Ann's Book Bistro in Damariscotta, Maine

Ann's Bistro sits in downtown Boothbay Harbor serving an eclectic menu that pulls from multiple cuisines without apology. Owner Abby runs a tight, welcoming room where the wine list leans European and the cocktails are balanced and thoughtful. Regulars and first-timers both land here for dinner, and you'll want to come back because there's too much on the menu to tackle in one visit.

• Fish tacos with bright, balanced flavors stand out.
• Cocktails crafted with care, not assembly-line drinks.
• Eclectic menu means something new every return visit.
• Owner Abby and staff make you feel genuinely welcome.

Start with the red snapper fish tacos and get one of the cocktails, either the guava bourbon smash or tangerine mezcal margarita. From the mains, lamb ragu, linguine carbonara, and carne asada with rice and beans all show up in multiple reviews. Save room for the chocolate lava cake with pomegranate seeds.

Small, wood-paneled room with bookshelves lining the walls. It feels intimate and unhurried, with the kind of music that makes you want to linger.

There's no kids menu, so families with very picky eaters should know what they're walking into. But everyone else will find something. The cocktails are worth ordering, whether you go for the guava bourbon smash or the tangerine mezcal margarita.

Guests consistently praise the thoughtfulness of both the food and service. One recent visitor called the fish tacos "the best in our great state of Maine." People come for the food but stay because of how welcomed they feel.