Restaurants in Maine
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Primo
Set in a Victorian home, Primo remains one of the top restaurants in the Northeast. The changing menu features creative, expertly prepared dishes of roast meats and seafood followed by superb desserts. Reserve well in advance or plan on dining in the bar (cozy ambience, same great menu and service).
reviewed
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A
Duckfat
If you have gourmet taste on a fast-food budget, this one-of-a-kind eatery won't disappoint. Try the innovative panini sandwiches, the duck confit salad, and, if you have a tolerance for grease, the signature fries crisped in duck fat with truffle-ketchup dip.
reviewed
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Standard Baking Co
For a sweet breakfast treat, head to this Old Port bakery and order a blueberry cream scone and chocolate croissant. Portland's best organic rustic breads are made here too.
reviewed
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Cockatoo
This new addition to Deer Isle is deliciously off-the-beaten-path and serves Portuguese-inspired seafood dishes. Start with crisp codfish balls, followed by mussels over linguini or paella and wash it down with crisp vinho verde (semi-sparkling white wine). You can feast in the informal dining room or outside on the patio overlooking pine trees and a secluded cove below. Call for reservations and directions. To reach Cockatoo, take NH 15 a few miles north from Stonington and drive east on Oceanville Rd, following the signs.
reviewed
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Arborvine
Inside a sweet 1823 Cape-style house, much touted chef John Hikade cooks up magnificent fish and meat dishes, incorporating organic, locally raised products as much as possible. Start with Bagaduce River oysters, followed by Maine sea scallops or pan-seared Ahi tuna and end with crème brûlée. As with other popular Blue Hill restaurants, be sure to reserve a table. It’s open off-season too, call for the schedule.
reviewed
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Cleonice
After a visit to Woodlawn Museum, treat yourself to a meal at Cleonice, which serves traditional and exotic Mediterranean fare using local ingredients in tasty lunchtime panini and salads, and marvelous tapas, grilled fish and seafood pastas at dinner. The landmark building has black-and-white tiled floors and tables hidden in carved wooden alcoves that lend an old-world feel to the place.
reviewed
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B
Windows on the Water Restaurant
Just south of the bridge, this award-winning restaurant offers creative, largely organic seasonal fare. Coriander seared ahi tuna, wild shrimp and lobster ravioli and parmesan crusted rack of lamb are a few of the recent temptations offered in the attractive riverside spot. Several times per year, it offers a three-course cooking demonstration (per person $50) hosted by chef John Hughes.
reviewed
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C
Nunan’s Lobster Hut
Four miles east of Kennebunkport, Nunan’s cooks up some ridiculously good lobsters. Although there are a few other culinary distractions – clam chowder, blueberry pie – no one comes here for anything other than those succulent crustaceans. It’s set in a long wooden shack, with black-and-white fishing photos and nautical instruments setting the stage.
reviewed
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Burning Tree
One of the best restaurants on Mt Desert Island, Burning Tree prepares a rich and eclectic assortment of dishes, with local seafood taking pride of place. Among the crowd pleasers: prosciutto-wrapped sea scallops, squash blossom appetizers, chili-glazed monkfish and Earl Grey ice cream. This place is popular, so do reserve a table. It’s 4 miles south of town, along ME 3.
reviewed
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D
Mâche Bistro
Bar Harbor’s premier restaurant, Mâche Bistro, serves eclectic New England fare in a stylish setting. The changing menu highlights the local riches, with seafood stew, braised lamb shanks and pan-fried tempeh among recent offerings. The chef’s signature dish is a luscious breast of duck glazed with orange and ginger. Specialty cocktails add to the appeal.
reviewed
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93 Townsend
One of Boothbay’s top restaurants, 93 Townsend is an elegant but understated restaurant where you can sample award-winning cuisine. The menu features fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with unique dishes such as burgundy bistro steak, broiled haddock topped with lobster and coriander-crusted tuna with seaweed salad. The bar stirs up excellent martinis.
reviewed
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E
Maine Dining Room
This upscale dining room in the Harraseeket Inn serves excellent creative cuisine including roasted vegetables over quinoa cake, pan-seared halibut with polenta and chocolate soufflé for dessert. The inn also hosts the Broad Arrow Tavern, a wood-floored charmer with a good selection of microbrews and high-end bistro fare.
