This injection of youthful motivation and vision has kickstarted the city’s culinary scene, bringing more options to the table (see what I did there?) with each passing month, it seems.
Park your car anywhere along Main Street and you’ll have at least half a dozen dining choices within a couple of blocks—easily within walking distance.
Map Of Biddeford Restaurants
The map below shows the locations of every restaurant mentioned in this post:
Magnus on Water
With its refined, classy aesthetic and curated, locally-sourced menu, Magnus is surely one of the top high-end dining spots in Biddeford—although this snug little corner gastro-pub isn’t so high-end as to feel stuffy or pretentious.
Constantly in development mode, the staff is always looking for new ways to introduce local flavors to your palate, whether it be through their upscale culinary creations (like Braised Rabbit Leg with lentils, kale, and hazelnuts) or their truly inspired signature craft cocktails (like the Crowd Surfer, a zippy little number made with blanco tequila, lemon, lime, and pineapple-poblano seafoam…yowza!).
Location: 12 Water St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Magnus on Water
Elda
Elda is another option for an elevated dining experience—and not just because it is on the second floor. This is a reservations-only establishment—and for good reason: their tasting menu is different every evening, and no other options or substitutions are offered…so this dining style isn’t for everyone, especially if you are a picky eater.
But if not, you are surely in for a unique, singular dining excursion—a leisurely, culinary exploration of spectacular, seasonal flavors and artistic presentations. This is as far from fast food as you can get—according to the website, you should plan on up to 2.5 hours for this odyssey of the senses.
Location: 14 Main Street, second floor, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Elda
Jackrabbit Café
Beneath Elda’s polished floors lies the Jackrabbit Café, a fresh, Scandinavian-style eatery (and their look reflects this style; think Ikea without the screaming kids and pushy shoppers). Open for breakfast and lunch, Jackrabbit serves up their menu of homemade baked goods and small plates with friendly smiles (their Crispy Potato Cake with smoked salmon, crème fraiche, and dill is a taste sensation), and they have just the right number of hot or cold drinks to choose from to round out your meal.
Location: 14 Main St First Floor, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Jackrabbit Café
Palace Diner
When someone says “diner,” chances are you picture someplace exactly like Palace. It’s a 12-seat dining car—no add-on room, no bump-out for extra seating. And because of their award-winning menu, folks have been known to queue up in the freezing (or sweltering) Maine temperatures for hours—without complaint—just to get one of those 12 seats.
I, for one, can attest to the fact that it’s more than worth the wait—the food is beyond compare. My obsessions are three of their signature customer favorites: The Deluxe Sandwich (bacon or sausage, egg, cheddar, jalapenos, mayo), Palace Potatoes, and Brown Butter Banana Bread…and lots of coffee, of course (from Portland’s Tandem Coffee Roasters).
Location: 18 Franklin St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Palace Diner
Mulligan’s
A combination Irish tavern-sports bar, Mulligan’s is Biddeford’s answer to Cheers. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite from their pub-style menu, a game of pool with friends, or a few beers while you catch the game on tv, Mulligan’s fits the bill.
With a casual, convivial atmosphere, a full bar, and affordable, large portions of delicious comfort food (all made in-house), Mulligan’s has been a neighborhood favorite for nearly 25 years.
Location: 23 Lincoln St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Mulligan’s
Thai ME
Be prepared for a pleasant surprise when you walk through the doors of this unassuming little grocery-storefront lookalike; the quirky, colorful tables, striking mural, funky lighting, and rough-hewn woodwork all coalesce into a uniquely chic aesthetic, perfect for enjoying their authentic menu.
Every dish is full of fresh, exciting flavors; even familiar entrees like Beef & Basil have been elevated to something special that must be tasted, not described.
Location: 144 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Thai ME
Dizzy Birds Rotisserie
This family-owned-and-run venture uses only certified-humane, ethically-raised, organic chicken (from the Giannone poultry farm in Canada)—and the flavor is second to none. Their menu features cooked-in-house favorites like chicken dinners, BBQ ribs/mixed grill, and certified Angus pot roast, along with salads, soups, sandwiches on fresh ciabatta bread, and signature cold (kale salad or coleslaw) and hot (mashed Yukon Gold potatoes or maple glazed carrots) sides. Dizzy Birds also offers family-style meals and desserts—and they have plenty of in-house seating, as well.
