Food destinations within easy reach of Portland, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Portland. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Famous for: Maine Beer Co tasting room, plus Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster for the canonical shore lobster dinner
Freeport, 25 minutes north of Portland, is home to Maine Beer Co (Lunch IPA, Dinner DIPA) at 525 US Route 1 and Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster on the harbour.
Famous for: Primo Restaurant from James Beard winner Melissa Kelly, plus oyster shacks and Camden harbour dinners 15 minutes further
Rockland on the Mid-Coast, 75 minutes northeast, is home to Primo Restaurant from James Beard Award winner Melissa Kelly (Best Chef Northeast 1999 and 2013).
Famous for: Frontier Cafe at the old Cabot Mill, plus Bowdoin College town's deli-and-coffee scene
Brunswick is 30 minutes north of Portland, home to Bowdoin College, Frontier Cafe at the Cabot Mill and Big Top Deli on the Maine Street downtown corridor.
Famous for: The Clam Shack lobster roll, plus Mabel's Lobster Claw and a Dock Square walk
Kennebunkport on the South Coast, 30 minutes south of Portland, is home to The Clam Shack lobster roll and Mabel's Lobster Claw on Ocean Avenue.
Famous for: Byways Cafe diner classics, Mae's Cafe brunch, plus a wood-fired bagel queue at Marina Restaurant
Bath, 40 minutes northeast of Portland, is the historic shipbuilding city on the Kennebec, with Byways Cafe diner classics and Mae's Cafe weekend brunch.
Famous for: Bite Into Maine lobster roll truck at Fort Williams Park; the iconic Portland Head Light photograph
Cape Elizabeth, 15 minutes south of Portland, is home to the original Bite Into Maine lobster roll truck at Fort Williams Park and Portland Head Light (1791).