2023 Guide to the Best Restaurants in Kennebunkport Maine

Dining in Kennebunkport is like the proverbial box of chocolates, except you can pick exactly what you’ll get. Being on the Southern Maine coast brings a bounty of fresh seafood that’s served at restaurants in Kennebunkport Maine and nearby Kennebunk.

Lobster is on almost every Kennebunkport restaurant menu, from fresh steamed lobster and famous lobster rolls at Mabel’s (where former presidents dine) to chef-prepared lobster creations at the legendary Kennebunkport restaurant, The White Barn.

Kennebunk and Kennebunkport’s dining scenes have become so popular that the coastal towns host an annual Food and Wine Festival, The Kennebunkport Festival, and local farmer’s markets. They’ve attracted foodies from the Travel Channel and the Food Network too!

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, check out these top-rated restaurants in Kennebunkport Maine and nearby for a meal that won’t disappoint.

Visit Alisson’s Restaurant & Pub for Amazing Pub Fare

11 Dock Square, Kennebunkport, ME

At the center of Dock Square, Alisson’s has been a local favorite since 1973. Lunch and dinner are served daily all year and feature award-winning chowder, lobster rolls, and other fresh seafood.

An extensive menu offers everything from appetizers and pub fare to steak as well. The casual restaurant organizes fun, themed nights and creative drink specials. Big-screen TVs in the pub keep you entertained with sports while you sip local beer and premium whiskey.

Enjoy a Summer Lobster Bake at Admiral’s Table

41 Turbats Creek Rd, Kennebunkport, ME

At the Rhumb Line Resort, the Admiral’s Table is an open-air summer bar and grill that serves the most affordable eats in Kennebunkport. June through Labor Day, it’s a hot spot for lobster bakes and poolside cocktails.

Head to Nunan’s Lobster Hut for the Best Lobster Rolls

9 Mills Rd, Kennebunkport, ME

Since 1953, Nunan’s Lobster Hut has been making Maine lobster dinners for locals and visitors alike. This eatery is located just 2 miles from Dock Square in Cape Porpoise, so it’s a great place to grab a bite after hours of shopping.

Nunan’s actually used to be a workshop and was converted into a kitchen with dining added to it over the years. Open from May to October, the restaurant has been making lobster dinners in the same kitchen and the same way for about 70 years — fresh, cooked to order, and delicious.

Get Seafood & Cocktails at Arundel Wharf

43 Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport, ME

Arundel Wharf is a unique restaurant in Kennebunkport’s dining scene that’s located in what was once a general store and warehouse where ships would be repaired and outfitted for sailing. The yacht club atmosphere is complemented by brass and mahogany accents and chart-covered tables.

Since 1974, the restaurant has been serving an extensive menu of local seafood from early May through mid-October. Along with waterfront dining on the wharf-side deck, you can enjoy seafood and cocktails by the fireplace indoors.

Enjoy French Cuisine at Chez Rosa

Cross St, Kennebunkport, ME

If you’re in the mood for French cuisine, head to the Chez Rosa bistro where husband and wife Chef Kyle Robinson and Yazmin Saraya Jean have been serving culinary inspirations since 2019. The couple opened the restaurant after being inspired during their travels to Paris and Chamonix.

The menu features French comfort foods that are made with seasonal ingredients from local farms, pastures, and the waters. Steak tartare and pollock wellington are a couple of examples, while cocktails are served as well. Enjoy your meal in a dining room filled with original artwork from Mast Cove Gallery.

Eat a Healthy Meal at Earth at Hidden Pond

354 Goose Rocks Rd, Kennebunkport, ME

Offering an unforgettable dining experience, Earth at Hidden Pond is nestled among birch and balsam trees. The simple but innovative menu focuses on bringing freshness to the table.

The restaurant uses local meats and seafood and picks produce from its on-site Chef’s Garden daily. On top of that, it makes pasta from scratch and thoughtfully prepares wood-oven entrees and housemade charcuterie. The curated wine list includes varieties from around the world.

Since Earth focuses on freshness, the menu changes daily with the available ingredients. The restaurant is open all year, but outdoor dining by the garden and pool are only offered weather permitting.

Stop at Fiafia for a Healthy Pick-me-up

8 Spring St, Kennebunkport, ME

While you’re exploring Kennebunkport and Kennebunk Maine, Fiafia is one of the best places to stop for a pick-me-up. This cute cafe features a healthy menu of acai bowls, smoothies, superfood lattes, and teas. You can also order oatmeal, toast, nitro, coffee, and espresso.

