$$$
Takeout restaurant
Rockland
Rockland takeout slinging lobster rolls, fried clams, and crispy fish and chips.
American restaurant
Kennebunk
Kennebunk breakfast spot with blueberry pancakes and housemade corned beef hash that locals line up for.
Brewery
Bar Harbor
Microbrewery in Bar Harbor with blueberry ale, housemade sodas, and a patio that welcomes dogs and families.
Restaurant
Boothbay Harbor
Smoked BBQ and house ciders in a pet-friendly brewpub by Boothbay Harbor's water, with darts and games.
Mediterranean restaurant
Ogunquit
Mediterranean cooking in Ogunquit with a lively patio, fire pits, and pasta that keeps diners coming back.
Inventive bar bites and fresh mussels in a leafy backstreet spot with bocce and cocktails.
Harbor views and crispy salmon at this upscale Boothbay spot known for fresh oysters and attentive service.
Sandwich shop
Bangor
Bangor sandwich shop known for hearty clubs and creative vegetarian paninis, though service can drag.
Bethel
Bethel burger and hot dog spot where the owner, Johnny, and crew treat regulars like family.
Italian restaurant
Handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza in Rockland; locals return year after year for the chicken parm.
Portland
Industrial Portland café in the Canopy Hotel with inventive coffee drinks, excellent breakfast, and cocktails.
Backyard Coffee & Eatery in downtown Ogunquit serves standout breakfast sandwiches and specialty lattes on a roomy patio.
Bed & breakfast
Camden
Upscale B&B in Camden with chef-driven dinners, fireside rooms, and wine pairings.
Thai restaurant
Thai cuisine done right in Rockland, with curries and noodles that keep regulars coming back.
Bar & grill
Bangor bar and grill known for homemade breakfast and a huge menu with nightly karaoke.
Barbecue restaurant
Kennebunk BBQ spot smoking brisket, burnt ends, and pulled pork with six house-made sauces.
Baxter State Park
Waterfront pub near Baxter with stellar fried clams, fresh seafood, and a welcoming bar.
Brunswick
Brunswick breakfast spot known for Eggs MacGregor and homemade biscuits.
American Restaurant
Cape Elizabeth
Upscale-casual Cape Elizabeth spot for inspired American dishes and an impressive wine list in cozy quarters.
General store
Stop for a tuna sandwich, breakfast pizza, or coffee at this beloved East Boothbay general store.
Indian restaurant
Augusta
Mughal Palace serves fiercely spiced Indian food that rivals Boston and NYC spots, with standout vegetarian options.
Thai Restaurant
Freeport
Family-run Thai in Freeport with housemade noodles, curries spiced to your heat, and strong imported beers.
Hotel
Old Orchard Beach
Beachfront motel in Old Orchard Beach with heated pool, free breakfast, and direct sand access.
Trailer-style burger joint on Rt. 1 near Rockland. Double burgers, seafood, honest prices.
Butcher shop
Ellsworth
Butcher shop, deli, and grocery in Ellsworth with house-made sandwiches and hard-to-find meats.
Caterer
Camden market and caterer doing fresh sandwiches, prepared foods, and custom event catering.
Bangor brewery with killer fish and chips and house IPAs, pinball games, and a welcoming vibe.
Chinese restaurant
Fresh, crunchy Chinese takeout in Freeport. House Rice Noodles and General Tso chicken done right.
American fare near Baxter State Park with views. The Knife Edge Burger and fresh fish are standouts.
Seafood restaurant
Roadside seafood shack in Boothbay Harbor slinging fat lobster rolls and fried combos.
Global comfort food in Camden, try the Brazilian fish stew or that pork chop everyone raves about.
Camden oyster bar with harbor views, craft cocktails, and briny small plates.
Ogunquit spot turning out steak frites and braised short ribs that'll make you forget every other meal.
Thai cooking done right in Brunswick, with attentive service and portions that don't skimp.
Cafe
Bethel bagel spot with NYC-quality flavor and homemade gelato from a residential storefront.
Rockland's fried chicken spot with house-made sauces and walls covered in puns.
Thai curries and drunken noodles that locals have driven an hour for, served on a relaxed patio.
Vietnamese restaurant
Vietnamese restaurant and bakery in Boothbay Harbor with killer donuts, pho, and breakfast sandwiches.
Oyster bar restaurant
Rockland oyster bar with Damariscotta and Pemiquid oysters, steak frites, and cocktails in a tiny downtown spot.
Breakfast restaurant
Ogunquit breakfast spot serving scratch pancakes, waffles & build-your-own omelettes at the Gorges Grant Hotel.
Thomaston Cafe serves straightforward American comfort food and some of Maine's best fish and chips in Rockland.
Seafood shack in Farmingdale serving overflowing clam platters and fried chicken that keeps regulars coming back.
Freeport bakery and sandwich shop with custom builds, pastries, and strong coffee.
Moody West End dim sum spot with knockout cocktails and soup dumplings that draw reservations.
Coffee shop
Kennebunk coffee shop with excellent breakfast sandwiches, lattes, and a welcoming vibe.
York
York steakhouse with seared beef, fresh scallops, and a covered patio open seven days a week.
Seafood Restaurant
Waterfront spot in Boothbay Harbor serving hand-crafted seafood and cocktails with inconsistent execution.
