Everything I Ate On My Trip to Kennebunkport, Maine

The rocky southern coast of Maine is just a few hours' drive from the busy Boston streets, but the beachfront oasis always feels like a million miles away. Whenever I enter this quaint region, a wave of relaxation immediately crosses over me, and I begin to slow down and transform into vacation mode. Between the scenic views of majestic lighthouses and the never-ending local seafood, you really can’t go wrong with a trip to any of the small communities along the ocean border. I travel here by choice several times a year because I simply can not get enough of this breathtaking area. My most recent visit was a quick overnight stay in the town of Kennebunkport, where my family and I rejuvenated our souls with crisp ocean air and filled our stomachs with delicious local eats.

After a busy week of work, we headed north and soon arrived at Kennebunkport’s luxurious Breakwater Inn. The 35-room boutique hotel, overlooking the Kennebunk River and Atlantic Ocean, is one of the oldest hotels in the area. A massive renovation in July 2025 introduced modern updates and elegant touches to the Breakwater, while preserving its picturesque historical charm. Our spacious third-floor room included comfortable beds, upscale amenities, and one of the best hotel views I have experienced in the area. 

The Breakwater Inn is currently hosting its Ultimate Maine Food Tour, an exclusive event featuring deluxe accommodations and irresistible meals at local top-notch restaurants. Guests who participate in this special event are treated to a fabulous two-night waterview stay in the Breakwater Inn’s King Suite, which features a private balcony and bay window. The tour includes meals at several coastal restaurants, VIP service, and transportation between venues. This one-of-a-kind culinary event is available to book until October 12. Restaurant highlights include baked stuffed lobster, clam chowder, Oyster Bloody Marys, golden-fried clams, and homemade blueberry pie. And that’s just a portion of all there is to eat!

We decided to check out some of the restaurants featured on the Ultimate Maine Food Tour, and the Breakwater Inn’s Port Fish & Chop House was our pick for dinner. A leisurely stroll brought us past the hotel’s private beach, where we stopped to watch local lobster boats pull into the cove. On the nearby hotel lawn, several guests were taking in the views from the hotel's Adirondack chairs while enjoying the waterfront happy hour.

We made our way inside the restaurant, where we were greeted by the friendly waitstaff who escorted us to a table by the window. We were soon enjoying incredible handcrafted cocktails, a decadent shrimp appetizer, and a phenomenal view of the setting sun over the water. Next came heaping plates of pan-roasted halibut, seared scallops, and decadent bolognese. We happily devoured each bite, and I can honestly say that the meal was one that I will long remember.

Our original plan for dessert was to stop across the street at Mabel’s Lobster Claw (another restaurant featured on the Ultimate Maine Food Tour) to sample some famous homemade blueberry pie. However, after eating such a big dinner, none of us could fit in another bite. We will definitely be back next time for the pie as well as some of Mabel's popular lobster risotto.

Early the next morning, we headed into town to explore some of Kennebunkport’s shops and attractions. But first, we needed some breakfast. A visit to downtown’s Kport Provisions definitely hit the spot. The store sells a variety of pantry staples, gourmet items, and beer and wine. It also has a deli counter where you can grab handcrafted sandwiches, prepared meals, and bakery treats. We ordered coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, and a muffin (Maine blueberry, of course), and enjoyed our meal from an inside table while watching people pass by. As a tasty afterthought, I may or may not have purchased a classic Maine whoopie pie to eat later on. 

We spent the rest of the morning wandering through the cute downtown shops, and then drove around to view the Goat Island Light and scenic Walker’s Point. Although it was early in the day, Kennebunkport was already busting with fall tourists. I also noticed that several venues (including the Breakwater Inn) were set up to host seaside weddings.

Plans at home made it sad to say goodbye to Kennebunkport so soon, but luckily, we still had one delicious spot to savor. The Ultimate Maine Food Tour also includes signature meals at nearby Ogunquit’s Maine Catch, as well as the Harbor Burger Shack, Robert’s Maine Grill, and Bob’s Clam Hut in Kittery. All of these restaurants are excellent choices, but I am a firm believer that every coastal Maine trip should include at least one stop at a small-town clam shack, and so Bob’s it was!  

The iconic clam hut is located on Route 1, tucked between the Kittery Trading Post and several popular outlet stores. Bob’s has been a fixture in town since 1956 and is a beloved place to savor Maine seafood. I’m not sure why we never visited here before, but I now regret not doing so. A Bob & Betty’s Special (whole belly calms, shrimp, fries, and coleslaw), a crab cake, and an overflowing lobster roll definitely hit the spot.

All of the eateries mentioned above are stops along the Breakwater Inn’s Ultimate Maine Food Tour. The restaurants feature exquisite signature dishes and VIP access. But if you don’t think that you can consume all of that food in one weekend, each is a wonderful place to try on your own.

What is your favorite dish to eat when you visit coastal Maine? For more information on the Ultimate Maine Food Tour, please contact the Breakwater Inn. To reserve a seaside stay, please visit the Breakwater Inn’s website or the Breakwater Inn Facebook page. Be sure to use the Only In Your State AI-powered itinerary to map out a customized trip that will help you make the most of all the attractions that Kennebunkport and southern Maine have to offer.

Per journalistic integrity, we disclose that the creator of this content was invited to this location by the Breakwater Inn, and some expenses were covered. However, all opinions and thoughts expressed in this content are their own.