Category: Maine

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

• Bene’s Beef (instagram) is bringing North Shore roast beef sandwiches and tallow French fries to Lewiston. Chef/owner TJ Castiello is from the Boston area. He has leased the former El Pochos location at 990 Lisbon Street and hopes to launch Bene’s sometime in June. El Pochos relocated last year to the space in town formerly occupied by Boba.
• The Millers Table in Skowhegan will be launching a new 125-seat restaurant called The Biergarten (instagram) at the new Spinning Mill development. Chef Erik Levine will be serving a menu inspired by traditional German dishes like bratwurst and schnitzel prepared with locally sourced ingredients. The bar program will offer craft beers, cocktails and mocktails. A specific date hasn’t been set yet but they’re hoping to launch The Biergarten in late May.
• The new Kingfield coffee shop we wrote about back in January, Marmee Dearest Espresso (instagram) is set to open on May 7th. the 20-seat cafe will serve brewed coffee and espresso-based drinks as well as locally made baked goods. Rhodes plans to feature coffee from roasteries in New England and Canada and from woman-owned roasteries. Her house coffee is roasted by Tern Coffee Roasters which is launching its own retail coffee shop in Brunswick. Marmee Dearest will be open Wednesday through Saturday, 8:30 am – 2 pm, and is located at 256 Main Street.
• Bold Journey has published an interview with Joanna Spinks, the owner of First Fig in Camden.
• The Rangeley Highlander has published an article about Clifford’s Donut Stop (facebook, instagram) in Phillips. The self serve donut kiosk (left photo above from last October) was launched last June by Tiffany and Chris Otteng and Rosemarie Jenau. It’s located at 2427 Rangeley Rd, and open Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 am.
• The Kennebec Journal has a report on a new bagel cafe/pizzeria called Lately’s that’s under construction on Water Street in Hallowell (right photo). Owner Ryan Ellis hopes to launch Lately’s next month with plans to initially be open Thursday through Sunday, 8 am – 10 pm.
• The Maine Scoop Company plans to hold the grand opening of their Pine Point ice cream shop on May 15th. The Maine Scoop is taking the place of Bayley’s Ice Cream on Pine Point Road.
• The Portsmouth Herald has published an article about the new generation that’s taken over management of Congdon’s Donuts in Wells.

For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, plus other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties.

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

• Tern Coffee Roasters (website, instagram) owners Chris and Heidi Townsend have leased space at 141A Maine St in Brunswick. The storefront will be part production space for their line of coffee and teas, a retail shop, a to-go coffee counter and a coffee lab where customers might participate in cuppings and learn more about coffee. In addition to coffee and tea Tern will also offer a selection of house-made baked goods. The Townsends hope to have the shop open to the public in May when it will be open Tuesday through Saturday. The Townsends have been looking for a space to add a retail element to their coffee roasting business and when they saw 141A Maine Street it immediately felt just right for their vision.
• The Villager Cafe (website, instagram) in Camden opened for business Friday morning. The cafe is located at 25 Mechanic Street and will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 am – 2 pm. The menu (see lunch menu below) includes pancakes, breakfast skillets, breakfast sandwiches and tacos, cold and hot sandwiches, salads and desserts. The cafe is being launched by the parent company of the Maine’s newest newspaper, the Midcoast Villager, which serves Knox and Waldo counties.
• A specialty market and gift shop in Gorham called Third Space Market (website, instagram) is expected to launch on April 22nd. The Littlefield family is stocking the shelves with locally made pantry items and will also sell baked goods, sweets and ice cream. They also hope to get Third Space licensed to serve beer and wine. There’s seating for ~15 people with a mix of couch lounge seating, tables, and standing desks for remote work use. The market is located at 18 Elm Street in the space formerly occupied by Carter’s Greenmarket and will be open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm.
• The outdoor eatery Food for Thought has moved from their original location in Ogunquit to  Odd by Nature Brewing in Cape Neddick. They opened for the season yesterday.
• The seasonal farm-to-table restaurant The Hichborn in Stockton Springs has closed and is for sale. Owners Kirk Linder and Charlie Zorich continue to operate their popular bar and restaurant Hey Sailor and adjacent event space the Starboard Lounge in Searsport.
• The Bangor Daily News reports that Cutterman’s Variety Story in Stockton Springs has closed.
• The Lewiston Sun Journal has a report on how women-owned hospitality businesses are making an impact in Lisbon Falls. Mentioned in the article are Olive Pit Brewing, Two Moms Diner, and the Lisbon House of Pizza.
• The Boothbay Register reports that the owners of Harborside 1901 Bar and Grill are taking food service at  Oceanside Resort’s Coastal Prime Restaurant in Boothbay Harbor.
• The Saco Bay News reports that The Hamburger Stand in Biddeford has closed. The announcement posted on the Hamburger Stand’s social media accounts cites “rising operational costs, increased rent, and vendor prices” that made it increasingly difficult “to stay afloat—especially while trying to keep our prices affordable for our amazing patrons.” The social media post goes on to share, “While we’re sad to say goodbye, we’re incredibly proud of the 9 fun, flavorful, and fulfilling years we’ve had. From the families who made us part of their weekly routine, to the travelers who stumbled upon us and stayed for the vibe—thank you. It’s been a joy to serve you, to share laughs, to build connections, and to be a part of this community.”

