Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Maine

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Maine? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Novio's

4.9

4.9 (924)

$50 and over

Bistro

Bangor

About the restaurant

Novio’s is an inspired bistro offering a small and selective menu that includes items that are representative of the education, training, travels and experiences of our team. We feature meats & seafood and produce from local farms, fisherman and other purveyors. The menu offers vegetarian and gluten free options, beautiful soups and salads, and fresh pasta. Novio’s offers a full service bar that showcases an elegant yet approachable wine list, craft beers, and signature cocktails and an extensive scotch & bourbon list. Items on the menu change often as our team becomes inspired by the stories of experiences had by our guests. While guests seated at tables and booths order from the four course menu with an optional wine pairing guests that book reservations at the bar have an option of ordering à la carte.

Top review

Vanessa VIP

Dined 2 days ago

A delightful date night paired with relaxing ambiance, creative and tasty cocktails, and delicious food!

Isa Bistro - Portland

4.9

4.9 (1386)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Portland

About the restaurant

Isa is a small neighborhood bistro serving eclectic and seasonally driven menu. Reservations are available inside the dining room up to 30 days out, with a maximum of 8 guests. Our private outdoor patio is open seasonally with same day reservations available only, as it is uncovered and weather permitting (not dog friendly). Please provide 24 hours notice for cancellations or a late cancellation fee may apply.
Friday lunch available 11:30-4pm. Dinner daily 4-9pm, except closed on Tuesdays.
A husband and wife duo! A 2023 James Beard nominated chef, Isaul Perez brings his experience cooking French and Italian food in NYC to life with a splash of his Mexican heritage. His wife Suzie is a certified sommelier and face of the front. They showcase local farms and purveyors, offer craft beers and house specialty cocktails. The dining room is cozy and quaint with an original black tin ceiling. Be sure to order any of the Mexican dishes, whatever they may be!

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Absolutely amazing experience. Was delighted to be able to get in for their Friday lunch menu. Menu selections and service were fantastic.

Fore Street

4.9

4.9 (4073)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Portland

About the restaurant

Located in Portland's Old Port District, Fore Street opened in June, 1996. The interior surrounds a unique brick and soapstone hearth with a wood-burning oven, grill and turnspit; visible from most tables. We believe that good food travels the shortest possible distance between the farm and the table. Our menu changes every day and is founded upon the very best raw materials from a community of Maine farmers, fisherman, foragers and cheese makers. Most of the Maine foods are organically grown or harvested wild, each brought to us at the peak of its season. In 2002 and again in 2007, Fore Street was named by Gourmet Magazine as one of the Top Fifty Restaurants in the United States. In 2004, Chef-Partner Sam Hayward was named Best Chef: Northeast by the James Beard Foundation.

Top review

Rory

Dined today

The foie gras as always was amazing. The butternut squash was as well. The food never disappoints here.

Rosella

4.9

4.9 (261)

$31 to $50

Asian

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Rosella, part of the Kennebunkport Resort Collection, has expanded from New York City to Kennebunk, Maine! As NYC's only sushi restaurant committed to sustainable ingredients, Rosella now brings its eco-friendly sushi to the beautiful Maine Coast. Enjoy the best sushi in southern Maine, crafted by Executive Chef Matt Kramer.

Nestled in the Grand Hotel in Lower Village Kennebunk, Rosella offers a unique and intimate dining experience with warm hospitality. Our mission is to serve authentic sushi while inspiring our community to embrace sustainability through our delicious creations.

Join us for a memorable meal and explore our monthly events on our website. Don’t miss out on this special culinary journey!

Top review

eleniVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Obsessed, love it. Expensive but worth it. Every bite is a burst of flavor and the fish is super fresh

The Elizabeth Guest House and Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (138)

$31 to $50

Latin / Spanish

Bethel

About the restaurant

Fine dining Latin American and Mediterranean cuisine in a charming Victorian Inn on Main Street in Bethel

Top review

JimVIP

Dined 3 days ago

it is the best restaurant in the area. Very good value. Interesting delicious food. Our favorite.

