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The 18 Essential Maine Restaurants

Here are 18 of Maine's Most Underrated Restaurants, Nominated by the Readers

by Tom Minervino Jan 24, 2014, 4:57am EST

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by Tom Minervino Jan 24, 2014, 4:57am EST

Last week, we asked readers to let us know what they think are Maine's most underrated restaurants. Responses poured in with suggestions from Portland to Pittsfield, Brunswick to Ellsworth. We compiled all the suggestions into a map of 18 Maine restaurants that may not get a lot of hype from the press, but that you need to try out. The list is in no particular order.
Did we miss your favorite underrated restaurant? Let us know in the comments.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Congress Bar & Grill

617 Congress St
Portland, ME 04101

(207) 828-9944

Visit Website

A reader says this "is the best place in Portland. Both bar and food are great and good prices." Try it our for comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere.

2. BiBo's Mad Apple Cafe

23 Forest Ave
Portland, ME 04101

(207) 774-9698

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Writes one reader: "Food is delicious (both brunch and dinner), staff is very welcoming and friendly, prices are affordable and it's a comfy atmosphere. Plus I have never needed to wait more than 10-15 minutes for a table (unlike Bintliffs!)"

3. The Dogfish Café

953 Congress St
Portland, ME 04102

(207) 253-5400

Visit Website

The little cafe may not get the attention of some other Portland spots, but it offers a diverse food and drink menu in an eclectic setting. [Photo: Corey Templeton]

4. East Ender

47 Middle St
Portland, ME 04101

(207) 879-7669

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Says a reader, "Everything I've had there is very good, and it's frequently quiet in there. Maybe Duckfat overshadows it... and maybe I want to keep it that way, so I can continue to get a seat."

Also Featured in:

23 Great Spots for Brunch in Maine, Winter 2017

5. Artemisia Cafe

61 Pleasant St
Portland, ME 04101

(207) 761-0135

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From a reader: "Artemesia--for dinner. The brunch has it nailed down with the crowds, but no one seems to want to travel down Pleasant Street after dark."

6. Yosaku

1 Danforth St
Portland, ME 04101

(207) 780-0880

The little, oft-overlooked spot has been serving up fine sushi and other Japanese fare for years.

7. Ribollita

41 Middle St
Portland, ME 04101

(207) 774-2972

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Overshadowed by some famous neighbors, Ribollita's rustic Italian menu has pleased diners for over a decade. Also, who doesn't love house wine served in a big, ol' rooster pitcher?

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8. Pom's Thai Taste

571 Congress St
Portland, ME 04101

(207) 772-6999

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A reader says to order "yellow noodles with crispy duck, five spice broth, peanut, and a lot of heat" at this outpost of Pom's Thai mini empire.

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9. Asmara

51 Oak St
Portland, ME 04101

(207) 253-5122

With affordable, authentic Eritrean and Ethiopian offerings, this family-run place has quietly been pleasing and educating Portland palates for 10 years.

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10. Tu Casa

70 Washington Ave
Portland, ME 04101

(207) 828-4971

Visit Website

This casual Salvadoran restaurant is easy to miss as you drive by, but those who find it usually become return customers.

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11. Pepper Club/Good Egg Café

78 Middle St
Portland, ME 04101

(207) 772-0531

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It's the Good Egg for breakfast and the Pepper Club for dinner. The brightly colored interior matches with the interesting menu offerings.

Open in Google Maps

12. JP's Bistro

496 Woodford Street
Portland, ME 04103

(207) 899-4224

Visit Website

Chef John Gagnon offers a French and Italian influenced core menu with plenty of changing nightly specials at this intimate Rosemont neighborhood spot.

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13. Hurricane's Cafe & Deli

682 US Rt 202
Greene, ME 04236

(207) 846-3354

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A reader says simply, "best soups ever." There's lots more good stuff, too, with a slew of salads and sandwiches to chose from.

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14. Henry and Marty

61 Maine St
Brunswick, ME 04011

(207) 721-9141

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Their motto is "Food is Love." They demonstrate this by offering fresh, local, seasonal ingredients in changing and creative ways, with vegetarian and gluten-free options that people actually enjoy eating.

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15. Larson's Lunch Box

430 Main Street
Damariscotta, ME 04543

(207) 563-5755

A reader puts it this way: "Underrated roadside shack in Damariscotta: forget Reds Eats. It's, eh, okay. Larson's Lunch Box has the best traditional lobster roll on the coast. Truly. Screw the hour-long wait at the Wiscassett Bridge and the 'whole lobster in every roll' hype. The view at Larson's on 1B isn't so hot, unless you like a little rod and gun club action, but the lobster roll transcends any bitching you thought to do on the way."

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16. Vittles

107 Main Street
Pittsfield, ME 04967

(207) 487-8181

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"Vittles is an incredible place to eat," writes a reader. "Better than anything up this way (including) Bangor and Augusta." Nearly everything is made from scratch and the prices are very reasonable.

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17. The Great American Grill

250 Haskell Rd
Bangor, ME 04401

(207) 262-0099

Located in the Hilton Garden Inn, a reader says here you'll find "Awesome food, great atmosphere, and unbelievable service."

