Hungry for Adventure? These 20 Southern Maine Eateries Belong on Your Bucket List

One of my favorite ways to spend a weekend is hitting the road with my wife for an unplanned culinary adventure somewhere in Maine.

We’ll choose a new restaurant to try, often based on a tip from an article, a rave review, or something we spotted on social media, and just hit the open road. No set plan, just great food and the thrill of discovering something new together. It’s spontaneous, satisfying, and always a fantastic way to explore our wonderful state.

Maine is Filled with Wonderful Restaurants and Foodie Experiences

While traveling across Maine, we’ve discovered amazing diners, fantastic fine dining spots, cozy pubs, outstanding sandwich shops, perfect pizza joints, and delicious coffee houses. Maine certainly isn’t lacking when it comes to places to enjoy a great meal.

That said, our busy schedules don’t always allow us to venture far from our home in Southern Maine. On those weekends, we stick closer to home, usually around Cumberland and York Counties. Fortunately, these two counties are anything but short on incredible food options.

Where are the Best Restaurants in Southern Maine?

With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to highlight some Southern Maine spots that are truly "bucket list'-worthy, the places people consider absolute must-visits. Maybe it’s the food, the views, the tradition, or a little bit of everything.

So, we put out the call for the restaurants Mainers say are truly worth the trip—spots that help define the Southern Maine community, are “can’t-miss,” and always leave you full and happy.

The Best "Bucket List" Restaurants in Southern Maine

Thanks to input from our station's social media audience, we can now put names to those standout establishments.

READ MORE: Portland, Maine’s 20 Best Eateries Based on TripAdvisor Reviews

Below is a list of 20 restaurants that were recommended to us. They vary in size, style, and location. Some are new, while others have been beloved staples for years. But every one of them is a true Maine original.

Check out the full list below. Hope you're hungry—I know I am.