In recent years, the food scene in Maine has been gaining national attention and awards. Innovative chefs and new restaurants are elevating MidCoast food and drink to foodie bliss, from the smallest cafés to craft breweries, bakeries, coffee roasters, and, of course, roadside stands with hand-made ice cream.
While famed MidCoast restaurants like Primo and The Lost Kitchen are garnering national praise, many new chefs in the area are introducing wonderful farm-to-table fare you don’t want to miss. A few to check out include Wolfpeach in Camden, Sammy’s Deluxe in Rockland, Sterlingtown in Union, The Coast Café and Bakery in Searsport, The Hoot in Northport, and Enoteca Athena in Brunswick. Here’s a sampling of restaurants worth checking out.
Lobsters are seemingly on the menu in every dock-side shack and restaurant, but there’s also an abundance of other terrific seafood found in Maine’s waters. Other ocean treasures of the MidCoast are mussels, native red crabs, and, of course, fresh oysters. The Damariscotta River is famous for its modern oyster farms that bring the wild American oyster to perfection. The MidCoast is truly the best place in the world to taste exquisite varieties of oysters.
There are over 25 outstanding craft breweries to explore in the towns and backroads throughout the MidCoast. Nearly every brewery has their doors open to visit and to sample fresh beers. Many have family-friendly tap rooms and outdoor decks that offer classic pub menus with locally-sourced foods. Brewers are proud of their craft and are happy to share their brewing process and discuss the hops and grains they use.
For many of us, the desserts and sweet treats of Maine are unrivaled for foodie bliss. Yes, we’re all trying to live healthier, but a fresh-baked donut, a brrrr-inducing ice cream, or a still-warm blueberry pie makes life so much more enjoyable! Sweet fact: the donut was invented in Rockport, Maine in 1847 and continues to be perfected at Ruckus Donuts in Rockland, and Frosty’s Donuts in Brunswick and Bath. Or for something cold on a hot summer day, stop by John’s Ice Cream Factory in Liberty.
Wild blueberry pie is the classic Maine dessert, but blueberry ketchup and blueberry beers have their own magic too. For exquisite blueberry pies, have a slice of heaven at Atlantic Baking Company in Rockland, or at The Slipway in Thomaston, where the “Blueruh” (pronounced blue-roo) pie is baked in crusts with a high butter measure.