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

• A new indoor dog park and bar call The Barkery (web, facebook, instagram) is under construction in South Portland. For their two-legged customers owners Nate and Haley Viens plan to serve elevated comfort food like gourmet hot dogs, smash burgers, salads, and seafood dishes like haddock tacos and lobster mac & cheese. The drinks menu will feature a rotating selection of local craft beers, cocktails and mocktails. The space will both a dedicated restaurant area and a separate space viewable through a glass wall of an off-leash drink-friendly indoor dog park and an on-leash dining area. The Barkery will be located in Knightville at 180 Waterman Drive in South Portland.
• The Bangor Daily News reports that a shaved ice food truck will be launching a brick and mortar location in May. Sawyer’s Shave Ice (web, facebook, instagram) expects to open on May 17 and will be located at 173 Park Street in Bangor in the space formerly occupied by Wicked Brew. They’ll be open noon – 8 pm.
• Stone Fox Farm Creamery (website, facebook, instagram) in Searsport is under new ownership. Stephen Simonds has taken over stewardship of the company from founders Bruce and Kathy Chamberlain who launched the ice cream company in 2009. Stone Fox is located at 398 East Main Street and will open for the season on weekends in late April before transitioning to a full-time schedule in May. Simonds grew up in Maine and now operates two inns in Portland. He shared, “I’m honored and thrilled to take the helm at Stone Fox Farm Creamery and continue its tradition of making the best ice cream from Maine dairy. What started as a small, homegrown business has become a Maine summer staple. I look forward to serving our loyal Mid-Coast customers while also bringing our incredible flavors to new audiences in Southern Maine.”
• The Midcoast Villager published a story about MacLeod’s in Bucksport which recently closed up after 45 years in business. “On April 1, MacLeod’s Restaurant in Bucksport closed after 45 years in business. Owners George and Katherine MacLeod spent those years feeding a widespread community, and the owner is hoping to find fresh faces to take up the charge.”
• The Oak Table and Bar in Augusta has launched a taco menu under the name Taco Rico. The tacos are available as takeout from the restaurant and can be ordered online.
• NPR’s Morning Edition aired a story about Community Plate, a Maine organization that builds community through shared potluck meals and story telling.
• Oak & Ember in Buxton has closed.

For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, plus other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties.

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

• A new Camden coffee shop and cafe called the Villager Cafe (website, instagram) is scheduled to launch in April. The cafe will serve breakfast and lunch (see menu) and will have a number of grab and go food options. The venue will also host a regular programs to discuss current events and topics of community interest. The business is being launched by Islandport Media which publishes a variety of local newspapers including the Midcoast Villager.
• The owners of Bandaloop (website, facebook, instagram) have announced in a Youtube video that they are seeking a buyer for their Arundel restaurant property. They plan to continue to operate Bandaloop until they find a buyer.
• Edible Maine has published articles about La Laiterie/Flora in Machias,  and about the new crop of businesses in the Midcoast—First Fig, Ida’s, Winona’s and Lucky Betty’s—that are “Redefining What it Means to Gather.”
• Rick Boyd, the owner of Backwoods Burger Shack in Gorham is launching Wonderdogs (website) in Naples this summer. Wonderdogs will serve a menu of hot dog sandwiches on poppyseed buns like The Stray Dog which is topped with tomato, kosher dill, sport pepper, neon relish, onions, mustard and celery salt. The menu also includes a variety of loaded baked potatoes and Boyd is working on some novel flavored cotton candy like Spicy Pickle and Chili-Watermelon. Wonderdogs is set to open May 7th. It will be located at 852 Roosevelt Trail in the same building as Rick’s Cafe.
• The Harpswell Anchor reports that the Fishnet Cafe (facebook, instagram) on Bailey Island is under new ownership. Ashley and Ray DeSilva plan to re-open the cafe in May. The article reports that Ashley DeSilva has experience working as “an executive chef for seven years and cooking professionally for 20, having worked in Portland and California’s Napa Valley.”
• The Greene Village Bakery (facebook) recently opened for business. Owner Rachel Bushey sells a variety of baked goods as well as quiche, and breakfast sandwiches in the morning, and for lunch has sandwiches, soups and salads. Cakes, pies and other treats are also available. You can see the full menu on their facebook page: page 1, page 2. The bakery is located at 19 Patten Road and is open Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 6 am – 4 pm and Saturday, 8 am – 2 pm.
• Malcolm Bedell has announced he’s closing his Tenants Harbor restaurant Ancho Honey. In the nearly 2,000 word statement Bedell shares his thought process and considerations in making the decision to close. Bedell’s second restaurant, Honey’s Fried Chicken Palace, opened last year in Thomaston and will remain in business.

