There is a good balance of dining options, whether you crave a burger and a beer while watching the game, or want to sit for hours with rotating small plates, craft cocktails, and an alternative music soundtrack.
Map Of Rockland Restaurants
The map below shows the locations of all the restaurants mentioned in this post:
In Good Company
The mission statement of this delightful gastropub includes the sentiment that “one must eat and drink only good things that are genuine and simple,” and they accomplish this with flying colors. The atmosphere, the curated menu, the cocktails—it is by far one of my favorite restaurants in the area (I dream about their Sweet and Spicy Pepperdews with Seal Cove Goat Cheese). Located in a former bank, In Good Company opened in 2004, survived the pandemic, and is still going strong.
Location: 415 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: In Good Company
Archer’s on the Pier
Formerly the site of a rough-and-tumble bar, Archer’s opened in 2011 and offers a classic, family-style, waterfront dining experience. Their comfort food-laden menu is peppered with dishes like Broiled Haddock, Lobster Alfredo, and of course, their famous Seafood Pie—a delectable casserole of lobster, shrimp, haddock, scallops, and crab, all topped with bread crumbs and magic.
Location: 58 Ocean St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Archer’s on the Pier
Eclipse of the Pearl
This little nook sits right around the corner from Archers, situated just a stone’s throw from the pier that the former Pearl Restaurant perched at the end of—hence its name. Their menu includes many seafood appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees, and offers delicious daily specials, like Seared Haddock Cakes with Lemon Aioli, or Maine Lobster Linguini with Grilled French Bread.
Location: 273 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Eclipse of the Pearl
Waterworks Restaurant
Waterworks is a casual, comfortable spot, perfect for meeting friends after work or bringing the family in for an affordable, plentiful repast. Their appetizer list is long enough that you could easily find at least half a dozen you like and do a meal of sharesies—but the rest of their sandwiches, wraps, top-your-own burgers, and entrees just look too good to not at least give them the courtesy of consideration.
Location: 7 Lindsey St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Waterworks Restaurant
Suzuki’s Sushi Bar
Fresh, simple, aesthetically pleasing: All three describe both the atmosphere and the menu—the latter which features a variety of delicacies like Sashimi, Nigiri, Maki, and Temaki. I prefer their Special Omakase Assortment—an abundant, beautiful arrangement of sushi and sashimi—perfect for sharing on date night.
Location: 419 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Suzuki’s Sushi Bar
Rustica
This colorful Italian eatery exudes comfort and warmth as soon as you walk in the door—and their menu only further accentuates these homey aspects. Many of the dishes utilize house-made ingredients, like the sausage (their Sausage Pizza Pie is an absolute taste sensation), and Rustica sources as much of their food locally as possible.
Be sure to leave room for dessert—and good luck deciding between the Tiramisu, the Boca Negra (chocolate torte), or the Cannoli, because all three are simply divine.
Location: 315 S Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Rustica
Primo
This seasonal gem is special—unique in its atmosphere, menu, and dining space. This old Victorian home features several different rooms and areas, each with its own vibe—from intimate and cozy to lively and modern—and each just as delightful as the next.
The carefully-curated, locally-sourced, farm-to-table (can I add any more hyphenated descriptors here?) menu evidences the thoughtful consideration put into each dish, such as the Pistachio and Parsley Crusted First of the Season Halibut. Primo also has their new 0km Bungalow, an open-air bistro-bar with live music and a walk-up ordering window.
Location: 2 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Primo
Café Miranda
Named as an Environmental Leader by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Café Miranda is all about sustainability and sourcing locally. All of the vegetables used on the menu come from Chef Altiero’s Headacre Farm (love that name) or others nearby, and the seafood is always local.
Casual and fun to the core, Café Miranda likes to refer to their dishes as “multi-cultural cuisine,” and if you can’t find something to like on this menu, you should just go home and eat dry cereal for dinner.
Location: 15 Oak St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Café Miranda
Rock Harbor Pub and Brewery
A true corner pub, Rock Harbor serves up their own beer (as well as many others) alongside delicious grub from their pub-style menu (I highly suggest trying the Chipotle Fried Haddock Tacos with their Sprucehead Stout—just be sure not to wear a belt).
With a casual, sports bar atmosphere and friendly staff, locals and visitors alike will feel right at home here.
Location: 416 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Rock Harbor Pub and Brewery
Trackside Station
Located in a historic former train station, this bar and grill is also known for its entertainment offerings, like live music, comedy, and trivia nights.
Served in a lively, interesting space—complete with a huge, antique-looking clock mounted over the door, train-station-style—their tavern-style menu is affordable, the dishes are plentiful, and you’ll always be served with a smile.
Location: 4 Union St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Trackside Station
North Beacon Oyster
With hearty portions of fresh-as-it-gets local fare, North Beacon offers both dine-in and take-out service—although I suggest dining in if it suits you. Their bright, airy space perfectly suits the menu’s fresh, simple presentation—I suppose I’d describe it as an amped-up pub menu without the grease. Oh, and their Oysters Rockefeller? To. Die. FOR.
Location: 421 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: North Beacon Oyster
The Landings Restaurant
Delicious food and a water view from every seat—inside, or outside on one of their three decks—are the hallmarks of this seasonal restaurant.
Their menu is the perfect combination of comfort food classics and creative concoctions—one amazing option is the Brie and Pepper Jam Burger (oh, yes they did)…or you could go with their mix-and-match fried seafood dinner.
Location: 1 Commercial St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: The Landings Restaurant
Home Kitchen Café
They don’t take reservations at this popular spot—but don’t let that put you off, because their entire menu is homemade—from scratch—right in their own kitchen (or a few doors down in their bakery).
I don’t even know where to begin with describing the extent of mouthwatering goodness on their menu…AND they serve both lunch and breakfast all day. Magical.
Location: 650 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Home Kitchen Café
Brass Compass Café
You’ll feel like you’ve been going there for years, even if it’s your first visit to the Brass Compass; this spot oozes with friendly vibes and smiling faces. Owner Lynn Archer has appeared on “Throw Down with Bobby Flay” and she’s just as personable and energetic in person as on TV.
The menu at the Compass offers a wide variety of comfort food dishes to choose from, all at affordable prices.
Location: 58 Ocean St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Brass Compass Café
Ada’s Kitchen
With a menu inundated with Italian deliciousness, Ada’s menu of craft cocktails is just as delightfully expansive—including signature Italian cocktails.
Start with their baked Garlic Knots, move on to an Arugula and Pecorino Salad, and fill the rest of your belly with an order of their seasonal, homemade ravioli—maybe with a Pear Snap Cosmo.
Location: 449 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
Website: Ada’s Kitchen
Alas, I’ve run out of room for full reviews…but I’ll throw a bunch of other recommendations your way because that’s how I roll. For their fresh roasted coffee alone, I’d recommend Rock City Coffee Roasters Café…but their lunch and all-day breakfast is just as delicious.
Rockland Café and Bakery has yummy comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as does the Park Street Grille and Bar.
Hazel’s Takeout is closed in the winter—so you’ll have to make it a point to head there in-season because their fried food and lobster rolls are not to be missed. The also-seasonal
Fog Bar and Café has a real skiddle-de-wa, divey-but-cool vibe with a full bar and pub menu; for excellent Thai cuisine, Roselyn never disappoints…and if you’re hankering for the most amazing barbecued meats, look no further than Up in Smoke BBQ.
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