5 Classic New England Dishes You Have to Try in Maine
Discover the bold, comforting flavors of Maine with these five must-try New England classics, from buttery lobster rolls to the sweet perfection of wild blueberry pie!
- Alyana Aguja
- 2 min read
Maine cuisine is a trove of New England taste, with fresh seafood, hearty chowders, and decadent desserts. With buttery lobster rolls and crunchy fried clams to the sour sweetness of wild blueberry pie, every meal is a narrative of coastal heritage and local love. Comfort food or adventure craving, these five traditional Maine meals are a flavorful ride through the center of New England cuisine.
1. Lobster Roll
Image from Allrecipes
No Maine trip is complete without a bite of a fresh, buttery lobster roll. The classic sandwich consists of sweet, tender lobster meat served on a toasted, split-top bun, cold with mayonnaise (Maine style) or hot with butter (Connecticut style—but shhh, don’t tell the natives!). With fries or a bag of chips, it’s the quintessential Maine coast flavor.
2. Clam Chowder
Image from Epicurious
Maine’s take on clam chowder is a rich, filling bowl of comfort, loaded with soft clams, potatoes, and onions. In contrast to its Rhode Island counterpart, which is watery, this New England version is loaded with milk or cream and is just the thing for a cold winter’s day. It’s often served at local restaurants with oyster crackers or even a hunk of freshly baked bread.
3. Blueberry Pie
Image from Allrecipes
Maine grows more wild blueberries than all other states combined, so a blueberry pie from there is an absolute must-have dessert. The small, sweet berries bring just the right amounts of sweetness and tartness, all baked in a golden, flaky crust. Served with a side of vanilla ice cream, it’s the ideal finishing touch to a quintessential Maine dinner.
4. Fried Clams
Image from The Spruce Eats
A Maine seafood shack mainstay, fried clams are golden, crunchy mouthfuls of sea goodness. The best ones use whole-belly clams, which are dredged in a light batter made from cornmeal and then deep-fried to a crispy golden brown. Served with tartar sauce and fries, they are the epitome of coastal eating.
5. Whoopie Pie
Image from Handle the Heat
Though Pennsylvania also lays claim to this treat, Maine officially declares the whoopie pie its state dessert. Soft, cakey chocolate disks enclose a light, sweet cream filling to make a comforting and tasty bite. Store-bought or homemade, they’re a sweet treat no visitor to the Pine Tree State should be without.