31 Best Restaurants in The Southern Coast, Maine

This outpost of the popular Batson River brewing and distilling company channels the feel of a trendy lakeside camp (think vintage thermoses and prize catches mounted on the walls) all year round. The menu includes standout cocktails, well-done bar fare, and beers brewed on-site, just behind Fish Camp. On the main road to Wells Beach and off busy Route 1, it's a welcome addition in a drive-through part of town.

Hands down Maine's best lobster roll is found at this food truck that overlooks the idyllic Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth. Traditional rolls smothered in ungodly amounts of drawn butter are delicious, but you've also got the option to get out of the lobster comfort zone with rolls featuring flavors like wasabi, curry, and chipotle. There are vegetarian and nonseafood options on offer, too.

Pete and Kate Morency, the duo originally behind the ever-popular Pier 77 and the Ramp Bar and Grill in Kennebunkport, are also the masterminds behind this seafood spot, where Mediterranean and American classics are given brilliant, contemporary twists. The fabulous decor consists of an unlikely marriage of old-school American sports memorabilia and something that might be described as shabby ballroom chic—crystal chandeliers hang above old leather boxing gloves, and shiny trophies (including a 1961 Miss Universe cup) and black-and-white photos of sports icons line the bar.

Each and every meal feels like a special occasion at his splurge-worthy place, which offers thoughtful attention to flavor and texture and uses the freshest locally sourced ingredients. The seasonally inspired menu is always in flux, but you can be sure that even hard-core foodies will be delighted with this culinary experience.

Award-winning chef Bowman Brown is behind this restaurant, situated in an old mill building—transformed with exquisite, Scandinavian-style decor—and offering just two tasting-menu seatings (at 5 and 8:30) a night. This is one of Maine's most highly regarded and splurge-worthy dining experiences, featuring meticulously prepared, seasonally inspired dishes, but if your budget is tight, note that the first-floor Jackrabbit Cafe serves small plates and pastries for a fraction of the tasting-menu price.

This classic spot has been a go-to in the seaside hamlet of Biddeford Pool for over 100 years. Now part general store, part takeout spot, it's a one-stop-shop for sunscreen, wine and beer, and locally made pies; the kitchen offers a bevy of Maine classics (including lobster dinners and fresh lobster rolls), sometimes with a twist (like haddock tacos with ginger-cucumber salsa or a blueberry cream cheese tart for dessert). Enjoy your meal at the picnic tables out back for unparalleled views of the sea and islands; just note that alcohol can't be consumed on the premises.

From the moment you walk into Northern Union you know you're going to be in very good hands. A genuine, welcoming staff and laid-back yet elegant design scheme put you in the mood for a slow, very memorable dinner of seasonally inspired small plates like braised pork belly or duck confit and rotating entrées like seared scallops and lobster fettuccine—all available with spot-on wine pairings that you won't find anywhere else in the area.

Large picture windows make this one of the best places in town to watch the sun set (or rise) over the Atlantic. The intimate dining space features a touch of seaside elegance coupled with captivating, original local art, and Maine seafood and other local ingredients are used in contemporary takes on classic dishes such as lobster Thermidor, foie gras, swordfish, and seafood velouté.

Housed in a historic barn, this wine bar and its front patio get busy in summer, and for good reason: artisan cocktails and flavorful small plates are expertly made, and, as the name suggests, the wine list is stellar. Except for a six-week break in midwinter, it's open year-round and cozy on cold nights, too. Stop in for live music or book a small-group cocktail class.

Here, phenomenal views share center stage with a sophisticated menu that emphasizes seafood. The ground-level restaurant's large windows overlook Cape Porpoise harbor, ensuring that every seat has a view of the water; tucked around the corner, the tiny but funky and fun Ramp Bar & Grill pays homage to a really good burger, fried seafood, and other pub-style classics; and, up a flight of stairs, Ramp Up offers crow's-nest harbor views and a place to wait for your table when lines to get in are long.

This charming neighborhood restaurant and bar just steps from the beach serves up generous, deeply satisfying dishes filled with locally sourced ingredients. Seafood plays a big role in the menu, with lobster rolls brimming with fresh meat; fish tacos stuffed with cilantro, lime crema, and coleslaw; a seafood chowder; and a lobster tostada. But there are also options for landlubbers, like burgers, steak frites, and creamy peppercorn pasta.

For more than a half century, this shack has been known for speedy service and great takeout fare, like its traditional boiled lobster dinners and lobster rolls on freshly baked buns. Eat at one of several wooden picnic tables that overlook the Kennebunk River. There’s even a lemonade stand to complete the experience.

A classic spot since the 1920s, you can't beat the location—right on the water, below the lighthouse pair that gives Two Lights State Park its name—and the food's not bad either. Enjoy fresh lobster whole or piled into a hot-dog bun with a dollop of mayo, or opt for the delicious chowder, fried clams, or fish-and-chips. Eat inside or out.

Maritime accents and a crisp color palette help to make this unfussy, beachside restaurant a good place to relax and enjoy a prebeach bite or a post-beach sit-down meal. The menu features lighter seafood fare and salads alongside heartier options, such as lobster rangoons, crispy fried-chicken sandwiches, and burgers.

This off-the-beaten-path spot takes farm-to-table dining very literally. The fresh-grown produce—much of it from the grounds at Jordan’s Farm—needn’t travel far: prix-fixe dinners are served, family- or tasting-menu style on the intimate "chef's porch" or in private screened gazebos tucked among the flower fields, yours for the whole night. Reservations are available January 1 for the following season, and slots book up fast, so reserve early, or walk in to enjoy a cocktail outdoors.

