Whereas the charming coastal metropolis of Portland is commonly thought of Maine’s high culinary vacation spot (it slays on the fine-dining, cocktail, and brewery fronts), a mere 20-minute jaunt down south lands you in Biddeford, a eating up-and-comer that calls for your full gastronomical consideration.

The longtime mill city is blossoming as a food-lover’s haven, with higher-end gems going toe-to-toe with high quality lunch spots, cocktail lairs, and breweries galore. Small marvel that the town bought its first boutique lodge final yr, and even smaller marvel that out-of-town diners are actually mixing it up with locals and college students from the close by College of New England. Earlier than you e-book your eating street journey, only one caveat: a variety of companies are solely open Thursdays by Sundays throughout the coldest months, and a few take temporary wintertime siestas to prepare for the excessive season (so do your due diligence).

Listed here are 9 causes to drive to Biddeford, Maine for a weekend getaway from Boston.

It’s residence to the most effective diner in Maine

Locations don’t get rather more intimate than Palace Diner—simply 15 seats on the counter of a revamped practice eating automobile. However that solely partly explains the infinite wait instances. Individuals flock from everywhere in the area to get their fingers on the diner’s Cheeseburger or Tuna Soften, in addition to its many delectable breakfast choices, particularly the Deluxe Sandwich (bacon or sausage, egg, cheddar, jalapenos, mayo) and the Buttermilk Flapjacks. In actual fact, Palace Diner will get a variety of credit score for placing Biddeford on the bigger Maine eating map—and now’s probably the most coveted seat on the town.

A burgeoning fine-dining scene showcases each edge and invention

When chef Bowman Brown first opened Elda on the finish of 2017, many heads have been scratched. Was downtown Biddeford prepared for an edgy, prix-fixe eating expertise on the second flooring of a revamped mill constructing? However naysayers have been shortly silenced by Brown’s ingenious cooking that celebrated the state’s bounty in thrilling new methods (there’s a cause the New York Occasionstook early discover.) Biddeford has since added a second fine-dining spot to its dance card: Magnus on Water, an elegant, intimate tapas spot with a seafood focus—chef Ben Jackson earned his stellar repute at Portland’s late, lamented Drifter’s Spouse—and an aesthetic straight out of Scandinavia.

Take your decide from informal eateries showcasing seafood, sandwiches, and pho

You don’t must pony up for a elaborate meal to bask within the downtown eating scene.

Fish & Whistle—from married Portland restaurant expats Jason Eckerson and Kate Hamm—lures in lunchtime regulars with its Smoked Fish Dip, Fish & Chips, and the Marinara Squidwich that includes fried native squid. Dizzy Hen Rotisserie sources its natural, Halal-certified chickens from a single farm in Canada, which interprets to an extremely juicy chicken (the BBQ Ribs are price a return go to). At Rover Bagel contained in the Pepperell Mill, the Basic Salmon smoked salmon bagel sandwich is implausible—simply get there early as a result of their wood-fired bagel beauts promote out shortly. These in quest of genuine pho ought to beeline it to Que Huong for a no-frills however satiating meal. And the Italian sub at Half & Parcel rivals something present in New York Metropolis—although older locals will argue that nothing beats the Basic Italian at George’s Sandwich Store, open since 1948 and lately saved from closure because of new house owners. On Saturday mornings, don’t miss brunch at Jack Rabbit. The Scandinavian bakery is Bowman Brown’s newest enterprise and the Comfortable-Scrambled Eggs are a must-try.

The steller brewery scene serves suds of all types

Biddeford boasts a humiliation of beer riches. Begin out at Run of the Mill (technically over the border in Saco), the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in considered one of 30 on-site brewed ales alongside together with your pub lunch. Blissful hour at Batson River is a perfect time to strive their black lager, Schwarzbier; and Barreled Souls additionally opens its tasting room early sufficient to entice afternoon imbibers with its stouts and sours. Sacred Profane solely makes lager (Darkish, a darkish brew and Pale, a light-weight brew), however relaxation assured it’ll be top-of-the-line you’ve ever tasted. Find yourself at Banded Brewery, Biddeford’s very first brewery, for a Cocoa and Peppermint Stout, some pinball, and a sausage sandwich. There’s even excellent news for these with dietary restrictions: Fortunate Pigeon solely brews gluten-free beers, the primary brewery in all of Maine to take action.

Craft cocktail spots and native distilleries supply gorgeous concoctions

Whereas Biddeford may be extra of a beer city, its dedication to wine and craft cocktails is steadily rising. Lorne is a each wine bar and store, a serene respite serving curated wines by the glass together with its Deal with of the Day, a uncommon gem served at or close to value. Magnus on Water truly started as a straight-up cocktail bar, and beverage director Brian Catapang stays dedicated to whipping up gorgeous, outré craft concoctions served in next-level glassware. Spherical Flip Distilling focuses all its energies on gin, which you’ll be able to strive in varied cocktail iterations inside its tasting room. Discover the night ingesting social gathering at The Foyer Bar contained in the Lincoln Lodge, which rocks a moody supper membership vibe and does pleasant elixirs alongside its curated beer and wine lists; proceed the social gathering downstairs at Batson, which can also be a distillery. And how are you going to not love Martini’s on Primary, a martini and dessert bar that stays open till 1am on Friday and Saturday nights? (Biddeford, it should be famous, is in any other case an early-to-bed city.)

Native bookstores serve drinks with their page-turners

We reserve a particular place in our hearts for indie bookstores that additionally serve drinks. Components presents a bit of little bit of every little thing: pour-over espresso, craft beer, wines by the glass, and do-it-yourself pastries alongside its curated e-book choice (little shock that UNE college students gap up right here for the day). And if you happen to’re feeling impressed, head down the road to Rabelais, a hidden gem that focuses on out-of-print cookbooks and different uncommon food and drinks writings.

Indie boutiques dot the up-coming-downtown

As befits an up-and-coming downtown with a collegiate component, Biddeford is beginning to amass an enthralling assortment of indie boutiques. Dapper & Co. caters to the well-appointed dude, whereas Suger options the clothes and separates of Biddeford textile firm Angelrox. Half & Parcel additionally sells a capsule assortment of kitchen equipment, and White Door Dwelling Retailer mixes it up with each new and restored furnishings and residential equipment.

A brand new lodge inside a transformed mill house presents beautiful lodgings

No have to day-trip and break up: Have we talked about that Biddeford now has a glamorous new lodge? The Lincoln Lodge is in one other transformed mill house, and the rooms mirror that historical past: big, brickwalled areas retrofitted with luxurious king beds, distant managed fireplaces, and big glass showers that offer you an in-room spa expertise. And simply tuck this data away for a later date: the rooftop pool reopens in Might.

Native souvenirs may be nibbled on at residence (or drive again)

It’s inconceivable to hit all of Biddeford’s culinary gems in a single go-around, so plan to fill your again seat with take-away vittles. The Chocolate-Hazelnut Croissants at Jack Rabbit are an absolute should, as are the Scorching Cross Buns and Butter Cookies at Reilly’s Bakery, an old-school joint straight out of Little Italy. And Nibblesford Cheese Store is one other meals haven that invitations you to go residence with a stash of native Maine cheeses.

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