Most of York’s restaurants are collected in the more touristy areas along Route 1 and the coastal roads, and a fair few are seasonal. Each has an appeal all of its own, however, and you’ll never be hard put to find a fantastic spot to fill your belly, no matter what time of year you visit.
Map Of Restaurants
The map below shows the locations of every restaurant mentioned in this post:
The Goldenrod
I have many fond childhood memories of vacationing at York Beach…such as pressing my nose to the glass of the plate glass windows of the historic Goldenrod candy shop and diner, watching the original taffy machines at work as I tried to decide which confections I’d spend my allowance on once we finished dinner.
Perhaps my judgment is tainted by emotional factors, but I feel confident saying that the simple menu at this seasonal gem is the epitome of affordable comfort food—each dish able to evoke a childhood memory with one bite.
And when you’re done, it’s just a few short steps across the room to the world-famous saltwater taffy and homemade chocolates in the adjoining sweet shop, or an ice cream sundae at their iconic marble soda fountain.
Location: 2 Railroad Ave, York Beach, ME 03910
Website: The Goldenrod
Union Bluff Hotel Restaurants
Another iconic landmark, the stately Union Bluff Hotel has been holding court over the northern end of Short Sands Beach since 1868. This old-world dame features two casual dining options, The Bluff Pub and The Union Grill; each with its own menu, and both equally loved by locals and tourists alike.
The Pub is first-come, first-served seating, and their menu offerings are in step with the establishment name: delicious, pub-style options, including burgers, flatbreads, salads, and comfort food entrees.
At the Grill, reservations are strongly recommended, and the atmosphere is more refined; a smaller-yet-elevated menu is on offer, and on cooler nights, the warm, dark woodwork reflects the orange glow of a crackling fire in the hearth.
Location: 8 Beach St, York, ME 03909
Website: Union Bluff Hotel Restaurants
The Cliff House
While many travel sites list this local icon as being located in Ogunquit, The Cliff House is actually in Cape Neddick. With four distinctly different dining options, this incomparable oceanfront resort is second to none in the area when it comes to views, amenities, and service; no matter what you’re in the mood for, The Cliff House has a restaurant to fit the bill.
Try the Tiller for a refined dining experience with panoramic views of the Atlantic; for a more casual, come-as-you-are seafood meal, Nubb’s Lobster Shack is the way to go. There’s take-out Bard’s coffee, breakfast bites, beer, or wine at the Bald Head Coffee Co., and the seasonal Cove Bar and Grille is a poolside café, perfect for those beautiful summer days when you don’t want to change out of your bathing suit at lunchtime.
Location: 591 Shore Rd, Cape Neddick, ME 03902
Website: The Cliff House
Walkers Maine
In 2017, Walkers stepped into the iconic footprint of the former Cape Neddick Inn, a comfort-food haunt for locals since 1926 at the junction of Route 1 and Route 1A. And while some of those faithful followers weren’t pleased with the menu revamp, Walkers gained an entirely new following—as well as winning over many of the old guard.
The enormous wood-fired oven is a show-stopping focal point in this comfortable, eclectic space and is the basis for many of the recipes used for the culinary masterpieces (at any given point on their rotating menu, almost every entrée is a wood-fired creation).
Location: 1273 US-1, Cape Neddick, ME 03902
Website: Walkers Maine
York River Landing
Overlooking the everchanging tidal York River, this spot is popular year-round for locals and visitors alike. With extensive
dinner and lunch menus, plenty of seating with views, and a full-service bar, the Landing is a versatile spot, perfect for date nights, family outings, work dinners—they even do events and functions.
The meal options, while seafood-centric, include plenty of selections for the landlubbers in your group, and their craft beer draft list is substantial. The Kittery Outlets are also close enough that you can jaunt to and from the Landing for a quick lunch without breaking stride in your shopping spree.
Location: 150 US-1, York, ME 03909
Website: York River Landing
The Shearwater at the Stage Neck Inn
While reservations are only accepted for large groups or Inn guests, it’s well worth the effort to just walk in and try for a table at the Shearwater. Whether you are there for the breakfast buffet, lunch, or dinner, the classy-yet-casual atmosphere combined with the beautiful harbor views and creative cuisine will undoubtedly draw you back again and again.
