Dining in Maine

The “eat local” movement is flourishing in Maine, making the state one of the best places on the planet for locavores. Here is where you can dine at hundreds of restaurants on a meal of all farm-to-table ingredients, or buy and cook your own fare from dozens of farmers’ markets, independent grocers, or even some of the better supermarkets.

As blogger Alison LePage wrote for a publication of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), “It wasn’t that long ago that everyone ate local foods. Grocery stores didn’t even exist until 80 years ago.” LePage and her family decided shortly after moving here to go on an “all Maine” diet.

Nationally known food writer Molly Watson explains why Mainers are on the right track in promoting locally grown foodstuffs. “Eating local foods is better for you, for the environment, and most importantly, for your taste buds,” she says.

It’s actually difficult to find an eatery in Maine that doesn’t boast about serving at least some locally grown meats and produce. From casual Miguel’s in Bangor, where locally raised meats and fresh-from-the-garden salad greens are the rule, to the all-organic menu at Kennebunkport’s Earth, where the chef uses ingredients hand-picked from an onsite garden, to Café Miranda in Rockland, where vegetables come directly from chef Kerry Altiero’s own farm, Maine restaurateurs realize that diners’ tastes are definitely moving toward the homegrown.

Farmers’ Markets

​Maine residents and visitors have more than 140 farmers’ markets to explore across the state. From the big towns to the tiny hamlets, the wide array of markets reflects Maine’s many diversified farms and its rich crafting heritage. Markets are on every day of the...

Breweries, Wineries and Distilleries

From microbreweries and brewpubs that craft award-winning beers, to wineries and cellars that ferment delicious wines and hard ciders, to distilleries that create amazing spirits, Maine’s countless establishments and their offerings are noteworthy and promise to...

Beer Trail

Explore Maine, one brewery at a time.  The Maine Beer Trail isn’t just a list, it’s an adventure. We’re inviting you to visit our breweries all across the state: in city pubs and river lodges, revitalized mills and old barns, along downtown storefronts, and down...

Wine Trail

We invite you to sample wine all across the state. For specific tasting room hours of operation, contact the winery. Here are a few we recommend: A Wild Fern Winery235 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington207-778-5276 Cellardoor at the Point4 Thompson’s Point Rd.,...

Food Festivals & Events

Be sure to check out some of Maine's many food festivals and events during your visit. Here are some of our favorites! May May 12, Old Orchard BeachAnnual Chowderfest on the Pier. 207-934-3595 or oobpier.com May 18, Old Orchard BeachAnnual Beerfest. 12-5pm with live...

Lobster Rolls

Moose watching, visiting lighthouses, fall foliage and the rocky coast are just some of the typical reasons millions of people visit Maine every year. Yet, some say a Maine vacation is never complete with the sampling of Maine lobster and what better way to do that...

Other restaurants often recommended for their bias toward local foods include Robert’s Maine Grill (Kittery), Arrows (Ogunquit), Fore Street (Portland),
Joshua’s (Wells), Primo (Rockland), and the Early Bird Café (So. Berwick).

There are several organizations across the state dedicated to connecting farmer to diner. One such group is the Eat Local Foods Coalition of Maine (ELFC). That group’s mission is to “put more Maine food on more Maine tables more often.” The Maine Locavore organization is another group working to spread the gospel of locavorism. They post profiles of more than 200 farms on their website, and allow browsers to target places to purchase everything edible from meats to sweets, or to visit farms for a chance to get up close and personal with what goes on their dining table.

Dine with us!

1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Topsham ME
(207) 449-1750

 Dine / Midcoast

725 Broadway, South Portland ME
(207) 517-5551

 Dine / Greater Portland

65 Portland Rd, Kennebunk ME 04043
(207) 985-9855

 Dine / Southern Maine

153 Water St, Gardiner, ME
(207) 588-7148

 Dine / Kennebec / Moose River Valley

26 Front St, Bangor ME
(207) 947-8009

 Dine / Maine Highlands

540 Forest Ave, Portland, ME, United States, 04101
(207) 772-0300

 Dine / Greater Portland

86 Newbury St., Portland, Maine
1800

 Dine / Greater Portland

2 Main St, Lisbon Falls 04252
(207) 407-4606

 Dine / Lakes & Mountains

125 Western Ave, South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 871-7000

 Dine / Greater Portland

3 Cabela Blvd, Scarborough, ME, 04074
(207) 289-6010

 Dine / Greater Portland

20 Custom House Wharf, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 773-4653

 Dine / Greater Portland

1 Main St, Camden ME 04843
(207) 230-1306

 Dine / Midcoast

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