1. Devour Duckfat In Portland
Duckfat
43 Middle St
Portland, ME
(207) 774-8080
Yelp: 4 Stars – 843 Reviews
Duckfat is a small sandwich shop with fantastic paninis and fresh salads, but they really shine using their namesake ingredient: duck fat. They’re known for their delicious poutine with belgian fries fried in duck fat and topped with local cheese curd, duck gravy and fresh chives.
Don’t forget their homemade milkshakes, like the sea salted duck fat caramel milkshake and the duck fat fried doughnut holes with duck fat caramel dipping sauce. When you try it, you’ll get it.
2. Bob’s Clam Hut In Kittery Has The Best Clams In All The Land
Bob’s Clam Hut
315 US Rt 1
Kittery, ME
(207) 439-4233
Yelp: 4 Stars – 302 Reviews
This no frills clam shack has been serving the best clams in Kittery since 1956. It’s a touristy spot but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the golden fried clams here are out of this world.
They get daily deliveries, so they’re as fresh as you can get. Go for the ‘Lillian-style’ clams with a milk and egg wash before breading. You won’t regret it.
3. You’ll Have A Sweet Spot For Sweet Chili Thai
Sweet Chili Thai
75 Airport Rd
Augusta, ME
(207) 621-8575
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 27 Reviews
If you’re looking for super authentic, tasty Thai food, then head to Sweet Chili Thai in Augusta. You’ll swoon over the fresh ingredients and the delicious masaman curry, shrimp Pad Thai and drunken noodles. The tissue paper roses on the straws and fresh pineapple served with your bill are two sweet touches that top off the experience.
4. Harraseeket Has The Freshest Lobster in South Freeport
Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster
36 Main St
South Freeport, ME
(207) 865-4888
Yelp: 4 Stars – 120 Reviews
Harraseeket is a family-owned restaurant located on the waterfront in South Freeport. You’ll enjoy the small-town vibe, the gorgeous view of the Harbor and the fact that they own their own fishing business, so they have the freshest lobster, hands down.
They also allow you to take live or cooked lobsters home with you. They don’t serve alcohol, but you’re free to bring your beer and wine to enjoy with your meal.
5. Fuel Your French Desires
Fuel
49 Lisbon St
Lewiston, ME
(207) 333-3835
Yelp: 4 Stars – 44 Reviews
Fuel has a delicious menu of country-style French cuisine served in a warm, inviting atmosphere. The balsamic braised lamb shank is served in a rich, reduction sauce and is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Other notables here are the escargot served with roasted bone marrow, the gruyere cheese fondue and the lobster mac and cheese. Every Friday they have foie gras served in a different preparation, and it is spectacular.
6. Everyone Screams For Rococo’s Artisan Ice Cream
Rococo Artisan Ice Cream
6 Spring St
Kennebunkport, ME
(207) 251-6866
Yelp: 5 Stars – 79 Reviews
When nothing but an ice cold, sweet cream indulgence will do, head to Rococo in Kennebunkport. Their cream and milk come from the happy cows at Hatchland Farms in northern New Hampshire. The list of flavors at this artisanal ice cream shop is out of this world.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try the olive oil, pepitas and rosemary caramel ice cream, strawberry habanero or the goat cheese ice cream with honey’d whiskey’d figs.
7. Eventide Oyster Co. Is An Oyster Lover’s Paradise
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle St
East Bayside, Portland, ME
(207) 774-8538
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 449 Reviews
Eventide Oyster Co.’s Korean-style steam buns piled high with fried oysters are exquisite (get the brown butter!) and the oyster bar is always impressive. The menu changes daily, but you’ll always be able to enjoy standbys like lobster rolls with hollandaise, New England clam chowder with salt pork, oysters on the half shell and shellfish served with sauces that you won’t find anywhere else, like kimchi ice, mimosa mignonette and cucumber ginger.
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8. Stuff Your Face With Nachos In Kittery At Loco Cocos
Loco Cocos Tacos
36 Walker St
Kittery, ME
(207) 438-9322
Yelp: 4 Stars – 168 Reviews
A rockin’ hot sauce bar, gigantic burritos and super tasty tacos are only a few reasons Loco Cocos Tacos made this list. While everything here is fresh and delicious, the nachos take the cake: their crispy chips are covered in your choice of meat and then piled high with the usual suspects, pinto beans, melted cheddar jack, fresh onion, jalapeno, cilantro, guacamole and pico de gallo. Top them off with dry ricotta and sour cream and they are out of this world.