For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, plus other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties.

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

• • A new seafood market called Piscatrix (website, instagram) has opened in Kennebunk selling fresh seafood, grab and go dishes, ready to cook meals and pantry staples. Piscatrix—a word that means women fishmonger—is open Wednesday/Saturday 11 am – 5 pm, Thursday/Friday 11 am – 6 pm.
  • The Ogunquit wine and cocktail bar Costal Alchemist will be re-opening this season at a new location. Owner Scott Vogel is launching The Trident Inn in Ogunquit this spring and Coastal Alchemist is being relocated at the hotel as a restaurant serving “a fresh and inventive take on coastal cuisine” as well as craft cocktails.
  • Sapporo is planning to re-open at their new Falmouth location on Monday. They’ve moved from their longtime home on Commercial Street in Portland to the Wyeth Building in Falmouth. Sapporo will be open Monday through Thursday, 11:30 am – 8:30 pm, Friday from 11:30 am – 9 pm, and Saturday, noon – 9 pm.
  • The Bangor Daily News reports that Super Scoop in Belmont has changed hands. Jason and Penny Peasley have bought the ice cream shop from founder Julie Heeter who operated the business for 26 years. The Peasleys already own and run River Ducks Ice Cream in Camden.
  • The Times Record reports that a new Jamaican-style restaurant called Blazzin Lion Jamaican Cuisine (website, facebook) opened earlier this month in Bath. The restaurant has been launched by Paul and Natasha Byfield, and is located at 99 Commercial Street. They’re initially open Saturdays and Sundays, noon – 9 pm.
  • The Pulling Corks wine bar opened for business in Belfast on Thursday.
  • LB Kitchen launched their new business LB Mini-Mart in Westbrook on Monday.

For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, plus other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties.

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

• As reported back in November, chef/owner Jordan Benissan is in the process of moving his restaurant Me Lon Togo (website, facebook, instagram) to Freeport. The new restaurant is under construction in a courtyard space at 58 Main Street. As you can see from the photos, the dining room and bar are nearing completion as Benissan finishes moving in furniture and decorations from his former location in Rockland. With some delays in fully building out the kitchen (upper left) in Freeport, Benissan is planning a two phase launch. He plans to launch the MLT bar with drinks and light fare in late spring. Later in the year, once the kitchen is completed, he’ll begin serving the full Me Lon Togo menu of West African cuisine. Stay tuned to the restaurant’s instagram account for updates and to learn about an opening day.
• The Portsmouth Herald reports that the Warren Lobster House is soon to be under new ownership with plans to reopen the waterfront Kittery restaurant later this year. “The permitting application was filed with the town March 13. The estimated $50,000 renovation proposal would include the replacement of the 350-seat restaurant’s dining room floor, the installation of new awnings, painting and deck board repairs.”
• The Great Impasta (website, facebook, instagram) has reopened in Brunswick. They’re now located at a large newly renovated space at 11 Pleasant Street and are open Monday through Saturday, 11 am – 9 pm.
• If you’re planning to visit Washington County this year, be sure to check-out the Eat Downeast website for a map of restaurants, bakeries, farms and food producers in Downeast. They also have a list of upcoming events including the Fourth Annual Pennamaquan Alewife Festival taking place in May.
• Mainebiz has published an interview with Krista Cole the owner of Sur Lie in Portland, Gather in Yarmouth, and co-owner of Catface Cafe in Biddeford.
• The Bangor Daily News reports that MacLeod’s in Bucksport is closing after 45 years in business. Their last day in business will be April 1st. The Waterville Sentinel reports that Bee’s Snack Shack in Winslow will not be reopening this year after 77 years in business.
• Mary Dumont from the White Barn Inn will be the guest chef for an Outstanding in the Field dinner taking place in York this summer.
• The Midcoast Villager has published an article about Morse’s Sauerkraut, a market and deli that specializes in European goods that’s been in business in Waldoboro since 1918.
• Taco Trio reopened earlier this week in South Portland.
• The Portsmouth Herald reports that Charlie Caramihalis has sold his York restaurant the Fat Tomato Grill to Greg Flagg and Karen Henderson Flagg.

