satisfy your cravings
Just one visit to Maine’s Kennebec Valley, and you’ll discover a vibrant and growing local food scene. And it all began with bread 13 years ago in Skowhegan. In response to a new “locavore” movement, community members established the Kneading Conference and Artisan Bread Fair. The nearby Millers Table Cafe and bakery feature locally sourced food, Maine Grains, a wood-fired oven, and a patio.
Not to be left out, the towns of Waterville, Augusta, Hallowell, and Gardiner boast ever-growing lists of locally run restaurants, brew pubs, bakeries, and food shops.
breakfast
Pick a stool and belly up to the counter, grab a coffee, and dig into eggs-any-way, home fries, and more. This is the way breakfast is meant to be. Farmingdale’s Hi-Hat or the Lumberjack Breakfast at Purple Cow House of Pancakes in
Fairfield are the places for pancakes.
Bite into an artisan bagel and schmear at Sunrise Bagels; they even offer an amazing GF bagel. Check out there locations in Waterville, Oakland, and Augusta. The Bankery in Skowhegan bakes up an impressive array of hand-crafted pastries, quiche, and artisan breads.
Pick a seasonal latte or tea at Wrapped Up Coffee House in Hallowell. Waterville’s Selah Tea Cafe is a comfy hangout for fair-trade brews and loose-leaf infusions plus organic breakfast fare and sandwiches.
Lunch
State Lunch in Augusta is a local dining hot spot where the menu runs from a sustainably raised burger to house-made ramen noodle bowls. Try a famous “Maine Italian” sandwich at Day’s Store in Belgrade Lakes or at many of the small locally owned markets. For the “Best Pizza, Best Sandwiches, Best Takeout,” visit one of Cappza’s two locations in Waterville or Farmingdale.
In Skowhegan, the Old Mill Pub has salads, sandwiches, and panini, as does The Miller’s Table, which also serves hand-made, artisan, wood-fired pizza. In Gardiner, grab a slice at Gerard’s Pizza or stop into Lisa’s Legit Burritos and select your own burrito fixings.
Canaan delivers big flavors at Silverton BBQ Bar. Enjoy locally sourced dishes featuring their Maine-made sauces and a curated list of local craft beers in a bucolic outdoor setting.
and dinner
Gardiner’s downtown offers locally run dining like The Blind Pig Tavern, where you can enjoy tasty bites such as Blind Pig poutine or bacon fat Brussels sprouts with a classic cocktail.
In downtown Augusta, we tip our cap toward the Chef’s Tasting menu at The Oak Table & Bar, featuring local seasonally inspired dishes. Belgrade Lakes is home to The Village Inn & Tavern, which has gained national recognition for its famous 12-Hour Roast DuckTM.
Waterville’s five-star Front & Main, located in the Lockwood Hotel, serves creative cuisine by Chef Jesse Souza. OPA delivers an elevated Greek/Mediterranean dining experience. Try Hawk’s Nest Lodge overlooking the Dead River or The Boatman’s Bar and Grill in The Forks.
treat yourself
A vacation day is not complete without a treat. In Skowhegan, grab some award-winning whoopie pies at Al’s Pizza or a cone of Gifford’s ice cream in flavors like Moose Tracks and Campfire S’mores from their original stand.
In Waterville, Holy Cannoli is home to scratch-made Italian pastries to go or eat in. Beyond cannolis; they serve up classic almond crescents and pignoli cookies, just to name a few. At Incense & Peppermints you’ll be a kid in a candy store as you shop from a wide variety of vintage sweets.
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