Location: 65 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Dizzy Birds Rotisserie
Que Huong
If you’ve never tried Vietnamese food, then here’s your chance to do so. Que Huong’s menu not only offers Vietnamese versions of familiar foods (spring rolls, teriyaki beef) but also features a whole host of their specialty beef or chicken soups, including Pho (white noodles) and Mi (yellow noodles).
You can also select from authentic Vietnamese beverages like Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese coffee) or Sinh To (fruit shakes), and even a couple of beers imported from Asia. Que Huong also has a new section of Thai dishes on their menu—so you can eat your way across Southeast Asia without ever boarding a plane.
Location: 49 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Que Huong
Cowbell
With a fun, flashy vibe and an unbeatable lineup of burgers and pub fare on their menu, Cowbell never disappoints. Their three locations (Biddeford, Lewiston, Scarborough) all offer 25 rotating draft selections, daily food specials, live music, and happy hour (Monday through Friday from 3-6…$5 craft beers and pub snacks? YES, PLEASE!).
And yes, Cowbell has 25 mouthwatering specialty burgers to choose from (bring on the Hot & Creamy—a zippy jalapeno-and-cream-cheese stuffed burger…OMG), but they also have a Build-your-own Burger section, as well as apps, salads, sandwiches, soups, and even plant protein options.
Location: 140 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Cowbell
Mi Pueblo Tacos y Tequila
While the majority of the establishments reviewed here are huddled in and around the Main Street zone, this Mexican gem is located in the busy commercial zone that sprawls along Route 111, just off the Biddeford exit from I95.
Using authentic family recipes, this ristorante muy excelente is the only real option for legit Mexican food in the city—believe me, Mi Pueblo is so far beyond Taco Bell or Chipotle, I shouldn’t even mention them in the same sentence.
And while the names of the dishes at Mi Pueblo may sound familiar, one bite of any of their mouthwatering meals—carne asada, carnitas, street corn—you name it—will quickly make you realize that this food is the real deal.
Location: 500 Mariner Wy, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Mi Pueblo Tacos y Tequila
Portland Pie Company
Despite being a chain-style restaurant, Portland Pie has a faithful following of their build-your-own-pizza menu.
Their craft pizzas are creative, using four flavors of their signature doughs—basil, beer, garlic, or wheat—and many are given Maine-centric monikers like the Cape Neddick, Old Orchard, Crescent Beach, Monhegan, and my favorite, the Bradbury Mountain: Olive oil and garlic sauce, three cheese blend, Portobello/cremini/button mushrooms, arugula, goat cheese, and balsamic reduction.
Location: 40 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Portland Pie Company
And now, it’s that time again—time for me to squeeze in a few more food- (or drink-) specific spots that I simply ran out of room for. If you’re a fanatic of bagels and lox and are willing to step outside the box, then I can’t recommend the Spicy Salmon bagel sandwich at Rover enough.
For the most amazing grilled cheeses made with local bread and house-made pickled veggies, or chicken nachos piled sky-high and topped with homemade pico de gallo—not to mention a glass of one of their amazing beers (Aglow and Mountain are my all-time favorites)—head to Banded Brewing.
Pizza by Alex does pretty much just that: Pizza. Since 1960, this local fixture makes one size only of their Greek-style pies, and you can even order it by doneness, from half-cooked to well-done/crispy.
Or, if you’re more of an Italian-style pizza junkie, head to Coletti’s on Route 1.
For a perfect pour-over coffee and a homemade pastry—or a small plate with a local craft beer or glass of wine—stop into Elements, whose self-explanatory slogan is “books, coffee, and beer.”
For a panini to die for from a shop that is also a specialty market, Part & Parcel can curb your appetite and help you curate the perfect hostess or housewarming gift, as well.
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