1. Does anyone have the recent Gourmet Magazine with Jane & Michael Stern’s road trip tips for Maine? If you do, can you put the places they mention in that article in the comments here? Thanks!
2. If anyone has any tips for where to eat in Maine (in particular, near Kennebunkport) let me know!
1) Beal’s Lobster Pier – Southwest Harbor, ME
Food Items: Lobster
2) Becky’s – Portland, ME
Food Items: Blueberry Pancakes, Haddock Chowder, Hot Turkey Plate, Italian French Toast, Muffin, Peanut Butter & Bacon Sandwich, Pot Roast Supper, Titanic Omelet, Whoopie Pie Cake
3) Big G’s – Winslow, ME
Food Items: Bag Of Bread Heels, Half Sandwich, Omelette, Whole Sandwich
4) Bob’s Clam Hut – Kittery, ME
Food Items: Clam Chowder, Fried Clam Basket, Lobster Roll, Onion Rings, Tartar Sauce
5) Brown Bag – Rockland, ME
Food Items: Bacon, Tomato, Cream Cheese Omlet, Bagel with Cream Cheese, Buttermilk Pancakes, Home Fries
6) Cole Farms – Gray, ME
Food Items: American Chop Suey, boiled dinner, Chicken Pot Pie, chowder, Franks & Beans, Grape Nuts Pudding, Indian Pudding, muffin, Rhubarb Pie
7) Colucci’s Hilltop Market – Portland, ME
Food Items: Muffin, Original Italian, Real Italian
8) Eagles Nest – Brewer, ME
Food Items: Hamburgers, Lobster Roll, Lobster Stew, Onion Rings, Strawberry Shortcake
9) Flo’s – Cape Neddick, ME
Food Items: Flo-dog (with hot sauce)
10) Giffords Ice Cream – Skowhegan, ME
Food Items: Ice cream
11) Grindstone Neck Of Maine – Winter Harbor, ME
Food Items: Cold-Smoked WIld Salmon, Fisherman’s Inn Cheese Spread, Hot-Smoked Salmon, Hot-Smoked Shrimp, Smoked Scallops
12) Harmon’s Lunch – Falmouth, ME
Food Items: Cheeseburger, French Fries
13) Harraseeket Lobster – Freeport, ME
Food Items: chowder, lobster, Lobster Bisque, Lobster Roll, Strawberry Shortcake, whoopie pie
14) Helen’s Restaurant – Machias, ME
Food Items: Blueberry pie, Fish and chips, Picked lobster, Strawberry pie
15) Hodgman’s Frozen Custard – New Gloucester, ME
Food Items: Custard Cone, Hot Fudge Royale Sundae
16) Maine Diner – Wells, ME
Food Items: Baked Beans, Chicken pot pie, Codfish Cakes and Beans, Indian Pudding, Lobster Pie, Lobster Roll, Seafood Chowder
17) Marcy’s Diner – Portland, ME
Food Items: Chili Cheese Omelet, Chocolate Pie, Home Fries
18) Moody’s – Waldoboro, ME
Food Items: 4 Berry Pie, Blueberry Muffin, Blueberry Pancakes, Boiled Dinner, Cinnamon Roll, Fried Tripe, Haddock chowder, Indian Pudding, Liver and onions, pie
19) Porthole – Portland, ME
Food Items: Blueberry Pancakes, Corned Beef Hash
20) Red’s Eats – Wiscasset, ME
Food Items: Lobster Roll
21) Sea Basket – Wiscasset, ME
Food Items: Lobster Roll, Lobster Stew (bowl), Whoopie Pie
22) Simone’s Hot Dog Stand – Lewiston, ME
Food Items: steamed hot dog
23) Standard Baking Company – Portland, ME
Food Items: Morning Bun, Pain au Chocolat, Pain au Levain, Raisin Pecan Loaf
24) The Clam Shack – Kennebunkport, ME
Food Items: Fried Clam Dinner, Lobster Roll
25) The Lobster Shack – Cape Elizabeth, ME
Food Items: Clam Boat, Clam Cake, Lobster Roll, Lobster Stew, New England Clam Chowder, Whoopy Pie
26) West Bay Lobsters In The Rough – Prospect Harbor, ME
Food Items: Baked beans, Blueberry pie, Clam chowder, Cole slaw, Corn on the cob, Lobster, Steamers
27) Young’s Lobster Pound – Belfast, ME
Food Items: Shore Dinner
If you can venture farther north for a a side excursion, be sure to stop at Red’s in Wicasset. They probably servce the most fanmous (and DELICIOUS) lobster rolls in Maine–simply out of this world. Just a lightly toasted/buttered hot dog roll, over one lb of lobster meat tucked into it and then a side of mayo or drawn butter. Don’t let the lines scare you–it’s worth the wait. Or show up around 11 am, wait about a half an hour and make it your first meal of the day. The fried zucchini is delicious too–the most unusual variety I’ve ever tried. Wiscasset is an adorable town as well.
