Everyone wants a meal with a view, and many Maine restaurants offer one. From its mountains, lakes, and rolling farmlands, to its rugged coastline, the Pine Tree State has long been renowned for its natural beauty. Today, as its food scene continues to gain national and international prominence and recognition, the art of fine dining has become a destination of and in itself. With that in mind, here is a short list of 5 of the top restaurants with stunning views.
The Well at Jordan’s Farm
The critics are raving about The Well at Jordan’s Farm—the food and the view. Situated on a 122-acre working farm in Cape Elizabeth, the restaurant is incorporated directly into a 5th generation farmstead. All of the food—the produce, seafood, meat, and poultry—is either grown there or locally sourced. The menu changes daily depending on what’s been picked that morning to serve that night—farm-to-table doesn’t get any fresher. There is an assortment of areas for diners to choose from. Be sure to ask when making reservations. The seating areas feature picnic tables scattered across a lawn amongst a handful of gazebos. Dine in the open amidst flower beds and nearby strawberry fields or under a gazebo roof overlooking the surrounding meadow and farmland. The experience and food are enchanting.
Natalie’s
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Seaside dining has never been finer than at the award-winning Natalie’s Restaurant in Camden. Honored with the OpenTable Diners’ Choice Top 100 Best Restaurant In America Award, the restaurant offers truly world-class dining along with some of the most amazing natural scenery, beautiful ocean vistas, and unique attractions found on the coast of Maine—all that is Camden. Long known as an exclusive culinary destination, not only for a menu drawn from the harvest of Maine fishing boats, farms, and gardens but also for the idyllic. Natalie’s is located within the tranquil confines of the Camden Harbour Inn, a classic New England Victorian mansion that overlooks historic Camden Harbor. On any given day, diners can spy windjammers, trawlers, and sailboats upon a picturesque harbor dotted with islands. Nestled under mountains that touch the sea, a trip to Natalie’s is well worth the visit.
Nebo Lodge
Island life in Maine has inspired poets and artist for generations—and now foodies, too. You’ll find Nebo Lodge, a small inn, and restaurant, 12 miles out from Rockland on the island of North Haven in the middle of Penobscot Bay. The view spans across the many islands in the Gulf of Maine to distant mountains that rise along the coastline. North Haven itself is rolling hills and farmlands, fishing and wildlife. The Lodge is located a short walk from the harbor and overlooks spruced edged fields. The food’s as remarkable as the challenge is in getting there. Nebo made the top 5 of Bon Appetit’s “Best Food Lover’s Hotels in America.” All of the offerings are created around vegetables, berries, meat, fish, and cheeses produced on the island. Round-trip transportation from Rockland to North Haven is available. Visit Nebo’s website for more information.
River Driver’s Restaurant & Pub
Drive north into the Maine wilderness and you’ll find the River Driver’s Restaurant & Pub. Located 9 miles from Millinocket at Twin Pine Cabins, the restaurant is on the shores of Millinocket Lake, which showcases a spectacular view of Maine’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin. Choose from a menu of crab-stuffed haddock, tomahawk pork chops or pan-seared Statler chicken breast just to name a few of the entrees. Its diverse menu features quality American fare highlighted by seasonal, locally sourced, fresh ingredients. It’s the view that will move you. The Katahdin region boasts beautiful lakes and mountains, and abundant moose and wildlife that are easily encountered.
Blair Hill Inn and Restaurant
Just 60 miles west, at least as the crow flies, a few miles drive north from the center of Greenville, in the heart of moose country, you’ll find Blair Hill Inn and Restaurant. Fine dining located in a mansion that overlooks Moosehead Lake. The lake is the largest within all of New England. With over 400 miles of shoreline, Moosehead is 40 miles long, 10 miles wide and rests in a glacier-carved bowl surrounded by mountains and extended ridgelines. Truly breathtaking, Blair Hill rises up high on the east side of the Moosehead and provides one of the most remarkable, expansive lake views in the world. Once an estate and breeding farm, the 21-acre site is now home to a B&B and a renowned, gourmet restaurant that serves up a tasty farm-to-table menu. The handsome wood-paneled cocktail lounge offers fine wines and libations. You’ll not be disappointed—watch the sunset over Moose Mountain and enjoy the food and fantastic views that are all that Maine has to offer.