Sushi restaurant
Fresh sushi and nigiri in downtown Rockland, where the chefs work the bar right in front of you.
Italian cooking with Maine seafood on Bar Harbor's patio. Risotto, duck, and house-made pasta done right.
Bangor sandwich shop known for towering subs and a killer Philly cheesesteak.
Brunch Restaurant
Fresh seafood and cocktails in a wooded setting off the beaten path, worth the drive.
Liquor store
Liquor shop with a deli counter turning out lobster rolls and sandwiches on a covered deck.
Mexican restaurant
Serious Mexican cooking in Bangor, from ceviche to chile colorado that keeps people coming back.
Beer garden
Craft brewery in Old Orchard Beach with wood-fired pizza, lobster rolls, and a fire pit overlooking the Amtrak line.
Kennebunk restaurant with river views, wood-fired pizza, and carefully plated pasta and fish.
Barbecue Restaurant
Jamaican jerk and curry in Old Orchard Beach, smoked in-house and tuned for Maine palates.
Wells
Golf-course bar & grill in Wells with burgers, local beers, and a lively patio scene.
Bethel spot with seafood entrees, live music, and a dragonfly-themed room that feels both rustic and refined.
Association / Organization
Championship golf course in Boothbay Harbor with immaculate conditions and a clubhouse to match.
Smash burgers and hand-cut fries done right in downtown Ellsworth.
Quirky lakeside bar packed with Maine memorabilia, strong drinks, and locals who actually talk to you.
Old Orchard Beach bar with crispy pork belly bites, killer burgers, and bartenders who actually care.
Italian
Upscale Italian in Portland with handmade pasta, strong wines, and a welcoming bar scene.
Fine dining in Bar Harbor with house-made truffles, maple-glazed salmon, and attentive service.
Thai cooking with heat levels to match your appetite. Fresh, fast, and worth the trip to Ellsworth.
Seafood-forward American cooking in Boothbay Harbor with thoughtful cocktails and staff that genuinely cares.
American pub fare in Brunswick with burgers that draw repeat visitors and a bright, welcoming dining room.
Augusta breakfast spot with fresh bagels, house-baked goods, and standout coffee.
Freeport pub serving crispy fish and chips, haddock bites, and perfectly poured Guinness.
Texas-style BBQ from a food trailer in Kennebunk. Pulled pork tacos and brisket sandwiches.
Food truck lobster rolls and mac and cheese with a waterfront view in Rockland.
Shipwreck Foods serves lobster rolls with fresh meat and drawn butter on fluffy buns that won't fall apart.
Kennebunkport
Seafood and steaks in Kennebunkport with raw oysters, lobster risotto, and a harbor view.
New American tavern in a historic inn with house-made dishes, craft beer, and attentive service.
American
Fryeburg
Fine dining in a historic inn with mountain views and a menu that welcomes all diets.
Fine dining seafood and steaks in a historic York Harbor inn with a nautical cellar pub downstairs.
Pizza Bar
Biddeford
Brewpub in Augusta with creative half-and-half pizzas, power bowls, and housemade brews.
Smash burgers and high-end pub fare at Bangor's golf course. Come for the food, stay for the shaded deck.
Seafood
Seafood spot in Brunswick where the haddock is fresh, oysters are pristine, and Susan remembers your name.
Seafood on a former ferry with harbor views, bacon-wrapped scallops, and attentive service.
Tiny Portland oyster bar with shucked-to-order oysters, brown butter lobster rolls, and coastal cocktails.
Diner
Wells diner serving lobster pie, fried seafood, and blueberry pie in a classic, no-frills setting.
Portland pier chowder house slinging lobster BLTs and bowlfuls of clam chowder since forever.
Brewpub with 70+ taps, killer wings, and cabin vibes in downtown Portland.
Kennebunkport seafood tavern with creamy lobster bisque, fresh mussels, and inventive pub fare.
Casual Mexican spot in Bangor with margaritas, fajitas, and enchiladas that keep regulars coming back.
Steak house
Casual steakhouse in Bangor with solid beef, fresh bread, and a reliable bar scene.
Wood-fired New American spot in Bangor with killer cocktails, steaks, and a dining room that feels like a real occasion.
Homemade pasta and wood-fired pizza in a lively Portland Italian spot with a showstopping central bar.
Upscale steaks and surf-and-turf in Wells, with full dinners and a strong cocktail program.
Dry-rub barbecue and craft drinks in a colorful Freeport cabin with serious ribs and sides.
1896 landmark in York serving taffy, ice cream, and classic New England fare with a working candy kitchen.
Irish pub
Irish pub in Bangor with house-brewed beer, boneless wings, and a bar that's always buzzing.
Bar
American comfort food and a singalong piano bar in a lively Ogunquit hotspot.
Irish pub in Bangor with solid brews, hearty comfort food, and a lively crowd most nights.
Fresh burgers and comfort classics in a no-fuss Bangor neighborhood spot that won't break the bank.
Waterfront seafood spot in Wells with calamari, lobster, and harbor views from every seat.
Irish pub in Bar Harbor slinging shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, and a blueberry mule worth ordering twice.
Ogunquit's spirited BBQ and seafood spot with a roaring fire pit and killer smoked meats.
Fresh oysters, blackened haddock tacos, and French onion soup that actually tastes like something in Boothbay Harbor.