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

• The pop-up bagel business Sebagels (instagram) has leased a space of their own in Naples at 679 Roosevelt Trail in a space formerly occupied by Knight’s Cafe. They hope to have their spot open by early summer. Until then they’ll continue to produce their bagels from the kitchen at Poland Provisions.
• The Midcoast Villager has published an article about Kavka Coffee, a Camden-based coffee roaster run by Ukrainian immigrant Maks Isakov.
• Baker Kelsey Mari Morgan will be selling her wonderful baked goods at the Snell Family Farm Flower Bar on Saturday. The farm is located at 1000 River Road in Buxton.
• The Nu Markets campaign to support the launch of Born Yesterday Bakery in Lewiston is wrapping up later today. So far they’ve raised $14k for the bakery they’ll be opening on Lincoln Street.

For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, plus other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties.

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

• The Rooting Pig in Bristol has announced that they’ll be closed for the 2025 season for renovations. While their market and kitchen will be closed this summer, they’ll still be selling at the Boothbay and Damariscotta farmers markets. “Our decision to close this Summer to allow for renovations is bittersweet: we are excited about our plans for a new and expanded home for The Rooting Pig and Market, but we love having people visit the farm and taste our unique approach to Real Food, so will miss you all! But have no fear…we will be back and better than ever next Summer.”
• Fogtown Brewing has announced they won’t be reopening their location in Bar Harbor. “After nearly five years, we’ve made the tough decision not to reopen our Bar Harbor Kitchen & Taproom on Cottage Street. Opening just before the pandemic, this space came with challenges but also so many great moments—open mics, trivia nights, farm-to-table dinners, live music, art shows, and more.”
• A new coffee shop called Grounded (instagram) has recently opened in Wiscasset. The Lincoln County News reports that owner Kalei Haggett is serving coffee from Coffee on the Porch and is open daily 7 am – 3 pm.
• Blue Ox Malthouse in Lisbon Falls won Best in Show at the Maltsters Guild 2025 Malt Cup. They competed against 34 malthouses from seven countries that overall submitted 112 malt samples to the competition. They were also the top contenders in the Caramel Malt and Light Munich Malt categories.
• The Laughing Loon (instagram) is under development in Norway at 15 Harrison Road, Norway, Maine 04268. They’re located in the space formerly occupied by Waterhouse Talk of the Town and hope to open this summer.

For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, plus other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties.

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

• Joe Robbins has joined the team at Marsh Island Brewing as the executive chef for Marsh Island Kitchen at the new location they have under construction in Hampden. The restaurant will have a comfort food like poutine, burgers and wings and include salads, sandwiches, fish and chips and both a pan-roasted rib eye and an herb-crusted house filet. The indigenous inspired dishes which Robbins has become known for will be in rotation as daily specials. Robbins was a 2024 Beard Awards semifinalist in the Emerging Chef category, and has cooked at the White House Tribal Nations Summit in 2023 and 2024. Until it closed last year, he had been the chef at Bissell Brothers in Milo.
• The American Cider Association has recognized Khris Hogg with an award for Individual Excellence in Cider Hospitality. Hogg launched his restaurant Circumstance in Swanville last May and previously operated a cider bar called Perennial in Belfast.
• Michelle Corry was recently interviewed for an episode of Restaurant Unstoppable. Corry and her husband Steve were the founders of Five Fifty-Five, Petite Jacqueline and the Portland Patisserie, and are partners in 555 North in Brunswick.
• As reported earlier this week, The Frog and Turtle in Westbrook is closing. Their last day in business will be March 2nd.

For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, plus other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties.