Bangor
Bagel Central
33 Central St., Bangor, ME 04401
(207) 947-1654
Café/bakery. Located in the heart of downtown Bangor, Bagel Central offers a wide variety of bagels and spreads, including a house-made vegan tofu cream cheese. This eatery also carries some vegan dessert pastries. The atmosphere is friendly and vibrant, featuring paintings from local artists on the walls. Bagel Central is a great place to go for a quick and delicious bagel, soup, sandwich, or sweet treat.
Giacomo’s
1 Central St., Bangor, ME 04401
(207) 947-3702
Café/coffeehouse. Giacomo’s serves a variety of Panini sandwiches, each of which is available grilled or ungrilled on your choice of bread, wrap, or served as a salad or pizza. There are several vegetarian selections, noted with a heart on the menu, and the majority of those can be made vegan. Examples of such Panini sandwiches include Vegetable Antipasto, Caprese, and Grilled Vegetable. They also carry a selection of vegan Whoopie pies, a Maine tradition, and vegan breakfast scones. Enjoy outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, and great music. The café is located in the heart of downtown Bangor. Giacomo’s is closed on Fridays and Saturdays between lunch and late night service, so please call ahead for hours.
The Juice Cellar
76 Main St., Bangor, ME 04401
(207) 433-7646
Vegan/juice bar. See description under Belfast, ME entry. The Bangor location is located next to the Discovery Museum and has made-to-order salads, expanded food options, and a special kid’s menu in a comfortable café setting.
Bar Harbor
(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Ellsworth.)
2 Cats
130 Cottage St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-2808
Café. 2 Cats is a cozy café, coffeehouse, and inn known far-and-wide for its wonderful breakfasts. Enjoy coffee, juices, and baked goodies made fresh on-site each day. 2 Cats is a place to unwind and relax, especially on their outdoor patio where you can dine in nice weather.
Café This Way
14 1/2 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-4483
American. Café This Way has an extravagant breakfast menu, nearly all of which can be made vegetarian (if it’s not already) with mockmeats like veggie sausage. They have a few vegan breakfast items as well. Dinner has slightly less options, but there are vegetarian appetizers to choose from as well as a variety of salads and two entrées (Southwest Tempeh Steak and Cashew-Crusted Tofu). Enjoy dining on the outdoor deck in nice weather. Please note that Café This Way is closed between breakfast and dinner so call ahead for hours.
Gringo’s
30 Rodick St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-2326
Mexican. Gringo’s is a vegan-friendly restaurant serving Mexican dishes with optional tofu in place of meat. They also offer many vegetarian burritos. Gringo’s is a local favorite in the beautiful town of Bar Harbor and is open seasonally.
The Looking Glass
50 Eden St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-3348
Natural foods. This restaurant is located next to two hotels overlooking Frenchman Bay in Bar Harbor. They offer a separate vegan/gluten-free menu including items such as Coconut Crusted Tofu, Roasted Eggplant Quinoa Salad, Braised Fennel, Tomato, and Mushroom Stew, and Potato and Cabbage Croquettes. The menu is available to hotel guests as well as the general public.
Belfast
Belfast Co-op Deli
123 High St., Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-2532
Natural foods. Belfast Co-op serves three vegetarian entrées daily, as well as salads and breads.
Open daily for breakfast and lunch
Chase’s Daily
96 Main St., Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-0555
Vegetarian/American. Chase’s Daily is a vegetarian restaurant with creative dishes. They use fresh produce gathered from their own farm. Popular dishes include Soba Noodles with Spicy Grilled Tofu, Napa Cabbage Salad, and the Black Beans and Rice Burrito. They also feature a daily soup.
Darby’s Restaurant & Pub
155 High St., Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-2339
International. Darby’s Restaurant & Pub has operated continuously since 1865 with the original walls, tin ceiling, and antique bar. There are some vegetarian items offered including the Fiesta Salad (available with vegetarian black beans), portobello sandwich, Pad Thai (available with tofu), and Bombay Curry (available with tofu). Darby’s is located in the historic downtown of Belfast, just two doors down from the Colonial Theatre (movie theater). Reservations are recommended.
The Juice Cellar
9 Beaver St., Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 226-3656
Vegan/juice bar. The Juice Cellar has a wide selection of creative juices and smoothies. Choose from popular items like the Bold as Love (juice made from beets, apple, and ginger) or the Hello World (a smoothie containing spinach, mango, banana, and pineapple). Be sure to check out the salad menu or any interesting snacks they may be offering. Occasional treats include anything from vegan cheese to macaroons.
Bethel
Café DiCocoa
125 Main St., Bethel, ME 04217
(207) 824-5282
Vegetarian. Café DiCocoa is a self-proclaimed “funky and hip natural foods eatery.” Located in an 1880s Victorian farmhouse, this café has a full bakery and holds cooking and baking classes. They are kid-friendly and do vegetarian catering.
Biddeford
New Morning Natural Foods
230 Main St., Biddeford, ME 04005
(207) 282-1434
Natural foods store/organic/café. New Morning Natural Foods is a family-run labor of love. They offer whole, organic foods, bulk items, organic produce, and more! They have a café in the back of the store with an ever-changing selection of creative entrées, a wide variety of sandwiches, and homemade soups and chili. Please note that only the Biddeford location contains a café.
