This Small Town Maine Pub Has Some of the Best Food in the Northeast

There's a lot to love about Maine. Of course, there are tons of great views, but we can't be expected to take a hike every time we've got a spare weekend. Some days are reserved for exploring our other favorite thing in Maine. The food! If you love small towns and appreciate the food here, you'll want to plan a visit to this spot, which might just have the best pub food in Maine.

The town of Hallowell in Kennebec County is one of the quaintest, most charming small towns in the state. It sits right on the Kennebec River and offers lots of shopping, dining, and entertainment all packed into a picture-perfect community near Augusta.

The Liberal Cup: A Cozy Pub in Downtown Hallowell

For a small town in Maine, there is a surprising number of restaurants, but our favorite doubles as a pub. The Liberal Cup is located right in the center of downtown on Water Street. The moment you step inside, you'll be charmed by the brick and wood timbers, lending a quaint, cozy feeling to this gathering space. It's the kind of place that's perfect for drinks, but it also happens to be one of our favorite spots for a local, hearty meal. They've got all the things you'd expect at a pub, including wings, fries, and nachos.

Some of the Best Pub Food in Maine

Unlike your typical pub, they take things a step further with hearty entrees that include healthy salads and loaded burgers. Of course, we love that they also serve plenty of Maine-centric food like mussels and lobster rolls. In addition to this classic Maine staple, folks rave about the fish and chips, plus the beer cheese soup—if you've never tried it, just trust us on this one!

The Liberal Cup has great food, great drinks, and offers one of the coziest atmospheres in the state. Check it out, and there's a good chance you'll start saying that your favorite restaurant is actually a small-town Maine pub.

The Liberal Cup is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can learn more about the pub by visiting the website or following them on Facebook. They can be reached on 207-623-2739.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.