Category: Maine

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.

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

• Reverie Coffee is opening their new Bath coffee shop today, 8:30 am – noon. The cafe is located at  9 Park Street. The 1,500 square foot space (three times the size of their Brunswick cafe) has a similar design to their original spot and features a gated children’s area as well as a section with tables and more casual couch seating as well as a retail area selling Maine made products and art. After today’s opening day they’ll be closed Sunday and then moving forward will be open daily 7 am – 2 pm.
• Olive Rose Chocolates (website, instagram) is now open in Rockland (above). The chocolate shop is located at 252 Main Street in the space formerly occupied by Rock City Coffee’s roastery. Owner Leigh Williams produces a range of hand-made chocolates including truffles, chocolate covered pretzels, buttercreams, sea salt caramels and turtles. Williams move to Maine from Vermont where she previously operated Laughing Moon Chocolates in Stowe. The business is named for Olive Rose who was elected the Register of Deeds for Lincoln County in 1853. The shop is open daily 9 am – 6 pm.
• Cafe Luna (website, facebook, instagram) has announced plans to open a second location in Falmouth. The new cafe will be located in the same building as the new Sapporo. Luna launched their first location a little over a year ago at 370 Route 1 in Scarborough.
• Polish cafe Kasha’s Kitchen (instagram) in Kittery has re-opened for business after repairing damage from a car that crashed into the front of eatery. Owner Aaron Varney  bought Kasha’s Kitchen last year from Kasha Gorski who opened the business in 2021.
• Marcy Taubes and Marjory Sweet have launched a $64k NuMarket campaign to help fund the launch of their new Rockland cafe, bakery and market Cafe Grazie. In the first few days the campaign has already raised $11,700 from 51 contributors. The business will be located at 148 Main Street in the building that was formerly occupied by the Wiggins’ Meat Market. The ~1,500 sq ft space is under renovation and the owners hope to open Cafe Grazie in late spring.
• The Portsmouth Herald has published a report on the work underway to rebuild the Oarweed Restaurant in Ogunquit. The restaurant had been damaged by a fire late last year. Owner Jeffrey Fitzgerald expects to relaunch the restaurant in April 2026.
• The Lewiston Sun Journal reports that Mancini’s Italian Deli (website, facebook) opened Wednesday. “Entrepreneur and chef Evan Mancini is opening what he calls an Italian microdeli, a strictly carryout and delivery operation featuring about two dozen sandwiches and pasta dishes, and a line of desserts.” Mancini’s is located at 5 Park Street and is open Wednesday through Saturday 11 am – 8 pm.

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:

• Born Yesterday Bakery (website, instagram) has announced plans to open a bakery in Lewiston. Owner Syd Coty is leasing space in the former fire station at 188 Lincoln Street where Born Yesterday will be co-located along with a wood worker, and a fitness studio. To help fund this next step in the bakery’s development they’ve launched at $30k NuMarket campaign—supporters have already over $4k since it launched on Thursday. Coty shared “We believe food should be thoughtful, nourishing, and connected to the people and places around us. Every ingredient we use is sourced with intention—from the organic grains we mill in-house to the eggs, milk, and vegetables grown by local farmers we know personally. This bakery isn’t just about making great bread and pastries—it’s about creating a space that supports the people who grow our food and a community that values real, honest ingredients.” Born Yesterday began as a home kitchen bakery and now sells at farmers markets, to wholesale accounts and at pop-ups. When the new Lewiston location opens Coty plans to sell breads, pastries, coffee (with beans from Blind Tiger Coffee in Bangor) and will eventually expand the offerings to include a menu of toasts.
• Mainebiz has a report on two new chefs taking over kitchens in Maine. Mary Dumont is the new chef at the White Barn Inn in Kennebunk, and Matthew Zita is the new chef at Front & Main in Waterville. Zita is expected to launch a new menu at Front & Main this spring. Dumont was a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2006.
• The Midcoast Villager has published a profile of Gary Cooper, the chef at Dos Gatos Gastropub in Belfast.
• Enzo Benzo (website, instagram) have opened their new bakery in Eliot. They serve Italian pastries, donuts and other baked goods. Enzo Benzo is located at 987 Route 236 in Eliot and their winter hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 6 am – 3 pm.
• The Bangor Daily News has published an article about the The County Co-op & Farm Store in Houlton which launched in 2013.
• Pop’s Place in Windham has gone out of business. In their announcement on Facebook the owners shared, “The lack of quality and qualified workers, increasing prices and decreasing demands are some of the factors that have contributed to this decision. Also, as a small family business, the business of “Life“ has gotten in the way and therefore we have collectively, and individually decided to move on to other pursuits and spend more time with our Families, as we have lost too many this past year.”
• The Bangor Daily News reports that a new wine, specialty foods and kitchenware store called Sunbury’s (website, facebook, instagram) has opened in Bangor. They’re located at 86 Hammond Street in the space formerly occupied by Bangor Wine & Cheese. Their hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm and Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm.
• The Times Record has published an article about The Abbey in Brunswick which is a 2025 Beard Awards semifinalist in the Best New Bar category.

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.