Where to Eat in Ogunquit
Lobster Shacks, Raw Bars & Waterfront Dining
There are so many things to do in Ogunquit—exploring art exhibits, sunbathing on sandy beaches and shopping in independent boutiques—but its culinary scene has become just as much of a draw. Along the town’s winding coastal roads and tucked beside working harbors, seafood shacks, cocktail bars and refined dining rooms turn Maine ingredients into unforgettable meals.
That atmosphere is especially palpable in Perkins Cove, the tiny harbor on Ogunquit’s south side that has been tied to the sea since the 1620s. Once a working fishing enclave and later an artist colony where painter Charles Woodbury transformed fish shacks into studios, the cove still balances those layered identities today. Lobster boats bob alongside leisure watercraft, commercial fishing spaces still outrank visitor parking, and cedar-shingled buildings now house galleries, boutiques and some of the town’s most compelling restaurants. It’s a place where Ogunquit’s creative energy and maritime heritage naturally converge around the table.
Just a short walk from Marginal Way—the town’s popular cliff walk with blooming flowers and dramatic ocean views—you’ll find M.C. Perkins Cove. Inside, co-owners Dana Gregory and Javier Nava welcome guests into a dining room perched above Oarweed Cove, where nearly every table faces the waterfront.
Chef de Cuisine Gabrielle Bisson’s menu pushes beyond expected seaside staples. Yes, there’s a lobster roll (this is Maine, after all), but it shares space with duck confit over duck-fat potato rösti and pan-seared halibut in dill-bercy sauce with Maine corn succotash. The details reveal a kitchen deeply invested in flavor and seasonality: watermelon radish and mint balsamic layered into the heirloom tomato salad, pistachio-jalapeño crumb scattered over Prosciutto de Parma and stracciatella, nasturtium tucked beside richly caramelized duck like a final flourish.
The halibut captures the spirit of Ogunquit’s dining scene best—elegant but unfussy, grounded in the harvest of cold, clean waters and the bounty of sprawling gardens. The duck, meanwhile, feels tailor-made for a cool coastal afternoon: deeply lacquered skin, crisp rösti infused with rendered fat and the kind of richness that invites you to slow down and savor it all.
More Must-Try Restaurants in Ogunquit
Barnacle Billy’s
At this Perkins Cove institution since 1961 (and still run by the Tower family), the boiled lobster with drawn butter is practically a rite of passage. Get the rum punch and a table on the patio overlooking the cove.
The Lobster Shack
Stop into this family-run harbor-side spot since the 1980s, where lobsters live in tanks of water pumped straight from the cove until they make it to your plate. This is as close to eating off the boat as it gets.
Jackie’s Too
After strolling the ocean views along Marginal Way, refuel at this casual Perkins Cove lunch spot beloved for its award-winning clam chowder and fresh lobster rolls.
Brix + Brine
On warmer days, take a seat on the outdoor patio at this lively downtown raw bar and seafood spot. The oysters, fresh seafood chowder and fish and chips are the moves.
Jonathan’s
An Ogunquit fixture since 1976 and housed in the owner’s former home, this homey restaurant serves farm-to-table New England seafood downstairs and live music upstairs. Don’t miss the buck-a-shuck oyster happy hour at the bar.
The Maine Catch
If the name didn’t already give it away, this rustic, wood-paneled restaurant is beloved for its freshly caught seafood. Expect anything from lobster rolls and lobster mac ‘n’ cheese to Maine crabcakes to seared scallops.
The Crooked Pine
Within a charming Victorian-era building, Chef Nick Kimball draws on French and Italian techniques to transform New England ingredients. The wine list, with 50 bottles under $50, gives wine enthusiasts plenty to peruse.
The Front Porch Piano Bar & Restaurant
At this lively eatery and nightlight spot, settle in for crowd-pleasing favorites like crispy calamari, lobster risotto and scallop po’ boys before the evening gives way to sing-alongs and spirited performances that capture the spirit of Ogunquit’s arts and LGBTQ+ scene.
That Place in Ogunquit
Known for generous portions, lively atmosphere and a menu that celebrates Maine’s love affair with both land and sea, it’s no wonder this bar and lounge is a mainstay. Indulge in signature dishes like lobster pie, crab-stuffed shrimp and blue cheese mussels, or opt for a perfectly cooked steak (made even better with the addition of fresh Maine lobster).
The Front Yard
Family-owned and led by Executive Chef Guillermo “Memo” Ocampo, this spot brings Mediterranean flavors to the heart of Ogunquit. The menu leans coastal and vibrant, with standout dishes like seafood risotto, bouillabaisse and grilled octopus served in a warm, welcoming setting.
Cornerstone Artisanal Pizza & Craft Beer
Cozy, welcoming and delightfully casual, this neighborhood spot serves up stone-oven-fired pizzas topped with fresh, creative ingredients, like the spicy Cherry Bomb and the gourmet Lobster Pizza.
This story was written and photographed by Cam Held, co-editor of Maine the Way, whose work documents the people, places and details that define life in Maine.