Last Updated May 2021! We’ve created this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, ice cream shops, and stores in Maine that are friendly to dairy-free diners. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state.
We Update Continuously! You can ignore the original date on this post going forward. We update the information below whenever we’re alerted to a new recommendation, change, or closure.
Photo from Liquid Riot Bottling Company. Locals in Maine don’t take their short summer for granted. When the sun shines, they grab their tiki drinks and head outside.
Dairy-Free Maine: Recommended Restaurants & Shops
We’ve listed these recommendations alphabetically by city and then by the restaurant or shop name. For large chains with locations throughout the state, see the Major Restaurant & Grocery Chains section below. We have dedicated posts with dairy-free details for many of the big guys.
⭐️ = Restaurant is either dairy-free, has a dairy-free menu, has dairy-free labels on their menu(s), or lists top allergens with menu items. (At the time of our last review.)
Auburn
- Ahimsa Custom Cakes – This isn’t a storefront, but rather a vegan custom cake and cookie shop by order or appointment only. They make wedding, other celebratory, and 3D cakes as well as custom designed cookies – all without dairy or eggs!
- Cibo Pizzeria – They have numerous plant-based and vegan pizzas right on their menu, using dairy-free Teese or Daiya cheeses and some have faux meats. They also have dairy-free cheesy bread, and most of their pizzas can be ordered dairy-free.
- The Holy Donut – They specialize in “Maine potato donuts,” and offer vegan donuts daily. They do not use soy or nuts in any of their donuts, but they do use shared fryers.
- Tripp’s Farmhouse Cafe – This gluten-free bakery and sandwich shop offers an array of sweet treats, savory items, and keto options. They have quite a few dairy-free items, and some vegan, too.
Bangor
- Bagel Central – Their handmade bagels include vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free dairy-free (Udi’s) varieties. You can top them with dairy-free tofu “cream cheese,” jelly, honey, peanut butter, or hummus. They also bake other breads, and have sandwiches available.
- Bangin’ Whoopie ⭐️ – Yes, a bakery dedicated to whoopie pies! They label vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options, and most flavors are actually dairy-free! Their selection is staggering.
- Biggi’s – This is an all vegan bakery specializing in breads, but they also offer some pastries, like cinnamon rolls. They don’t have a storefront, but are at the local farmer’s market, sell direct, and to retailers.
- Fork & Spoon – You’ll find a good smattering of dairy-free options on their menu, including toasts, acai bowls, sandwiches, cashew milk smoothies, and coffee drinks made with oat, soy, or cashew milk.
- Uno Pizzeria & Grill – This national Italian-American restaurant chain has one location in this city. See our Uno Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
- The Donut GroVe – This is an all vegan bakery that makes yeast-raised and cake donuts. They don’t have a storefront, but have order / pick-up available and sell at the local farmer’s market.
Bar Harbor
- A Slice of Eden – House bagels can be ordered with peanut butter or vegan butter, dairy-free sandwich options are available, and this local bakery usually has a couple vegan treats available.
- CJ’s Big Dipper – (Note: Google proclaimed them permanently closed, but we spotted a new season review; this is a seasonal shop. Please confirm if you know it is open for summer or permanently closed.) This is a seasonal town, but when it’s in full swing, this is the spot for dairy-free ice cream. They have almond milk soft serve, and several vegan scoop flavors made with soymilk or almond milk. You can even order them in a cone!
- Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast – This tourist-oriented, seasonal cafe makes finding dairy-free breakfast easy. They have a vegan menu of items, including pancakes, tofu scrambles, and burritos. They also offer gluten-free, dairy-free pancakes, and can make some other items dairy-free on order.
- Mount Desert Island Ice Cream – They offer a couple creamy vegan ice cream flavors, like pumpkin and cereal milk, serve non-dairy sorbets, and also make dairy-free shakes with oat milk. They have a couple locations in Bar Harbor, but they are seasonal.
Berwick
- Toast ⭐️ – Order their nutrient-dense, gluten free, vegan sourdough bread and pick it up fresh at one of the scheduled pick up points.
