50 Local

50 Local sits in the heart of Kennebunk serving European and American fare in a cosmopolitan but low-key setting. The kitchen leans into house-made pastas, local seafood, and thoughtful cocktails. No reservations needed, no fuss. You'll find locals at the bar next to travelers, all eating well.

• House-made lobster gnocchi with lemon-garlic beurre blanc.
• Bolognese so good guests change their order after smelling it.
• Craft cocktails with full muddle and infuse bar setup.
• Warm, attentive service without the rush or reservation hassle.

Start with dirty martinis and the complimentary house bread. The egg salad appetizer pairs crispy egg with oysters in an unexpected way. For entrees, the lobster gnocchi is a standout, but the bolognese, halibut, and burger all land well. Finish with beignets and the dessert sauce trio if you can fit them.

The room is intimate and cosmopolitan, with a lively bar. It reads darker than some diners prefer, but that adds to the after-work or date-night mood.

The kitchen works with fresh, local ingredients, especially lobster and seasonal vegetables. The house bread arrives warm and soft. Pastas are made in-house, sauces are built to last on the plate. It's the kind of place that feels unhurried even when full.

Guests rave about the care in every dish, from the house-made pastas to the fresh bread. Service is consistently attentive and warm. One recent visitor called it "exactly what I hoped to find," with the bonus of sitting alongside locals rather than tourists.