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Restaurant
Acadia National Park
Seafood tasting menu on Deer Isle with views, run by Chef Devin Finigan and her young, polished team.
Augusta
Augusta spot serving seasonal small plates and craft cocktails with a talented kitchen crew.
American restaurant
Bangor
Creative American cooking in downtown Bangor with playful cocktails and standout pork belly.
Rockland
Contemporary American in a lofty Rockland space with serious wines and locally sourced proteins.
Asian restaurant
Old Orchard Beach
Thai and sushi spot in Old Orchard Beach with sushi that rivals the best in Maine.
Cocktail bar
Brunswick
Brunswick's James Beard-winning bar where craft cocktails, coffee, and creative small plates coexist seamlessly.
Bar Harbor
Lobster and crab melts on sourdough, loaded fries, quick lunch spot in downtown Bar Harbor.
Seafood pasta and filet mignon in a renovated 1884 inn near Acadia with water views.
Sandwich shop
Rockland sandwich shop slinging fresh lobster rolls and standout soups with genuine hospitality.
Camden
Camden's Mosaic pairs Mexican-inspired cooking with local art and a husband-wife team running the show.
American Restaurant
Freeport
Contemporary New England cooking in a relaxed hotel dining room. Seafood, steak, and legendary blueberry pie.
Beloved Camden shack dishing up lobster rolls and burgers for 50 years from a parking lot.
Takeout restaurant
Roadside seafood shack near Acadia with stellar lobster rolls, fried clams, and homemade ice cream.
Kennebunk
Kennebunk cocktail bar and restaurant with inventive drinks and refined comfort food.
Kennebunk deli and upscale restaurant hybrid with killer sandwiches, fresh seafood, and a bar where strangers become friends.
Sushi restaurant
Ogunquit
Fresh sushi and poke bowls on Route 1, where the chefs know your name by dessert.
York
BYO American spot in York with vegan-friendly cooking, fresh local ingredients, and a family touch.
Fresh Maine seafood and bourbon pairings in a charming Spruce Head dining room overlooking Clark Island.
Breakfast restaurant
Bethel
Casual diner in Bethel serving hearty breakfasts and burgers at prices that won't hurt.
Market
Boothbay Harbor
Working wharf lobster shack where boats deliver catch fresh to your picnic table.
Vietnamese restaurant
Vietnamese spot in Kennebunk with generous bowls, fresh rolls, and boba teas worth the trip.
Cape Elizabeth
Cape Elizabeth bistro serving Greek and Mediterranean fare with grilled fish and inventive cocktails.
Baxter State Park
Casual American spot near Baxter State Park with killer sandwiches, quesadillas, and ribs.
Refined bistro cooking in Augusta with house-made focaccia, half chicken, and short ribs that actually deliver.
