Here's a handy guide when you ask, or a friend asks, "Where's a good place to eat?"

The best part about Maine is that you can find great food no matter what part of the state you are in. Plus, Maine is home to some of the world's best seafood. Try saying that in Kansas. With the rise in farm-to-table options, fresh, sustainable, and local is also not hard to find. In Maine, food doesn't have to be just sustenance. It's a passion.

Restaurant choices and foodie status often fall on Portland, Maine, one of our biggest cities. Don't get me wrong, Portland can compete with any city worldwide for some of the best food around. But great restaurants don't just live in Maine's biggest city.

That's why it's nice to explore the top 20 biggest cities and towns in Maine and find the place you should definitely go to. There are some James Beard winners tucked away in some pretty tiny corners in Maine. Just because you have to gas up the SUV doesn't mean it's not 100% worth it.

And the most recommended place in each of the 20 biggest cities and towns isn't always the fanciest. You'd be amazed by how good some food at a bar can be. The best recommendations come from people just like us who have gone and loved the food so much, they had to recommend it. It's kind of like how you find the best mechanic around – word of mouth. So, enjoy the next 20 places you gotta try!

Most Recommended Restaurants in Maine's 20 Largest Cities and Towns

PORTLAND: Street & Co. 

Sample review: "This place is phenomenal! We felt incredibly fortunate to secure an outdoor seat without any wait. Our dining adventure began with the mussels as an appetizer, and I must say, they were the best mussels I've ever tasted - big, juicy, and incredibly fresh."

LEWISTON: Sonder & Dram

Sample review: "The first thing we thought walking in was... dive bar. The menu is limited and we thought oh no. We tried the Brussels and poutine fries as well as an old fashioned. Everything and I mean everything tasted awesome. The poutine was so rich and flavorful but also not overwhelming. With the crunchy fries cheese and pulled pork it was an amazing dish."

BANGOR: Timber Kitchen & Bar

Sample review: "Timber is just other-worldly. We stopped in for some apps yesterday and had simply delicious wings and artichoke dip and soups (both the smoked seafood and the butternut squash). Blown away. My wife was so obsessed with the Butternut Squash soup that we had to go back."

SOUTH PORTLAND: Tuscan Table

Sample review: "I love Tuscan Table! This is our go-to after Mass! I also order the carbonara with blacked chicken and my husband usually goes for a sandwich! David is the absolute best! We love it when we get him as our waiter. Very kind and always so joyful! Good wine too! Ambiance is always so great!"

AUBURN: Mac's Downeast Seafood

Sample review: "If you're not from Auburn, this hidden gem is worth a road trip! It's an adorable little seafood shack with a great outdoor eating area and a small indoor one too. Their clam chowder ACTUALLY has clams in it, yes you read right, not all potatoes and onion, actual chunks of sweet clams! Amazing!"

SCARBOROUGH: Nonesuch River Brewing 

Sample review: "Nonesuch is one of our favorite spots in the Portland area to grab a beer and some food. It is better than any microbrewery we have been to, as all of their food and beers are crafted with such elevated care that you don't find often in the brewpub industry. Our favorites are the Mojito IPA and the Crabcake Sandwich!"

BIDDEFORD: Fish & Whistle

Sample review: "Small, intimate, yummy, and definitely (if you have to) worth the wait...Check the board for their specials, on our visit, there was a lovely fish dip that was served with fried Saltines. I have never thought of frying this simple cracker however, the end result is magical. Pro tip, the 1/2 Fish & Chips is a ton of food for a single person. Only the exceptionally hungry should consider the full portion."

SANFORD: Richie's Jerk & BBQ 

Sample review: "This was an amazing find! The place is small, we seated ourselves outside. The woman taking our orders was wonderful and friendly. We ordered curry goat, chicken sandwich, chicken po boy and fried snapper. My escovitch fish was delightful and the spices were spot on. We got some
Jamaican drinks to go with our meals. The food was great. If you are in the neighborhood and craving for some really good food, try Ritchie's."

