Gourmet Almanac

From feast to frenzy, Portland’s eateries are like the weather.
If you don’t like what you see, just wait a minute.
Here’s a closer look and a calendar—so you can really keep score.

WG20 Foodie Guide If you love change, you’re in the right place. The quickest way to usher it in is to be named the Foodiest City in America—two years ago. Shuttered shockers include Silly’s, Brian Boru, Andy’s Pub, and Local Sprouts. Despite having been the scene of horrific molestation crimes over three decades ago (and a trend-seeking restoration last year), Cole Farms in Gray closed its doors after 68 years on January 13. New favorites are popping up just as quickly—Anoche, Copper Branch, Congress Bar & Grill, and Other Side Diner. Dos Naciones, Mexican and Salvadoran, fills the space vacated by Local Sprouts. Via Vecchia, launched by the owners of Blyth & Burrows, welcomes diners at the former Vignola’s. The Knotted Apron replaces the popular Woodfords neighborhood spot JP Bistro (now in Falmouth). In surging Biddeford, look for Magnus on Water, a cocktail bar promising a menu full of locally foraged goods. South Portland crowds into Judy Gibson, inspired by the former chef de cuisine at Eventide. Terlingua is moving to the space vacated by Silly’s. In Brunswick, the owners of Portland’s Yobo are opening Maine Street Steak & Oyster. Here are some musical chairs: Maria’s to Espo’s, 207 Bar and Restaurant to the former Cumberland Avenue location of Maria’s. What we have here is a frenzy, not a quilt.

Excitement drives 2020’s special events where time and season are everything, such as lobster, clam and oyster festivals, and strawberry and blueberry celebrations. Some are driven by cultural imperatives—the Greek Festival, Italian Bazaar, and Scottish festivals. Still others, like Harvest on the Harbor, are a big grab at the ocean we share. We hope you’re hungry for action this year, and we hope you enjoy this year’s calendar of culinary attractions!

January

17–20 / 24–25 Glacier Ice Bar & Lounge
Sip cocktails at what’s equally the “hottest and coolest” bar on the Maine coast at the Annual Glacier Ice Bar & Lounge at the Samoset Resort. It’s the perfect option for a staycation, with bites from Enoteca Wine Bar and live entertainment at La Bella Vita. samosetresort.com

18 Bar Harbor Winter Beer Fest
Back at Atlantic Brewing Company, the festival celebrates regional craft beer, local food, and has winter fun for the whole family. Fire pits and the heated tasting room will offer shelter from the cold, and BLAZE will be there with their mobile food trailer. Visitbarharbor.com

23–25 Portland Harbor Hotel Ice Bar
The pop-up ice bar returns once again at the BlueFin restaurant. With a live DJ, ice sculptures, complimentary food, specialty martinis, and fire pits, why wouldn’t you go? Bluefinportland.com

24–26 Pies on Parade
Dubbed “Pie Town USA” by Food Network, Rockland hosts the 15th annual pie-centric parade in honor of National Pie Day (January 23). Sample more than 50 pies, including savory twists like gourmet pizza pies and seafood pies from local businesses. Ticket sales benefit the AIO Food Pantry. Historicinnsofrockland.com

25 Portland on Tap
Kick-off the new year at the Cross Insurance Arena. Step it up a notch and go VIP if you want to try over 120 beers from 60 different brewers. Crossarenaportland.com

27 Portland Food Council Annual Party
Celebrate Portland Food Council and the relaunch of Fork Food Lab. Over drinks and bites, Portland’s foodies can meet Fork and council members and learn more about supporting the local food system. Portlandfoodcouncil.org

30–Feb. 2 Carnaval Maine
Portland’s Eastern Prom becomes a winter wonderland with ice sculptures, illumination art, bonfires, sledding, food pairings, and special igloo soiree events.

February

1 Chef Summit
The fifth annual Chef Summit at Sunday River brings 12 chefs together for a unique evening of world-class food and beverages. It’s the foodiest event of the year on the mountain. Sundayriver.com

7-8 / Mar 6-7 Winter Yurt Dinners
Head to Tops’l Farm for an intimate woodland dining experience co-hosted by Morse’s Sauerkraut. Topslfarm.com

9-16 From Maine with Love
Allagash’s celebration of all things Maine including a chocolate tasting flight on Feb 15 featuring local chocolatiers paired with special Allagash beers. Allagash.com

14 Whiskey Chamber Valentine
Enjoy specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvre pairings while listening to the “genre-defying” string quartet Invoke at Maine Craft Distilling this Valentine’s Day. pcmf.org

15 Wine / Champagne Brunch
An attractive alternative to the crowded evenings, Union offers up a special Saturday brunch featuring sparkling wine pairings and tasty treats. Unionportland.com

15 Wines & Valentines at The Burleigh
The Kennebunkport Inn continues the romantic season with a wine and small-plate tasting. Whether you bring your partner or ride it solo, this event is guaranteed to warm you up.