The breakfast options include favorites like Eggs Benedict, smoothies, salmon gravlax, and make-your-own waffles, while the lunch/dinner menu offers selections like local oysters, a Kimchi Reuben, and Spicy Salmon Fried Rice on their list of appetizers, medium plates, and entrees.
Location: 8 Stage Neck Rd, York, ME 03909
Website: The Shearwater at the Stage Neck Inn
Clay Hill Farm
Airy dining rooms and gorgeous outdoor seating areas abound at Clay Hill, voted time and again as #1 for romantic dining. Using as many locally-sourced (they grow their own produce) ingredients as possible, this popular wedding venue always has vegetarian and gluten-free options available and makes all their desserts in-house, from scratch (without going into details, you MUST get the Chocolate Oblivion).
And while they have a kids’ menu, chances are your little ones are going to want to order from the “big people’s” menu when they see your Grilled Pork Chop with Creamy Cheddar Polenta or colorful Harvest Pasta.
Location: 220 Clay Hill Rd, Cape Neddick, ME 03902
Website: Clay Hill Farm
1637 Ocean View Restaurant at York Harbor Inn
Featured in many fine dining publications, the well-rounded menu at 1637 (and one of the other on-property restaurants, the more casual Ship’s Cellar Pub) features thoughtful presentations of classic favorites, like their Lobster Stuffed Chicken, Roast Beet and Blueberry Salad, and the Colligan Filet (8 oz. seasoned filet topped with a crab cake, fresh Maine Lobster, and Béarnaise sauce—I know, right?!).
The 1637 offers dining with spectacular water views, and also features a tavern bar with an open-hearth fireplace; the Cellar Pub is just downstairs (of course), and the construction and décor are reminiscent of being ensconced in the belly of an ocean-bound windjammer.
Location: 480 York St, York Harbor, ME 03911
Website: 1637 Ocean View Restaurant at York Harbor Inn
The Central Restaurant and Bar
This trendy-chic, open-kitchen eatery does not take reservations, so be sure to plan accordingly; get there early, if you can, because getting a table at The Central can be challenging, especially during the summer.
Their creative menu is generously sprinkled with regional and international flavors: Smoked Pork Poutine, Lobster Beignets, Soba Noodle Bowl, Pork Schnitzel, Korean BBQ Sirloin Tips…it’s the perfect option for those with diverse, worldly tastes…or those who just want to try new things.
Location: 127 Long Sands Rd, York, ME 03909
Website: The Central Restaurant and Bar
Stone’s Throw Restaurant
This delightful, seasonal gem sits across the street from Short Sands beach, its front wall open to the fresh ocean breezes (hence its seasonal status). With a higher-end pub-style menu and revolving list of classic craft cocktails, this little seaside haven is extremely busy during its short season—and they don’t take reservations, either. But if you show up early enough, chances are you’ll get a table; get comfortable, maybe start with an order of Bang Bang Broc and a glass of something lovely, and watch the world go by.
Location: 123 Long Beach Ave, York, ME 03909
Website: Stone’s Throw Restaurant
I had a hard time narrowing this list down, so, as usual, I cheated: Here are a few “add-on” places for your perusal. Since 1959, Flo’s Dogs on Route 1 has been serving up delicious steamed wienies (you HAVE to try one with their secret sauce)—and folks come back year after year for more.
For amazing burgers, it’s Wild Willy’s, hands-down. Thin crust pizza fans should head to York54, and if you love Northern Italian-style dining (and BYOB!), go to Mimmo’s on Long Sands Beach.
True natural food junkies, rejoice! Frankie and Johnnie’s Natural is just waiting on Route 1 to fill your every unprocessed, unbleached, non-GMO need.
To cure a desperate fried seafood craving while snapping Instagram shots at Nubble Light, look no further than over your shoulder at Fox’s Lobster House…and then up the road to Dunne’s Ice Cream for dessert (both seasonal).
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