After our article featuring west-coasters eating Maine foods for the first time, we felt it was only proper to give some attention to the foods included. The reactions of the participants may have been dramatic (our chowder isn’t THAT strange), but it really highlighted how unique Maine cuisine can be. So, in honor of our great state’s culinary traditions, here are 10 iconic foods in Maine that we know you’ll love. Or, at least tolerate. After all, some of the most popular foods in Maine could be considered, well…weird. Read on to see if you agree...

1. Maine Corn Chowder
Heather Joan / Flickr
Maine's corn chowder is primarily for summer days, but it's thick and comforting enough to keep you warm in the winter. Except, you're going to need fresh corn for this so make sure you're cooking it up while it's in season.
2. Whoopie Pies
most popular foods in maine
Jennifer Boyer / Flickr
Because, when you're in the only state that has an "official state treat," you better try and love that official state treat!
3. Moxie
Joe Shlabotnik / Flickr
Perhaps the most debated of all Maine delicacies, you either love the medicinal drink or hate it. If you grew up in Maine it was never far from your childhood, though it's been made significantly sweeter in modern times. We're not sure if that's an improvement or a detriment.
4. Blueberry Pie
Abby / Flickr
The best Maine blueberry pie is made with wild blueberries, which means it's only really in season for a portion of the year. But, if you happen to visit during the off-season, go for it anyway. Frozen authentic Maine blueberries are better than no blueberries!
5. Fiddleheads
Dana Moos / Flickr
As a side or sauteed and served up on their own, these wild-growing plants are the quintessential Maine find. In the summer, you'll be tempted to pull over to the side of the road to get some fresh ones for dinner. Go with the urge! It's worth it.

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6. Maine Baked Beans
Andrew Dies/ Flickr
Yes, they're different than what you eat in Boston. For one thing, you'll find Maine baked beans to be much less sweet than what you're used to.
7. Brown Bread
amanda / Flickr
Ideally, it should be steamed in a can and served with some Maine baked beans. Then, and only then, will you be eating like a real Mainer.
8. Lobstah
Natalie Maynor / Flickr
You knew we couldn't leave this off the list. No matter how you choose to serve it up, Maine lobster is as Vacationland as you can get! We're partial to this method - lay them out on the beach, get a pot and boil those suckers over an open fire. Then, watch the sunset.
9. Lobstah Rolls
most popular foods in maine
Stephen Ritchie / Flickr
Even though lobster is already on the list, no article promising iconic Maine foods would be complete without a photo of a lobster roll. So, here you go!
10. ...ANY seafood, really.
most popular foods in maine
The Red Barn
It's not all lobster and laughter here in Maine. Don't forget that Maine is a great place to eat your weight in fried scallops, clams, and haddock!

Some of these weird Maine foods may seem odd to outsiders but they are perfect for us, and we are proud of them. What do you consider to be the most iconic Maine food? Is there anything you absolutely will NOT try? Let us know in the comments below. 

Check out this fun YouTube video by George and Cris eating the most popular foods in Maine:

If you’re searching for great places to eat while in town, take a look at this site listing some of the best restaurants in Maine.  

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More to Explore

Weird Maine Foods

Chris Dodge | July 14, 2022

What are some other weird Maine foods to try?

We have a few odd foods, we will admit it. Moxie by itself has practically split our state in half over the highly debated taste. Whether you like it or not Moxie is a classic Maine drink, and we own it. For some other odd choices to try check out our first recommendation. A similar article but with a few different options. Snow with maple syrup?! Yeah, it's a Maine thing. Another Maine classic is a fluffernutter sandwich. It may seem odd to others, but the perfect combination of peanut butter and fluff smooshed between two slices of bread is like a childhood dream. Becky’s Diner in Portland also offers a variation of this classic treat with their fluffernutter french toast. Of course, no BBQ is ever complete until someone brings a pack of red hotdogs. These “red snappers” are not fish, although they share the same name, they are hot dogs, and they are a Maine staple. 

What are some other foods that are not as weird, but Maine made famous?

The United Kingdom might be responsible for Shepherd's Pie but here in New England, we made it perfect. You can get it somewhere else but it's never the same as your mother's perfected recipe well spending some time as a family around the table. Humpy Dumpy Chips actually come from Canada but we high-jacked them and sell them everywhere. If you haven't tried All Dressed chips, then you are missing out. Check out these Maine food festivals. They have everything from whoopie pies to clam bakes, they have blueberry pie to red hotdogs. You will want to visit these amazing festivals. Then here are a few more classic menu items, you can even make some of these dishes at home.

Aside from these iconic foods listed, what are some foods in Maine that are bucket list worthy?

While Maine cuisine is mostly seafood, we love a variety of foods in Maine. Here is a list of foods that are worthy of your bucket list:

  • The 7-Napkin Burger - Owls Head General Store in Owls Head
  • A W.A. Bean & Sons Red Snapper Dog
  • Maine Sugar on Snow - candy made from pure maple syrup and fresh snow
  • Lobster Pie - Maine Diner, Wells
  • Allen's Coffee Brandy - Adults Only
  • Maine Italian Sandwich - Amato’s, Several Locations
  • The Summit Sundae - The Appalachian Trail Cafe, Millinocket
  • Needhams - candy made from potatoes, shredded coconut, and chocolate
  • Blueberry Pancakes - Becky's Diner, Portland
  • Ployes - a crepelike pancake or a flatbread mix made from buckwheat.


Here’s a previous article telling you more about these bucket-list-worthy foods in Maine.

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