Food

There’s almost always a line outside Red’s Eats (41 Water St., Wiscasset, 207/882-6128, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Thu., 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., noon–6 p.m. Sun. late May–mid-Oct., $3–14), a little shack overlooking the bridge over the Sheepscot River—and with good reason. Locals and out-of-towners alike know it’s the best place in town, if not the state, for lobster rolls, to say nothing of hot dogs and other handy snacks. (The view from the picnic tables by the river isn’t bad either.) More opportunities for outdoor eating are rampant along the peninsula, which specializes in places for lobster-in-the-rough.

Try Robinson’s Wharf (20 Hendricks Hill Rd., 207/633-3830, www.robinsonswharf.com [1], 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Tue.–Sat., $5–35) on Southport Island south of Boothbay Harbor [2]. If it comes from the sea, they probably steam, fry, and serve it at dozens of outdoor tables. (If you are around on Tuesday, it’s two-for-one lobsters!)

Standing out from the town’s many family-style restaurants, the Thistle Inn (55 Oak St., Boothbay Harbor, 877/633-3541, www.thethistleinn.com [3], 5–10 p.m. daily late May–mid-Oct.; 4:30–9 p.m. Tue.–Sat. mid-Oct.–late May, $9–29) has an excellent dining room in its cozy captain’s house. The menu is a solid mix of new American cuisine, including seared tuna, seafood bouillabaisse, and herb-encrusted rack of lamb. The pub next door serves Angus burgers and lighter fare; its bar is an 18-foot dory that once sailed the surrounding waters.