From fresh lobster shacks and clam chowder to award-winning farm-to-table dining, Maine's restaurant scene reflects the best of what the state has to offer. Browse all restaurants below, organized by destination.

Augusta

Bangor

Bar Harbor

Bath

Belfast

Bethel

Boothbay Harbor

Brunswick

Calais

Calais Downeast Restaurant

Camden

Castine

Deer Isle

Eastport

Chowder House Eastport

Ellsworth

Freeport

Greenville

Jackman

Kennebunkport

Lewiston

Machias

Helens Restaurant

Millinocket

Mount Desert Island

Ogunquit

Old Orchard Beach

Portland

Rangeley

Rockland

Scarborough

Stonington

Waterville

York

Maine’s restaurant scene is one of the great surprises of New England travel. Beyond the legendary lobster pounds and clam shacks — which are genuinely exceptional — Maine has developed a sophisticated dining culture anchored by locally sourced ingredients, award-winning chefs, and a craft beverage scene that rivals any state in the country. From the James Beard Award-winning restaurants of Portland’s Old Port to the remote sporting camp kitchens of the North Woods, Maine food reflects the character of the state itself: honest, seasonal, and deeply connected to the land and sea.

Maine Lobster & Seafood

📌 Did someone say lobster? Read our complete Maine Lobster Roll Guide — the best lobster rolls in the state from Ogunquit to Wiscasset.

No Maine dining experience is complete without lobster. The classic Maine lobster pound experience — picking your live lobster, watching it cook in a large pot over an open fire, and eating it at a picnic table with a view of the water — is one of the most authentic culinary traditions in America. Some of the best lobster pounds in Maine include Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound just before the causeway to Bar Harbor, Red’s Eats in Wiscasset (famous for its overstuffed lobster rolls), and the Clam Shack in Kennebunkport. Beyond lobster, Maine’s cold waters produce exceptional clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, and fish — all available fresh at restaurants and fish markets throughout the state.

Portland’s Restaurant Scene

Portland has earned a national reputation as one of America’s great food cities — remarkable for a city of 70,000. The Old Port district is the epicenter, with James Beard Award winners and nominees clustered on Fore Street, Middle Street, and the surrounding blocks. Fore Street Restaurant — with its wood-fired oven and commitment to local ingredients — put Portland on the culinary map. Eventide Oyster Co. is widely considered one of the best oyster bars in America. Hugo’s, Duckfat, and a growing roster of newer restaurants continue to cement Portland’s reputation as a destination dining city.

📌 Portland dining: Read our complete Things to Do in Portland Maine guide — Eventide, Fore Street, Duckfat, and Maine’s finest food city in full detail.

Maine Craft Beer & Breweries

Maine has one of the highest concentrations of craft breweries per capita in the country. Portland is home to Allagash Brewing Company — one of the most celebrated craft brewers in America — along with Bissell Brothers, Rising Tide, Foundation Brewing, and dozens of others. Maine’s beer trail extends well beyond Portland to Bangor, Bar Harbor, Bethel and Camden.

Dining by Maine Destination

Each Maine destination has its own dining character. After thirty years sending travelers across the state, here’s how we think about food in the most-visited Maine destinations:

Portland Restaurants

Portland has Maine’s strongest restaurant scene by a wide margin — multiple James Beard winners, dozens of well-regarded restaurants concentrated in the Old Port and West End, and a food culture taken seriously by national press. Expect to spend $35-65 per person for dinner at the better restaurants. Reservations strongly recommended for weekend dinners, especially in summer. See our Portland with Kids guide for family-friendly options specifically.

Freeport Restaurants

Freeport dining is built around the shopping crowd — casual lunch and dinner spots within walking distance of L.L. Bean and the outlet shops. Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster (about 10 minutes from downtown in South Freeport) is the area’s iconic lobster shack — picnic-table outdoor dining on the harbor, no-frills lobster rolls, fried clams, and chowder. Tuscan Brick Oven on Main Street is the go-to for sit-down Italian. The Maine Beer Company tasting room (5 minutes from town) is essential for craft beer fans, with food trucks regularly on site. For breakfast, Buck’s Naked BBQ serves the heartiest morning meals in town. Freeport isn’t a food destination on the level of Portland, but for shopping-trip lunches and casual dinners, it’s well covered. See our Freeport with Kids guide for family-specific picks.

