10 Best Restaurants in Penobscot Bay, Maine

Standing on the edge of the harbor, with dining decks on three sides, Archer's is the prime spot in Rockland for dining with a view—even when the weather keeps you indoors, there are plenty of windows. The large menu is heavy on traditional preparations of fresh, local seafood—including old-fashioned baked stuffed haddock—but also includes plenty of contemporary dishes. Chef-owner Lynn Archer emerged victorious on the show Throwdown with Bobby Flay. The dish? A triple-decker club sandwich with lobster. Happily, it's on the menu. There are many non-seafood choices, too. Everything on the wine list is available by the glass, and there are lots of creative cocktails.

Classic European and American breads such as batards, baguettes, ciabatta, focaccia, sourdough boules, and rolls come out of French ovens every morning at this popular little spot. The cases are also filled with just-baked croissants, scones, muffins, cookies, and more. Various specialties are available on different days of the week. There's also a selection of sandwiches and salads for lunch. It's a quick walk across the street from the Farnsworth Art Museum.

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.

Established back in 1976, the Co-op is a very special place in Belfast, and it’s not unusual to hear the expression, “I’ll meet you at the Co-op.” As the name implies, this full-service market is a members' cooperative that sells organic, locally grown vegetables, and other provisions, but you don’t have to be a member to shop here or visit the popular Co-op Café for coffee, tea, sandwiches, soups, prepared dishes, and homemade pastries. It's an excellent and inexpensive place for breakfast or lunch with one of the best selections of wines in town.

For more than two decades, this Main Street mainstay has been serving farm-to-table food to an enthusiastic Belfast community. Straight from the Chase family's farm to their restaurant, everything on the menu is vegetarian, including many entrées that are rooted in Indian cuisine. Produce and flowers from the farm are also available for sale, as are baked goods. There's seating in a large indoor space, plus a seasonal patio behind the restaurant.

There's a decidedly Mexican influence at this popular place, with breakfast choices including migas, huevos rancheros, and a burrito, and a list of tacos highlighted on the lunch menu. You'll also find a little Asian influence in the breakfast fried rice and a banh mi, as well as plenty of good old American dishes. Both breakfast and lunch are served from opening to closing time. All of the breads, biscuits, sticky buns, desserts, and more are scratch-made at the restaurant's bakery (open to the public), two blocks away.

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).

With espresso drinks, drip coffee, tea, and a variety of baked goods, this minimalist coffee shop is a great place to enjoy breakfast or a light lunch. The back patio offers seating with a spectacular view of the harbor.

Locals and visitors alike are drawn to this community gathering spot by the irresistible aroma of freshly roasted coffee; it's a great spot to visit with friends or to open your tablet to do some work. There's a wide selection of hot and cold coffee drinks, chai variations, and hot chocolate, as well as Italian ices and to-go choices that include porridge, yogurt, toast, soup, quiche, grilled cheese, pie, and even beans on toast!