Stones Throw in York, Maine

Stones Throw sits right across from York Beach, a casual spot where you can sleep steps from the sand and eat with the ocean at your back. The restaurant and bar draw both hotel guests and day-trippers for seafood, vegan dishes, and cocktails. It's the kind of place where the staff remembers you, the coffee comes with a sunrise view, and parking after checkout is a perk they'll work out with you.

• Ocean views from almost every table on the terrace.
• Strong vegan menu with house-made breads and crab cakes.
• Fresh seafood at reasonable prices, mostly prepared from scratch.
• Staff attentive and flexible about details like post-checkout parking.

Start with the pumpkin bread if it's on the menu. The crab cakes are a must, and they make a no-lobster roll for those skipping traditional seafood. Mocktails are worth trying if you're not drinking. Portions run big, so don't overorder. Stick to the seafood specials and ask what came in fresh that day.

Bright and open, with tables spilling onto a terrace. It fills up quickly in season, especially early evening, so it can get lively and a bit loud when full.

The kitchen leans into fresh seafood and has built a reputation for vegan and gluten-free options that don't feel like an afterthought. Portions are generous. Service is friendly and unhurried. Come early if you can, especially in peak season, or expect a wait.

Guests consistently praise the ocean views and the breadth of vegan and gluten-free options. One recent visitor called it 'a plant-based option in Maine you shouldn't pass on.' People come back for the fresh food and friendly staff, though timing your visit before the dinner rush pays off.