Kennebunkport Restaurants

Kennebunkport punches above its size on dining. Mabel’s Lobster Claw is the classic destination — President Bush family favorite, lobster rolls, fried seafood. Earth at Hidden Pond is a destination restaurant in a luxury inn setting. The Boathouse overlooks the Kennebunk River with strong cocktails and a serious wine list. Stripers Waterside Restaurant at the Breakwater Inn does the elevated seafood thing well. Reservations are essential for any of these on summer weekends. See our Kennebunkport with Kids guide for family-friendly picks.

Bar Harbor and Acadia Restaurants

Bar Harbor has the most concentrated restaurant scene outside of Portland — over 70 restaurants in a small downtown, ranging from casual lobster pounds to surprisingly sophisticated dining. Galyn’s is the long-standing institution for seafood. Havana brings Cuban-Caribbean influences. Side Street Cafe is family-favorite casual. For the iconic Acadia lobster experience, Thurston’s Lobster Pound on Bernard (40 minutes from Bar Harbor on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island) is worth the drive. Most Bar Harbor restaurants close after Columbus Day; reservations essential in July and August.

Camden and Midcoast Restaurants

Camden and the surrounding midcoast towns (Rockland, Rockport, Lincolnville) collectively have some of Maine’s most underrated dining. Long Grain in Camden is a serious Thai-influenced destination. Peter Ott’s on the Water handles upscale seafood. Primo in Rockland (chef Melissa Kelly, multiple James Beard wins) is a destination restaurant — book months in advance. For casual: Cuzzy’s in Camden for pub food and lobster rolls. See our Camden with Kids guide for family-specific picks.

Ogunquit and Wells Restaurants

Ogunquit’s restaurant scene is built around the resort town’s LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere and beach crowd. MC Perkins Cove is Ken Oringer’s well-regarded outpost — strong seafood, dramatic ocean views from Perkins Cove. Backyard does elevated American with a patio. For casual: Lobster Shack on Perkins Cove is the iconic lobster roll. In neighboring Wells, the Maine Diner (open since 1983) is an institution worth the wait. See our Ogunquit with Kids guide for family-friendly options.

Bath and Brunswick Restaurants

The midcoast’s twin cities of Bath and Brunswick have a quietly excellent dining scene, often overshadowed by Portland 45 minutes south. Solo Italiano in Brunswick does serious Italian. Mae’s Cafe & Bakery in Bath is the breakfast institution. The Frontier Cafe in Brunswick combines a film venue with strong food. Five Islands Lobster Co. (15 minutes from Bath in Georgetown) is the lobster pound experience without Boothbay crowds.

Maine Food Specialties

Beyond restaurant choices, Maine has distinct food specialties worth seeking out:

The Lobster Roll Debate

Maine lobster rolls are served two ways: cold lobster meat with mayo on a buttered split-top bun (the Maine standard), or warm with melted butter (the Connecticut style). Real Maine lobster rolls use only the meat — no celery, no lettuce filler, no fancy spices. The bun should be a New England-style split-top, lightly buttered and toasted. Best Maine lobster rolls: Red’s Eats in Wiscasset (cult favorite, long lines), Bite Into Maine in Cape Elizabeth (lots of variations), Thurston’s in Bernard (Acadia area), and Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown.

Whoopie Pies

Maine’s official state treat. Two soft chocolate cake rounds with white cream filling — sometimes called the original American sandwich cookie. Wicked Whoopies in Gardiner is the largest producer; their flagship store ships worldwide. Whoopie Pie Festival in Dover-Foxcroft each June is the calendar event for fans. Maine claims the whoopie pie even though Pennsylvania and Massachusetts also lay claim — Maine’s state legislature settled it officially in 2011.

Wild Blueberries

Maine produces 95% of the wild blueberries in the U.S. — smaller, sweeter, more intensely flavored than the cultivated highbush blueberries common at supermarkets. Look for blueberry pie at restaurants, blueberry pancakes at diners, and blueberry barrens (fields of low-growing native blueberry plants) particularly across the Downeast region. Peak harvest is late July through August. Wild Blueberry Festival in Machias is the annual celebration.

Italian Sandwiches

A Maine institution despite being unknown outside the state. A “real Italian” in Maine is: ham, American cheese, sliced tomato, onion, pickles, green olives, and oil — all on a soft sub roll, eaten cold. Created at Amato’s in Portland in 1903. Available at gas stations, sub shops, and corner stores throughout Maine. The genuine version comes wrapped in white butcher paper, dripping oil and vinegar. Polarizing for non-Mainers; essential for the authentic Maine experience.

