Foodies Along The Coast

Everyone knows that one of the best parts of vacations are trying new foods.  The way to a travelers’ heart is through the stomach, and the Inns Along the Coast have all sorts of fun and interesting ways to enjoy an Inns Along the Coast itinerary filled with New England foodie fun.

Start with our 8 Days Along the Coast itinerary or any of the other exciting itineraries offered by Inns Along the Coast,  then add some of these great foodie options in Kennebunkport, Freeport, Newcastle, Rockland, Camden, Blue Hill Peninsula/Deer Isle and Bar Harbor.  You’ll dine your way along the Coast of Maine enjoying everything from lobster to balsamic vinegars along the way at Maine restaurants and shops.

May 1 – October: Visit a quintessential Maine Lobster Shack owned by a fisherman: Nunan’s Lobster.

May – October:  Enjoy dining on lobster and seafood inside or out under the tent along the river: Arundel Wharf Restaurant.

June: Plan your stay around The Kennebunkport Festival, held annually during the first week in June; a food and wine event with many venues, live music, private dinners and tented Galas.

Sample chocolate at Aunties House Bakery, known for their chocolate covered “whoopie balls’, and located in Lower Village Kennebunk, or Harbor Candy Shop in Ogunquit.

Visit the headquarters for Stonewall Kitchens, specialty food purveyor.  Take a tour of the factory, schedule a cooking class and shop and taste your way through their flagship store.  

Hop on one of the Maine Foodie Tours in Kennebunkport for tastings at local restaurants and shops.  

Learn all about lobsters and the lobster industry on Rugosa Lobster Tours while cruising down the Kennebunk River and along the coast.

Wine Wise offers Wine (and food) Walks offers special wine and food tastings where you’ll discover great restaurants and wines paired with delicious foods – in Kennebunkport, Ogunquit or Portland. Or book a Wine Sail where you'll enjoy scenic views of Maine lighthouses, waterways and islands on board an immaculate Windjammer... all while indulging in a wine class.

Visit the Bow Street Market for fresh produce, great wines, in-house baked goods and fresh flowers.  

Attend a Beer and Pretzel Making class at the Brewster House Bed and Breakfast.  Learn all about the role of salts and flours, and make and taste your own.  You won’t believe what you’ll learn from Chef Dave.  Info:  www.Brewsterhouse.com.

Take the Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Factory Tour, and learn about the history, watch how chocolate is made and enjoy samples. $4.50 per person.  

Venture into Portland, just 20 minutes away, to check out the incredible foodie scene in Portland’s Old Port.

Come in October and be sure to get tickets to one or more of the many events held during Portland’s  Harvest on the Harbor festival in mid-October. From “Harvest Hops” beer and wine tastings to Chef showcases, this event is ranked among the top ten food festivals in the country.

Get your coffee and sweets fix at ZesTea on tucked on Main Street near the Freeport Historical Society.

Enjoy a great cold brew coffee at Coffee By Design.

Venture up Route One to Bath and go to Maine’s premier cooking store, called Now You’re Cooking.  Find tons of new kitchen gadgets, and take in one of their demonstrations or tastings.

• The Shuck Station in Newcastle is where you can enjoy a “flight of oysters” tasting oysters that are grown in different locations along the Damariscotta.

• Visit Eventide Specialties in Boothbay for locally made olive oils, balsamic vinegars and cooking ideas.

• Visit the Damariscotta Farmer’s Market during the summer and fall on Mondays and Fridays, or the Farmer’s Market in Boothbay, on Thursdays, May – September.

• For amazing locally-made ice cream, visit Round Top Creamery in Damariscotta.

• Don’t miss Morse’s Sauerkraut and European Deli in Waldoboro for the most amazing array of German, Italian, Dutch and European cheeses, meats, specialty foods, pickles and of course, homemade sauerkraut. Open Thursday through Tuesday (closed Wed).  

• The Pemaquid Oyster Festival offers up a great line up of entertainment, demonstrations, educational workshop and of course, thousands of oysters to enjoy.

• Visit Fiore Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars on Rockland’s Main Street for special tastings of flavored olive oils and Balsamic vinegars.  Click here for info.

• Bring the whole family Apple Picking in Hope Orchards – seasonal – September & October.  Click here for info.

• Enjoy Maine lobster, clams and crab right on the shores of a beautiful cove at McLoons Lobster Shack in South Thomaston.

• Main Street Markets is a local, organic and Maine made products including sandwiches, beverages-to-go, fresh local produce, coffees, and much more.  

• The Rockland Farmer’s Market is held on Thursdays from 9am to 1pm in Harbor Park, late May through late October.

• Stroll through the gardens at Primo Restaurant, one of Rockland’s premier food to table restaurants, and see where much of the food you eat that night is grown.

• Don’t miss Uncle Willy’s Candy Shoppe in Camden for Maine-made dark and milk chocolates, peanut butter filled chocolate shells made in store, Maine themed chocolates and an incredible selection of nostalgic candies on two floors.

• Laugh Loud Smile Big features cupcakes and painting parties, an enormous selection of delicious and whimsical cupcakes, plus homemade bars and much more.  

• Enjoy a different take on lobster at Fresh in Camden,  when you order Lobster ravioli with an Asian flair. (closed January through April)

• Try a cooking class at Salt Water Farm Cooking School offering farm to table classes right on the farm.  Chef instructors utilize traditional cooking methods to emphasize the importance of preparing food using freshly harvested, seasonal ingredients. Offered July & August.

• Lily, Lupine and Fern offers a whimsical take on wine and flowers.  You’ll find a wide selection of wine and beer gift baskets, floral designs, chocolates, even cigars! Worth checking.

• For beer tastings and brewery tours, visit Atlantic Brewing Company.   

• Enjoy wine tasting and shopping at Bar Harbor Cellars Winery located at Sweet Pea Farm, offering wines from locally grown grapes, fresh cut flowers and produce for local consumption.  Info, click here.

• Fiore Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars initial location was Bar Harbor.  Visit for tastings and take home an ample supply of recipes too.  

• Eat (lobster) drink and be messy at Beal’s Lobster Pier with beautiful views of nearby Southwest Harbor.  Open May – October.  Info: Click here.

• For everything “lobstah” be sure to visit Side Street Café open year round in Bar Harbor.  Click here for info.

• You won’t want to miss a stop at Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium for handmade chocolates, ice cream and gelato.  

• Bar Harbor is home to two tea shops.  Visit the Bar Harbor Tea Company for a wide selection of teas, Maine made specialty foods, teacups and more or Tea House 278 for beautifully blended teas hand chosen from China, along with tea service and more. Both stores offer freshly brewed teas to enjoy in their tea rooms and/or gardens.

• You simply can’t visit Acadia National Park without partaking in tea and  popovers at the Jordan Pond House.

There you have it, a tasting tour of the coast of Maine.  Add in a scrumptious daily breakfast at the inns you’ll be staying at, and you’ve got one delicious itinerary!