Camden, ME is a classic coastal town full of amazing food options. From casual fare to fine dining, these chefs are committed to using ingredients that are both local and sustainable. People come here for the intersection of the mountains and the sea, but I think the culinary scene is just as much of a draw. Read on to learn about the best restaurants in Camden, ME!
Franny’s Bistro
Franny’s Bistro serves incredible American food using local ingredients. Here, the atmosphere is warm and cozy with flower baskets, twinkle lights, and even church pews.
For appetizers, we got lobster fritters and shrimp dumplings. For entrées, my husband got halibut (changes weekly), and I got pork back ribs marinated in ginger and molasses. For dessert, we got almond cake and homemade salted caramel ice cream. Absolutely everything was delicious!
Overall, we had a very nice relaxed evening, and the service was great too.
Price: $$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (207) 230-8199
Marriner’s Restaurant
Marriner’s Restaurant opened in 1942 and offers diner-style American fare with a laid-back vibe. The cute structure has red siding, white trim, blue script, and seafaring decor.
For breakfast, they have items like blueberry pancakes, a Monte Cristo sandwich (ham and cheese on french toast), or a giant omelet.
For lunch, they have staples like fish n’ chips, clam chowder, or a lobster roll.
If the weather is nice, they have a deck out back. Come for the picturesque view of the harbor and enjoy one of the best restaurants in Camden, ME!
Price: $
Meal: Breakfast or lunch
Reservations: No
Phone number: (207) 236-4949
wolfpeach
Though originally more akin to fine dining, wolfpeach has now reinvented itself and become a casual neighborhood spot that serves pizza. The menu is hyper-local and celebrates New England.
For drinks, you can order cocktails like a daiquiri, martini, Negroni, or Sazerac in addition to wine, beer, and cider.
At the raw bar, they have oysters and a rotating crudo, while the pizza options are a mix of classics and new inventions (like the Parmesan Cowboy with smoked pork, broccolini, onions, and chili).
For dessert, the homemade ice cream comes in flavors like fennel lemon and chocolate almond.
Price: $$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: No
Phone number: (207) 230-8315
Waterfront
Waterfront is one of the best restaurants in Camden, ME. They strive to keep everything local, using farmers and fishermen in the area (they also hire local kids).
For lunch, they have items like a crab melt, a haddock reuben, and a salmon burger. For dinner, they have appetizers like oysters and calamari and entrées like fried shrimp and steamed lobster (with an option to have it broken down for you)!
In the warmer months, you can sit outside and enjoy the salty ocean air with a view of Penobscot Bay, and in the colder months, you can sit inside under wooden beams and next to a roaring brick fireplace.
Price: $$ to $$$
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: Only for over 6 people
Phone number: (207) 236-3747
Long Grain
Long Grain has Asian Fusion cuisine that is influenced by places like Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia. The food here is authentic, delicious, and made using fresh seasonal ingredients.
For appetizers, we got Nam Tok (spicy beef salad with fresh herbs) and Hoi Mangpu (steamed mussels in coconut lemongrass broth). For entrées, we both got a homemade rice noodle dish (pad thai and pad seaw) and fried rice with smoked mackerel.
The service was great, and the vibe was casual and unpretentious.
Price: $$ to $$$
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (207) 236-9001
Fresh and Co.
Fresh and Co. has global cuisine with a wide range of flavors and a menu that often changes to reflect the availability of local ingredients.
Here, they source unique wine from obscure places (but reserve the draft lines for craft Maine brews). For appetizers, we got lamb lollipops with tzatziki (from Greece) and Lutenitsa, a red pepper dip with pita (from Bulgaria).
For dinner, my husband got fried chicken with pickled daikon and hoisin mayo (from Japan), and it even came with an okonomiyaki pancake, which took us right back to a past stay in Kyoto. I got Moqueca, a stew with fish, shrimp, and mussels in coconut milk with jasmine rice (from Brazil).
For dessert, we got mango sorbet, and every single course was delicious! This spot is family owned, and we found it to be very welcoming.
*Open seasonally
Price: $$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (207) 236-7005
Peter Ott’s
Peter Ott’s is one of the best restaurants in Camden, ME. The head chef and owner grew up on the coast and puts quality seafood at the forefront.
