Belfast is a cute and quaint seaside town in Midcoast Maine. It’s actually one of my favorite towns – the shops are unique and practical, it’s very walkable, and the restaurants are excellent.
Additionally, since it is one of the smaller coastal towns in the state, it is less crowded with tourists than other cities like Camden or Boothbay Harbor. I’ve never had issues finding parking during any season of the year, and there is often little to no wait at the restaurants on this list.
With that being said, you can’t go wrong with eating at any of these 5 Best Restaurants in Belfast, Maine.
**Note, these are in no specific order, they’re just numbered to keep track of them.
Check out some of our other recommendations in the Mid-Coast Maine region:
– 14 Fun Things To Do In Belfast, Maine
– Boothbay Harbor Travel Guide
– 11 Beautiful Public Gardens in Maine
1. Nautilus
Nautilus is one of my favorite restaurants in Maine! They serve up elevated American and Maine fare that is simply mouth-wateringly delectable. To make it even better, they’re located directly on the Passagassawakeag River as it dumps out into the Atlantic Ocean – talk about some lovely views!
For lunch, they have a typical sandwich menu available- my favorite is the Haddock Reuben – in addition to an entire menu of fried seafood platters. Dinner includes some delicious salmon, steak, lobster, shrimp, and pasta options. I’ve tried several salmon plates and loved all of them.
Now, the best piece of advice I can give you is: absolutely DO NOT leave Nautilus without getting dessert! The bread pudding is absolutely to die for! And of course, the cheesecake and pies are heavenly as well.
Not only is the food delicious, filling, and well-priced, but the service is top-notch as well – I’ve never had a bad experience there. Just be careful when eating on the expansive seaside deck – the pigeons and gulls are not shy about taking food!
Check out their Facebook page for daily specials and happy hour deals.
Current hours (as of 12/17/22):
Daily 11 am – 8 pm
Visit their website here: www.nautilusseafoodandgrill.com/
Source: Facebook
2. Delvino’s
If you’re in the mood for Italian food, Delvino’s is the place to go in Belfast. They’re located right in the heart of downtown Belfast in a restored brick building that used to be a hardware store.
They embrace a classic style with a modern twist, promoting an eclectic variety of apps and entrees that are sure to stimulate the senses. Of course, you’ll find several fresh, homemade pasta dishes on the menu, but also look out for the seafood and meat entrees, delicious salads, and amazing pizzettes (personal pizza served on naan bread).
On Tuesdays, they offer a “Two for Tuesday” special. Two people can dine on a full 5-course meal for just one price! Now that’s a great deal!
As with sushi (see below), it can be hard to come by a good Italian restaurant in certain parts of the state. Don’t miss out on Delvino’s if you’re in the Belfast area – you won’t regret stopping in.
Current hours (as of 12/17/22):
Daily 11 am – 3 pm & 4 pm – 9 pm
Visit their website here: www.delvinos.com/
Source: Facebook
3. Satori
Satoris is a Japanese sushi restaurant that is fairly new to the downtown Belfast scene. Opened in 2019 in the historic Gotchi Building, the menu features sushi staples, poke bowls, ramen, and some delicious and unique appetizers.
I have lived in Maine for 5 years and can tell you from personal experience that finding good sushi is surprisingly difficult. So, when you find a good sushi spot to frequent, do not take the opportunity for granted! Satori is one of the deliciously fresh sushi restaurants and is a gem in the Midcoast region.
In addition to serving fresh, creative sushi and seafood dishes, the owners of Satori have made a point to have a delicious cocktail menu always available. The menu is crafted by co-owner and award-winning bartender Wind Tracy. He has a passion for classic prohibition-era cocktail history as well as the use of fresh, seasonal ingredients to create unique, balanced flavors.
Don’t miss out on the variable non-alcoholic mocktail options either! They are just as crafted as the cocktails.
Current hours (as of 12/17/22):
Tuesday through Saturday 4 pm – 8 pm
Visit their website here: www.satoribelfast.com/
Source: Facebook
4. Daily Soup
Daily Soup is a small operation in downtown Belfast that offers, as its name suggests, fresh soup, along with sandwiches and salads. This is a great place to stop for a quick bite for lunch or to take home a nutritious delicious meal for the whole family.
The owner, Courtney Sanders, creates the menu herself and aims to use as many local ingredients as possible. The soups, which are switched up monthly, are all made from scratch and the sandwiches are served on bread from Universal Bread Makers in Waterville Maine.
At the time of publishing this article, some soups on the menu include Morrocan Chicken Curry, Vegetarian Chilli, Lucious Carrot Soup, and several more. I am impressed by how many vegetarian items they offer considering the smaller size of their menu – and of course, they all sound delicious.
Out of necessity due to the pandemic, Daily Soup now offers online ordering. They are only open Friday through Monday, but it is perfect timing for any tourists visiting the area during the weekend!
Current hours (as of 12/17/22):
Friday and Saturday: 11 am – 7 pm
Sunday and Monday: 11 am – 3 pm
Visit their website here: www.dailysoupbelfast.com/
Source: Facebook
5. Bell The Cat
I am an absolute sucker for yummy breakfast restaurants – and that is just what Bell The Cat is. You can get all of the breakfast classics like eggs, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches, plus some extras like chicken and waffles, blueberry french toast, and salmon benedict… yum!
Moving on to lunch, they have an entire page dedicated to fresh and colorful salads. I am a salad fiend and always get excited about restaurants that have more than just a chef’s or caesar salad available.
They also have 2 full pages of sandwiches categorized by protein! The proteins include pork, chicken, beef, seafood, turkey, and vegetarian.
You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu at Bell The Cat, whether for breakfast or lunch. Grab a freshly made espresso drink on your way out to give you a great start to your day.
Current hours (as of 12/17/22):
Tuesday through Sunday 7:30 am – 3 pm
Visit their Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/bellthecatinc
Source: Facebook
6. Laan Xang Cafe
Have you ever tried a combination of Laotian and Thai cuisine? Here’s your chance!
Laan Xang Cafe has been serving authentic Laotian food in Belfast for over 15 years. If you’re wondering what kind of food they serve, here is a description taken directly from their website.
“Lao cuisine is the cuisine of the Lao ethnic group of Laos and Northeast Thailand (Isan). Lao food is distinct from other Southeast Asian cuisines. The staple food of the Lao is sticky rice. Galangal and fish sauce are important ingredients.
The Lao national dish is larb, a spicy mixture of marinated meat and/or fish that is sometimes raw (prepared like ceviche) with a variable combination of greens, herbs, and spices. Another characteristic dish is tam mak houng (related to som tum in Thai), a spicy green papaya salad.”
Laan Xang sources as many ingredients as possible from local farmers, so you can expect your food to be as fresh as possible! They have outdoor dining in the summer where sometimes they host live music and happy hour.
Current hours (as of 12/17/22):
Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 am – 7 pm (closed daily from 3-5 pm)
Visit their Facebook page here: www.laanxangcafe.com
Source: Facebook