Are you ready to taste the best food in New England? You must try the elite culinary spots across Maine, and many of these are Maine award winning restaurants known for their outstanding cuisine. Local food lovers celebrate this vibrant food scene every day. Consequently, master chefs continuously earn national accolades for their inventive menus.
Magazines notice this incredible momentum too. For example, Bon Appétit named Portland the Best Restaurant City of the Year in 2018. This coastal city holds four of the state’s six James Beard Award winners.
The Historic Titans of Portland’s Old Port
You can begin your journey at the legendary Fore Street Restaurant. Master chef Sam Hayward won the coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northeast here. Additionally, this iconic eatery achieved semifinalist status for Outstanding Restaurant from the James Beard Foundation every year since 2011. Diners marvel at the massive wood-burning hearth. Therefore, the kitchen treats guests to spectacular roasted meats and local seafood nightly.
Fore Street Restaurant
Location: 288 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101
Contact: (207) 775-2717
Hayward later formed a powerful dream team with renowned chef Dana Street. Street built fame through his celebrated Mediterranean seafood bistro, Street & Company.
Street & Company
Location: 33 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101
Contact: (207) 775-0887
Together, this legendary pair launched Scales. This waterfront location quickly became another spectacular winner. As a result, guests enjoy classic New England seafood right on the dynamic, working harbor.
Scales
Location: 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Contact: (207) 805-0444
Casual Innovations and Legendary Craft Brews
Remarkable talent shapes casual dining in the city as well. Chef Rob Evans won Best Chef in the Northeast while owning Hugo’s. Afterward, he opened Duckfat. This beloved spot conquered the Food Network as a three-time Chopped Champion. People flock here specifically for hand-cut Belgian fries fried in luscious duck fat.
Duckfat
Location: 43 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
Contact: (207) 774-8080
Right down the street, seafood lovers find an absolute paradise. Chefs Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley won their James Beard Award in 2017 at Eventide Oyster Co. Their brown butter lobster roll draws global crowds daily.
Eventide Oyster Co.
Location: 86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
Contact: (207) 774-8538
These creative partners also operate The Honey Paw. This hip venue serves handmade noodles and seasonal Asian-inspired treats next door.
The Honey Paw
Location: 78 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
Contact: (207) 774-8538
Exceptional craft drinks complement these rich flavors beautifully. Rob Tod founded Allagash Brewing Company in Portland. He secured the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer in 2019.
Allagash Brewing Company
Location: 50 Industrial Way, Portland, ME 04103
Contact: (207) 878-5385
From Midcoast Masterpieces to Acclaimed Bakeries
True greatness stretches far beyond the city limits of Portland. Chef Melissa Kelly arrived with a James Beard Award already in hand. She opened Primo in beautiful Rockland. Kelly now holds two regional titles. Her farm-to-table restaurant remains the premier gold standard for sustainable agriculture and fresh cooking.
Primo
Location: 2 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
Contact: (207) 596-0770
Back on the coast, artisan baking reaches spectacular heights. Alison Pray drives the elite standard at Standard Baking Co.. Her morning pastries and organic breads routinely land her among national semifinalists.
Standard Baking Co.
Location: 75 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Contact: (207) 773-2112
Further south, retro charm meets elite culinary expertise. Chad Conley and Greg Mitchell resurrected the historic Palace Diner in Biddeford. This local treasure dates back to 1927. It consistently earns high praise for simple breakfast and lunch classics.
Palace Diner
Location: 18 Franklin St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Contact: (207) 284-0015
The North Woods and Moosehead Lake Region Gems
Now, elite destination dining is heading deep into the scenic North Woods. You can experience world-class fine dining right in the heart of the Maine Highlands.
First, look at the small town of Monson. Chef Marilou Ranta amazed the nation at The Quarry. Her fine-dining gem won the prestigious 2023 James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality. Ranta crafts exquisite multi-course prix fixe menus using fresh ingredients. Her infectious energy creates an unforgettable dining atmosphere.
The Quarry
Location: 15 Tenney Hill Road, Monson, ME 04464
Contact: (207) 997-3486
Next, travel slightly north to Greenville on the shores of Moosehead Lake. Here, you will discover the magnificent 368 Maine Restaurant located at the historic Lodge at Moosehead Lake. This fine-dining destination serves masterfully executed Modern American cuisine. Furthermore, the restaurant proudly holds the elite Distinguished Restaurants of North America Award for 2023 and 2024. Guests enjoy an outstanding four-course prix fixe menu alongside sweeping, panoramic lake views.
368 Maine Restaurant
Location: 368 Lily Bay Road, Greenville, ME 04441
Contact: (207) 695-4400
Elite Contenders and Celebrated Mainstays
Fierce culinary creators keep emerging across multiple towns. Chef Krista Kern Desjarlais earned numerous nominations over the years. Her wood-fired bagel oasis, The Purple House, captured national attention in North Yarmouth.
The Purple House
Location: 378 Walnut Hill Rd, North Yarmouth, ME 04097
Contact: (207) 808-3148
In addition, Vien Dobui brought a hip noodle experience to life. His lively eatery, CÔNG TỬ BỘT, treats guests to comforting Vietnamese dishes.
Công Tử Bột
Location: 57 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Contact: (207) 805-1121
Midcoast enthusiasts also treasure the meticulous creations of Keiko Suzuki Steinberger. Her phenomenal destination, Suzuki’s Sushi Bar, delivers exquisite local seafood selections in Rockland.
Suzuki’s Sushi Bar
Location: 419 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
Contact: (207) 596-7447
Historic Classes and Rising Stars
The year 2022 welcomed a magnificent new wave of nominees. Courtney Loreg earned praise at Woodford Food and Beverage. This neighborhood destination presents intentional, classic American dining inside a striking mid-century building.
Woodford Food & Beverage
Location: 660 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Contact: (207) 200-8503
Meanwhile, Damian Sansonetti crafts brilliant French and Spanish flavors at Chaval. This casual West End café charms guests with beautiful seasonal tapas and custom pastries.
Chaval
Location: 58 Pine St, Portland, ME 04102
Contact: (207) 772-1110
Finally, Biddeford boasts a wonderful riverside gem. Magnus on Water immediately caught the eye of national judges. You must explore their highly relaxed outdoor dining area for incredible, forage-driven craft cocktails.
Magnus on Water
Location: 12 Water St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Contact: (207) 494-9052
Plan Your Ultimate Maine Food Tour Today
Ultimately, Maine offers an unparalleled paradise for every dedicated food lover. You can experience everything from world-class coastal seafood eateries to innovative neighborhood bistros. These celebrated master chefs continue to elevate local ingredients to incredible heights. Therefore, you should start planning your ultimate culinary road trip right now. Which award-winning dining destination will you choose to experience first?
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