Maine's Southern Coast: Food & Drink We Enjoyed

So many places to choose from and so little time!  Here are a few restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops we tried and liked while in Maine. 

* The Clam Shack, Kennebunkport

As the name implies, this place offers clams as well as other seafood, but lobster is king.

Choose the size you want and observe the kitchen staff while you wait for your meal.

Great lobster!  I had shrimp, and it was delicious, too.

Casual atmosphere, right on the Kennebunk River.  Eat inside or outside.

Loved the outdoor furniture!

* Alisson's, Kennebunkport

Popular downtown restaurant with a great variety of offerings

My fish and chips were very good, as was my husband's lobster roll.  The lobster bisque, however, was incredible!

Allagash White beer, made in nearby Portland, was a hit with my husband.

* Maine Diner, Wells

Good, homemade food & friendly staff on Route 1

Seemed popular with both tourists and locals

We were there for breakfast, and everything was delicious.  Breakfast hash was a specialty.

Belgium Waffle and Fresh Fruit

Too much gravy for me, but it was good.  The biscuits were wonderful and homemade.

There's a gift shop next to the restaurant, too.  I would definitely eat here again.

* Bessie's, Ogunquit

Varied menu and good food in a diner-like setting located downtown.
Dessert portions were huge and very popular.

* Goldenrod Kisses, Cape Neddick

Great old-fashioned restaurant and candy store!

We had lunch here on a rainy, cool day.  Chowder and sandwiches were very good.

Take a seat at the fountain. . .

. . .or opt for a table in the restaurant.  We enjoyed the fire they had
going that day!

* $3 Dewey's, Portland

Another place we enjoyed for lunch, located downtown close to the harbor

The story of $3 Dewey's

While waiting for your meal, you can grab a bowl of popcorn 
from the old-fashioned machine.  Enjoy with a local beer or soft drink.

Thumbs up from my husband for the Curious Traveler brew
made in Burlington, Vermont.  Good sandwiches and soups, too!

* The Old Salt's Pantry, Kennebunkport

Lots of local goodies, plus soups and sandwiches--best hotdog I've ever had!

Annapolis, Maryland: Food & Drink We Enjoyed

There is no shortage of places to eat and drink in the Annapolis area. Restaurants, pubs, coffee houses, and specialty food stores are plentiful especially in the historic district.  We had many good meals in Annapolis, but our favorites came from these establishments.

The Severn Inn

Sunday brunch at The Severn Inn was my husband's special treat for me on this trip, and what a treat it was!  The inn assembles a huge spread every Sunday morning:  a hot buffet, a cold buffet, a dessert buffet, and a variety of drinks including Bloody Marys and mimosas.  Everything was good, but we really enjoyed the biscuits with chipped beef gravy and the beignets.  My husband had the prime rib which he said was delicious.  The service was good, and the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed.

Located on the banks of the Severn River, the inn offers spectacular views of the naval academy and Annapolis which are directly across the water.  It took us about 10 minutes to drive to the inn from our vacation rental in the historic district.  Crossing the Severn River via the U. S. Naval Academy Bridge made for a beautiful drive.  I love the graceful lines and curves of the bridge and the lamp posts that line the sides.

The Severn Inn sits at the end of the bridge to your right.

Galway Bay Restaurant and Pub

Located on Maryland Avenue in the historic district, Galway Bay is a great place to go for good food in a fun atmosphere.  We visited the pub twice during our stay and had good food and service on each occasion.  The Cork Reuben sandwich is awesome, as are the Irish potato cakes.  On our second visit, we met and visited with one of the two brothers who own and operate the place. The brothers, originally from Kilkenny, Ireland, have filled the pub with mementos from their homeland, and they make sure Irish music is always playing.

Dry 85

Dry 85 bills itself as "a modern industrial take on a Prohibition-era speakeasy," and that seems a pretty accurate description.  My husband had one of the daily specials, a stir-fry dish that he really enjoyed.  I tried a chicken sandwich with the house mayonnaise--spicy but good.

Our wonderful waiter told us the story behind the restaurant's name.  After Prohibition was repealed on Dec. 5, 1933, all the country seemed to celebrate--except for the District of Columbia.  D. C., it seems, had to remain dry for another 85 days until the Sheppard Act was passed on Mar. 1, 1934.

We also enjoyed these places:

* McGarvey's (featured in my earlier post on St. Patrick's Day)
* Dock Street Coffee--a couple of locations; good coffee & pastries
* Annebeth's--specialty food & wine store on Maryland Avenue
* Cantler's Riverside Inn--good seafood,fun & almost always crowded; located across the U. S. Naval Academy Bridge on Forest Beach Road