Bethel
- Good Food Store – This is a specialty grocer and sandwich shop that offers many dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan items and has options on their menu.
Biddeford
- Biscuits & Company – This local cafe provides an alternative dairy-free, gluten-free biscuit made with gluten-free flour, almond milk + Earth Balance. They make a limited amount each week, so call ahead to check on availability.
- Hanami Cake Design – This cakery is by appointment only. They bake elegant special occasion cakes, and can provide allergen-friendly options in a range of flavors. They accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, organic, vegan, and refined sugar free requests.
Brewer
- The Whole Grain Bake Shop ⭐️ – Everything at this small artisan bakery is dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free. Much of their menu is egg-free and vegan, too. And their menu is mighty, with cookies, cupcakes, muffins, scones, waffles, breads, and much more.
- Tiller & Rye – This local market carries specialty local items and offers a good selection of dairy alternatives and vegan products.
Brunswick
- Frontier – Their Curbside Market menu includes some wonderful vegan surprises, like cashew queso dip, Korean rice noodles, and more. Dairy-free items aren’t specifically labeled, but there are some additional dairy-free and gluten-free entrees.
- Gelato Fiasco ⭐️ – All dairy-free flavors at this elegant gelateria are marked with a red handled scoop. Each container has a dedicated scoop, which helps to prevent cross-contamination issues. They make an array of creative dairy-free sorbets, and even package a couple into pints for sale online and in stores.
- Mister Bagel – This popular Maine bagel shop offers daily fresh-baked bagels, dairy-free tofu cream cheeses, and soy milk for coffee drinks.
- Wildflours Gluten-Free Bakery ⭐️ – Dairy-free items are marked at this gluten-free bakeshop, and they include various muffins, scones, and vegan cookies and bars.
- Wild Oats Bakery & Café – They do offer a few decadent vegan cake and pie options, but this bakery is most known for their savory items. They have a rotating schedule of their fresh-baked breads, which includes several dairy-free breads and naturally vegan options. They typically have a few vegan soups daily (and often a couple more are “just dairy-free”), and they have several dairy-free sandwich and wrap options sans cheese.
Camden
- Fresh and Co – Their menu is labeled with dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options, and there are typically at least a couple dairy-free items to choose from at this globally inspired eatery.
Damariscotta
- ButterUpCakes – This is a gluten-free bakery, cafe, and hard cider bar, that also offers many dairy-free, vegan, and allergy-friendly options.
Falmouth
- Mister Bagel – This popular Maine bagel shop offers daily fresh-baked bagels, dairy-free tofu cream cheeses, and soy milk for coffee drinks.
- Rivalries – The menu at this local sports pub is labeled for dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options, and they have a handful of entrees to choose from.
Gorham
- Mister Bagel – This popular Maine bagel shop offers daily fresh-baked bagels, dairy-free tofu cream cheeses, and soy milk for coffee drinks.
Kittery
- 360 Sugar Free – This little specialty grocery store carries sugar-free, low carb, and keto foods. They have many dairy-free products and brands available.
- Lovebird Donuts ⭐️ – This all-vegan bake shop offers swanky, signature, classic, and gluten-free (prepared with separate equipment) donut flavors. They also have a big brioche donut that’s made for sharing.
- Mrs & Me Ice Cream Shop – This seasonal little ice cream shop scoops sorbet and a couple creamy dairy-free ice cream flavors (like Coffee Oreo), which are made in house. Their servings are reportedly generous, too.
- When Pigs Fly Restaurant & Pizzeria – They have dairy-free marinara and “cheese” pizzas right on the menu, which you can top with additional items. Their menu includes some other naturally dairy-free or easy dairy-free options, too.
Norway
- Taste of Eden Vegan Cafe ⭐️ – This all-vegan restaurant serves salads, sandwiches with whole grain house-made bread, salads, veggie burgers, quesadillas, daily soup specials, herbal coffee, and more.
