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Newcomer Woodford F&B in Portland offers a great brunch prix fixe deal.
Newcomer Woodford F&B in Portland offers a great brunch prix fixe deal.
@hipstoricaltravel

23 Great Spots for Brunch in Maine, Winter 2017

It's not quite breakfast, it's not quite lunch, and it tastes best with booze.

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Newcomer Woodford F&B in Portland offers a great brunch prix fixe deal.
| @hipstoricaltravel

Brunch: one of the greatest meals of the week. Some restaurants serve it only on weekends; others whip it up all week, even 24/7 if you subscribe to a loose definition. It's a glorious time to enjoy breakfast and lunch items together, along with bottomless cups of coffee or easy-drinking cocktails, if that's your style.

From the classic greasy spoon brunch served at places like Miss Portland Diner, Palace Diner, and the A1 Diner to, surprisingly, more than one German option, this guide will help you sort through Maine's myriad of excellent brunch options. As always, this list of wonderful brunch eateries is influenced by reader recommendations, so share your picks in the comments.

The latest additions are East Ender in Portland, Krista's in Cornish, and Morse's Sauerkraut & Euro Deli in Waldoboro. Note: map points are ordered south to north.

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Thistle Pig

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This South Berwick hot spot serves elevated comfort food in a relaxed, neighborhood setting. Chef and co-owner Ben Hasty's family farm provides the pork, so don't miss the Pork Belly and Brussels Sprouts Hash.

Krista's

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This Western Maine favorite is known for serving up delicious, hearty fare, and its breakfast is no different. All the standards are here: eggs, waffles, and baked treats, but the hash browns receive special prominence with eight different varieties, including Cajun, Mexican, and of course, Deluxe.

Palace Diner

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Break your fast seven days a week at Biddeford's wildly popular diner. Try a bacon, egg, and cheese deluxe (tied together beautifully by pickled jalapeños), lean into lunch with the ultimate version of a tuna melt, or if the superb fried chicken is available, drop whatever else you're doing.

Bill Addison/Eater

The Frog and Turtle

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James Tranchemontagne, who previously owned Cafe Uffa in Portland, serves brunch on Sundays at one of the area's rare French-Canadian-inspired gastropubs. There are creative Benedict options and the homemade doughnuts are not to be missed.

Woodford F&B

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This neighborhood bistro with a classic diner vibe offers brunch from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m on Sundays. The $20 prix fixe deal offers an entree, brunch cocktail, and bottomless coffee. Entree choices range from the decadent dulce de leche bread pudding French Toast to spicy "Eggs in Purgatory."

@hipstoricaltravel

New Gloucester Village Store

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Grab a sandwich on house-made bread from this excellent combination market and cafe, or have your entire hearty meal stuffed in a breakfast burrito until 11 a.m. on weekdays or 1 p.m. on weekends. The only downside is that the solid selection of beer and wine is takeaway only, but the fresh pizza from the wood-fired brick oven helps ease that pain.

Hot Suppa

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Here's what a reader had to say about this Cajun gem: "I have never had a dish that hasn't been completely delicious. Their corned beef hash — house-made, with amazing flavors woven throughout — is second-to-none." And if it's full when you arrive, "They can make you an amazing maple latte while you wait." Open daily.

Bayside American Cafe

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A rose by any other name would smell as sweet: that's what insatiable fans of Bintliff's Cafe tell themselves as they swarm the brunch institution under its new moniker, Bayside American Cafe. Expect a wait, but the corned beef hash and multiple Benedict choices (like lobster, crab cake, or bistro steak) are worth it. Open daily at 7 a.m.

Ruski's Tavern

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Maybe not a place for a Mother's Day brunch, but a great spot to visit after a rough night for a hearty plate of good food and a hair of the dog. Opens at 7 a.m. daily for your calzone and half-pound burger needs.

Miss Portland Diner

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Just barely on the peninsula, and therefore off the radar of many visitors, Miss Portland Diner provides a respite from the immobile lines of downtown Portland's hottest brunch spots. There's plenty to love at this restored diner car-plus-restaurant, and the slow-cooked corned beef hash is a highlight on its own or folded into the Irish omelet. Open daily at 7 a.m.

Schulte and Herr

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Get your fill of perfectly prepared German food here: Think bratwurst with potato salad, potato pancakes with house-cured lox, or a wonderful Sunday roast. It's also BYOB.

