Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Maine

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Maine? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

White Barn Inn

4.8

4.8 (2338)

$50 and over

American

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Our contemporary New England cuisine has been rooted in the local and seasonal long before they were the mots du jour on menus across the country. At our AAA Five Diamond, Forbes Five Star restaurant, we showcase incredible ingredients sourced through specially cultivated relationships with the farmers, fishermen and foragers of coastal Maine and just beyond for beautifully-presented, always inspired dishes that encapsulate the very essence of our spectacular setting.

We have a smart casual dress code; jackets are preferred, but not required. Shorts, sportswear, and flip-flops are forbidden in the dining room.

Top review

Kevin

Dined 2 days ago

The tasting menu is worth the trip alone. The pear dessert was a wonderful surprise

Discover more

Experience

The Macallan Cocktail Class

Experience

The Macallan Whisky Tasting

Novio's

4.9

4.9 (923)

$50 and over

Bistro

Bangor

About the restaurant

Novio’s is an inspired bistro offering a small and selective menu that includes items that are representative of the education, training, travels and experiences of our team. We feature meats & seafood and produce from local farms, fisherman and other purveyors. The menu offers vegetarian and gluten free options, beautiful soups and salads, and fresh pasta. Novio’s offers a full service bar that showcases an elegant yet approachable wine list, craft beers, and signature cocktails and an extensive scotch & bourbon list. Items on the menu change often as our team becomes inspired by the stories of experiences had by our guests. While guests seated at tables and booths order from the four course menu with an optional wine pairing guests that book reservations at the bar have an option of ordering à la carte.

Top review

Vanessa VIP

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

Fabulous dinner: delicious food, inventive cocktails and extraordinary service!

Lucky Cheetah

4.7

4.7 (155)

$31 to $50

Chinese

Portland

About the restaurant

Dumpling enthusiasts and champagne lovers alike can indulge in in the elevated, yet unpretentious fine-dining experience offered in this sexy, and intimate underground hideaway. The menu honors Cantonese classics with dishes like Xiaolongbao and Char Siu Bao, while creative offerings such as Foie Gras Blackberry Dumplings with Brown Butter Miso Crumb showcase culinary innovation in this celebration of Chinese American fare. A deep champagne and wine list complements the menu, and at the 14-seat Pink Italian Stone bar, classic cocktails are shaken up with unique spice combinations and Asian-produced liquors, like a Manhattan riff “Doyer’s Street” made with Chinese five-spice infused Bourbon and Fernet Michaud from Portland, ME

Note: Table reservation durations: 1.5 hours for parties of two, 2 hours for parties of 4 or more. Walk-in seats are available at the bar.

Top review

TopherVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Best place in Portland. Such a great vibe, great food, staff were all very friendly.

Ocean

4.8

4.8 (2202)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Discover Ocean's exquisite dining experience with our prix fixe menus, offering three courses for $105 or four courses for $125. Enhance your culinary journey with our wine pairing, priced at $68 for four courses and $60 for three. Start your evening with drinks on the terrace or at the bar, enjoying breathtaking Atlantic Ocean views from every dining table. Our seasonal menu showcases the finest Maine seafood and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a memorable dining experience. Join us at Ocean for an unforgettable meal that highlights the best of coastal Maine cuisine.

Top review

George

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent food well prepared. Both main courses were very good. Interesting cocktail choices for the winter months.

Discover more

Lamb Dinner featuring North Star Farm

Cliff House - Terrace

4.4

4.4 (50)

$50 and over

Seafood

Cape Neddick

About the restaurant

Join us on The Terrace for fresh tastes and refreshing sips under the sun. There is no better way to enjoy the bounties of our Maine waters than while taking in unparalleled views of the great Atlantic. Relax, soak in the salt air, and enjoy small plates, a creative raw bar menu, rotating daily Maines, seasonal cocktails, local brews, and perfectly paired wines. Open seasonally, The Terrace is a fully outdoor dining experience offering traditional and innovative seafood dishes. Reservations are required by calling 207-361-6277.*

*Please note that reservations for The Terrace are weather dependent and do not guarantee a table indoors elsewhere at Cliff House Maine in the event of inclement weather.

Top review

Vince

Dined on Oct 1, 2024

While the food was outstanding, the warmth and attentiveness of the staff and service was remarkable. Thanks to Paul for a nice Birthday lunch.

Earth at Hidden Pond

4.8

4.8 (3384)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Kennebunkport

About the restaurant

Indulge in an unforgettable dining adventure at Earth, one of Maine's top restaurants. Nestled among balsam and birch trees, Earth embodies community, connecting exceptional cuisine with dedicated farmers and foragers.

Our farm-to-table menu celebrates locally-sourced ingredients, including meats, seafood, and vegetables from our organic gardens. Crafted by Chef Justin Owen, each dish boasts distinct, handcrafted flavors.

For intimate gatherings, reserve the Potting Shed for up to six guests or the Painting Shed for up to 12 (food & beverage minimum required, call to reserve).

Note: Table reservation durations: 2 hours for parties of two, 2.5 hours for parties of four or more. Walk-ins currently unavailable. Check for new openings regularly.

Top review

Molly

Dined 2 days ago

Hidden Pond provided the best experience! My husband and I were celebrating our anniversary and everyone there helped make it so special! Highly recommend to everyone!!

Discover more

The Tiller Restaurant at Cliff House

4.7

4.7 (1099)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Ogunquit

About the restaurant

*Please note: We do not accept parties larger than 8 in our main dining room (10 in our private dining room).

Rediscover Maine dining. Native ingredients honor Maine’s indelible heritage. By partnering with local fisherman, farmers, distillers, and ranchers, The Tiller Restaurant combines the region’s distinctive culture and tradition with culinary innovation and sustainable practices for authentic and nuanced dining experiences.

Upscale contemporary design meets with charming rustic elements, combined with a bright and inviting dining destination surrounded by ocean views suspended over the cliffs. Seasonal breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are prepared with farm-fresh local produce, line-caught fish, hand cut meats, and homemade recipes passed down from generation to generation.

During the month of August, the restaurant will have limited availability for non-resort guests.

Top review

Tony

Dined 2 days ago

Outstanding service, excellent food, amazing atmosphere!

Discover more

Popular dish

LOBSTER ROLL

Popular dish

TILLER LOBSTER FRIED RICE

The Tarratine

4.9

4.9 (601)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Bangor

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Tarratine. We focus on providing an elegant yet approachable experience for our community. Created with skill and passion, the menu features an exciting array of seafood, streak, brunch foods, and signature items from our Executive Chef and his culinary team. This is within our historic gentlemen's social club, built-in 1907. Our spacious venue allows for individual experiences in various spaces, including our rooftop terrace. The Tarratine provides a variety of spirits, cocktails, local brews on tap, and an approachable wine list.

Parties of 12 - 18 guests will be offered a reduced restaurant menu.
Parties with 19+ guests, please call us at 207-992-4090, and someone will love to talk to you about your special night.
We allow you to bring in a cake from state-licensed bakeries; a $5 per person cutting fee will be added to the final bill.

Due to the historic nature of the building, our upper levels are not handicap accessible.

Top review

Norman

Dined on Dec 26, 2024

The meal was fantastic. Service excellent. Will definitely be my choice for an elegant meal. Over the top!!

Discover more

Popular dish

Halibut

Fore Street

4.9

4.9 (4068)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Portland

About the restaurant

Located in Portland's Old Port District, Fore Street opened in June, 1996. The interior surrounds a unique brick and soapstone hearth with a wood-burning oven, grill and turnspit; visible from most tables. We believe that good food travels the shortest possible distance between the farm and the table. Our menu changes every day and is founded upon the very best raw materials from a community of Maine farmers, fisherman, foragers and cheese makers. Most of the Maine foods are organically grown or harvested wild, each brought to us at the peak of its season. In 2002 and again in 2007, Fore Street was named by Gourmet Magazine as one of the Top Fifty Restaurants in the United States. In 2004, Chef-Partner Sam Hayward was named Best Chef: Northeast by the James Beard Foundation.

Top review

Julie

Dined 3 days ago

Everything about this restaurant is amazing! I love the ambiance, lighting, servers, staff, the openness of the plating of the food, the food was unreal!! Absolutely delicious. We ordered the mussels, and squid to start then the crab haddock, the seared scallops, mashed potatoes! Omg!!!! We also ordered the cornbread which was overkill. And we wound up taking it home! Portions are fair, not too big and not too little. Loved everything about this place.

The Elizabeth Guest House and Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (137)

$31 to $50

Latin / Spanish

Bethel

About the restaurant

Fine dining Latin American and Mediterranean cuisine in a charming Victorian Inn on Main Street in Bethel

Top review

LeeVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Good food with great atmosphere and service. The only issue was that some of our food was not hot.