13 Delicious Restaurants in Sanford Maine

Sanford Maine is a beautiful, scenic city in Maine that offers walking trails and views of historic mills and factories. But, did you know that Sanford is also home to a variety of delicious dining options?

From nostalgic breakfast diners to ethnic foods to traditional seafood joints, you’re sure to find something to indulge in at these restaurants in Sanford Maine.

Enjoy a Meal With a View at Pilot’s Cove Cafe

199 Airport Rd, Sanford, ME 04073

Pilot’s Cove Cafe offers a unique dining experience where guests can enjoy a meal on the tarmac! It serves brunch, lunch, and dinner with a menu that features family favorites like waffles, omelets, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and a kid’s menu.

The restaurant also has a full bar and the option to sit indoors or outdoors (weather permitting).

Get BBQ With Flare at Richie’s Jerk & BBQ

35 Washington St, Sanford, ME 04073

Richie’s Jerk & BBQ has been in Sanford since 2016 and offers traditional BBQ fare and new-age offerings. Everything on the menu is made with fresh and sustainable ingredients, so you can feel good about where your food is coming from.

Unique barbecue offerings like pig’s tail stew, mac n’ tots, or escovitch fish round out the traditional menu of jerk chicken and po’boys.

Enjoy a Night Out With Friends at Mill Towne Tavern

898 Main St, Sanford, ME 04073

Every town has one hopping place where everyone meets up for fun, and in Sanford Maine, that place is Mill Towne Tavern.

It has live entertainment — from trivia nights to corn hole tournaments to live music and karaoke nights. The menu features typical sports bar fare with smash burgers, pasta, sandwiches, appetizers, and pizza.

Have Family Fun at Shaw’s Ridge Farm

59 Shaws Ridge Rd, Sanford, ME 04073

Shaw’s Ridge Farm has been serving delicious ice cream in spring and summer since 1922. It is homemade with high milk-fat cream and is served seasonally from May to October (check the website for updated hours).

Try the Native Strawberry ice cream made from Lavigne’s Strawberry Farm strawberries. Or, if you’re in the mood for a refreshing citrus flavor, try the Fresh Lemon ice cream made from freshly squeezed lemons. After enjoying an ice cream, play a round of mini golf, or check out one of the BBQ Barn events.

Indulge In an Adult Milkshake at Third Alarm Diner

47 Washington St, Sanford, ME 04073

Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Third Alarm Diner has a wide variety of menu options for every palate.

But, what makes this establishment unique is that it offers special Third Alarm Adult Milkshakes, which are infused with alcohol and come in flavors like Mudslide (Kahlua, Irish Creme, Vodka), Raspberries and Cream (Bacardi and Irish Creme), Chocolate Coconut (Malibu Rum), and The Third Alarm (Fireball). Non-alcoholic milkshakes are also available in 11 flavors.

Try a mimosa for breakfast or a flight of margaritas for a late lunch, and you’ll be sure to work up an appetite. You can sit in the small outdoor seating area in the summertime and enjoy a steak or seafood dish. Breakfast is served all day long, and the diner offers great deals on its Children’s and Senior menu.

Satisfy a Wings Craving at Bubba Frye’s Wings and Things

890 Main St #200b, Sanford, ME 04073

With over 30 sauces, Bubba Frye’s Wings and Things offers wings of varying degrees of spiciness and sweetness.

Boasting a family-friendly atmosphere, wings are served via counter service in the open-concept dining room. You can order a salad with homemade croutons, a macaroni bowl, or a burger to complement your wings.

Visit the Quaint Village of Springvale at Springvale Publick House

481 Main St # C, Springvale, ME 04083

Springvale Publick House is located in the village of Springvale, which is part of the city of Sanford. This casual bar and restaurant offers 20 draft beer selections and food that’s made from scratch. The bar has a small-town feel as locals gather and everyone knows each other’s name.

But, don’t be intimidated because visitors are happily welcomed by smiling staff to enjoy the menu of pub food — shepherd’s pie, haddock sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches.

You’re also sure to see a patron or two enjoying a slice of Pub Pie, which is a giant slice of homemade pie on a rotating menu of seasonal flavors.

Experience Tastes From South of the Border at El Mexicano

1364 Main St #16, Sanford, ME 04073

El Mexicano is the perfect place to satisfy a Mexican food craving. Its menu offers all of the typical Mexican-American favorites, such as chimichangas, enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, and salads. A full bar rounds out this casual dining experience.

Nosh on Seafood Local Favorite Lord’s Clam Box

1465 Main St, Sanford, ME 04073

A local staple, Lord’s Clam Box has been around since 1969, serving famous chowders and seafood. For a taste of fresh, local seafood, order clams (fried or steamed) or a fisherman’s platter (haddock, scallops, shrimp, and whole belly clams).

For the sides, try the house-made special applesauce or pineapple coleslaw. The restaurant makes burgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders, too, for non-seafood eaters.

Enjoy Authentic Thai at Mee-D Thai

886 Main St suite #201, Sanford, ME 04073

Authentic Thai can be hard to come by in Maine, but Mee-D Thai serves authentic dishes at its Sanford location daily. It fuses traditional Thai culinary foods with modern interpretations.

As with most Thai restaurants, the menu is heavy on delicious rice and noodle dishes. For a refreshing drink, try a Thai Bubble Ice Tea.

Stop at Sweet Memories Restaurant for Mimosas and Brunch

937 Main St, Sanford, ME 04073

Sweet Memories Restaurant delights diners with breakfast, brunch, and lunch with mimosas. If you stop for breakfast or brunch, try the sweet Maine-made maple syrup. For lunch, try the scallops, macaroni and cheese, or a soup and sandwich.

Eat Pizza Like a Local at Paras Pizza

45 High St, Sanford, ME 04073

Every town has a local pizza joint that everyone talks about, and in Sanford Maine, that place is Paras Pizza.

This no-frills pizza shop offers personal-size bar pizzas in traditional cheese and pepperoni or with popular toppings like peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Additionally, it has Italian subs and sodas that you can munch on in the small seating area or take to go.

Feel at Home at Mel’s Raspberry Patch

372 Alfred Rd, Sanford, ME 04073

When you walk in the door at Mel’s Raspberry Patch, you’ll be greeted with a smile and friendly service. Mel’s has a small dining area where it serves breakfast and lunch.

Locals rave about Mel’s homemade muffins, loaves of bread, and raspberry turnovers. If you plan to order pancakes, be prepared that they are giant pancakes — as big as a dinner plate! Also, Mel’s has gluten-free items for those who are on a restricted diet.

Savor a Taste of Maine at Shain’s of Maine

1491 Main St, Sanford, ME 04073

Shain’s of Maine is a one-stop lunch or dinner place serving both delicious platters and ice cream all in one location.

Try some of the locals’ favorites — lobster rolls, haddock sandwiches, steamed hot dogs, and chowder. Top it off with a sweet treat of ice cream for the perfect lunch or dinner out with the family. If you aren’t in the mood for ice cream, you could try a homemade whoopie pie instead.

Explore Beyond the Restaurants in Sanford Maine

There are many options for dining when visiting Sanford Maine. Many of the establishments have been around for decades, for a good reason. They’re delicious, affordable, and friendly. Try one of these favorites to please your entire family on your next visit to Sanford.

And while you’re planning the getaway, there are several hotels in Sanford and nearby, along with other lodging options. You can even choose from Southern Maine campgrounds and RV parks.