Picture this: It’s summertime, it’s vacation, and you’re sitting in a comfortable chair, sipping fantastic coffee (or Bloody Mary) with a delightful breakfast laid out in front of you.
You’re gazing out at the sunlight glinting off of the Atlantic, thinking, “It just doesn’t get any better than this.”
And in my mind, that statement couldn’t be any more accurate when breakfasting in York, Maine—I mean, what says “Vacationland” better than a late, lazy breakfast, complete with all the things you don’t have time to cook during the workweek?
Forget the scale, forget the alarm clock—it’s time to go out to breakfast in York.
Map of York Breakfast Spots
Here is a map of all the breakfast locations mentioned in this article. While York isn’t the largest town in Maine, with so many different places to choose from, this map will help you narrow down your options when the hangries come calling:
The Shearwater
This beautifully situated restaurant is at the Stage Neck Inn—which means views, views, views.
Their daily breakfast buffet is full of sweet and savory options like Eggs Benedict and French toast—and when the buffet isn’t on offer, there are a plethora of a la carte items to choose from, including my favorite, their Smoked Salmon Plate.
Location: 8 Stage Neck Rd, York, ME 03909
Website: The Shearwater
The York Beach Bucket
This little seasonal general store sits right across from Short Sands beach, and their deli counter offers fantastic, made-to-order breakfast sandwiches and bagels to go.
While they do have a few tables out front, most folks choose to grab-and-go, taking their repast along to enjoy on a bench or beach chair.
And IMHO, the best item on the menu is the Maple Sriracha Sandwich: Egg, bacon, cheddar, maple syrup, and sriracha on an English muffin.
Location: 9 Ocean Ave, York, ME 03909
Website: The York Beach Bucket
Bagel Basket
With both indoor and outdoor seating, the Bagel Basket features a homey café and counter where they serve up their baked-daily bagels and fresh, made-to-order breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
Open daily all year-round, this is the perfect spot for a quick, filling breakfast and hot cup of coffee when you don’t have a ton of time for table service—place your order online to save even more time!
Location: 280 York St, York, ME 03909
Website: Bagel Basket
Nancy’s Café & Catering
Nancy’s Café is tucked into the wing of a refurbished barn, and the indoor dining area is light and spacious.
The big, affordable breakfast menu offers more than enough options for even the pickiest eater—which I am not—and it’s always a struggle to choose.
For familiar ingredients in a fresh new format, I suggest trying Dutchy’s Swiss Rosti: Grated potato, diced onion, bacon, and swiss cheese—with an option to top it all with fried eggs.
Location: 1151 US-1, York, ME 03902
Website: Nancy’s Café & Catering
The Goldenrod
Since 1896, this York Beach icon has been treating generations of families to candy, ice cream, and homecooked comfort food—including breakfast.
Their breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu is all-in-one and offered all day, so if you have a hankering for a Deviled Egg & Bacon sandwich with a side of waffles at 2:00 in the afternoon, you know where to go.
Bonus: The Goldenrod is barely a block from Short Sands Beach.
Location: 2 Railroad Ave, York Beach, ME 03910
Website: The Goldenrod
Stonewall Kitchen Café
Stonewall is pretty much the first thing you’ll see after exiting Interstate 95 in York—and their café is the perfect spot to stop for breakfast if you’re killing time before your rental is ready at the beach.
Serving up their iconic jams and jellies along with all manner of breakfast breads and pastries, Stonewall’s menu features made-to-order sandwiches, full plates, and sides in their store-side café.
So, after you shop ‘til you drop, replenish your energy with their Lobster, egg, bacon, and avocado sandwich.
Location: 2 Stonewall Ln #1, York, ME 03909
Website: Stonewall Kitchen Café
Rick’s Restaurant
Rustic and family-friendly, Rick’s describes their morning fare as “coastal comfort food…with a Southwestern flair.”
Their specialties are Benedicts and Bloody Marys—two of my vacation morning favorites—and they are open year-round.
The huge, all-day breakfast menu features everything you could want in a big breakfast—omelets, sandwiches, full plates, pancakes, Benedicts, and much more—and their signature Huevos Rancheros are a must-try.
Location: 1151 US-1, York, ME 03909
Website: Rick’s Restaurant
Sun and Surf
Casual, oceanside dining at its best, the Sun and Surf is located directly across from the popular Anchorage Inn at Long Sands Beach.
Open year-round (weekends only February-May), this is the spot to come to in the summer if you want to sit as close to the water as possible (without getting wet) to enjoy your morning java and breakfast.
Location: 264 Long Beach Ave, York Beach, ME 03910
Website: Sun and Surf
The Central Bean & Bakery
Bright, airy, with a cozy, industrial-chic atmosphere, The Central Bean is next door to their sister property, The Central Restaurant.
The lunch menu is available from 10 a.m. on, but breakfast is available all day—which is always a good thing.
Choose from smoothies, baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, bowls, and burritos—all made fresh for you by friendly folks.
Location: 127 Long Sands Rd, York, ME 03909
Website: The Central Bean & Bakery
The Tiller Restaurant
Looking for an upscale breakfast experience? Look no further than The Tiller at the Cliff House.
The high-end brunch menu is available from 7 a.m. until 2:30, Friday through Monday, and the dining room views are unparalleled.
Try their Chorizo and Crab Burrito for a real wake-up call: Potatoes, soft-scrambled eggs, cheddar, roasted tomato salsa, and ancho-lime crema on a spinach tortilla.
Location: 591 Shore Rd, Cape Neddick, ME 03902
Website: The Tiller Restaurant
Anthony’s Food Shop
House-roasted coffee? Homemade baked goods, bagels, and cream cheese spreads? Made-to-order breakfast sandwiches?
Breakfast pizza? It just keeps getting better when listing all of the deliciousness at Anthony’s…but wait, there’s more!
Live music, smoothies, specialty teas and coffees…and yup, you can get gas here, too.
Don’t be fooled by the exterior—trust me, the quality of the food here far outweighs any reservations you may have due to the Shell Gas pumps out front.
Location: 679 US-1, York, ME 03909
Website: Anthony’s Food Shop
Molly-O’s
A seasonal fixture in the center of town, Molly-O’s is the embodiment of breakfast comfort food.
Since 1988, Molly-O’s has been serving consistently delicious, affordable breakfast and lunch fare to visitors and locals alike. Offering both indoor, outdoor, and counter seating, this bustling café serves up a delightful little menu of fresh-made breakfast options—including a Lobster Benedict.
Like I always say, when in Maine…
Location: 2 Main St, York, ME 03909
Website: Molly-O’s
As usual, space is limited but the options are many…so here are a few more breakfast establishments to keep on your radar when visiting York, Maine.
The breakfast bulkie at the
Long Sands General Store is legendary for a grab-and-go option, and you can’t go wrong with anything you order at the Nectar Café food trailer—especially one of their Build-Your-Own Breakfast Sandwiches (BYOBS).
And if dive breakfast spots were a thing, then Sandy’s Purple Palace would take the prize—and I mean that in the best way when talking about this popular, lavender-hued, hole-in-the-wall diner.
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