Dutch's Breakfast & Lunch

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Dutch's is delivering on its promise of scratch-made items at a great value. Try an egg sandwich on a house-made biscuit; a pretzel bagel; various styles of donuts; or a pulled ham sandwich on the signature Dutch Crunch bread, a delightful mix of tender and crispy that's surprisingly not named after the owners.

Adam H. Callaghan/Eater

Terlingua

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Since its debut a few months ago, this barbecue restaurant's brunch menu has been receiving rave reviews. Smoked meats make an appearance wherever possible, from brisket-sweet potato hash to pulled pork eggs benedict served on a green chile biscuit. Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Adam H. Callaghan/Eater

East Ender

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Brunch gets rave reviews at this food truck turned brick-and-mortar restaurant on Portland's Middle Street. Menu items tend towards the hearty with chicken fried steak with sausage gravy and duck confit hash with poached eggs. Satisfy your sweet tooth with housemade doughnuts and a ham and cheese sticky bun.

Kyle J. Norris/Eater

The Front Room

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Waits are common on the weekend, but Harding Lee Smith's original "Room" serves brunch seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Munjoy Hill. Choices range from the traditional to the less-so, like baked beans and brown bread with a basted egg.

Royal River Grillhouse

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Duck confit hash, truffle cheese fries and oysters Rockefeller are just a few of the brunch options that can be washed down with a Royal Mary (a house special Bloody Mary, served with shrimp). Brunch is served Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A1 Diner

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Offering everything from Korean vegetable pancakes with spicy green beans to the classic blueberry pancakes, this old-timey diner car deserves the modern praise it receives. Open daily.

Big G's Deli

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Brunch isn't only about enormous portions at low prices — but those don't hurt. Fans of Big G's rave about its generosity, its homemade comfort food (home fries, pancakes, sandwiches, and more) overflowing plates and takeout containers. The breads and pastries are baked in house daily, so they're always fresh.

Crissy's Breakfast & Coffee Bar

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A tipster shared that this is a "must visit place" in the area, with "exceptionally great food" including rice breakfast bowls, enchiladas, and eggs, as well as "some of the best hashes." The baked goods, coffee, and espressos are not to be missed on Damariscotta's main drag, either. Open daily at 8 a.m.

Morse's Sauerkraut & Euro Deli

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This popular breakfast and lunch spot serves a mix of American and German classics during its weekend brunch. Omelets and country breakfast plates are served alongside cheese blintzes, babka french toast, and Swedish pancakes with lingonberry preserves. Pick up some of the store's famous sauerkraut and sour pickles, sold next door in the expansive European deli.

Home Kitchen Cafe

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The large, from-scratch menu features "Homelets," famous sticky buns, and plenty more wonderful goodies to keep you coming back.

Chase's Daily

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Even hardcore carnivores will find it difficult to not enjoy the beautiful food at this vegetarian restaurant, serving one of the few dedicated meatless menus in Maine. Many ingredients are sourced from the family farm. Open daily.

Dysart's Truck Stop & Restaurant

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Dysart's has multiple locations in the Bangor area, but when no one else is open, the truck stop/restaurant in Hermon is what you're looking for: a 'round the clock haven. A reader from that area calls it "an integral stopping point in northern/mid-Maine," asking rhetorically, "Where else can you get a fresh cinnamon roll the size of your head at 3AM on a Saturday morning? (It counts as brunch because it keeps you full until dinner.)" Open 24/7.

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Thistle Pig

This South Berwick hot spot serves elevated comfort food in a relaxed, neighborhood setting. Chef and co-owner Ben Hasty's family farm provides the pork, so don't miss the Pork Belly and Brussels Sprouts Hash.

Krista's

This Western Maine favorite is known for serving up delicious, hearty fare, and its breakfast is no different. All the standards are here: eggs, waffles, and baked treats, but the hash browns receive special prominence with eight different varieties, including Cajun, Mexican, and of course, Deluxe.

Palace Diner

Break your fast seven days a week at Biddeford's wildly popular diner. Try a bacon, egg, and cheese deluxe (tied together beautifully by pickled jalapeños), lean into lunch with the ultimate version of a tuna melt, or if the superb fried chicken is available, drop whatever else you're doing.

Bill Addison/Eater

The Frog and Turtle

James Tranchemontagne, who previously owned Cafe Uffa in Portland, serves brunch on Sundays at one of the area's rare French-Canadian-inspired gastropubs. There are creative Benedict options and the homemade doughnuts are not to be missed.

