Augusta Restaurants and Dining

(Augusta, Maine - ME, USA)

If you are looking for an evening of fine dining or simply a hamburger at a local fast-food restaurant, then you will find a very reasonable choice of eateries within Augusta, Maine's state capital.

A number of the most popular and conveniently located restaurants are to be found lining Western Avenue (ME-100), close to the Augusta State Airport and reached via the Maine Turnpike (Interstate I-95).

Familiar dining chains lining Western Avenue include the likes of Arby's, Dunkin' Donuts, KFC, Subway and Wendy's. For something a little more upmarket on Western Avenue, consider dining out at the Senator Inn, where the Cloud 9 Restaurant serves up 'Creative Cuisine' in the form of buttermilk-fried oysters, country chicken pie and freshly seared tuna nicoise, using locally sourced ingredients where possible. A particular specialty here is the walnut, roasted pear and Gorgonzola pizza.

When to Eat

Whether you are planning to eat breakfast at a hotel, cafe or local eatery in Augusta, most dining establishments tend to open their doors between the hours of 06:30 or 11:00, or thereabouts. For breakfast, the Downtown Diner on Water Street is both highly recommended and hard to beat, with its generous portions of bacon, eggs, omelets and pancakes. Follow this later on in the day with a chicken club sandwich and you certainly won't be disappointed.

Lunch can be anytime between 11:00 and 16:00, followed by a dinner service from 16:00 or 17:00, until 21:00 or 22:00. The most popular eateries will stay open all day, particularly those based at busy shopping centers, such as the Marketplace at Augusta on Stephen King Drive / Civic Center Drive. This is where you will find the Longhorn Steakhouse, the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant and the Red Robin, known for its mouthwatering burgers and delicious pasta dishes.

Where to Eat

For a fun evening of Mexican dining in Augusta, head to Tio Juan's Margaritas Restaurant on Western Avenue, close to the Hampton Inn and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Here you can enjoy everything from Aztec shrimp quesadillas and skillet baked enchiladas, to tasty burritos, chili con carne with Monterey Jack cheese, and Taco salads with grilled steak or chicken.

Elsewhere in Augusta and worth looking out for is the Riverfront Barbeque and Grille on Water Street, which is located close to the US Post Office and the Kennebec River. Highlights at this restaurant include Memphis dry rub ribs, beef brisket, seafood dishes and pulled pork.

Families in Augusta may like to look out for the informal dining provided along Western Avenue, where you will find Domino's Pizza, Little Caesars Pizza and Pizza Hut, amongst other options. Sam's Italian Foods on Civic Center Drive may also be of interest for families, as well as students, being located next to the campus of the University of Maine.