Baxter State Park, featuring over 200,000 acres of breathtaking, backcountry wilderness, was purchased and donated, piecemeal, by Maine’s governor from 1921-1924, Percival Baxter.
Showing shrewd foresight, Baxter ensured that this gorgeous swath of natural wonders would be preserved forever for anyone who wanted to enjoy it…and where there are state park visitors, there is always a need for amenities—such as restaurants.
No easy task, given the remote aspect of most of the region around the park—but have no fear.
There are eateries and taverns to be found near Baxter State Park, especially if you are using the south gate (Togue).
Map of Baxter State Parks Restaurants
This map has all the best spots to eat near Baxter State Park.
Fredericka’s Restaurant
If you happen to be staying at or near the Big Moose Inn, then you won’t have far to go for belly-filling, homemade comfort food.
The dining room is comfortable and casual, and the solid oak tables and floors add a rustic, elegant touch; there is also a closed-in porch for a more intimate dining experience.
Dinner is served Wednesday through Sunday from 5-9, and the menu offerings include traditional classics like Grilled Strip Steak and Baked Half Chicken, or more trendy options like an Udon Noodle Bowl.
Location: Baxter Park Rd, Millinocket, ME 04462 (14 minutes from Togue)
Website: Fredericka’s Restaurant
The Loose Moose Bar & Grille
Also located at the Big Moose Inn, The Loose Moose Bar & Grille is a lively, casual dining option, especially for those that prefer to belly up to the bar for a meal (like me).
Featuring both indoor and outdoor seating, this is the perfect spot for elevated pub-style fare and a cold beer or cocktail after a busy day of exploring.
The menu is quite extensive for a pub and includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches, subs, burgers, pasta, and pizza. How about you start with the Street Beets (deep-fried with ricotta, alfredo sauce, and bacon), and then move on to a Nahamakanta Burger (beef patty topped with BBQ sauce, bacon, and cheddar)?
Location: Baxter Park Rd, Millinocket, ME 04462 (14 minutes from Togue)
Website: The Loose Moose Bar & Grille
North Woods Trading Post
Touted as “the last stop for gas, gear, and supplies before Baxter State Park,” the North Woods Trading Post also boasts of having the best grab-and-go fare.
The menu at North Woods
features a hearty offering of breakfast and lunch items, including sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and panini—all of which will travel well for any of your planned adventures in the park.
Choose from eight specialty pizzas or build your own (all made with dough from Portland Pie); you can also do the same with the sandwich offerings.
I suggest ordering from the specialty sandwich section; namely, my perpetual favorite, the Reuben.
Location: Millinocket Lake Rd, Millinocket, ME 04462 (14 minutes from Togue)
Website: North Woods Trading Post
River Drivers Restaurant & Pub
Located directly on Millinocket Lake at the New England Outdoor Center and open for lunch and dinner, the popular River Drivers Restaurant & Pub is open all year—and reservations are suggested, especially in the summer.
There is seating inside the lofted, lodge-style dining room, as well as at the bar or on the patio, and the short but sweet menu has a bit of something for everyone. Perhaps start with the Crab Cakes, and then try the New York Strip Steak to craft your own version of a surf ‘n turf meal.
Oh—and speaking of surf…every Tuesday night, the folks at River Drivers rustle up a true Maine Lobster Bake from 4-8, complete with lobster (or choose from two other entrees), salad, homemade bread, potato salad, corn on the cob, and house mixed berry shortcake.
Location: 30 Twin Pines Rd, Millinocket, ME 04462 (18 minutes from Togue)
Website: River Drivers Restaurant & Pub
Sawmill Bar & Grill
Open Thursday through Sunday all year long, the Sawmill Bar & Grill is ideally located for park daytrippers needing an affordable, solid meal before hitting the road for home.
The menu is loaded with comfort food classics and pub fare like beef stew, subs, sandwiches, pizza, shepherd’s pie, burgers, chicken parmesan, and dozens of other options.
Give the Pulled Pork Pizza a try—pulled pork on BBQ sauce topped with mozzarella. Finger-lickin’ good, I tell you.
Location: 9 Millinocket Rd, Millinocket, ME 04462 (23 minutes from Togue)
Website: Sawmill Bar & Grill
The Appalachian Trail Café
With surprisingly good food for a spot where exhausted AT hikers would probably be happy to eat shoe leather, The Appalachian Trail Café has been awarded the Business of the Year Award by the Katahdin Chamber of Commerce—a markedly good sign for just us average jamokes looking for a good meal.
The ATC has breakfast, lunch, and dinner on offer, and the food is comparable to diner fare—which is a good thing, especially when you’re looking to replace the thousands of calories you probably burned during your trek.
How about some French fries with cheese and gravy (aka poutine) alongside a build-your-own club sandwich, followed by bread pudding for dessert?
Location: 210 Penobscot Ave, Millinocket, ME 04462 (26 minutes from Togue)
Website: The Appalachian Trail Café
Scootic In Restaurant
Established in 1901, the family-friendly Scootic In Restaurant has been in the same family for generations.
Casual, delicious, friendly, and affordable—these are adjectives happy customers use time and again when leaving reviews for this local favorite.
The expansive menu leaves no stone unturned, presenting every category one could wish for: pub-style appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, calzone, and all manner of seafood, meat, chicken, combo, and pasta entrees.
Location: 70 Penobscot Ave, Millinocket, ME 04462 (27 minutes from Togue)
Website: Scootic In Restaurant
Hang Wong
Located at the Pamola Motor Lodge, Hang Wong is the only game in town if you are jonesing for Chinese fare.
Offering dine-in and take-out service, Hang Wong features a massive menu of fresh, authentic dishes; “modern interpretations of classic dishes” are the specialty.
Perhaps start with the classic Pu Pu Platter, followed by some Hot and Sour Soup, and then step on up to a huge mountain of Seafood Lo Mein.
Location: 973 Central St, Millinocket, ME 04462 (28 minutes from Togue)
Website: Hang Wong
Millinocket House of Pizza
When you’ve just gotta have pizza, your best bet is always to head to the nearest “house of pizza.”
This advice holds up in Millinocket—where not only can you get a fabulous pizza, but there are plenty of other affordable options to choose from, like pasta, subs, burgers, salads, and calzones (the latter of which I direct your attention, specifically the Meatball Calzone—which is divine).
Location: 782 Central St, Millinocket, ME 04462 (28 minutes from Togue)
Website: Millinocket House of Pizza
Shin Pond Village
The north gate to the park is far more remote than the southern—which is why there are only two restaurants listed in that area, each over a half-hour away.
Unless, of course, you happen to be staying at either of these accommodations, which also feature restaurants. The bright, airy eatery at Shin Pond Village features a simple menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, subs, and pizza.
You can eat in the dining room, at the bar, or bring your repast home—but no matter where you decide to eat, I suggest you choose the Taco Pizza above all else: Seasoned ground beef, salsa, cheddar/mozzarella blend, lettuce, tomato, black olives, and sour cream.
Location: 1489 Shin Pond Rd, Mt Chase, ME 04765 (32 minutes from Matagamon)
Website: Shin Pond Village
Mount Chase Lodge
Open to the public for prix fixe dinners on Friday and Saturdays, the restaurant at the Mount Chase Lodge requires reservations for non-guests.
The menus change weekly, but expect culinary delights like homemade sourdough bread, Cider-Braised Brisket with Twice-Baked Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli, followed up with a Flourless Chocolate Tart with Raspberry
Coulis.
Location: 1517 Shin Pond Rd, Patten, ME 04765 (34 minutes from Matagamon)
Website: Mount Chase Lodge
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