The Appleton Retreat Guidebook
Restaurants & Breweries
We are foodies and eat out A LOT. Here are some of our favorite places, & breweries, near The Appleton Retreat.
Delicious homemade savory and sweet pastries and breads, unique sandwiches, fresh produce. A busy, fun spot. Cool atmosphere.
71 locals recommend
Chase's Daily
96 Main StDelicious homemade savory and sweet pastries and breads, unique sandwiches, fresh produce. A busy, fun spot. Cool atmosphere.
Ada's Kitchen
449 Main StYummy Italian food, live music.
”A trattoria in the convivial Mediterranean tradition”. Awesome bar with a view of the kitchen and seasonal, waterview, outdoor seating. You will not be disappointed.
23 locals recommend
Nina June
24 Central St”A trattoria in the convivial Mediterranean tradition”. Awesome bar with a view of the kitchen and seasonal, waterview, outdoor seating. You will not be disappointed.
Daring thing to say but everything on the menu is good, or better than good. The chowder is out of this world.
Outdoor seating with wood stove and fire pits. Reservations recommended.
40 locals recommend
Cafe Miranda
15 Oak StDaring thing to say but everything on the menu is good, or better than good. The chowder is out of this world.
Outdoor seating with wood stove and fire pits. Reservations recommended.
Expensive farm to table menu, beautiful grounds and lovely restaurant. Reservations a must. If you are feeling a bit more casual and don't have a reservation, arrive early and head to the upstairs bar.
115 locals recommend
Primo Restaurant
2 Main StExpensive farm to table menu, beautiful grounds and lovely restaurant. Reservations a must. If you are feeling a bit more casual and don't have a reservation, arrive early and head to the upstairs bar.
Wonderful farm to table restaurant. Interesting menu that seems to span the globe! Amazing brunch. Check out the open hours before heading over.
26 locals recommend
The Hoot
144 Bayside RdWonderful farm to table restaurant. Interesting menu that seems to span the globe! Amazing brunch. Check out the open hours before heading over.
A lovely view overlooking gardens, fields and grazing sheep. Handmade liquor with interesting tastings. Find some unique booze!
14 locals recommend
Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery
347 Carroll RdA lovely view overlooking gardens, fields and grazing sheep. Handmade liquor with interesting tastings. Find some unique booze!
Very cool local brewery. Bill the brewmaster is an interesting character to chat up. Ask Anna to sing a few bars. Outdoor seating with fire pits - bring your dog.
13 locals recommend
The Pour Farm
56 Crawfordsburn LnVery cool local brewery. Bill the brewmaster is an interesting character to chat up. Ask Anna to sing a few bars. Outdoor seating with fire pits - bring your dog.
Great beer garden and eclectic menu - ALSO close by in Union.
11 locals recommend
Sterlingtown Public House
289 Common RoadGreat beer garden and eclectic menu - ALSO close by in Union.
Upscale groceries and wine with plenty of organic choices. Pizzas are the best around. CBD and a small gift section.
29 locals recommend
Lincolnville Center General Store
269 Main StUpscale groceries and wine with plenty of organic choices. Pizzas are the best around. CBD and a small gift section.
Unique menu and creative small plates available with a relaxing ambiance. Excellent bar with interesting drink menu. Open most nights for dinner.
41 locals recommend
40 Paper
40 Washington StUnique menu and creative small plates available with a relaxing ambiance. Excellent bar with interesting drink menu. Open most nights for dinner.
ONLY 5-MINUTES FROM THE APPLETON RETREAT! In Searsmont, this brewery not only has great beer but very good pizza - AND they deliver!!
11 locals recommend
Threshers Brewing Co
22B Main St NONLY 5-MINUTES FROM THE APPLETON RETREAT! In Searsmont, this brewery not only has great beer but very good pizza - AND they deliver!!
In Good Company
415 Main StHighly recommended - reservations necessary.
Excellent raw bar - can not go wrong with this choice! Next to Nina June in a beautifully renovated historic building.
27 locals recommend
18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill
18 Central StExcellent raw bar - can not go wrong with this choice! Next to Nina June in a beautifully renovated historic building.
Remotely located in Lincolnville the Cellardoor is a very posh, sophisticated winery with great views. Reservations are highly recommended.
52 locals recommend
Cellardoor Winery
367 Youngtown RdRemotely located in Lincolnville the Cellardoor is a very posh, sophisticated winery with great views. Reservations are highly recommended.
Great spot directly on Belfast Harbor. A beer aficionados paradise.,
28 locals recommend
Marshall Wharf Brewing Company
36 Marshall WharfGreat spot directly on Belfast Harbor. A beer aficionados paradise.,
Salt Wharf is new and located at the Lyman Morse boatyard - a very hip place, with a great view of Camden Harbor........ and great oysters!
Salt Wharf
3 Wayfarer DriveSalt Wharf is new and located at the Lyman Morse boatyard - a very hip place, with a great view of Camden Harbor........ and great oysters!
Guest recommendation! OK, now we have enjoyed it for ourselves and highly recommended!
