Maine is a chilly place. Anyone who lives here clearly knows this. Tourists know this as well, hence why we see them mostly disappear between November and April.

But cold weather doesn't have to make us imitate hermits. There's still plenty of great things to do here. There are world-class outdoor activities like alpine and Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and hiking.

But I understood how the Maine outdoors during a polar vortex or two is probably not everyone's cup of tea. That's okay, because there's a whole state full of delicious restaurants, pubs, and cafes for you to enjoy.

We spend massive amounts of time discussing and dissecting every little aspect about the Maine restaurant scene. Whether it's Portland, the surrounding area, Bar Harbor, the Midcoast, the Western Foothills, or the Southern Coast, this state is an absolute goldmine.

With so many amazing spots to hit, it's made many of them destinations for Mainers to try and visit.

So, we put out the call for the eateries Mainers love, especially during these cold winter months; the restaurants that help shape a community, warm the body, and keep our stomachs full. These places unite the weekend warriors with those who spend many a day in hibernation mode.

Now, thanks to our stations' social media, we can put some names to those establishments.

Below is a list of many of those restaurants that were suggested to us. They vary in size, concept, and location. Some have opened recently, while others have been community staples for years. However, they are all true Maine originals.

Check out the entire list below. Believe me, these places will absolutely warm you up on cold Maine days.

40 Maine Restaurants to Warm You Up This Winter

Thanks to our great listeners, we compiled a list of many of Maine's great restaurants that warm folks up in the winter.

These popular spots can be found across the state and are waiting for you to try them out.

How many have you been to? How many would you like to try for the first time?

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

LOOK: 50 cozy towns to visit this winter

Stacker created a list of 50 cozy American towns to visit each winter. Towns were selected based on visitor opinions, ratings from nationwide publications, and tourist attractions.

Gallery Credit: Laura Ratliff

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