Delicious Eats You Can’t Miss: The Best Places to Dine in Maine

Maine may be famous for its fresh lobster, clams, and seafood shacks, but its dining scene goes far beyond the ocean’s bounty. From cozy small-town cafés to award-winning restaurants, every corner of the state has something delicious to offer.

Many chefs here take pride in sourcing local ingredients – fresh seafood straight from the docks, farm-grown produce, and high-quality meats – all coming together to create one-of-a-kind meals you won’t find anywhere else.

With James Beard Award winners and top-tier culinary talent, Maine’s food scene continues to impress. Publications like Bon Appétit and Wine Spectator have put these restaurants on the map, not just for their outstanding dishes but also for their incredible settings.

And if you love good food and drink, Portland is the ultimate foodie destination, packed with inventive restaurants and buzzing with annual food, beer, and wine festivals.

So whether you’re craving a classic lobster roll, a fine-dining experience, or a meal crafted from the freshest local ingredients, Maine serves something unforgettable at every turn. But, here are some of our favorite picks.

White Barn Inn Restaurant l Kennebunkport

The White Barn Inn Restaurant is a AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star dining experience that has been featured on many cooking programs and magazines.

Set in old restored barns that date back to the 1800s, the White Barn Inn offers a truly unique dining experience perfect for a romantic dinner or a special celebration. The five-diamond service makes the White Barn special ocassion dining.

White barn’s menu changes weekly, based on the freshest available ingredients, blending classic New England flavors in a stunning setting with supreme service, the price fixed menu is $118 per person.

Related: Hungry in Kennebunkport? These Restaurants Won’t Disappoint

Earth at Hidden Pond l Kennebunkport

Nestled in the woods, Earth at Hidden Pond focuses on “farm to fork” freshness in a really fun setting.

Using ingredients hand-picked from their onsite organic gardens, the chefs serve delicious handmade pastas, grilled veggies, local seafood, and meats in a rustic chic setting with a grand bar and open concept kitchen.

Craft cocktails outside by the artistic firepits and spa pool are a nice start to the evening at Earth. Ask for the private Potting Shed for a particularly intimate culinary setting. 

UNION Restaurant l Portland

You may be eating the freshest food you’ve ever had when you go to UNION Restaurant. Every dish is crafted to be perfectly fresh using seafood from the neighboring harbor, veggies from adjacent farms, and honey from the restaurant’s own rooftop beehives.

That is what distinguishes UNION as a true neighborhood eatery.

Fore Street l Portland

The atmosphere at Fore Street will charm any diner: lined in brick and soapstone with an open view kitchen showing wood-burning oven, grill and turnspit, you can watch your meals cooked live.

Although Chef Sam Hayward’s menu changes daily to accommodate the freshest foods available, some favorites that are always on the menu include the wood-oven roasted mussels, turnspit pork and chicken, and grilled hanger steak.

Related: The BEST Portland Maine Restaurants for Every Taste

Street & Company l Portland

A member of the same restaurant family as Fore Street, Street & Company has made a name for itself as one of the best seafood restaurants in Portland.

Best for true seafood-lovers as the menu is almost entirely seafood – with favorites like lobster diavolo, mussels marinara and grilled halibut or swordfish.

Scales Restaurant on the waterfront is another fantastic dining spot- same succesful ownership- stellar water view on the pier.

Inkwell l Portland

At the boutique Press Hotel, once home to the Portland Press Herald, start your evening with craft cocktails at Inkwell, a stylish bar nodding to the building’s journalistic past.

Then, savor a meal featuring creative tasting plates, fresh Maine seafood, and farm-to-table specialties, all crafted with bold flavors and locally sourced ingredients.

Boathouse Restaurant l Kennebunkport

Overlooking the Kennebunk River, just steps from Kennebunkport’s Dock Square, Boathouse Restaurant spectacular dining spot has sevearl bars, a huge outdoor deck, a chic dining room, and a lobster bar.

Part of The Boathouse Hotel, it’s a great spot for lunch, or happy hour, watch the boats go by and the tide rush in and out.

