These Are the Best ‘Classic’ Restaurants in Maine

While our Pine Tree State is filled with so many incredible restaurants, these have recently been named the best 'classic' spots in Maine!

And also, it should go without saying—if your favorite restaurant isn’t on the list, or if a place you wouldn’t consider a ‘classic’ is, just remember this is one publication’s opinion. We’d love to hear what you think, so feel free to share your favorites and reactions with us on the app!

That said, who exactly is making this distinction? And what makes a restaurant classic in the first place?

Food & Wine is a long-running publication that has spent decades exploring America’s dining scene, celebrating everything from hidden gems to culinary icons.

For this latest feature, the team compiled a sprawling, nearly 17,000-word guide highlighting close to 250 restaurants across the country.

Drawing on years of travel, in-depth reporting, and their editorial legacy to spotlight places they believe capture the essence of classic American dining.

Read More: Two Maine Restaurants Named to 'Best Seafood' in America List 

Now that we’ve got that cleared up, what criteria is Food & Wine using to determine which restaurants in Maine are considered the best classic ones?

In their article ‘The Best Classic Restaurants in Every State,’ Food & Wine focused on longevity, cultural significance, and timeless appeal to determine their selections. Their picks highlight restaurants that help tell the story of American dining — places that have stood the test of time, survived a changing industry, and continue to preserve culinary traditions worth remembering and revisiting.

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Keep scrolling to see which restaurants have recently been recognized as the very best classic eateries in our state!

After you check out the list, let us know what you think. Which restaurants are your favorites? Which ones do you think were overlooked? We’d love to hear from you—feel free to join the conversation by messaging us on the app.

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