Exceptional Dining in Boothbay Harbor Maine
The Harborside Tavern sits on the town side of the Boothbay Harbor footbridge. This view of the water and the famous “Boothbay Harbor Footbridge” bring a smile of pride to the owner and staff here at the Harborside. The connection is personal, as the Harborside Tavern current owner’s great-grandfather, Frank Sample, helped build the bridge and the infrastructure of Boothbay Harbor. To make this place even more special the tables are all made from a family owned Ashwood tree – the same tree which was which owner, Fiona, played upon as a child, she is 5th generation Boothbay region born and raised. There was a lot of pride at the Harborside Tavern in the telling of these facts and the involvement of this locally-owned and operated restaurant into the current Boothbay Harbor community. It’s apparent, that Fiona and the staff all seemed to love working there and serving people.
The simple decor at Harborside Tavern is welcoming, however, most impressive was the fine dining experience we had here. Harborside offers a nice bar list and one of the better selections of wines that we found in the area. More than just California wines, a nice selection of European favorites was nice to see.
Boothbay Harbor Fine Dining: Harborside Tavern Style
For starters, the famous Oysters Rockefeller. These Maine raised oystered were prepared with creamed spinach and served with a pearl of Meyer Lemon. Yes, they were simply amazing. 
The other appetizer was a house-made Ricotta with Blueberry Compote accented with Meyer Lemon and served with a house-made Pepper Biscotti – tasty and the perfect appetizer size.
On to the Main Course. We choose a Lobster Dish and decided upon the house-smoked Pork Ribs. Ribs on the coast of Maine? Well, this is no ordinary restaurant and we found out the ribs like nearly everything served, is made in-house. Harborside Tavern serves fall-off-the-bone in-house smoked ribs with crispy creamers (whipped potatoes) and garlic spinach and it was outstanding. Best of all not too spicy. The ribs were so tender and the sauce was a compliment to the delightful smoke flavor. The Shelled Lobster Dinner Special was equally amazing. Shelled, fresh Maine Lobster served with asparagus, mushrooms, and homemade ricotta gnocchi over a corn pudding made for a spectacular presentation. Each flavorful bite was a palate pleaser. The gnocchi was very light and the pudding added just a bit of texture.
Desserts are a combined effort from the family and Chef Justin. We had to try the wild Maine Blueberry Crisp and also sampled the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake. Make sure you leave room for dessert as they are just as incredible as the starters and main courses. 
Everything is basically house-made, house smoked, or house-baked including their famous Cinnamon Rolls. These are made every morning from the same recipe that has been used for the last 35 years. Famous Harborside Cinnamon Rolls are a holdover from when this restaurant was known as Andrew’s Harborside Tavern. Today, Harborside Tavern Cinnamon Rolls are available throughout the day or until they sell out. Take a few home, they warm up very well.
We wanted to shout out to Tracy our knowledgeable and efficient server, Shaylee who shared so much information about the restaurant and the food preparation, and Chef Justin who has a great instinct for food preparation and presentation. Lastly to Fiona who invited us to dinner and has assembled such a professional and talented restaurant staff. What we found at Harborside Tavern was delicious, fresh, simple fine dining at affordable prices. Worth a special visit – another must do in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The Harborside Tavern is open for three meals a day. Please let them know that MELiving.com sent you.
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Harborside Tavern – Boothbay Harbor ME Restaurant
Harborside Tavern
12 Bridge Street
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
207-633-4074
Jonathan's OGT, 92 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit, Maine 03907 | 207-646-4777
Serving upscale New England cuisine, Jonathan's Ogunquit, caters to those diners looking for fresh seafood, classic European dishes, grilled steaks and more. Diners prefer Jonathan's for a romantic date night, to celebrate a special birthday or enjoy an evening of farm to table gastronomy before a show. Jonathan's offers dining, events, and concerts. Featuring local food products wherever possible and focuses on serving fresh, New England products. Jonathan's slogan has always been to #eatwell.