The cafe is pretty accommodating when it comes to special diets. So, if you want vegan, gluten-free, and non-dairy options, Fiafia is a fantastic spot. On top of that, it has some of the most friendly staff!

Order the Freshest Seafood at Port Lobster Co.

122 Ocean Ave, Kennebunkport, ME

Located where the mouth of the Kennebunk River meets the Atlantic Ocean, Port Lobster Co. is a locally owned business that specializes in lobster, fish, and seafood retail and wholesale. It buys directly from local fishermen and Maine coast dealers, so it always has the freshest seafood possible.

From Wednesday through Sunday, you can stop by for takeout orders of clams, lobster, mussels, and more that are cooked to order. It has homemade specialty salads in the cooler, which vary depending on the available ingredients.

Additionally, a range of homemade baked goods is available — cookies, pies, and more. You can even pair your seafood meal with a fine selection of wine and beer.

Have a Three-Course Tasting at Ocean Restaurant

208 Ocean Ave, Kennebunkport, ME

At the Cape Arundel Inn & Resort, you get a fine dining experience in the glass-walled Ocean Restaurant on the waterfront. You can have cocktails at the bar or on the front porch while enjoying the ocean view.

We highly recommend trying the three-course tasting menu. The menu changes with the season, but it always showcases meat raised, produce grown, and seafood caught in Maine. The chef gets inspiration for the three-course creations from Southern France and the Mediterranean as well.

Dine at The Spirit Restaurant for a Memorable Experience

4 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME

If dining in glass-walled restaurants in Kennebunkport Maine isn’t close enough to the water for you, head to The Spirit Restaurant in Kennebunk. Located on the 125-foot Spirit of Massachusetts schooner, this restaurant serves an array of small plates, all of which are made from scratch with fresh ingredients.

It’s not every day that you have the chance to eat on a ship that has sailed around the globe. It’s a unique experience that includes live music by local musicians throughout the May to September season.

Get a Taste of Thai Classics at Mekhong Thai Restaurant

35 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME

Since 1993, Mekhong Thai Restaurant has been serving authentic Thai dishes with influences from the owners’ time working in French cuisine. The dishes are carefully curated and made with fresh Maine seafood.

Plus, the menu boasts Asian influences and features dishes that are commonly found in Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants. From fried rice and curry to other classics, everyone can find something to enjoy.

Drink International Wines & Brews at Old Vines Wine Bar

173 Port Rd, Kennebunk, ME

Offering casual dining in a sophisticated atmosphere in the Lower Village of Kennebunk, Old Vines features the most extensive collection in the area of fine wine from around the world, craft brews from Maine and beyond, and handcrafted vintage cocktails.

But, the drinks aren’t all that makes this bar special. You can enjoy artisan cheeses, flatbread pizzas, excellent charcuterie, tapas-style small plates, and fresh salads with big flavor in the dining room or on the seasonal outdoor patio.

Go to White Barn Inn Restaurant for a Fine Dining Experience

37 Beach Ave, Kennebunk, ME

Along with being the only Forbes Five Star restaurant in Maine, the White Barn Inn Restaurant is a AAA Five Diamond restaurant. The menu features contemporary New England cuisine, showcasing amazing ingredients that are sourced from local farmers, foragers, and fishermen.

This upscale restaurant presents beautiful dishes, such as chef-prepared lobster, in an elegant and romantic dining room, which is ideal for a date night or special occasion.

Also at the White Barn Inn, check out the Little Barn, which brings local Maine fisheries and farmsteads to your table. In addition to the Provisions menu, you can order from the chef’s daily menu board.

More Great Local Restaurants in Kennebunkport Maine & Nearby

Looking for more Kennebunkport restaurants to whet your appetite? Explore our interactive map of the best restaurants in Kennebunkport:

Discover More of What Kennebunk & Kennebunkport Maine Have to Offer

Kennebunkport Maine is a year-round vacation destination with so much to do that visitors often return throughout the year to enjoy everything that this coastal Maine town offers.

From gorgeous beaches and scenic lighthouses to boat tours and unique shopping boutiques, and the best restaurants in Kennebunkport, there is something for everyone to do in Kennebunkport Maine!