Itinéraire des lauréats du prix James Beard Foundation du Maine

Maine’s food scene didn’t emerge overnight. It was shaped by cold waters, fertile farmland, hardworking fishing communities and chefs who built something extraordinary from the ingredients around them. Now, the acclaimed food scene has become one of the state’s biggest draws, earning national accolades and regular spots on lists of best culinary destinations. Drive your way through coastal cities and small towns to experience a lineup of award-winners recognized by the James Beard Foundation. 

Day 1: Portland’s Culinary Powerhouses

Start your journey at Standard Baking Co., part of Dana Street’s celebrated restaurant group. Street earned the 2026 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur, and her influence can be tasted in every flaky bite. Order the Morning Bun with Walnuts, a rich, sticky-sweet swirl of cinnamon and brown sugar, or a croissant that spends three days slowly fermenting before emerging from the oven with hundreds of delicate layers. Grab a coffee to go and stroll Portland’s waterfront, popping into foodie favorites like LeRoux Kitchen, STELLAN and Browne Trading Company, where you’ll find everything from fine table linens and luxury cookware to gourmet ingredients and specialty gifts.

For lunch, head to Eventide Oyster Co., the restaurant that helped redefine Portland’s dining scene and earned Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley a James Beard Award. Pull up a seat at the raw bar and sample fresh Maine oysters on the half shell. While the brown butter lobster roll remains a must-order, don’t overlook creative dishes like the Maine crab bun, scallop waffleyaki or coconut-curry Maine lobster stew.

Spend the afternoon wandering the cobblestone streets of the Old Port, where independent shops, tucked-away cocktail bars and working waterfront views invite exploration. As evening arrives, settle in at Fore Street. James Beard Award-winner Sam Hayward helped pioneer Maine’s farm-and-sea dining movement, and the wood-fired menu continues to celebrate the state’s seasonal bounty through expertly prepared seafood, meats and vegetables sourced from local farms and fisheries.

Day 2: Keep Exploring America’s #1 Small City for Food & Drink

In 2026, Food + Wine magazine crowned Portland as the top spot for America’s Best Small City for food and drink (thanks in part to its working waterfront and collection of expert tastemakers), so spend a second day exploring its hidden gems and hot spots. 

Stroll through Victorian mansions and tree-lined streets in Portland’s historic West End neighborhood as you make your way to ZU bakery, winner of the 2024 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery. From his “micro-boulangerie,” Barak Olins produces a rotating lineup of croissants, seasonal scones, fruit galettes, focaccia and rustic breads that regularly sell out. Part of the fun is arriving to discover what’s fresh from the oven.

Spend the rest of the day exploring Portland‘s arts districts, waterfront trails, breweries and boutiques, or simply enjoy a leisurely lunch and people-watching in one of the city’s vibrant neighborhoods.

For dinner, choose between two standout restaurants from Dana Street’s acclaimed collection. Street and Co. has been delighting diners for decades with fresh seafood and house-made pasta served in a charming brick-lined dining room, while Scales offers floor-to-ceiling harbor views and impeccably prepared Maine seafood.

Day 3: Farmlands and Small-Town Hospitality 

Before leaving Portland, stop at Norimoto Bakery, where Atsuko Fujimoto’s inventive pastries earned her the 2024 James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. Blending Japanese techniques with Maine ingredients, you could find anything from wild blueberry hojicha pie to super-soft Japanese milk bread.

Then head inland to Nezinscot Farm in Turner. Recipient of a James Beard America’s Classics Award, this beloved destination is part café, part farm, part bakery and part market. Enjoy a casual lunch–such as a grilled pesto, tomato and cheese sandwich or a pulled-ham reuben melt–made with locally grown and sourced ingredients. Take in peaceful views of rolling pastures and the working farm for a first-hand glimpse into Maine’s agricultural roots.

The afternoon drive carries you through western Maine’s forests, hills and lakes before arriving in Monson, a small town that has quietly become a culinary destination. Dinner awaits at The Quarry, recipient of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality. Chef Marilou “Lulu” Ranta crafts a regularly changing five-course prix-fixe experience inspired by the seasons and local ingredients. After dinner, settle into one of the cozy Quarry Houses for the night and enjoy the peaceful beauty of Maine’s Highlands.

Day 4: Midcoast Finale

Today, follow the coast to Rockland, a city whose identity has long been shaped by the sea. Spend the morning exploring the Maine Lighthouse Museum, the Project Puffin Visitor Center or the Sail Power & Steam Museum. If your visit coincides with the Maine Lobster Festival, dedicate the day to celebrating Maine’s most iconic crustacean, served every way imaginable.

In the afternoon, stroll Rockland’s harborfront and galleries, including the renowned Farnsworth Art Museum, home to one of the nation’s finest collections of American art.

For a memorable finale, reserve a table at Primo. James Beard Award winner Melissa Kelly helped put MidCoast Maine on the national culinary map with her farm-driven philosophy and commitment to local ingredients. Much of what appears on the menu is grown or raised on the property’s own farm, creating a meal that feels distinctly connected to the landscape around it. While the menu changes frequently, you’re sure to find hand-made pastas and Italian-influenced dishes.

It’s a fitting end to a journey through a state where extraordinary food is carefully crafted with ingredients straight from land and sea.