16 Maine Dining Spots With Ocean Views That Feel Like True New England Magic
Maine has a way of turning a simple meal into something unforgettable, especially when the Atlantic is shimmering just beyond your table.
Whether it’s a lobster roll with a salty breeze or a candlelit dinner as the waves crash below, these coastal dining spots serve up more than just great food.
They bottle that hard-to-describe New England magic — where the ocean meets the plate, and every bite feels like a little seaside escape. Come hungry and leave with a view that sticks with you.
1. The Boathouse Restaurant – Kennebunkport
Perched right on the Kennebunk River where it meets the Atlantic, The Boathouse combines nautical sophistication with laid-back Maine vibes.
Weathered wood beams frame floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase a parade of boats drifting by.
Their lobster mac and cheese has ruined me for all other comfort foods – chunks of sweet meat folded into creamy perfection.
Grab a seat on the wraparound deck during sunset, when the harbor lights begin to twinkle and reflect off the water.
2. Ocean Restaurant at Cape Arundel Inn – Kennebunkport
Elegance meets coastal charm at this hidden gem perched atop a rocky bluff.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame an endless Atlantic panorama that makes you feel like you’re dining on a luxury cruise ship that never leaves port.
White tablecloths and candlelight set the stage for locally-sourced seafood with French influences. The lobster thermidor here changed my life!
Even in foggy weather, there’s something hauntingly beautiful about watching the mist roll across the waves while sipping Maine-made blueberry wine.
3. Joseph’s by the Sea – Old Orchard Beach
Family-owned since 1968, Joseph’s feels like dining in your seafaring grandmother’s living room – if grandma had impeccable taste and oceanfront property.
Victorian architecture houses cozy dining rooms where every table feels intimate despite the expansive ocean views.
Their seafood chowder recipe hasn’t changed in decades, and thank goodness for that! A secret blend of herbs and cream creates the perfect backdrop for tender clams and haddock.
Watch storms roll in during the off-season for a moody Maine experience that tourists rarely witness.
4. Saltwater Grille – South Portland
Tucked away in a residential neighborhood, Saltwater Grille feels like a local secret despite its stunning harbor views.
Sailboats bob gently against the backdrop of Portland’s skyline across the water, creating a postcard-perfect setting.
Forget standard fish and chips – their pan-seared scallops with citrus beurre blanc will make you close your eyes in bliss.
The outdoor patio practically hovers over the water, letting you watch cormorants dive for their dinner while you enjoy yours.
5. DiMillo’s On the Water – Portland
How many restaurants can claim they’re actually floating? This converted car ferry gently rocks with the harbor tide, creating a uniquely maritime dining experience.
Red-sauce Italian meets downeast seafood in this Portland institution that’s been serving hungry sailors and landlubbers since 1954.
Order the cioppino – a tomato-based seafood stew loaded with whatever was caught that morning.
The upper deck offers 360-degree views of Portland’s working waterfront, where fishing boats still unload their daily catch just yards from your table.
6. MC Perkins Cove – Ogunquit
Acclaimed chefs Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier created this culinary haven where floor-to-ceiling windows frame Ogunquit’s famous Marginal Way footpath and the Atlantic beyond.
The modern interior lets Mother Nature provide the artwork through panoramic ocean views. Their Maine lobster stew arrives with a theatrical pour-over of rich broth tableside.
Lunchtime brings spectacular light that dances across the water, while evening transforms the space into an intimate setting where waves crash dramatically against the rocks below.
7. Sea Glass at Inn by the Sea – Cape Elizabeth
Hidden among fragrant gardens and native beach grass, Sea Glass offers sophisticated dining with a conscience.
Their commitment to sustainable seafood means you can indulge guilt-free while gazing across the lawn to Crescent Beach.
The Maine Harvest Tasting Menu changes with the seasons, highlighting whatever local farmers and fishermen bring to the door that week.
Arrive early to stroll the boardwalk through protected dunes before dinner, then linger over cocktails on the patio as stars appear over the Atlantic.
8. The Lobster Shack at Two Lights – Cape Elizabeth
No-frills perfection defines this legendary spot perched on jagged rocks beside Two Lights State Park.
Picnic tables bolted to the rocky ledge put you closer to crashing waves than any other dining spot in Maine – sometimes you’ll even get splashed!
Their lobster rolls come Maine-style: chilled meat, touch of mayo, buttered bun, nothing else needed.
