20 Maine Restaurants With Ocean Views That Capture True New England Magic
Salt-streaked breezes, lighthouse silhouettes, and plates piled high with just-caught seafood—Maine’s oceanfront dining is a love letter to New England. These restaurants deliver views that make you pause, and flavors that keep you lingering long after sunset.
Whether you crave a rustic lobster shack or a polished, candlelit perch above the tide, there’s a table waiting with waves as your soundtrack. Dive in and discover where the coast’s true magic meets every unforgettable bite.
1. The Ramp Bar & Grill, Kennebunkport
Perched beneath the beloved Pier 77, The Ramp feels like a secret clubhouse with a front-row seat to the water. Vintage sports memorabilia and nautical artifacts set a playful tone, while the harbor outside glistens with bobbing boats.
Order the lobster roll—lightly dressed, perfectly sweet—and a local beer to match the salty air. As gulls wheel overhead and kayakers glide past, sunset paints the cove in soft gold. It’s casual, unmistakably Maine, and irresistibly photogenic.
2. Hurricane Restaurant, Kennebunkport
Hurricane sits at the edge of the Kennebunk River, where tidal currents write shifting patterns across the water. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sailboats and sunset streaks, while a refined menu leans on local catch and seasonal produce.
Try the seared scallops with sweet corn succotash, then linger for blueberry pie. The staff’s polished warmth makes celebrations feel effortless. When the sky turns sherbet pink and bell buoys chime, you’ll understand why this dining room is a cherished coastal ritual.
3. Salt Water Farm Cafe & Market, Rockport
Overlooking Rockport Harbor, this cafe balances rustic charm with modern craft. Outdoor seating lets you breathe in the briny air while gulls trace the masts. Expect thoughtful cooking: herb-studded fish cakes, seasonal salads, and pastries that taste of butter and coastal mornings.
The view steals glances, but the details—house pickles, balanced vinaigrettes, crackling espresso—win hearts. It’s the kind of place where you plan a quick stop and end up savoring the slow tide for hours.
4. Aragosta at Goose Cove, Deer Isle
Tucked into a private cove, Aragosta delivers a quietly transcendent experience where forest meets sea. Chef-driven, hyper-local dishes arrive like small works of art—think lobster with sea herbs, butter infused with spruce tips.
Dine on the deck as loons call across mirrored water. The menu shifts with foraged finds and tides, rewarding curiosity and patience. It’s not just dinner; it’s a meditation on the Maine coast, plated with reverence and best savored slowly.
5. Hurricane’s Cousin: The Boathouse Restaurant, Kennebunkport
The Boathouse hovers over the river like a glossy yacht, all glass, clean lines, and coastal blues. From the patio, watch skiffs ferry out as the tide flips the channel’s mood. Sushi, oysters, and lobster rolls headline a menu that treats freshness as a mandate.
Cocktails nod to maritime lore with citrus, herbs, and just-right chill. When the harbor lights sparkle and the marina quiets, you’ll toast to the easy elegance of seaside evenings.
6. Seaglass Restaurant at Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth
Steps from Crescent Beach, Seaglass threads a serene line between refined and relaxed. Vast windows capture dune grass and cobalt swells, while the menu celebrates local farms and fisheries.
Start with oysters kissed by kelp mignonette, then a butter-poached lobster dish that glows with garden greens. Service is gracious without fuss, and the setting whispers luxury. End with a beach walk as moonlight freckles the waves—pure, unhurried coastal bliss.
7. Terrace Grill at Bar Harbor Inn, Bar Harbor
Right on Frenchman Bay, the Terrace Grill gives you Acadia’s drama without leaving your table. Waves hush against granite as schooners cruise by, and plates brim with clam chowder, crab cakes, and buttery lobster.
The open-air setting is casual, perfect for families and sunset revelers alike. As pink granite cliffs blush in evening light, it feels like you’re in a postcard. Order blueberry lemonade and let the sea breeze finish the seasoning.
8. The Well at Jordan’s Farm, Cape Elizabeth
Though nestled on farmland, The Well’s proximity to the coast infuses every breeze and plate. Picnic tables and twinkle lights set a pastoral mood, while the Atlantic lies just beyond the trees.
The nightly tasting menu highlights vegetables minutes from harvest and fish hauled that morning. Expect bright herbs, perfect seasoning, and the kind of hush that falls over a delighted crowd. It’s farm-to-sea, distilled to joy.
9. The Clam Shack, Kennebunk
An icon at the bridge, The Clam Shack serves Maine’s greatest hits with tidal theater all around. Order at the window, then watch lobster boats idle and gulls negotiate territory. The lobster roll’s debate—butter or mayo—has only one answer here: both, on a warm, buttered bun.
Fried clams are briny, crisp, and essential. The scene is pure summer: sunblock, flip-flops, and salt on your lips as the river slides to sea.