Ogunquit
- Loveshack Juicery ⭐️ – They make purely plant-based smoothies and smoothie bowls with fruits, cashew milk or coconut water, and nut butter, hemp protein, or pea protein, if you want an extra boost. They also have a full coffee bar. They do have both dairy and non-dairy milks on site. This is a seasonal cafe.
Portland
- Copper Branch – This vegan restaurant is popular in Quebec, but they have a smattering of U.S. locations, too. Their menu is varied with all-day breakfast, power bowls, burgers, sandwiches, soups, smoothies, and more.
- Flatbread Company – This gourmet flatbread pizza chain supports local and organic farming, and is special diet friendly. They offer dairy-free cheese, have vegan pizza on the menu, and can make many of their pizzas dairy free. They also offer a gluten-free vegan pizza crust, and we’ve been told that their regular house dough and most of their toppings are dairy-free. They also have build-your-own salad options.
- Gelato Fiasco ⭐️ – All dairy-free flavors at this elegant gelateria are marked with a red handled scoop. Each container has a dedicated scoop, which helps to prevent cross-contamination issues. They make an array of creative dairy-free sorbets, and even package a couple into pints for sale online and in stores.
- Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro – You won’t find any fish sauce, oyster sauce, or dairy (yes, it happens a lot!) at this Thai restaurant. Most of their dishes are vegan, but a few can be ordered with or without egg. And their menu is far more innovative than most, with a carefully created array of appetizers, steamed dishes, stir fries, noodles, curries, and more.
- Liquid Riot Bottling Company – Their menu is labeled for dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options. The dairy-free choices include some small plates and vegan bao buns to enjoy with drinks.
- Mister Bagel – This popular Maine bagel shop offers daily fresh-baked bagels, dairy-free tofu cream cheeses, and soy milk for coffee drinks.
- Mount Desert Island Ice Cream – This seasonal shop offers a couple creamy vegan ice cream flavors, like pumpkin and cereal milk, serves non-dairy sorbets, and can also make dairy-free shakes.
- OTTO Pizza – They offer vegan violife cheese on their menu, and can make many of their signature pizzas dairy-free, or you can build your own.
- Rivalries – The menu at this local sports pub is labeled for dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options, and they have a handful of entrees to choose from.
- Scratch Baking Co – This traditional bakery doesn’t forget about special diet customers. They have a vegan custom chocolate cake option, and offer bagels with house-made cashew cream cheese, dairy-free granola, and vegan banana bread.
- Sticky Sweet ⭐️ – This plant-based, vegan scoop shop churns dairy-free, gluten-free ice cream in decadent flavors.
- The Holy Donut – They specialize in “Maine potato donuts,” and offer vegan donuts daily. They do not use soy or nuts in any of their donuts, but they do use shared fryers.
- The Juicery – Their smoothies are made with almond milk, they offer smoothie and acai bowls, they have sourdough toasts, and sometimes there are gluten-free, dairy-free muffins available. They do use dairy yogurt and whey protein in some smoothies, so use caution ordering.
- The Works Café – Their counter-serve menu offers some dairy-free breakfast items, bowls, salads, sandwiches, and smoothies, either as is, or with a simple special order. They also have an array of bagels that you can order with dairy-free Tofutti cream cheese.
- Union Bagel Company – You can enjoy their vegan bagels with a schmear of dairy-free house-made tofu “cream cheese,” hummus, or Earth Balance. They also have build your own topping options.
- Uno Pizzeria & Grill – This national Italian-American restaurant chain has one location in this city. See our Uno Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
Rockport
- Flatbread Company – This gourmet flatbread pizza chain supports local and organic farming, and is special diet friendly. They offer dairy-free cheese, have vegan pizza on the menu, and can make many of their pizzas dairy free. They also offer a gluten-free vegan pizza crust, and we’ve been told that their regular house dough and most of their toppings are dairy-free. They also have build-your-own salad options.
Saco
- OTTO Pizza – They offer vegan violife cheese on their menu, and can make many of their signature pizzas dairy-free, or you can build your own.
- The Saco Scoop – This traditional ice creamery offers a small rotating selection of dairy-free sorbets and creamy vegan ice creams.
