Rockland (Primo, oysters, Camden) is a food day trips in Portland.
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).
Tip: Primo books out 4-6 weeks ahead in summer. Camden harbour 15 minutes north has further dinner options.
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.
Tip: Frontier runs lunch and dinner with weekend brunch; the movie theatre programs an indie film calendar.
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.
Tip: The Clam Shack queue is long in summer; arrive at open (11:00) or after 14:00 for shorter waits.
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.
Tip: Combine with a Mid-Coast drive to Wiscasset (Red's Eats lobster roll queue) or further to Damariscotta oysters.
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).
Tip: Bite Into Maine truck runs seasonal April through October; park entrance fee for non-residents in summer.
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.
Tip: Maine Beer Co taproom serves wood-fired pizza on site. Harraseeket Lunch is BYOB, cash and card both fine.