Open 24 hours a day, Dysart’s (Coldbrook Rd., I-95 exit 180, 207/942-4878, www.dysarts.com, $4–19) is the ultimate truck-stop restaurant, with lumberjack-sized portions of steak and seafood dishes, Dagwood sandwiches, free bottomless cups of coffee and “wicked good” homemade apple crisp.

Authentic South Asian food is served at the family-run Bahaar Pakistani Restaurant (23 Hammond St., 207/945-5979, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Thu.; 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri.–Sat., $10–15)—with simple but spicy fare that may surprise palates used to Indian food with a markedly different spice combos.

Good international fusion can be hard to find in northern Maine. Consider Thistles Restaurant (175 Exchange St., 207/945-5480, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 4:30–9 p.m. Tue.–Sat., $11–26) an oasis, with entrées drawn from South American, Mediterranean, and Greek influences—everything from fettuccine Bolognese to Argentinean-style skirt steak—served with white-tablecloth service. For value-conscious diners all plates are available in half-portions. Tango Tuesdays feature live tango music.