The Sole l Pemaquid Harbor

Tucked along the shores of Pemaquid Harbor, The Sole is a cozy waterfront gem where fresh seafood and stunning views go hand in hand.

Whether you’re digging into a perfectly grilled lobster tail, savoring crispy fish and chips, or enjoying a craft cocktail as the sun sets over the water, every bite feels like pure Maine.

The laid-back atmosphere, friendly service, and unbeatable harbor views make it the perfect spot to unwind after a day of coastal exploring. If you’re craving fresh flavors and a taste of the sea, The Sole is a must-visit in Pemaquid.

Natalie’s l Camden

Natalie’s in Camden is where elegance meets Maine’s coastal charm. Perched above the harbor, this award-winning restaurant delivers an unforgettable dining experience with its artfully crafted dishes, locally sourced ingredients, and stunning water views.

Whether you’re savoring fresh seafood, indulging in a multi-course tasting menu, or toasting with a perfectly paired wine, every bite feels special. The intimate, red-accented dining room adds a touch of romance, making it perfect for a memorable night out.

Related: 11 Unique & Local Camden Maine Restaurants to Satiate Your Taste Buds

Dolphin Marina & Restaurant l  Harpswell

This spectacular setting in the heart of Casco Bay sits out on Basin Point in Pott’s Harbor – home of the annual Harpswell Lobster Boat Races.

Dining at the Dolphin offers obvious water views from its multi-level restaurants and the freshest fish, famous chowder and lobster stew, and blueberry muffins. See the Blackboard for the daily catch or lobster and save room for the homemade desserts.

You can come by car or boat to the amazing Dolphin waterfront dining spot, open for lunch and dinner.

Palace Diner l Biddeford

Nothing is finer than an old school diner, except wthen the chefs are young and fresh and fun. Palace Diner is a super popular little gem in an old fashioned diner car with a hip menu serving classics eggs, hash, flapjacks, fried chicken, and sandwiches – super yum.

Related: Craving Something Delicious? Here’s Where to Eat in Biddeford

The Lost Kitchen l Freedom

This culinary retreat is so popular that you send in a postcard to get a reservation by lottery! Single mom Erin French has created a culinary dream success story in the quiet town of Freedom.

The Lost Kitchen serves her amazing flavors – lamb, scallops, local grown veggies, and desserts. And, it has spawned a cookbook and James Beard award attention.

Reading Room Restaurant l Bar Harbor

Located at the beautiful Bar Harbor Inn, Reading Room Restaurant offers delectable cuisine, nightly piano entertainment, and gorgeous views of the harbor and Bar Island.

The menu is full of delicious local catches – salmon, haddock, and lobster – as well as house favorites like vegetable wellington and filet mignon.

Related: Eat Your Way Through Bar Harbor at These 13 Restaurants

More About Maine Restaurants

Maine may be famous for its lobster, but its food scene goes far beyond steamed crustaceans. With top chefs, locally grown produce, and a deep-rooted love for fresh, high-quality ingredients, dining in Maine is an experience all its own.

Start your day with fluffy blueberry pancakes drizzled in Maine maple syrup, then grab a lunch of chowder, fried clams, or a lobster roll at a seaside shack, watching fishing boats bob in the harbor.

Dinner? Whether it’s fresh-off-the-boat scallops at a tiny coastal café, an elegant five-star meal, or a cozy pub with local craft beer, Maine delivers.

A Different Dining Experience in Every Region

Coastal towns like Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, and Portland are packed with incredible restaurants, while MidCoast gems like Boothbay Harbor and Bar Harbor serve fresh seafood in stunning waterfront settings.

Head inland toward the Lakes and Mountains, and you’ll find ski resorts and lakefront inns offering fine dining, plus classic roadside diners serving hearty comfort food.

No trip to Maine is complete without a true Downeast feast of steamed clams, corn on the cob, and lobster cooked in seaweed. And, with a booming craft beer and wine scene, there’s always something delicious to wash it down.

From oceanfront elegance to campfire burgers, Maine’s food scene is as diverse as its landscape, and every bite is worth savoring.