of the trip. Any favorite destinations / lodging recommendations?
april
June 10, 2016
Stay in Camden; is a beautiful ways up from Portland but so much good food! And definitely have a dinner at Tao Yuan in Brunswick. I can't believe that resto didn't make it on this list!
Heidi H.
September 1, 2015
A must not miss: The A-1 Diner in Gardner, Maine (just South of Augusta)
also Aragosta in Stonington and Lily’s in Deer Isle when they are open.
also Aragosta in Stonington and Lily’s in Deer Isle when they are open.
Becky
August 31, 2015
You have to go to McLaughlin's Lobster Shack, and Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville. If you head over to Belfast you have to stop in and eat at Chase's Daily.
jennrockn
August 31, 2015
So many fantastic places to eat in Rockland! A new market and cafe just opened, Main Street Markets with fresh juices, toasts, smoothies, bowls, and chopped salads. Also, Cafe Miranda is such a fun place, all the farm-to-table spots: In Good Company, Primo, Suzukis (best and most beautiful sushi I've had). Moved from NYC to Mid-coast Maine, and the food scene here is incredible!
Stan
August 31, 2015
Five Island Lobster is soo ME and near 1 Mile Beach in Reid State Park so you can make room for some more eats with a stroll along the beach.
Barbara M.
July 6, 2015
We stumbled across Gelato Fiasco while exploring Brunswick ME. They also have a shop in Portland. Incredibly amazing gelato. You can sometimes find it in stores (here in NH, at least). Really interesting, unique flavors including (picking from their website here) Anise Cinnamon Ginger, Banana Nougat, and Brown Sugar Fig. They have a zillion flavors; every single one is to die for. Check them out here: http://www.gelatofiasco.com/
Merrill S.
June 29, 2015
Another great lobster stop on the way to Acadia is in Belfast, called Young's Lobster Pound. They also sell picked lobster meat and peekytoe (or Jonah) crab; I make sure to stock up on the drive home every summer. And we never leave Portland without stopping at Standard Baking Company!
mungo
June 26, 2015
I grew up in a B&B in Bucksport! I didn't even know there were any left.
You missed Just Barb's in Searsport/Stockton Springs. You'll probably be stuffed by then, but the fried clams really are amazing!
You missed Just Barb's in Searsport/Stockton Springs. You'll probably be stuffed by then, but the fried clams really are amazing!
Leslie S.
June 26, 2015
No kidding!! And I remember passing Just Barb's! I thought it was a cute name :) I'll definitely stop there next trip!
Jennifer H.
June 26, 2015
Great to see our home state featured on Food 52 (we love your site).
Leslie S.
June 26, 2015
So glad to hear it!! Let me know if you have any suggestions for the next trip around. Always looking for the best local spots!
Crystal H.
June 26, 2015
Hopefully you will cross the border and do a blog from St. Stephen to Saint John... we have incredible lil and big places!! ( I may be biased, but I think our lobster is better lol)
hungrySeattle
June 25, 2015
Fishermen's Grill in Portland for their lobster roll!
Leslie S.
June 26, 2015
Adding it to the list! Thank you for the rec! (There's just so much good food in Portland!)
Phyllis L.
June 25, 2015
I LOVE Williams Pond Lodge and David, its proprietor! Gorgeous setting and delicious food!!
Leslie S.
June 25, 2015
So glad you love it too!! I dream about his pop overs and German pancakes :) When were you there?
boulangere
June 24, 2015
You missed the York Harbor Inn in York Harbor, near to, but much more affordable than anything around the Bushies' Kennebunkport. And you skipped over Boothbay Harbor, probably the most beautiful small town anywhere. The Thistle Inn is a quiet beauty.
Leslie S.
June 25, 2015
I'll have to check them out on my next trip up!! One of my favorite things about William's Pond Lodge though is actually how affordable it is—probably because it's so off the beaten path!
Sarah J.
June 24, 2015
When can we go? And who's coming with me?
Aliwaks
June 13, 2016
Have to stop in Brunswick for a visit! Also Ericas lobster in Harpswell-- go to Dolphin for sunset cocktail ( but dont eat there) and walk across the pier to Ericas for Lobster, Fried Oysters & Blueberry ice cream.
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