New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:
- Bold Coast Coffee (website, facebook, instagram) has opened a cafe in East Machias. They’re located at 447 Main Street in a newly renovated space in the building behind their food truck (photo above from late August) and which also served as their roastery.
- Saco Bay News reports that K-Thai Kitchen has open in Biddeford serving “Thai curries, noodle dishes, fried rice, Thai coffee, mango with sticky rice and other Thai specialties.” They’re located in the former Hamburger Stand building at 138 Elm Street. Meet York County paid K-Thai a visit and has shared some photos of the space and the food.
- The North Star Cantina (instagram) recently opened in Wells in the building formerly occupied by Fotogo at 1574 Post Road. Eating Through The Seacoast has published video of food, drinks and interior of North Star, and the Portsmouth Herald has written up an article about the business.
- Hawk’s Nest Kitchen and Bar (website, facebook, instagram) has opened for business in South Berwick serving a menu that includes dishes like mac and cheese, haddock sandwiches, Philly cheesesteak eggrolls, pan seared salmon and vegetable soba noodles.
- Harding Lee Smith has taken over the former GraceNote Inn in Bethel where he plans to operate an inn and launch a restaurant called The Mayville Union House. As reported in Portland Magazine, Smith plans to serve a menu of scratch made New American comfort food with a special focus on house dry aged steaks. Smith is the owner of The Front Room, The Corner Room and The Grill Room in Portland.
- The Waterville Sentinel reports that a new restaurant called Rex’s Riverside Grill (website, instagram) has opened in Winslow in the building formerly occupied by Lobster Trap & Steakhouse. Owner Jeffrey Daigneault has launched Rex’s as a takeout restaurant while he continues renovations to the dining room. Watch for the launch of indoor seating in late winter or early spring. Their current hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 am – 8 pm.
- The Portsmouth Herald has a report on a new raw bar called Salty Spirits (instagram) under construction in Kittery. The business is being launched by Deb and Michael McCluskey who own a number of other restaurants in southern Maine and New Hampshire including Lil’s Cafe.
- The Pen Bay Pilot reports that a new restaurant called Must Be Nice Lobster (facebook) opened in Belfast earlier this month. Owner Sadie Samuels launched the business as a food truck in 2019 and has now taken the next step of launching a brick and mortar restaurant at the former Dockside Resturant space at 2 Cross Street.
- Hospitality Maine held their annual summit and awards dinner. Congratulations to Josh Miranda who was named Restaurateur of the Year, and Gil Plaster from The Causeway who was named Chef of the Year, and David Turin for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.
- The Lewiston Sun Journal has published an article about Sebagels which launched earlier this year in Naples and just recently added indoor seating.
- Phoenix Fine Wines in Eastport is holding a Thanksgiving wine dinner this Sunday.
- Nikanos in Ogunquit is holding a 5-course Bourbon dinner in conjunction with Wild Bevy Distillery this Thursday.
- The Elizabeth Inn has decided not to reopen their restaurant at their Bethel inn for the 2026 season.
- The Bangor Daily News has reported on the closure of Yahweh Cafe and Bakery in Old town two months after it launched, and of Boondocks Grille in Fort Fairfield after 16 years in operation. Boondocks last day in business will be December 6th.
- 180+ businesses and organizations have shared Thanksgiving plans for free community meals, holiday dinners and buffets and takeout options for sides, baked goods and even entire meals. See the Maine Thanksgiving List to find options in your community.
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.