Buttermilk Kitchen at Marriner's-Camden Maine

Buttermilk Kitchen is a straightforward American breakfast and lunch spot in Camden that draws regulars and visitors alike. They're known for fried chicken, biscuits, and chowder that tastes homemade. Service moves fast and feels genuine. People come back multiple times in a single trip.

• Fried green tomatoes and crispy chicken, done right.
• Biscuits and gravy that inspire return visits.
• Generous portions, sturdy coffee, unfussy service.
• Chowder tastes like home cooking, not a chain.

Start with the biscuits and gravy or drop biscuits with blueberry basil preserves. The chicken and grits feature perfectly crispy chicken over pimento cheese grits with a sweet and spicy drizzle. Fried green tomatoes, slightly pickled and served with Alabama Ranch, are worth ordering even if you've never had them. Don't skip the chowder, and the basil lemonade pairs well with the savory stuff.

Bright, uncluttered room with simple wood booths. A good playlist sets the tone without overpowering conversation. Half-booths in back offer harbor views but suit couples better than larger groups.

The kitchen leans into comfort: crispy potatoes, tender fried chicken, biscuits that people stock up on. Grits arrive studded with pimento cheese and drizzled with sweet and spicy sauce. Even the condiments matter, blueberry basil preserves, pepper jam, Alabama Ranch. Staff like Olivia and Erin know the menu cold and make you feel seen.

Guests eat here three, sometimes four times during a single trip. One recent visitor described the biscuits and gravy as 'to die for.' People praise the staff for genuine warmth, Olivia, Erin, and Allie show up by name in multiple reviews. The portions are generous, the coffee sturdy, and the food tastes made, not assembled.