With a cozy, open-plan dining area and a laid-back atmosphere, Anju Noodle Bar serves up reimagined versions of traditional dishes such as house-made, slow-roasted pork-shoulder buns, spicy miso ramen, inspired local seafood dishes, and seasonal vegetarian options. This is one of the few places in the Pine Tree State outside Portland where you'll find fresh and innovative Asian-inspired cuisine done really well. You'll likely be eating lobster and fried seafood for every meal the farther north you go in Maine, so it's well worth stopping here en route Down East, or on the ride home, for a palate cleanser. Just keep in mind they don't take reservations.

Overlooking Perkins Cove, Barnacle Billy's has been serving up fresh, local seafood since 1961. Place your order at the counter before settling into a table on the deck to await delivery of your clam chowder, fried clams, broiled scallops, or lobster roll. Leave room for the strawberry shortcake and whoopie pies. 

Locals and vacationers head to this roadside seafood restaurant and bar in the midst of a salt marsh en route to Wells Beach. The menu features classic seafood dishes like lobster rolls and chowders, but there are plenty of nonseafood choices, too.

With fresh (never frozen) shellfish and a cheery, old-school vibe, Bob’s also serves up scrumptious, homemade sauces to smother over golden fried clams, alongside some of the creamiest New England clam chowders around.

From the road you can barely see the red roof hovering below the trees, but chances are you can see the line of cars parked at this popular outdoor restaurant that has been serving up fresh lobster for more than 70 years. Brightly colored picnic tables fill the deck, and enclosed eating areas sit atop the high banks of the tidal river, beside a working pier, which delivers fresh seafood straight to your plate. The menu has lots of fresh lobster choices, as well as a raw bar. Bring your own beer or wine, if you like; you can pick up bottles of local, handcrafted suds at the Tributary Brewing Company just around the corner on Shapleigh Road off Route 103. You can also bring sides and desserts that aren't on the menu.

On an islandlike peninsula overlooking York Harbor, this restaurant has plenty of seafood on the menu. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the stepped modern dining space transport diners to the water beyond—every seat has a water view. Popular dishes include haddock stuffed with Maine shrimp, as well as grilled ribeye steak, smoked pork belly, seafood chowder, or crab cake spring rolls. Lighter fare is served in the cozy mahogany bar. The Dockside Restaurant is part of a 7-acre property with guest rooms and suites in several buildings, from a grand 1895 summer home to condo-style quarters.

If you've had about all the fried seafood you can stand, try this intimate spot that focuses on creative cuisine served with flair. There are lots of seafood, poultry, and meat options, homemade pasta choices, and always a few vegetarian dishes (special requests like gluten-free are happily accommodated). Menu offerings include toasted peppercorn-seared sushi-grade tuna, served with coconut risotto on gingered vegetables, and pork served with a sweet pear-cream sauce. Even the breads and most desserts are made by the chef. Entrées include really large dinner salads with fruit and nuts as well as veggies atop the greens.

Since the 1950s, this tiny spot on Ocean Avenue has been serving lunches and dinners featuring lobster (baked and in rolls), clam chowder, and other seafood, as well as homemade pies. The decor includes paneled walls, wooden booths, and autographed photos of various TV stars (and members of the Bush family), and there's outside seating.

The small, shareable plates at this restaurant are excellent (think littleneck clam toast, locally made sourdough, and fresh plates of cheeses and greens), but the cocktails, that incorporate inventive ingredients (like a foam made from seawater collected from nearby Fortune’s Rocks beach) aren’t to be missed. Grab a spot on the spacious, laid-back granite patio in summer or inside at the intimate bar in colder months.

New American surf or turf dishes made with locally sourced, farm- or fishing-boat-to-table ingredients are the hallmarks of this restaurant in a navy-blue clapboard building with a striking, red-and-white-striped lighthouse replica on one end of it. Lobster—in a roll, in risotto, or in mac and cheese—takes comfort-food pride of place, but the haddock Reuben sandwich and the barbecue steak tips in a sauce made with Moxie (a New England soft drink) are creative alternatives.

Plenty of seafood shacks dot U.S. 1, but this roadside joint is really worth the stop, even if it's just to grab some takeout and escape the steady flow of summer traffic. Simple but pleasing contemporary design makes for a cheerful space to enjoy loaded lobster rolls, burgers, sandwiches, and a decidedly unholy lobster poutine consisting of hand-cut fries covered in a delicious mess of local cheese curds topped with lobster gravy.

This artful bar in happening Kittery Foreside district has an excellent selection of mostly local brews on tap, as well as a rotating menu of fun cocktails. Equally praiseworthy is its upscale-but-still-approachable pub fare, which includes buffalo fried oysters, ratatouille, and bar snacks like deviled eggs with pickled watermelon rind.

You can't get more up-close and personal with Kennebunkport's harbor than at this stunning waterside restaurant and bar that serves dressed-up, contemporary takes on classic Maine fare, alongside staples such as perfectly shucked local oysters, lobster tacos, and hearty clam and corn chowder. The inside spaces are warm and welcoming, with a maritime theme that's not too over-the-top. The wraparound deck is one of the best spots in town to grab a cocktail and watch the sun set over the Kennebunk River.

Nautical accents give this trendy restaurant a laid-back vibe that is the perfect transition from time spent out on the water (or at the beach) to a relaxed end-of-the-day meal. While fresh seafood plays a central role, you can't go wrong with one of the excellent burgers or pork chops paired with one of the many rotating local craft-beer choices.

People line the windows to watch Goldenrod Kisses being made the same way they have since 1896—and thousands of pounds are made every year at this York Beach classic. Aside from the famous taffy (there's penny candy, too), this eatery is family-oriented, very reasonably priced, and a great place to get homemade ice cream from the old-fashioned soda fountain.