49 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.

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.

Each and every meal feels like a special occasion at this splurge-worthy place, which offers thoughtful attention to flavor and texture and uses the freshest locally sourced ingredients in its exclusively and seasonally inspired prix-fixe menu. You can be sure that even hard-core foodies will be delighted with this culinary experience. Price reflects the three-course meal; four- and five-course meals are also available. Known for: wood-fire surf-and-turf dishes; ingredients culled from its own garden; private dining sheds and cabanas for special occasions and groups.

This classic spot has been a go-to in Biddeford's seaside hamlet of Biddeford Pool for more than 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.

This bustling Kittery Foreside café is named for a beloved cashier who worked at nearby Bob's Clam Hut for two decades, but you’ll find no shellfish here—just excellent pastries and breads, made on-site daily. Don't miss the top-notch old-fashioned crullers, and duck into the vault in back—filled with vintage records—while you're at it.

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.

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 beef cheek or Asian-inspired grilled Gulf of Maine scallops, and rotating entrées like pan-seared halibut and Maine lobster—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 exclusively offers a three-course prix-fixe menu. 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.

Everything about this diner, set in a 1927 old-fashioned pre-fab diner car just off Main Street, is retro except the food. Hop on a stool at the counter (that's all there is), enjoy the Motown tunes, and tuck into one of the deluxe sandwiches for breakfast or lunch. The diner doesn't take reservations—and it's cash only—but it's well worth the wait.

Have an open mind and an adventurous palate when you walk inside this tiny shop as you won't find plain vanilla or chocolate on the menu. Rococo's has a rotating rooster of internationally inspired flavors that range from olive oil, rosemary, caramel, and pepitas to goat cheese, blackberry, and Chambord.

This charming neighborhood restaurant and bar just steps from the beach serves generous, deeply satisfying dishes filled with locally sourced ingredients. Seafood plays a big role in the menu—lobster rolls brimming with fresh meat; Maine crab and corn fritters; blackened haddock sandwich; and Atlantic fish chowder with Maine lobster, clams, and cod—but there are also options for landlubbers, like burgers, sticky pork ribs, and grilled flank steak.

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. 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.

You could hardly find a more satisfying, heartier breakfast than at this smart and busy joint just shy of the entrance to Perkins Cove where a lighthearted mix of retro advertising signs adorn the walls of the bright, open, and bustling dining room. The corned-beef hash is made with tender pulled brisket with spices and just a bit of diced potatoes and onions—try it topped with hollandaise in the Irish Benedict. For a really decadent start to your day, opt for French toast made with lemon pound cake and served with blueberries. The delicious coffee is roasted in small batches and shipped from San Diego.

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.

This eager-to-please coffee shop is centrally located and a good stop for hot or iced coffee accompanied by a scone or bagel. For something more substantial, choose from a selection of breakfast or lunch sandwiches. Pets are welcome on the patio in warm weather.

The capacious industrial-vibe space of Biddeford’s first craft brewery—it opened in 2013 in a massive former mill along the Saco River—encourages mingling and lingering while tipping back what’s on tap, sharing apps, or noshing on a burger made with local beef. The outside patio is open in good weather until late in the year. Tours of the on-site beer production and canning facilities are often available.

Overlooking Perkins Cove, Barnacle Billy's has been serving up fresh, local seafood since 1961. Place your order at the counter before settling in at a table on the deck to await delivery of your clam chowder, fried clams, broiled scallops, steamers, or lobster roll. Barnacle Billy's, Etc., located right next door, offers full table service.

This spacious outpost of the popular Wells-based brewery and distillery looks upscale yet encourages casual dining and lingering, with board games, foosball, and other diversions for kids and adults alike. The drinks menu includes Batson River’s “core beers” and seasonal and limited edition brews, plus signature and dessert cocktails. The food menu has something to fit every appetite, from shareable apps and pizzas to heartier burgers and entrées.

A longtime local favorite, this shop sells fresh bagels, a selection of coffees by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and lots more, including pancakes, waffles, smoothies, salads, burgers, and sandwiches. It's open in the off-season when many other places are closed, and it's just a short walk up from the pier.

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.

This artful bar in the 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 and seasonal fare, which includes buffalo fried oysters, pea fettuccine, pan-roasted cod, and bar snacks like deviled eggs or the daily house pickles.

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.

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.

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.

This welcoming café is a short walk up from the pier and truly a one-stop shop, offering books and beachy (but not tacky) souvenirs alongside coffee, baked goods, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and grab-and-go items. It serves coffee roasted by Portland’s award-winning Coffee By Design.

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.