reviewed
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Federal Jack’s Restaurant & Brew Pub
Above the Kennebunkport Brewing Co, Federal Jack’s serves satisfying bistro fare, including crab-stuffed haddock, wood-roasted salmon, barbecue ribs and a range of salads, sandwiches and pizzas. Hand-crafted microbrews go nicely with the food. Free brewery tours are offered by appointment through the coffee shop downstairs.
reviewed
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Hugo's
If you have just one night to splurge let it be here. Owner-chef Rob Evans won the coveted James Beard Award in 2009 as the top chef in the Northeast. Trained at Napa Valley's elite restaurant French Laundry, Evans masterfully fuses California influences with fresh New England ingredients. Pistachio-encrusted lobster anyone?
reviewed
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G
Fore Street
Still one of Portland’s best restaurants, award-winning Fore Street has a dining room of airy, exposed-brick and pine-paneling that faces an open kitchen. Owner and chef Sam Hayward has made apple-wood grilling and roasting his forte. The menu changes nightly, and features the best seasonal fruits of the land and sea.
reviewed
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H
Reel Pizza Cinerama
This place caters to the indulgent among us who like munching on good pizza, drinking local microbrews and lounging on couches while watching a nightly flick ($6) on the big screen. Films range from indie and foreign films to the latest Hollywood fodder, with two screenings most nights (usually around 6pm and 8pm).
reviewed
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Sweet Leaves Tea House
Brunswick’s most charming address opened in 2006. The bright and cheerful café-bistro serves delicious soups, salads, panini and desserts with a menu that changes daily. In addition to some 30 teas, Sweet Leaves serves beer and wine, which pair nicely with live acoustic nights and other weekly events.
reviewed
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Fox’s Lobster House
Although there’s a broader selection of restaurants in Ogunquit, Fox’s has history (it’s been around since 1966) and is worth seeking out for scrumptious lobster, fresh seafood dishes and homemade blueberry pie. It’s beautifully set on the waterfront with views of Nubble lighthouse.
reviewed
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A1 to Go
In laid-back Gardiner, A1 to Go is a charming modern café serving unique and flavorful wraps (curried chicken salad, smoked salmon with capers), granola with yogurt, mango lassi and other organic options. The small deli and grocery is a good spot for a picnic assembly (good wines, salads and cheeses).
reviewed
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Clay Hill Farm
This award-winning restaurant is set in an elegantly restored 18th-century farmhouse and serves new American cuisine. Rack of lamb with fennel salad, organic trout, roasted Cornish hen and sesame-crusted scallops are among the changing menu selections. It’s located 5 miles north of Ogunquit, off US 1.
reviewed
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Solo Bistro
This stylish, fairly new restaurant serves a small selection of expertly prepared dishes that change seasonally. Start off with a fresh goat cheese and tomato salad, followed by risotto or pan-seared wild salmon then raspberry cheesecake for dessert. The downstairs wine bar hosts live jazz and other events.
reviewed
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J’s Oyster
Although it’s a total dive, J’s Oyster has the cheapest raw oysters in town, and you can enjoy them on the rugged waterside deck outside. If you’d rather not, you’re well placed for something same-same but different, with more than a dozen lobster/seafood shacks on either side.
reviewed
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Slate’s Restaurant & Bakery
This much-loved Hallowell institution suffered a tragic fire in 2007, leaving only its bakery intact. Rebuilding is underway, meaning you should be able to enjoy the area’s best seafood and grilled dishes soon. In the meantime, stop in the cheery bakery for excellent scones and other goodies.
reviewed
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Green Elephant
Even carnivores shouldn't miss the brilliant vegetarian fare at this Zen-chic, Thai-inspired café. Start with the crispy spinach wontons, then move on to one of the exotic soy creations like gingered 'duck' with shiitake mushrooms. Do save room for the incredible chocolate orange mousse pie.
reviewed
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White Barn Inn
Kennebunkport’s most renowned restaurant boasts country-elegant decor and fantastic New American cuisine. The menu changes weekly and features local seafood complemented by locally grown herbs, fruits and vegetables and California greens. Make reservations, and be sure to dress the part.
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