BRUNSWICK: 555 North

Sample review: "Fine Dining worth the price. Cozy bar area and the dining room were laid out in such a way that the tables were not on top of each other. We had the Figs in a Blanket and the charcuterie board as appetizers. Both were delicious. For our entrees, we had the knuckle sandwich and braised short ribs. The presentation was lovely, and the food cooked perfectly and, again, with clever flavor combinations. The knuckle sandwich tasted like summer."

SACO: Pacifico

Sample review: "We went tonight on a Sat night, drinks were great and creative. Our waitress Clara, was great. Our food was AWESOME. We had burrata so good and pork belly crevice was great. Then we had scallops crevice and hake crevice BOTH WERE GREAT WITH A side of French fries! Dessert we had tres leches and passion Fruit cheesecake."

WESTBROOK: Brookside Food and Drink

Sample review: "A good dive bar that has above average appetizers and solid beer choices. The service stood out the most. We were treated like kings."

WINDHAM: Luchardo Tacos 

Sample review: "I stopped in to try this Taco spot and it did not disappoint. I had the Taco sampler. All 3 tacos tasted fresh, unique, and delicious. I didn't try the burritos, however, a few people around me had ordered them and looked to be happily enjoying their meal. I can assume they are delicious as well. I'm already looking forward to my next trip to Windham."

AUGUSTA: State Lunch

Sample review: "An absolute gem in Augusta. We tried cocktail specials (which were plentiful), and stuck to the menu for food - bao buns, a smash burger, and the vegetarian gochugaru & tomato ramen (added garlic-chili oil)...and everything simply hit. The service was friendly, upbeat, and attentive. The atmosphere was a breath of fresh air that felt uplifting."

GORHAM: MK Kitchen

Sample review: "Wow, just incredible food, lots of options and everything is delicious. We had the rigatoni bolognese and the gnocchi Mac and cheese with pork belly. Absolutely delicious! We then ordered a chocolate mousse to share and that was also incredible. Service, was prompt, polite, and friendly. Ambience was lovely. No need to drive to Portland with a gem right here in the suburbs!"

WATERVILLE: Front & Main

Sample review: "The cuisine, per usual, was delectable. The presentation, smashing! Our server, Erica, was superb! She's an educator by day and good server by evening - give that wonderful person a raise!!!"

YORK: Walkers Maine

Sample review: "Walkers is my favorite. My husband and I have been here three times and the food and ambiance (fireplaces, Edison bulb lighting, open kitchen with wood stoves) feel comforting and refined. The food is beyond. I have had their steak kabobs with roasted sweet potato - the steak had a buttery char and the sweet potato was smooth and rich. The handmade campanelle with burrata is also delicious. Save room for the brioche donuts."

FALMOUTH: JP's Bistro

Sample review: "Apps were all awesome Stuffed Mushrooms, small Anipasto salad, and short ribs Ravs. I got the beef Wellington my wife got the chicken Piccata our friends got Seafood Casserole and chicken sorrentino. WE ALL LOVED THEM WITH the new bread Jp's Serving. Has bread pudding and salted choc fudge cake. GREAT MEAL."

KENNEBUNK: Village Tavern

Sample review: "The food was excellent- as usual. Blackened salmon and maple sweet potato mash. Filet mignon and asparagus. But the best part was the desert. Heather, our waitress, was great too! This place is amazing."

WELLS: Fisherman's Catch Restaurant

Sample review: "Fisherman's Catch is a favorite of my husband's as he has been coming to visit since he was a kid. I, being a vegetarian, was very reluctant to join him here for lunch, but am glad that I did. It is adorable inside, and the service was great. They really make you want to stay and hang out for a while. He got a huge clam platter and said it was awesome - I had a giant basket of onion rings and was pretty thrilled, too. If you love seafood and ambiance, this is your spot!"

ORONO: Woodman's Bar & Grill 

Sample review: "We attended a friend's birthday dinner here and the service was great and Ashley our server was awesome. The drinks were awesome and the food on on point. The ambiance was great this truly is a great place to go."