Maine Earns 10th Spot for Best Food Scene in America, Claims Popular Site

Maine's culinary scene is once again garnering national recognition, but this time, it's not just about a single restaurant or ingredient. This article highlights the entire culinary landscape.

Far & Wide, a popular food and travel site, ranked each state based on its cuisine and local ingredients, and Maine earned an impressive spot, ranking 10th overall. Not only did the Pine Tree State crack the top 10, but it also claimed the title of the highest-ranked state in New England. Take that, neighbors!

Maine's Culinary Renaissance: Why It's the Top Foodie Destination in New England

Maine's position on the list comes as no surprise. The state has long been celebrated as a foodie haven, consistently earning accolades for its diverse and flavorful offerings. With an abundance of locally sourced ingredients that have gained popularity nationwide, Maine's culinary reputation continues to rise.

The easiest place to start is of course with lobster. But here's the thing, Far & Wide basically avoided lobster altogether. This is what the site said about our most famous food.

Does anyone else think lobster is kind of overrated? It’s expensive — like, really expensive — and often lacking in flavor. Sometimes it feels like eating butter-poached paper towels.

Those. Are. Fightin'. Words.

Beyond Lobster: Discovering Maine's Diverse Culinary Delights

So, how on Earth did Maine still finish with a 10th ranking? That would be for the rest of Maine's spoils.

It contains wild blueberries or strawberries, tons of non-lobster seafood, the Seven-Napkin Burger, Whoopie Pies and Portland, the small city with a huge culinary scene. That’s how.

I’m thrilled that both strawberries and blueberries made the list. These fruits often don't get the recognition they deserve when discussing Maine's amazing food scene. Wild Maine blueberries, in particular, are unmatched in taste and packed with health benefits. While Maine's strawberry season may be short, these berries are bursting with flavor and are ideal for making the perfect pie.

Another highlight is that the site credited Maine with the iconic whoopie pie. While some may try to claim this beloved treat as originating elsewhere, that's just nonsense. Maine is the true home of the whoopie pie.

Maine's Foodie Neighborhoods

Portland's culinary scene is undoubtedly a standout, especially in a ranking that doesn’t fully appreciate lobster. But no need to explain how incredible Portland's food scene is—it's well known. And it’s not just Portland that’s thriving; South Portland, Biddeford, Brunswick, Bar Harbor, Rockland, and many other towns are developing their own vibrant culinary landscapes, growing stronger year after year.

The bottom line is, we’re incredibly fortunate to live in a place that offers such a rich food culture. From the dynamic restaurant scene to the abundance of native ingredients, Maine is a haven for food lovers.

Now, just imagine how much higher Maine would rank if the person doing the ranking were a lobster fan.