6 Things Every Food Lover Must do in MidCoast Maine
From lobster to pizza, from beer to wine, Midcoast Maine has something to delight the tastebuds
Nestled within the southern coastline and surrounded by rugged nature, Maine’s MidCoast region certainly has a lot to offer for the outdoor enthusiast. But, that’s not all it has. With its fish shacks, food-pairing cruises, and artisan producers, it is also a must-visit for any food lover out there. It’s a place where you can follow your lobster from the sea to your plate or shuck your own fresh oysters while indulging in a local craft beer. You may come to the MidCoast for the adventure, but you’ll stay for the delicious experiences. And here are six things the foodie in you just can’t miss.
1. Take an Oyster & Wine Pairing Boat Cruise
Damariscotta River Cruises offers different events almost every night on their boat, like sunset cruises or seal watching tours. But, you don’t want to miss Oyster tasting that is complete with a wine pairing done by an onboard sommelier! You will be cruising past the farms while sampling half a dozen or so fresh-from-the-sea oysters. Each course will be paired with a complimenting glass of wine or bubbles. It’s a delicious two-hour ride that is as yummy as it is educational.
2. Attend the Ultimate Pizza Party
Every Wednesday night in the summer months, Uproot Pie Co. pulls their mobile wood-fired pizza oven into the front yard of Oyster River Wine Growers and together they throw the ultimate pizza party. Can you really go wrong with artisan pizza and wine? That’s a hard no.
Whether you opt for a simple margarita pie or the unique Moroccan-spiced lamb, you will not be disappointed, especially when you can wash it all down with a glass of local Oyster River Red.
Just make sure to get there early, because they only bring so many pizza dough rounds and when they are gone, they are gone.
3. Taste Some Local Craft Beer
What is an ODD Spell, ODD Night and an ODD Friend? These are all names given to the craft beers at Odd Alewives Farm Brewery. They specialize in using unique ingredients, like sauerkraut (the ODD Idea), to create a delicious collection of brews. What makes this place even more special is that it is surrounded by 22 acres of forest and gardens, where many of the ingredients are actually grown.
Pop into their tasting room that’s housed in a renovated 1820’s barn and indulge in a flight to find your favorite, then head outside to see what’s currently growing in the garden.
4. Eat a Lobster Roll
Can you really go to Maine without eating a lobster roll? I suppose you can, but you shouldn’t. Typically, the famous rolls are simply made with fresh chunks of lobster meat, melted butter (and/or mayonnaise) served on a top-split New England hot dog roll. You don’t have to complicate things to make them delicious!
It’s hard to find a bad roll in Maine’s MidCoast, but there are some crowd favorites. Red’s Eats is probably the most popular joint, and there’s almost always a long line. But, if you don’t want to wait, you will find Sprague’s right across the street. They are arguably just as good with half the queue. My favorite was McLoons Lobster Shack, not only because their lobster was tender and delicious, but their location across from the area’s oldest working lobster wharf is picturesque. You could easily spend a large chunk of the afternoon watching the local lobstermen at work and then stay into the evening for a spectacular sunset over the harbor.
5. Indulge in the Artisan Chocolate
Bixby & Co. is committed to making chocolate (and some other sweets) that are non-GMO, gluten-free and organic. Talk about a triple whammy! And it’s actually delicious, too! My favorite is the Dark Chocolate with Peanut Butter and Maine Sea Salt. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
You can pick up a bar of the specialty chocolate at almost any grocer in the area, but for an even more gourmand experience, you absolutely should drop by the Bixby & Co. bean-to-bar factory in Rockland. Though you can’t go into the main production area, you can peak through the windows and possibly get a glimpse of a chocolatier at work.
6. Attend the Maine Lobster Festival
If you’re one of the biggest shipping centers for lobster in the world, it’s only appropriate to host a festival centered around it as well, right? Held in Rockland every August and lasting five days, the Maine Lobster Festival over the years has grown from being a small local celebration to an internationally recognized festival celebrating lobsters and seafood in general. In addition to food stalls specializing in the yummiest of seafood dishes, there is a seafood-cooking contest held at this festival. There’s also a variety of other activities and entertainment available to explore, including a footrace. But, everything climaxes with The Big Parade that makes its way down Main Street.
Though Maine’s MidCoast may be known for its outdoor adventures, it’s also a place for foodies to come to indulge in the local delicacies and experiences. This list is just a taste of what they have to offer, so break out your lobster bib, unbuckle a notch on your belt and indulge in the MidCoast.
Annette White
Bucket List Journey
