Food destinations within easy reach of Portland, worth the train, the rental car or the early start.

Most of these need a car

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Worth the trip

Freeport (Maine Beer Co)

  • ★ 4.7
  • 25 minutes north by I-295

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.

Drive north on I-295; Maine Beer Co tasting room is at 525 US Route 1.

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Rockland (Primo, oysters, Camden)

  • ★ 4.7
  • 75 minutes northeast on Route 1

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).

Drive Route 1 north along the Mid-Coast; Rockland is the harbour town for Primo Restaurant and the Maine Lobster Festival in August.

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Brunswick (Frontier, Big Top Deli)

  • ★ 4.3
  • 30 minutes north on I-295

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.

Drive north on I-295 to exit 28; Maine Street is the downtown corridor.

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Kennebunkport (The Clam Shack, Mabel's Lobster Claw)

  • ★ 4.4
  • 30 minutes south on I-95

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.

Drive south on I-95 to Wells exit, then Route 9 to Kennebunkport.

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Bath (Byways Cafe, Mae's Cafe)

  • ★ 4.2
  • 40 minutes northeast on Route 1

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.

Drive north on I-295 then Route 1; Bath is the historic shipbuilding town on the Kennebec River.

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Cape Elizabeth (Bite Into Maine, Portland Head Light)

  • ★ 4.6
  • 15 minutes south by car

Famous for Bite Into Maine lobster roll truck at Fort Williams Park; the signature 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).

Drive south on Route 77 (Casco Bay Bridge) into Cape Elizabeth; Fort Williams Park is signposted.

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