I’m SO happy that you asked this question, as my fiance and I are planning a mini-honeymoon in Maine! Awesome.
I highly recommend the Clam Shack in Kennebunkport (listed above). It’s right on the little bridge as you come into downtown Kennebunkport, and they have the best fried clams I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a lot). Also, the Fore Street Restaurant in Portland is just fantastic. Creative, delicious cuisine and great atmosphere. It’s owned (I think) by the same people that own Standard Baking Company (listed above).
Don’t miss On The Marsh in Kennebunkport, but, call SOON for a reservation. Also, White Barn Inn is very romantic and I would say the very best in that area…though, On The Marsh is a close second.
Have a blast in Kennebunkport, its great. Agree with Jill def. go to the Clam Shack!!
i was just up in kennebunkport 3 weekends ago–i’ve gone up here for years and years–bring a sweater it is chilly for us cityfolks! u must go to noonan’s lobster hut in cape porpoise(in kennebunk)–my mom used to work there in the 60s and said the quality and decor hasn’t changed a bit. they don’t serve lunch and lines begin to form at the door at 5,00pm when it opens. the lobster is amazing and reasonable & they have good local beer too. the homemade blueberry pie is outta sight too! the clam shack is uber touristy; super greasy fried and no where to sit. but good if you’re in the mood for that sort of thing!
Brown’s Ice Cream in York, near Nubbel Light.
Arrows in Ogonguit
98 Provence Ogonquit
MC Perkins Cove in Perkins Cove
Pie in the Skye Bakery, York (Route 1)
Beach Pea Bakery, Kittery (Route 1).
The best raspberry pie (a two crust pie — with a great flaky crust — bursting with fresh raspberries) is at Waterman’s Beach Lobster in South Thomason. Two raspberries pies are baked every morning. I usually call ahead to reserve slices, since it sells fast. I beleive Waterman’s received a James Beard award several years back. It a great place, on a great waterfront location.
another voice in support of noonen’s in kennebunkport
it’s where i learned to eat lobster and it hasn’t changed in the 25 years we’ve been returning. the peanut butter pie is one of the few things favoured by both george bush (sr.) and myself.
Very timely. My husband and I just booked a week in September in Acadia National Park, ME.
Hope you have a great trip, Adam!
Thanks to all those who posted tips.
A big vote of confidence for Bob’s Clam Hut (#4)! My dad and I went on an annual father-daughter weekend for ten years and we always stopped there for fried clam strips and lobster rolls. So good.
I would second the White Barn Inn. The food is fantastic and the atmosphere is very romantic. It was the first place I told my wife I loved her.
Another vote for Bob’s Clam Hut.
The fried scallops are also excellent there.
Stop in at the Trading Post next door and gawk at all the stuffed animals. =)
Be warned: Moody’s Diner in Waldoboro is owned by *not* gay friendly owners. Also, I wouldn’t look at anyone cross-eyed in Waldoboro either.
Adam,
For great food; Hugo’s in Portland and Arrows in ogunquit. For great lobster and a beautiful location the lobster shack. I have eaten in great restaurants all over and Rob Evans of Hugos is really a stand out chef. Also next door to Hugo’s is a new book store that I love called Rabelais it is all cookbooks both new and antique. Enjoy your trip. Seven years ago I loved it so much, I moved here.