Sporting Camp Cuisine

The traditional sporting camps of the North Woods serve a distinct style of family-style meals: hearty, breakfast-heavy, often featuring local fish (brook trout, landlocked salmon), wild game in season, and home baking. Meals are usually served at set times at communal tables. Camps like Libby Camps (Aroostook), Attean Lake Lodge (Jackman), and West Branch Pond Camps (Greenville area) are the classic representatives of this tradition.

Maine Restaurant FAQ

What is Maine famous for in terms of food?

Maine is most famous for lobster — both the iconic lobster roll and whole steamed lobster served at lobster pounds. Other signature Maine foods include wild blueberries, whoopie pies (the state treat), Italian sandwiches, fried clams, fresh seafood, and craft beer. Portland’s restaurant scene has earned national recognition with multiple James Beard winners.

Where is the best lobster in Maine?

The most-acclaimed Maine lobster spots include Red’s Eats in Wiscasset (lobster rolls, long lines), Thurston’s Lobster Pound in Bernard (Acadia area), Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown, and Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster in South Freeport. For Maine lobster generally, midcoast and Downeast regions offer the most authentic lobster-pound experiences. Quality varies more by season than location — fall lobster (September-November) has firmer, sweeter meat than summer.

Is Portland Maine a good food city?

Yes — Portland is widely considered one of the best small food cities in the United States. Multiple James Beard Award winners, a concentrated restaurant district in the Old Port, strong farm-to-table tradition, and a food culture taken seriously by national press. Bon Appetit named Portland its 2018 “Restaurant City of the Year.” For a city of 68,000, the dining quality and variety is exceptional.

When is the best time of year for Maine seafood?

Maine lobster is available year-round but quality peaks in fall (September-November) when colder water produces firmer, sweeter meat. Soft-shell lobster (mid-July through October) is preferred by purists for its sweetness. Maine scallops are at their peak in December-March. Wild Maine shrimp season (when open) runs December-March. Wild blueberries peak late July through August. Most lobster pounds and seasonal restaurants close after Columbus Day.

Do I need reservations for Maine restaurants?

For sit-down dinners in popular destinations (Portland, Bar Harbor, Kennebunkport, Camden) during summer and fall foliage season, reservations are strongly recommended — often essential for weekend dinners. Casual lobster pounds and clam shacks typically don’t take reservations and run on first-come-first-served. Top-tier restaurants in Portland (Fore Street, Eventide, Solo Italiano) may book up 4-6 weeks ahead in peak season.

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Dining by Region

Southern Maine — Portland’s Old Port district anchors the state’s finest dining scene. The Kennebunks have exceptional upscale dining including Earth at Hidden Pond and the White Barn Inn. Ogunquit’s Arrows restaurant is a legendary farm-to-table destination. Ogunquit and Kennebunkport both have outstanding concentrations of restaurants for their size.

📌 Southern Maine dining: Read our Kennebunkport vs Ogunquit comparison to decide which southern Maine town suits your dining style, and our guides to Things to Do in Kennebunkport and Things to Do in Ogunquit.

Midcoast Maine — Camden and Rockland have strong restaurant scenes anchored by Natalie’s at Camden Harbour Inn and Primo in Rockland. Belfast‘s Young’s Lobster Pound is a midcoast institution. Boothbay Harbor has excellent waterfront dining including Robinson’s Wharf and Cabbage Island Clambakes.

📌 Midcoast dining: Read our guides to Things to Do in Wiscasset Maine (home of Red’s Eats, the most famous lobster roll in Maine), Things to Do in Rockland Maine (Primo, Cafe Miranda), and Things to Do in Boothbay Harbor Maine.

📌 The oyster capital of Maine: Read our complete Things to Do in Damariscotta Maine guide — the Damariscotta River produces some of the finest oysters in the world.

Downeast & Acadia — Bar Harbor has an exceptional restaurant scene for a seasonal resort town. Havana on Cottage Street brings creative Latin-influenced cuisine to Mount Desert Island. Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound just before the island is one of the finest lobster pounds in the state. Read our Bar Harbor Restaurants guide for the best family-friendly options and where to get the famous lobster ice cream.

📌 Downeast dining: Read our Bar Harbor Restaurants guide and our guide to Things to Do in Stonington Maine — Aragosta and the Fishermen’s Friend are two of the finest dining options in Downeast Maine.

North Woods — Dining in the North Woods is simpler but authentic. Greenville has a solid selection of casual restaurants, and the restaurant at Blair Hill Inn above Moosehead Lake is considered one of the finest dining experiences in the region.

Eating out with kids? Each of our city-specific family guides — Maine with Kids — covers family-friendly restaurants and dining tips by destination.

Maine Restaurants & Dining Guide — Best Restaurants by Region