Exploring Maine's Culinary Scene and Seafood
Joseph’s By The Sea
Head south of Portland to Old Orchard Beach and swing by Joseph’s By The Sea. The waterfront restaurant features an open-air rooftop deck, providing customers with an unfettered view of the breaking waves while enjoying their meals.
The Black Harpoon
The MidCoast & Islands region is gaining national recognition for its abundance of oysters. The pristine tidal waters in the area are perfect for harvesting these tasty bivalves. A great place to try a fresh oyster is in Port Clyde at the The Black Harpoon. The restaurant is a casual affair — locally owned family restaurant in the heart of Port Clyde. They take pride homemade food, locally sourced seafood
Cook’s Lobster & Ale House
There’s no experience more quintessentially Maine than eating a boiled lobster dockside while watching the seagulls soar overhead. One such lobster pound is Cook’s Lobster & Ale House on Bailey Island. The restaurant features over 20 craft beers on tap, a large deck, and of course, plenty of freshly caught lobster to enjoy.
Asticou Inn
Further up the coast in the Down-East Acadia region, after spending a day hiking around Acadia National Park, stop by the Asticou Inn for their renowned flakey and buttery popovers. If a light snack doesn’t satisfy your appetite, don’t worry, the inn’s restaurant specializes in far more than just popovers, offering up plenty of exquisitely prepared appetizers and entrees.
Ribollita
Even though there are so many excellent restaurants throughout Maine, Portland still stands as the epicenter of outstanding eateries. The city’s culinary landscape has seen a dizzying number of new restaurants crop up in recent years. Still, Ribollita, a stalwart in the Portland restaurant scene, has been serving up tasty Italian dishes for over a decade. The chef uses local ingredients to create a brilliant classic Italian menu with touches on Maine’s unique culinary landscape.
As summer approaches and the days get warmer, restaurants across the state are preparing to welcome another year of visitors. When you are in Maine this year, be sure to eat at as many of the state’s wonderful restaurants as you can. The food promises to be fresh, lovingly prepared, and delicious.