For lunch, you can order lobster several ways (for example, in chowder or even with bacon, lettuce, and tomato) as well as more typical fare (salads and burgers).
For dinner, you can order dishes like seared salmon with maple chipotle glaze, chicken fettuccine alfredo, and sirloin with bearnaise.
The feel here is casual, the deck has an absolutely gorgeous view of the harbor, and if you sit outside, you can bring a dog!
*Open seasonally
Price: $$ to $$$
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: No
Phone number: (207) 236-4032
40 Paper
40 Paper serves tasty Italian food with a Mediterranean twist in the historic Knox Woolen Mill (built during the Civil War).
Here, the dining room is intimate yet the bar scene is vibrant. They have discounted drinks from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm every night, with craft cocktails and modern takes on classics (they have an extensive wine list as well).
The menu changes frequently with seasonal availability, and most dishes can be made gluten free or vegetarian.
For small plates, they have items like mussels and a charcuterie board. For large plates, they have items like flatbread (for example, prosciutto or margherita) and homemade pasta (for example, bolognese, gnocchi, or linguine).
Dessert is also a must, with scratch options like gelato and tiramisu (that you can wash down with some limoncello)!
Price: $$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (207) 230-0111
Natalie’s Restaurant
Natalie’s Restaurant is located in the beautiful Camden Harbor Inn and offers elevated European fare with an emphasis on France. Here, the atmosphere is reminiscent of a chic Parisian bistro.
The bar is extensive, with cocktails like a Swizzle (rum, mint, lime, and bitters) and a Penicillin (scotch, honey, lemon, and ginger). They also have a very long wine list.
For appetizers, you can order dishes like gazpacho or garden greens. For dinner, you can order dishes like halibut with zucchini and chili flakes or rib-eye with a hasselback potato and summer squash.
For dessert, you can order an authentic blueberry crémeux with meringue. They also have a five-course tasting menu (which can even be focused on lobster)!
The presentation of each dish is stunning, and they create them all using local ingredients. Come for the incredible view of the ocean and enjoy one of the best restaurants in Camden, ME!
Price: $$$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (207) 236-4200
Camden House of Pizza
Camden House of Pizza opened in 1998 and serves more than just a slice. This family owned spot is a hole in the wall complete with red and white gingham curtains.
The menu is the same for lunch and dinner, with customizable toppings like pepperoni or pineapple and specialties like chicken, bacon, ranch or meat lovers. They have other options as well, like subs, gyros, and mozzarella sticks.
We got onion rings, a chicken kebob salad, and a sausage mushroom pizza (the dough was homemade and delicious)!
Price: $
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: No
Phone number: (207) 230-2464
Honorable Mention: River Ducks Ice Cream
River Ducks Ice Cream is a quaint little shop with green siding and pink trim. Here, you will find frosty treats like cones, milkshakes, and sundaes (including my personal favorite, a banana split).
The hard serve ice cream comes in flavors like strawberry, cookie dough, and peanut butter (they also have local flavors like Maine moose tracks, Maine wild blueberry, and Maine maple walnut). The soft serve ice cream comes in the classic chocolate, vanilla, and twist.
You can sit at picnic tables set beneath rainbow string lights with a nice view of the river. The nearby bridge is cute as well with colorful hanging flowers.
*Open seasonally
Price: $ – Cash only
Meal: Dessert
Reservations: No
Phone number: (207) 322-7129
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best casual dining in Camden, ME?
I think the best casual dining in Camden, ME is at Long Grain.
Where is the best fine dining in Camden, ME?
I think the best fine dining in Camden, ME is at Natalie’s Restaurant.
Where is the best outdoor dining in Camden, ME?
I think the best outdoor dining in Camden, ME is at Waterfront.
Where is the best lunch in Camden, ME?
I think the best lunch in Camden, ME is at Marriner’s Restaurant.
What are the best restaurants in Camden, ME on the water?
I think one of the best restaurants in Camden, ME on the water is Peter Ott’s.
What are the best Italian restaurants in Camden, ME?
I think one of the best Italian restaurants in Camden, ME is 40 Paper.
What are the best seafood restaurants in Camden, ME?
I think one of the best seafood restaurants in Camden, ME is Peter Ott’s.
I hope you enjoyed this post and that it will lead to some great meals at the best restaurants in Camden, ME!
For another trip, check out the best places to visit in Maine!