10. Sea Glass at Black Point Inn, Scarborough
On Prouts Neck, Sea Glass frames a cinematic sweep of rocky headlands and endless blue. The dining room marries Gilded Age charm with coastal sophistication, and plates lean elegant: halibut with lemon brown butter, tender greens, peak-season berries.
Waves crash below the cliff path, audible through open windows. Service is unhurried, allowing conversations to stretch and sunsets to unfurl. It’s the Maine coast at full crescendo.
11. Street & Co., Portland
Down a cobblestone lane in the Old Port, Street & Co. channels the harbor’s energy through copper pans and sizzling seafood. While not perched over waves, it’s steps from the waterfront and feels steeped in brine.
Linguine with scallops glistens, and whole fish arrives dramatically roasted. Lighting is warm, conversations animated, and the night often ends with a stroll to the piers. It’s quintessential Portland—vibrant, salty, and unforgettable.
12. The Dockside Grill, Falmouth Foreside
Set right on the docks, this spot serves marina views with a side of polished comfort. Large windows and a wraparound deck keep Casco Bay’s islands in sight. Oysters shine, fish tacos snap with freshness, and the lobster carbonara is decadent coastal comfort.
Boats drift lazily as you sip a gin-forward tonic scented with thyme. On clear nights, the horizon blushes purple, and every table seems to linger for one more toast.
13. McLoons Lobster Shack, South Thomaston
Down a gravel road on Spruce Head Island, McLoons feels like a postcard come alive. Picnic tables dot the shoreline, and the lobster comes from traps within sight.
Order a warm buttered roll and watch seals pop up between red buoys. The pace is slow, tides steady, and sunsets generous. It’s as unpretentious as it gets—and therein lies the magic: pure, sweet lobster and a view that does the talking.
14. Eventide Oyster Co., Portland
Eventide’s counter buzzes with shucking knives and sea-cold brine, just a short stroll from the working waterfront. Their brown-butter lobster roll is legend, and the oyster list reads like a love poem to Maine farms.
Light pours through big windows, catching marble and glass like seafoam. It’s city energy with salt in its veins. After slurping the last oyster, you’ll wander to the piers, already planning your return.
15. The Barnacle, Bar Harbor
Tiny and lively, The Barnacle looks onto the harbor with a wink and a martini. The menu leans snackable—tinned fish, chowder, lobster dip—perfect for sunset grazers.
Sail masts sketch the sky as ferries ease in and out. Inside, it’s cozy and convivial; outside, an ocean panorama steals the show. Pair a briny oyster shooter with a bracing gin drink and call it a perfect coastal interlude.
16. Pilot House, Kennebunk
Set beside the river mouth, Pilot House is a casual local hangout with stellar views and breezy seafood plates. Expect fried whole-belly clams, chowder, and generous lobster rolls. The patio faces the channel, so boat-watching becomes dinner theater.
Families, fishermen, and vacationers mingle easily, clinking plastic cups as gulls announce the tide. It’s approachable, hearty, and reliably delicious—the kind of place you return to without checking the menu.
17. The Dolphin Marina & Restaurant, Harpswell
On the tip of a peninsula, Dolphin Marina frames Casco Bay like a living mural. Vast windows and a wraparound deck reveal islands, lobster boats, and the occasional seal.
Their blueberry muffins with chowder are a beloved pairing—comforting, quirky, and very Maine. Seafood is the star, handled simply and well. Come for the view, stay for the warmth, and leave with salt on your smile.
18. Primo, Rockland
Primo is a destination: a farmhouse restaurant where on-site gardens meet nearby waters. While not directly on the shore, upstairs windows and the short drive to the harbor keep the sea in mind.
Dishes glow with precision—crudo from the dayboat, house-cured charcuterie, vegetables singing with mineral sweetness. Service is assured, pacing perfect. You’ll taste the coast woven through every course, elevated and intimate.
19. Navis Cafe, Portland Waterfront
Bright, modern, and casual, Navis sits steps from the working piers with big windows that drink in harbor light. Breakfast sandwiches and chowders share space with fresh salads and pastries, all crafted with care.
Watch ferries shuttle to the islands as you sip a perfectly pulled espresso. It’s a daytime gem that turns the waterfront into your office, lounge, or reading nook. Simple food, prime views, and zero fuss.
20. Boathouse Bistro Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Boothbay Harbor
Climb to the rooftop deck for sweeping views of Boothbay Harbor’s busy, beautiful sprawl. Tapas-style plates encourage sharing—garlic shrimp, lobster rangoons, bright salads—and the cocktail list leans summery.
The harbor hums below with tour boats and lobster fleets, while sunset paints the hulls tangerine. It’s festive, welcoming, and tailor-made for long evenings. Order a round for the table and let the conversation ride the tide.
