A Few Days in Mid-coast Maine - July 2025
I just got back from a few days in Midcoast Maine (aka the Camden, Rockport, Rockland area) with my family and here is everything we ate! I really love this area of Maine - it is laid back, with a huge variety of small towns all over the place and some of the best and most freshest food.
Beth’s Farm Stand (Warren) - Beth’s was just a short drive from our Airbnb, so we ended up making a few trips there—once for some essentials and again on our way out to grab veggies for the week. I was seriously impressed by the variety and quality of their selection. On weekends, they’re known for their insanely good-looking jerk chicken (we were too early to catch it, unfortunately), and apparently, their strawberry shortcake is a local favorite.
Moody’s Diner (Waldoboro) - If you’re looking for a classic, no-frills breakfast, Moody’s is the place. Steeped in family history, it’s an experience as much as it is a meal. I found the blueberry pancakes absolutely delightful!
Buttermilk Kitchen (Camden) - Breakfast at Buttermilk Kitchen in downtown Camden was one of my favorite finds of the trip. Our server was incredibly kind and accommodating, and everything I tasted was fantastic. I had the chicken salad sandwich—made with fried chicken—and it was next-level delicious. The iced maple latte was also a standout, but the real star of the show? The blueberry pancakes. Unforgettable.
Wiley’s (Rockland) - We stumbled upon Wiley’s while on the hunt for a spot with guac, and it turned out to be such a great surprise! Essentially a permanent food truck with a patio, Wiley’s is serving up seriously delicious Mexican food. I had the shrimp burrito and absolutely loved it.
Long Grain Restaurant (Camden) - Long Grain was one of those places I kept overlooking during my own research, but it kept popping up when friends and peers heard I was heading to Camden—and wow, am I glad I took their advice. This hidden gem is serving up some of the most delicious Thai food I’ve had in a long time. They blend authentic flavors and techniques with fresh, local Maine produce, and the results are incredible. I loved every bite of our lunch, but the standouts for me were the sautéed greens with local tofu, the crispy fried chicken wings, and the pad see ew.
Claws (Rockland) - Claws was one of our favorite lobster shack spots during last year’s trip, so of course we had to go back this year. I’m a big fan of their lazy lobster—a picked lobster platter that comes with corn, coleslaw, and their famous blueberry cornbread. We also ordered steamers and clam strips for the table, and everything was absolutely delicious!
Primo (Rockland) - Primo completely blew us away last year, so we basically planned this trip around bringing my family back there. It lived up to every expectation—and then some. Primo remains my favorite spot in the area. The restaurant is truly something special, with everything grown on-site or inspired by their own farms and gardens.
The standout for me was the pork chop special, served with fresh cherries and stone fruit—unreal. I also loved the chilled corn soup, the frisée salad with lardon and egg, and honestly, every single dish we ordered.
If you're heading to Midcoast Maine and don't go to Primo… what are you even doing?
18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill (Rockport) - This was my first time exploring “downtown” Rockport, and it was absolutely stunning. We stopped by 18 Central, and while I wasn’t blown away by the main dishes, I’d definitely return for drinks and oysters in the front room or at the bar. The oyster selection was truly exceptional—some of the best I’ve had in a long time. I’d love to give the place another try!
Cabbage Island Clambakes (Boothbay Harbor) - This was hands-down the best find of the trip. Cabbage Island Clambakes is a family-run operation that takes you by boat from Boothbay Harbor to the privately owned Cabbage Island for a full-on traditional clambake experience.
The meal starts with a warm bowl of fish chowder, followed by a feast of two lobsters, steamers, corn on the cob, a baked potato, and a hard-boiled egg—classic New England style. We ended the night with the most delicious blueberry sheet cake.
The whole experience was absolutely worth the trip down to Boothbay. Truly unforgettable!
Freya’s (Rockport) - After our meal at 18 Central, we wandered around the corner to Freya’s for some homemade gelato—and it did not disappoint. Every flavor we tried was spot-on, from the classics to the more creative options. If you’re in the area and craving something sweet, Freya’s is a must-visit.
Places we didn’t get to try this time but were on our list:
