Top 5 Old Orchard Beach Food & Drink: Where to Indulge

Old Orchard Beach, Maine, is definitely more than just a sandy getaway. It’s got a very lively food scene just waiting to be explored. You can almost taste the salty air, feel that warm sun, and begin what you think might be an unforgettable culinary adventure. What’s really fun about this beach town is the bunch of cool places offering all sorts of eats and drinks, especially after those sun-soaked afternoons, or when you’re just in the mood for yummy things.

We put together this list to help you make the very best choices. We are showing off the places that are total must-visits when you’re trying to figure out where you want your vacation dollars to go. This isn’t just a regular guide. This is basically a roadmap straight to some food that makes your day way, way better.

1. The Shack: Oceanfront Grub

So, first up, there’s The Shack. If you want views that go so well with the eats, well, this place nails it. It sits right on the beach, so that makes every meal just a bit memorable. What it offers, food-wise, is basically the food you want when you think ‘beach vacation.’ We’re talking lobster rolls packed full of super tasty lobster meat, and you should probably also get some crispy, really fantastic fried clams. The Shack gives you what the place implies, casual dining with seriously top-notch views, perfect for chilling after some time spent in the sun.

The atmosphere is laid-back, yet, the ocean views? Quite stunning. A lot of vacationers love hanging here, soaking up the vibes and treating themselves to food that totally shouts ‘Maine.’ I mean, getting to see the waves is almost as great as what’s on the plate! The menu usually highlights locally caught seafood, cooked up with a good helping of that New England culinary vibe we all crave. It’s pretty hard to pass up, that is.

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2. Pier French Fries: A Boardwalk Staple

Speaking of iconic, let’s talk about Pier French Fries. Is any trip to Old Orchard really complete if you haven’t grabbed a bucket of those famous fries from the pier? Yeah, they’re basically legendary around here. Cooked to crisp, golden perfection, they basically nail that simple yet incredible flavor that draws folks back over and over. Maybe it’s all the sea air that really makes these fries a complete must-eat, you know? Sharing that big bucket as you wander the boardwalk really makes you feel a bit like you are living the vacation dream.

What makes them totally unique, really, is their simple charm. It is mostly the fries themselves, those perfect potatoes fried just the right amount until you bite and that crunch sounds like summer, yet the tradition also just seems baked into the whole experience. Basically, from little kids to us old timers, it’s clear people wait all year for that familiar cardboard bucket full of total fried bliss. Plus, there is the thing that everyone loves the beach. And they are right on the pier, so that’s amazing, basically.

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3. Lisa’s Pizza: The Slice of Beach Life

After hitting those super craveable fries, a walk down the OOB pier leads you smack-dab to Lisa’s Pizza. Yeah, I bet after breathing that salty sea air, those rich pizza smells will get you every time! So, this isn’t just grabbing any random slice of cheese, this is practically about partaking in Old Orchard Beach culture, in a way. They make what you need to enjoy in a boardwalk slice, something everyone just grabs on the go. So the aroma as you’re inching closer gets more mouthwatering with each step! What Lisa’s does very, very well is create consistently delicious pizza perfect after beach days.

You know, if you end up going there when there’s some sort of event, maybe the Classic Car show (happens every weekend in the summer and fall) prepare to wait in line. People really pile up at Lisa’s! The crowds? Very thick. The service is still very swift, still though. It tends to be efficient, actually. What is worth all of that? What everybody wants — really hot, freshly made, really yummy pizza. The taste? Super wonderful and amazing after an afternoon spent swimming. You know?

Read our full review: Lisa’s Pizza Old Orchard Beach Full Review and Details
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4. Jumpin Jakes Seafood

Alright, next let’s swing by Jumpin Jakes Seafood. When you’re wandering about thinking where the best spot to try some genuine Maine seafood actually is, then really, Jake’s needs to be on your radar. So, we are talking casual dining which always has a very, very friendly staff, that knows the menu through and through.

What really sets this place way, way apart is their guarantee of fresh ingredients. They literally source everything directly, yet daily, it’s almost as though Jumpin Jakes brings the ocean to your plate! So whether you go for steamed lobster (really can’t miss out, there!), that generous portion of haddock or scallops — always fresh too, too — their commitment shows. What you taste makes you think you should go there every day, so much quality in their food! Definitely go check them out.

Read our full review: Jumpin Jakes Seafood Old Orchard Beach Full Review and Details
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5. Joseph’s by the Sea: A Fine Dining Experience

So, now for the really special nights! Joseph’s by the Sea provides more elegant dining. What you are going to find? Some sweeping ocean views coupled to the upscale menu items. Think about it: really romantic sunsets lighting you while you’re sitting with maybe that person very, very important in your life. Enjoying delicious seafood plates.

What stands Joseph’s totally apart is the focus given directly to elegant meals made directly with regional ingredients! Start by ordering perhaps those delicate oysters; then consider the famous surf-n-turf — it has amazing local lobster. Yet, the ambience here? Always very enchanting. Dining is made something way more than just food that tastes good; instead, it is about creating lasting memories you always look back on fondly, even years away.

Read our full review: Joseph’s by the Sea Old Orchard Beach Full Review and Details
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