The seaside community of Scarborough,
Maine boasts more than beautiful beaches and small-town charm – it’s also got a great dining scene. Seafood is king in Scarborough though you’ll also find exotic Thai cuisine, award-winning Chicago-style hot dogs and upscale pub fare: read on to find out where to go.
Rising Tide
Restaurant, Seafood, $$$
Rising Tide
Serving some of the finest, freshest fish and shellfish in town and appropriately located right on the waterfront, Rising Tide is one of Scarborough’s best-loved seafood restaurants. With gorgeous views out over the harbor where clam diggers till the shores and lobstermen land their daily catch, this is the ideal location to sample local seafood. Try Rising Tide’s seafood chowder appetizer – a classic New England-style chowder with fresh clams, haddock, shrimp and scallops – followed by the fresh Maine lobster dinner, steamed to perfection and served with sides including coleslaw and potato salad.
Rising Tide, 96 King Street, Scarborough, ME, USA, +1 207 883 1792
Thai 9
Restaurant, Thai, Seafood
Thai 9
Owned by chef Pop and his family, Thai 9 serves dishes like classic pad thai, crispy spring rolls and stir fries. Alternatively, opt for one of the restaurant’s more exotic southern Thai-style seafood dishes like the stir-fried yellow curry made from shrimp, calamari, scallops and green mussels sauteed with onions, celery, tomato, egg, carrot, bell pepper and scallion.
Thai 9, 400 Expedition Drive, Suite G, Scarborough, ME, USA, +1 207 885 9999
Pine Tree Seafood & Produce
Market, Seafood
Pine Tree Seafood & Produce
While it’s not a restaurant by strict definition – it’s actually a local, family-owned seafood market – Pine Tree Seafood & Produce is much-loved for its rolls, fishcakes and chowders sold fresh in-store daily. As Pine Tree Seafood & Produce works closely with local fishermen, you’re guaranteed food full of local flavor whether you’re shopping for fresh seafood (lobster meat, premium Atlantic salmon and dry sea scallops included) to cook at home, or looking for a quick snack on the go.
Pine Tree Seafood & Produce, 655 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME, USA, +1 207 730 7121
Ken’s Place
A longtime local favorite, Ken’s Place serves local seafood. It’s famous for its fried clams (available battered or crumbed and served with fries, fresh coleslaw, a roll and butter) and its homemade chowders are another guest favorite, though you’ll find plenty other seafood classics like lobster rolls and baked scallops served alongside burgers, sandwiches and salads.
Ken’s Place, 207 Pine Point Road, Scarborough, ME, USA, +1 207 883 6611
Pine Point Grille
Pine Point Grille wows diners with its casual-upscale, locally inspired cuisine and warm, intimate ambiance. Take a seat in its cozy dining room during Maine’s bracing winter months or on its pretty patio in summertime and enjoy dishes from Pine Point Grille’s seasonal menu, like the bacon-wrapped whitefish with fingerling potatoes, French green beans and marcona almonds; or the duck carbonara with fettuccine, mushrooms and peas.
Pine Point Grille, 240 Pine Point Road, Scarborough, ME, USA, +1 207 883 8383
Chicago Dogs
Chicago Dogs is a laidback joint serving Scarborough authentic all-beef, Chicago-style hot dogs. There’s over a dozen different dogs on the menu from the signature Chicago Dog (topped with tomatoes, pickles, onion, mustard, bright green relish, celery salt and hot peppers) to the Reuben Dog (with melted Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing and grilled sauerkraut) and sides like hand-cut fries and onion rings.
Chicago Dogs, 285 US Route 1, Suite 3, Scarborough, ME, USA, +1 207 510 6363
Clambake Restaurant
Restaurant, Seafood, $$$
Clambake Restaurant
Clambake Restaurant is one of the town’s most legendary eateries. Family-owned and family-friendly, the Clambake is located next to some of the area’s most beautiful beaches – the famous, bustling Old Orchard Beach and the more serene Pine Point Beach – and a perfect pit stop after a day at the seaside. On the menu you’ll find everything from fresh Maine lobster and clam chowder to wraps and club sandwiches, though for a real taste of Clambake order the hearty Fisherman’s Plate Dinner brimming with shrimp, haddock, fried clam strips, scallops and whole bellied clams.
Clambake Restaurant, 358 Pine Point Road, Scarborough, ME, USA, +1 207 883 4871
The Chart Room
Bar, Diner, Pub, Pub Grub, American
The Chart Room
Located a short drive from Scarborough Beach State Park on the picturesque peninsula known as Prouts Neck, The Chart Room is the resident pub at the beautiful, historic Black Point Inn. The Chart Room’s menu is upscale ‘pub-style with a Maine twist’ – think Damariscotta oysters with cucumber granita and the BPI Burger with Archer Angus Farm grass-fed beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, fries and a choice of cheese.
The Chart Room, The Black Point Inn, 510 Black Point Road, Scarborough, ME, USA, +1 207 883 2500
Bayley’s Seafood Restaurant
Restaurant, Seafood, American, $$$
Bayley’s Seafood Restaurant
Bayley’s Seafood Restaurant serves traditional Maine fish and shellfish in laid back digs with picnic tables perfect for casual summertime dining. On Bayley’s fish focused menu you’ll find everything from clam chowder and shrimp stew to lobster rolls and fried sea scallops and a Maine Dinner section where you can choose from dishes like lobster mac ‘n’ cheese or Maine shrimps with French fries and coleslaw. If you try just one thing, make sure its Bayley’s signature homemade clam cakes made with clams caught by local fishermen on neighboring Pine Point Beach.
Bayley’s Seafood Restaurant, 165 Pine Point Road, Scarborough, ME, USA, +1 207 885 9754
Chaba Thai Cuisine & Sushi
Chaba Thai Cuisine & Sushi focuses on authentic Thai cuisine and deliciously fresh sushi served alongside creative cocktails in a warm, inviting space. Choose from familiar favorites like pad thai (available with beef, chicken, shrimp and tofu), a spicy red curry or sweet and sour chicken or opt for an exotic chef special like the salmon shoe shee – a country-style coconut-based curry with pineapple, basil and vegetables. For a lighter bite opt for spicy tuna maki, eel nigiri or octopus sashimi from Chaba’s sushi menu.
Chaba Thai Cuisine & Sushi, 700 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME, USA, +1 207 396 5382
