Featuring seven miles of beautiful coastline—four of which are beaches—the resort town of Wells is also known as the antique capital of Maine, with dozens of these dusty treasure troves lining U.S. Route One.
The population of Wells explodes during the summer months with seasonal residents and transient vacationers and there are multitudes of restaurants featuring all types of cuisine.
A fair few of these establishments are seasonal (or at least closed for a portion of the winter months), so be sure to check websites before making plans.
Map of Wells Restaurants
Here are all the restaurants mentioned in this article, to help you plan your next Wells night out:
Joshua’s
Featuring elevated fare predominantly made with ingredients grown on the owner’s farm whenever possible, the folks at Joshua’s are passionate about cooking with locally-sourced foods.
This upscale restaurant is a converted 1774 home and is a unique combination of new and old architecture and décor.
The high-end menu is an ever-changing reflection (there is always a new, unpublicized daily menu in addition to a roster of regular offerings) of in-season fare and ingredients, and the presentation is almost as mind-blowing as the flavors, no matter what you order.
The craft cocktail list is equally impressive, and only fresh-squeezed juices are used.
Location: 1637 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Website: Joshua’s
Bitter End
Named for a certain infamous and incorrect Patriots Superbowl headline back in 2017, the sports fanatic owner of Bitter End has created a little bubble of culinary magic on the outskirts of Wells.
Incongruously tucked into the woods’ edge along Route One, this diminutive eatery is decorated lavishly with sports memorabilia and has an oasis-like outdoor dining area and enclosed porch seating, as well. The menu is sized just right—not overwhelming, with just enough options of creative cuisine to please all.
There is also an impressive beer and wine list—and be sure to peruse the list of seasonal craft cocktails.
Location: 2118 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Website: Bitter End
Mike’s Clam Shack
From its humble beginnings in 1991 as a takeout-only shack at Moody Beach, Mike’s has morphed through several iterations and expansions to what it is today—restaurant, sports bar, takeout window, gift shop, and fish market, all in one.
Extremely popular with locals and tourists alike, Mike’s is a casual, friendly spot—choose from the family-friendly dining room or the separate bar area, which also features plenty of table and booth seating.
The extensive, tavern-style menus include a separate gluten-free version, and while this establishment is called a clam shack, don’t be fooled.
The fare options—of both land and sea variety—are nigh on overwhelming, and the full bar can concoct pretty much any cocktail you can dream up.
Location: 1150 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Website: Mike’s Clam Shack
Maine Diner
The much-accoladed Maine Diner is a must-do on your visit to Wells, if just to say you went. The online menu is 15 (yup, you read that right) pages, so you’d be wise to peruse it online before you arrive.
Although if you choose to visit during the summer, chances are you’ll have plenty of time to pick out what you want while waiting to be seated—it’s that popular.
Folks come from far and near to enjoy the plentiful, affordable, home-cooked diner fare—and NOBODY leaves hungry. There is a sizeable list of beer, wine, and cocktails on offer, and the desserts are not to be missed.
Location: 2265 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Website: Maine Diner
Stutesy’s Pub & Grill
The walls of this casual, snug tavern are festooned with Boston sports memorabilia, giving customers plenty of things to peruse while waiting for their heaping plates of comfort food.
The multiple televisions are within full view of the bar seating as well as the tables in the dining area, so you don’t have to miss a single pitch/kickoff/free throw/puck drop.
The extensive menu is loaded with traditional pub fare, and a gluten-free version is available as well.
Location: 52 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Website: Stutesy’s Pub & Grill
The New England House
There are options in Wells when it comes to sports bar experiences, and The New England House is just a short jaunt up the road from Stutesy’s if you want a bit more room to spread out.
With an outdoor deck and sports bar in addition to an indoor bar and dining, there is plenty of space for you to find a spot that suits your mood.
The vibe is a bit more elevated than Stutesy’s, but laid-back nonetheless, and the menu reflects that difference, with next-level options like a chilled lobster appetizer or the Hawaiian Teriyaki Beef Tenderloin entrée.
Most of the ingredients for the fare here are locally sourced, and the majority is made from scratch, in-house.
Location: 124 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Website: The New England House
Bull N’ Claw
The Bull N’ Claw is one of those no-frills, family-style, enormous establishments that seems to stretch out for acres in all directions.
Offering classic Maine seafood in all its iterations as well as plenty of other traditional fare, you can always count on large portions of fresh food at affordable prices here.
Featuring an epic menu—including an all-you-can-eat “Soup and Salad Boat” option and a 2-foot-long lobster roll—the Bull N’ Claw has been in the business of filling hungry bellies since 1973.
There is also bar seating and the servers are always friendly and attentive.
Location: 2270 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Website: Bull and Claw
Féile Restaurant & Pub
According to the restaurant’s website, “Féile” is Gaelic for generous hospitality, which the folks at this fine Irish establishment take very seriously, applying that ethic to everything they do (the owner is from Murroe County, Limerick, after all).
Featuring a menu balanced with both Irish and Maine fare, you’ll find things like House-Brined Corned Beef and Cabbage or Bangers and Mash Irish Sausages alongside Baked Stuffed Haddock (house-made seafood stuffing, of course) or Bacon-Wrapped Scallops.
Oh, and Féile also boasts the largest inventory of Irish whiskey in the state.
Location: 1619 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Website: Féile Restaurant & Pub
Litchfield’s Bar & Grill
Wells has a fair few “where the locals go” spots to choose from, but in my estimation, this one takes the proverbial cake.
This come-as-you-are restaurant and bar is a great spot to catch a game, catch up on local happenings with casual bar acquaintances, or catch up with a friend over a beer and some popcorn shrimp. Litchfield’s offers a large, seafood-and-pub-fare-forward menu as well as a separate late-night version (and full bar service, of course); give their Haddock Reuben a try for a Maine twist on a traditional pub-fare favorite.
Location: 2135 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Website: Litchfield’s Bar & Grill
So, yeah…I’ve gone and done it again. Out of time, out of space…but please promise you’ll consider the following places when looking for a great spot to banish the hangries in Wells, Maine.
And remember, many of these restaurants are seasonal—so be sure to check these websites before making your dining plans.
For fantastically fresh Maine seafood, try Billy’s Chowder House, Hobbs Harborside, Brown’s Clam Shanty, Wells Beach Lobster Pound, The Yodeling Clam, Fisherman’s Catch, or Richard’s Seafood Restaurant.
If you’re sick of seafood (or just don’t like it), head to Las Olas Taqueria for fast and fresh Mexican fare, Varano’s Ristorante Italiano for a traditional, family-style Italian food experience, For the Love of Food & Drink Café or Merriland Farm Café for bistro-style, farm-to-table delights, or The Steakhouse for…well, fantastic steak.
And if you’re hankering for a taste of the Orient, there are options in Wells for that, as well: Maple Leaves Garden, Mekhong Thai, or East.
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