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Popular dish

Braised Lamb Shank

The Tarratine

4.9

4.9 (601)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Bangor

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Tarratine. We focus on providing an elegant yet approachable experience for our community. Created with skill and passion, the menu features an exciting array of seafood, streak, brunch foods, and signature items from our Executive Chef and his culinary team. This is within our historic gentlemen's social club, built-in 1907. Our spacious venue allows for individual experiences in various spaces, including our rooftop terrace. The Tarratine provides a variety of spirits, cocktails, local brews on tap, and an approachable wine list.

Parties of 12 - 18 guests will be offered a reduced restaurant menu.
Parties with 19+ guests, please call us at 207-992-4090, and someone will love to talk to you about your special night.
We allow you to bring in a cake from state-licensed bakeries; a $5 per person cutting fee will be added to the final bill.

Due to the historic nature of the building, our upper levels are not handicap accessible.

Top review

Norman

Dined on Dec 26, 2024

The meal was fantastic. Service excellent. Will definitely be my choice for an elegant meal. Over the top!!

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Popular dish

Halibut

Chez Rosa

4.9

4.9 (434)

$31 to $50

French

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Chef Kyle Robinson inspired by our local seafood, farms, and pastures creates a unique take on French comfort food classics. Located in a romantic New England Barn, right in the center of town. Tucked in a corner of bustling Kennebunkport Dock Square, let yourself be transported to the laid back French countryside.
Our menu is ever changing with what the season have to offer.
Always offering some French staples such as cheese fondue, onion soup and steak frites. French Chic bar offering seasonal craft cocktails.

Top review

Richard

Dined 1 day ago

Good food, good atmosphere, great service, knowledgeable staff. Overall a great evening out!

Magnus on Water

4.9

4.9 (277)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Biddeford

About the restaurant

Magnus on Water is a cocktail bar and restaurant that features Peruvian-inspired comfort food from Chef Rafael Zimmerman. Bar Director Brian Catapang helms the Pinnacle Award winning cocktail program at Magnus, with rotating, seasonal drinks to compliment the big flavors of Raf's food. Sustainability is paramount to us, and we work with farmers & fisherman who are respectful of Mother Earth, while working diligently to minimize waste.

Our space is polished, but still intimate and cozy, and in the summer Magnus on Water has a large outdoor patio, complete with gardens and fire pits. We also have a private dining room for large parties and are available for full or partial event rentals.

Top review

Bryan

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Excellent meal, drinks, and service. Oxtail entree was a highlight.

Barncastle Hotel and Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (46)

$31 to $50

German

Blue Hill

About the restaurant

The Barncastle Hotel and Restaurant serves Alsatian-inspired cuisine using local and seasonal ingredients. Chef Owen Royce-Nagel and his wife, both Sommelier- and Cicerone-certified, Lizzie Szczepaniak, have been crafting their concept and menu over the last two decades all across the world. Dishes are intended to be shared and bread (from Tinder Hearth!) is meant to be broken in their cozy dining room and pub. The beverage program features a natural and biodynamic wine list, classic cocktails, and craft Maine beer. Located in the heart of the Blue Hill Peninsula, in between Camden and Acadia National Park, it is the perfect place to gather with friends and family.

Top review

Shannon

Dined on Dec 26, 2024

Castle Chowder warms the winter away with some inventive flavor notes; Hash Browns as a crunchy, smothered side dish; Together, they are the best kind of comfort food: for the eye as well as the tastebuds.

Ocean

4.8

4.8 (2201)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Discover Ocean's exquisite dining experience with our prix fixe menus, offering three courses for $105 or four courses for $125. Enhance your culinary journey with our wine pairing, priced at $68 for four courses and $60 for three. Start your evening with drinks on the terrace or at the bar, enjoying breathtaking Atlantic Ocean views from every dining table. Our seasonal menu showcases the finest Maine seafood and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a memorable dining experience. Join us at Ocean for an unforgettable meal that highlights the best of coastal Maine cuisine.

Top review

George

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent food well prepared. Both main courses were very good. Interesting cocktail choices for the winter months.

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Lamb Dinner featuring North Star Farm

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