9. The Chirashi Will Melt In Your Mouth At Yosaku
Yosaku
1 Danforth St
Old Port, Portland, ME
(207) 780-0880
Yelp: 4 Stars – 105 Reviews
Yosaku is the perfect place for a romantic date in Portland. The fish is exquisitely fresh and artfully presented in a fantastic environment with an outdoor patio and a variety of indoor seating, including zashiki seating.
Service is always spot on and the sushi is incredible. You could pick anything off the menu and be wowed, but be sure to try their special rolls and a bowl of chirashi.
10. There’s No Better Way To Start The Day Than Home Kitchen Cafe
Home Kitchen Cafe
650 Main St
Rockland, ME
(207) 596-2449
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 84 Reviews
Home Kitchen Cafe in Rockland serves lunch and dinner, but breakfast is where the party’s at. Homemade huevos rancheros, frittatas, bennies, corned beef hash, and fresh lobster…the list goes on, making it one of the best breakfasts in the entire state of Maine.
They also have great coffee, and don’t forget to get some of their homemade cinnamon buns on your way out the door.
11. OTTO’s Mashed Potato Pie Will Warm Your Belly And Your Heart
OTTO
576 Congress St
West End, Old Port, Arts District, Portland, ME
(207) 773-7099
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 263 Reviews
Have you ever had mashed potato on a pizza with bacon and scallions? What about butternut squash, ricotta and cranberry? The flavors are incredible together. The roasted chicken, caramelized pears and fontina cheese pizza is delicious too.
Sure, you can get all the standard pizzas too, but why would you want to? They’re open until 2 am on weekends and there’s nothing better than a mashed potato pie to wrap up a late night.
12. The Red Barn Drive-In Is Always Worth The Drive
Red Barn Drive-In
455 Riverside Dr
Augusta, ME
(207) 623-9485
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 84 Reviews
The Red Barn Drive-In is your typical Maine haunt with fried seafood baskets, juicy burgers and damn fine sandwiches, but perhaps there’s a few secret ingredients, because everything is perfectly seasoned.
If you feel like having the tastiest, largest lobster roll of your life, order the Crustacean Elation, a 28-ounce lobster roll for $39.95, and worth every penny.
13. Congdon’s Doughnuts Are The Best Doughnuts
Congdon’s Doughnuts
1090 Post Rd
Wells, ME
(207) 646-4219
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 130 Reviews
All doughnuts are not created equal. Congdon’s small-batch, gourmet donuts are fresh, hot bombs of golden fried, gooey, doughy goodness. From the buttercrunch, honey dip and maple creme to their crullers and insanely good jelly-filled variety, they are worth the drive no matter where you are.
They also have amazing chocolate covered bacon, so if you’ve always wanted to try it, carpe diem right here at Congdon’s.
14. Grab At Least Seven Napkins To Eat At Owls Head General Store
Owls Head General Store
2 S Shore Dr
Owls Head, ME
(207) 596-6038
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 26 Reviews
Owls Head is a super popular spot and it’s not because of the 7-napkin burger. Even the Food Network named it best burger in Maine. It’s true, you will need at least 7 napkins to devour this perfectly seasoned, juicy, mess of a burger. They also have great chowders, a crab melt you’ll wish you could eat every day, and incredible homemade pies.
15. Frontier In Brunswick Will Entertain Your Inner Foodie
Frontier
14 Maine St
Brunswick, ME
(207) 725-5222
Yelp: 4 Stars – 64 Reviews
Let’s start with the atmosphere: housed in an old mill: the vibe melds trendy and funky with rustic and repurposed. It’s an art gallery, an independent theater, a great place for live music and an innovative, delicious restaurant with a killer bar.
The maple cherry-chipotle pork tenderloin and curried mussels are some off-beat crowd favorites. Pair it with their unique house-made infusions like butternut squash bourbon and sage tequila.
What’s your go-to for great grub in Maine? Tell us in the comments below!