21-22 Ice Bar
Head north to the Brunswick Hotel and Tavern for their annual celebration. Warm up with an assortment of specialty drinks, hors d’oeuvres, outdoor grilling, and live entertainment each night from 5-10 p.m. Thebrunswickhotelandtavern.com

28 Incredible Breakfast Cook-Off
Kick-off Maine Restaurant Week at Sea Dog Brewing Company in South Portland. Taste everything participants have to offer and vote for your favorites as they compete for “Maine’s Best Breakfast.” A portion of the proceeds benefit Preble Street. Mainerestaurantweek.com.

March

1 Maine Restaurant Week
2020 marks the 12-year anniversary of Maine Restaurant Week, when practically every restaurant in town offers multi-course menus at fixed prices. It’s the deal of the year, so be sure to grab reservations in January or February. Mainerestaurantweek.com

1 The Crave Tasting & Competition
Head over to Coffee by Design’s roastery to try coffee-infused sweets and treats. Mainerestaurantweek.com

8 Spirit Quest
A self-guided walking tour through the Old Port and Arts District takes guests on a journey to taste the best cocktails and paired bites the city has to offer. Mainerestaurantweek.com

19 Annual Spring Equinox Dinner
Spring for this annual event at Union and savor the creative talents of Executive chef Josh Berry as he seeks out and shares with diners the very best offerings our local farmers have as the welcome season arrives. Unionportland.com

22 Maine Maple Sunday
Get an up-close glimpse at how Maine maple syrup producers create liquid gold on Maine Maple Sunday—always the fourth Sunday in March at sugarhouses all over Maine. Bring your sweet tooth! Mainemapleproducers.com

25 Mardi Gras
WMPG hosts the twenty-fourth Fat Tuesday party at the USM Woodbury Campus Center. There will be live Acadian and New Orleans music and local restaurants prepare their best Cajun and Creole dishes to be crowned the champion of the Cajun Cookin’ Challenge. Wmpg.org

28 Maine Brewfest: Spring Session
After a day of skiing and snowboarding on the mountain, switch gears at night at Sunday River’s third annual brew festival, highlighting 100 different beers and ciders from 40 local brewers. The event, which kicks off the mountain’s Spring Festival Weekend, includes plenty to eat and live music to rock out to. Sundayriver.com/events/maine-brew-fest

28 Chili Chowder Challenge
Recognized as the biggest and longest-lasting chili and chowder competition in Maine, the nineteenth annual challenge in Augusta is a fun and food-filled family event. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Center. Beyond the main event of tasting the state’s best chili and chowder from local restaurants and caterers, guests can enjoy crafts, a silent auction, and live music. Childrensctr.org

29 Eat the Heat Chili Cookoff
Warm up with delicious chili at Sunday River’s chili cookoff, where local restaurants vie for the title of the Champion of Chili. There’ll be celebrity judges, and you get a say in the People’s Choice. Sundayriver.com

April

24 Seaweed Week
The nation’s first seaweed-focused restaurant week and festival coincides with the annual kelp harvest. Maine’s top chefs, mixologists, brewers, and distilleries in Portland and beyond put native seagreens front and center on their menus. Through May 2. seaweedweek.org.

25 Gulf of Maine Seafood Celebration
Give a toast to the bounty of the ocean and mingle with marine scientists, local fishermen, and more while tasting an endless array of dishes highlighting the best our waters have to offer.

25 Chocolate Lover’s Fling
Get your fill of chocolatey goodness at the 2020 Chocolate Lover’s Fling at Grace. With desserts from Standard Baking Company, the Holy Donut, Izzy’s Cheesecakes and more, there’s no heading home hungry from this annual event. Chocolateloversfling.org

May

1 Fiddlehead Season Starts
Once winter’s frost melts away, fiddlehead season begins! Try these furled fronds of young ostrich ferns yourself. Harvested as a vegetable, their taste crosses asparagus, spinach, and mushrooms.

