Maine’s newest vegetarian restaurants
Sample summer at these Vacationland spots serving all plant-based eats
The deck at S+P Social in Newcastle. COURTESY PHOTO.
By Avery Yale Kamila
UNDER THE WARM SUN, the covered deck overlooking the Damariscotta River at Salt + Pepper Social, 67 Main Street in Newcastle, encapsulates all the best parts of summer in Maine: water views, pleasant breezes, cool drinks and an ever-changing menu of plant-based meals ranging from chickenless salad croissants to vegan meatball subs to truffle mushroom flatbread.
Plus, there are brunch eats like vegan quiche or blueberry coffee cake, and always plenty of baked goods. Salt + Pepper even crafts house-made vegan soft-serve. Open from spring through late fall, Salt + Pepper Social is one of three vegetarian restaurants that opened in Maine last year, each of them vegan.
“Although we officially close at 2 p.m., customers should keep an eye on our website and Instagram for special Drinks on the Deck and tapas nights, multicourse dinners and the occasional sit-down brunch,” says Shelby Faux, who owns the restaurant with sister-in-law Payson Cunningham.
The restaurant also houses a vegan market, which sells pantry staples, drinks, beer, wine and frozen ready-to-heat meals from the S+P kitchen.
Away from the coast and housed in a longtime burger and ice cream bar in the college town of Gorham, Curbside Comforts, 680 Gray Road, offers traditional roadside fare but with a plant-based twist.
Curbside Comfort’s vegan soft serve. PHOTO: AVERY YALE KAMILA
This means the cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, mac and cheese, chicken tenders, shakes, sundaes and ice cream are all vegan. The restaurant, which started as a food truck in 2021, opened early last summer and was slammed with business through late fall. “This location has always been an ice cream shop since the 1960s,” says owner Suzanne Dawson. “Local people have been coming since they were children, and many are very happy to see something in this spot again.”
While the winter months saw business dip, Dawson notes that “we sold a fair amount of ice cream in the winter.” Curbside Comforts offers both regular and soft serve in a range of flavors.
With outdoor picnic seating, this summer, the takeout spot will feature regular food specials, entertainment and fundraisers for animal causes.
In historic downtown Biddeford, Vickie’s Veggie Table, 299 Main Street, is a mother-daughter shop specializing in juices, smoothies, sandwiches and salads.
Located near the production facility for Tootie’s Tempeh, Vickie’s Veggie Table uses the locally made tempeh in a number of popular sandwiches, including the maple-chipotle-avocado BLT (a hit during Maine Restaurant Week) and a tempeh breakfast sandwich with cashew mozzarella and a tofu egg.
On the last Sunday of each month, the restaurant hosts an open mic night and sells vegan pizza. “We also serve banana bread cake and vegan chocolate ice cream from Sweetcream Dairy down the street,” says Vickie Charity-McGuirk, who co-owns the business with daughter Melanie McGuirk.
Build-your-own açaí bowls, cold-pressed juices and smoothies are top sellers and tasty ways to cool off on a summer day in Maine.
Now the only question is: Which Maine vegetarian restaurant will you visit next?
Vickie’s Veggie Table’s Maple Chipotle Avocado BLT sandwich. COURTESY PHOTO
More vegetarian eateries to visit in Maine
Chase’s Daily
96 Main St., Belfast
207-338-0555
Farm-to-table vegetarian market, bakery and restaurant.
Earth Candy
385 Main Street, Rockland
207-593-8269
Juice and smoothie bar located in a hot yoga studio that offers noodle bowls, wraps and vegan doughnuts.
Falafel Mafia Food Truck
Portland Food Truck Park and other locations, Portland
207-468-5124
Falafel pitas, falafel bowls and shawarma-dusted fries.
Gatherings 4 Main Street
4 Main Street, Dexter
207-924-2232
Community center offering vegan and vegetarian lunches, such as burritos or Pad Thai, on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro
608 Congress Street, Portland
207-347-3111
Full-service restaurant offering Asian-inspired cuisine, with curries, stir fries, soups and vegan desserts.
The Juicery
5 1/2 Moulton Street, Portland
207-773-7374
Juice and smoothie bar with salads, toasts and baked goods.
Little Lad’s Cafe
317 Main Street, Corinth
207-285-3300
Vegan sandwiches, soups, salads, popcorn and baked goods.
Namaste Indian Food
930 Commercial Street, Rockport
207-992-6347
Vegetarian and vegan Indian take-out.
Nectar of Maine
Highland Lake Resort, 115 North High Street, Bridgton
207-803-8572
Smoothie shop and market with breakfast, soups, salads, wraps, pizza and baked goods.
Snagglebites at Frinklepod Farm
244 Log Cabin Road, Arundel
207-289-5805
Farm-to-table vegan lunches and vegetarian market.
The Grateful Cup
46 Veranda Street, Portland
207-712-0239
Juice and smoothie bar with grab-and-go salads.
The Greenhouse by Sao Food Cart
Cornish, Limerick, Buxton and surrounding area 207-636-6592
Southern-style vegan meals.
t o a s t sandwich shop
7 Shapleigh Road, Kittery
Gluten-free sourdough bread made into vegan and vegetarian toasts.
Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck
Western Promenade, corner of Bolton and Congress streets, Portland
207-420-8341
Burgers, hot dogs, Reubens and cheesy fries.
Wanderlust Juicery
4 Mechanic Street, Freeport
207-869-5086
Juice and smoothie bar with salads and toasts.
Read more about eating plant-based in Maine
Plus over a dozen more Vacationland eateries serving all plant-based dishes.