If you’re a food lover, then you’ll need a food lover’s guide to Rockland Maine’s fantastic array of excellent restaurants. Everyone knows the best part of vacation is eating out. Most guests are already planning where to have lunch while enjoying breakfast at the Berry Manor Inn. At lunch you’re dreaming about dinner. And at dinner, you’re already wondering what’s on the breakfast menu at the Inn tomorrow morning. It’s a conundrum.
Luckily, your choices for dining out in Rockland, Maine are as plentiful as they are diverse. If farm-to-table is your mantra, we’ve got you covered. Lobster lover? No problem. Looking for ambiance with an ocean view? Craving some ethnic food? Jonesing for some sushi? Want to wet your whistle with a craft beer and some pub grub? Well, if your mouth is watering just reading this, you’ve come to the right place to locate the perfect spot to satisfy your appetite.
Though small in size, Rockland is big on flavor. Whether you’ve landed here to take a windjammer cruise, or were drawn to the wealth of art and culture in our lovely seaside community, your tastebuds will thank you. So, without further ado, here’s a food lover’s guide to Rockland Maine.
Farm-to-Table
Primo: With a plentiful gardens and farm-raised poultry and pigs on the premises, it doesn’t get any fresher than Primo. Sitting up on a hill just outside of town, Primo earned its well-deserved reputation for serving the finest, and freshest cuisine available. Chef Melissa Kelly, a two-time James Beard award winner, takes the whole farm-to-table concept up a notch. The daily-changing menu features the day’s fresh catch, house-made pasta, and creative appetizers served with garden-fresh vegetables.
Sushi
Suzuki’s Sushi Bar: This downtown Japanese restaurant prides itself on serving only what’s in season. It might be late summer bluefin tuna, tiny northern shrimp, or local sea urchin. Sushi and sashimi creations are as delicious as they are beautiful. Chef Keiko Suzuki Steinberger brought new excitement to the Main Street food scene when she opened her sushi bar in Rockland.
Eclectic
In Good Company: If you’re a fan of wine and tapas, In Good Company is the place to indulge your desires. With a passion for authenticity in the kitchen, and an affinity for creating a warm and cozy dining experience, Chef-owner Melody Wolfertz has been wowing her customers with a combination of fun food and drink since 2004. Stop in for a unique cocktail and some nibbles to share.
Ethnic
Ada’s Kitchen: Affordable and authentic defines Ada’s Kitchen. Enjoy handmade pastas and pizzas chased down with fine Italian wines or a fresh local brew. In season, the patio is flush with happy diners enjoying delicious pomodoro, carbonara, and stuffed ravioli.
Seafood with a View
Archer’s on the Pier: With a stunning view and the aroma of salty air wafting through the dining area, Archer’s on the Pier serves the freshest seafood around. You may have seen her on the food Network, when she went head-to head with chef Bobby Flay in an classic lobster throwdown. Lobster may take up a sizable portion of her menu, but she doesn’t stop there. Oysters, calamari, scallops, clams, and shrimp are equally represented.
Brew Pub
Rock Harbor Pub and Brewery: Pub grub and hand-crafted brew are the hallmarks of this downtown establishment. You can’t go wrong with a crisp pale ale or a flavor-forward IPA. Combined with a juicy burger or a plate of spicy wings and fried pickles, you may just wind up spending the afternoon here.
Fussy Eaters
Café Miranda: If you’ve got a fussy eater in your party, you absolutely have to try Café Miranda. Whipping up a selection internationally-inspired dishes, Chef Kerry Altiero’s menu, in a word, is humongous. Pizza on the Street, or POTS, features wood-fired pizza and wings, while the new Miranda menu covers the bases of the rest of the food spectrum.
Next time you visit the Berry Manor inn in Rockland, Maine, bring an appetite. Starting with our gourmet breakfasts and ending with a slice of pie a la mode, your day will be filled with tempting treats at any of these wonderful restaurants.
October 2020