Woodford F&B

This neighborhood bistro with a classic diner vibe offers brunch from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m on Sundays. The $20 prix fixe deal offers an entree, brunch cocktail, and bottomless coffee. Entree choices range from the decadent dulce de leche bread pudding French Toast to spicy "Eggs in Purgatory."

@hipstoricaltravel

New Gloucester Village Store

Grab a sandwich on house-made bread from this excellent combination market and cafe, or have your entire hearty meal stuffed in a breakfast burrito until 11 a.m. on weekdays or 1 p.m. on weekends. The only downside is that the solid selection of beer and wine is takeaway only, but the fresh pizza from the wood-fired brick oven helps ease that pain.

Hot Suppa

Here's what a reader had to say about this Cajun gem: "I have never had a dish that hasn't been completely delicious. Their corned beef hash — house-made, with amazing flavors woven throughout — is second-to-none." And if it's full when you arrive, "They can make you an amazing maple latte while you wait." Open daily.

Bayside American Cafe

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet: that's what insatiable fans of Bintliff's Cafe tell themselves as they swarm the brunch institution under its new moniker, Bayside American Cafe. Expect a wait, but the corned beef hash and multiple Benedict choices (like lobster, crab cake, or bistro steak) are worth it. Open daily at 7 a.m.

Ruski's Tavern

Maybe not a place for a Mother's Day brunch, but a great spot to visit after a rough night for a hearty plate of good food and a hair of the dog. Opens at 7 a.m. daily for your calzone and half-pound burger needs.

Miss Portland Diner

Just barely on the peninsula, and therefore off the radar of many visitors, Miss Portland Diner provides a respite from the immobile lines of downtown Portland's hottest brunch spots. There's plenty to love at this restored diner car-plus-restaurant, and the slow-cooked corned beef hash is a highlight on its own or folded into the Irish omelet. Open daily at 7 a.m.

Schulte and Herr

Get your fill of perfectly prepared German food here: Think bratwurst with potato salad, potato pancakes with house-cured lox, or a wonderful Sunday roast. It's also BYOB.

Dutch's Breakfast & Lunch

Dutch's is delivering on its promise of scratch-made items at a great value. Try an egg sandwich on a house-made biscuit; a pretzel bagel; various styles of donuts; or a pulled ham sandwich on the signature Dutch Crunch bread, a delightful mix of tender and crispy that's surprisingly not named after the owners.

Adam H. Callaghan/Eater

Terlingua

Since its debut a few months ago, this barbecue restaurant's brunch menu has been receiving rave reviews. Smoked meats make an appearance wherever possible, from brisket-sweet potato hash to pulled pork eggs benedict served on a green chile biscuit. Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Adam H. Callaghan/Eater

East Ender

Brunch gets rave reviews at this food truck turned brick-and-mortar restaurant on Portland's Middle Street. Menu items tend towards the hearty with chicken fried steak with sausage gravy and duck confit hash with poached eggs. Satisfy your sweet tooth with housemade doughnuts and a ham and cheese sticky bun.

Kyle J. Norris/Eater

The Front Room

Waits are common on the weekend, but Harding Lee Smith's original "Room" serves brunch seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Munjoy Hill. Choices range from the traditional to the less-so, like baked beans and brown bread with a basted egg.

Royal River Grillhouse

Duck confit hash, truffle cheese fries and oysters Rockefeller are just a few of the brunch options that can be washed down with a Royal Mary (a house special Bloody Mary, served with shrimp). Brunch is served Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A1 Diner

Offering everything from Korean vegetable pancakes with spicy green beans to the classic blueberry pancakes, this old-timey diner car deserves the modern praise it receives. Open daily.

Big G's Deli

Brunch isn't only about enormous portions at low prices — but those don't hurt. Fans of Big G's rave about its generosity, its homemade comfort food (home fries, pancakes, sandwiches, and more) overflowing plates and takeout containers. The breads and pastries are baked in house daily, so they're always fresh.

Crissy's Breakfast & Coffee Bar

A tipster shared that this is a "must visit place" in the area, with "exceptionally great food" including rice breakfast bowls, enchiladas, and eggs, as well as "some of the best hashes." The baked goods, coffee, and espressos are not to be missed on Damariscotta's main drag, either. Open daily at 8 a.m.

Morse's Sauerkraut & Euro Deli