15 Wine and Beer Tasting
A wine and beer tasting fundraiser for the Maine Children’s Home for featuring local Maine breweries and wineries at Enchanted Gables in Oakland. Mainechildrenshome.org

23 Margarita Crawl
Get your nineties on! Nineties themed margarita crawl at multiple venues in Bangor, featuring the best of the 90’s costumes, music, and souvenir 90’s-themed Margarita Bar Crawl Koozie

June

2–7 Kennebunkport Festival
A week-long celebration of area chefs and craft beverage producers and distillers, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the spirit of Kennebunkport—one unforgettable bite and sip at a time. Kennebunkportfestival.com

6 Street Eats and Beats
Street Eats and Beats at Thompson Point will wow you out with an impressive array of food trucks, cocktails and drinks, and at least two live bands. Visitportland.com

12 Ogunquit’s Day in the Park
The second annual Ogunquit’s Day in the Park includes concerts, vendors, and food trucks. VisitOgunquit.org

15-21 Portland Wine Week
Wine, food, wicked fun, more wine. Portlandwineweek.me

25–27 Greek Festival
A 3-day event that draws over 10,000 people each year, the annual Greek Food Festival is a family-friendly Portland tradition. Come for the spanakopita, lamb souvlaki, and loukoumades—stay for the live music and traditional dancing! Holytrinityportland.org

27 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival
Fans of Maine’s official state treat will be in seventh heaven at the 2020 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival in Dover-Foxcroft. The ultimate education on all things “whoopie.” Mainewhoopiepiefestival.com

July

8–13 Central Maine Egg Festival
Truly the event of the year in Pittsfield is the annual Central Maine Egg Festival which celebrates the humble egg in style. You’ll never view eggs the same way again after witnessing the “Egglympics.” Centralmaineeggfestival.org

10–12 Moxie Festival
Held in Lisbon since 1982, the annual Moxie Festival is a Maine tradition like no other. Celebrate the origins of one of the world’s most eccentric beverages with other Moxie lovers from across the country. Did we mention we still love the taste all these years later? Moxiefestival.com

17–19 Yarmouth Clam Festival
A Maine summer tradition ever since 1965, the Yarmouth Clam Festival draws thousands of people each year for live music, arts & crafts and—of course—as many clams as you can put back. Don’t miss the Carnival on the Midway! Clamfestival.com

17–19 Maine Celtic Celebration
A fitting host city for such a celebration, Belfast presents its 14th annual Maine Celtic Celebration. Music, dancing, and feats of strength mark the occasion, but none compare with the remarkable cheese-rolling championship. Show up and cheer on the cheese-chasers…or the wheel of Dubliner. Mainecelticcelebration.com

18 Maine Potato Blossom Festival
Visit beautiful Aroostook County for the annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival this July. Over 100 performances, contests and activities round out what is undoubtedly the state’s biggest homage to the potato, including a…potato blossom pageant? You’ll just have to show up in Fort Fairfield to see it for yourself. Fortfairfield.org

25 Wells Harbor-Fest
Lumberman’s challenge, doughnut-eating contest, world championship lobster trap toss, pirate treasure hunt, what could be better? Visitmaine.com

26 Open Farm Day
Grow your sense of connection with Maine farmers on Open Farm Day, which gives families the chance to visit working farmers throughout all 16 Maine counties. It’s one of the most educational events of the year, with many farms offering plenty of tasty bites of locally grown meats and produce along the way. Maine.gov

24–25 Festival of Nations
Perhaps the most culturally diverse event to take place in Maine all year, the Festival of Nations in Deering Oaks Park is not to be missed. Expect a wide variety of authentic, traditional cuisines from around the world, as well as plenty of live music, dancing and other festivities. Visitportland.com

29–Aug. 4 Maine Lobster Festival
Lobster lovers have been flocking to Rockland since 1947 for the Maine Lobster Festival, complete with cooking contests, carnival rides, and plenty of culinary creations to try. All of the proceeds are donated back to communities in the Midcoast area each year. Mainelobsterfestival.com

Blueberry Season Begins
Look for local blueberries from late July through early September.

August

2–9 Allagash Oyster Week
Brewers and oyster farmers from all over Maine explore the art and celebration of pairing oysters and beer at Allagash Brewing Company in Portland. Allagash.com

8 Craft Brew Races
Best way to end a 5k? Refueling with a cold one! The Craft Brew Races in Portland is a series of 5k timed races followed by a 3-hour beer tasting from over 30 breweries as well as live music and food trucks. Craftbrewraces.com/portland/

8 South Portland Art in the Park Show
A must-attend event for anyone interested in supporting the local artist economy. With live music and a food court filled with sandwiches and ethnic cuisine, you won’t be leaving hungry. Southportland.org

14–16 Acadian Festival
Celebrate Acadian culture and history at the 42nd annual Acadian Festival in Madawaska. It might be a bit of a drive, but we promise the poutine and “baby crawling contest” will be worth it. Acadianfestival.com

