Vegetarian Journal's Guide to Natural Foods Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada

Symbol Key:

•• Vegan or vegetarian restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

Maine

Bar Harbor

  (For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Ellsworth.)

Café Bluefish

122 Cottage St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609 

(207) 288-3696

International. Formerly Quiet Earth, Café Bluefish serves gourmet international cuisine in a charming European-style atmosphere. Vegetarian and non-dairy entrées are available. Open daily for dinner in summer. Full service, wine/beer/take-out, VISA/MC, $$.

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 not already vegetarian) with mock meats. 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 (Tempeh Steak and Teriyaki 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. Open daily for breakfast and dinner from May through October. Full service, vegan options, take-out, espresso/cappuccino, beer/wine/alcohol, VISA/MC, $$-$$$.

Gringo's

30 Rodick St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609

(207) 288-2326

Mexican. Gringo's is a vegan-friendly restaurant. Gringo's also promotes bands and holds charity concerts. Gringo's serves Mexican dishes with optional tofu alternatives in place of meat. They offer many vegetarian burritos, but many of their dishes include cheese. Gringo's caters and offers free soft serve ice cream with your order. Create your own burrito or smoothie. Open daily for three meals. Full service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, catering, soymilk, smoothies, beer, special drinks, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$.

The Alternative: A Community Market

16 Mount Desert St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609

(207) 288-8225

Natural foods store. The Alternative is a large natural foods store with smoothies, sandwiches, and some prepared salads. They have a lot of vegan options and you can eat-in if you'd like. Open daily. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, smoothies, VISA/MC, $$.

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. Limited service, take-out, fresh juices, $.

Darby's

155 High St., Belfast, ME 04915

(207) 338-2339

Natural foods. Darby's has operated continuously since 1845 with the original walls, ceiling, and antique bar. Macrobiotic specials are offered daily. Open daily. Full service, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC, $$.

Bethel

•• Café Dicocoa

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. Open year-round with seasonal hours. Full service, vegan options, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso/cappucino, soymilk, catering, VISA/MC/DISC/DC, $-$$.

Biddeford

New Morning Natural Food Market and Café

230 Main St., Biddeford, ME 04005

(207) 282-1434

Natural foods. The café offers an ever-changing selection of creative entrées. A wide variety of sandwiches is available on sourdough bread from a local bakery. There are also homemade soups and chili. Open Monday through Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, fresh juices, take-out, $.

Ellsworth

The Riverside Café

151 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605

(207) 667-7220

American. Enjoy breakfast or lunch in a totally non-smoking environment at 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. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. Full service, vegan options, counter service, fresh juices, espresso/cappuccino, soymilk, smoothies, take-out, $-$$.

Falmouth

O'Naturals

240 US Route 1, Falmouth, ME 04105

(207) 781-8889

Natural foods. O'Naturals is the brainchild of Gary Hirshberg, president of Stonyfield Farm yogurt company. He calls it "fast food with a mission." The focus is on organic and natural ingredients and there are many vegetarian selections as well as some vegan options. O'Naturals in Falmouth is located in The Shops at Falmouth Village. Open daily for three meals. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, catering, beer/wine, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $.

Freeport

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. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, wine/beer, take-out, $$.

Portland

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Biddeford and Freeport.)

Bagel Works, Inc.

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. Bagel Works is environmentally conscious and socially active in its community. Open daily. Counter service, vegan options, fresh juices, take-out, $.

•• 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. Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday and Monday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, soymilk, beer/wine, non-alcoholic beer, special beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$-$$$.

•• GRO - Grass Roots Organic Juice Bar & Café

437 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101

(207) 541-9119

Vegan/raw foods/organic. GRO or Grass Roots Organic Juice Bar & Café is gluten-free and 100% vegan! They use local ingredients as much as possible in their organic raw foods dishes. Try the veggie-ball sub, sesame spicy cold noodles, or one of their yummy desserts! GRO is next to Monument Square. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and early dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, VISA/MC, $-$$.

•• Little Lad's Bakery & Café

482 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101

(207) 871-1636

Vegan/café/bakery/kosher. Little Ladés Bakery & Café offers an all-vegan menu that is easy on the wallet. Stop in for breakfast or their very popular lunch buffet. The buffet includes a salad bar, soups, bread, dessert, sandwiches, and entrées. While the buffet menu rotates regularly, previous items have included Shepherdés Pie, Corn Pone Pie, Spoon Bread, and Sweet Peas. Cash only. Open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Buffet, take-out, catering, $.

O'Naturals

83 Exchange St., Portland, ME 04101

(207) 321-2050

Natural foods. See description under Falmouth, ME. Open Monday through Saturday for three meals. Open Sunday for lunch.

Pepperclub

78 Middle St., Portland, ME 04101

(207) 772-0531

International. The Pepperclub menu is approximately 50 percent vegetarian and 50 percent fish. There is always at least one vegan entrée offered daily. Open daily for dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, wine/beer, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$$.

Silly's

40 Washington Ave., Portland, ME 04101

(207) 772-0360

Natural foods. A small restaurant with a colorful atmosphere, Silly's has delicious food, with a variety that includes hummus, falafel, sesame noodles, pizza, Jamaican beans and rice, and sandwiches. The patio is open during the summer for dining. Silly's is very veg-friendly with its menu noting what is vegetarian and what is vegan. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, espresso/cappuccino, soymilk, beer/wine, special beverages, VISA/MC, $$.

The Whole Grocer

127 Marginal Way, Portland, ME 04101

(207) 774-7711

Natural foods deli. Whole Grocer has two featured soups daily, plus freshly baked muffins, sandwiches, and salads. Sometimes desserts are offered here. Open daily. Counter service, vegan options, wine/beer, take-out, $.

Walter's Café

15 Exchange St., Portland, ME 04101

(207) 871-9258

American. Walter's Café offers regional cuisine that is prepared fresh daily in the exhibition-style kitchen. Walter's offers friendly, courteous service in a casual but professional atmosphere. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, take-out, wine/beer, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

South Harpswell

J. Hathaways

923 Harpswell Neck Rd, South Harpswell, ME 04079

(207) 833-5305

American. Recommended by a local patron, this restaurant has a terrific vegetarian lasagna and a meatless chili topped with cornbread. The bean soup is also delicious. Open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, vegan options, $$.