I’ll agree — Hugo’s in Portland is amazing. I wrote about our meal here:
http://firstratekate.blogspot.com/2006/08/menu.html
Also, the same people own a french fry (and salad and sandwich) place called Duck Fat which is also amazing.
I give a big second for Flo’s Hot Dogs. It’s tiny and only serves hot dogs, but they’re out of this world.
I’ll second Fore Street in Portland. I just reviewed it in my blog. Worth the side trip slightly north of K’port. Their specialty is game. If they have it, try the quail for an appetizer, or duck for your entree.
Right in Kennebunk, try Windows on the Water. If it is on the menu that day, try the lobster stuffed baked potato! Out of this world. They also have great mimosas at brunch.
A lesser known restaurant in K’port is The Arundel. It’s pretty unassuming, but has some excellent seafood and steaks and a nice view.
Have a great trip!
another vote for the Clam Shack in Kennebunk Port
for the best margaritas and steamers, not to mention the Brownie Delight (and an awesome view) go to the Arundel Warf
and Allison’s Restaurant beside the laundramat in Kennebunk Port makes the best blueberry muffins ever
if you can make it to Cape Porpoise, go to the Bradbury Brothers Market and check out their wine selection – you will not be disappointed
have fun!!
Grissini in Kennebunkport is very good, and affordable. It’s one of the best Italian restaurants I’ve been to in the states.
Check out their website: http://www.restaurantgrissini.com/
I’ll also jump on the recommendation for Fore Street in Portland…
Fore Street, Portland; The Edge Restaurant in Lincolnville Beach; Standard Baking Co in Portland for wonderful baked goods;
Clam Shack in Kennebunkport;
Mabel’s Lobster Claw in Kennebunkport;
Pier 77, Cape Porpoise Harbor, Kennebunkport;
We honeymooned near Acadia NP 5 yrs ago. I can’t remember the name of the little village (Somesville maybe) but near the center of town there was this little cafe.
The owner creates his corned beef hash from scratch. During our week we ate there twice for brunch. My only regret is that we didn’t discover the place sooner. You haven’t lived until you have had their blueberry blintzes with a side of hash – make mine a double!!!
If I remember the name/town I’ll comment again.
We just got back from Kennebunkport yesterday!
The Arundel Wharf (Kennebunkport) was great. We brought a party of 14 in there and the food and service was excellent. Right down the street is the Landing which is also great. Both have outdoor seating on the river.
The Captains and The Wayfarer in Cape Porpoise are quaint little restaurants with outstanding food. The Wayfarer is my favorite place for breakfast and the captains has wonderful lobster dinners (although, that’s not hard to find around there). They’re byob, but Bradbury Bros market across the way has any wine/beer you’d want.
Federal Jack’s (Kennebunk Brewing Co.) in the lower village is the place to go for food and drinks any time of the day. They stay open later than any restaurant/bar in Kennebunk and have great local beers on tap.
I haven’t had a bad meal in Kennebunkport, so wherever you choose to eat I’m sure it’ll be fantastic.
Arundel’s Wharf in Kennebunkport. We go every fall in Sept. and no atter where we are headed we make a stop at Arundel’s. It has one unfortunate drawback-it’s less than a mile from Walker’s Point and our (ahem) President. Even so, it’s worth the possible nightmare or two of an encounter. I personalliy stop by the guard gate to spit venimously in the general direction of the point.
Come to my house!!! We’ll have baked beans, red hot dogs, biscuits and blueberry pie…oh all right, we can get lobster if you HAVE too!
I was just in Wells over the weekend and Pier 77 in Kennebunk is excellent. Also for extra special dining is the White Barn Lodge? I think that is the name. Enjoy
White Barn Inn is amazing but be prepared to pay (will your parents be with you?) Also MC’s in Ogunquit has a gorgeous view – same owners as Arrows. Finally I was recently in Freeport and did a drive by of Harraseeket Lobster. It is the quintessential Maine lobster pound. I want to go back and eat sometime!
Hey commenters—thanks for all these tips! We actually went this past weekend: I’m just waiting for my friend James to upload his photos so I can use them for my post. Thanks for all your help!