Celebrate Fall Flavors in the MidCoast!

October will warm a foodie’s heart as restaurants, big and small, showcase the rich flavors of autumn. The crisp air and bright fall foliage mean locally harvested seasonal foods will be front and center on menus throughout the MidCoast. Celebrate fall flavors as squash, pumpkin, savory root vegetables, apples, and pears reach their peak flavors for hearty stews and deep-dish desserts. Not sure where to start? Here are a few of our favorites.

 

 

Linden & Front – Bath

The newly opened Linden & Front is a not-to-be-missed restaurant that offers a modern take on classic comfort foods. Every offering on the menu is beautifully prepared, from savory plates, stews, and salads to pasta, seafood, meats, and roasted farm vegetables. Their specialty cocktails include the house favorite, “L+F Negroni” and the Smoked Pineapple & Fresno Margarita.

 

 

Water Street Kitchen & Bar – Wiscasset

A short distance off busy Route 1 will bring you to one of the coziest waterfront spots for miles around. Mere Point Oysters headline the raw bar menu, and the appetizers include delicately sautéed mussels and charred Brussels sprouts. The roasted Maine lobster with whiskey tarragon butter is a house favorite and is rivaled only in popularity by “Le Garage Burger” on a brioche bun. Wow.

 

 

Dos Gatos – Belfast

This popular gastropub on Main Street is busy, fun, taco nirvana. The tacos at Dos Gatos exceed the ordinary with favorites like the Carnitas Way with pork and cilantro-lime coleslaw, the Beet taco with beets marinated in chipotle aioli and topped with spicy microgreens, or the Tamarind Duck taco with ancho tamarind sauce and salted radish. Need we say more?!

 

 

Homeport Inn & Tavern – Searsport

This historic 1861 sea captain’s home was tastefully updated in the Searsport coastal area last year. A handsome English pub with an ornate bar and fireside lounge is a welcome retreat for visitors or lodging guests. The adjacent dining room features a classic Maine coastal menu and selections sourced from regional farms. Linger in the parlor room or enjoy the sun porch overlooking the gardens. The Homeport often features live acoustic entertainment in the pub or the outdoor beer garden.

 

 

Ann’s Book Bistro – Damariscotta

You’ll know you’ve found the right place when you see shelves filled with several thousand books. The casual restaurant offers authentic Spanish cuisine, including Fennel Roasted Tomato Soup, Cazuela Catalonian seafood chowder, and Linguini Carbonara with pork guanciale and poached egg. Celebrate the arrival of October with their seasonal cocktails, which include freshly pulled Expresso Martinis.

 

 

Home Kitchen Café – Rockland

Very few things will start your morning, like Rockland’s Home Kitchen Café menu. Choose from seven different Eggs Benedict, Huevos Rancheros with endless add-ons, and breakfast sandwiches, including smoked salmon, a hearty veggie with pesto mayo, or the satisfying Philly with shaved steak. The Café is located in a former 1940s gas station and now includes a second floor and deck. Breakfast and lunch are served all day, which makes it a favorite with locals for miles around.

 

 

Salt Wharf Restaurant – Camden

The new Salt Wharf has one of the best views of Camden Harbor from its rooftop bar and waterfront restaurant. Located on the marina of the famed yacht builder Lyman-Morse, you can dine on specialties like Gulf of Maine Halibut, Maine U-10 Scallops, or Copper River Ribeye in the dining room. The rooftop bar menu offers more casual selections, including a grilled Salmon BLT, the big Salt Wharf Salad, and fresh oysters.

 

 

Aster & Rose – Lincolnville

A short drive from Camden on Route 52 will take you past beautiful Lake Megunticook Lake to Aster & Rose Restaurant at the Youngtown Inn. This historic inn’s new owners have created a menu they describe as “Bolognese Meets Benjamin Franklin.” House-made pasta, such as Seafood Agnolotti, is featured with hearty roasted dishes. Ingredients are sourced from local farms and fishing boats.

 

 

Robinson’s Wharf – Southport

For a family-friendly seafood dining experience, Robinson’s Wharf is everything a classic Maine lobster restaurant should be. Located just a few minutes from Boothbay Harbor, lobster boats tie up next to the outdoor dining tables for the freshest lobster imaginable. The extensive menu offers something for everyone, from kids to the hungriest guests. For a deep dive into fresh seafood, order the Fishermens’ Platter with haddock, scallops, shrimp, clams – and of course – fries and coleslaw.

 

 

OneSixtyFive – Brunswick

Near the Village Green in downtown Brunswick, OneSixtyFive is a favorite place for breakfast and dinner. The aptly named Pub165 is renowned for its partnerships with local Maine farms, which provide fresh ingredients daily. Imagine the taste of Lobster Corn Cakes with roasted cream corn or an extraordinary Poutine with roasted fingerling potatoes, wild mushrooms, parmesan, fresh herbs, and horseradish aioli. Enjoy wine or cocktails on the front porch. Or, if the October weather is chilly, cozy up to the large fireplace.

 

 

East Wind – Tenants Harbor

With its protected ocean views, nearby islands and lighthouses, and working lobster boats, Tenant’s Harbor is a classic Maine coastal village. Overlooking the harbor, the Harborview Bistro at the East Wind Inn is open to the public and offers ‘boat-to-table’ fare from the neighboring boat dock. Arrive early for cocktails or mocktails on the porch and enjoy the autumn colors on the nearby islands.

For more tasty options, check out what’s cooking in the MidCoast, or consider these delicious summer hot spots.