Coastal Flavors and Farm-Fresh Delights: A Tasting Tour of Maine

Your tasting tour begins in Portland, the largest metro in Maine. This foodie city cooks up local delicacies in family eateries and fine dining establishments, many in a picture-perfect waterfront setting. Portland’s chefs include winners of accolades from Food & Wine and Bon Appetit Magazine, as well as several James Beard Award recipients. Those looking to savor local bounty will delight in the city’s place-based food culture, where farm-to-table establishments use ingredients from local farmers, fishers and foragers. Restaurants like Street & Co., Fore Street Restaurant and Scales serve up delicious menus that change with the New England seasons.

Sample a little of everything on one of Portland’s many food tours, which wander through the scenic streets making stops at notable restaurants, cafes, seafood shacks, breweries, wineries and distilleries throughout this walkable city. If you’re craving a sweet treat by the shore, take a day trip to nearby Ferry Beach State Park to enjoy fresh ice cream made from locally sourced dairy, a perfectly delicious cool down during your beach day.

A quick drive north on Interstate 295 from Portland gets you to the designated Main Street Community of Brunswick, known for Bowdoin College and can’t-miss art spots. Find more delightful Maine flavors with some of the freshest farm-to-table dining in the USA. There’s no better way to taste seasonal produce than by eating it straight off the tree, and you can pick your own at several area orchards that offer blueberries, apples, strawberries and more. During the warmer months, stop by Crystal Spring Farm to browse local delicacies at a market right on the farmland; in the winter, the market heads indoors to Fort Andross Mill. Don’t miss the chance to stroll down Maine Street, the heart of Brunswick’s downtown area which is dotted with local coffee shops, bakeries, cafes and restaurants serving up delights from the nearby farms, rivers and bays.

Next, head east to Maine’s MidCoast, where maritime history is alive and well today. Honor the region’s past at festivals and restaurants that highlight this costal community’s amazing seafood scene. Damariscotta is often referred to as the “Oyster Capital of New England,” and many area oyster farms offer guided tours where you can find and cook your own fresh oysters. Each September, the town celebrates the delectable mollusk at the annual Oyster Festival. To continue your oyster journey, make a stop at any of the 75 markets, shuck trucks, raw bars, farm tours and boat tours that make up the Maine Oyster Trail, which makes several stops in Damariscotta and the surrounding area.

For something a little different, drive a half hour northeast to Rockland to enjoy the Maine Lobster Festival. This annual bash kicks off the first weekend in August, and continues for five days of concerts, parades, entertainment and, of course, lobster eating. Consider embarking on a MidCoast Culinary Walking Tour for an inside look at more Maine flavors, as a guide leads you on a journey through local delights like seafood, brews and award-winning chocolates.

Now head away from the coast into western Maine’s foothills to savor refreshing drinks and outdoor views in the area surrounding the town of Lewiston. A local abundance of wheat and grains means that brewers don’t have to look far to find high-quality ingredients, so you’re never too far from a tasty local sip: the state boasts over 170 craft breweries. Many of these taprooms and brewhouses are stops along the Maine Brewers’ Guild’s Maine Beer Trail, and Lewiston is home to three such establishments: Rusty Bus Brewing, Gritty McDuff’s and Baxter Brewing. Just outside town, you’ll also find Side By Each Brewing and Lost Valley Brewing, which offer incredible views of the countryside alongside frosty brews. Most craft and microbreweries statewide also cook up delicious farm-to-table meals, which pair perfectly with that local beer or wine. If you happen to visit in September, two different festivals give you the chance to meet local brewers and sample their liquid gold: Maine Brew Fest is held in the mountainous locale of Newry, and Maine Lakes Brew Fest rocks the waterside in Casco. Once you’ve tasted your way across Maine, head back to Portland International Jetport to catch a flight home; you’re sure to spend it dreaming about all the culinary experiences you’ve had.