33 locals recommend
Claws
743 Main StGuest recommendation! OK, now we have enjoyed it for ourselves and highly recommended!
FODA - HIGHLY RECOMMEND. FODA IS ONLY 5-MINUTES FROM THE APPLETON RETREAT! Excellent fine dining, or casual - AND a real fireplace!
48 Peabody Rd
FODA - HIGHLY RECOMMEND. FODA IS ONLY 5-MINUTES FROM THE APPLETON RETREAT! Excellent fine dining, or casual - AND a real fireplace!
ONLY 5-MINUTES FROM THE APPLETON RETREAT! Great breakfast....... homemade doughnuts. Excellent rubin! Beer & wine. ALSO - some grocery shopping available.
Fraternity Village General Store
Main Street NorthONLY 5-MINUTES FROM THE APPLETON RETREAT! Great breakfast....... homemade doughnuts. Excellent rubin! Beer & wine. ALSO - some grocery shopping available.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND - GREAT FOOD AND COOL COZY BAR WITH A FIREPLACE. ONLY 20 MINUTES FROM THE APPLETON RETREAT.
Aster & Rose Restaurant
HIGHLY RECOMMEND - GREAT FOOD AND COOL COZY BAR WITH A FIREPLACE. ONLY 20 MINUTES FROM THE APPLETON RETREAT.
ALSACE Restaurant, French & German cuisine
Alsace recently opened and we highly recommend it, plus it is only 15-20 minutes from The Appleton retreat.
Fabrice Roux is a native of France who has been cooking in some of the finest kitchens for over 30 years. Jennifer is a Sommelier. The two are well traveled and passionate about all things food & wine.
1422 Heald Hwy
ALSACE Restaurant, French & German cuisine
Alsace recently opened and we highly recommend it, plus it is only 15-20 minutes from The Appleton retreat.
Fabrice Roux is a native of France who has been cooking in some of the finest kitchens for over 30 years. Jennifer is a Sommelier. The two are well traveled and passionate about all things food & wine.
Excellent subs, pretty good pizza. A good stop on the way to or from The Appleton Retreat.
Common House of Pizza
Excellent subs, pretty good pizza. A good stop on the way to or from The Appleton Retreat.
FLATBREAD HAS THE BEST PIZZA - AND ITS OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 11:30AM - 7:30PM.
15 locals recommend
Flatbread Company
399 Commercial StFLATBREAD HAS THE BEST PIZZA - AND ITS OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 11:30AM - 7:30PM.
THE VINTAGE ROOM HAS BECOME A FAVORITE OF PETER & TOBY'S. BEST SHISH KABOB ANYWHERE! AND OPEN DAILY 4-10PM!!
6 locals recommend
16 Bay View
16 Bay View StTHE VINTAGE ROOM HAS BECOME A FAVORITE OF PETER & TOBY'S. BEST SHISH KABOB ANYWHERE! AND OPEN DAILY 4-10PM!!
To See & Do
A few hidden gems that may appeal to those of you who don't want a mug or T shirt boasting a red lobster.
Fabric, art supplies, embroidery, quilting, and chock full of ideas to get your creative juices running
Fiddlehead Artisan Supply
64 Main StFabric, art supplies, embroidery, quilting, and chock full of ideas to get your creative juices running
Old tools, used tools, antiques, and a whole lot more. Fun place to poke around even if you aren't into tools.
15 locals recommend
Liberty Tool Company
57 Main StOld tools, used tools, antiques, and a whole lot more. Fun place to poke around even if you aren't into tools.
Appleton boasts the actual farm of this lovely boutique store in Camden. Glendarragh Farm lavender is a fragrant mix of more than a dozen lavender varieties, grown on 26-acre farm along the St. George River in Appleton. The farm is open during harvest, June-July. A beautiful farm minutes from The Appleton Retreat.
8 locals recommend
Glendarragh Farm
22 Main StAppleton boasts the actual farm of this lovely boutique store in Camden. Glendarragh Farm lavender is a fragrant mix of more than a dozen lavender varieties, grown on 26-acre farm along the St. George River in Appleton. The farm is open during harvest, June-July. A beautiful farm minutes from The Appleton Retreat.
From a wide selection of clothes to hiking gear - bike, kayak, canoe, ski rentals, you name it, you will find it here.
31 locals recommend
Maine Sport Outfitters
115 Commercial StFrom a wide selection of clothes to hiking gear - bike, kayak, canoe, ski rentals, you name it, you will find it here.
Mid-Coast Towns + Things to Do and See
Camden is less than 30-minutes from The Appleton Retreat. It is probably the most well known mid-coast destination, a charming waterfront town that is well worth a visit. There are beautiful old schooners available for day sails and many small shops worth checking out, as well as good restaurants.
184 locals recommend
Camden
Camden is less than 30-minutes from The Appleton Retreat. It is probably the most well known mid-coast destination, a charming waterfront town that is well worth a visit. There are beautiful old schooners available for day sails and many small shops worth checking out, as well as good restaurants.
Rockport mingles working lobster boats with lobster yachts and restored wooden sailing vessels. It is a tiny village with a lot of character. Nina June restaurant overlooks the harbor and has fabulous food, an open kitchen and outdoor seating. It is one of Peter & Toby's favorite restaurants.