Brunswick
Henry and Marty Restaurant
61 Maine St., Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 721-9141
Organic/natural foods. Henry and Marty Restaurant uses the best local ingredients available to create food that celebrates the season. They offer a few vegan options, and almost every dish is gluten-free or can be prepared gluten-free. Try dishes such as the awesome Pasta with Henry’s Red Sauce (made with vegan soy meatballs), the Roasted Delicata Squash (with Maine maple syrup, stuffed with red and white Quinoa, topped with a drizzle of roasted butternut squash seed oil), or the Tempeh Sauté (organic soy tempeh with caramelized leeks and toasted pumpkin seeds, topped with a slow roasted heirloom tomato sauce, and served with Himalayan Red rice and a vegetable). Hours may change seasonally, so please call ahead or check online.
The Healthy Café at Mid Coast Hospital
329 Maine St., Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 373-2248
Vegetarian/cafeteria. This hospital café is open to both staff and visitors and is completely vegetarian. They use mostly organic ingredients and locally-sourced foods whenever possible. Each day the café features a different cuisine, such as American or Asian.
Wild Oats Bakery & Café
Tontine Mall, 149 Maine St., Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 725-6287
Bakery/café/deli. Wild Oats is a from-scratch bakery, café, and deli in the heart of downtown Brunswick. They have a revolving selection of deli salads, many of which are vegan, and they usually have at least one vegan soup. They don’t offer vegan bakery items. Have a refreshing fruit salad or a cup of coffee while surfing the Internet. Free Wi-Fi is available. Check out each day’s menu online or sign-up to receive it by email. Wild Oats is located in the Tontine Mall, across from Pleasant Street, and within easy walking distance of Bowdoin College.
Ellsworth
Riverside Café
151 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605
(207) 667-7220
American. Enjoy breakfast or lunch in the relaxing environment of the Riverside Café. The restaurant offers a separate vegetarian menu, including The Illusive Tofu Scramble, The TLT, and 151 Main, a vegan French toast dish.
Freeport
Royal River Natural Foods
443 US Route 1, Freeport, ME 04032
(207) 865-0046
Natural foods store/organic. Royal River Natural Foods is a health market specializing in local and organic foods. They offer tofu cheeses, meat substitutes, and other vegan items; local organic produce; fresh-baked bread; special dietary products; organic and specialty wines; local and micro-brewed beer; gourmet treats; cruelty-free body care items; and eco-friendly household goods. Royal River also offers delicious take-out foods such as sandwiches, soups, muffins, and salads. Table seating is available. Check their website for daily hot deli choices, fresh organic juice schedule, and upcoming seminars and other events. The store is located in downtown Freeport near L.L. Bean.
The Corsican Restaurant
9 Mechanic St., Freeport, ME 04032
(207) 865-9421
Natural foods. Homemade vegetarian soups, unique whole-wheat pizza, calzones, and fresh baked breads are offered daily. Delicious pies and cakes are also available for dessert. No smoking is allowed.
Kennebunk
New Morning Natural Foods
3 York St., Kennebunk, ME 04043
(207) 985-6774
Natural foods store/organic. See description under Biddeford, ME.
locations
Kittery
Maine Squeeze Smoothie & Juice Café
7 Wallingford Sq., Kittery, ME 03904
(207) 703-2079
Vegetarian/juice bar. Enjoy a wide variety of smoothies and fresh juices including the Chocoholic, Very Berry, and Lemon Zinger. They also serve an AcaiI bowl.
Lewiston
She Doesn’t Like Guthries
115 Middle St., Lewiston, ME 04240
(207) 376-3344
American/eclectic. She Doesn’t Like Guthries is an inviting restaurant filled with local art and live music. They offer many vegetarian and vegan selections such as their Vegan Burrito or Marquee Moon Panini (request the turkey be replaced with Tofurky). They make every effort to be eco-conscious and have been certified as a Green Restaurant by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Free Wi-Fi is available.
Norway
Taste of Eden Vegan Café
238 Main St., Norway, ME 04268
(207) 739-6090
Vegan/café. The Taste of Eden Vegan Café, located in the center of Main Street, is committed to promoting a healthy, vegan lifestyle for its customers. Some of their weekly specials include vegetable pot pie, chickpea alfredo, and spinach lasagna. They also occasionally offer small group vegan cooking classes, and the restaurant includes a small vegan store with ingredients and cookbooks.
Portland
(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Biddeford and Freeport.)
Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro
608 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101
(207) 347-3111
Vegetarian/Asian. Asian-inspired vegetarian cuisine is the focus at Green Elephant. Most items are vegan (and are noted as such on the menu) or can be made vegan. All “meats” are vegetarian soy. The menu offers a good variety and includes entrées such as Watercress Veggie-Duck, Organic Green Tea Noodle, and Veggie Citrus Spare Ribs. Green Elephant is closed between lunch and dinner so please call for hours.
The Works Bakery Café
15 Temple St., Portland, ME 04101
(207) 879-2425
Bagel deli. More than 16 varieties of bagels are offered with various topping options, including cream cheeses, Tofutti spreads, salads, and other vegetarian combinations. Only natural ingredients without preservatives are used. The Works Bakery Café is environmentally conscious and socially active in its community.
Whole Foods Market
2 Somerset St., Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-7711
Natural foods store/deli. A wide variety of vegetarian and vegan foods are offered in the deli and on the salad bar.
Woolwich
Taste Of Maine
161 Main St., Woolwich, ME 04579
(207) 443-4554
American. This seafood restaurant overlooking Pleasant Cove has a separate vegan menu. They serve vegan nachos and potato skins as appetizers, sandwiches, pizza, as well as vegan main dishes such as stroganoff with mushrooms and stuffed ravioli. Weather permitting, you can also dine outside on their deck.