The lighthouse views are straight out of an Edward Hopper painting, especially when fog rolls in and the foghorn sounds its mournful warning to ships passing in the distance.
9. Waterfront Restaurant – Camden
Camden Harbor’s postcard perfection reaches its zenith at this aptly-named eatery where working windjammers dock just steps from your table.
The multi-level deck cascades toward the water, creating a stadium-like view of Maine’s prettiest harbor.
Their haddock sandwich is deceptively simple – perfectly flaky fish with just enough crunch to make you wonder how something so basic can taste so divine.
Visit during the harbor’s wooden boat regatta in August when tall ships with billowing sails create a time-travel experience right before your eyes.
10. The Boathouse Bistro – Boothbay Harbor
Three stories of dining with the top floor offering a crow’s nest perspective over one of Maine’s busiest summer harbors.
Rooftop cocktails here feel like being aboard a ship without the seasickness – you can spot seals playing around the harbor islands on clear days.
Skip the expected lobster and try their Spanish-inspired seafood tapas instead.
The paella loaded with local mussels, clams and saffron will transport your taste buds to Barcelona while your eyes feast on pure Maine magic. Sunset transforms the harbor into a mirror of orange and pink reflections.
11. Billy’s Chowder House – Wells
Tucked along the salt marshes where the tidal river meets the sea, Billy’s has been ladling out their famous chowder since 1978.
The rustic dining room extends onto a sunporch where herons and egrets provide dinner entertainment as they hunt in the grasses below.
Their seafood chowder comes in a bread bowl that absorbs the creamy broth – carb heaven!
The restaurant sits at that magical intersection where river meets ocean, creating a constantly changing landscape as the tide ebbs and flows, revealing and then concealing the intricate channels of the marsh.
12. Buoy Shack – Kittery
Lobster traps and colorful buoys aren’t just decoration here – they’re part of the working waterfront where your dinner was likely caught that morning.
Sitting practically underneath the Piscataqua River Bridge, this unassuming shack offers front-row seats to the naval shipyard across the water.
Their lobster stew comes loaded with meat that was swimming hours earlier. Watch massive ships navigate the notoriously strong currents while enjoying impossibly fresh seafood.
The restaurant’s weathered dock stretches into the water, letting you feel the tide shift beneath your feet between courses.
13. Abel’s Lobster – Mount Desert Island
Nestled in a quiet cove on the less-traveled side of Mount Desert Island, Abel’s feels like stepping into a secret maritime garden.
Ancient pines tower over picnic tables set on a sloping lawn that meanders down to a protected harbor filled with classic wooden boats.
Their lobster dinner comes with all the fixings – drawn butter, corn on the cob, and homemade blueberry pie for dessert.
The Acadia mountains create a dramatic backdrop across the water, and on foggy days, the haunting sound of bell buoys creates the perfect soundtrack for cracking into your bright red dinner.
14. Havana – Bar Harbor
Latin flair meets downeast ingredients at this surprising culinary standout just steps from Bar Harbor’s bustling waterfront.
The garden patio feels like a secret oasis, with fairy lights twinkling overhead and glimpses of Frenchman Bay between historic buildings.
Their paella incorporates Maine lobster and Pemaquid mussels for a cross-cultural masterpiece. Sip a mojito made with local wild blueberries while watching the massive cruise ships anchor offshore.
The restaurant sources from island farms and fishermen, creating a uniquely Maine-Cuban fusion that somehow makes perfect sense.
15. Aragosta at Goose Cove – Deer Isle
Worth the journey to Maine’s remote archipelago, Aragosta sits at the water’s edge on a former artist’s colony.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the minimalist dining room frame a view so stunning it’s hard to focus on your plate – but you should, because Chef Devin Finigan’s creations deserve attention.
The tasting menu features whatever was foraged, farmed or fished that day. Each morning, the staff collects seaweed, beach roses, and edible flowers from the property.
Sunset here feels almost spiritual as the granite islands turn golden and lobster boats head home across the bay.
16. Bagaduce Lunch – Penobscot
James Beard Award-winning yet utterly unpretentious, this third-generation family stand has been serving perfectly fried seafood since 1946.
The screened eating porch and picnic tables overlook the reversing falls of the Bagaduce River – a natural phenomenon where the tide creates backwards-flowing rapids.
Their fried clams are what dreams are made of – whole bellies, sweet and briny, in a light, crispy batter. Watch osprey dive for fish while blue herons stalk the shallows.
The place hasn’t changed in decades, and locals will tell you that’s exactly how they like it.