21 locals recommend
Rockport
Rockport mingles working lobster boats with lobster yachts and restored wooden sailing vessels. It is a tiny village with a lot of character. Nina June restaurant overlooks the harbor and has fabulous food, an open kitchen and outdoor seating. It is one of Peter & Toby's favorite restaurants.
Rockland is the largest of the mid-coast town's. The ferry to North Haven departs from Rockland. There are many shops, gallery's and the Farnsworth Art Museum has works by prominent American artists. Cafe Miranda is another of Peter & Toby's favorite restaurants.
35 locals recommend
Rockland
Rockland is the largest of the mid-coast town's. The ferry to North Haven departs from Rockland. There are many shops, gallery's and the Farnsworth Art Museum has works by prominent American artists. Cafe Miranda is another of Peter & Toby's favorite restaurants.
Guests likely passed through Union on their way to The Appleton Retreat. It is just a 20-minute drive. The Common Market is small but has good produce and meat. There is an ok pizza/sub shop on the common, as well as Sterlington Public House which features a beer garden. This is also a favorite of Peter & Toby's. AND don't miss the Pour Farm Brewery!
Union has a seasonal Farmers Market May - October 4:PM - 6:00.
Union
Guests likely passed through Union on their way to The Appleton Retreat. It is just a 20-minute drive. The Common Market is small but has good produce and meat. There is an ok pizza/sub shop on the common, as well as Sterlington Public House which features a beer garden. This is also a favorite of Peter & Toby's. AND don't miss the Pour Farm Brewery!
Union has a seasonal Farmers Market May - October 4:PM - 6:00.
Not as touristy as Camden & Rockland. Pretty working waterfront, with a massive shipyard. Very nice walk or bike ride along the river; great shops and a few good restaurants. Don't miss Three Tides brewery overlooking the harbor! If you are craving a lobster Youngs, across the harbor, is the place to go.
126 locals recommend
Belfast
Not as touristy as Camden & Rockland. Pretty working waterfront, with a massive shipyard. Very nice walk or bike ride along the river; great shops and a few good restaurants. Don't miss Three Tides brewery overlooking the harbor! If you are craving a lobster Youngs, across the harbor, is the place to go.
Liberty is a timeless, tiny town and a must see.
Be sure to check out "Liberty Tool"
Need a t-shirt? "Liberty Graphics" has a tremendous variety of interesting and beautiful T's. For the frugal, they offer seconds.
Stevens Pond is a lovely, pristine spot to take a dip with easy access to the water.
7 locals recommend
Liberty
Liberty is a timeless, tiny town and a must see.
Be sure to check out "Liberty Tool"
Need a t-shirt? "Liberty Graphics" has a tremendous variety of interesting and beautiful T's. For the frugal, they offer seconds.
Stevens Pond is a lovely, pristine spot to take a dip with easy access to the water.
Blink and you are through Appleton. Take a drive on Appleton Ridge road for a stunning view of Sennebec Pond and a large scale blueberry operation. Fresh berry's are for sale in August.
A visit to the Appleton Creamery....... for amazing handmade goat cheese is fun. The Briar Patch restaurant is great and a just stone's throw from the Retreat. Bray Brook has scrumptious ice cream open Wednesday - Sunday.
Appleton
Blink and you are through Appleton. Take a drive on Appleton Ridge road for a stunning view of Sennebec Pond and a large scale blueberry operation. Fresh berry's are for sale in August.
A visit to the Appleton Creamery....... for amazing handmade goat cheese is fun. The Briar Patch restaurant is great and a just stone's throw from the Retreat. Bray Brook has scrumptious ice cream open Wednesday - Sunday.
THE BEST BIKE DAY TRIP EVER
Also….. great for photographers and artists. North Haven island is a 1 hour ferry ride out of Rockland. The island is pristine and a fantastic place to ride a bicycle with next to no traffic and gorgeous scenery. It is what Nantucket was a long time ago ie., UNSPOILED.
Acadia is amazing but North Haven is close by and you will not encounter throngs of tourists. or traffic. The ferry ride over is affordable and a nice outing in itself - we highly recommend this day trip.
North Haven
Acadia is amazing but North Haven is close by and you will not encounter throngs of tourists. or traffic. The ferry ride over is affordable and a nice outing in itself - we highly recommend this day trip.
Groceries
The grocery store closest to The Appleton Retreat. On the small side but sufficient to handle all your practical needs and a convenient stopping point.
7 locals recommend
Common Market
40 Burkett RdThe grocery store closest to The Appleton Retreat. On the small side but sufficient to handle all your practical needs and a convenient stopping point.
Small, expensive with quality food and wine. Really pretty, too.
29 locals recommend
Lincolnville Center General Store
269 Main StSmall, expensive with quality food and wine. Really pretty, too.
Traveler advice
Book before you go
PERSONALIZE YOUR CELEBRATION. Design by Toby & Mindy
Toby & Mindy will work with you to creatively design your retreat to make your celebration a very memorable, special occasion.
Check out Celebration photos on the Breeze site for an idea of what is possible and message Peter for more information. Costs range from $200 - $500.