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18. Finn's Irish Pub

156 Main St.
Ellsworth, ME 04605

(207) 667-2808

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A friendly pub in Ellsworth offering a good beer selection and some food choices beyond standard bar fare. Writes one reader, "Great pub food."

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1. Congress Bar & Grill

617 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101

A reader says this "is the best place in Portland. Both bar and food are great and good prices." Try it our for comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere.

617 Congress St
Portland, ME 04101

Visit Website

2. BiBo's Mad Apple Cafe

23 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04101

Writes one reader: "Food is delicious (both brunch and dinner), staff is very welcoming and friendly, prices are affordable and it's a comfy atmosphere. Plus I have never needed to wait more than 10-15 minutes for a table (unlike Bintliffs!)"

23 Forest Ave
Portland, ME 04101

Visit Website

3. The Dogfish Café

953 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102

The little cafe may not get the attention of some other Portland spots, but it offers a diverse food and drink menu in an eclectic setting. [Photo: Corey Templeton]

953 Congress St
Portland, ME 04102

Visit Website

4. East Ender

47 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

Says a reader, "Everything I've had there is very good, and it's frequently quiet in there. Maybe Duckfat overshadows it... and maybe I want to keep it that way, so I can continue to get a seat."

47 Middle St
Portland, ME 04101

Visit Website

5. Artemisia Cafe

61 Pleasant St, Portland, ME 04101

From a reader: "Artemesia--for dinner. The brunch has it nailed down with the crowds, but no one seems to want to travel down Pleasant Street after dark."

61 Pleasant St
Portland, ME 04101

Visit Website

6. Yosaku

1 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04101

The little, oft-overlooked spot has been serving up fine sushi and other Japanese fare for years.

1 Danforth St
Portland, ME 04101

7. Ribollita

41 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

Overshadowed by some famous neighbors, Ribollita's rustic Italian menu has pleased diners for over a decade. Also, who doesn't love house wine served in a big, ol' rooster pitcher?

41 Middle St
Portland, ME 04101

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

8. Pom's Thai Taste

571 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101

A reader says to order "yellow noodles with crispy duck, five spice broth, peanut, and a lot of heat" at this outpost of Pom's Thai mini empire.

571 Congress St
Portland, ME 04101

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

9. Asmara

51 Oak St, Portland, ME 04101

With affordable, authentic Eritrean and Ethiopian offerings, this family-run place has quietly been pleasing and educating Portland palates for 10 years.

51 Oak St
Portland, ME 04101

Open in Google Maps

10. Tu Casa

70 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101

This casual Salvadoran restaurant is easy to miss as you drive by, but those who find it usually become return customers.

70 Washington Ave
Portland, ME 04101

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

11. Pepper Club/Good Egg Café

78 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

It's the Good Egg for breakfast and the Pepper Club for dinner. The brightly colored interior matches with the interesting menu offerings.

78 Middle St
Portland, ME 04101

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

12. JP's Bistro

496 Woodford Street, Portland, ME 04103

Chef John Gagnon offers a French and Italian influenced core menu with plenty of changing nightly specials at this intimate Rosemont neighborhood spot.

496 Woodford Street
Portland, ME 04103

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

13. Hurricane's Cafe & Deli

682 US Rt 202, Greene, ME 04236

A reader says simply, "best soups ever." There's lots more good stuff, too, with a slew of salads and sandwiches to chose from.

682 US Rt 202
Greene, ME 04236

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

14. Henry and Marty

61 Maine St, Brunswick, ME 04011

Their motto is "Food is Love." They demonstrate this by offering fresh, local, seasonal ingredients in changing and creative ways, with vegetarian and gluten-free options that people actually enjoy eating.

61 Maine St
Brunswick, ME 04011

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

15. Larson's Lunch Box

430 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543

A reader puts it this way: "Underrated roadside shack in Damariscotta: forget Reds Eats. It's, eh, okay. Larson's Lunch Box has the best traditional lobster roll on the coast. Truly. Screw the hour-long wait at the Wiscassett Bridge and the 'whole lobster in every roll' hype. The view at Larson's on 1B isn't so hot, unless you like a little rod and gun club action, but the lobster roll transcends any bitching you thought to do on the way."

430 Main Street
Damariscotta, ME 04543

Open in Google Maps

Related Maps

The 18 Essential Maine Restaurants

16. Vittles

107 Main Street, Pittsfield, ME 04967

"Vittles is an incredible place to eat," writes a reader. "Better than anything up this way (including) Bangor and Augusta." Nearly everything is made from scratch and the prices are very reasonable.

107 Main Street
Pittsfield, ME 04967

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

17. The Great American Grill

250 Haskell Rd, Bangor, ME 04401

Located in the Hilton Garden Inn, a reader says here you'll find "Awesome food, great atmosphere, and unbelievable service."

250 Haskell Rd
Bangor, ME 04401

Open in Google Maps

18. Finn's Irish Pub

156 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605

A friendly pub in Ellsworth offering a good beer selection and some food choices beyond standard bar fare. Writes one reader, "Great pub food."

156 Main St.
Ellsworth, ME 04605

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps