4 Maine Buffets That Fall Flat & 4 That Serve Fresh Coastal Flavor
Maine’s reputation for seafood excellence doesn’t always translate to buffet-style dining.
As someone who’s eaten my way through the Pine Tree State’s all-you-can-eat options, I’ve discovered the treasure troves and the tourist traps.
From disappointing displays of frozen fare to spectacular spreads of ocean-fresh delights, here’s my honest take on where to fill your plate and where to pass.
1. Umi Sushi & Seafood Buffet (South Portland): Fishy Business
My stomach still grumbles in protest when I remember my last visit to Umi. Despite the promising name, freshness isn’t on the menu here. The California rolls sat sadly under heat lamps, while the supposed ‘fresh catch’ tasted like it had been caught years ago and preserved in salt.
The crab legs—usually my buffet weakness—were waterlogged and flavorless. Even the non-seafood options disappointed, with rubbery chicken and lukewarm noodles that stuck together like old friends afraid of being separated.
The dining room’s dim lighting can’t hide the quality issues. At these prices, you’d expect ocean-fresh fare, but what you get is more reminiscent of a frozen seafood section that’s been thawed one too many times.
2. Golden Apple Buffet (Old Orchard Beach): Tourist Trap Tragedy
Summer vacations in Old Orchard Beach hold a special place in my heart, but Golden Apple Buffet won’t be featured in those fond memories. The establishment clearly banks on one-time tourist visits rather than repeat customers.
Walking in, the overwhelming scent of cleaning solution barely masks the staleness of recycled buffet items. Their lobster bisque—a Maine staple—tastes suspiciously like it came from a can with a splash of half-and-half added as an afterthought.
The salad bar wilts under fluorescent lights, and the dessert section features puddings with that telltale skin on top. Most disappointing are the “local specialties” that locals would never recognize, let alone claim as authentic Maine cuisine. Save your appetite for the pier’s food stands instead.
3. Great Wall Buffet (Augusta): Capital City Letdown
Last winter, after touring the state capitol, my family and I ducked into Great Wall Buffet seeking warmth and sustenance. Boy, was that a mistake! The crab rangoons had more cream cheese than a bakery, with barely a hint of crab (if any was present at all).
Steam tables housed an array of unidentifiable meat dishes swimming in eerily similar brown sauces. The vegetable offerings had surrendered all crispness hours before our arrival. Even my teenagers—not exactly culinary critics—pushed their plates away after a few hesitant bites.
What really sealed Great Wall’s fate was spotting a staff member refilling the “fresh fruit” section with canned fruit cocktail straight from the industrial-sized tin. Augusta has plenty of charming eateries—this just isn’t one of them.
4. Miller’s Restaurant (Bangor): Fallen Star
Miller’s used to be my grandmother’s Sunday treat when I was growing up—a Bangor institution known for hearty, home-style buffets that drew crowds after church. Returning recently, I found only the ghost of its former glory.
The once-famous prime rib station now serves thin, gray slices that taste reheated rather than freshly carved. Their signature clam chowder, which I remember being thick with tender clams, now resembles wallpaper paste with occasional rubbery bites. The vegetables taste straight from the freezer bag to steam table, with none of the farm-fresh quality they once boasted.
Most heartbreaking was watching elderly regulars pick disappointedly through options they’ve clearly been loyal to for decades. Sometimes nostalgia is best left undisturbed by modern reality checks.
5. Migis Lodge (Casco): Lakeside Luxury Worth Every Penny
Holy mackerel! The Sunday brunch buffet at Migis Lodge knocked my wool socks off! Perched on Sebago Lake, this rustic-luxe retreat serves a spread that had me contemplating whether I could discreetly camp under the dining room tables to enjoy breakfast again the next morning.
The smoked salmon station features fish processed in-house, sliced paper-thin and served with all the traditional accoutrements plus some Maine-inspired twists like blueberry capers. Their lobster benedict—with butter-poached tail meat and just-gathered eggs from a farm down the road—should be illegal for how good it is.
While technically not coastal (it’s lakeside), Migis brings that same fresh-water-to-table philosophy that makes Maine dining legendary. Reservations are essential, and yes, it’s pricey, but for a special occasion, nothing compares.
6. Bagaduce Lunch (Penobscot): No-Frills Seafood Heaven
Technically not a traditional buffet, but bear with me—Bagaduce Lunch offers a “build your own seafood feast” that functions like the world’s freshest DIY buffet. This humble roadside stand has no waitstaff, no tablecloths, and absolutely zero pretension.
What it does have is seafood pulled from the water that morning. Order at the window, then pile your tray with as many paper boats of fried clams, scallops, haddock, and their legendary onion rings as you can carry. Their lobster rolls contain more meat than seems financially prudent for their price point.
The picnic tables overlooking the reversing falls of the Bagaduce River provide nature’s entertainment. James Beard Foundation named this spot an “American Classic,” but locals have known that for generations. Cash only, seasonal hours, and worth planning your entire Maine trip around.
7. The Clam Shack (Kennebunkport): Roadside Royalty
The first time I visited The Clam Shack, I thought my GPS had malfunctioned. This tiny white hut straddling the bridge between Kennebunk and Kennebunkport couldn’t possibly be the world-famous spot I’d heard about. But one bite of their buffet-style seafood platters proved why presidents and celebrities stand in the same line as locals.
Owner Steve Kingston buys lobsters directly from boats he can see from his kitchen window. The fried clams—whole bellies, never strips—are so sweet and tender they’ve ruined me for clams elsewhere. Their seafood buffet option lets you create your own feast with whatever looked best coming off the boats that morning.
Nothing sits around here—everything’s cooked to order, resulting in occasional waits that are absolutely justified. Pro tip: their hand-cut onion strings make the perfect side for soaking up any leftover butter or tartar sauce.
8. DiMillo’s On the Water (Portland): Floating Feast
A converted car ferry might seem like an odd place for one of Maine’s best seafood buffets, but DiMillo’s has been proving skeptics wrong since 1982. Sunday brunch here is my family’s tradition whenever we have visitors from away who need a proper Maine welcome.
The floating restaurant gently rocks while you load your plate with local oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, and—the star attraction—their Maine lobster mac and cheese that should be classified as an addictive substance. Their seafood chowder station lets you customize with toppings from bacon crumbles to sherry.
Between courses, wander the outer deck for harbor views that remind you exactly where your meal came from. The dessert selection features wild Maine blueberries in various forms—the parfait with maple custard makes me weak in the knees. Reservations essential, especially during summer months.