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Maine Diner, 2265 Post Road (US Route 1),Wells, ME 04090 | 207-646-4441
World Famous Food Like Grandma Used To Make. Featured on "The Today Show", Phantom Gourmet, Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" and others. Maine blueberry pancakes, pies, lunch and dinner specials and more. Try Maine Diner's famous Lobster Pie, Seafood Chowder, Codfish Cakes. Breakfast anytime. Remember the Maine Gift Shoppe, Maine Products. Eat-In or Take-Out. View menus online.
Maine Diner - Wells, Maine
The Blue Bistro at Beachmere Inn, 62 Beachmere Place, Ogunquit, ME 03907 | 207-646-2021
Blue Bistro offers a relaxed setting for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Enjoy an ocean view with your fresh Maine Lobster Benedict in the morning. After a day at the beach, join us for a delicious Filet Mignon dinner. Please telephone for the latest information about our daily specials from our in house chefs. We're an easy walk from Downtown Ogunquit and welcome advance reservations to enjoy our delectable offerings and beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. The Blue Bistro is among the Top-Rated Restaurants in Ogunquit.
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When Pigs Fly Pizzeria, 460 U.S. Route 1
Kittery, Maine 03904 | Restaurant: 207-438-7036 Bread Store: 207-439-3114
Enjoy our large selection of wood-fired pizzas, appetizer plates, craft beers and draft wines. The pizzas are Neapolitan style, handcrafted from all natural ingredients. Our wood-fired ovens give the crust a chewy, smoky flavor. All ingredients are the freshest including mozzarella, which is made fresh daily. This location is also home to the When Pigs Fly Company Store, which offers all of the classic and artisan breads, and other products available from When Pigs Fly.
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Roberto's, 200 Shore Road, Ogunquit, Maine 03907 | 207-646-8130
Roberto's is committed to making every dish memorable and that feeds not only the body, but feeds the spirit as well. Delicious hardy portions that are truly crave worthy. An extensive menu of all your favorite Italian dishes cooked authentically to give you that real taste of Italy.
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Fisherman's Catch Restaurant, 134 Harbor Road, Wells, ME 04090 | 207.646.8780
Fisherman's Catch Restaurant has been serving fresh Maine seafood, off the beaten path, for more than 35 years. We truly appreciate the locals making our little rustic spot in Wells Harbor their destination. Off the Beaten Path, Keeping It Rustic Since 1982. Lunch and Dinner - May to Mid October. Dine Out, Dine In. A Maine Summertime Classic.
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Loco Coco's Tacos, 36 Walker Street, Kittery, ME 03904 | 207-438-9322
Creative, unique, and freshly made Mexican food housed in a restored building, a relaxed dining experience that offers something different to patrons and ensures you enjoy a memorable food experience every time. Mexican, Southwestern Cuisine, Special Diets, Vegetarian, Vegan / Gluten free options. Lunch, Dinner, Dine-In or Take-out, Catering.
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Lord's Clam Box Restaurant, 1465 Main Street So., Sanford, ME 04073 | 207-324-4700
Serving Only the Finest Seafood Since 1969. Famous Chowders and Legendary Seafood, Fried Clams, Fried Haddock, Maine Steamers, Shrimp, Imported Pasta, One Quarter Pound Hamburgers, Assorted homemade desserts and pastries. Sensational side dishes and appetizers. Eat in or Take Out.
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Ogunquit Beach Lobster House, 1111 Beach Street, Ogunquit, ME 03907 | 1-207-360-2286
Enjoy a Maine lobster meal you will will want again and again, with succulent lobster you can taste, not buried in overwhelming seasonings or paired with inappropriate accompaniments. We make it to your taste, even if only seasoned with our healthy Maine salt air! Dine-In, or Take-Out. Seasonally Open 7 days a week from Noon - 8:00pm
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