Scarborough
- The Holy Donut – They specialize in “Maine potato donuts,” and offer vegan donuts daily. They do not use soy or nuts in any of their donuts, but they do use shared fryers.
South Portland
- B. Good – With the help of their allergen chart, you can order crispy chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, veggie burgers, and fries, and custom order various burgers, salads, and bowls. Vegan and gluten-free options are also available.
- Mister Bagel – This popular Maine bagel shop offers daily fresh-baked bagels, dairy-free tofu cream cheeses, and soy milk for coffee drinks.
- OTTO Pizza – They offer vegan violife cheese on their menu, and can make many of their signature pizzas dairy-free, or you can build your own.
Unity
- Unity Kitchen – This from-scratch kitchen offers some dairy-free bowls and sandwiches, and vegan and gluten-free items on request.
Veazie
- Raegamuffin’s Gluten Free Bakery – This gluten-free bakery makes all types of goodies, and about half of their items are dairy-free. They usually have a couple vegan items daily.
Wells Beach
- Knew Potato Caboose – This is a dedicated gluten-free, seasonal mobile kitchen that specializes in French fries. Their fryers are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free and vegan.
Woolwich
- Taste of Maine – Their menu is more like a smorgasbord than a “taste.” It’s a diverse range of seafood, steak, pasta, sandwiches, and anything else you can think of. And they have a vegan menu! It’s a fun selection with pizza, nachos, ravioli, and more. Many of their omnivorous dishes can also be ordered dairy free, including the pizzas. And they do cater to gluten-free guests.
Westbrook
- Mister Bagel – This popular Maine bagel shop offers daily fresh-baked bagels, dairy-free tofu cream cheeses, and soy milk for coffee drinks.
- Ragged Coast Chocolates – They offer a vegan and dairy-free collection of chocolates that’s actually rather stunning. They have colorful, elegant frogs, some filled with peanut butter, hedge hogs, bark, and several drinking chocolates.
Windham
- Mister Bagel – This popular Maine bagel shop offers daily fresh-baked bagels, dairy-free tofu cream cheeses, and soy milk for coffee drinks.
Yarmouth
- Mister Bagel – This popular Maine bagel shop offers daily fresh-baked bagels, dairy-free tofu cream cheeses, and soy milk for coffee drinks.
- OTTO Pizza – They offer vegan violife cheese on their menu, and can make many of their signature pizzas dairy-free, or you can build your own.
Photo from Sticky Sweet. Many ice cream shops are seasonal in Maine, and only swing their doors open for a few months of the year. This shop opens when the spring thaw begins.
Restaurant & Grocery Chains found throughout Maine
Some recommended restaurant and store chains are getting too big for our city listing britches. They have many locations, or are rapidly growing, and you might stumble across them in a number of towns in this state. Click on them for more dairy-free details.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Hannaford – This is a Maine, full-service grocery store chain that offers a great selection of dairy-free products and good special diet help.
Photo from Copper Branch. This is a northeastern chain that’s completely plant-based.
Local Dairy-Free Food & Drink Producers in Maine
These dairy-free friendly companies don’t have their own retail location, but are in Maine. So you have a good chance of finding their products at grocery stores, restaurants, and/or other shops in this state. Keep an eye out!
- GrandyOats – For decades, this little bakery has made fabulous dairy-free granola. They also offer grain-free options.
Photo from Lovebird Donuts. Donut shops and bagel shops are very popular in Maine, and many have specialty vegan options. But this shop is all-vegan.
This Guide is Continuously Updated with Recommendations
We welcome you to recommend other dairy-free friendly restaurants. Leave a comment or contact us and tell us why you like a certain restaurant. Restaurant owners and employees are also invited to reach out and let us know how you welcome dairy-free customers.
Please kindly let us know in the comments if any of these restaurants close. We want to keep this list current for you, but aren’t always notified when a restaurant closes. Let us know and we will quickly update!
This Guide is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.
For More Dairy-Free Guidance, Get Go Dairy Free!
