This is a very personal view from someone who rarely goes out to dinner but I hope it is helpful to some. I will update and hope others add their two cents.
Wiscasset
- New to me is Water Street Kitchen, recently renovated, very nice space, water views, delightful staff, excellent burger.
- New and as yet untried by me: Panacea Chowder.
Damariscotta and nearby
- Larson’s Lunch Box (a personal favorite) reopens for the season on April 25.
- Barn Door Breakfast (serving breakfast and lunch F-M) continues to be excellent.
- Barn Door Café (inside Sherman’s Books) is also excellent and got a little spruce-up last month.
- Broad Arrow Farm and its Rooting Pig Charcuterie are sadly closed for major renovations, reopening summer 2026.
Rockland and nearby
- Home Kitchen Café is a long-time favorite, still wonderful but sadly for sale.
- 13 Oak opened late last summer in the old Café Miranda space after a pretty thorough revamping. Still have the wood-fired oven. I have been twice and loved everything I ate; a friend has been 6-8 times and says the same. Tiny place, reservations essential.
- Honey’s Fried Chicken Palace has excellent fried chicken in a not very inviting interior. Best to order ahead online and take to go.
- Hazel’s Takeout (which despite its name has ample seating at picnic tables) is getting ready but has not yet announced this season’s opening day.
- The Causeway (St. George) has maybe the most annoying website ever but the food is very good, the views are nice, they take GF seriously and have interesting vegan options at each course. Some GF friends host me here once or twice a year and I always enjoy it.
- Ancho Honey in Tenants Harbor just announced they will not be reopening.
Camden
- The Place Bakery is pretty new, operating out of a converted garage behind the bakers’ house. You have to order online for pickup the following weekend. It is completely worth it if you like baked goods and are able to plan ahead. No GF as far as I am aware.
- Bagel Café is now on Main Street, making parking a bit harder, but last summer they had a satellite location with tons of parking and the web site seems to indicate they will open it again this summer.
- Mosaic on Main Street is another long-time favorite although I have not been recently and need to rectify that stat. I’ve never had anything less than a stellar meal here.
Northport
- The Hoot will reopen for the season in May. In the past they have mostly served brunch. It is quirky but the menu changes constantly, there are always multiple interesting things to order, and I have never been disappointed in my food.
