4 Best Restaurants in Penobscot Bay, Maine

In a petite gray Cape (look for the mini red-and-white-striped lighthouse beside it), the Scone Goddess makes what are almost certainly the best scones you've ever tasted. Tender and a little crumbly—they bear no resemblance to those stone-hard lumps so often passed off as scones—flavors, which change daily, include ginger lemon, wild Maine blueberry lemon, raspberry cream, and bacon cheddar. You can order a latte, Americano, tea, iced tea, or lemonade to go with your treat. You can also buy mixes, in about a dozen flavors, to bake at home or give as a gift.

From the couple that owns Rio’s and located right next door to the restaurant, this bakery has a strong European influence, reflecting the owners' European heritage. It serves as a nice place to enjoy a coffee from the espresso bar, savory options like quiche or sausage rolls, and a wide variety of sweets including the namesake amandina, a Romanian chocolate layered cake.

Look for the bright yellow doors that mark the entrance to this microbakery on the way into downtown Camden. Located in a workshop next to the owners’ home, laminated dough is the star here, featured in fruit-filled danish, croissant, “cruffins” (croissant muffins), and savory pastry. The treats here are made with local flour, butter, eggs, cheese, and produce and sell out quickly, so arrive near opening or preorder for best results.

While technically open until 11 am, the donuts at this popular bakery frequently sell out well before then, so get there early or preorder online the day before your pickup to guarantee the best selection. Baker Todd Bross makes up to 400 yeast brioche donuts daily in the high season, with specialty glazes and toppings like blueberry lemonade, espresso cream, and The Homer (strawberry with sprinkles).