15 Maine Highland Games and Scottish Festival
Get your fill of haggis and Scotch whiskey at the 2019 Maine Highland Games and Scottish Festival. Hosted by the St. Andrews Society of Maine, it’s the event of the year for anyone with an interest in Scottish culture. Yes–there will be bagpipes. Mainehighlandgames.org

14-16 St. Peter’s Church Annual Italian Bazaar
Classic Italian food, street games, and tons of family fun characterize the St. Peter’s Church Annual Italian Bazaar. Don’t leave without a sausage sandwich! Italianheritagecenter.com

22 Sanford on Tap
Sanford celebrates its third Sanford on Tap Event at Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport, with dozens of breweries, cider producers and tantalizing treats from a host of food trucks. Sanfordontap.org

22–29 Union Fair
If you’ve been looking for a place to try 20 Maine Wineries all at once, look no further. Grab a glass while watching horse racing and get ready to kick back. Mainewineryguild.com

29 Wells Chili-Fest
Fully sanctioned by the International Chili Society, the Wells Chili-Fest is a serious competition. Contestants will compete in various categories, including chili, chili verde, and salsa. Wellschilifest.com

September

13 Maine Cheese Festival
Sample the finest fromage Maine has to offer from over 30 creameries at the Maine Cheese Festival. This year at Savage Oaks Vinyard and Winery in Union, this festival is a unique opportunity to meet your local cheese makers, learn more about the process, and taste some of the most complex cheeses in the state. Mainecheeseguild.org

15 U-Pick Farms Open
Apple picking in full swing, pumpkin patches and corn mazes open for U-Pick. Visit pickyourown.org/MEsouth.htm for an updated list of U-Pick farms in Southern Maine.

19 Maine Open Winery Day
A statewide event dedicated to wineries and their customers. Not only will you taste, but you’ll learn what goes into your favorite adult grape juice. You’re welcome, wine lovers! Mainewineryguild.com.

25–27 Common Ground Country Fair
Celebrate rural living and organic farming at the Common Ground Country Fair in Unity. Presented by the Maine Organic Farming and Gardening Association (MOFGA), it’s an excellent chance to enjoy and embrace the bounty of our state— plus everything is organic and locally grown! mofga.org

26 Billtoberfest
Celebrate the work of head brewer Bill Boguski at Foulmouthed Brewing’s annual Oktoberfest event in South Portland. German food, beer, stein-hoisting competitions, and general merriment. Foulmouthedbrewing.com

October

3 Chowdah Challenge
Freeport’s Chowdah Challenge brings together offerings from area restaurants, all clamoring for first “plate.” With all proceeds benefiting Freeport Community Services programs, it’s a tasty win-win for everyone. Fcsmaine.org

3 Goods from the Woods
Oxbow Brewing Company’s annual celebration features a huge variety of rare beer, gourmet food from some of Portland’s finest chefs, live music, and art. Every attendee is sent home with a commemorative Oxbow glass and two very special bottles of Oxbow beer. Oxbowbeer.com

4–11 Fryeburg Fair
Maine’s Blue Ribbon Classic Agricultural Fair features the best of farming traditions, exhibits, competitions, horse pulls, and racing. Fryeburgfair.org

11 Open Creamery Day
Maine creameries statewide open their doors and barns. Taste award-winning cheeses, meet the animals, and take a tour to learn about cheesemaking.

11–18 Allagash Cheese Week
Pair flights, meet local cheese makers and get some first hand experience in the tasty art of pairing beer and cheese. Allagash.com

19 Saco Pumpkin Harvest Festival
Come on down to Saco and enjoy delicious treats, bed races, “Trunk or Treat,” and more! SacoMainStreet.org

21–25 Harvest on the Harbor
Harvest on the Harbor in Portland features a diver and engaging line-up of events highlighting food and drink from Maine’s best chefs and mixologists. Featuring a very happy Happy Hour with the Maine Distillers Guild and an opening night Chef & Farmer event. harvestontheharbor.com

November

21–22 Maine Harvest Festival
Experience the best of “farm fresh” at the Cross Insurance center in Bangor. A culmination of brewers, fiber artisans, chefs, and farmers, it’s an ideal way to sample and learn more about the Maine growing season. Maineharvestfestival.com

December

Scallop Season is in full swing. Get ’em while they’re fresh!

3–13 Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude
The Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude spans more than a full week to bring you near endless holiday cheer. Enjoy shopping, dining and plenty of merriness, including Santa on a lobster boat. Christmasprelude.com