Best Dining in Maine | 2015 Editors’ Choice Awards

Hungry? The Pine Tree State offers plenty of restaurant options for hungry residents and visitors alike. Here are our picks for the best food & dining in Maine for 2015.

BEST FARM-TO-TABLE FINE DINING
JOSHUA’S, Wells
Soft lighting, fine art, and tablecloths in a meticulously restored 1774 house are the background for Chef Joshua Mather’s made-from-scratch fare, with much of the produce grown on his family’s nearby organic farm. Don’t skip his signature dish: pan-roasted Atlantic haddock with caramelized onion crust, paired with wild mushroom risotto and chive oil. Entrées: from $23.
1637 Post Road (Route 1). 207-646-3355; joshuas.biz

BEST LOCAVORE RESTAURANT
VINLAND, Portland
Local. Organic. Maine. That sums up chef/ owner David Levi’s philosophy at Vinland, where indigenous food traditions are celebrated and all ingredients are from Maine. The small-plates menu might include Portland strip steak with whey-poached parsnip, wild porcini mushroom, and parsley gremolata, or lobster with wild black-trumpet mushroom emulsion, nori, and radish. Small plates: from: $13. Five choices: $60.
593 Congress St. 207-653-8617; vinland.me

BEST CHINESE FOOD CART
LI’S CHINESE EXPRESS, Freeport
China-born Li Jin whips up wok dishes, such as rice noodles, lo mein, and fried rice, and dishes out crab Rangoon and spring rolls from her food cart, parked on Bow Street about a block from L.L. Bean’s mothership. Entrées: from $5.
Bow St. 347-323-5341

BEST ASIAN FUSION
LONG GRAIN, Camden
Do make reservations to score one of the few seats at this storefront restaurant where Bangkok- born Ravin Nakjaroen creates flavor-rich homestyle pan-Asian fare. Knockouts include mussels in spicy coconut–lemongrass broth, Maine crab-fried rice, and the house-made noodles with kimchi and pork belly. Don’t miss the coconut flan. Entrées: from $10.
31 Elm St. 207-236-9001

BEST PIZZA AL FRESCO
SEAL COVE FARM, Lamoine
On a fine day, mosey over to Seal Cove, a goat farm best known for its artisanal cheeses, for a handcrafted pizza made from fresh ingredients and baked in an outdoor wood-burning oven. Afterwards, browse the fresh and aged chèvres, goat’s-milk feta, and mixed cow- and goat’s milk cheeses in the pint-size shop; cap off your meal with a goat’s-milk gelato. Pizzas: from $10.
202 Partridge Cove Road (Route 204). 207-667-7127; mainegoatcheese.com

BEST MEXICAN TAKEOUT
VAZQUEZ MEXICAN, Milbridge
Authentic Mexican in Down East Maine? Ayuh. Expect scratch-made tortillas along with generous tacos, gorditas, tostadas, guaraches, burritos, tamales, and other traditional dishes. Entrées: from $4.
38 Main St. 207-598-8141

BEST LAKESIDE SNACK SHACK
BRESCA & THE HONEY BEE AT OUTLET BEACH, New Gloucester
Renowned chef Krista Kerns Desjarlais closed her Portland restaurant and now owns this food shack on Sabbathday Lake, serving fresh and local foods ranging from hot dogs to a duck-egg pressed sandwich. Sandwiches: from $5.
106 Outlet Road. 207-926-3388; brescaandthehoneybee.com

BEST FINE DINING IN THE WESTERN MOUNTAINS
COPLIN DINNER HOUSE, Stratton
Savor light fare, such as fish tacos or burgers, or heftier entrées, like rack of lamb or char-grilled hanger steak, in a beautifully restored farmhouse. Don’t miss the blueberry pie with cinnamon ice cream. Entrées: from $12.
8252 Carrabassett Road (Route 27). 207-246-0016

BEST FARM-STORE RESTAURANT
MISTY MEADOWS ORGANIC FARM, Grand Isle
Comfort foods, including traditional Acadian dishes, are prepared from farm-fresh, organic ingredients and served in a rustic, family friendly combo café/farm store. Entrées: from $5.
1164 Main St. (U.S. Route 1). 207-316-6959; dionnefarms.com